What are the main causes of Forest Fire?

FOREST FIRES in india

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56671148

The reasons for wildland fire origin and cause investigations include:

·??????Determining the origin and cause of wildfires

·??????Identifying responsible parties.

·??????Documenting ownership responsibility for the wildfire.

·??????Documenting causes for statistical reporting and analysis.

·??????Determining whether there is evidence that a crime has been committed.

·??????Providing supporting documentation when litigation is

·??????Improving prevention program planning.?

https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/dfwfm/bwfm/wildfire-prevention-and-education/home-bureau-indian-affairs-bia-trust-services-division-forestry-and-wildland-fire-management-branch

What causes forest fires?

Fires can happen anytime, anywhere. Forest fires occur only because of two reasons, it can be either natural or man-made.

Naturally Occurring Wildfires

Naturally occurring wildfires are most frequently caused by lightning. There are also volcanic, meteor, and coal seam fires, depending on the circumstance.?

?Natural : One of the biggest causes of natural forest fires is lightning. Lightning in places of dry vegetation causes a fire. These fires mostly occur in remote locations away from human presence. In some cases, volcanic activities lead to fires. With the advancement of technology, these types of fires are predicted well in advance and firefighters create a buffer zone to manage the fires. Apart from these, forest fires also occur due to spontaneous combustion of dry vegetation.

Human Caused Wildfires

Human caused wildfires can be accidental, intentional (arson) or from an act of negligence.?

General Cause : Specific Cause : Other Known or Unknown : Lightning (natural)

Lightning (but could also include volcanic, meteor),

When a specific cause is unknown or the cause is not in the specific cause list, then other known or unknown is selected.?When "other" is selected, the cause should then be noted in the remarks (i.e. exploding target).

Coal-seams burning of an outcrop or underground coal seam?

Campfire : Cooking, warming, bonfire

Smoking : Cigarette, cigars, pipes, and matches/lighters used for lighting tobacco

Fire use?: Debris burning, burning ditches, fields or slash piles, etc..

Incendiary : Arson, illegal or unauthorized burning

Equipment : Vehicles, aircraft, exhaust, flat tires, dragging chains, brakes, etc.

Railroads : Exhaust, brakes, railroad work, etc

Juveniles : Fire play - matches, fireworks, lighters, etc

Miscellaneous : Includes burning buildings, fireworks, power lines, shooting (ammo, exploding targets), spontaneous combustion (hay baled while still wet, compost piles, oily rags), blasting, and coal seams.

Forest fires are a major cause of degradation of India’s forests. While statistical data on fire loss are weak, it is estimated that the proportion of forest areas prone to forest fires annually ranges from 33% in some states to over 90% in others. About 90% of the forest fires in India are started by humans. Forest Fires cause wide ranging adverse ecological, economic and social impacts. In a nutshell, fires cause

·??????Loss of valuable timber resources and depletion of carbon sinks

·??????Degradation of water catchment areas resulting in loss of water

·??????Loss of biodiversity and extinction of plants and animals

·??????Loss of wild life habitat and depletion of wild life

·??????Loss of natural regeneration and reduction in forest cover and production

·??????Global warming resulting in rising temperature

·??????Loss of carbon sink resource and increase in percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere

·??????Change in micro climate of the area making it unhealthy living conditions

·??????Soil erosion affecting productivity of soils and production

·??????Ozone layer depletion

·??????Health problems leading to diseases

·??????Indirect affect on agricultural production: Loss of livelihood for the tribals as approximately 65 million people are classified as tribal who directly depend upon collection of non-timber forest products from the forest areas for their livelihood.

Forest fires in India

Bandipur forest fire in 2017, destroyed more than 1000 hectares and also claimed the life of a forest guard. ?

In 2016, the dreadful Uttarakhand forest fire brought 4000 hectares of forest to ashes and claimed seven lives.?

In India, the Himalayan region, dry forests in Andhra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are most affected by these fires.?

PAST EXPERIENCE :

Lessons from Bandipur forest fire

In 2016, the horrifying forest fire in Bandipur burnt down 1000 hectares of forest and also killed a forest guard. The forest fire is the worst enemy of vegetation in this protected forest range. How Bandipur dealt with these forest fire helps us understand how the authorities have taken the incident seriously. The forest department in Bandipur has carefully and thoughtfully designed and implemented a strategy for fireproofing Bandipur.

?How to prevent forest fires?

Educate people and create awareness about forest fires.

Fire detection system and watchtowers and network for communication

Patrolling by the forest department

Strict approvals and warnings for those using the forest for adventure activities

I hope this help you to get more on forest and nature fire reasons and I like to share awareness.

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