Uttarakhand Forest Fires: What causes forest fires and how common are they in India?

What Triggered Forest Fire?

As per the news reports, heightened dryness due to present heat wave has been considered a prime cause behind the wildfires plaguing the hill state. Especially in districts like Champawat and Nainital.

Another reason is the weak rainfall & snow during winter since September in the state. As speculated by some experts, the presence of dry leaves, pine needles and other materials in the forest, they also act as a trigger for forest fires.

However, as per the report of the 2019 Forest Research Institute (Under Ministry of Environment), 95 per cent of the incidents are primarily caused by humans. As locals of the area too set the grasses on fire for agriculture and grazing purposes. Thus potentially causing forest fire.

But the natural factors too can contribute to the disaster of this sort. Like lightning, changing weather patterns and hot & dry climate.

How frequent are they In India?

Usually, the forest fires in India lasts between the months of November and June. The frequency too is determined by factors like vegetation, temperature, moisture and precipitation in this country.

However as per the forest survey of India report, 36 per cent of Indian forests are prone to frequent fire.

In areas like western Maharashtra, South Chhattisgarh, Central Odisha, and regions of southern states like Karnataka, Telangana, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, patches of these places come under the category of very high and extreme fire-prone zones.

But all in all, these fire incidents in India usually take place in the month of March, April and May. Due to the presence of dry biomass between the end of winter and prevailing summer season.