INTRODUCTION

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires globally reflect the complex interplay between climate change, human activity, and environmental management. These fires not only threaten lives and property but also disrupt ecosystems and exacerbate existing socio-economic challenges.

What are Wildfires? BOX

• Wildfire, also called forest, bush or vegetation fire, is an unplanned, unwanted wildland fire (including unauthorised human-caused fires). 

• Vegetation fires are caused by slash/burn land clearing, clearing of plantations following logging operations, and by natural events such as lightning or extreme drought. 

• The dry seasons provide peak conditions for wildfires to occur, and it is during this time that they are most prevalent. 

• Wildland fires are usually signalled by dense smoke that fills the area for miles around.

• Types

• Surface Fire: The most common type, burning along the forest floor, moving slowly, and causing damage or death to trees.

• Ground Fire: Typically ignited by lightning, burning on or below the forest floor and often smouldering for extended periods.

• Crown Fire: Rapidly spreading due to wind, leaping from treetop to treetop, making it the most destructive and difficult to control.

Source— UN-SPIDER (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) Knowledge Portal

About South California Wildfires

• Widespread Destruction: A series of wildfires in Southern California have caused significant damage, destroying homes and businesses while leaving cities and roads engulfed in smoke.

• Palisades Fire: The largest and most destructive of the recent wildfires, the Palisades fire has destroyed over 23,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood and led to the evacuation of 30,000 residents from around 10,000 homes

• Eaton Fire: The second-largest fire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Pasadena and has consumed 14,000 acres.

• Other Fires: The Hurst fire, Lidia fire, and a fire in LA’s West Hills neighbourhood have each burnt between 300 and 1,000 acres, contributing to the widespread devastation.

• Wind-Driven Spread: The fire rapidly expanded fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 161 km/h, complicating firefighting efforts.

• State of Emergency: California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, mobilising resources and expressing gratitude to firefighters and first responders battling the destructive blaze.

WAY FORWARD

Lasts from November to June, with peak incidents in March, April, and May due to dry biomass accumulation.
Fire-Prone Forests:
Nearly 36% of India’s forests are prone to frequent fires, as per the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
54.40% of forests in India are exposed to occasional fires, 7.49% to moderately frequent fires and 2.40% to high incidence levels while 35.71% of India’s forests have not yet been exposed to fires of any real significance.
Regional Vulnerability:

CONCLUSION

Forest Types and Susceptibility: Dry deciduous forests are highly prone to severe fires. Evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests are comparatively less prone. Policy and Legal Framework: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) oversees the implementation of preventive measures, including the construction of fire lines, deployment of fire watchers, and community engagement.

PYQ MAPPING

Q) Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. (2019)

Q) Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (2020)

SAMPLE QUESTION

Decrease in Forest Fire Incidents: Fire hotspots detected in 2023-24: 2,03,544, down from 2,23,333 in 2021-22 and 2,12,249 in 2022-23.

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
WILDFIRE SANTA ANA TEST