In recent years, we've seen many tragic incidents about wildfires spreading mainly through Western countries, destroying forests, infrastructure and costing many people their lives as well as causing economic losses and manpower. These incidents are occurring more frequently and more likely to cause intense damage.
A wildfire is an unwanted, uncontrolled fire. Wildfires are also known as crown fires, surface fires, spot fires and ground fires. Here are the causes of wildfires in brief.
1. Natural Causes
- Lightning
- Volcanic eruptions
- Dry climatic conditions
2. Human Involvement
Around 70-80% wildfires are due to human interference. These include,
- Open burning
- Disposal of flammable debris in vegetative areas
- Dropping cigarettes, neglected campfires
- Intentional acts of arson
First wildfire occurrence was estimated to be 400 million years ago. Wildfire helps the forest ecosystem. But in the current scenario, due to the following reasons, it has taken the opposite role.
Climate Change:
Climate change is one of the major cause of the increase in wildfires across the globe. Climate change acts as a catalyst, which has intensified summertime droughts; reduced the mountaintop snowpack, making fire seasons longer; and even increased lightning strikes that can trigger big fires in tinder-dry forests.
These incidents will not change on their own. Global warming causes the temperature to rise further and also places which are most vulnerable to extreme weather events get exposed to further danger.
In 2019 there were 50,477 wildfires compared with 58,083 wildfires in 2018, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). About 4.7 million acres were burned in 2019 while there were 8.8 million acres burned in 2018.
Prevention:
- Take decisive steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy.
- Planning more projects on restoring forest and preparing them against upcoming changes.
Deforestation & Development:
With an increase in population, all-natural resources are on the verge of extinction. In the outgrowing demands, places to live and infrastructure to support basic needs are high. Thus, leading to taking over of forests, wildlands and colonizing the areas near forests.
These cement jungles not only increase the risk of wildfires but also blocks firefighters from taking measures effectively. It also leads to more damage.
Recent fires in the USA, California, and India are unfortunate examples.
Prevention:
- The most basic and prior task is to keep in check the development of these areas and leave the forest for wildlife.
- As for the already colonized areas, forest management should be analyzed and improved.
What Can Be Done?
The attitude of taking actions only after fire rages will not work anymore. Fire suppressing- is not always the best option. Though occasional fires help to maintain the ecosystem cycle but, as these small, small fires are happening more often, there are patches of half-burned trees, bushes which act as burning fuels during the spread of wildfires.
- We need to change our mindset and way of dealing with wildfires. Instead of trying to stop them all—an impossible and self-defeating task—we should be managing fire risk, taking action to protect people and minimize damage to property while incorporating the knowledge that some fire is healthy and necessary.
- Normalizing occurrence of small fires and taking immediate measures on affected areas will help to sustain disasters.
According to data, today, wildfires are burning more than twice the area than in the 1980s. A sudden change will not happen; we have to make it happen by taking small measures as a global citizen.
Read More - Climate Change Protocols and Conventions
Written By - Nikita Jadhav
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