Forest fire near NH-144A in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir has spread across hundreds of hectares of forest land and prompted immediate action from forest authorities and emergency services.
About Forest Fires
- It refers to uncontrolled fires that spread through vegetation in forest areas, causing ecological, economic, and social damage.
- Causes of Forest Fires
- Natural Causes: Lightning, prolonged droughts, etc., make forests more flammable.
- Anthropogenic Causes:
- Slash-and-Burn Agriculture: Traditional practices like Jhum cultivation.
- Negligence: Careless disposal of cigarettes, unattended campfires.
- Climate Change: Extended dry spells, increased frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves due to human-induced climate change, etc.
Existing measures for prevention and mitigation of Forest Fires
- Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FPMFS): Centrally funded program specifically dedicated to assisting the states in prevention, preparedness, and management of forest fires.
- National Action Plan on Forest Fires: Aims to minimize forest fires through community involvement and technology integration.
- FSI’s Forest Fire Alert System (FIRE 3.0): Uses MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and SNPP-VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) satellite data to issue early alerts.
