Why in news?

According to a study published in The Lancet journal, over 90 per cent of the global deaths per year linked to air pollution from landscape fires were in low and middle-income countries, including India.

The study covers all kinds of fires in any landscape like fires in forests, grasslands, vegetated areas or wildfires.

What’s in today’s article?

• Wildfire
• Global and Local Impact of Landscape Fire Pollution

Wildfires

• About
  • Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly in natural or cultural landscapes, such as forests, grasslands, or agricultural areas.
  • They are a significant environmental and public health concern, releasing smoke and pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5) that can travel long distances, impacting air quality and human health.
• Causes of Wildfires
  • Natural Causes: Lightning strikes; Volcanic eruptions; Droughts or prolonged dry seasons, making vegetation highly flammable.
  • Human-Induced Causes: Agricultural burning; Discarded cigarettes and campfires; Arson or accidental ignitions; Poor Forest management practices.
  • Climate Change Influence: Increased temperatures and reduced precipitation exacerbate the frequency and severity of wildfires.
• Types of Wildfires
  • Ground Fires
    • Burn organic matter in the soil, such as peat or decaying vegetation, beneath the surface. Example: Peat fires in Indonesia.
    • Characteristics: Typically smolder rather than flame; Spread slowly but are difficult to detect and extinguish; Produce significant smoke and carbon emissions.
  • Surface Fires
    • Burn vegetation on or just above the ground, such as grass, leaves, and low shrubs. Example: Fires in savannas or grasslands
    • Characteristics: Most common type of wildfire; Can be low-intensity or high-intensity, depending on fuel and weather conditions; Spread relatively quickly but are easier to control.
  • Crown Fires
    • Burn the canopy of trees in forested areas, often fueled by surface fires. Example: Wildfires in coniferous forests, such as those in Canada or the western United States.
    • Characteristics: Extremely intense and fast-spreading; Hard to control due to their height and ability to leap from tree to tree; Occur in dense forests with abundant dry fuel.
  • Ladder Fires
    • Begin as surface fires and climb vegetation (shrubs, small trees) to reach the canopy, transitioning into crown fires. Example: Fires in mixed forests with dense undergrowth.
    • Characteristics: Act as a "ladder" for flames to ascend; Facilitate the spread of more destructive crown fires.
  • Spot Fires
    • Occur when embers or burning debris are carried by wind to ignite new fires away from the main blaze. Example: Fires in windy conditions near large wildfires.
    • Characteristics: Often create unpredictable fire behavior; Can rapidly spread the wildfire across large areas.

Global and Local Impact of Landscape Fire Pollution

• Key Findings from the Study
  • Global Mortality: More than 1.53 million deaths annually are attributed to pollution from landscape fires, including forest fires, agricultural burns, and wildfires.
  • India's Burden: Approximately 1.2 lakh deaths annually in India (2000-2019) were linked to such fires, amounting to 25.54 lakh deaths over 20 years.
  • Primary Health Risks: Cardiovascular (450,000 deaths/year) and respiratory diseases (220,000 deaths/year) are major contributors.
• Geographic and Socio-Economic Disparities
  • Low-Income Countries: Deaths due to respiratory illnesses caused by fires are four times higher in low-income nations compared to high-income nations.
  • Top-Affected Nations: China, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Indonesia, and Nigeria.
• Role of PM2.5 and Climate Change
  • Airborne Risks: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone from fires travel hundreds of kilometers, affecting large populations.
  • Climate Feedback Loop: Increased wildfires due to global warming contribute to long-term climate impacts and disrupt ecosystems.
• Preventive Measures and Observations in India
  • Forest Fires in Maharashtra: Fire incidents often start from agricultural burns, spreading to forests. Awareness programs and fire watchers are deployed as preventive steps.
  • Local Emissions: Large-scale fires release smoke containing black carbon and fine particles, adversely impacting health, air quality, and climate.
• Outlook and Recommendations
  • Increasing Risk: The frequency and severity of wildfires are expected to rise due to climate change, escalating the global health burden.
  • Call for Action: Stronger preventive measures, improved air quality management, and international collaboration are needed to mitigate the growing health and climate impacts of fire pollution.