Rising Wildfires in the Arctic

Rising Wildfires in the Arctic

UPSC Syllabus Prelims: Environment Mains: GS-III: Environment and Biodiversity

Introduction

• Wildfires have historically been a natural component of the boreal forests and tundra ecosystems of the Arctic.
• The recent increase in wildfires which is largely a result of global warming is exacerbating the climate crisis.

What is a ‘wildfire’?

• Wildfires, also known as bushfires, and vegetation fires.
• Represent the uncontrolled and unintended combustion or burning of vegetation in natural areas such as grasslands, shrublands, or tundra.
• These fires consume natural fuels and their spread is influenced by environmental factors such as wind and topography.

Types of Wildfires

• Surface fires: These are the most common type and burn on the forest floor, burning litter, grass and shrubs.
• Crown fires: These fires spread rapidly by burning the tops of trees and shrubs.
• Ground fires: These fires burn below the surface, burning organic matter such as in the soil.
• Ground fires can smolder for a long time and rekindle under the right conditions.
• Spot fires: These occur when embers blow with the wind, starting new fires ahead of the main fire.

Causes of wildfires

• Both natural and human activities can cause wildfires.

Human-induced causes

Agricultural practices:

•  Many local agricultural activities use fire to clear land. This method is one of the most common ways to prepare land for cultivation.

Deliberate fires:

• Local people sometimes set fires deliberately to promote new grass growth or to hide illegally cut trees.

Negligence:

Often, unattended campfires or burning cigarettes can trigger large fires, which can cause widespread damage.

Electrical friction:

The friction of power lines with dry leaves can also be a cause of fire, especially when this friction generates sparks.

Natural causes

Lightning:

• Lightning strikes can naturally start a fire, especially in dry conditions when the atmosphere is devoid of moisture.
• It is believed that human activity, whether intentional or not, is the primary cause of most wildfires.

Arctic wildfires

• The Arctic region has seen a worrying increase in wildfire activity in recent years.
• The third major wildfire event in the last five years, reported by the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), underscores the increasing severity of these events.

Contributing factors

• Rising temperatures and longer summers are creating favorable conditions for wildfires in the Arctic.
• Warmer temperatures cause vegetation to become drier, increasing the likelihood of fires starting and spreading.
• Increased human presence and activity in the Arctic region also contribute to the risk of wildfires.

Arctic Region:-

Arctic Tundra Ecosystem

• The Arctic tundra is a unique and fragile ecosystem, characterized by its cold climate, low biodiversity, and distinctive plant and animal species.

Characteristics of the Tundra Ecosystem:-

Climate: The tundra has very low temperatures, with short growing seasons and long, harsh winters.

Vegetation: Consisting of mosses, lichens, grasses, and small shrubs, the tundra has limited ability to support larger plant life.

Soil: Soil in tundra regions is often frozen, known as permafrost, which can thaw and release stored carbon when disturbed by fire.

Wildlife: The tundra is home to a variety of adapted species, such as caribou, arctic foxes, and migratory birds.

Effects of Wildfires on the Tundra Ecosystem

• Carbon Emissions: Wildfires in the tundra release significant amounts of stored carbon, which contributes to global warming.
• Vegetation damage: The delicate plant life in the tundra is highly vulnerable to damage from fire, and recovery may be slow due to the harsh climate.
• Permafrost thaw: Fires can accelerate the process of permafrost melting, destabilizing the ground and causing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Arctic Region: Importance, Climate Change Impacts, and Mitigation Measures

Importance of the Arctic Region

• The Arctic region plays a vital role in the Earth’s climate system.
• It acts as a global air conditioner, reflecting sunlight due to its ice cover, which helps regulate the planet’s temperature.
• The region is also home to unique ecosystems and biodiversity, including species such as polar bears, arctic foxes, and various marine life.

Economic and strategic importance

• The Arctic region is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.
• It also holds significant potential for shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route, which could reduce sea travel times between Europe and Asia.
• These economic possibilities are attracting increasing geopolitical interest and activity in the region.

Indigenous communities

• The Arctic is home to many indigenous communities that depend on its ecosystems for their livelihoods, culture, and traditions. These communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which threaten their way of life.

Effects of climate change on extreme weather events

Temperature rise

• Climate change is causing a significant increase in global temperatures, particularly in the Arctic, which is warming about four times faster than the global average.
• This faster warming contributes to more frequent and severe heatwaves.

Altered weather patterns

• Changes in the Arctic affect global weather patterns.
• slowing of the polar jet stream due to reduced temperature differences between the Arctic and lower latitudes leads to longer periods of extreme weather conditions, such as unseasonably hot or cold spells, depending on the region.

Increased extreme events

• Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including storms, floods, droughts, and wildfires.
• The interconnected nature of global climate systems means that changes in one region, such as the Arctic, can have widespread effects.

Measures to tackle the challenge of wildfire

Improved fire management

• Implement advanced monitoring and early warning systems to quickly detect and respond to wildfires.
• Use controlled or prescribed burning to reduce the amount of flammable material in forests and prevent large, uncontrolled wildfires.
• Create firebreaks and improve infrastructure to control the spread of wildfires.

Policy and legislation

• Enforce strict regulations on activities that can trigger wildfires, such as campfires, agricultural burning, and fireworks.
• Strengthen climate policies to address the root causes of global warming, which exacerbates wildfire conditions.

Community engagement and education

• Educate communities about wildfire risks and prevention measures.
• Involve local communities in fire management strategies, ensuring they are equipped and knowledgeable to deal with fire emergencies.

Climate Change and Wildfires

Feedback Cycle

• Climate change and wildfires form a vicious cycle.
• Rising temperatures and prolonged droughts increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
• In turn, these fires release significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, further accelerating global warming.

Effects on Permafrost

•  In the Arctic, wildfires can melt permafrost.
• This additional amount of greenhouse gases further increases climate warming, continuing the cycle of rising temperatures and more frequent wildfires.

Global Implications

• The cycle of climate change and wildfires has serious global implications.
• It affects air quality, human health, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability.
• The socio-economic impact is also profound, with increased costs of disaster response, healthcare, and economic losses from destroyed infrastructure and livelihoods

Wildfire incidence in India

• India has seen a tenfold increase in forest fires over the past two decades, with more than 62% of Indian states at risk of high-intensity fires.

For example

• States such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra are particularly vulnerable.
• Mizoram has seen the highest incidence, with more than 95% of its districts marked as forest fire hotspots.
• A notable “swapping trend” due to climate change has transformed flood-prone areas into drought-prone areas, leaving more than 75% of Indian districts vulnerable to extreme climate events, including forest fires.

Initiatives and Measures

• India has developed various strategies and mechanisms, including community-based approaches, technological interventions, and policy frameworks, to manage and mitigate forest fires.
• Use of satellite technology for early detection of fires.
• Training of forest personnel.
• Raising awareness among local communities is an important component of India’s preparedness.
• Additionally, the use of aerial firefighting techniques, such as the Indian Air Force’s Bambi Bucket Operation, is crucial for containing large-scale fires.
• National Action Plan on Forest Fire (NAPFF) 2018 and Forest Fire Prevention and Management Plan
• The National Action Plan on Forest Fire (NAPFF) 2018 was launched by the Government of India to establish a comprehensive and coordinated approach to managing forest fires.
• The goal of NAPFF is to reduce fire hazards by enhancing the capacities of forest departments, local communities, and other stakeholders in fire prevention, preparedness, and management.
• It focuses on improving early warning systems, mapping fire-prone areas, and promoting research in fire management strategies.
• Along with NAPFF, the Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme (FFPMS) aims to strengthen the infrastructure and capacities of forest departments at the state and central levels.
• It includes investments in firefighting equipment, training programs for personnel, and community awareness initiatives to prevent the outbreak and spread of forest fires.
• These initiatives underscore India’s commitment to reducing the risk and impact of forest fires through improved preparedness, early detection, and community participation in firefighting efforts.
• These strategies need to be continuously enhanced to protect India’s forests and biodiversity due to the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires caused by climate change and anthropogenic factors.