Investigation of Forest Fire Activity Changes Over the Central India Domain Using Satellite Observations During 2001–2020. (23rd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jain, Madhavi; Saxena, Pallavi; Sharma, Som; Sonwani, Saurabh
• Is Part Of: GeoHealth. Volume 5:Number 12(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-23
• Subjects: forest fire count -- climate extremes -- fire intensity -- spatiotemporal analysis -- correlation -- central India; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1029/2021GH000528
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-1403

Abstract

Abstract: Recurrent and large forest fires negatively impact ecosystem, air quality, and human health. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer fire product is used to identify forest fires over central India domain, an extremely fire prone region. The study finds that from 2001 to 2020, ∼70% of yearly forest fires over the region occurred during March (1, 857.5 counts/month) and April (922.8 counts/month). Some years such as 2009, 2012, and 2017 show anomalously high forest fires. The role of persistent warmer temperatures and multiple climate extremes in increasing forest fire activity over central India is comprehensively investigated. Warmer period from 2006 to 2020 showed doubling and tripling of forest fire activity during forest fire (February–June; FMAMJ) and non‐fire (July–January; JASONDJ) seasons, respectively. From 2015 JASONDJ to 2018 FMAMJ, central India experienced a severe heatwave, a rare drought and an extremely strong El Niño, the combined effect of which is linked to increased forest fires. Further, the study assesses quinquennial spatiotemporal changes in forest fire characteristics such as fire count density and average fire intensity. Deciduous forests of Jagdalpur‐Gadchiroli Range and Indravati National Park in Chhattisgarh state are particularly fire prone (>61 fire counts/grid) during FMAMJ and many forest fires are of high intensity (>45 MW). Statistical associations link high near surface air temperature and low precipitation during FMAMJ to significantly high soil temperature, low soil moisture content, low evapotranspiration and low normalized difference vegetation index. This creates a significantly drier environment, conducive for high forest fire activity in the region. Plain Language Summary: Forest fire activity is strongly related to three factors‐availability of combustible fuels, climate and weather forcing, and ignition agents (natural or anthropogenic). Under a warming climate, many studies suggest a significant increase in forest fires. Forest fire activity is already found to be significantly increasing in many regions for example, California and the Arctic. In India, most studies focus on either the forest fires in Himalayas or Jhum‐cultivation led forest fire activity. However, central India which has a high forest fire activity goes neglected. The present study investigates the forest fire activity changes in central India domain over a period of 20 years using satellite observations. Compared to 2001–2005, forest fire activity during 2006–2020 doubled in the forest fire season and tripled in the non‐fire season. In central India domain, forest fires are also found to increase under periods of persistent warmer temperatures and under simultaneous multiple climate extremes for example, severe drought, strong El Niño and intense heatwave. Further, some dense deciduous forests of the region are found to be extremely fire prone, and are identified. Significantly high soil temperature, low soil moisture content, low evapotranspiration and low vegetation index dries out the environment, and high forest fire activity occurs. Key Points: Compared to 2001–2005, central India domain forest fire activity during 2006–2020 doubled in forest fire season and tripled in non‐fire season Role of persistent warmer temperatures and multiple climate extremes in increasing forest fire activity over central India is highlighted Deciduous forests of Jagdalpur‐Gadchiroli Range and Indravati National Park are extremely fire prone and fires are of high intensity