Wildfire Pollution: 1.5 Million Global Deaths Annually – Impacts and Solutions

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are Wildfires?
• Global and Local Impact of Landscape Fire Pollution

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 natural of cultural landscapes like fires in forests, grasslands, vegetated areas or wildfires.

What are 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.

Q.1. What are the main health risks caused by wildfire pollution?

Wildfire pollution primarily causes cardiovascular diseases (450,000 deaths annually) and respiratory illnesses (220,000 deaths annually). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke travels long distances, severely affecting air quality and public health, especially in low-income countries.

Q.2. How can wildfire risks be mitigated?

Wildfire risks can be mitigated through preventive measures like fire awareness programs, controlled agricultural burns, improved forest management, and international collaboration. Strengthening air quality management systems and addressing climate change are essential to reduce wildfire frequency and severity.

News: New study: more than 1.5 million die each year from wild/bush fire pollution | Business Standard