1. Fire Situation in Nepal

Every year wildfires destroy considerable forest resources in Nepal. Such destruction includes both timber and non-timber forest products. Although quantitative information is not available, forest fires are definitely degrading biological diversity in Nepal’s forests. In addition, fires cause soil erosion and induce floods and landslides due to the destruction of the natural vegetation. Occasionally, embers from forest fires also cause fires in nearby villages, especially in the Terai region where the roofs are made of thatched grass. Many villages are burned every year with loss of lives, cattle and other property.

At least one hundred villages are burned annually in Nepal, some of which are definitely destroyed by forest fires.

• Unprecedented Wildfire Disaster 2009 / 2010 in Nepal
• 634 hot spots were detected and 45 burning days were found throughout the country from 1 January to 22 March 2025
• High intensity crown fires in Himalayan National Parks and Conservation Areas occurred for the first time in history.
• A total of 11 people were reported dead, 11 seriously injured, 16 houses and 4 sheds were completely destroyed and a total of 508 families have been affected.
• The estimated total loss of personal properties is above NRs 116,550,000 (1 USD = about NRs 83) due to the uncontrolled forest fires.

2. Social and traditional belief and practice

In most developing countries, the local communities takes fires as a natural seasonal happening and believes that fire have to be lit.

Rains: Local communities in some countries in Africa believe that when drought is extreme burning forest and/or grass land will form a large smoke cloud. This smoke is believed to combine with dew clouds in the sky and hence bring rain.

Prestige: Some local communities burn in order to compete. This competition is only geared to see who had lit a fire and destroyed largest areas. It makes the competitors satisfied and nothing else.

Agriculture: Cleaning of area for cultivation, especially shifting cultivation is a common practice in developing countries. In most of the countries fire is used to burn the existing vegetation, as an easy practice which does not involve much labour. In some countries agricultural residue is also burn before cultivation on the agricultural land believing that such burning decompose the residue and add nutrient on the soil.

Beekeeping: Local beekeeping practice in developing countries use smoke to clear bees and make them less aggressive during the harvesting of honey. When the honey hunters or collectors get their honey they may leave without extinguishing it. This may then cause a severe fire to spread in a forest.

NTFP collector: Local NTFP collectors, especially mushroom collectors, burn the forest grounds. They believe that they will get more mushrooms easily after the first rain in the burned area.

Range management: This is practiced by both range management professionals and by some locals. The professionals find it most efficient to have late burning, which clears almost all the old grass, and giving room for new to germinate.

3. The waste problem

Infrastructure and resources for waste collection are lacking in most parts of the country, so uncontrolled scattering and dumping of garbage is widespread. There are no proper facilities for final disposal of most of the solid waste produced by households and industries. Widespread scattering and dumping of waste were seen along roadside on the forest area. Waste that is improperly dumped can impede water-flow in drainage channels, and provides breeding places for disease vectors such as rats and mosquitoes. Open dumping sites in natural areas cause pollution of ground- and surface-water, and will facilitate encroachment. Open burning of waste at low temperatures is also widespread. It contributes to atmospheric pollution and may cause serious health problems. Open burning these waste in forest area may cause forest fire.

4. Wildfire Causes and Risk

On part of fire prevention planning is to make an analysis of fire risk and causes. The various types of risks and hazards in the protection area should be considered in a wildfire prevention analysis.

Land owner, farmers and the rural population- Agricultural burning such as shifting cultivation, pasture burning for new regeneration to graze cattle, fire to control insect and pests, rubbish and debris burning are major cause of wildfires. This type of wildfire is often results of a failure to select proper time, place and method of burning. The public should learn to minimize all outdoor burning during fire hazard periods. When outdoor fires are allowed the public should be educated to know the following;

1. Burn only during safe conditions, for example, when there is little or no wind and after rain if possible.
2. Start the fire in safe place, not too close to the forest or woodlands. Clear all hazardous material from around the fire area.
3. Burn at a safe time and never on a windy day. Generally the early morning or the late evening is the best time.
4. Before starting a large outdoor fire there must be stand-by fire suppression equipment and men available to prevent the fire from spreading.

Cigarette smoking - One of the major causes of wildfire is the careless smoker. Picnickers, campers, hikers, hunter, fisherman, tourist, hearder, grazer, or local residents who smoke while in the forest or grasslands ca though carelessness cause disastrous fire. To reduce the number of fire caused by smoking, each smoker should make aware of danger and precaution to be taken. Some very simple basic rule for smoking could be:

1. During the fire danger season, smoking inside the forest area should be prohibited.
2. Smoke only in designated place, where there is no hazardous fuel. Area may be near to stream or lake, sandy soil, roadway etc.
3. Crush the butt-end of cigarette against a bare rock or into a sandy soil.
4. Use a cigarette lighter or make sure the match is extinguished.
5. Use a astray in the vehicle.

Campfires - Campfires are frequent cause of wildfires in those areas where camping, hunting, hiking, fishing and picnicking are popular. To reduce the damage caused by campfires the public should be educated and informed about the prevention methods. Sign and warning notice board should be displayed on the campsite. The following information should be known to people who go camping;

1. The campfire should be contained in a specially constructed fireplace which should be away from surrounding hazardous fuel.
2. The campfire should be kept small.
3. The campfire should not be left unattended, as wind could spread the fire in nearby fuels.
4. Make sure that the fire is properly out before leaving the site. Children Children playing with match or with other source of fire are causing an increasing number of wildfires each year. Children are often too young to understand what is dangerous. Training, relevant education and proper parental supervision are necessary to prevent this cause of wildfires.

Arsonist - According to FAO 2010 during the last few years arson has taken the top place in the cause of wildfires. It is very problematic to control and prevent arson. In some community forests by stopping the free-riding of forest product collection, through community forest rules and regulation this type of problem has been encountered.

Carelessness - Carelessness of people is the major cause of wildfire in most countries. Fire is caused carelessly by passers-by, hunters and campers, forest product collectors, grazers and even children. To avoid from this public should aware about the damage caused by forest fire.

Lightning - Lightning is one cause of wildfire that is not preventable. Usually lightning is accompanied by rain, but occasionally a dry lightning will start many fires. Fire started by lightning strikes may smoulder for days before condition become favourable for the spread of the fires.

5. Gender and fire

An essential aspect in fire management is gender, and in developing nations in particular, the roles of women, men and children. These roles can be quite specific, detailed and different. In most of the African countries: fire scar mapping of the area by satellite revealed; that between 50-85% of the forests, woodlands, savanna and grasslands was found to have burned each year. When collecting data it was found that when men were interviewed, the main reason given for burning was because of ”traditions”, inherited from father to son. When women were asked the same questions, they stated that most wildfires had escaped from scheduled agricultural burning, a task that was exclusively carried out by women. (FAO, 2010)

Although the clearing of new land for shifting cultivation was carried out by men, it was found that spot-burning to kill and remove stumps and trees from clearings was mainly done by women, who also carried out all agricultural burning following the harvesting of crops. It is evident that in order to prepare a viable strategy for sustainable fire management in which local people are involved, gender aggregated baseline data is needed.

Gender aggregated data from pilot regions showed that 80% of the number of all fires was lit by women and 20% by men; but for primarily different reasons. It was concluded that in this case fire programmes should to a large extent target women not men. The targeting of men arose from the focus of all efforts on detection and suppression, activities dominated by men; instead of on prevention which was a women’s domain. The people, women fire users, know very well that fire outbreaks threaten the very resources they need for survival, in addition also their housing, children and elderly people.

In poor countries the use of fire is mainly about the lack of economic choice and alternatives. There is no choice but to keep using fire in agricultural activities despite having no resources to handle a large fire outbreak resulting from burning in livelihood activities. Since women are involved in most rural burning activities in many countries, therefore they should also receive high priority when planning fire training.

6. Prevention Methods

There are many different methods used to prevent wildfires which need both manpower and money. Fire prevention requires intensive and patient work from year to year. The introduction of continuous education and training programmes with proper follow-up that can have a positive response to forest fire prevention and control is needed.

Personal contact - Personal contact is probably the most effective method of fire prevention, if it is done correctly. The best place to demonstrate fire prevention technique is at the site of potential fire. Here it can be demonstrated how to build a safe campfire, how to smoke cigarette and tobacco carefully, how to prevent different type of fire from starting. Fire prevention may become easier through public understanding and cooperation which will in turn depends on the awareness, interest, attitude, opinion and belief of the individual person.

Associations and groups - In the work of prevention, useful co-operation could be gained from associations and special group of people. These groups can assist in detection and prevention of fires. The more people you have on your side, the more effective will be the elimination of wild fires caused by human carelessness. The group could be;

• Wildlife clubs;
• Environmental groups or ECO clubs;
• Scouts;
• Camping associations;
• Community forest user groups;
• Youth clubs;

Mass media - Mass media includes radio, television, newspapers and various other publications designed to reach general public. The use of mass media is one of the best means of public education in the prevention of wild fires. However, it must be sure that the media used is reaching the target audience. Provision for advertising over radio, on television and in news paper during the high and extreme fire danger periods, against any burning activities, will help to keep down the number of escaped fires.

Schools - Fire prevention training in schools and colleges is an important part of any prevention effort. How to introduce material depends on particular school and college system. The best approach is to first contact the Principle and find out the most suitable type of presentation. Teachers can be involved by providing information and supplying relevant material to them. The main benefit from school contacts is not only the students are reached but also the parents through the message the students carry home.

Road drama - Road drama is also one way of wild fire prevention. Effectiveness of drama depends on smoothly written scripts and artist who play different role in that drama.

Posters - Poster can also be used in place where the public assembles, such as market place, bus stands, public office and schools.

Sign and warning notice board - Fire prevention sign can be used to inform the public of fire regulations, restrictions, fire danger and procedure to reduce fire. Signs should be created in carefully selected places, where they will be most effective. Place the sign so that it will be clearly seen. It should be neat and not in conflict with other notice. The notice board site may be, along roadside, at campgrounds and anywhere people can gather.

Timing is very important. A sign warning of extreme danger should be removed as soon as the danger has passed.

Prevention letters - A well prepared letter aimed at a specific aspect of fire prevention and sent out with a personal message to group is very effective.

Fire danger forecast - Arrangement can be made with radio and television station to include in their regular weather forecasts some fire danger warning, particularly when the rating is high and extreme. This is a very useful service both for fire prevention and for fire suppression. It is also a good means to make the general public more aware of danger of wildfires.

Firebreaks and fuelbreaks - Firebreaks or firelines may be natural barriers, such as road or stream, or especially constructed barriers to limit the spread of fires and to provide an established control line in the case of fire starting.

The usual fireline is a strip of land that has been cleared of trees and scrub growth. The width of strip or fireline will depends on the type of fuel, location and topography of land; and weather conditions. Usually the width of clearing will not be less than one half the height of tallest tree which supplies fuel. Fireline should be constructed to prevent wildfire from spreading from one area into another area and to extinguish with relative safety for the fire fighter.

Greenbelt - A greenbelt is an adaptation of a fuelbreak in which vegetation is kept green and living by irrigation.

Fire Hazard and hazard Reduction - Fire hazard (fuel) is one factor which can contribute to the starting of fire. These are both natural and man- made fire hazards. There are many types of fuel that create hazards, such as;

• slash accumulation in timber cutting;
• dryden grass and debris accumulation in fields;
• large accumulation in forests of flammable leaves, dead trees, dry bushes etc.
• exceptionally dry fuel due to prolonged dry spell
• rubbish accumulation in or around residence, storage area
• garbage disposal
• Improper storage of inflammable gases and liquids.

The only way to prevent fire starting in fire hazardous area is to eliminate cause (risk) or the hazards. Total elimination of hazards is seldom possible. That is why hazard should be reduced as much as possible, such as by;

• cleaning up litter and rubbish accumulations;
• cleaning up slashed timber, cutting or breaking it into small piece;
• Preventing large hazardous area by construction of fire-break or fuel-breaks;
• replacing some vegetative fuel hazard with less hazardous or more fire resistant vegetation;
• closing hazardous area to use during period of extreme weather conditions, which may be the only solution in some areas;
• storing inflammable gases and liquid in safety.

Controlled burning of Fire hazard area - The most effective fire hazard reduction is to eliminate most of fuel from hazardous areas. This can be done by burning off all hazardous fuel called controlled burning or prescribed burning. It should be done before fire season. The technique of controlled burning needs from the person doing it, otherwise the fire will escape vary easily. Fuel in the controlled burning area should be dry enough for burning, but not too dry, because the fire will then escape easily. Before controlled burning there should be consideration to the following points;

1. The fuel is dry enough, but not extremely dry. Relative humidity should be between 40-60%. Below 30% humidity, fire could become dangerous as the risk of spot fires grows.
2. The weather conditions are favourable and safe for burning. Slow burning is good and its velocity is not allowed to be too much, because the risk of escaping fir and spot fire is to high.
3. Before setting a fire the area must be surrounded by a wide enough fire-line. Safe width depends on the height and volume of fuel.
4. There should be sufficient amount of extinguishing equipments, enough fire men for controlling fire and enough water.
5. There should be only one fire boss as the leader of controlled burning, who should have enough knowledge and experience of the controlled burning technique.
6. The best time to start firing is afternoon because humidity is at its lowest by day and the wind is stable.
7. In dry fuel the fire is started beside the control/fire-line, from downwind side to upwind side, while in humid fuel Firing can be started from upwind side to downwind side on flat land.

7. Fire awareness and education

Fire awareness and educational activities can be very effective in involving the community and other groups in a fire management programme and in engaging the community as a responsible partner. A well-informed public will be more likely to use fire carefully and to adhere to policy and legal boundaries. It can assist in the prevention, detection and reporting of fires, work with fire personnel to control unwanted fires, and provide a source of local and traditional knowledge.

A programme of awareness and education can be provided to schoolchildren through a structured set of lessons and learning objectives. Other programmes should be developed for adults and communities to educate and to communicate changes in policy or in the understanding of the role of fire and the impact of unplanned fires on ecosystems and resources. Successful media campaigns, based on sound technical knowledge and research, have used print media, radio and television to spread a message of fire prevention and the proper use of fire, as well as to warn of situations of elevated fire danger in which extreme fires might occur. Strategic actions for fire awareness and education include but are not limited to:

1. Fire awareness and educational programmes should be developed and targeted to specific audiences and communities.
2. Programmes should be sensitive to the cultural and social norms of the community, including the application of fires to agricultural, forestry, biodiversity and traditional uses or to other basic needs.
3. Fire awareness and educational materials should be gender sensitive and should reflect local literacy levels, including oral presentation where printed material or local language barriers limit effective communication.
4. Age-appropriate information and educational materials should be developed ooperatively by technical experts and educational specialists and provided to all levels, introducing ecological and fire management concepts into local schools.
5. Primary and secondary schools, universities, non-governmental organizations and other institutions should be encouraged to develop locally and ecologically appropriate fire management programmes for teachers and other educators, based on local conditions and beliefs.

References

1. FAO, 2010; Wildland fire management handbook for trainers, Food and agricultural organization of the united nation. Rome, Italy
2. FAO, 2006; Fire management voluntary guidelines, principle and strategic action, Food and agricultural organization of the united nation. Rome, Italy
3. Amatya and Shrestha, 2002; Forestry research support program for asia and pacific (FORSPA), Food and agricultural organization of the united nation. Bangkog, Thailand.
4. FAO/Syria, 2005; Awareness for Fire Prevention, The Participatory and Integrated Forest Fires Management Plan Project, GCP/SYR/010/ITA. Syria.
5. Bajracharya, K M, 2001; forest fire situation in Nepal. International Forest Fire News 26. FAO, Rome
6. UNECE/FAO 2006; International Forest Fire News 34.