Banke National Park 2024: 2,000 Km Forest Fire Line Construction

The Banke National Park has undertaken the construction of a 2,000-kilometer fire line to effectively manage and control forest fires within its boundaries. Senior Conservation Officer Manoj Kumar Sah emphasized the success of these fire lines in controlling fire outbreaks within the park's affected areas.

According to Mr. Sah, several regions within the park are considered high-risk zones for forest fires, including Mahadeva, Kohalpur, Chisapani, Muguwa, Khairi Khola, and Chure. The implementation of fire lines has significantly curbed the spread of fires in forested areas, contributing to enhanced fire management strategies.

Fire control is a top priority for the park, which has established specialized training programs for the Rapid Fire Team (RRT), ensuring their readiness and availability around the clock. The RRT promptly responds to fire reports from any part of the park, playing a crucial role in fire prevention and suppression efforts.

Regarding wildlife impacts, Mr. Sah noted that while there is currently no data on wildlife damage due to fires, there is a high likelihood of animals facing difficulties, especially with the rising temperatures. Notably, major fire incidents have been reported in the Muguwa, Overi, and Khairi regions this year.

Given the dry and densely forested nature of many areas within the park, the risk of fires remains significant. This poses a challenge to the conservation of protected species such as pythons, which are particularly vulnerable due to their slow movement. The threat extends to python eggs and offspring, which are at risk of being harmed by fires.

To address these challenges, the park adopts a cautious approach to fire control, regularly constructing and maintaining fire lines. Mr. Sah highlighted ongoing efforts to repair existing fire lines and expand them into new areas, demonstrating the park's commitment to mitigating fire risks and protecting its diverse ecosystem.

As with the forest fire risk in the whole of Nepal, a joint forest fire risk assessment has previously identified several districts in Nepal as "very high-risk" for forest fires. These districts include Arghakhanchi, Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Makwanpur, Palpa, Parsa, Sindhuli, Surkhet, Tanahu, and Udayapur. This assessment highlights the heightened vulnerability of these areas to forest fires, emphasizing the need for proactive measures and robust fire management strategies to mitigate the risks and protect the valuable natural resources in these regions.

What is a Fire Control Line?

A fire control line, also known as a firebreak or fire line, is a strategically constructed barrier designed to prevent the spread of wildfires by creating a break in combustible vegetation. Here's how it works:

• Purpose: The primary purpose of a fire control line is to create a gap or barrier that hinders the progress of a wildfire. It serves as a containment line, preventing the fire from advancing further into unaffected areas.
• Construction: Fire control lines can be constructed using various methods depending on the terrain, vegetation, and resources available. Common techniques include clearing vegetation to create a bare strip of land, using machinery to create a wider buffer zone, or using natural features like roads, rivers, or rocky terrain as natural firebreaks.
• Width and Depth: The width and depth of a fire control line depend on factors such as the intensity of the fire, the type of vegetation, and the expected fire behavior. Typically, a wider and deeper firebreak is more effective in stopping the spread of large and intense fires.
• Maintenance: Fire control lines require regular maintenance to ensure their effectiveness. This may involve clearing vegetation regrowth, removing debris that could act as fuel, and reinforcing the line with additional resources if needed during firefighting operations.
• Operation: During a wildfire incident, firefighting crews may use fire control lines as strategic points to deploy firefighting tactics. They may conduct backburning operations from the control line's safe side, use it as a staging area for equipment and personnel, or establish anchor points for containing the fire's perimeter.
• Effectiveness: The effectiveness of a fire control line depends on various factors, including the speed and intensity of the fire, weather conditions, terrain features, and the quality of the line construction. Well-maintained and properly constructed fire control lines can significantly aid in fire suppression efforts and protect valuable resources.

Forest Fire in Summer Season

Forest fires during the summer season can occur due to various factors, with some of the main reasons being:

• Dry Weather: Summer often brings dry and hot weather conditions, leading to lower humidity levels and dried vegetation. This dryness increases the susceptibility of forests to catch fire easily.
• High Temperatures: Rising temperatures during the summer season can accelerate the drying of vegetation, making it more prone to ignition from external heat sources like lightning strikes or human activities.
• Human Activities: Human activities such as campfires, discarded cigarettes, agricultural burning, fireworks, and equipment use like chainsaws or machinery in forested areas can inadvertently spark fires if not managed properly.
• Lightning Strikes: Lightning strikes during thunderstorms can directly ignite trees or vegetation, especially in areas with dry conditions where the vegetation acts as fuel for the fire.
• Wind: Strong winds during the summer can spread fires rapidly, making them more difficult to contain and control. Wind can carry burning embers over long distances, igniting new areas and exacerbating the fire's intensity.
• Lack of Fire Prevention Measures: Inadequate fire prevention measures such as lack of firebreaks, fire lines, or firefighting resources can contribute to the spread and severity of forest fires during the summer season.
• Drought Conditions: Extended periods of drought can desiccate vegetation, turning it into highly flammable material that can easily catch fire and sustain the spread of wildfires.
• Topography: Certain topographical features like steep slopes or canyons can influence fire behavior by affecting wind patterns, creating channels for fire spread, and making firefighting efforts more challenging.

Measures to Control Forest Fires

Forest fires can be controlled through a combination of preventive measures, early detection, effective suppression techniques, and public awareness. Here are some key strategies for controlling forest fires:

A. Prevention:

• Implement strict regulations and guidelines for activities that can cause fires, such as campfires, burning debris, and smoking in forested areas.
• Conduct regular inspections and patrols to identify and address potential fire hazards, such as dry vegetation buildup, illegal burning, and unsafe practices.

B. Public Awareness:

• Educate the public about the dangers of forest fires and the importance of fire prevention measures.
  Promote responsible behavior among visitors and residents living near forested areas, including proper disposal of cigarette butts, campfire safety, and reporting of suspicious activities.

C. Early Detection:

• Use advanced technologies like satellite imagery, drones, and fire detection systems to detect fires at their earliest stages.
• Train personnel and volunteers to recognize signs of potential fires and respond swiftly to reports or sightings.

D. Firebreaks and Fuel Management:

• Create and maintain firebreaks, which are cleared areas or barriers designed to stop or slow the spread of fires.
• Implement fuel management practices such as controlled burns, vegetation thinning, and prescribed fires to reduce the amount of flammable material and create defensible space around vulnerable areas.

E. Fire Suppression:

• Deploy well-equipped firefighting teams, including trained firefighters, aerial firefighting resources like helicopters and planes, and specialized equipment for ground operations.
• Use firefighting tactics such as water drops, fire retardants, backburning, and strategic containment lines to suppress and control the spread of fires.

F. Collaboration and Coordination:

• Foster collaboration between government agencies, firefighting organizations, local communities, and stakeholders to coordinate response efforts, share resources, and develop comprehensive fire management plans.
• Establish communication networks and emergency response protocols to facilitate rapid and effective coordination during fire incidents.

G. Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Continuously monitor weather conditions, fire behavior, and fire danger levels to assess risks and adjust fire management strategies accordingly.
• Conduct post-fire assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of response efforts, identify lessons learned, and implement improvements for future fire control initiatives.

What to Do If One Sees A Forest Fire?

If you see a forest fire, it's crucial to act quickly and responsibly to ensure your safety and to help prevent the fire from spreading. Here's what you should do if you encounter a forest fire:

A. Safety First:

• Prioritize your safety and the safety of others in the vicinity. Move away from the fire immediately to a safe location, preferably towards a cleared area or a body of water.
• Avoid areas with dense vegetation, steep slopes, or obstacles that may hinder your escape route.

B. Notify Authorities:

• Call emergency services or the local fire department immediately to report the fire. Provide precise information about the fire's location, size, and any potential hazards nearby.
• Follow the dispatcher's instructions and provide any additional details that may assist responders in reaching the scene quickly.

C. Alert Others:

• Warn people in the vicinity of the fire and advise them to evacuate if necessary. Use loud and clear communication to ensure everyone understands the urgency of the situation.
• Help elderly individuals, children, and individuals with disabilities or mobility issues to evacuate safely if they need assistance.

D. Use Fire Safety Equipment:

• If you have access to fire safety equipment like fire extinguishers, hoses, or shovels, use them cautiously to try and contain small fires before they escalate. However, prioritize your safety and avoid taking unnecessary risks.

E. Follow Evacuation Procedures:

• If authorities issue an evacuation order, comply immediately and follow designated evacuation routes. Stay informed about evacuation shelters, assembly points, and emergency services available in the area.
• Gather essential belongings like medications, identification, and important documents before leaving, but do not delay evacuation for non-essential items.

F. Stay Informed:

• Monitor local news updates, weather forecasts, and official announcements from firefighting agencies for information about fire conditions, evacuation orders, and safety recommendations.
• Follow evacuation orders and instructions from authorities, and avoid returning to evacuated areas until it is deemed safe to do so.

G. Prevent Fires:

• Take proactive measures to prevent fires by following fire safety guidelines, avoiding activities that can spark fires in dry conditions, and reporting any suspicious or illegal behavior that may contribute to fire risk.