Nepal Faces Rising Wildfire Challenges: A Comprehensive Overview

An intense inferno swept through the regions bordering Nepal's capital city on Thursday, as a team effort by firefighters and the local populace aimed to subdue the ferocious flames. The mountainous nation, enfolded within the Himalayan expanse, faces a particularly harsh season of fires, intensified by searing heatwaves, as reported by officials.

Each year, Nepal battles seasonal wildfires that typically ignite around March. These blazes have grown more frequent and fierce in recent years, consequences of climate change that lead to drier winter conditions. Crews labored into the night against the fire that engulfed forested terrain in Lalitpur, on the Kathmandu valley's southern fringe. 

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority's Sundar Prasad Sharma voiced alarm at the sharp increase in such incidents and estimated that this trend might extend over another month. He also pointed out that the area's difficult topography is making the task of extinguishing the fires especially arduous.

Badri Raj Dhungana, serving as spokesperson for the environment ministry, pointed to extended dry spells and persistent heatwaves assaulting Nepal's southern plains as drivers for the uptick in wildfire activity. Wildfires usually reach their apex towards late April; however, they have intensified this season due to climbing temperature levels.

Scientific studies emphasize that climate change significantly contributes to intensifying heatwaves' duration—events not confined to Nepal but affecting wider regions of South and Southeast Asia. This year's unusually high temperatures are compounded by El Niño's climatic effects.

In Lumbini—esteemed as a sacred destination for Buddhist pilgrims—and in other locales of Nepal’s southland, thermometers have registered highs breaching 40 degrees Celsius. The weather prognosis anticipates continued heat.

The detrimental health effects prompted by this heatwave led authorities to shut down over one hundred educational institutions in Butwal, a southern municipality, for a period spanning two days.

Wildfires in Nepal: A Brief Overview

Forest fires in Nepal typically start early in December, reach their peak in April, and subside with the arrival of the monsoon season in June annually.

Already this year, Nepal has witnessed more than 4,500 wildfire incidents—a sharp rise from last year's numbers and second only to the disastrous season of 2021. In 2021, there were 4521 incidents of wildfires in Nepal, which is the highest ever. Similarly, in 2016, there were 4231 recorded incidents of forest fires in Nepal. In the first four months of 2023 i.e. January to April 2023, wildfire incidents increased by a staggering 76.5%, numbering to 1816, as per the reports.

According to a forest fire risk assessment conducted by the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation (DoFSC), the following districts in Nepal are classified as 'very high-risk' for forest fires: Arghakhanchi, Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Makwanpur, Palpa, Parsa, Sindhuli, Surkhet, Tanahu, and Udayapur. Additionally, the following districts are categorized as 'high-risk': Achham, Bara, Dadeldhura, Dang, Doti, Ilam, Nawalpur, Parsa, Pyuthan, Salyan, and Syangja.

During the period from 2012 to 2022, Bardiya National Park in Nepal recorded the highest number of forest fires, with a total of 1,338 incidents. Following closely, Chitwan National Park reported 1,135 forest fire incidents within the same timeframe.

To address this critical situation, the government of Nepal has been applying a fire outlook tool, offering a comprehensive index of fire risk across the country's forested regions. This tool equips forest fire managers with the ability to anticipate and prepare for potential fire hazards, empowering them to make strategic decisions regarding resource deployment, fire prevention strategies, and controlled burn operations aimed at reducing fire risks. 

The fire outlook module utilizes a customized Fire Weather Index methodology, integrating data from the High-Impact Weather Assessment Toolkit (HIWAT) – Nepal. This data includes key variables like temperature (°C), relative humidity (%), wind speed (km/h), and precipitation (mm), ensuring a reliable and precise assessment of potential fire dangers nationwide. 

The module is seamlessly integrated into Nepal’s Forest Fire Detection and Monitoring System, an operational platform that provides insights into historical forest fire data, real-time fire detection, monitoring capabilities, and assessment of burnt areas.

Health impacts of wildfire and how to be safe from it?

Wildfires can have significant health impacts due to the smoke and pollutants they release into the air. The primary health risks associated with wildfires include respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and exacerbation of existing health conditions. The smoke from wildfires contains a complex mixture of gases and fine particles, known as particulate matter (PM), that can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing various health effects.

• Respiratory Issues: Breathing in wildfire smoke can irritate the respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and sore throat. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis may experience worsened symptoms during wildfire events.
• Cardiovascular Problems: Exposure to wildfire smoke can also impact cardiovascular health, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications. The fine particles in smoke can trigger inflammation, constrict blood vessels, and elevate blood pressure, particularly in individuals with heart disease or hypertension.
• Eye and Skin Irritation: Wildfire smoke can cause eye irritation, redness, itching, and watery eyes. Additionally, prolonged exposure to smoke particles can lead to skin irritation, dryness, and exacerbation of dermatological conditions.
• Aggravation of Health Conditions: People with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, allergies, and autoimmune disorders may experience exacerbation of their symptoms during wildfire events. The inflammatory response triggered by smoke exposure can affect immune function and overall well-being.

To stay safe from the health impacts of wildfires, consider the following precautions:

• Stay Informed: Monitor local air quality reports, weather forecasts, and wildfire updates from reliable sources such as environmental agencies, health departments, and emergency management authorities. Stay informed about evacuation orders, health advisories, and safety recommendations issued during wildfire incidents.
• Limit Outdoor Activities: During periods of poor air quality and active wildfires, reduce outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercises that involve heavy breathing. Minimize exposure to smoke by staying indoors and keeping windows and doors closed. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to improve indoor air quality.
• Use N95 Masks: If you need to be outdoors or perform activities that expose you to wildfire smoke, wear N95 respirator masks or masks rated for particulate matter (PM2.5) filtration. These masks can help reduce inhalation of harmful smoke particles, although they should be properly fitted and worn consistently for effective protection.
• Create Clean Air Spaces: Create clean air spaces in your home or workplace by using air conditioning systems with recirculation mode and sealing gaps or leaks that allow smoke to enter indoor areas. Consider designated clean rooms or areas with air purifiers as safe zones during wildfire events.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help flush out toxins from smoke exposure. Avoid excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, as they can dehydrate the body and exacerbate respiratory symptoms.
• Follow Medical Advice: If you have respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, follow your healthcare provider's recommendations during wildfire events. Ensure that you have an adequate supply of prescribed medications, inhalers, and medical devices to manage any health exacerbations.
• Evacuate if Necessary: If authorities issue evacuation orders due to wildfire threats or hazardous air quality, follow evacuation procedures promptly and relocate to safer areas. Have an emergency evacuation plan in place and prepare essential supplies, including medications, documents, and emergency kits.

By taking proactive measures to protect yourself and staying informed about wildfire risks, you can minimize the health impacts of wildfires and stay safe during these challenging situations.