Forest Fires and Carbon Balance: A Climate Emergency

Context: 

In recent months, multiple states in the United States have simultaneously experienced tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms. These are not isolated weather events but are part of a larger global pattern of increasing climate-related disasters. Among them, wildfires have emerged as a critical concern, affecting ecosystems, human health, and the planet’s carbon balance.

Global Trends in Wildfire Incidents

• Forest fires are becoming increasingly widespread across continents.

• The area affected by wildfires has increased by about 5.4% annually since 2001.

• In 2023, nearly 12 million hectares of tree cover were lost due to wildfires.

Country-specific data:

• United States: Forest fires have severely impacted homes and ecosystems in Texas, Oklahoma, Los Angeles, and California.

• Japan: Witnessed its largest forest fire in three decades, burning over 5,200 acres near Ofunato in the north.

• India: As per the India State of Forest Report 2024, Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh recorded the most wildfire incidents.

  • Uttarakhand alone experienced 5,315 forest fires between November 2022 and June 2023.

Causes Behind the Rise in Wildfires

1. Rising Land Temperatures

   • According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, India’s land surface temperature is rising steadily:

     • 0.1°C–0.3°C per decade during the pre-monsoon season

     • 0.2°C–0.4°C per decade during the post-monsoon season

2. Increased Heatwaves

   • Heatwaves are occurring earlier in the year, lasting longer, and moving more slowly.

   • Combined with prolonged dry spells, they make forests more vulnerable to fires.

3. Climate Change

   • Contributes to drier and hotter conditions, increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires globally.

4. Spontaneous Combustion

   • Under extreme heat, organic materials like dry leaves or grass may ignite naturally.

5. Agricultural Practices

   • Slash-and-burn methods used in farming can unintentionally spark large-scale fires.

6. Lightning Strikes

   • Natural cause of wildfires during dry seasons when vegetation is highly flammable.

Impact of Wildfires on Earth’s Carbon Balance

1. Radiative Power

   • The radiative intensity of recent wildfires has been ten times higher than the average recorded between 2003 and 2024.

2. Carbon Emissions

   • According to the Copernicus Air Monitoring Service, wildfires released 800,000 tonnes of carbon in January 2025 alone.

   • India’s forest fires emit approximately 69 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

3. Destruction of Carbon Sinks

   • Forests, wetlands, and permafrost that once acted as carbon sinks are being destroyed, reducing their ability to absorb CO₂ and increasing atmospheric carbon levels.

Definitions:

• Carbon Sink: A natural system that absorbs more carbon than it releases. Examples include forests, oceans, and soil.

• Carbon Source: A system or activity that releases more carbon than it absorbs. Examples include wildfires and fossil fuel combustion.

Arctic Boreal Zone (ABZ): A Region of Concern

• The Arctic Boreal Zone, the world’s largest land-based biome, includes tundra, wetlands, and coniferous forests.

• Wildfires have transformed more than 30% of the ABZ from a carbon sink into a carbon source.

Regional contributions to new carbon emissions in ABZ:

• Alaska: 44 percent

• Northern Europe: 25 percent

• Siberia: 13 percent

Thawing of Permafrost:

• Wildfires are accelerating the thawing of permafrost.

• This process:

  • Dries the soil

  • Raises the temperature of the topsoil

  • Alters vegetation cover

  • Releases trapped organic carbon into the atmosphere

What Lies Ahead: Strategy and Recommendations

1. Long-Term Urban and Regional Planning

   • Cities and regions must adopt scientific, climate-resilient strategies to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

2. Protection of Carbon Sinks

   • Prioritise the conservation of forests, wetlands, and permafrost zones to maintain Earth’s natural carbon balance.

3. Global Collaboration

   • International cooperation is essential to address the transboundary impacts of wildfires and climate change.

4. Addressing the Root Causes

   • Urgent efforts are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent deforestation, and promote sustainable land use practices.