Nature of Forest Fires in Uttarakhand:Frequency, Size and Seasonal Patterns in Relation to Pre-Monsoonal Environment

Man-made forest fires in the traditionally populated zone (about 800-2000 m altitude) are common in much of the Central Himalaya, and are a major topic of environmental debate. This study based on an analysis of data of the State Forest Department at Uttarakhand on incidence of forest fires shows that these are high-frequency, low-severity surface fires of small size, largely determined by the moisture conditions of the pre-monsoon season (from March to mid-June), and the traditional practices of biomass collection by local people.