Abstract ID: 3.12626 | Not reviewed | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Forest fires pose a significant environmental threat, particularly in reserve and protected forests, where biodiversity conservation is critical. The Makhnial Forest Subdivision, located in Tehsil Khanpur, District Haripur, is increasingly vulnerable to forest fires due to changing climate patterns. This study explores the impact of climate change on forest fire occurrences in the region, examining rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extended dry spells as key contributors. In area of reserve and Protected Forest of tehsil Khanpur district Haripur, wildfires take a heavy toll on the flora and fauna, affecting hundreds of hectares of land every year. According to consolidated data, based on the Daily Situation Reports (DSR) released by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s forestry, environment and wildlife department, a total of 283 fire incidents were reported across the province between May 23 and June 13, 2022. According to Forest department 1,392.5 hectares were burnt during 2016-17, 1,668.42 hectares in 2017-18, 1,252.12 hectares in 2018-19, 1,220.65 hectares in 2019-20 and 1,033.54 hectares between 2020-21. The fast-changing climate patterns have posed many challenges across Pakistan. Anthropogenic activities, combined with climate-induced factors, exacerbate fire risks whereby rising temperature, a key indicator of climate change, evaporates more moisture from the ground, drying out the soil and making vegetation more inflammable. At the same time, winter snowpacks are melting about a month earlier, meaning that forests are drier for longer periods of time. According to Pakistan Meteorological Department’s data that March, April and May 2022 to be among the driest months since 1961. During last three years, Rainfall was below ‘normal’ levels, with the dry spell in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being record-breaking. Remote sensing and GIS-based fire mapping techniques reveal an upward trend in fire incidents over the past decade. The way forward includes strengthening forest fire surveillance, improving firefighting infrastructure, and enhancing public awareness, implementation of controlled burning practices and reforestation with fire-resistant species etc. By understanding the interplay between climate change and fire dynamics, policymakers can formulate effective interventions to protect ecological integrity of the area. So, it is suggested that future studies should focus on predictive modeling to refine fire risk assessments and develop region-specific mitigation strategies.