Rising temperatures drive Himalayan forest fires more than human activity, study finds

A new study from the Western Himalayas shows that rising temperatures are the strongest driver of forest fires in the region, surpassing human activity. Researchers analyzed 39 variables across 18,000 fire locations in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Every 1 degree Celsius rise in mean summer temperatures was linked to roughly 128 additional fire incidents. The pre-monsoon months of March to May are the peak fire season, when dry biomass, low humidity, and heat converge. Declining winter snowfall and rainfall are making forest floors drier and more flammable. This threatens the region's carbon stocks, which are estimated at 3,273 million tonnes. The study adds to evidence that climate change is reshaping fire dynamics, even in areas where human ignition is common. Experts say reviving fire lines and clearing biomass through controlled burns are critical for management.