"Cameras should be installed in forests" - Proposal from an ecologist

In recent years, forest fires have become widespread around the world. This poses a great threat to our planet. Fires turn hundreds of years ancient trees into ashes in a matter of minutes, and thousands of animal species are extinct.

So what is the reason for this?

Crossmedia.az contacted related to topic a leading specialist at the “Dendrology Garden” public legal entity, Elman Jafarli.

The ecologist first emphasized that the number of forest fires has increased in recent years:

"In the last 20 years alone, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest have been destroyed in large-scale fires in various countries of the world. In 2017, 270 thousand hectares of forest burned in Greece, in 2010 450 thousand hectares in Australia, in 2012 500 thousand hectares in Russia, and in 2016 25 thousand hectares in Bolivia."

According to the expert, there are many causes of forest fires:

“Natural phenomena – lightning, landslides, earthquakes, etc. can cause fires. However, unfortunately, more than 80 percent of forest fires currently are related to anthropogenic factors, that is, they are the result of human activity.

The proximity of forests to residential areas and highways can cause fires. Sparks from cars, burning cigarette butts on the ground, and unextinguished fireplaces left at picnic areas lead to fires. The wind further intensifies this fire.”

The expert also highlighted the cause of the fire in Los Angeles:

“The fire that broke out in Los Angeles, California, USA, which burned down 10,000 houses and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless, also occurred due to the fall of electric poles due to strong winds. In 2018, the forest fire that destroyed 100,000 hectares of forest in the region was caused by a spark from a car tire.”

According to him, in most regions of the world, as well as in California, forest fires usually occur in the warm months:

“The period of time during which there is a risk of fire in the region is 78 days per year. In recent years, 8 thousand large and small fires have occurred in California during the season. This time, the fire occurred in January, a season when the temperature is 20 degrees. One of the basic reasons for the increase in fires in the territory is the lack of precipitation.

The lack of precipitation and drought turn dry branches and grass into the basic combustible material that fuels the fire. Another means of fueling the fire are winds blowing at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour. Emergency services of other states should also support the extinguishing of forest fires in the United States. Because forests are the wealth of our planet. It is very sad to watch this wealth burn and be destroyed.

During forest fires, living and dead cover, litter, leaves, branches, and forest floor burn. Fires cause great damage to forestry. A lot of firewood is destroyed, the composition of the forest deteriorates, the growth of trees weakens, and the fauna is destroyed.

Forest fires cause great damage to natural resources and the environment. Forests protect the soil from erosion, prevent the depletion of water resources and purify the air in terms of sanitation and hygiene, and play an indispensable role in the metabolism of substances in nature and the biological cycle of energy. It is our duty to protect forests – this invaluable wealth of nature, and to pass them on to future generations. In contemporary times, it is crucial to create a strong protection and control system to protect forests from fire.

Putting forests under camera surveillance and strengthening control over picnic zones are the main conditions.

It would be better if teams of volunteer nature lovers would monitor picnic zones during the summer season.

At the same time, measures to combat global climate change and the transition to green energy should be continued. Support for initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions is essential.

“Azerbaijan has implemented significant projects in this area. 3 large regions of our country have been declared green energy zones.

"Azerbaijan is exploring the potential of wind and solar energy, the largest renewable energy enterprises in the region operate in our country. The industrial enterprises and cars that pollute our planet's air the most are situated in the territories of large states. Large states should also pay more attention to the consequences of global climate change, invest more in reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere, and developing renewable energy sources," he concluded.