A fire is a rapid oxidation process, a chemical reaction resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities (NFPA 921). There are various sciences influencing the behaviour of fire, the start of fire and spread. It requires fuel, an oxidizing agent, heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction. Fire hazard can pose a great threat to human life, infrastructure and the ecosystem. Bhutan has faced various fire hazards that ruined the infrastructure and destroyed large areas of forest cover. Some of the historical monuments like dzongs and the well-preserved forest cover and its ecosystem. A total of 40 forest fire incidents took place in 2019 in the country damaging a total forest area of 3524.72 hectares according to the report, Forest Facts & Figures 2019 by Department of Forest and Park Services. In 2017, there were 31 fire incidents recorded burning an area of 5249 hectares and in 2016 72 fire incidents that damaged 21057.5 acres of forest area. movavi plus activation key
Ensuring fire safety of structures through research and development is substantial and of paramount importance, as it poses severe consequences (Wang 2002; Chen et al. 2006; Tao and Yu 2012). The structures ranging from traditional buildings made of timber and mud or complex skyscrapers made of high strength steel and concrete are all susceptible to fire hazards. A 2015 country report on Disaster Management states the country has already suffered irrevocable damage and loss due to structural fires. The four-century-old Wangduephodrang Dzong was razed down to the ground by the fire that started on 24th June 2012. It was also reported that 25 traditional houses were burnt down in Haa valley during 2002., Chamkhar town suffered three times fire hazards in 2011, whereby heavy losses was incurred causing damage to 92 households. On 15 February 2015, about 50 shops were destroyed in Sarpang town due to fire. These figures are alarming and it indicates how well the infrastructures are built in terms of fire safety and show inadequate preparedness for such hazards. It was reflected in the RAA report that fire safety measures taken were either insignificant or absent. Some of the issues pointed out were old fire-fighting engines, limited water hydrants and failure to implement fire safety measures.
The most significant threat to Bhutan’s forest is the occurrence of forest fires which destroys thousands of acres of forest every year, the effect on biodiversity, especially through destruction in habitat causing the loss of endangered flora and fauna, the loss of infrastructure and assets and risk to human livelihood due to the forest fires, are of great concern. Thus continuous monitoring, research and information dissemination regarding best practices and safety measures are necessary. Forest fire poses a major threat to the sustainability of the forests and is one of the major drivers of deforestation and degradation in Bhutan. Although the fire hazards to structures and forest cannot be completely stopped, the effects on structures and the area that is being destroyed by a forest fire in the country ever year can be reduced by proper research and hazard assessment. A proper monitoring of fire hazards and timely intervention would greatly help reduce the severe effects brought by fire hazards. A hazard assessment and proper hazard zonation maps through infrastructure inventory and field survey would help reduce the fire hazards in the country significantly. Besides having fire safety manuals and precautions in place, the fire incidents are quite rampant in the country leading to great loss. Thus organizing a capacity building program in collaboration with relevant agencies would help significantly. ps crack
Research Area on fire hazards in collaboration with the centre:
- Hazard Assessment and Response Time
- Infrastructure Inventory through Field Survey
- Assessment of Gaps in Fire Service Infrastructure
- Capacity Building
- Assessment of post-fire behaviour of buildings
Author: Bhawani Sankhar Nirola