Scilight Press

The present study investigated the drivers and ecological consequences of forest fires and proposes a community-based management framework, with a particular focus on Odisha state, India. A structured literature review on fire drivers, impacts, and governance was integrated with a policy analysis of national and international fire management approaches. Secondary analyses of satellite-based fire records from ISFR (MODIS/VIIRS; 2020–2024) were conducted alongside field surveys and photographic documentation in the Bonai Forest Division, Odisha (2021–2024), to assess burn severity, fuel loads, vegetation response, and ignition sources. Results indicate that India’s Central Forest Cluster accounts for the largest burned area, especially within dry deciduous forests. Anthropogenic ignitions predominate, with increasingly hot and dry conditions exacerbating fire severity. High-severity fires were found to reduce seedling recruitment, facilitate invasive species proliferation, and degrade soil structure, moisture, and microbial activity. Habitat simplification and prey scarcity further intensify human-wildlife conflicts near settlements. Evidence highlights that prevention-first strategies such as prescribed patch burns, participatory fire lines, integrated early-warning systems, tiered response teams, and post-fire invasive control serve as the most effective interventions. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for transition from suppression-oriented responses to community-centered, technology-enabled prevention systems that can mitigate destructive fires while preserving the ecological functions of low-intensity burns.