Wildfires Devastate India, Impacting 15 Million in 2024-25

According to a recent global study, around 15 million people in India were affected by wildfires in 2024-25, with Uttar Pradesh being the most impacted region. Researchers found that Uttar Pradesh experienced its most severe wildfire season on record, driven by factors such as crop burning, heatwaves, and dry fuel accumulation.

The regional fires in India also contributed to severe haze episodes in New Delhi in November 2024, with PM2.5 levels reaching 13 times the daily standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) -- more than 200 micrograms per cubic metre.

Globally, the study estimates that a total of 3.7 million square kilometres -- an area larger than India -- was burned by wildfires in 2024-25, with emissions released thereof exceeding eight billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is approximately 10% higher than the average since 2003, driven by unusually large and intense forest fires in South America and Canada, which the researchers attribute to human-induced climate warming.

The researchers warn that severe heatwaves and droughts are making extreme wildfires more frequent and intense worldwide, resulting in an increased threat to people's lives, property, economies, and the environment. They estimate that around 100 million people were exposed to wildfires globally during the 2024-2025 fire season, with India and the Democratic Republic of the Congo showing the highest numbers, each with around 15 million people affected.