Published October 28, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Open

MITIGATING BUSH FIRE THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF FOREST PRODUCTIVITY

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Ambrose Alli University
  • 2. ROR icon University of Benin

Description

Bush fires, their causes and effects were examined. The availability of the fuel material (biomass),
one of the necessary components for the initiation and sustenance of wild bushfires was studied.
Investigation shows that the turnover rate is positive across the country. Over 400g in the forest
zone to about 26g in the savanna zone. This means that wild bush fires can be expected in any part
of the country. The dry matter and litter accumulation are also sufficient to initiate and sustain
bushfires–ranging from 700g/m2
to 60g/m2
and 287g/m2

to 116g/m2

,respectively, in Ekpoma. The
level of dry material was expectedly higher during the dry season – particularly in December,
January and February. Bush fires at this time are often very rampant, furious and dangerous, as the
dry harmattan wind aids them to move at very high speed. Thus controlling the availability of the
biomass can substantially help to mitigate wild bushfires initiation, severity and frequency.
Keywords: Bushfires, Biomass, Forest, Savannahs, Fuel, Frequency

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Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.5281/zenodo.17468625

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