Forest fire activity is strongly related to three factors- availability of combustible fuels, climate and weather forcing, and ignition agents (natural or anthropogenic). Under a warming climate, many studies suggest a significant increase in forest fires. Forest fire activity is already found to be significantly increasing in many regions e.g., California and the Arctic. In India, most studies focus on either the forest fires in Himalayas or Jhum-cultivation led forest fire activity. However, central India which has a high forest fire activity goes neglected. The present study investigates the forest fire activity changes in central India domain over a period of 20 years using satellite observations. Compared to 2001-2005, forest fire activity during 2006-2020 doubled in the forest fire season and tripled in the non-fire season. In central India domain, forest fires are also found to increase under periods of persistent warmer temperatures and under simultaneous multiple climate extremes e.g., severe drought, strong El Niño and intense heatwave. Further, some dense deciduous forests of the region are found to be extremely fire prone, and are identified. Significantly high soil temperature, low soil moisture content, low evapotranspiration and low vegetation index dries out the environment, and high forest fire activity occurs.

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