COLOMBO – Ella, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular tourist destinations, draws scores of foreign visitors who come to admire its natural beauty and marvel at engineering wonders like the famous nine-arched bridge, also known as the “Bridge in the Sky.”

But in February, those visitors witnessed a very different scene — not the lush greenery they expected, but massive flames of orange and red engulfing the hills around Ella. For several days, a forest fire raged through the Ella Forest Reserve, turning a scenic paradise into a zone of destruction.

“Sri Lanka experiences two peak wildfire seasons — from February to March and again from July to August. We usually prepare for these periods, but this year, the dry season started earlier than usual, catching us off-guard,” said Wasantha Gajanayake, conservator of forests and head of biodiversity and watershed conservation at the Department of Forest Conservation.

In just the first two months of 2025, Sri Lanka recorded more than 40 small- and large-scale forest fires, according to Gajanayake. The fire in Ravana Ella Sanctuary alone destroyed more than 242 hectares (598 acres) of forest — a critical habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

Increasing wildfires

Forest fires are a growing concern in Sri Lanka. Though not as frequent or massive as those in places like the United States, where January’s fires in Los Angeles killed dozens and destroyed vast areas, local wildfires still cause significant harm to biodiversity, ecosystems and communities. Understanding their causes and impacts, and strengthening prevention, hence remains essential.

Most forest fires in Sri Lanka are linked to human activity. Slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal encroachment and land clearing are key drivers. Farmers sometimes set fire to forests or grasslands to stimulate fresh grass growth for livestock — a practice that often leads to uncontrollable blazes. Other causes include unattended campfires, discarded cigarette butts and even glass or plastic litter that can magnify sunlight and ignite dry vegetation. Natural causes, such as lightning, are very rare but possible during prolonged droughts.

“The greatest impact is on smaller creatures with limited mobility, but even birds can be affected if they’re habitat specialists,” said Enoka Kudavidanage, a conservation biologist at Sabaragamuwa University. “This is also the bird breeding season, and I saw many nests destroyed by fire.”

While fires often occur in forest plantations, high-biodiversity areas like the Knuckles and Horton Plains montane regions are increasingly at risk. “Endemic plants can be wiped out locally in areas as these fires occur, leading to long-term ecological consequences,” Kudavidanage told Mongabay. Bees and other insects can be disoriented by smoke and fall to the ground, she added.

However, some of the impacts of forest fire are not direct. Heat from fires can crack rocks, increasing the risk of landslides that would also impact local communities and the rocks falling to roads would block access to many areas. Fires in upstream forests can also dry out streams, disrupting aquatic life downstream, Kudavidanage added.

Interestingly, some ecosystems, such as savanna grasslands like Nilgala, depend on fire to sustain the ecosystem’s unique character. “Species like aralu and bulu rely on fire to crack open their seed coats and germinate. Without fire, these grasslands would eventually turn into forests,” said independent biologist Suranjan Fernando. “But the problem is that fire intensity is increasing. Fires that once stopped at the edge of natural forests now penetrate deep inside.”

According to Fernando, even fire-adapted trees in savannas are struggling to survive. “Native grasses burn quickly and with low-intensity flames, but invasive Guinea grass [Panicum maximum] burns longer and hotter, creating higher flames that can kill even fire-resistant trees,” Fernando added.

Fernando said the occurrence and intensity of forest fires in Sri Lanka are increasing. Usually, it is either grasslands or forest plantations that catch fire, but they end at the edge of natural forests. However, lately, these fires increasingly penetrate natural forests, which could be aided by the dryness fueled by global warming, Fernand said.

Firefighters
Usually, peak wilderness area is considered wet, but there has been fire recently. Even though it is not frequent, a single fire to a biodiversity-rich area can do considerable damage. Horton Plains and Knuckles are areas prone to higher risk.

In the recent Ella fire, the government opted not to deploy aerial firefighting support from the Air Force due to cost concerns and perceived inefficiency — a controversial decision, given the area’s rugged terrain. Meanwhile, local police and forest officers continue efforts to prevent fires and catch those responsible.

“These fires are man-made and punishable offenses, but it’s difficult to gather enough evidence to prosecute,” said Sujith Wedamulla, deputy inspector of police in fire-prone Badulla district. “Still, we work closely with the Forest Department to raise awareness and urge the public to avoid starting fires.”

Every year, between 100 hectares (247 acres) and 2,500 hectares (6,178 acres) of forest are lost to fires in Sri Lanka, and the damage is rising, says Gajanayake. Despite this, research into fire-related impacts remains limited. “We need to prioritize studies on wildfires, as they now pose a growing threat to forest resources,” he emphasized.

One key prevention strategy is the creation of fire belts: 10-meter- (33-foot-) wide cleared strips around forest edges. “These firebreaks are effective, especially when we plant Gliricidia and other trees along them. But in strong winds, even fire belts can be breached,” Gajanayake noted.

Under projected climate change scenarios, Sri Lanka’s dry and intermediate zones are expected to experience reduced rainfall, rising temperatures, lower relative humidity and stronger dry winds. These conditions are likely to lead to increased ignition of forest fuels, significantly escalating the risk and extent of forest fires.

Dry monsoon forests are predicted to be the most vulnerable under these future climate conditions, followed by open and sparse forests and scrublands. These ecosystems contain higher fuel loads that become extremely dry during droughts, making them more flammable, stated Mohan Heenatigala, deputy conservator of forests at the Forest Department who studied forest fire hazards in Sri Lanka. Districts like Monaragala and Anuradhapura are particularly at risk, with burn probabilities rising sharply compared with baseline climate conditions.

Human activity

Human activity further exacerbates the situation. Most fires are ignited near roads and then spread into nearby forests. Typically, fires begin in village-adjacent areas such as open forests and scrublands before spreading into drier monsoon forests and forest plantations.

As a result, fire frequency, burn area and intensity are all expected to increase under future climate projections, posing a growing threat to the biodiversity and ecological stability of Sri Lanka’s dry zone.

As climate change worsens and invasive species spread, Sri Lanka must enhance its wildfire preparedness. Investing in early warning systems, improved fire management and community education will be essential to protect the island’s precious forests and the life they support.

Banner image: A recent fire at the Ravana Falls, a popular tourist attraction in the island’s Uva province saw at least 600 hectares (nearly 243 acres) of forest area destroyed. Image courtesy of Enoka Kudavidanage.