Forest Fires in Pakistan: Trends, Causes, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies - A Review and Gap Analysis

In Pakistan, forest fires are a major environmental problem that threatens biodiversity, human settlements, and the climate. This in-depth review brings together the most recent research on forest fire patterns, their causes, their effects on the environment and society. It suggests the ways to prevent and reduce their frequency in different ecological zones of Pakistan. By carefully looking at recent literature, this study finds important gaps in research and propose ways where future research take direction. There is not much research on forest fires forecasting system in Pakistan over the prolonged period of time, which shows how important it is to conduct a full investigation. The review looks at patterns, technological solutions, and management strategies related to forest fires. Important findings show that the increasing number and severity of wildfires, which are caused by climate change, social and economic factors, and people's carelessness, have become a major issue. The rise in global temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns make things drier. At the same time, dangerous human actions like throwing away flammable materials and burning crops in unsafe ways make wildfires even more dangerous. This study gives policymakers, practitioners, and forest managers essential information so that they can make strategies for managing forest fires in Pakistan. Keywords: Climate Change, Mitigation Strategies, Environmental Impacts, Wildfire Management. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/95-09 Publication date: July 31st 2025