Nepal’s forest fires have escalated from seasonal events to a recurring hazard, with more than 34,700 incidents recorded since 2008. While hotter and drier conditions elevate fire weather risks, impacts are amplified by institutional fragmentation and weak incentives for prevention and response. Post 2015 federal restructuring has delegated authority across different government tiers, though the clarity of roles and responsibilities and the outcomes is still a question. On the other hand, contributions of local communities and community-based response to forest fires have largely remained voluntary, that is compounded by lack of tools and capacity, thus posing risks to lives and property. A shift from episodic suppression to risk-based stewardship is required, centered on a clarified operational command structure, dedicated preparedness financing, and formal recognition of community’s role as an essential service. Effective fire management in federal Nepal demands clearly delineated roles across a range of actors. Nevertheless, a well-established, operational chain of command remains absent. In practice, overlapping mandates can leave municipalities accountable for outcomes but constrained in both authority and resources. To address these concerns, this special issue of the Journal of Forest and Livelihood brings together interdisciplinary research and perspectives on forest fire management, highlighting the key issues, challenges, and emerging approaches in the Nepalese context.

Articles:

Adhikari, G., Yadav, N. K., Joshi, K. P., Mahara, S., Chad, D., Gaire, D., & Subedi, R. (2026). Spatial non-stationarity in forest fire driving factors in the lowlands of Nepal: A case study of Madhesh Province. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96629

Bhattarai, K., & Pandey, C. L. (2026). Assessment of forest fire incidences, causes, and management practices in Bagmati Province, Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 24–44. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96637

Sharma, S., Gautam, A. P., Parajuli, A., & Parajuli, M. (2026). Assessing forest fire risks using geo-spatial techniques in western Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96638

Parajuli, R., Paudel, A., & Sharma, L. N. (2026). Maintaining people-forest interactions is critical to managing forests fires in Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 68–82. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96645

Rai, R. K. (2026). Challenges and opportunities in forest fire management in Nepal: An economic perspective. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 83–88. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96646

Shrestha, M., K.C., D., Karki, R., & Bashyal, M. (2026). From voluntarism to incentivised forest fire management in Nepal: Evidence on labour costs and risk perceptions from four CFUGS. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96647

Ojha, K., & Koirala, A. (2026). Forest fire policy efforts in Nepal: Present status and future vision. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 108–128. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96648

Hill, A., & Shrestha, M. (2026). Institutional fragmentation and forest fire management in federal Nepal: Bridging the governance gap through incident management systems. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 129–141. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96653

Bhattarai, B., Shrestha, K., Gurung, P., Sapkota, P., & Ojha, H. (2026). Anticipatory forest-fire risk governance in Nepal. Journal of Forest and Livelihood, 26(1), 142–154. https://doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v26i1.96656