Strong winds drive grassland fires in China

Abstract Accounting for 41.7% of China’s total land area, grasslands are linked to the livelihoods over 20 million people. Although grassland fires cause severe damage in China every year, their spatiotemporal patterns and climate drivers not well understood. In this study, we used fire record forms provided by National Forestry Grassland Administration location data from Wildfire Atlas examine seasonality period 2008 2020. We found that most occurred Inner Mongolia northern China, specifically Hulun Buir Xilingol grasslands. distinct differences which has a major season April, versus southwestern where occurs February, March April. April result strong winds, typically west, spring drought. A secondary October is also driven winds. The seems be less shaped climatic factors such as wind speed, precipitation, This study provides support decision-making prevention management authorities China.