Forest fire occurrence, distribution and risk mapping using geoinformation technology: A case study in the sub-tropical forest of the Meghalaya, India

Abstract

The study focuses on Meghalaya, the North Eastern State of India, for forest fire occurrence, distribution, and risk mapping using the different geospatial techniques is validated using different decision-making techniques such as MCDM, Space Time Cube Analysis (STC), and Emerging Hot Spot (EHS) Analysis. The archive data of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) near real time (NRT) fire data has been considered for this study. Fire points were obtained from Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), a web service provided by NASA. Using two decadal data, a NetCDF file was created which can store four-dimensional data. Based on this NetCFD file, forest fire trend and future prospect has been foreseen. After analyzing these points, a relationship with other fire triggering factors such as Human settlement, Roads, Climate, Elevation, Slope, Aspect, Forest Type, Forest Canopy density, Soil Moisture, Wind Speed, and Forest Health has been established. Forest risk map with four classes (extreme, severe, moderate, and mild) is also generated. These results are very effective for the managers, planners, and other stakeholders for disaster management. The suggested methodology can be implemented for the preparedness of forest fire management. The policy makers must act quickly to protect the Himalayan region with the highest biodiversity by adopting focused interventions and the strategic allocation of scarce resources in effective areas.