Forest fire simulation modeling using remote sensing & GIS

Abstract

Forest fire is one of the major hazards causing destruction to biodiversity, environment and humans in the Taradevi forest of Himachal Pradesh (India). The study was carried out for forest fire spread analysis and loss assessment using simulation modeling techniques. Knowledge of the factors which includes forest types, canopy cover, meteorological status, topographic feature accelerating forest fire were taken into considerations. The parameters derived from remote sensing data and Geographical Information System (GIS) were used to generate input files for forest fire simulation modeling using FARISTE. Finally, a fire spread maps and fire areas were predicted in this simulation, where relative importance is given to each theme built based on GIS and climate parameters. The study aims to develop a simulation method to find out fire spread and direction according to the climate data like wind direction, wind speed, rainfall, forest fuel type & density, canopy cover and other maps required for it. Findings of the research are helpful in development of forest fire management. Fast and appropriate direction will be used by the management to stop the spread of fire effectively. It helps to provides effective means for protecting forests from fires as well as to formulate appropriate methods to control and manage forest fire damages and its spread.