Using cellular automata and multi-criteria evaluation to simulate the wildfire expansion in Prince George, British Co-lumbia

Abstract

Wildfires pose a critical and ongoing challenge in British Columbia, Canada, threatening human life, property, and natural ecosystems. To understand and predict the behavior of such fires, our study employs Cellular Automata (CA), a mathematical model adept at simulating complex systems through grid-based cell interactions. This model, validated by prior research, incorporates a wind propagation rule that significantly enhances the prediction of wildfire spread in the direction of prevailing winds. Research centers on a wildfire event in Prince George, utilizing CA to simulate fire dynamics influenced by var-ious factors. The models strength lies in its ability to represent detailed local interactions and its flexibility in scenario testing, which is instrumental in understanding model uncer-tainties. By simulating different fire scenarios, the study aims to grasp the complexities and potential variables affecting wildfire behavior. The research provides a foundation for decision-makers to analyze and study wildfire events, leveraging a Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) Model to assess the susceptibility of cells to fire. This comprehensive approach combines CA with MCE, offering a robust framework for simulating and manag-ing wildfire expansion in British Columbia.