Burned Area Research Articles

Examining low-intensity surface fires in boreal forests using sentinel-2 time series and bitemporal terrestrial laser scanning

ABSTRACT In Fennoscandia, wildfires are typically low-intensity surface fires that burn vegetation on the forest floor. Multispectral remote sensing, particularly the normalized burn ratio (NBR) index, is widely used to assess burn severity, but its effectiveness in identifying surface fires under dense canopies is less studied. This study examined the characteristics of surface fires across seven one-hectare test sites in Scots pine-dominated boreal forests in Finland. Fire-induced spectral changes, measured as difference normalized burn ratio (dNBR) values from Sentinel-2 data, were compared with structural changes on the forest floor measured using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Breakpoint analysis of NBR time series identified most surface fires, with a noticeable decline in NBR values. Fires not identified with the breakpoint analysis had less burned ground vegetation and denser canopy cover. A moderate correlation (r = –0.5) was observed between spectral and volumetric changes, with higher dNBR values corresponding to greater vegetation reduction. However, dense canopies lowered burn severity despite similar ground vegetation volume changes. NBR changes were explained by vegetation volume, canopy cover, and site conditions (R² = 84%). These findings improve understanding of the applicability of multispectral remote sensing in detecting fires, assessing burn area, and estimating burn severity in boreal forests.

Burned-area sub-pixel mapping based on spatial–spectral information at super-pixel scale for multi-spectral image

ABSTRACT Due to the complex environments of burned areas and limitations of hardware devices, the collected multi-spectral image (MSI) is sometimes with many mixed pixels to hinder the accurate mapping of burned areas. To solve this problem, sub-pixel mapping (SPM) technology has been applied to handle with these mixed pixels to map burned areas. However, the spatial–spectral information of burned areas used by SPM is usually constructed in a specified rectangular local window, and the number of spectral bands utilized by SPM is also little, affecting the mapping accuracy of burned areas. To improve the mapping accuracy of burned areas, we propose burned-area SPM based on spatial–spectral information at super-pixel scale for multi-spectral image (SSIASC). In SSIASC, super-pixels representing the burned areas with irregular distribution are obtained by interpolation and then segmentation of the original coarse MSI. The extended random walker algorithm is then used to calculate the spatial correlation in super-pixels to obtain spatial term, and at the same time the normalized model is constructed to calculate all the spectral bands in super-pixels to yield spectral term. Next, the two terms are integrated to produce the objective term with spatial–spectral information at super-pixel scale. Finally, particle swarm optimization is employed to optimize the objective term to derive the burned-area mapping result. Experimental results on the two burned-area MSIs show that the proposed SSIASC produces the better results than the state-of-the-art SPM methods.

Pathogenetic and prognostic aspects of copper and zinc deficiency in severely burned patients

Objective. To study the copper and zinc content in the severely burned patients’ blood serum and evaluate their capabilities as prognostic criteria for the burn disease outcome.Materials and methods. 37 patients with a burn area of 50,7±17,2 % of the body surface were examined, 7 of them died. The content of copper, zinc, albumin, globulins and prealbumin in blood serum was assessed within 14 days after receiving thermal injury.Results. A copper and zinc deficiency was found during the burn shock. In the future, the copper levels normalization and a tendency to the zinc concentration increase with normalization by 14 days after burn injury are noted. The micronutrient deficiency correlation with the albumin, prealbumin and globulins levels was found. The conjugacy between hypocyncemia and hypocupremia with the sepsis presence and the death probability was revealed. A decrease in zinc levels below 4,7 mmol/l leads to a 24-fold increase in the death chances and in copper content below 13 mmol/l – to a 10–fold increase in the chances. The sensitivity and specificity of the zinc concentration threshold value assessment was 71 % and 90 %, respectively, and the copper concentration was 80 % and 75 % respectively.Conclusion. During the burn shock hypocupremia and hypocyncemia are detected. Further normalization of the copper level and a tendency to zinc concentration normalization were revealed. Zinc and copper concentrations can serve as additional sepsis biomarkers. Threshold values of zinc and copper concentrations in blood serum have been determined which determine the fatal outcome risk of burn disease.

Degree of Burn: A Digital Tool for Burn Area Assessment and Fluid Requirement Calculation Using Wound Image Analysis

Burns are tissue damage due to contact with a heat source, such as fire, hot water, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns are a type of trauma with high morbidity and mortality rates and require high treatment costs. In Indonesia, burns are still a serious problem that requires special care, high costs, and skilled personnel. Currently, burn assessments are carried out manually, which is time-consuming and the results are subjective. Treatment efforts include preventing infection and encouraging epithelial cell regeneration to close the wound. Therefore, innovation is needed in the form of a system that helps assess burns more effectively, including classifying wound tissue, measuring wound area, and monitoring wound development. The use of an Android-based system can provide more accurate measurements through a digital planimetry approach or image segmentation, which can identify wound boundaries and tissue types. Technology-based health applications, such as the "Degree of Burn" application, allow for more efficient calculation of burn area and fluid requirements. This study uses a literature review method from international journals, national journals, books, and conference results related to burn assessment to support the development of this system.

Two Decades of Fire‐Induced Albedo Change and Associated Short‐Wave Radiative Effect Over Sub‐Saharan Africa

AbstractWe present an analysis of 20 years of fire and albedo data in Africa. We show that, in the mean, the sub‐Saharan Africa post‐fire surface albedo anomaly can be parameterized using an exponential recovery function, recovering from a decrease of immediately after a fire with a time constant of days. Although the magnitude of albedo changes shows large spatial and temporal variations and a strong land cover type (LCT) dependency, exponential recovery is observed in the majority of LCTs. We show that fires cause long‐term surface brightening, with an Africa‐wide albedo increase of 10 months after a fire, but we find this is driven almost exclusively by slow vegetation recovery in the Kalahari region, confirming previous findings. Using downward surface shortwave flux (DSSF) estimates, we calculate the fire‐induced surface radiative forcing (RF), peaking at Wm−2 in the burn areas, albeit with a significantly smaller effect when averaged temporally and spatially. We find that the long‐term RF in months 5–10 after a burn averaged over the continent is negative because of the brightening observed. Despite a well‐documented reduction in burning in Africa in the recent decades, our temporal analysis does not indicate a decrease in the overall fire‐induced RF likely due to large interannual variability in albedo anomaly and DSSF data. However, we observe a decline in the short‐term RF in southern hemisphere Africa, driven by both a reduction in fires and changes in LCT distributions.

AI-Powered Alumni Portal: Connect, Learn, Thrive

Anomaly detection in remotely sensed images is a critical task with diverse applications, ranging from environmental monitoring to smart agriculture. Various methodologies have been developed to enhance the detection of anomalies, which are deviations from expected patterns in image data. These methods leverage advanced computational techniques and machine learning models to improve accuracy and efficiency. Anomaly detection in remotely sensed images can be employed using different methods such as heterogeneous and edge computing, convolutional neural Networks, multi-dimensional feature space, unified anomaly detection, unsupervised learning for burnt area detection, etc. This paper discussed different methods and cutting-edge technologies for anomaly detection. While all these methods show significant advancements, challenges, limitations remain in terms of computational resource requirements and the need for real-time processing capabilities. Future research may focus on optimizing these models for broader applications and improving their adaptability to new data sources.

Weather Associated with Rapid-Growth California Wildfires

Abstract California is vulnerable to large, rapidly growing wildfires that can threaten human lives and damage physical infrastructure. This study analyzes the daily growth of all satellite-observed California fires from 2003 through 2020 and relates that growth to local meteorological and environmental conditions. Fire growth is defined using both absolute and relative metrics (absolute growth—the daily burned area, relative growth—the daily percent increase in burned area). Near-surface environmental conditions are evaluated before, during, and after periods of fire growth for individual fires of varying sizes and spread rates across events with both high and low relative growth. Regional spatial patterns and distributions of near-surface dryness and winds during large absolute-growth events are examined and compared to climatological conditions. Overall, large absolute-growth events generally occur when dead fuels are driest, trailing short periods of increased atmospheric dryness. For large absolute-growth events, high relative growth is usually associated with strong winds while low relative-growth is generally associated with quiescent to climatological winds. Winds during high relative-growth events are greatest in autumn, surpassing the 95th percentile on average. For these autumnal events, atmospheric dryness is less than during other seasons, but atmospheric and fuel dryness are still sufficient for fire. Irrespective of season, winds during particularly rapid-growth events (high absolute and relative growth) are frequently downslope and influenced by local terrain regardless of the climatological conditions.

Mercury in an Australian sclerophyll Eucalyptus forest and emissions from fuel reduction prescribed burning

Environmental context Understanding how mercury cycles through the environment is crucial for protecting ecosystems and human health. Our study is among the first to measure mercury concentrations in Eucalyptus forest soils and litter and estimate emissions from prescribed burns, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge. These new data enhance our understanding of mercury cycling in Australia and contribute to the global information on the biogeochemical cycle of mercury. Rationale Research on mercury in Australian soils and litter is sparse. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating mercury pools in soil and litter in a eucalypt forest in Victoria, Australia. Methodology We analysed total mercury concentrations in O and A horizon soils, and twig, bark and leaf litter. Soil samples were collected from an area affected by a prescribed burn and unburned areas. Additionally, soil samples from the base of tree stems were taken in unburned areas. The organic matter content of all soil samples was also assessed. Results In unburned soils, mean mercury concentrations at the base of tree stems, in the O-horizon and A horizon were 143 ± 61, 112 ± 71 and 56 ± 30 ng g−1 respectively. In burned soils, mean mercury concentrations in the O and A horizons were 91 ± 63 and 46 ± 19 ng g−1 respectively. Mercury concentrations in leaf, bark and twig litter averaged 71 ± 11, 21 ± 13 and 8 ± 4 ng g−1 respectively. The emission factor was estimated as 0.247 g Hg ha−1. Discussion The studied sclerophyll forest represents a significant mercury reservoir. Burning did not significantly alter the mercury burden in soil; however, emissions of mercury from litter did occur. This finding underscores the need for more comprehensive research into mercury cycling in Australia and suggests that prescribed burning practices should account for potential mercury emissions.

Permafrost Dynamics Observatory: 3. Remote Sensing Big Data for the Active Layer, Soil Moisture, and Greening and Browning

AbstractBecause of the remote nature of permafrost, it is difficult to collect data over large geographic regions using ground surveys. Remote sensing enables us to study permafrost at high resolution and over large areas. The Arctic‐Boreal Vulnerability Experiment's Permafrost Dynamics Observatory (PDO) contains data about permafrost subsidence, active layer thickness (ALT), soil water content, and water table depth, derived from airborne radar measurements at 66 image swaths in 2017. With nearly 58,000,000 pixels available for analysis, this data set enables new discoveries and can corroborate findings from previous studies across the Arctic‐Boreal region. We analyze the distributions of these variables and use a space‐for‐time substitution to enable interpretation of the effects of climate trends. Higher soil volumetric water content (VWC) is associated with lower ALT and subsidence, suggesting that Arctic soil may become drier as the climate warms. Soil VWC is bimodal, with saturated soil occurring more commonly in burned areas, while unburned areas are more commonly unsaturated. All permafrost variables show statistically significant differences from one land cover type to another; in particular, cropland has thicker active layers and developed land has lower seasonal subsidence than most other land cover types, potentially related to disturbance and permafrost thaw. While vegetation browning is not strongly associated with any of the measured permafrost variables, more greening is associated with less subsidence and ALT and with higher bulk soil VWC.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inpatients with burns in a Northwest China burn centre: a retrospective study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the characteristics and outcomes of patients with burns in a burn centre situated in Northwest China.DesignA retrospective descriptive...

Alberta’s 2023 wildfires: context, factors, and futures

Wildfires burned an estimated 2.2 million hectares in Alberta in 2023. We describe key attributes of the fires relative to historical fires and fire seasons and offer a perspective on potentially influential factors. Thirty-six large fires ≥10 000 ha generated 95% of annual area burned. Individually, these fires exhibited sizes, fire weather, and behaviour consistent with historical fires; there were simply far more of them in 2023. Thirteen fires reported in early May were ignited by lightning and reached final sizes ≥10 000 ha, revealing a previously unrecognized threat. Historically, large lightning-ignited fires reported before mid-May occur just once per decade on average. Collectively, 18 large fires reported in early May coincided with drier conditions compared with 18 large fires reported after mid-May. Early May fire weather was also warmer and drier than historical weather. The early May fire group was a temporally concentrated outbreak in west-central Alberta and coincided with extreme potential rate of fire spread. Large fires reported after mid-May were intermittent through to September, concentrated in northern regions and coincided with extreme potential for fuel consumption. Individually, these two spatiotemporal modes of fire season severity (outbreak, intermittent) produced annual burned areas on par with historical extremes. Together, the 2023 multi-modal pattern of fire season severity amplified area burned far above anything previously recorded. Potential contributing factors include climate warming, hemispheric teleconnections, phenology and exhaustion of suppression resources. Implications for future fire seasons, research and management are discussed.

Simulating fuel management for protecting regional biodiversity under climate change.

Climate change is resulting in larger, more frequent, and more severe wildfires which have increasingly negative impacts on people and the environment. Under these circumstances, it is critical to determine whether fire management actions can mitigate biodiversity impacts under future fire regimes. However, it is currently unclear how changing climate and management interact to influence the spatial distribution of risks to biodiversity. We used fire simulations to quantify the influence of 13 fuel management strategies on animal biodiversity in the Otways, southeastern Australia, under four alternative climate scenarios. Our management strategies include combinations of prescribed burning, mulching, and strategic fuel breaks modelled in various spatial configurations and frequencies. We assessed the capacity of treatments to reduce risk of fire to animal biodiversity by quantifying changes to extent burnt, wildfire frequency and wildfire severity. All management strategies reduced the average annual area burnt across the landscape, however, there was considerable variability over time and under different climate models. Similarly, spatial shifts in fire frequency and severity in some cases resulted in the shifting of fires away from some areas of high value to animals. There is no one size fits all management strategy for reducing impacts to biodiversity under variable future climates. However, all the strategies tested here reduced median impacts relative to a do-nothing approach for at least some aspects of the fire regime or for animal biodiversity. We highlight the importance of evaluating fire management effectiveness against a range of metrics to ensure multiple objectives are met under the increasingly unknown climate conditions we can expect going forward.

Burned area detection from a single satellite image using an adaptive thresholds algorithm

ABSTRACT Burned area (BA) plays a pivotal role in fire management and the assessment of fire impact on earth-atmosphere system. Threshold-based segmentation from a single image is an efficient and operational method for detecting BA. However, the great diversity of fire conditions necessitates an adaptive threshold that considers environmental variations. This paper presents a maximum curvature segmentation method to capture the adaptative thresholds. The spectral contrasts in near-infrared (NIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands were utilized to distinguish BA. The decreased NIR threshold was employed to obtain the burned candidates, and the increased SWIR threshold was then applied to confirm the candidates. Experiments were conducted in different biomes, covering the boreal forest, tropical forest, savanna, and Mediterranean, and different seasons including growing and non-growing seasons. The thresholds changed in each tile, indicating the algorithm adapted the spatial and temporal variations. Comparison with the Burned Area Reference Database was performed at different biomes, resulting in overall dice coefficient (DC), omission error (OE), commission error (CE), and relative Bias (relB) being 0.86, 0.18, 0.10, and −0.08, respectively. The algorithm provides an avenue for adaptive detection of burned areas, and the single-image based approach can provide real-time burned information for wildfire management systems.

A novel data source for human-caused wildfires in China: extracting information from judgment documents

Information on the spatiotemporal distribution of human-caused wildfires on a national scale is crucial for developing susceptibility map and facilitating decision-making in fire risk management. In China, it is difficult to access a national dataset of wildfires based on ground records at a fine spatiotemporal scale for understanding fire regimes. This study explores the use of judgment documents as a potential alternative long-term key data source, considering human-caused wildfire events as criminal offense in certain cases. Judgment documents are readily accessible, regularly updated, and provide a diverse range of reliable information. To extract information on human-caused wildfires, we develop a rule-based approach for judgment documents. The results indicate the feasibility of the method, allowing for the effective extraction of specific information of event such as the start date and time, location, burn area, and ignition cause. A comparison reveals limited consistency in the spatiotemporal distributions between the novel data and conventional datasets. Notably, judgment documents provide richer attribute information and identify additional human-caused wildfires challenging to capture using conventional datasets. Despite inherent limitations, information sourced from judgment documents proves valuable data for characterizing national patterns of wildfire occurrence at a fine scale.

Rosuvastatin accelerates the healing process of partial-thickness burn wounds in rats by reducing TNF-α levels

IntroductionBurn wound healing is a complex, dynamic process that involves a coordinated cascade of cellular responses and phases. Inflammation, proliferation and remodeling are the main phases of tissue repair, while tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and procalcitonin (PCT) seem to be important mediators affecting the inflammatory state. Our aim was to assess the effect of rosuvastatin on tissue repair after partial thickness burn injury in healthy animals.Material and methodsIn this randomized prospective experimental study, 36 male rats were randomly divided into two groups: placebo-treated (PG) and topical rosuvastatin-treated (SG). Under anesthesia, a partial-thickness burn trauma was induced in the dorsal region of the rats using an iron seal. Tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination as well.ResultsVariables of TNF-α, procalcitonin and macroscopic assessment were normally distributed between the two groups on all studied days. The expression of TNF-α was found to be lower in burn injuries treated with topical rosuvastatin in comparison with placebo-treated animals on days 3, 6 and 9. PCT values in rosuvastatin-treated subgroups were statistically significantly lower than in placebo subgroups. Upon macroscopic examination, a significantly smaller burnt area in the statin-treated group was detected compared to the non-statin group on all days, except for day 3. Histopathological examination demonstrated higher levels of mean neutrophil infiltration in the placebo group (day 3). Finally, fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis and re-epithelization levels were noted to be higher after the topical application of rosuvastatin.ConclusionsRosuvastatin accelerated wound healing and down-regulated TNF-α and PCT levels.

메탄-산소 연소에서 침입공기의 위치 및 유량이 NO x 배출 특성에 미치는 영향에 관한 수치해석적 연구

In pure O₂ combustion, the absence of N₂ in the fuel theoretically eliminates the emission of NOx. However, when CH₄ combusts in the presence of O₂ in a reheating furnace, the influx of external air into the furnace introduces N₂, resulting in a significant emission of NOx. Therefore, in this study, we numerically investigated the effect of external-air intrusion on the production of NOx during CH4-O₂ combustion through computational fluid dynamics simulation. NOx emission characteristics were investigated in terms of the location and amount of external-air inflows. Results indicated that NOx emissions increased when external air flowed into the main combustion area where the temperature was high. Additionally, the flow rate of external air exhibited different effects on NOx emission characteristics depending on the inflow path of the air. When external air was introduced near the burner, the NOx emission concentration increased as the flow rate of the air decreased.

The Detection of Small-Scale Open-Burning Agriculture Fires Through Remote Sensing

The open burning of agricultural residues is a widespread practice with significant environmental implications. This study explores the potential of satellite remote sensing to detect and analyze small-scale agricultural fires in Portugal, focusing on their spatial and temporal characteristics. Using active fire detection products from various satellite platforms, including VIIRS, MODIS, SLSTR, and SEVIRI, we conducted a detailed analysis across two local case studies and a national-scale assessment. This study evaluates both active fire detections and post-fire burned area estimations, using high-resolution satellite imagery to overcome the limitations associated with the small size and low intensity of these fires. The results indicate that while active fire detections are feasible for larger-scale burning, challenges remain for smaller fires due to resolution constraints. A systematic comparison with an agricultural burning request database further highlights the need for the enhancement of temporal and spatial precision in data to improve detection reliability. Despite these limitations, this work underscores the importance of remote sensing tools in monitoring agricultural burning practices and enhancing environmental management efforts.

Photobiomodulation Treatment for Second-Degree Burn Treatment-A Double-Blinded Controlled Pilot Trial.

Background: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a technology that has gained much attention in recent years regarding its potential application for stimulating wound healing, alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and aiding in the restoration of function. Due to a scarcity of evidence in the literature regarding PBM for the treatment of burns, our objective of this study was to test whether treatment with PBM in hospitalized patients with second-degree burns accelerated recovery. Methods: A double-blind controlled study was conducted on nine patients with up to 15% second-degree burns who were hospitalized at Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem Israel, between July 2022 and November 2022. Each patient recruited for the study received PBM treatment on part of the burn area (approximately 10%-20% of the burn area), while the control group was the burn area of the same patient treated only with the usual non-PBM. Treatment parameters were light emitting diode surface including continuous and/or pulsed red (660 nm) and near-infrared (840 nm), 5-16 mW/cm2, 2.4-7.7 J/cm2 per treatment session. Results: Patients received three to five treatments with a mean epithelization time of 16 days (±2.89 standard deviation [SD]) in the control area, while only 7.56 (±2.29 SD) in the treatment area. The mean percent reduction in healing time was 46.22% (±4.24 SD), which was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a statistically significant acceleration of healing in second-degree burns following treatment with PBM for the treatment of burns in patients. However, further studies are needed to determine if these results translate to a reduction in hospitalization time and medical care costs.

Impact of Total Body Surface Area Burn Injuries on Clinical Outcomes and Comorbidities in Elderly Patients Aged Over 65.

Burn injuries are associated with high mortality and morbidity, especially in the elderly population.Although burns are preventable, they account for the fourth most common cause of trauma worldwide.The majority of the mortality associated with burn victims is also seen in the elderly age group. Most mortality predictor scores focus on age and total body surface area (TBSA) burned. However, data focusing specifically on elderly populations with respect to TBSA, particularly within the Appalachian region, remain limited. This rough terrain is accompanied by multiple challenges and health care disparities with limited burn care access. The population was a significant portion of the elderly who have multiple comorbidities; the majority of the population are economically struggling, living in rural communities, and the state of West Virginia (WV) is considered to have the highest drug use/addiction in the country. It is not shocking that they have the worst health outcomes in the nation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of TBSA burn on clinical outcomes and comorbidities in elderly burn patients within Appalachia. Cabell Huntington Hospital, the only burnintensivecareunit (BICU) in WV, was investigated in this retrospective study. This cohort study analyzed data from 198 patients aged 65 and older admitted to the BICU between January 2017 and January 2023. Data included demographic variables, TBSA burned, comorbidities, and outcomes. Statistical analyses assessed relationships between TBSA and age, gender, length of hospital stay, discharge status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), smoking history, diabetes mellitus (DM), BMI, and inhalation injury. Different statistical analyses were used to analyze the relationship between TBSA and the variables of interest. Our result section indicated that the majority of the elderly patients with burns were males (65%); however, there was no statistical difference between genders and TBSA (p=0.86). The group with higher TBSA was more likely to have COPD (p<0.0001), use home oxygen (p<0.0001), and have inhalationinjury on presentation (p=0.002). Older age was associated with higher TBSA burn(p=0.003), with each one-year increase in age, TBSA burned in our population increased by 0.46%(p=0.002). The group with higher TBSAhad higher mortality with a significance(p<0.0001).The annual mortality rate for burn victims above the age of 65 in the Appalachia sole BICU is 14 patients per 100.Our study was not able to find any significance for hospital duration, source of burn, presence of DM, or BMI with TBSA burned. This study in a unique population base will allow clinicians to understand the elderly burn victim in this underserved area of Appalachia, resource-limited and comorbidity-burdened population. This will allow for targeted interventions to improve outcomes in this vulnerable demographic.

Functional responses of Mediterranean flora to fire: A community‐scale perspective

Abstract Fire regime is predicted to change, particularly in Mediterranean climate regions, towards more severe and frequent fire events. From a predictive perspective, trait‐based ecology offers a comprehensive framework to characterize vegetation responses to fire. Since fires induce erosion and decrease soil nutrients, species' functional traits and their distribution at community level should reflect these changes. Despite a vast literature focused on plant traits involved in resistance to fire, quantification of community trait responses to fire is lacking, particularly for traits that are linked to resource strategies. Here, we emphasis on plant traits related to morphology (height, specific leaf area, stem and wood density) and resource acquisition strategies (leaf nitrogen, leaf dry mass, seed dry mass). We compiled three different databases compiling vegetation, fire and functional traits for the flora of Southern France. We analysed the relationships between these three components at both species and community levels. Fire numbers and area burnt did not impact species trait distributions. At community level, a clear pattern emerged between the number of fires and the distribution of different traits considered, with two main axes: on the positive PC2 axis vegetative height and seed mass; and on negative PC1 axis leaf carbon and positive PC1 axis nitrogen content and leaf area. We also showed that vegetative height is positively correlated to the aridity index distribution in the region studied. Synthesis: We analysed the relationships among fire, vegetation and functional traits, at both species and community levels. Altogether, there are highly significant direct relationships between the number of fires and leaf area (negatively) as well as seed mass (positively). For woody communities, wood density is also highly positively significant related to the number of fires. Overall, these findings suggest that fire may have an important impact on the functional response of plant communities, while not apparent when looking at individual species. Further, this research paves new ground to better understand the mechanisms behind trait convergence and the way plant communities respond to different environmental pressures.