Fire risk mapping using hierarchical analysis and GIS methods along with risk assessment in the Zab-Sardasht forests

Subject Areas :

Sasan Babaie Kafaki ¹ , Negar Moradzadeh Azar ² , Hadi Kiadaliri ³ , Abbas Banj Shafiei ⁴ , Naimeh Rahimizadeh ⁵

1 - Associate Professor, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - M.Sc. Graduated of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 - Professor, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
5 - Ph.D. Graduated of forestry, Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Received: 2020-06-15 Accepted : 2021-12-11 Published : 2021-02-19

Keywords: fire, SAW, GIS, Hierarchical Analysis, Sardasht,

Abstract :

Fire is an integral part of most ecosystems, which have negative environmental and social consequences. The identification of effective factors in the occurrence of fire and mapping of fire risk in the forest is one of the basic tools to achieve fire control and countermeasures. The purpose of this study is to identify the ecological factors affecting the development of fire and assess the risk of fire in the forests of Sardasht region using a geographic information system. After basic studies, homogeneous environmental units were produced and divided into four classes using the multi-criteria evaluation method. The ecological conditions of the areas with a history of fire were investigated by conducting field studies. Data analysis was performed using a geographic information system and hierarchical analysis. The fire risk assessment was also performed linearly. In conclusion, vegetation and climatic factors are the most important ecological factors affecting the development of fires in the forest ecosystem. Besides, the area was moderate in terms of fire risk, and measures should be taken for high-risk areas, such as building fire stations and watchtowers.