A REVIEW ON IDENTIFICATION & ASSESSMENT OF FOREST FIRE RISK ZONE & ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES

Abstract

Forest fires, as uncontrolled phenomena, present substantial ecological, environmental, and economic risks. The identification of forest fire risk zones holds pivotal importance for proactive fire management strategies. This review paper aims to comprehensively assess and spatially map forest fire risk zones while examining their consequential environmental impacts, all through the prism of geospatial techniques. The primary research objectives encompass continuous forest fire monitoring, the creation of thematic layers for in-depth risk assessment, and the critical evaluation of fire detection algorithms. Notably, the findings underscore the instrumental role of satellite imagery, with platforms like MODIS and AVHRR proving indispensable for efficient fire detection and ongoing monitoring efforts. The enhancement of accuracy through the validation of remote sensing data with on-ground observations from fire-fighting professionals is a notable outcome. Moreover, the delineation of forest fire risk zones, grounded in factors such as vegetation composition and terrain slope, is accomplished effectively through the utilization of geospatial methods. The ramifications of forest fires extend to soil properties, wherein low-intensity fires exhibit a tendency to increase soil nutrients and pH levels, while high-intensity fires result in soil degradation. As a viable solution, prescribed burning emerges as a recommended strategy to ameliorate the adverse effects on soil health. In summation, this review firmly establishes the indispensability of geospatial techniques in facilitating comprehensive forest fire risk assessment and in safeguarding the environment through informed decision-making.