Forest fire risk mapping using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and earth observation datasets: a case study in the mountainous terrain of Northeast India

Abstract

AbstractThis study presents a geospatial approach in conjunction with a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool for mapping forest fire risk zones in the district of Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, India which is very rich in biodiversity. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP)-based pair-wise comparison matrix was constructed to compare the selected parameters against each other based on their impact/influence (equal, moderate, strong, very strong, and extremely strong) on a forest fire. The final output delineated fire risk zones in the study area in four categories that include very high-risk, high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk zones. The delineated fire risk zones were found to be in close agreement with actual fire points obtained from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire data for the study area. Results indicated that Ri-Bhoi’s 804.31 sq. km. (32.86%) the area was under ‘very high’ fire susceptibility. This was followed by 583.10 sq. km. (23.82%), 670.47 sq. km. (27.39%), and 390.12 sq. km. (15.93%) the area under high, moderate, and low fire risk categories, respectively. These results can be used effectively to plan fire control measures in advance and the methodology suggested in this study can be adopted in other areas too for delineating potential fire risk zones.