Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Active Fires in China Using Remotely Sensed Data

Abstract

Based on the FIRMS MODIS active fire location data in the Chinese mainland from 2001 to 2018, the GIS fishing net (1 km × 1 km) was used to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of active fire occurrence probability and intensity, and a GWLR fire risk assessment model was established to explore its influencing factors. The results show that active fires in the Chinese mainland are mainly low intensity. They are mainly distributed in the area where the annual average temperature is 14–19 °C, the precipitation is 400–800 mm, the surface temperature is 15–20 °C, the altitude is 1000–3000 m, the slope is <15°, and the NDVI value is >0.6. The GWLR fire risk assessment model was constructed to divide mainland China into five fire risk zones. NDVI, temperature, elevation, and slope have significant spatial effects on the occurrence of active fires in the Chinese mainland. Eight fire risk influencing factor areas were divided by calculation, and differentiated fire prevention suggestions are put forward.