Wildfire Potential Mapping Using Remotely-sensed Vegetation Index: Case Study: Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Iraj  Mohammad Amin; Salim  Neimat Azeez; Imran  Hassan Ahmed

doi:10.25098/6.2.31

Authors

Iraj Mohammad Amin Surveying Department, Darbandikhan Technical Iinstitute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq
Salim Neimat Azeez Surveying Department, Darbandikhan Technical Iinstitute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq
Imran Hassan Ahmed Surveying Department, Darbandikhan Technical Iinstitute, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25098/6.2.31

Keywords:

(GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Vegetation Index (VI), (NDVI), Forest fire, wildfire

Abstract

A numerous wildfires have been recorded in the forests and grasslands of Kurdistan Region (KR) during recent years. Wildfires are a source of environmental, economic and social problems, human and population safety, and a real threat to human life at various scales and severities in different parts of the world. From an ecological point of view, fire is an important factor that plays a fundamental role in determining the diversity and dynamics of vegetation. Since (KR), located in north of Iraq, is almost the only area in the country where forests and vegetation seemed abundantly. The forests of (KR) play a vital and effective role in the vital, economic and touristic ecosystem of the region. Accordingly, it is very important to create and develop an accurate, rapid, and reliable spatial maps for understanding, interpreting and analyzing the causes and consequences of these fires. This study, which shows the possibility of fires in different areas of the study area, also aims to take precautionary measures in advance. Today, remote sensing data and technologies are among the most reliable mechanisms that provide spatial and temporal coverage of biomass burning, and determination of vegetation index (VI), without the complex, costly and stressful field procedures. Among these factors, the use of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was highly suggested as a useful tool for estimating the susceptibility of vegetation to fire. Accordingly, maps and data have been benefited from previous years, as this study attempted to prepare and develop a fire danger map by integrating satellite and field data for the Kurdistan Region. Times-series of MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250m, taken in 2010, were used for (NDVI) information layer. The developed map displayed a great consistency between the danger map, developed based on the 2010 image, and the site-recorded fire recorded from 2014 to 2015. The output map revealed that (RS/GIS) technology were of very high potential to be a valuable tool for managing, studying and controlling hazardous natural phenomena, such as wildfires, and reducing their risks and consequences.

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