Modeling the Ignition Risk: Analysis before and after Megafire on Maule Region, Chile

Wildland fires are a phenomenon of broad interest due to their relationship with climate change. The impacts of climate change are related to a greater frequency and intensity of wildland fires. In this context, megafires have become a phenomenon of particular concern. In this study, we develop a mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gabriela Azócar de la Cruz, Gabriela Alfaro, Claudia Alonso, Rubén Calvo, Paz Orellana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/18/9353
Description
Summary:Wildland fires are a phenomenon of broad interest due to their relationship with climate change. The impacts of climate change are related to a greater frequency and intensity of wildland fires. In this context, megafires have become a phenomenon of particular concern. In this study, we develop a model of ignition risk. We use factors such as human activity, geographic, topographic, and land cover variables to develop a bagged decision tree model. The study area corresponds to the Maule region in Chile, a large zone with a Mediterranean climate. This area was affected by a megafire in 2017. After generating the model, we compared three interface zones, analyzing the scar and the occurrences of ignition during and after the megafire. For the construction of georeferenced data, we used the geographic information system QGIS. The results show a model with high fit goodness that can be replicated in other areas. Fewer ignitions are observed after the megafire, a high recovery of urban infrastructure, and a slow recovery of forest plantations. It is feasible to interpret that the lower number of ignitions observed in the 2019–2020 season is a consequence of the megafire scar. It is crucial to remember that the risk of ignition will increase as forest crops recover. Wildland fire management requires integrating this information into decision-making processes if we consider that the impacts of climate change persist in the area.
ISSN:2076-3417