Enhancing wildfire simulation with wind and vegetation parameters using Cellular Automata in Sete Cidades National Park: a study in the Brazilian Cerrado biome

Abstract

Wildfires pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems, human lives, and properties worldwide. Developing effective prevention and control strategies is crucial for minimizing the risk of catastrophic wildfire events. In this context, computational modelling has emerged as a valuable tool for simulating and analyzing wildfire behavior, which can aid in identifying potential areas for intervention and prevention measures. This article presents a cellular automata model for simulating forest fires in Sete Cidades National Park, Brazil. The model takes into account the wind direction and speed, vegetation type, and probability of burning in a two-dimensional lattice representing the forest area of interest. The simulation output is analyzed to determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire and to identify critical parameters for wildfire propagation. The results highlight the importance of considering wind direction and speed when developing prevention and control strategies for wildfires. By providing insights into the behavior of wildfires, computational modeling can support decision-making processes and facilitate the development of effective policies to manage the risk of wildfires.

Keywords

• Forest fires
• cellular automata
• computational simulation
• wildfire propagation
• wind direction
• prevention measures