Journal of Forest Science (Jul 2013)

Spatial-temporal distribution of forest fires and fire weather index calculation from 2000 to 2009 in China

  • M.R. Ullah,
  • X.D. Liu,
  • M. Al-Amin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17221/8/2013-JFS
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 59, no. 7
pp. 279 – 287

Abstract

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This paper describes the forest fire dynamics in the city of Sanming in Fujian province, China, from 2000 to 2009 with a view to understand the number of fires and burned areas in different counties. It also includes the spatial-temporal distribution of fires and application of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS). Daily forest fire data was provided by the Department of Wildfire Prevention of Sanming Forestry Bureau. FWI calculator v.7.0.2.76 was used in this study for analysing the weather parameter data. The results showed that a total of 818 fires and burned areas of 8721.16 ha were found during the study period of 10 years. However, the highest and lowest forest fires were found in Youxi county and Sanming district, respectively. Most of the fires with large burned areas occurred at 2 p.m. Moreover, occurrences of fires were found the highest and lowest in March and June, respectively. Based on FWI calculation, the highest danger rating value was found in March, 2009. This study proposes that it would be possible to manage regular forest fire occurrences through the application of CFFDRS. Finally, to plan the fire prevention and management in southern China and other tropical countries, this system has a great opportunity for further implementations.

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