IPASJ International Journal of Computer Science (IIJCS)

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Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN 2321-5992

Forest Fire Risk Zone Mapping Using

Geographic Information System: A Case Study
D.K.Tripathi1, Seema Sahdev2 , Manish Kumar3
1
Department of Geography, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical & Social Sciences Sultanpur, 228114, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Seema Sahdev, Department of Geography, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110008
3
Manish Kumar, Department of Geography , Kalindi College, University of Delhi,Delhi-110008

ABSTRACT
Forest fires are a major natural risk in mountain regions of India. It is an important cause of biodiversity loss and
environmental degradation. The availability of reliable and up-to-date data on forest fire has been a big hurdle in managing
this hazard. Geographic Information System (GIS) coupled with Remote Sensing (RS) provide powerful tools for assessing and
analyzing forest fire risk and degradation. Present paper is an attempt to study the forest fire risk determining and mapping
using GIS and RS techniques selecting a study area of Nainital district, Uttarakhand (India). In order to map forest fire risk
zone in the study area, six criteria maps i.e., temperature map, slope map, slope aspect map, land use/ land cover map,
multiple ring buffer of road map and multiple ring buffer of river were generated and processed in GIS / RS software of Arc
GIS 10.2.2and ERDAS Imagine 2013 . Finally, forest fire risk zones were identified and mapped. This study demonstrates the
usefulness of modern geospatial tools of GIS and RS in forest fire studies and research. This study may prove a better input in
managing forest fire hazard in the study area.

Keywords:-geographic information system, remote sensing, forest fire risk zone, criteria maps, Arc GIS 10.2.2,
ERDAS Imagine 2013.

1. INTRODUCTION
Forests are fundament to maintain the environmental balance and natural ecosystem productivity. The health of forest
cover in any region is a true indicator of the ecological conditions. In India, forest cover is deteriorating at an alarming
rate due to rapidly increasing population pressure. Along with various factors, forest fires are a major cause of
degradation of Indian forests. According to a Forest Survey of India report, about 50 percent of forest areas in the
country are prone to fire. It is estimated that the proportion of forest areas prone to forest fires annually ranges from
33% in some states to over 90% in others. Hence, the forest fires are a major environmental challenge before Indian
environmental scientists, planners and decision makers. One major environmental concern is the occurrence of forest
fires (also called wildfires), which affect forest preservation, create economical and ecological damage and cause
human suffering [1]. Fire adversely affects standing vegetations and their regeneration, wild animals and ground
organic matters which are needed to maintain an optimum level of humus in the soil [2].Forest fires are one of the
major natural risks in the Himalayan regions of India. Although, controlling the natural hazards are impossible, but
forest fire risk zone mapping can play an important role in planning for minimizing the fire frequency. A precise
assessment of forest fire problems and planning for their proper management can only be satisfactory when a fire risk
zone mapping is available. Forest fire risk zones are locations where a fire is likely to start, and from where it can
easily spread to other areas [3].
The modern geospatial techniques of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing can be used effectively
to generate forest fire risk zone map integrating different forest-fire causing parameters. Use of remote sensing
technology for wild fire hazard monitoring with particular emphasis on the live fuel moisture content monitoring is
now established [4]. Remote sensing has a tremendous scope is forest fire mapping. GIS has emerged as a powerful
tool in analysis of spatial and non-spatial data. The combination of potential Vegetation Type, Cover Type and
structural stage layers into an integrated vegetation classification is efficiently accomplished using GIS [5]. GIS tools
allow users to study the interactions between the layers by cross referencing pixels in the same geographic location and
generate a list of all possible spatial combinations between these layers. Many researchers used different models to
predict the forest fire risk, based on a lot of meteorological data and fire frequency data [6], [7], [8], [9]. Most of them

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 IPASJ International Journal of Computer Science (IIJCS)
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Volume 5, Issue 7, July 2017 ISSN 2321-5992

mapped forest fire risk zones by directly using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) that contain
topography, vegetation, land use, population, and settlement information [10],[11], [12], [3]. A common practice was
that forest fire risk zones were delineated by assigning subjective weights to the classes of all [13]. In the present study,
an attempt was made to prepare a forest fire risk zone map by integrating remote sensing and geographic information
system (GIS) for the Nainital district, Uttarakhand (India).

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Study area
Nainital district lies in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand State. It is located between 2921 to 2924 N latitude
and 7925 to 7929 E longitude and spans over a geographical area of 3860 sq. km. Physiographically, the district is
divided in to two zones viz. Hilly (the Himalayan ranges in the northern side) and Bhabar (foothill area).
Baudhansthali (2623 m. above mean sea level) forms the highest peak of the district. It located near Binayak adjoining
Nainital town. Hilly regions of Nainital district houses numerous lakes of big and small sizes. Some of the prominent
lakes of the district are Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal,Khurpatal, Nainital, Malwatal, Harishtal, Lokhamtal. Bhabar
region refers to the foothill area of the district. This region takes its name from a type of tall growing grass which is
found in this region. The main river of the district is Kosi which originates from Koshimool near Kausani. The river
flows on the western part of the district. Several small rivers also flow in Nainital district like Baur, Dabka, Bhakra,
Gaula etc. District Nainital is a unique district of Kumaun having tropical type, subtropical type, temperate, sub alpine
and alpine zones in its lap. The soil structure and texture also varies from high sandy soils having 70 to 80% sand to
clay soils in which the clay percentage is unto 20%. In between vast tracts possess sandy loam soils which are neither
heavy nor very light. According to forest survey of India, total forest cover in Nainital district is 3093 sq. km., which
forms 72.76 per cent of the total geographical area. In term of forest canopy density classes, district has 601 sq. km
(19.43%) area under dense forest, 1919 sq.km (62.04%) moderately dense forest and 573 sq. km. (18.52%) area under
open forest. The important trees and bushes grow in Nainital district are Oak (Banj), Pangar,Akhrot, Hill Pipal, Angu,
Chinar, Hisalu, Kunj, Kilmora, Surai, Buruns, Deodar, Weeping Willow, Pine etc. The population of the district is 9,
55,128 as per 2011 census. The density of population is 225 persons per sq.km.
2.2 Data and software used
Data used in the study are: (i) Landsat 8, OLI (operational land imager) and TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor) sensor
data acquired in May, 2014 (WRS-Path 145, WRS-Row 40) with 30 meter resolution obtained from Global Land Cover
Network (GLCF) an Earth Science Data Interface (ii) Cartosat-1 panchromatic stereoscopic satellite data at a resolution
of 2.5 m, year 2014 (iii) Digital Terrain Model (DTM) acquired from Bhuvan site (iv) Google Earth high resolution
satellite images (http://www.google earth.com) (v) Boundary map of the study area form Shape files of Uttarakhand,
NRDMS, Almora (vi) Survey of India Toposheet numbered 53 O/7 and 53 O/11 (vi) Training data collected through
field survey (vi) Arc GIS 10.2.2 (ESRI) and ERDAS Imagine 2013 (Leica Geosystems ,Atlana,U.S.A.) packages (vii)
(viii) Garmin GPSmap 76 Cx, (Garmin Taiwan).
2.3 Methodology
Initially, the base map of the study area was prepared using Survey of India toposheets and shape files of the
Uttarakhand prepared by NRDMS center, Almora. The prepared base map saved in computer environment and then
imported into image processing software ERDAS Imagine where this map was processed to geo-reference by taking
various control points. The projection type used is polyconic with the spheroid and datum an Everest. To analyze slope,
slope aspect, road, land use/ land cover and rivers in the study area Landsat 8, OLI (operational land imager) and
TIRS(Thermal Infrared Sensor) sensor data of May, 2014(WRS-Path 145, WRS-Row 40) with 30 meter resolution

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 IPASJ International Journal of Computer Science (IIJCS)
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Figure 1 Location map

obtained from Global Land Cover Facility (GLCF) an Earth Science Data Interface. The Landsat data provided GLCF
were radiometrically and geometrically (ortho-rectified with UTM/WGS 84 projection) corrected. Sub-setting of
Landsat satellite image was performed for extracting study area by taking geo-referenced out line boundary of Nainital
district. The subset image was then re-projected. The image was co-registered to the UTM (WGS84) coordinate system
with root mean square errors less than 0.5 pixels per image. Cartosat-1 panchromatic stereoscopic satellite data at a
resolution of 2.5 m was also acquired from NRSC, ISRO. Digital Terrain Model (DTM) data was acquired from
Bhuvan site of NRSC, ISRO Govt. of India. In order to identify and map out the forest fire risk zone in the district, six
criteria i.e. temperature, slope, aspect, land use/ land cover, road and river were selected and analyzed. To generate
maps on each criteria Landsat 8 image and DTM data were processed in Arc GIS 10.2.2 and ERDAS Imagine 2013.
The temperature map of the study area was generated through processing Landsat 8, TIRS data. The multispectral
Landsat 8 data acquired by OLI sensor was classified using maximum likelihood algorithm for land use/ land cover,
road and drainage proximity. Slope and slope aspect maps were generated through processing of Cartosat 1 DTM data.
The information generated on temperature, slope, aspect, land use/ land cover, road and river were classified based on
subjective score /weights. Each class has an own rate that shows the degree of fire sensitivity. For this purpose the pair
wise comparison matrix using Saatys nine- point weighing scale [14], [15] was applied (Table 1).
Table 1: Nine point Weighting Scale for Pair wise Comparison

Intensity Description Scoring/Ranking Temp. Slope Aspect Road Land River

of (degree Proximit use/ Proxi
importan ) y Land mity
ce (m.) cover (m.)
9 Extremely Most prone >35C 56 63 South 10 Forest 5000
Very to 25C - South
8 extremely Very high prone 35C 49 56 West 20 - -
strong
7 Very strong High prone - 42 49 West 30 Agricultu 3000
re
6 Strong to very Moderately high - 35 42 - 40 -
strong prone
5 Strong Moderately 15C - 28 35 South 50 Built-up -
25C East
Moderate to Moderately low East ,
4 strong prone - 21 - 28 North 60 - 100
West
3 Moderate Low prone <15C 14 - 21 North 70 Open -
East Space
2 Equal to Very Low prone - 7 - 14 North 80 - 50
moderate
1 Equal Lowest prone - 0-7 - 90 , 100, Water -
3000 bodies

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 IPASJ International Journal of Computer Science (IIJCS)
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Further, all criteria maps were converted into raster format so that for each pixel, a score can be determined [16]. After
rasterization, all the criteria maps were integrated in raster calculator of Arc GIS and multiplying with weightage
[17].The equation Used in a GIS for the modelling and mapping of forest fire risk zone are:

Forest Fire risk zone Map = [criteria map *weight]

Criteria weightage - ([Temperature] * 0.42) + ([Slope] * 0.26) + ([Aspect] * 0.15) + ([Road] * 0.09) + ([Land use /
Landover] * 0.05) + ([River] * 0.03).

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Image processing results
The digital images of Landsat 8 IOL, TIRS and Cartosat 1 DTM data were processed in GIS environment for
generating criteria maps and thematic information. Temperature has been taken as criteria due to its influential role in
causing forest fire in any area. The high temperature areas are more vulnerable to forest fire. Landsat TIRS data was
processed to prepare a surface temperature map in the study area. Figure 2A depicts the spatial variation in surface
temperature. The entire district was classified into four temperature zones i.e. Less than 15C, 15 to 25, 25 to 35
and Greater than 35 C.

Figure 2 Temperature (A) and slope map (B) of Nainital District, Uttarakhand

Slope is one the parameters that influences fire behaviour. Fire moves most quickly up slope and least quickly down
slope [18]. Also, in steeper slopes, rate of fire spread might rise, since flames are angled closer to the surface of ground
and wind effects can supply the process of heat convection for the fire produced [19]. According to McArthur the steep
of the slope will increase significantly the spreading of fire; for instance a slope of 10 degree will double fire spread rate
and a slope of 20 degree will quadruple it. The slope map of the district was prepared using Cartosat 1 DTM data of the
study area. The district was divided in nine categories of slopes i.e. 0-7,7-14,14-21,21-28,28-35,35-42,42-
49,49-56 and 56-63( Fig.2B).

Figure 3 Aspect (A) and land use/ land cover (B) map of Nainital District, Uttarakhand

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Aspect, is the direction a slope faces, it also relates to the amount of exposure of fuels to the drying effect of solar
radiations. South aspects have received more sun light and exposure in the North hemisphere, because of that, drier soil
is more capable to ignition [1]. South aspect slopes are higher temperatures, robust winds, minor humidity and lower
fuel moistures because Southern aspects receive more direct heat from the sun [20]. Northern and Eastern slopes are
oriented almost parallel to the rays of the sun and are shaded during most of the day; therefore fuels on them remain
more moist and cooler than the fuels on other aspects. Figure 3A illustrates the slope aspects in Nainital district. The
entire study area was mapped into eight slope aspects i.e. North, North-East, East, South-East ,South, South-West ,
West and North-West.

Land use/Land cover information is an important factor in determination of forest fire risk. Because of this, land use /
Land cover classes obtained from satellite images were integrated into GIS. Land use/land cover of Nainital district was
prepared through supervised classification of Landsat image. The image was classified into five classes as forest,
agriculture, built-up, open-space and water bodies (Fig.3B). In this study the dry areas are more vulnerable to forest
fire. The nearby areas of water body will be less prone to forest fire.

Road has enough human activities and vehicle movements. Road map has been used for the generation of road buffer
map (Fig.4A) used in forest fire analysis. As the distance from the road increases response time and the vulnerability
for forest fire also increases.

Rivers are the natural barriers and thus play a very important role in fire situation because if the water body comes in
between the fire station and the affected area then, reaching that place will be very difficult and it will take a lot of time
to reach there. But if the forest fire are surface or ground type, then it can be minimized to certain extent with the help
of water, driven out from the nearby water body. The multiple ring buffers of rivers were generated in GIS for forest
fire analysis (Fig.4B).
3.2 GIS modeling for forest fire risk zone mapping
The information generated on all six criteria transferred into a database that is important in forest fire risk mapping.
Further, all the six criteria maps which were converted into raster format, were integrated and overlaid in GIS
environment using Arc GIS 10.2.2 software for final forest fire risk zone mapping. This study emphasized on
identification and mapping of forest fire risk zones for managing forest fire hazard in Nainital district, Uttarakhand.
Forest fire risk zone map

Figure 4 Multiple ring buffer of road (A) and multiple ring buffer of river (B) in Nainital District, Uttarakhand

reveals that the study area is divided into six forest fire risk zones i.e. extremely low, very low, low, moderate, high,
and very high(Fig.5) .Out of 3860 sq. km. total geographical area 73.08 sq. km (1.75%) and143.61 sq. km (3.40%) fall
under the category of very high and high forest fire risk respectively. These zones are distributed in northern parts of
the district. These classes of forest fire risk zone may be taken up for managerial action with first priority. The
moderate risk was observed in adjacent area of the above zones on 1295.04 sq. km. (31.02%). This zone represents the

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 IPASJ International Journal of Computer Science (IIJCS)
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moderate intensity of risk and can be taken up with second priority in planning process. The area under low, very low
and extremely low stand at 2442.15 (31.02%), 215.38 (31.02%) and 4.87 (31.02%) sq. km. respectively.

Figure 5 Forest fire risk zones in Nainital district, Uttarakhand

The present study was an attempt to determine forest fire risky zones and to plan forestry management in Nainital
district using integrated approach of remote sensing and geographic information system. GIS modelling for
determining fire risk zone is a great approach for precautionary measures of environment and forest protection. The
integration of this satellite data into GIS can be very useful to determine risky places and to plan forestry management
after fire. This study is also an attempt to explore the capabilities of remote sensing and GIS techniques in suggesting
appropriate methodology for forest fire risk zone mapping. Such maps will help forest department officials prevent or
minimize fire risk activities within the forest and take proper action when fire breaks out [11].

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AUTHORS
Dr. D.K.Tripathi, Associate Professor, Department of geography, Kamla Nehru Institute of Physical & Social
sciences, Sultanpur U.P.
Dr.Seema Sahdev, Associate Professor , Department of Geography, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, Delhi-
110008.
Dr.Manish Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, Delhi-
110008

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