Forest Fire Risk Mapping Using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP): A Case of Malkangiri, Odisha, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58825/jog.2025.19.2.235Keywords:
Forest Fire, AHP, Risk Map, GIS, Risk ZonesAbstract
The risk of forest fires is affected by various factors such as vegetation density, topography, human activities, and climate patterns. These factors remain relatively constant over time, at least during the fire season. To manage forests and ensure protection against fires, fire-cycle analysis is performed which includes creating a map of potential fire ignition and preparing a vulnerability map that can assist in controlling the spread of fire. Accurate data is crucial for forest management, and geospatial technology provides reliable information. By providing accurate information, geospatial technology can help prevent and mitigate damage caused by forest fires, while also promoting sustainable land use practices. The study focused on assessing forest fire risk in the Malkangiri district of Odisha, India, using geospatial technology and the AHP method. The final risk map was categorized into five zones, namely very high, high, moderate, low, and very low, which can help guide forest management and firefighting efforts in the area. To validate these forest fire risk zones, the study used fire points data from the office of PCCF, Odisha from FIRMS. The results showed that the forest fire risk was high in the low to moderate elevation ranges, with most fire points overlapping in the very high-risk zones of the map. Anthropogenic activities have been a major cause of forest fires in tropical regions. Overall, the study demonstrated the effectiveness of using geospatial technologies and the AHP method for assessing forest fire risk. The results can help in developing strategies to prevent and mitigate the impact of forest fires, particularly in areas with high-risk zones, such as the Malkangiri district of Odisha, India.
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