Spatial-Temporal Distribution Of Forest Fire And Fire Weather Index Calculation From2000to2009in Sanming, China

This paper describes the forest fire dynamic in Sanming City of Fujian Province, China from2000to2009, with a view to understand fire number and burn area in different counties, and spatial-temporal distribution of fires. It also includes to calculate codes and indexes of Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS), and to develop linear regression equations. Moreover, identify major fire causes and mapping danger fire prone zones discussed in this thesis paper.In this study, the forest fire data was provided by the Department of Wildfire Prevention of Sanming Forestry Bureau. Forest fire spatial-temporal distribution data were calculated and presented using SigmaPlot v.8.02software. The weather parameter’s data was analyzed using FWI Calculator v.7.0.2.76. Development of linear regression equation and danger fire zone map was done using statistical SPSS v.18and ArcGIS v.10software respectively.The results showed that a total of818forest fires and burned areas of8721.16hm2were found during the study period. The highest and lowest forest fires were distributed in Youxi county and Sanming district respectively. Highest number of fires with large burned areas was found at2p.m. of daytime. Moreover, fire occurrences and burned areas were found the highest and lowest in March and June respectively.From FWI calculation, the highest danger rating value was found in March,2009. Developed linear regression equations were found the best fit to understand the forest fire occurrences with weather parameter’s changes.Most of the fires in the study area were caused by burning waste land (461fires, burned areas of10679.99hm2) whereas natural and other causes made up relatively a small portion of the total fires. Youxi and Datian counties were identified as the highest fire risk zones.This study proposes that the most advanced fire management system of CFFDRS. and developed eight linear regression equations are being used for better understanding of forest fires distribution. These also may have important implications for fire prevention planning and fire response management in south China as well as other tropical countries having similar climatic conditions.