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An integrated methodology for estimation of forest fire-loss using geospatial information

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Abstract

These days, wildfires are prevalent in almost all areas of the world. Researchers have been actively analyzing wildfire damage using a variety of satellite images and geospatial datasets. This paper presents a method for detailed estimation of wildfire losses using various geospatial datasets and an actual case of wildfire at Kang-Won-Do, Republic of Korea in 2005. A set of infrared (IR) aerial images acquired after the wildfire were used to visually delineate the damaged regions, and information on forest type, diameter class, age class, and canopy density within the damaged regions was retrieved from GIS layers of the Korean national forest inventory. Approximate tree heights were computed from airborne LIDAR and verified by ground LIDAR datasets. The corresponding stand volumes were computed using tree volume equations (TVE). The proposed algorithm can efficiently estimate fire loss using the geospatial information; in the present case, the total fire loss was estimated as $5.9 million, which is a more accurate estimate than $4.5 million based on conventional approach. The proposed method can be claimed as a powerful alternative for estimating damage caused by wildfires, because the aerial image interpretation can delineate and analyze damaged regions in a comprehensive and consistent manner; moreover, LIDAR datasets and national forest inventory data can significantly reduce field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, 134 Shinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 120-749, South Korea

    Joon Heo & Hong-Gyoo Sohn

  2. Geo-Spatial Information Research Team, Electronics & Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), 161 Gajeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-700, South Korea

    Ji Sang Park

  3. Department of Aerial Geoinformatics, Inha Technical College, 253 Yong Hyun-Dong, Nam-Ku, Incheon, 402-752, South Korea

    Yeong-Sun Song

  4. Young-Nam Institute of Construction Technology Education, 147 Doam-li, Gogyung-myun, Youngchon, Kyungsangbukdo, 770-845, South Korea

    Suk Kun Lee

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  1. Joon Heo
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  2. Ji Sang Park
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  3. Yeong-Sun Song
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  4. Suk Kun Lee
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  5. Hong-Gyoo Sohn
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Correspondence to Joon Heo.

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Heo, J., Park, J.S., Song, YS. et al. An integrated methodology for estimation of forest fire-loss using geospatial information. Environ Monit Assess 144, 285–299 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9992-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9992-8

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