Evaluating and mapping the fire risk in the forests and rangelands of Sirachal using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and GIS

The current research was performed to evaluate and to map the fire risk occurrence in the forests and rangelands of Sirachal in Alborz province using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. The used criteria included four main criteria (physiographic, biologic, climatic and human-made) and their sub-criteria. The maps of all these factors were provided using digital elevation model, satellite images, ground sampling and available data. Also, the map of past fires during past decade was prepared by existence data and GPS sampling. Then, the weight of the effective criteria in fire occurrence was calculated using fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. The fire risk potential map was prepared using the weighted combination of the effective criteria maps. Finally, the fire risk potential map was validated using the past fires and its accuracy was evaluated in identifying the fire high-risk areas. The results showed that among the main criteria, human-made criterion had the most impact (weight) on the fire occurrence risk in the area. Also, the sub-criteria slope and distance from river, type and density of vegetation and distance from the road had the highest importance (weight) in the fire occurrence risk based on fuzzy analytic hierarchy process. According to the results of the fire risk potential map, 58.55 percent of the study area has the high-risk potential for fire.