Characterization of forest fires in Catalonia (north-east Spain) |
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Authors: | José Ramón González Timo Pukkala |
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Institution: | (1) Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya, Pujada del seminari s/n, 25280 Solsona, Spain;(2) Faculty of Forestry, University of Joensuu, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland |
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Abstract: | The present study analyses the temporal variation in the distribution of the number of fires, area burned and fire sizes in
Catalonia using fire data from 1942 to 2002. The study shows variations in the distribution of fire size over recent decades,
with a significant increase in the number of very large fires. The study also analyses relationships between characteristics
of the forest (altitude, slope, aspect, living fuels and species composition) and the probability of the fire occurrence.
The analysis is based on the overlay of forest cover data and perimeters of forest fires during the period (1986–2002). Of
the analysed variables, altitude affects most the probability of fire occurrence, with higher proportions of burned forest
area at lower altitudes. Stand’s vertical structure is also relevant, with lower proportions of burned area in stands with
mature tree cover without understory. The study helps to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of forest and fire management
policies, especially those related to forest and fuel management at the landscape level. |
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Keywords: | Fire management Fire risk Fire model Fire characterization Fire regime |
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