RS and GIS Based Spatial Mapping of Forest Fires in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad, North Kerala, India

Forest fires are of common occurrence in parts of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the central western slopes of Western Ghats, especially during the months from February to April. They pose great threat to forest vegetation, animal life and scattered human settlements. The present study aims to demarcate forest fire risk zones in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala state using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. This study considers human related factors as well as environmental factors. The factors selected for the study are land use/land cover, distance from settlement, distance from road, slope, and elevation. The thematic maps are prepared using ArcGIS 9.3 and ERDAS Imagine 9.2 software tools. A Fire Risk Index model is used to prepare the forest fire risk zone map. In the prepared map, the area has been classified into three categories viz., high, moderate, and low risk zones. Analyses of the primary data related to previous incidences of forest fires in this area have validated the reliability of the application of this methodology. The GIS based forest fire risk prone area zonation therefore appears to be valid. Thus the present methodology can be used effectively in mitigation of forest fires, rehabilitation and restoration programs.