Rangeland and Forest Fire Risk Mapping Using KBDI Drought Index (Case Study: Isfahan Province)

Drought is one of the main and significant factors that increase the potential risk of fire in forests and rangelands. This study was conducted to assess the potential of a soil-moisture index called Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) for mapping fire risk in the forests and rangelands of Isfahan province using daily climate data in 2006- 2010 period. KBDI is a drought/fire index that ranges from 0 to 800، with 0 being no moisture deficiency and low fire risk and 800 being the maximum possible moisture deficiency and high fire risk. Results showed that western parts of the province and Semirom weather station in the south of Isfahan had the minimum risk of fire. According to the climatic classification، the humidity of these regions was higher and mainly included semi-humid and semi-arid classes. Because of high density of vegetation cover in these parts of Isfahan، the potential risk of fire can be higher in drought conditions. In the Khansar، Semirom، Fereydoonshahr and Daran stations، the lowest KBDI values were observed. Overall، the results indicated that KBDI was not a suitable fire risk mapping technique in arid and semi-arid environments of Isfahan، but it can be recommended for the grasslands of semi-arid and semi- humid climate regions.