Fire behavior simulation using the FlamMapfire modeling in ArcFuels program (Case study: Pinustaeda forestation in Takhsam, Gilan province)

Identification of the fuel models and subsequent recognition of the fire behavior can provide necessary tools for fire management and control. This study set out to identify the fire behavior in the loblolly pine plantations at Takhsam village in Gilan province that was evaluated by FlamMap model from ArcFuels program in the ArcGIS. Fuel materials were estimated by line sampling of Brown and the fuel load method (FLM), chosen by systematic random sampling. Landscape file (LCP) was made by maps of slope, aspect, elevation, fuel model and canopy. Then fuel moisture layer was calculated and weather as well as wind layers from Rasht synoptic station were introduced in the fire model. With selection of fire spot, fire spreading and some of the fire behavior maps were simulated by the fire model. The results showed that FlamMapmodel with overestimated and underestimated areas of 1.35 and 0.54 ha, respectively, and kappa coefficient of 0.83 has high validity in evaluation of wildfire in this state.