FOREST FIRE MONITORING USING GIS: CASE STUDY OF MT. KENYA FOREST RESERVE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess between actual and modelled burned area accuracy, differences in fire spread and behaviour through the simulation of recent forest fires that affected the Mt Kenya Forest Reserve. The research analyzed differences between the actual and modelled fire predictions for two separate fires that occurred within the Mt Kenya Forest Reserve in March, 2015 at Irangi and March, 2012 at Chogoria forest stations. FlamMap minimum travel time (MTT) fire modelling software was used to compare spatial characteristics (fireline intensity and spread rate) of fires between the actual and the modelled fires. Comparative analysis between the actual and simulated fire area showed a relatively good agreement. The fire model provided a better understanding of the differences in fire growth and behaviour predictions over heterogeneous fuel landscapes, complex topography and changing weather conditions.