Wildfire analysis in the Cobos-Parga Hydrographic Basin, Aguascalientes, through satellite images: impacts and solutions: Wildfires in Cobos-Parga Basin

Abstract

Objective: Detect and analyse forest fires happening in the Cobos-Parga Hydrographic Basin.

Design/methodology/approach: For this analysis, the methodology that was followed ranges from the extraction of satellite images to the calculation of the Normalised Burn Ratio, thus enabling the detection of combusted zones. All this work was done thanks to the use of Geographic Information Systems.

Results: frequent occurrence of fires was found in the area, mainly of anthropogenic origin and registered chiefly from January to May. The increasing trends in annual accumulated precipitation and extreme maximum temperature are also evident in the study area. Therefore, climatic conditions do not exhibit a clear correlation between them and fires, supporting the idea that forest fires are mostly caused by anthropogenic reasons.

Limitations on study/implications: Finally, it is suggested that the CHCP is not suitable for the construction of real estate complexes, since it is estimated to be a zone of high fire risk.

Findings/conclusions: This highlights the necessity of establishing protection measurements that could control illegal activities, as well as monitoring fires and along with it, guarantee the biological and cultural preservation of the area.