Determination of fire intensity after forest fire by remote sensing: marmaris case study

Abstract

Forest fires in Turkiye are a frequently encountered natural disaster, especially in recent years. After a fire, identifying the plant species to be used in the area and determining the intensity of the fire in the region are important for assessing the area’s capacity for natural regeneration. In this process, geographic information systems and remote sensing methods and techniques are commonly used tools for assessing burned areas and fire intensities following forest fires. In this study, one of Turkiye’s devastating fires, the Marmaris fire, which began on June 21, 2022, is examined. Landsat satellite images, geometrically and radiometrically corrected, were utilized to determine the intensity of the Marmaris fire. As part of the method, the NBR (Normalized Burn Ratio), dNBR (Difference Normalized Burn Ratio), NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and dNDVI (Difference Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) indices were used for burned area detection. As a result of the study, information about the burned areas, fire intensities, and the regenerative capabilities of post-fire vegetation growth has been obtained. Furthermore, suitable pioneer plant species, considering the fire intensity, have been suggested for the restoration of burned landscape areas after the fire. This study is expected to serve as a guide for relevant public institutions and organizations, particularly the General Directorates of Forestry, enabling them to respond most effectively after fires and implement reforestation efforts considering the usage areas and growth capabilities of needle-leaved and broad-leaved plants.