Comparative assessment of remotely-sensed forest fire datasets over the Rarh region of West Bengal from the FIRMS and FSI portals

Abstract

This study assess and compares the reliability and comprehensiveness of the FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) and FSI (Forest Survey of India) databases for forest fire mapping in the Rarh region of West Bengal. With a focus on evaluating the consistency of fire counts and the temporal distribution of fire occurrences, alongside a careful examination of the varied fire types incorporated within each database, including forest fires, stubble burning, industrial fires, and mining fires, the research aims to furnish valuable insights crucial for the optimal selection and effective handling of fire point data, thereby ensuring accurate and reliable mapping outcomes. The study also highlights the discrepancies observed between the number of fire points depicted in the FSI's near real-time dashboard and those reflected in its exported datasets, warranting an in-depth investigation to ascertain their consistency across temporal dimensions. By refining the scope of analysis to encompass forest-specific fires and augmenting the reliability of the dataset through meticulous processing, this study provides pertinent insights into the intricate dynamics of forest fires, to provide stakeholders with actionable intelligence to devise effective forest fire management strategies.