Characterization and modelization of forest fires in Portugal

Abstract

To model the proportion of burned area in Portugal to derive relationships between ecological and socioeconomic features and fire occurrence

To characterize wildfires in Portugal in the period from 1975 to 2007

To obtain three mathematical models to characterize wildfire incidence into three different periods (1987-1991, 1990-1994 and 2000-2004).

To analyse changes in burned area, number of fires, and fire distribution in Portugal and for examining the influence of topography, land use, socio-economic and climate variables on fire occurrence probability.