Forest fires simulation in the Alpine region. New data and innovative approaches needed

• DOI: 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-11425
• Publication Date: 2023-02-26T01:25:31Z
• Authors: Luca Mauri; Flavio Taccaliti; Emanuele Lingua
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 15. Life on land

Among the predominant natural disturbances affecting Mediterranean regions, nowadays forest fires frequently occur in Central and Northern Europe, potentially leading to several issues ecological, geomorphological, economic social terms. In this regard, local authorities are becoming gradually confident with their management even where were historically scarce. context, semi-empirical models particularly useful estimating fire behaviour, order predict key factors related wildfires risk (e.g., flames length, type, rate of spread). At same time, accurate estimation inputs actually represents principal limitation outputs reliability, mainly due difficulty retrieving specific data like canopy fuel characteristics or behaviour models. light above, there is a growing need find new methods able infer such simulation variables, for example starting from remote sensing acquisition elaboration, as well by adapting already existing equations workflows European contexts. The project RETURN aims therefore enhance spatial mapping simulators layers within Alpine region coupling an extensive field collection high-resolution Light Detection Ranging (LiDAR) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based collection. results Project could be increasing amount information available administrations region, aiming ease application behavior manage disturbance increasingly frequent mountain area.