Spatial and temporal extremes of wildfire sizes in Portugal (1984–2004)

• DOI: 10.1071/wf07044
• Publication Date: 2009-12-09T00:46:11Z
• Authors: P. de Zea Bermudez; J. Mendes; J. M. C. Pereira; K. F. Turkman; M. J. P. Vasconcelos
• Keywords: Fire regime

Spatial and temporal patterns of large fire (>100 ha) incidence in Portugal over the period 1984–2004 were modeled using extreme value statistics, namely Peaks Over Threshold approach, which uses Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) as a model. The original dataset includes all fires larger than 5 ha (30 616 fires) that observed during study period, mapped from Landsat satellite imagery. country was divided into eight regions, considered internally homogeneous perspective their regimes respective environmental correlates. analysis showed there does not appear to be any trend very fires, but revealed cyclical behavior values GPD shape parameter, with range 3 years. highlighted strong regional differences allowed calculation return levels for sizes. This affected by presence few outlying observations, may correspond clusters contiguous scars, resulting artificially burned areas. We discuss some implications our findings terms consequences management aimed at preventing occurrence extremely present ideas extending study.