Evaluation of the Relationship between Spatio-Temporal Variability of Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Fire Occurrence and Burnt Area in Mount Kenya Forest Reserve and National Park

Fires in Mount Kenya Forest Reserve and National Park (MKFRNP) are predominantly influenced by drought conditions, particularly during dry seasons, with significant variations across different land use types. While fires occur year-round, their frequency and ignition probability spike in the National Park (NP) and Forest Stations (FS) when the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) drops below 50%, indicating severe drought. In contrast, farmlands (FL) exhibit consistent fire activity regardless of VCI due to traditional land management practices. The study utilized MODIS satellite data to analyze spatio-temporal patterns of VCI, fire occurrence, and burnt area from 2003 to 2018, revealing distinct relationships between these factors in NP, FS, and FL. These findings underscore the potential of satellite data to enhance fire management strategies, improve resource planning, and mitigate fire risks in MKFRNP.

Nyongesa, K. W., Pucher, C., Poletti, C., & Vacik, H. (2023). Evaluation of the Relationship between Spatio-Temporal Variability of Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Fire Occurrence and Burnt Area in Mount Kenya Forest Reserve and National Park. Fire, 6(8), 282. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6080282