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Causes and Variables of Forest Fires, a Brief Review of the Ecuadorian Case

Abstract:

Forest fires means a potential threat to life on the planet since their effects can be catastrophic. Nowadays, the frequency of FF has increased, and the control capacity for it has decreased. The causes are diverse; however, the human factor is crucial in the generation, prevention, control, and mitigation of the impact of FF. This study presents the latest main FF events and the factors, causes, and variables involved in a general and global way. Additionally, has been carried out a study regarding the leading FF cases in Ecuador, it has been identified a sustained increase of burned hectares from 2015 to 2020, being 2020 the year with the highest incidence with 27,904.91 Ha. It has also been found that the increase or decrease of hectares burned depends on the fluctuations and relationships between wind speed, ambient temperature, humidity, and the characteristics of the geographic area where the events occur. It has also been identified that in the period 2018–2020 the Inter Andean region, presents most of the forest fires with a high level of damage.