It is true that forest fires are difficult to identify or to
approach; the reality of the phenomenon is not easy. As
many parameters are involved, particularly ecological
and socio-economic; causes, frequency and extent of the
phenomenon must be sought in the structure of vegetation
and its environment.
The mountainous regions of North Africa are areas of
high forest potential and are almost always in areas with
high or very high density of rural population. This status
induces a higher risk of fire, either in terms of departures
or in terms of vulnerability. Indeed, on one hand, the
firings are, increasingly, potentially significant, because
of human activities ignition sources (barbecue, cigarette
butts...) on contact with a flammable vegetation and combustible,
as in northern Algeria specifically.
The assessment of the fire risk, based on historical and
current data and translated under cartographic shape [1-3],
can be a remarkable contribution to the forest managers
and a tool for a better preventive decision, based on logical
bases. Indeed, these cartographic documents of the
degree of risk [4] reveal sectors of high sensibility at the
fire risk, where we expect a concentration of efforts,
which must be translated, in the Forest Plan against Fires,
by interventions. Finally, you should not forget that the
fundamental purpose of the evaluation of the fire risk is
to reduce its frequency by precautionary measures, to
assure an optimal protection of the vegetable resources.
In this context risk assessment of fire that intervenes
our theme; it will have for object the modelling of this
type of risk and its mapping using a GIS approach.