Optimizing the location of aerial resources to combat wildfires: a case study of Portugal

Wildfires are becoming larger and more severe in different regions of the world as a result of climate change. A successful wildfire response requires a strong initial attack to extinguish the occurrence in a short time while it is of small dimensions, followed by an extended attack when it remains active after a certain period of time. In this sense, the aerial firefighting resources play a preponderant role. Aerial resources move quickly to a theater of operations carrying a large amount of water, but their efficacy depends on their good location. In this study, a decision support model was developed to find optimal solutions for the location of aerial resources to combat wildfires. The optimization model aims to maximize the expected coverage both in terms of initial and extended attack. It takes into account the characteristics of the aircraft available, and the levels of fire hazard in the different areas of a given region. The practical applicability of the methodology was validated through a case study of Portugal. The results suggest that there is potential for improving the existing location of aerial resources defined by the administration. The developed methodology showed good prospects for application in any region in the world where wildfire hazards need to be mitigated.