GIS-Based Determination of the Optimal Heliport and Water Source Locations for Forest Fire Suppression Using Multi-Objective Programming

First responders to forest fires, especially in areas that cannot be reached by land, are carried out helicopters. In large lands, the necessity of helicopters reach fire shortest time reveals importance heliport locations. this study, set-covering problem is handled optimizing locations a heavily forested Milas district Muğla, Turkey, where fires have occurred severely recent years. The aim cover entire region with minimum number heliports within specified response times. density relevant integrated as weights into mathematical model based on geographic information systems (GIS) during location-allocation. addition, several conditions related study area, such their proximity roads, distance settlement areas, slope, wetlands, altitude, existence or airports, and others, were defined 2 × km grids analyzed ArcGIS for use modeling, which was developed multi-objective programming model. first model, different initial attack (IA) times considered, tradeoffs between IA coverages revealed using ɛ constraint method. Then, second water sources evaluated provide recommendations further extended (EA) additional (pools) considering existing ones. Mathematical modeling used determine Pareto optimal source both EA respectively. Finally, potential savings proposed quantified comparing results current historical data.