Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Fire on Saipan, CNMI

Sediment core studies from Saipan suggest that fires did not play a prominent role in the disturbance regime of Mariana Islands and have increased frequency since human settlement around 4,000 years ago. On are understood to interrupt pattern succession leading degradation native limestone forests, proliferation grasslands eventual creation badlands. Little baseline data regarding spatial temporal patterns fire on exist create effective Fire Management Plans. This project uses Landsat 8 images April 2013 July 2020 Normalized Burn Ratio identify historic evaluate will inform management policies. Over study period we detected 1,608 ha burnt land, four specific hotspots. Of area burned, 40% were grasslands, 31% evergreen 21% scrub-shrub. 41% all hectares burned more than once throughout indicating this was landcover type most vulnerable repeat burn events. We also found strong seasonal trend, with average amount land dry season 280% higher wet season. Finally, both total precipitation absence highly correlated identified (P < .05). The information elucidated through be used by local agencies implement plans geared toward controlling wildfires.