Relationship Between Hotspot and Geography-Meteorology Factors in Thailand and Neighboring Countries
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Abstract
Air pollution is a critical issue in many countries and has become a significant problem in Southeast Asia. Wildfires, agricultural burning, and biomass burning are major sources of pollution emissions. This study aims to analyze hotspot activity and examine the relationship between hotspots and geographic-meteorological factors in Thailand and neighboring countries. MODIS hotspot data were analyzed using the frequency-magnitude distribution (FMD) and geography-meteorology factors. The results indicate that areas with high hotspot activity were mainly found in northeastern to eastern Cambodia and northern Laos. Additionally, northern Laos and some pockets in Myanmar showed high hotspot intensity, capable of generating a maximum Fire Radiative Power (FRP)
>1,000 MW. The return periods for 8, 20, 40, and 120 MW were found to be 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 year, respectively. In the next 50 years, parts of Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia will have a 0–60% probability of experiencing 120 MW fires. Fires are more frequent at low elevations, on gentle slopes, and across all aspects (excluding flat areas). Moreover, higher elevations, steeper slopes, and southern aspects tend to experience more high-intensity fires. It can be inferred that fire intensity is not primarily influenced by temperature, precipitation, or relative humidity. Instead, other factors, such as fuel availability and human activities, may play a more significant role.
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Copyright © 2008 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University. Parts of an article can be photocopied or reproduced without prior written permission from the author(s), but due acknowledgments should be stated or cited accordingly.
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