The Vulnerability Assessment of Forest Fire in Gangwon Province Using CCGIS

Since forest sector is increasingly affected by climate change and a forest fire, one of forest disasters, makes a huge impact on a forest ecosystem and regional people`s life in general, the vulnerability assessment of forest fires is extremely important. Gangwon province area was selected for the study. Eighty one percent of Gangwon province`s land is covered by forest, and 8 cases of big fire, over 300 ha occurred from 2000 to 2009. The vulnerability assessment has been carried out with a help of CCGIS program developed by National Institute of Environmental Research. Climate Exposure Index, Sensitivity Index, Adaptation Capacity Index were employed to evaluate the vulnerability of Gangwon province`s forest fire. It turned out that East Sea area of Yeongdong was highly vulnerable to forest fire and various meteorological factors could be involved. The future vulnerability of forest fire in Gangwon province would increase even though the regional difference could exist. The results of the study will be used to establish Gangwon province`s adaptation policy for the forest sector.