Evaluating the application of LiDAR to measure wildland fire depth of burn In the Canadian boreal forest.

Abstract

This study evaluates the accuracy of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology in measuring the depth of burn (DoB) resulting from wildland fires in the Canadian boreal forest. An analysis of the correlation between LiDAR and ground truth DoB measurements was conducted to determine the accuracy of the LiDAR measurements. Initial results revealed errors within the spatial alignment of the pre- and post-burn LiDAR data. Adjustments for spatial discrepancies using an offset approach were implemented; however, a poor correlation between measurements persisted. These findings indicate LiDAR is not an effective method for measuring the DoB in complex landscapes such as the boreal forest. Despite these findings, the study strongly advocates for the continuation of research in this area to increase confidence in these results. Recommendations for future research include increasing the number and diversity of sampling locations and refining ground sampling and LiDAR data processing techniques to enhance measurement accuracy in complex forest landscapes.