Assessing the potential of harvested rainwater for forest fire suppression using InSAR and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

İngilizce (OpenAlex)

This study focuses on estimating the rainwater harvesting potential along the Gelibolu-Malkara Highway and identifying suitable locations for storing the collected water. Using the Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technique, the suitability of the highway buffer zone was assessed for constructing forest fire extinguishing pools. It was estimated that 14.4% (2,062 ha) of the Gelibolu-Malkara Highway buffer zone is suitable, 25.7% (3,685 ha) is moderately suitable, and 59.9% (8,578 ha) is unsuitable for forest fire extinguishing pools. These eight sections can annually harvest an estimated total of 82,018 m³ of rainwater. This harvested water can be stored in forest fire extinguishing pools, offering a critical alternative water source for managing wildfire risks. According to Türkiye’s 2021 data, a substantial portion of aerial firefighting equipment’s transport capacity could be met by these proposed pools. Furthermore, if filtered, the harvested water can meet the non-drinking water needs of approximately 3,270 people.