Impacto de incendios forestales en Ecuador: Visualizador interactivo para la gestión del riesgo

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. The research analyzes the dynamics of forest fires in Ecuador between 2010 and 2025, with the results presented in an interactive visualizer. Climatic, land cover, and remote sensing data were analyzed and integrated, and through multiple correspondence analysis, a vulnerability index was developed that identified critical variables such as temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and wind, which together explained more than 80% of the observed variability. The results show that provinces such as Loja, Pichincha, and Tungurahua concentrate the highest levels of risk, especially in agricultural areas. At the national level, more than 331,000 hectares were affected, with a direct impact on communities and ecosystems. These findings highlight the urgency of strengthening risk management through interdisciplinary approaches, integrated monitoring systems, and prevention strategies aimed at environmental sustainability. Keywords: Forest fires, Interactive visualizer, Multivariate analysis, Vulnerability index, Risk management