Spatiotemporal dynamics of wildfires at Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park through remote sensing between 2020 and 2025

Abstract

The Brazilian savannas (Cerrado) is a biome characterized by high biodiversity, where fire occurrences have been intensified by anthropic actions, potentially compromising ecosystem structure and functionality. In this context, this study analyzes the spatial and temporal dynamics of burned areas in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park during the dry season between 2020 and 2025, aiming to characterize fire frequency, spatial distribution, and spatio-temporal dynamics to support the integrated management of the Park. The methodology was based on the use of Sentinel-2 (MSI) imagery, employing the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), SWIR false-color composites, and active fire data from the FIRMS/NASA system (MODIS and VIIRS). Multitemporal analyses allowed the identification of heterogeneous fire occurrence patterns, with a greater extent of burned areas in each of the analyzed years, highlighting 2022 as the most significant year in terms of spatial extent during the dry season. The total mapped area affected by fire during the analyzed period was 82.068 ha. The integration of methodologies demonstrated high spatial coherence between fire scars and active fires, evidencing the effectiveness of remote sensing in monitoring wildfires within protected areas. The results reinforce the importance of continuous fire monitoring for environmental planning and for strengthening fire prevention and management strategies in the Cerrado.