Risk, Vulnerability and Fire: a theoretical review and its application in different contexts

Abstract

This study addresses the evolution and complexity of the concept of risk, exploring its application in various fields of knowledge, with a special focus on its relationship with vulnerability and forest fires. The theory of risk is examined based on three key concepts: peril (the proximity of a potentially damaging factor), risk (the probability of an event), and crisis (the materialization of the damage). The study highlights vulnerability as an intrinsic component of risk, defined by a system's susceptibility to being affected. The analysis delves into the dynamics of forest fires, differentiating risk from peril and exploring fire both as a threat to ecosystems and as an environmental management tool. The Integrated Fire Management (IFM) approach is presented, which seeks to reconcile fire prevention with the strategic use of fire for the conservation and management of landscapes. The assessment of vulnerability is discussed from a broad perspective, considering the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of the systems studied. The work, therefore, offers a comprehensive theoretical review and contextualizes the application of these complex concepts for the understanding and management of risks in natural environments.