Spatiotemporal Analysis of Forest Fires in China from 2012 to 2021 Based on Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Active Fires

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This study presented a thorough analysis of wildfire activities in China. It made a necessary effort to go beyond the burned area detected by spaceborne images to address some limitations in using the burned area as the sole indicator of wildfire activities.The comprehensive use of wildfire activity indicators such as FFS, FFE, LEFE and burned area is a good start to further analyze the spatio-temporal pattern of wildfires in China, and I would also recommend the author to turn the outcome of this study into an online product that can be downloaded and accessible to other interested users of wildfire activities in China.

I have some minor recommendations for language and the design of figures as follows:

1. Abstract, line 19 to 22: this part has used the word "significantly" or "significant" repetitively. I would recommend paraphrasing these sentences to improve their readability.

2. Figure 1: Considering the international readership of this journal, I strongly recommend using metric units (e.g. km) rather than imperial units for distance in the maps.

3. Figure 1 caption (line 121), there is a missing reference in this line.

4. Figure 2, same suggestion about the unit used in the scale (see point #2).

5. Figure 2, if possible, I recommend using a color ramp to represent the time from earlier to later in this map, making it easier for the audience to grasp the idea of wildfire progression quickly. For example, the earliest time stamp uses a darker color while the latest time stamp uses a lighter color.

6. Figure 3, same suggestion as described in point #5 (above). But I like the idea of using a different map symbol for the start time of this wildfire. Keep this and use a dark to light color ramp for points.

7. Figure 4: same suggestion for the unit in the map scale (use metric units).

Overall, I recommend this manuscript be accepted after minor revisions.

I have included the comment about English language above. I am putting it here as well:

1. Abstract, line 19 to 22: this part has used the word "significantly" or "significant" repetitively. I would recommend reconstructing these sentences to improve their readability.

2. Overall, I would recommend another round of proofreading to avoid the repetitive use of certain words, especially "significant" and "significantly:. It would be better to only use these words while describing the empirical results and statistical analysis. Alternative words can be "greatly", "vastly", extensively", etc.

Author Response

Dear Reviewers.

Thank you for your careful review and valuable suggestions，We have made changes to for each of your suggestions or questions.Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript reports a spatiotemporal analysis of forest fires in China from 2012 to 2021 based on visible infrared imaging radiometer suite active fires. The authors concentrate on a set of metrics derived from the VIIRS active fire data in China through spatial extraction, spatiotemporal clustering, and spread reconstruction including frequency of forest fire spots (FFS), frequency of forest events (FFE), frequency of large forest events (LFFE), duration, a burned area, and spread rate, these metrics were compared to explore the characteristics of forest fires on different spatiotemporal scales. Authors claim that their study can provide more perspectives for exploring the characteristics of forest fires, and more data underpinning forest fire prevention and management.

In Summary:

1 -    The manuscript's English text should be polished. The text seems to be confusing in some sections.

2 -    it is highly recommended to provide an algorithm and flowchart Materials and Methods section.

3 -    The Results and Discussion Section is necessary to be literally polished to demonstrate the significance of the generated results. This paper could be significantly improved through a major revision process.

4 -    All figures and images Should be rearranged and redrawn to promote the quality of results demonstration.

5 -    In writing according to the journal template, observe a space before the references bracket or other typesetting errors (line-119, line 146, 147 and many other lines)

6 -    The introduction section needs more explanation and elaboration using more relevant references to manuscript.

7 -    The Study Area subsection is poorly demonstrated!

8 -    Reference source Error shall be covered (Line-121)

9 -    Subsection “2.3.1. Method of Spatio-Temporal Clustering” should be rewritten to clarify better.

10 -                        Figure legends shall be improved (figures 2 and 3).

Moderate editing of the English typesetting is suggested. especially to cover the journal's requirements.

Author Response

      Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions for revision. We have carefully considered the feedback you have provided and have revised the manuscript accordingly. Please find attached.
      We hope that this revision will meet your requirements and better match your expectations. If you have any other changes or suggestions, we will be more than happy to further improve and refine the manuscript.

Once again, thank you for your valuable comments and efforts. 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx