University of Tehran Press Journal of the Earth and Space Physics 2538-371X 51 4 2026 03 17 Dry Lightning Contributing to Wildfires in the Zagros Forested Area: A Meteorological and Environmental Analysis of Extreme Events in June 2019 and May 2020 Dry Lightning Contributing to Wildfires in the Zagros Forested Area: A Meteorological and Environmental Analysis of Extreme Events in June 2019 and May 2020 133 152 102943 10.22059/jesphys.2025.393620.1007679 FA Sakineh Khansalari Atmospheric Science and Meteorological Research Center, Tehran, Iran. Farahnaz Fazel-Rastgar Department of Physics, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa. Riad Guehaz Department of Physics, School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa. Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CDTA), Algiers, Algeria. Venkataraman Sivakumar S. V. Raman Researchers Roadmap, Westville, Durban 4000, South Africa. Journal Article 2025 04 17 Wildfires in forested and pasture areas of Iran have increased in recent years, raising concerns about their ignition sources and environmental drivers. Among natural causes, lightning—particularly dry lightning—plays a significant role in initiating wildfires under specific meteorological conditions. This study aims to analyze the contribution of dry lightning to major wildfire events in Iran’s Zagros region during May 2020 and June 2019. To achieve this, we utilized a combination of satellite-based fire data from FIRMS and lightning data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN). In addition, meteorological datasets and reanalysis models were employed to assess drought conditions and fire-conducive weather patterns. Key indices such as the Fire Weather Index (FWI), Fire Danger Index (FDI), Burned Area Index (BI), Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI), and the Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI) were applied. Burn severity was evaluated using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery. Our results reveal a strong correlation between wildfire activity and lightning occurrences, particularly in areas with dry vegetation, elevated temperatures, and minimal precipitation. Quantitative validation during two major fire events—June 2019 and May 2020—confirms that wildfires were most intense on days when dry lightning coincided with elevated Fire Weather Index (FWI) values. For instance, on June 6 and 7, 2019, 4332 and 4833 dry lightning strikes were recorded, with FWI values of 33.8 and 39.4, and over 900 high-confidence fire detections observed each day. Similarly, May 20 and 21, 2020 exhibited peaks in all three factors, with up to 5773 lightning strikes and FWI values exceeding 24. These findings substantiate the synergistic role of dry lightning and fuel flammability in wildfire ignition and highlight the importance of multi-variable monitoring for fire risk assessment. This study highlights the importance of integrating satellite data, lightning observations, and fire indices for wildfire risk assessment. Ultimately, this research provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of dry lightning-induced wildfires and contributes to developing early warning strategies and adaptation measures under changing climate conditions. Wildfires in forested and pasture areas of Iran have increased in recent years, raising concerns about their ignition sources and environmental drivers. Among natural causes, lightning—particularly dry lightning—plays a significant role in initiating wildfires under specific meteorological conditions. This study aims to analyze the contribution of dry lightning to major wildfire events in Iran’s Zagros region during May 2020 and June 2019. To achieve this, we utilized a combination of satellite-based fire data from FIRMS and lightning data from the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN). In addition, meteorological datasets and reanalysis models were employed to assess drought conditions and fire-conducive weather patterns. Key indices such as the Fire Weather Index (FWI), Fire Danger Index (FDI), Burned Area Index (BI), Keetch–Byram Drought Index (KBDI), and the Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index (SPEI) were applied. Burn severity was evaluated using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery. Our results reveal a strong correlation between wildfire activity and lightning occurrences, particularly in areas with dry vegetation, elevated temperatures, and minimal precipitation. Quantitative validation during two major fire events—June 2019 and May 2020—confirms that wildfires were most intense on days when dry lightning coincided with elevated Fire Weather Index (FWI) values. For instance, on June 6 and 7, 2019, 4332 and 4833 dry lightning strikes were recorded, with FWI values of 33.8 and 39.4, and over 900 high-confidence fire detections observed each day. Similarly, May 20 and 21, 2020 exhibited peaks in all three factors, with up to 5773 lightning strikes and FWI values exceeding 24. These findings substantiate the synergistic role of dry lightning and fuel flammability in wildfire ignition and highlight the importance of multi-variable monitoring for fire risk assessment. This study highlights the importance of integrating satellite data, lightning observations, and fire indices for wildfire risk assessment. Ultimately, this research provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of dry lightning-induced wildfires and contributes to developing early warning strategies and adaptation measures under changing climate conditions. https://jesphys.ut.ac.ir/article_102943_41dc04eb13f5d489cf283d94756b64d8.pdf