Post-earthquake fire hazard assessment: application to the municipality of Lisbon

Post-earthquake fires pose a significant risk to urban environments, often exacerbating the damage and disruption caused by seismic events. This study examines various aspects of post-earthquake fire, with an application to the municipality of Lisbon. Using ignition models and spatial analysis tools, high-risk zones for fire ignitions were identified, particularly in central and northeastern areas in the municipality of Lisbon where a combination of extensive building floor area and relatively high seismic hazard increases ignition likelihood. Results indicate that the typical delays in the firefighter response in post-earthquake scenarios can dramatically increase the collapse risk of non-seismically designed structures in high-risk zones. In extreme cases, most non-seismically design structures can collapse before firefighters can intervene. The results show a significant economic impact, which underscore the need for enhanced fire prevention, better emergency response planning, and improved urban resilience.