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- Info
Predicting fire behavior in the wildland-urban interface
| Author: |
Feary, K.M.; Neuenschwander, L.F. |
| Date: |
1998 |
| Periodical: |
In: Pruden, T.L.; Brennan, L.A. eds. Fire in ecosystem management: shifting the paradigm from suppression to prescription: Proceedings of the Tall Timbers fire ecology conference. [Tallahassee, FL]: [Tall Timbers Research Station] |
| Abstract: |
Fire exclusion in wildlands during the last century has caused the excessive accumulation of fuels that has resulted in catastrophic fires. In spite of devastating losses from fire, human development continues to increase in the wildland-urban interface. Additional houses and other structures are being built each year in areas that are prone to high-intensity wildfires, with increasing threats to life and property. The term “risk” is sometimes considered synonymous with “hazard.” However, risk has the additional implication of the chance of a particular event actually occurring. By determining areas of high risk from fire, managers (including planners and policy makers) can establish priorities in reducing adjacent wildfire hazards. Evaluation of hazards can be accomplished by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map high hazard areas where wildland and urban land uses meet. A GIS landscape database containing utilities, structures, access, water, and adjacent wildland fuels and vegetation can be used to develop fire cost plus loss scenarios. Fire behavior models, such as FARSITE, can simulate fire activity given specific parameters. Besides helping managers establish plans for reducing fire risk, these tool can also be used to help educate the public. GIS mapping will enable managers to illustrate areas that are at high risk of fire and to speculate on the probable consequences of taking no suppression action. Prudent use of prescribed fire can reduce property loss, minimize costs, and potentially save lives. |
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