The development and implementation of forest and wildland fire management decision support systems: reflections on past practices and emerging needs and challenges

Forest fire managers in the province of Ontario, Canada have used computer-based decision support systems and actively supported their development since the late 1970’s. I describe four DSS projects in which I was involved and discuss factors that I believe contributed to the success and failures of those initiatives. I then outline some emerging fire management needs and challenges and present some recommendations to those who wish to develop DSSs for other forest and wildland fire management agencies. MCFNS 3(1):18-26.