Application of geographical information systems and FARSITE in fire spread modelling

Wildfires are a perennial problem in the Northwest of USA. Wallowa Whitman National Forest fires are quite frequent as a result forest completes between 10,000 and 15,000 acres of burning in a year. According to research, it was reported that the study area experienced fires from 1970 to 2006 with total burning of 149 fires and total burnt area of 7,583 hectares per year which observed to be between June and October. In Wallowa County, over 80% of fire starts are caused from lightning and 20% are attributed to human-caused fire starts. A GIS proved to be used effectively to map forest fire risk zone with the aid of LANDSAT satellite images and high resolution Google Earth images. FARSITE was used to predict fire intensities across a landscape. Results indicated that using GIS and FARSITE, one can generate a reliable management strategy, hence, minimising both life and property loss.

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