New research analyzes aerial firefighting response times

New research advances understanding of how federal agencies have used aerial resources on wildfires. It quantifies the impact of various characteristics of a fire incident—including fuel moisture, weather, slope, access to water, and proximity to people and infrastructure—on how quickly aircraft arrive at a fire after it is discovered. This research is notable because it looks at aerial resources from two agencies responding in the same geographic area; in previous studies, only Forest Service aircraft have been represented. Further, this work applies a new method that allows for tracking of aircraft regardless of agency to answer questions about what drives response times for aerial firefighting resources. A better understanding of the historical drivers of aircraft response times can help guide where to look for additional efficiencies in aircraft dispatching procedures.

Photo Credit

Forest Service photo by Andrew Avitt