Automating the Fireshed Assessment Process with ArcGIS

Abstract

A library of macros was developed to automate the Fireshed process within ArcGIS. The macros link a number of vegetation simulation and wildfire behavior models (FVS, SVS, FARSITE, and FlamMap) with ESRI geodatabases, desktop software (Access, Excel), and ArcGIS. The macros provide for (1) an interactive linkage between digital imagery, vegetation data, FVS-FFE, and SVS, creating a map-based interface for designing and testing stand fuel treatments; (2) rapid scale-up of stand-specific treatments to simulate project-wide changes in vegetation and fuels; (3) data linkages between FVS outputs and FlamMap/FARSITE to allow for simulation of landscape-scale fire behavior and evaluation of fuel treatment scenarios; and (4) data linkages between FVS outputs and ArcMap for rapid mapping of FVS database outputs. The library is distributed as an ArcMap project file (.mxd) and is implemented on custom toolbars on the ArcMap interface. The system was designed to automate geospatial analyses performed in the Fireshed process to design and test fuel treatments in a collaborative setting. A beta version of ArcFuels is available from the senior author.

Parent Publication

• Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings

Citation

Ager, Alan, Bahro, Bernhard; Barber, Klaus. 2006. Automating the Fireshed Assessment Process with ArcGIS. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. 2006. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 28-30 March 2006; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 163-168