Using ArcObjects for automating fireshed assessments and analyzing wildfire risk

Alan Ager; Bernhard Bahro; Mark Finney

Treesearch

Using ArcObjects for automating fireshed assessments and analyzing wildfire risk

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Alan Ager, Bernhard Bahro, Mark Finney

Year:

2006

Type:

Full Proceedings

Station:

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Source:

Proceedings, International ESRI Users Conference. San Diego, CA: 9 p.

Download (PDF 1.65 MB)

Download (PDF 1.65 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/42279.pdf

Abstract

Firesheds are geographic units used by the Forest Service to delineate areas with similar fire regimes, fire history, and wildland fire risk issues. Fireshed assessment is a collaborative process where specialists design fuel treatments to mitigate wildfire risk. Fireshed assessments are an iterative process where fuel treatments are proposed for specific stands based on potential fire behavior, and the resulting matrix of treatments is evaluated in terms of reducing landscape scale fire spread. The Fireshed process uses an array of fire behavior models and GIS operations making it difficult to analyze large numbers of scenarios in timely fashion. We automated Fireshed analysis with Visual Basic macros and ArcObjects. The macros are implemented on custom toolbars in ArcMap and link vegetation and wildfire behavior models with ArcGIS desktop office software and Forest Service vegetation databases.

Keywords

fireshed, wildfire, ArcGIS

Citation

Ager, Alan A.; Bahro, Bernhard; Finney, Mark. 2006. Using ArcObjects for automating fireshed assessments and analyzing wildfire risk. In: Proceedings, International ESRI Users Conference. San Diego, CA: 9 p.