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Abstract
Integrating Fire Incident Model Tools with ArcGIS
Track: EMS, Fire, Disaster Management
Author(s): John Cowardin, David Buckley, Mark Books, Larry Capelle
As part of the development of an integrated ecosystem decision support system for the U.S. Army, Space Imaging has implemented a fire incident modeling and fire danger application using ArcGIS. This development integrates the FarSite and FlamMap programs, developed by Dr. Mark Finney (USFS), for real-time modeling of potential fire situations. Both FarSite and FlamMap are the de facto modeling tools of choice within the fire management arena. The application development focused on establishing a seamless data flow that eliminates the mechanics of converting data before these programs can be used. This is often a stumbling block for many non-GIS specialists. The primary requirement was to seamlessly move data to and from an ArcGIS geodatabase and the fire modeling programs. A wizard interface guides the user in defining parameters for fire scenarios and transferring data and input parameters from ArcGIS into FarSite and FlamMap required data structures. Once modeling is completed using these programs, the application automatically transfers modeling results into ArcMap data frames as unique scenarios. Users can then use the wealth of GIS capabilities available within ArcGIS to review model output. A custom tool was developed that allows the user to determine features of concern by overlaying fire growth perimeters with key features. A query engine has been integrated that allows the definition of key features through spatial and tabular queries and automatically summarizes the impact of fire growth over time on these features. This paper will review technical issues and achievements that occurred and present ideas for future integration with these models.
John Cowardin
Space Imaging
Fort Collins Regional Office
2000 S. College Ave., Suite 300
Fort Collins , CO 80526
USA
Phone: 970-490-5900
Fax: 970-490-2300
E-mail: jcowardin@spaceimaging.com
David Buckley
Space Imaging
Director, GIS Solutions
2000 S. College Ave.,
Suite 300
Fort Colins 80526
USA
Phone: 970-490-5900
Fax: 970-490-2300
E-mail: dbuckley@spaceimaging.com
Mark Books
Fort AP Hill, Dept. of the Army
Forest Ecologist
DPW Environmental and Natural Resources
19952 N. Range Rd
Fort A.P. Hill 22427-3123
USA
Phone: 540-220-4794
E-mail: mark_a_books@belvoir.army.mil
Larry Capelle
Fort AP Hill, Dept. of the Army
Forest Ecologist
DPW Environmental and Natural Resources