Abstract

"Station 53, Engine 17, We've an Urban Wildfire, Code 3"
Track: EMS/Fire
Author(s): Craig Kunesh, William Mumbleau

In May of 2007, the Griffith Park fire (860 acres) was an example of an urban/wildland fire event in the City of Los Angeles. Griffith Park is unique in that it is the largest municipal park (4,467 acres) in the continental United States.

Kleinfelder oversaw the GIS project management and geotechnical erosion control measures for the City. GIS data management played a critical role in the development of comprehensive post-fire data models that led to the recommended mitigation and restoration measures. GIS watershed calculations and modeling with the USDS-FS BAER ArcToolbox for potential slope erosion rates and burn severity justified the areas of hydromulch treatment and the placement of critical debris barriers. Esri ArcGIS Spatial and 3D Analyst provided several benefits. This helped city engineers and managers become quickly oriented to factors such as burn intensity, vegetation types, slope characteristics, drainage and values at risk.

Craig Kunesh
City of Los Angeles, GED
1149 S. Broadway Street
Suitr 120
Los Angeles , California 90015
United States
Phone: 213-847-0504
E-mail: craig.kunesh@lacity.org

William Mumbleau
Kleinfelder, Inc.
1220 Research Drive
Suite B
Redlands , California 92374
United States
Phone: 909-793-2691
Fax: 909-792-1704
E-mail: bmumbleau@kleinfelder.com