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JFSP 03-S-01: Demonstration and integration of systems for fire remote sensing, ground-based fire measurement, and fire modeling

Colin Hardy

Project Leader
U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory

Other Cooperators: 

  • Philip Riggan, USFS, PSW
  • Francis Fujioka, USFS, PSW
  • Wei Min Hao, USFS, RMRS
  • Robert Kremens, Rochester Institute of Technology 
  • Rodman Linn, Los Alamos National Laboratory 
  • Kevin Ryan, USFS, RMRS 
  • Bret Butler, USFS, RMRS 
  • Mark Finney, USFS, RMRS 
  • James Hoffman, Space Instruments 
  • Penelope Morgan, University Idaho 
  • Lloyd Queen, University of Montana

This project will conduct a proof-of-concept research to compare state-of-science space-borne, airborne, and ground-based fire measurement systems; begin evaluation of two fire-behavior simulation models; test the utility of the airborne remote sensing for incident management; and investigate the development of a common database architecture. Significant and complementary linkages exist between this proposal and those previously submitted under JFSP RFP-2003-2 Task 1, by Finney and others (Modeling surface winds in complex terrain for wildland fire incident support) and Morgan and others (Assessing the causes, consequences and spatial variability of burn severity: a rapid response proposal).

JFSP 03-1-3-08: Forest Floor Consumption and Smoke Characterization in Boreal Forested Fuelbed Types of Alaska

Roger D. Ottmar

Research Forester
U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Other Cooperators:   

  • Ron Babbitt, Forest Service, RMRS   
  • Sue Ferguson, Forest Service, PNW   
  • Robert Vihnanek, Forest Service, PNW   
  • Kent Slaughter, BLM Alaska Fire Service   
  • Randi Jandt, BLM Alaska Fire Service   
  • Jennifer Barnes, National Park Service  
  • Karen Murphy, Fish and Wildlife Service   
  • Brad Cella, National Park Service   
  • Larry Vanderlinden, Fish and Wildlife Service   
  • Scott Billings, BLM Alaska Fire Service   
  • Dave Dash, BLM Alaska Fire Service

The purpose of this study is to collect fuel consumption data and characterize smoke emissions on active wildfires and prescribed fires. The data will be used to develop new and modify existing forest floor fuel consumption models and develop emission rate equations for the boreal forest fuelbed type. The fuel consumption and emission factors and rate equations will be implemented into the software program Consume 3.0 to better predict moss/peat/duff fuel consumption and smoke production during wildland fires in Alaska. This research will make Consume 3.0 and other fuel consumption, fire effects, and smoke production models more robust and aid managers, planners, and researchers in developing environmentally, socially, and legally responsible land management plans. This research will also allow for a more effective and informed use of emission production and wildfire/prescribed fire trade-off models providing improved wildland fire emissions accounting and planning at the local, regional, and global scales. The fuel consumption and smoke characterization module will be a scientifically based support tool that can be used to improve fire management decision processes (AFP-2003-2, task #1 and linkages with AFP-2003-1, task 3).

JFSP 04-2-1-96: Refinement and Development of Fire Management Decision Support Models Through Field Assessment of Relationships Between Stand Characteristics, Fire Behavior and Burn Severity

Ann Camp

Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Philip N. Omi

Colorado State University, College of Natural Resources

Other Cooperators: 

  • Randi Jandt, BLM Alaska Fire Service

The first objective of this research is to develop a flammability curve model for black spruce boreal forest types using currently available datasets of seral stage stand characteristics and appropriate fuel attributes followed by testing this curve with data collected from wildfire and prescribed fire events. This process will serve land management agencies well in creating long-term natural resource management plans that balance ecological and social needs by providing a faster, reliable method of defining fuel hazards at a landscape scale. The second objective of this research is to assess two black spruce fuel type fuel model inputs for decision support models widely used in Alaska through direct field measurements of fire behavior. This objective will add an additional degree of confidence to the application of these models and any discrepancies between actual fire behavior and model predictions will be used to recommend specific changes to improve the model's application in the Alaskan black spruce boreal forest type. Data obtained from fire events are unique and will have broader potential applications for improving a host of forest simulation models used for boreal forests.