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Back to SAG Winners 2004
Geographic Resource Solutions
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Project Goal
The Phase II Fire GIS Project involved the development of a number of products and applications in support of the analysis of the magnitude and extent of the urban/wildfire danger in the Municipality of Anchorage. Geographic Resource Solutions (GRS) was tasked to create a comprehensive vegetation map that could be used to develop fire-fuels estimates throughout the Municipality. GRS used a unique method of combining GIS and image classification to define detailed estimates of vegetation land cover throughout the Municipality. This map was then used to develop a fire-fuels map for fire behavior modeling.
GRS then developed the Anchorage Fire Exposure Model (AFEM) within the ArcGIS 9 modeling environment. This model calculates the exposure components consisting of potential fire intensity (hazard), ignition risk, suppression constraints, and values at risk. The values for these components are based on the contribution of natural and cultural phenomena as described in the Municipality's spatial and attribute databases. The Anchorage Fire Exposure Model (AFEM) calculates the contribution of these components and then combines them into an overall rating of fire exposure. AFEM allows the user to alter the input data layers as well as the relative weights and categories to evaluate different environmental and development scenarios.
Another phase of this project was the development of the Anchorage Mobile Fire Mapping (MFM) system. Based on the ArcPad mobile mapping environment, GRS developed an application that allows fire fighter and other responders to map fire features and ancillary information on site. The MFM application can be used to collect features using on-site interpretation as well as direct GPS input.
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Business Problem Solved
In the last 10 years, over 3.2 million acres in Alaska have been infested by the spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) leaving entire stands of white spruce (Picea glauca) dead or dying. Within the Municipality of Anchorage, over 88,000 acres of spruce forest have been affected.
In response, the Municipality has implemented an aggressive program to assess and mitigate the potential of extreme wildfire activity. Under contract to the Municipality, GRS developed detailed vegetation and fuels maps and then developed the Anchorage Fire Exposure Model (AFEM) to integrate the vegetation and fuels data along with other components to assess the threat of wildfire in this urban/wild-land interface.
AFEM is used by planners and wildfire specialists to evaluate and prioritize wildfire mitigation strategies. By using these tools the fire danger in the urban/wildland interface can be reduced in an expedient and cost effective manner.
The vegetation and fire-fuels maps fulfill a longstanding need within the Municipality to have a comprehensive dataset that can be used for environmental assessment, fire behavior modeling, as well as fire exposure modeling.
The Mobile Fire Mapping application allows emergency services personnel to communicate important fire information including fire boundaries, equipment, evacuation status, and structure triage, to the managers and strategists at the Municipality's Emergency Operations Center.
Technology Implemented
GRS developed the Anchorage Fire Exposure Model using ArcGIS version 9.0 Model Builder. After the model was designed and prototyped in Model Builder, GRS converted the model to VB code using the ArcObjects environment. AFEM is delivered as a template Workspace document containing all necessary data connections, and code for running the model.
The Anchorage Mobile Fire Mapper was developed using the ArcPad development environment. The application has been implemented on Windows CE based PDA with attached compact flash GPS units. These units will soon implement wireless communication to allow for real time tracking of fire features as they are gathered in the field.
ArcGIS version 9.0 was used to compile and manage the variety of data that were used in support of the image classification of vegetation and fuels type s in this project. The image classification was performed using proprietary image analysis and processing software developed by GRS. ArcPad was used in conjunction with GPS to navigate to field data collection sites and to mark the location of plot transects and photo points.
Development Team Biography
John Koltun, Project Manager, is a Co-founder and Vice President of GRS. He has over 19 years of GIS and remote sensing experience supporting clients in the fields of natural resources and local government. Mr. Koltun is a Certified Forester and is a Registered Professional Forester in California.
Ken Stumpf, Remote Sensing Specialist, is a Co-founder and President of GRS and has over 24 years of GIS and remote sensing experience. Mr. Stumpf is a California Registered Professional Forester.
GRS would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the advisory Fire Science Team and the Municipality of Anchorage GIS and Fire Departments:
Sue Rodman, Anchorage Fire Department
Michelle Weston-York, Anchorage Fire Department
Charlie Barnwell. Anchorage IT/GIS
Warren Elkins, Anchorage IT/GIS
Susan Howard, Anchorage IT/GIS
John See, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Brad Cella, National Park Service, Alaska Region
Brian Sorbel, National Park Service, Alaska Region
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