MRF’s Research Project

“Wildfire Management Decision Support System”

Major Capabilities:

A web-based system with the following capabilities:

o Display of vector GIS layers and raster images such as satellite images and orthophotos

o Upload of GPS-surveyed areas representing clear-cuts and burnt areas.

o Upload of SHAPE files representing clear-cuts and burnt areas

o Placement of ignition points and lines or use GPS-surveyed ignition points and lines

o Retrieval of current weather conditions and forecast weather conditions

o Display of the fire polygon (“FP1”) in the specified duration using Prometheus – the Canadian wildland fire growth model. Evaluate the value-at-risk (“VAR”) within FP1.

o Apply a fire fighting strategy, display the modified fire polygon (“FP2”) in the specified duration, and evaluate the VAR within FP2.

o Repeat the above process till a most cost-effective strategy is determined.

MRF’s Technical Methodology:

· Use COM objects for Prometheus – the Canadian wildland fire growth model – to determine the area of burn (“FP1”) within specified time duration. Take terrain, weather conditions, and fuel grids into consideration.

· Use a raster VAR layer to determine the total values (“VALUE1”) which will be destroyed by the wildfire.

· Use MRF GISNet – MRF’s web-based vector map editing solution – to draw the fire-fighting strategies. MRF GISNet supports vector and raster map display, vector map editing, digital file submittal, transaction history tracking, etc. Fire suppression strategies will include water bombers, bulldozers, and ground crew.

· Re-run Prometheus to determine the fire polygon (“FP2”) after applying the fire-fighting strategy. Re-calculate the total value (“VALUE2”) which will be destroyed by the wildfire.

· Evaluate the value protected (VP = VALUE1 – VALUE2) and the cost for the fire fighting strategy. Calculate the benefit cost ratio.

· Compare many fire fighting strategies to pick the top strategy which offers the best benefit cost ratios.

Who Could Use the MRF Solution?

· Federal, Provincial/State forestry management agencies: They can use the MRF system to make better decisions. This will lead to better protection of people, assets, and timber resources at a lower cost.

· Utilities, Oil and Gas companies, and any organization that needs to operate in forested areas: They can use the MRF system with fuel grid, terrain, and historical weather information to simulate wildfires, the way it may spread, apply suppression methods, and develop plans to properly address wildfire risks.

· Cities and Towns: They can use the MRF system to develop plans to properly address wildfire risks, especially at the urban-forest interface.

Modeling the effect of fire suppression methods

Financial support from TECTERRA for the research, development, and commercialization of the MRF “Wildfire Management Decision Support System” is gratefully appreciated.

For more information about TECTERRA, please visit: www.tecterra.com