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Proven Methodology Embodied in GIS and Remote Sensing Technologies The
Wildland Fire Risk Assessment System (WFRAS) is a well defined methodology for
describing fuels, assessing current fire risk, and analyzing fire prevention and
fuel treatment options for reducing future wildland fire risk. The methodology
offers fire managers tools to support effective fuels management, mitigation and
treatment options. -
Integrating Multi-Resolution Imagery to Derive Surface Fuel Models Sanborn’s
experience providing fire management support services is complemented by our related
experience in applying Remote Sensing and GIS technologies to develop methods
for landcover mapping and surface fuels model mapping. Sanborn is recognized
as an industry leader in landcover mapping, image classification and accuracy
assessment for government agencies and private industry. Sanborn's WFRAS methodology
supports a multi-scale approach for mapping fuels at the Wildland, Urban Interface
and Urban levels. Wildland fuels are mapped using Landsat TM imagery (30 meters)
as a baseline. Optionally, high-resolution multispectral imagery, such as Sanborn’s
IKONOS®, can be used to map Urban Interface and Urban fuels at 4 meters, and
1-meter resolution or less. The enhanced spatial mapping resolution of fuels
in the Urban Interface affords better delineation of urban and property features.
Both aerial and satellite data acquisition options are available depending on
the resolution and geographic extent of the assessment. The heart of the WFRAS offering is the Wildland Fire
Risk Model. Leading fire subject-matter experts and Sanborn developers built the
risk model to reflect the best wildland fire science available for fire protection
planning. The model is customized with a comprehensive GIS database, built specifically
for the client, with calculations to derive indices of Wildland Fire Susceptibility,
Fire Effects, Fire Response Accessibility and Wildland Fire Risk. The WFRAS
risk assessment model is customized with a comprehensive GIS database. This includes
data components for fire occurrence, fire behavior potential, suppression effectiveness,
fire effects and accessibility. The model is used to derive all key output, as
well as the indices. The interface allows users to evaluate input layers to derive
new results based on modified input data. This approach allows the user to generate
new results as conditions change and mitigation options are evaluated. This temporal modeling capability allows the fire
planner to estimate the effect of fuel treatments on fire risk for several years,
not just the year of initial fuel treatment. Planners can analyze the effectiveness
of fuels treatment measures and estimate the change expected in a specific fuel
model following a fuel treatment for a defined period of time. By applying
temporal fuel profiles, developed in collaboration with Sanborn’s subject
matter experts, the fire management planner can analyze the effectiveness of fuels
treatment measures over time, by estimating the change expected in the surface
fuel model following treatment for each year in a successive time period (typically
10-20 years but may vary depending on characteristics of the geographic area).
The fire manager can use this tool to identify an area of interest on the fuels
layer and modify the fuels based on local knowledge or pre-defined expert knowledge,
reflected in the custom fuel profiles. Once modified, the updated fuels
can be used to recreate the Wildland Fire Susceptibility Index and the Wildland
Fire Risk Index following a fuels treatment, such as prescribed burning, piling,
herbicide, etc., for any year desired. This capability also helps the fire planner
justify future fuels management activities and budgeting in support of future
funding. Learn
more about The GEOBOOK Author® The ability to share data and results
of a wildland fire risk assessment with other agencies, and especially the public,
is increasingly important. Our suite of Public Information Access Tools focuses
on communicating wildland fire risk concerns through interactive mapping websites,
and/or a custom GEOBOOK® application. The WFRAS GEOBOOK® is an ideal mechanism
for distributing project data and results in an intuitive book format. Internet
websites offer an interface for downloading project datasets, or simply viewing
map results through interactive Internet mapping services built using ESRI’s
ArcIMS software. A standard web mapping application can easily be customized to
provide query access to assessment results online.
The Sanborn approach is based on applying proven methods
for conducting wildland fire risk assessments, along with world-class subject-matter
expertise in fuels and fire management. Our technical and domain expertise is
unparalleled in the industry, due to a legacy of exclusive teaming relationships
with the leading fuels and fire protection experts in the fire discipline. Sanborn actively promotes and supports
local government by leveraging Federal funding opportunities designed to assist
regional and local fire management organizations and proactively manage fire risk.
Current options include FEMA Grant opportunities and National Fire Plan initiatives. | 
