Our Contribution -
As part of the National Fire Plan, we will provide land managers with
current fuel load information and fire weather predictions, modify and
improve decision tools to be more effective in fire prevention and fuel
management, and facilitate community fire preparedness and public
understanding and acceptance of fire management practices.
Fuels Monitoring
Systematic assessments of fuel loading and fire risk across all forests,
nationwide, do not exist. Our goal is to collect such data so that it may
be used to assess fuel conditions, formulate fire and fuels management
policy, and gauge the effectiveness of such policies.
Fire Weather Dynamics
We are working on refining current weather models to improve forecasts of
fire weather and smoke transport. An increased level of forecast accuracy
allows fire managers to place resources where they are critically needed
and improves information for firefighter safety.
Decision Analysis Tools
Our scientists are exploring what factors within natural ecosystems affect
fire risk. This information can then be linked with information on where
people live to create maps indicating what geographic areas are most
vulnerable to wildfire damage.
Other efforts are directed at learning when and where fuel reduction
efforts should be applied to obtain the greatest fire risk reductions at
the lowest cost and determining the ecological and social consequences of
these treatments.
Community Preparedness and Interactions
We are studying the aesthetic impact and social acceptability of fire
management restoration and treatments applied after the fire has been
controlled. With this information managers can more effectively
communicate with people about fire and fire management treatments to
minimize controversies and strengthen constituencies.
We are investigating how land management and land use changes affect
the impact of fire on the human and ecological communities forming the
landscape mosaic. Land managers will understand how vegetation management
and human community development can be used to reduce the risk of
catastrophic fire.
What strategies can communities adopt to increase the effectiveness of
fire management programs for different types of communities and
landscapes. In a series of case studies, researchers will examine the
successful actions and preparations of communities who have lived through
catastrophic fires.
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