LANDFIRE-Fuel Product Descriptions

The Fuel Loading Model (FLM) surface fuel classification system characterizes wildland surface fuel. FLMs provide a simple and consistent way for managers to describe onsite fuel for input into fire behavior and effects software. FLMs contain representative loading for each fuel component (e.g., woody and non-woody) for typical vegetation classification systems. They characterize fuel loading across all vegetation and ecological types.

To develop FLM classes, maximum soil surface heating and total PM2.5 emissions were simulated for a large set of surface fuelbeds sampled across the contiguous United States. The simulated effects were then grouped into ten Effects Groups using a statistical clustering routine. Finally, classification tree analysis was used to predict duff, litter, fine woody debris (FWD) and log load that resulted in the soil heating and emissions seen in each of the Effects Groups.

The FLM layer may be used to prioritize fuel treatment areas, evaluate fire hazard and potential status, and examine fuel loading characterizations. It may be used as input into wildland fire simulation software.

Attribute Table

Attribute tables for LANDFIRE grid data are available on the Data Distribution Site. Generally, these attribute tables provide information pertaining to the grid class value along with class descriptions or labels for these values. Attribute tables, such as the Existing Vegetation Type, provide additional attribute fields that can provide crosswalk links to other classification themes. Color mapping fields are also provided within the attribute tables, providing a standardized, consistent LANDFIRE color mapping schema for these data layers. The attribute files are in comma separated value (csv) format that can be easily converted to other formats to meet user needs.

The attribute tables are provided as a convenience as calculations with grid data will automatically drop attributes. For example, if a grid is clipped, the rowid, value, and count are the only attributes retained. Attribute fields can be reattached to the grid using a join attribute function having the "value" attribute as the link.