Geographic Information System (GIS) software has been in use by natural resource managers for fire management for several years, but its usefulness is limited by the availability of geo-referenced and rectified images. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are now reaching a level of affordability and accuracy such that their use in the field is more common. Their usefulness is, however, still limited by the availability of geo-referenced, current images.

The integration of GIS and GPS in the field of fire management rapidly puts accurate information in the hands of those who need it. Accurate information leads to effective decision making, which is critical to fighting fires efficiently and safely. Imagine this: timely data obtained affordably that is accurate to within a meter from the most remote locations imaginable. To monitor an active fire, GPSI can provide images within 4 hours or less of an overflight.

GPS, GIS, and digital aerial imaging could be combined to place fire crews and resources where they are most needed. Using current digital aerial images, the locations of fire edges, hazardous areas, hotspots, water sources, and equipment are mapped. The location data is transferred to GPS units to find field locations, or to aerial images to produce briefing maps using GIS software. As fire locations change, a digital image overflight can provide an aerial photo base update allowing an accurate assessment of effectiveness of suppression efforts and helping set priorities, allocate resources, and evaluate risks associated with alternative courses of action.

Both time and money are of the essence in fire management. Consider using technology to your advantage. GPS technology integrated with digital aerial imaging, desktop mapping software, and pre-existing data sets can assist in making informed fire management decisions quickly, improving response time and effectiveness while saving valuable resources.

The knowledgeable technical staff at GPS Innovations is ready to introduce you to the technology, advise you on an application program, and show you how to collect data in new and economical ways.

Think of the Possibilities

What if you could have digital image data affordably and when it was needed?

What if the image was geo-referenced so fire crews could find a critical location quickly and accurately?

What if you could easily provide up-to-date fire perimeter location information to the public?

Imagine the results that might be produced for those time critical decisions.

Applications

Here are a few examples of how digital aerial imaging could be used to improve fire management.

Fire planning

• Monitor fuel buildup
• Map water sources and access points
• Plan potential base camp locations, drop points, and helicopter or ground vehicle assembly points
• Model past fire behavior to predict future behavior

Fire suppression

• Pinpoint fire location and controlled areas, and link to handheld GPS units
• Monitor fire progression
• Determine potential fire spread
• Identify hazardous areas
• Focus efforts on irreplaceable cultural, natural, and historical resources (e.g., critical wildlife habitat)
• Reduce physical reconnaissance efforts
• Save money by avoiding unnecessary tasks
• Produce briefing maps for fire crew and media
• Confirm observations with hard data

Post-fire management

• Create a fire history map
• Measure extent of damaged areas
• Determine cost apportionment within a fireshed
• Summarize fuel consumption and resource loss
• Analyze effectiveness of suppression efforts