One of the outputs of WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB) uses the Burn Start Date and Time to calculate the "snapshot in time", 1-hour time lag of dead fuel moisture values for each cell contained in the analysis area. BFB uses the previous 7 days' weather for the fuel moisture conditioning. The output values are in fractional format (e.g., 0.09, which is equal to 9%), and the output resolution is the same as that of the source landscape (30 x 30 meter).
One of the outputs of WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). BFB uses the analysis area's Burn Start Date and Time to calculate the "snapshot in time", 10-hour time lag of dead fuel moisture values for each cell contained in the analysis area. BFB uses the previous 7 days' weather for the fuel moisture conditioning. The output values are in fractional format (e.g., 0.18, which is equal to 18%), and the output resolution is the same as that of the source landscape (30 x 30 meter).
In WFDSS, the analysis area refers to the user-defined box drawn on a map that indicates the landscape used in the fire behavior analysis.
One of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Short Term Fire Behavior (STFB). It displays the number of hours it takes fire fire to reach that location on the landscape from the ignition source (point).
An FSPro-simulated season of ERC values.
One of the raster themes that make up the landscape file and contains values for topographic aspect. Aspect values are integer azimuth values (degrees clockwise from north).
The situation in which time series data is influenced by its own historical values, such as a current season's weather (ERC values) based on the last month's weather (ERC values).
One component of the total emergency fire suppression costs for fires; in FPA, AAC is used to compute suppression costs for fires contained at less than 300 acres.
BEHAVE is a system of interactive computer programs for modelling fuel and fire behavior. It has been in use since 1984 and was replaced by BehavePlus.
The BehavePlus fire modeling system is a PC-based program that is a collection of models that describe fire behavior, fire effects, and the fire environment. It replaced BEHAVE. This functionality is incorporated into WFDSS.
Burn period refers to the time of a fire's active burning (hours or minutes depending on application).
Burn probability is the probability that a specific geographic location (cell) will experience a wildland fire during a specified time period.
Canopy Base Height (CBH) is a raster theme in the Landscape File that is important for determining transition from surface fire to crown fire. CBH is a stand level descriptor and it should incorporate the effects of ladder fuels (if present) in increasing vertical continuity and assisting transition to crown fire.
For example, typically a mature, dense, multi-storied Spruce/Subalpine Fir stand would have a CBH of less than a meter while an open park of old growth Ponderosa Pine could have a CBH of 10 meters or more. Conditions in between these two extremes are more difficult to estimate. Values (in WFDSS Landscapes) are in meters with a precision of the fire behavior calculations limited to the nearest 1/10th meter.
Canopy Bulk Density (CBD) is one of the Landscape File raster themes that is needed to determine the characteristics of crown fires. CBD values (in WFDSS Landscapes) are decimal values in kilograms/meter cubed (kg/m3).
The canopy cover theme in the Landscape File is necessary for computing wind reduction factors and shading in the dead fuel moisture model (Nelson). Canopy cover is the horizontal percentage of the ground surface that is covered by tree crowns. It is a stand-level descriptor.
If the canopy cover theme has a value of zero for a cell then the data in the canopy bulk density, canopy base height and stand height themes are ignored for that cell in a simulation since the model assumes there is no tree cover for that cell.
Canopy Cover is NOT the same as crown closure. Canopy cover is measured as the horizontal fraction of the ground that is covered directly overhead by tree canopy. Crown closure refers to the ecological condition of relative tree crown density. Stands can be said to be "closed" to recruitment of canopy trees but still only have 40% or 50% canopy cover.
Factors that would preclude application of a strategy at a particular time or in a particular place. Constraints could include such things as topography, weather, wildland-urban interface, land management objectives, threatened and endangered species, national or local issues, etc.
Crown Fire Activity is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS BFB. The output indicates the type of fire calculated at any given cell and is displayed as 1 (surface fire), 2 (passive crown fire/torching), 3 (active crown fire) and 0 (no fire).
Since WFDSS BFB calculates fire behavior characteristics cell by cell, the crown fire activity of any cell is independent of any adjacent cells. This means active crown fire cannot "spread" cell to cell.
The change in moisture content of dead and downed woody surface fuels throughout time and topography is often critical to calculating fire behavior characteristics. In general, drier fuels increase fire spread rate, fireline intensity, and fuel consumption.
Department of Interior (DOI) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The composition and structural characteristics of the plant community on a site or ecological unit which meets land management plan or other management objectives (after FSH 2090.11); or those landscape conditions that are most conducive to ecosystem health based on long-term management objectives. Desired conditions can be the same as existing conditions. Desired conditions may also refer to the state of a site or ecological unit in relation to a desired process, such as fire return interval, rather than to a specific vegetative structure or composition of the unit.
The defined, typical size of a fire that is discovered in each Fire Management Unit. The entry is used as the starting fire size in the fire growth simulation.
A physical location from which fire resources respond. Dispatch locations must have facilities that support the fire resources and have a recurring operation and maintenance cost. Facilities must meet state and federal health, safety, and construction and access regulations.
The elevation theme is one of the raster themes that make up the Landscape File. In WFDSS its units are meters above sea level. The elevation theme is necessary for adiabatic adjustment of temperature and humidity and for conversion of fire spread between horizontal and slope distances.
Energy Release Component (ERC) is a number related to the available energy (BTU) per unit area (square foot) within the flaming front at the head of a fire.
Spatial or non-spatial data designated by stakeholder organizations as being corporate or national in nature and extent. Enterprise data is typically maintained, updated and utilized as an authoritative source of information. Only staff with appropriate authority, using formalized protocols can add to, change or delete enterprise data. FPA can access enterprise data at the national or geographic areas larger than Fire Planning Units (FPU).
Data center in South Dakota that is run by the US Geological Survey. This is where the WFDSS servers are physically located.
The Fire and Aviation Management Web Applications (FAMWEB) web site brings together a variety of applications, tools, and services related to interagency fire and aviation management managed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) and participating agencies. The website provides detailed information, data access, and application entry points for system users, interagency partners, providers, and the public.
FARSITE is a two-dimensional fire growth simulation model that simulates fire growth and fire behavior characteristics using spatial data under conditions of fine-scale weather heterogeneity. At this time FARSITE only exists as a PC-based application.
The number of acres burned before the fire was considered out.
Fire Behavior Specialist (FBS) is a designated user role within WFDSS that was formerly called the FSPro Analyst role. The name change reflects additionally fire behavior tools available in WFDSS. Users with this role should have fire behavior modeling experience, including knowledge of historic climate, NFDRS, and forecast weather information. In addition the FBS should have experience evaluating and modifying landscape files.
The elapsed time from the beginning of the modeled fire event until fire containment is achieved.
In the IRS module, the process by which the maximum number of fire resources are dispatched to an FWA, by Fire Dispatch Level and fire resource type
Prohibition on the use of particular fire resources specific to each fire management unit. Constraints are derived from direction provided in policy, law and/or local land management plans.
A generic term to describe fire management leadership, generally a direct cost component. Examples: District, Unit, Forest Fire Management Officers, Assistant and Deputy FMOs, Aviation Officers, Wildland Fire Use Specialists, etc.
A fire management position whose function it is to supervise line firefighters and manage IA and EA fires
Likelihood of a fire starting and then spreading, either outside its cell or pixel or spreading from an adjacent cell or pixel.
Resources available or potentially available that have a production function and directly contribute to the management of a fire. This does not include management and support.
A characteristic of a Fire Resource in FPA that requires the resource to be backed up by another Fire Resource.
The cost to purchase new fire resource equipment.
The intermediate level of the 3-part classification system applied to fire resources (Kind, Category, and Type). Ex: Kind of fire resource: Equipment. Category: Engine. Type: 3.
Based on Fire Resource Category and Kind, further defines a fire resource, e.g. a type 6 engine.
Fire Spread Probability (FSPro) is a web-based (within the Wildland Fire Decision Support System) geospatial model that calculates the probability of fire spread from a current fire perimeter or ignition point for a specified time period. It requires GIS landscape data (LCP file) as provided by LANDFIRE or other sources. Additionally the application requires data from a representative RAWS station so as to develop a historical data set relative to wind and ERC.
Personnel positions that are not "management", but are considered "fire specific activities or positions." These include dispatchers, cache workers, timekeepers, etc.
Fireline Intensity is the rate of energy or heat release per unit length of fire front, regardless of its depth. Fireline Intensity (in the direction of the maximum rate of spread) is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior(BFB). Fireline Intenstity units are displayed in the BFB legend as kilowatts/meter.
Flame Length is the distance from the ground at the leading edge of the flame to the tip of the flame. It is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). In WFDSS Flame Length units are displayed in the BFB legend as meters.
FlamMap is a two-dimensional, non-temporal fire behavior modeling system. It can be viewed as a "spatial BehavePlus" because it simply makes BehavePlus-like fire behavior calculations (for one instant in time) for all points on a landscape or analysis area using one set of wind and fuel moisture conditions. FlamMap exists as a stand-alone computer program (version 3) and an automated version implemented in WFDSS (Basic Fire Behavior). An updated stand-alone version is planned (version 5).
See Basic Fire Behavior.
FlamMap's Minimum Travel Time (MTT) is a (PC-based) two-dimensional fire growth model that calculates fire growth and behavior by searching for the set of pathways with minimum spread times from a point, line, or polygon ignition source, keeping environmental (fuel moistures and winds) conditions constant for the duration of the simulation. MTT is implemented in the stand-alone FlamMap (version 3 and the planned version 5). There is also an automated version in WFDSS (Short Term Fire Behavior).
NWCG Definition: A land management area definable by objectives, management constraints, topographic features, access, values to be protected, political boundaries, fuel types, major fire regime groups, etc. that set it apart from the characteristics of an adjacent FMU. The FMU may have dominant management objectives and pre-selected strategies assigned to accomplish these objectives.
Foliar moisture content is the moisture content of live foliage. It is a factor affecting crown fire initiation in fire modeling systems.
Moisture content of live foliage, a factor affecting crown fire initiation in fire modeling systems.
The Fuel Model theme is one of the raster themes that make up the Landscape File. The surface fuel model theme in the Landscape File must specify an integer index to a fuel model. Landscapes in WFDSS use the original standard 1-13 fuel models (Anderson 1983) and/or the new 40 standard models (Scott and Burgan, 2005).
Fuel moisture conditioning allows dead fuel moisture values to be adjusted based on aspect, elevation, forest canopy cover, and previous weather.
Conditioning dead fuel moistures prior to doing a Basic Fire Behavior (BFB) or Short Term Fire Behavior (STFB) analysis is very important. The desktop version of FlamMap requires the user to provide wind (.wnd) and weather (.wtr) files to "condition" fuels. Fortunately WFDSS BFB amd STFB do this conditioning automatically by retrieving RAWS observations for the 7 days prior to the analysis date.
The models (WFDSS BFB and STFB) calculate separate dead fuel moistures for each landscape cell based on the topography and shading from forest canopy cover and clouds as well as the recorded weather (precipitation, high and low temperatures and high and low relative humidity values) for the previous 7 days. The dead fuel moistures that have been calculated by the start date and time of the analysis are what are used to determine the outputs in WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior and Short Term Fire Behavior.
Weather data compiled for every grid cell within a spatial domain.
Gridded wind vectors are spatial wind field grids that are useful for examining and calculating fire spread in complex terrain where winds are modified by topography. Modeling fire behavior with complex wind and terrain interactions can produce more realistic fire behavior results. For example, when using gridded winds, ridgetop winds will typically be stronger than winds in the valley bottom.
The desktop versions of FARSITE and FlamMap require that these gridded winds be generated outside of the model (using the computer programs WindNinja or WindWizard) and then used as inputs to the model. Fortunately this process is automated in WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB) and Short Term Fire Behavior (STFB). In WFDSS the user can choose to accept the forecasted windspeed and direction or input values of the user's choice. The WindNinja model then utilizes these values to calculate the gridded winds based on the landscape terrain as well as the vegetation surface (grass, shrub or forest). The gridded wind vector resolution used in WFDSS is 200 meters.
Heat per Unit Area is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). Its units are displayed in the BFB legend as kilojoules per meter squared (kJ/m2).
In NFDRS, herbaceous fuel moisture is a calculated value representing the approximate moisture content of the live herbaceous vegetation in the area expressed as percentage of the oven dry weight of the sample.
A histogram is a bar graph of a frequency distribution in which the widths of the bars are proportional to the classes into which the variable has been divided and the heights of the bars are proportional to the class frequencies.
Incident Objectives are objectives specific to the particular incident. They are precise statements that reflect tactical accomplishment milestones to be accomplished on the incident. Incident Objectives deal with small, site-specific areas and may be limited to short time periods, such as a single operational period (< 24 hours), but can be extended for multiple operational periods. Incident Objectives can serve as a means for tracking incident accomplishments and workload demand thresholds.
Incident Requirements are developed by the local unit to provide management organizations direction in incident management. They are recommended technical and scientific specifications for management activities and/or potential actions to help achieve objectives for a site-specific area and defined time period. They provide the foundation, framework, and limitations/challenges for potential management activities.
An expense that is necessary for operations and not attributable to a specific program or output, such as personnel costs for employees involved in administration that support more than one program or output, including salary, benefits, training and travel. Also includes, material, supplies and equipments costs incurred by more than one program area. Reference: FSH 1909.13 and FSH 5109.19 CH 10 (draft).
Expands the Initial Attack definition to include the response and associated workload with wildland fire responses in the broad context of Appropriate Management Response.
The amount of heat a fire emits.
The objectives set forth in an approved Land Management Plan, Resource Management Plan, Fire Management Plan, or other guiding document that provide the basis for the fire management program in a designated area. The objectives identify the need for and use of fire role in a particular area and for a specific benefit. Not all land management objectives are directly related to the fire management program.
Ownership information contained within the landscape inventory; includes federal, state, municipal, and private ownership.
The landscape extent in WFDSS refers to the box that has been drawn on a map by the user for which fire behavior modeling will be conducted.
The Landscape File (LCP) used in WFDSS contains all of the the rasterized data themes (elevation, slope, aspect, surface fuel model, canopy cover, forest stand height, canopy base height, and canopy bulk density) needed to run geospatial fire behavior applications.
Part of the Lat/Long location identification.
Live fuels are typically divided into two categories: herbaceous and woody. Live fuels in general refer to naturally occurring fuels whose moisture content is controlled by physiological processes within the plant.
Part of the Lat/Long location identification.
WFDSS Short Term Fire Behavior (STFB)'s major paths show only the most significant fire spread pathways.
Management Requirements are derived from land and resource management plan and fire management plan standards and guidelines information. They represent the recommended technical and scientific specifications for management activities and/or potential actions to help achieve objectives across broad areas in general terms. They provide the foundation, framework, and limitations/challenges for potential management activities. Management Requirements are not commitments or final implementation decisions.
Example statements:
(a) Are not forested;
(b) Are adjacent to a well-maintained forest road (36 CFR 212.1);
(c) Have less than 5 percent slope; and
(d) Are 100 feet or more from all bodies of water, wetlands, and trails.
Maximum Spread Direction is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). Its units are displayed in the BFB legend as Radians.
National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) consists of gridded forecasts of "sensible weather elements" (e.g., cloud cover, maximum temperature). The database contains a seamless mosaic of digital forecasts from National Weather Service field offices working in collaboration with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
In WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior and Short-Term Fire Behavior, NDFD wind data are obtained using the center of the landscape extent (analysis area). The weather data are based on the location of the the WFDSS-selected RAWS.
NFDRS is a uniform fire danger rating system that focuses on the environmental factors controlling moisture content of fuels.
Fire Resources funded at the national level that FPUs may include in their FPU analyses (e.g., smoke jumpers, air tankers, national helicopters)
National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) consists of gridded forecasts of "sensible weather elements" (e.g., cloud cover, maximum temperature). The database contains a seamless mosaic of digital forecasts from National Weather Service field offices working in collaboration with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
In WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior and Short-Term Fire Behavior, NDFD wind data are obtained using the center of the landscape extent (analysis area). The weather data are based on the location of the the WFDSS-selected RAWS.
Refers to any entity that is not a federal government agency. This could include state organization, counties, local governments, independent fire departments, and organizations like The Nature Conservancy.
See incident objectives.
See Strategic Objectives.
Refers to any of the levels (national, region, state, forest, refuge, park, district, agency, tribe, state, or other local) generally with a line officer or leader with responsibility for fire protection.
The combination of Fire Resource Kind, Category, and Types split into Groups with similar attributes, such as Type 1 and Type 2 engines that are used primarily for structure protection.
The rate at which fire line containing a fire's spread is produced by a particular type of initial attack forces. For ground forces, the entry is chains per hour. For aerially delivered retardant or water, the entry is the typical aircraft load in hundreds of gallons (1200 gallons = "12").
Within an FPU, the portion for which an FPU partner has responsibility for responding to wildland fires.
Used with reference to engines. The typical amount of time that a particular type engine can pump water from its own supply during the initial attack action.
Rate of Spread is the linear rate of advance of a fire front in the direction perpendicular to the fire front. It is one of the outputs calculated by WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). The maximum rate of spread for each grid cell of the Landscape File is calculated and displayed in the BFB legend as meters/min.
A RAWS is a GOES satellite telemetered weather station (often in a remote location) that transmits hourly observations 24 times per day used mainly to observe potential wildfire conditions.
A user-defined weather station representative of the FMU for the purpose of defining breakpoints for Fire Dispatch Levels and WFU events.
The effect a fire has on the environment in which it burns
The slope theme is one of the raster themes that make up the Landscape File. The units are in integers of degrees of inclination from the horizontal. The slope theme is necessary for computing slope effects on fire spread and solar radiance.
Solar radiation is one of the outputs calculated in WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB). It contains the solar radiation as calculated on the user-selected Burn Date and Time using a 7 day fuel moisture conditioning period. Solar radiation is expressed as Watts per square meter (W/m2).
Spatial 'masks' that are predefined in the system based on common query frameworks, such as agency boundaries, regional boundaries, state boundaries, etc. The user would select one or more of these masks to extract information from the system.
Stand height is a raster theme in the Landscape File that is used for computing wind reduction to midflame height and spotting distances from torching trees. This value is not that of the tallest tree nor an average height of all trees. A good estimate at stand height would be the average height of the dominant and co-dominant trees in a stand. Values (in WFDSS Landscapes) are in meters with a precision of the fire behavior calculations limited to the nearest 1/10th meter.
Forest Service money distributed to individual states provides technical and financial assistance to enhance readiness capability at the state and local levels and to support fire reduction projects in the wildland-urban interface on Federal (Forest Service-managed) or state land.
Is assigned to every wildland fire and is entered on a fire report by the responsible land management agency. Statistical causes are: Lightning, Equipment Use, Smoking, Campfire, Debris Burning, Railroad, Arson, Children, and Miscellaneous.
These are broad statements, specified in land and resource management and fire management plans that identify changes in water, soil, air, or vegetation from the present to proposed conditions but can also describe an existing resource condition that should be maintained. Objectives deal with large areas over long time periods and project intended outcomes of management activities that contribute to the maintenance or achievement of desired conditions.
Regression equation that calculates the expected suppression cost of a large fire (greater than 300 acres) given its characteristics.
An administrative part, such as a Ranger District, of the Planning Unit.
Quantities that represent or trace the values taken by a variable over a period of time such as a month, quarter, or year. Time series data occurs whenever the same measurements are recorded on a regular basis.
Provides a fully functional WFDSS application in a "sandbox" environment. This system allows students, trainers, and others to run scenarios and to familiarized themselves with WFDSS without affecting the real data.
Unit Identification of an agency.
Basic fire behavior analysis that is run without the assistance of a fire behavior specialist.
Personal, municipal, state, or federal property found in a particular locale. This list includes, but is not limited to, cultural assets, threatened and endangered species habitat, utility infrastructures.
Personal, municipal, state, or federal property that is near the predicted path of a wildland fire. This list includes, but is not limited to, cultural assets, threatened and endangered species habitat, utility infrastructures. Fire spread probability analyses help managers determine the likelihood of a particular asset being damaged by an incident.
Personal, municipal, state, or federal property that is in the predicted path of a wildland fire. This list includes, but is not limited to, cultural assets, threatened and endangered species habitat, utility infrastructures. Fire spread probability analyses help managers determine the likelihood of a particular asset being damaged by an incident.
Wildland Fire Decision Support System. This decision support system is intended to assist wildland fire managers in assessing risks and fire behavior during an event.
The automated version of WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior (BFB) is a very simple way to get "snapshot in time" fire behavior outputs for every cell of an analysis area. It can be thought of as a "spatial BEHAVE" (or BehavePlus). BFB is web-based and is essentially an automated version of FlamMap Basic (desktop).
The live system where actual wildland fires are recorded, tracked, and reported. This system is used in analyzing real events and should not be used to create "what-if" scenarios or for practice. Users who abuse the system will be barred from the system and their supervisors will be notified.
WFDSS Short Term Fire Behavior (STFB) is a two-dimensional fire growth model. This web-based (mostly automated) application calculates spread rates and maximum spread direction at each cell. Using one set of wind and fuel moisture conditions, it provides potential fire spread (arrival times and major paths) for a user-defined length of time. STFB is essentially a web-based version of FlamMap's Minimum Travel Time (MTT) which is a desktop application.
WindNinja is a computer program that computes spatially varying wind fields (gridded winds) for wildland fire application. It requires elevation data for the modeling area, a domain-mean initial wind speed and direction, and specification of the dominate vegetation in the area. It can be downloaded from FireModels.org.
WFDSS Basic Fire Behavior and Short-Term Fire Behavior use a version of WindNinja to generate gridded winds at 200 meter resolution.
In NFDRS, woody fuel moisture is a calculated value representing the approximate moisture content of the live woody vegetation in the area expressed as percentage of the oven dry weight of the sample.