Creating a Barrier

Barrier files can be created as lines or polygons on the Map pages. For instance, if you know that the creek is a barrier to surface fire spread, but landscape data show that the fuel models are all burnable in the area represented by the creek, you could create a barrier file. Keep in mind that fire barriers will block surface fire spread. However, torching trees could cause the fire to spot over the barrier (in reality as well as within the fire behavior model).

To create a barrier file:

Navigate to the map you want to add a barrier to:
- For incidents: Incident > select incident you want to add barriers for > click Assess Situation.
- For analyses: Analysis > select analysis you want to add barriers for > click View Information > Analysis Map.
To select the map layers you want to view and to see the map legend, click the Map tab > mark/unmark the appropriate checkboxes for the map layers you want to view. (Clicking the + sign next to the layer name expands the tree view.)
Select the map tool you want to use to create a shape on the map (line or polygon).
Place your cursor on the map where you want to start drawing, then click once.
Move the mouse to the end point, then double-click to release the tool. The shape turns yellow and has a temporary name.
Click the + to expand the Analysis layer.
Click the icon to the right of Barriers.
Enter a Name for the shape. Be sure to use descriptive names (e.g., Aspen Grove Creek).
Click Save. The temporary shape name changes to the one that you entered and appears in the tree view with a checkbox next to it.