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Fire Risk Assessment
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Wildfire Risk Assessment and Strategic Emergency Planning
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Wildfire risk assessment and strategic emergency response planning are quickly becoming
the critical component of community planning in fire-prone western states. Strategic plans
for both emergency response and fire mitigation or fuels reduction are of particular
importance for the Wildland/Urban Interface (WUI) as the inevitability of catastrophic
wildfire looms.
Traditionally, survey teams with available maps are deployed in selected areas to gather
information on structures, forest composition, ground cover, roads, and potential hazards,
often manually updating obsolete GIS information in the process. Data is then manually
interpreted and reports are generated. In a limited geographic context this process may suffice.
For larger projects, requiring timely results, ground-based survey methods without remote
sensing support are challenged.
Utilizing high resolution QuickBird Imagery and advanced remote sensing techniques, wildfire
risk assessment and emergency planning can now take advantage of cutting edge technology. Rapid
and accurate regional analysis derived from current imagery brings source data in line with
reality. Refined remote sensing techniques offer rapid and accurate assessment results for
emergency planning and mitigation prioritization.
SciTek has identified and organized specific capabilities into a useful application suite
addressing the primary requirements of regions and communities in search of rapid and cost
effective wildfire risk assessment and emergency planning solutions.
Identification, mapping, and assessment of all wildfire risks within a given area of interest
Rapid mapping and assessment of large geospatial areas regardless of housing density,
terrain or ecosystems
Accurate mapping and assessment analyses independent of existing GIS data
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Wildfire Risk Assessment Application Overview
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The Wildfire Risk Assessment product suite is organized into 3 distinct application modules
that address unique components of risk assessment as they pertain to strategic emergency and
mitigation planning. Data extracted and identified for these purposes are then ranked according
to hazard risk and spatial proximity to targeted communities. The resulting composite
community/hazard ranking list provides critical data to agencies creating strategic emergency
plans and targeting limited mitigation dollars to where fuels reduction programs will do the
most good.
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Emergency Response Planning
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Data extracted supporting primary strategic emergency planning include:
Rivers
Primary and secondary roads
Structures
Roof composition
Community delineation
Priority protection sites
Potential water sources
Potential safety zones, staging, and evacuation areas
Geo-hazards such as topographical chimneys and restricted canyons
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Composite map example showing roads, rivers, structure location with roof composition
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Wildfire Mitigation Support
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Data extracted supporting mitigation efforts are derived from composite crown cover mapping
that identifies locations of high-density small-diameter timber stands, locations of other
closed canopy stands, and a general tree unit inventory.
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Composite crown cover map delineating location of high desity timber stands in proximity
of rural community
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The community risk composite map and data base is derived from spatial proximity analysis
of all hazards and values. With end result being a prioritized risk list of communities and
possible hazardous fuels reduction projects.
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Proximity map of communities with 1/4 mile buffer zones, high density timber units,
riparian areas, and potential safety zones.
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