Idaho State Fire Plan GIS Data, Maps, and Reports

Abstract: Idaho communities at risk from wildfire, as listed in the Federal Register (August 17,2001).

Purpose: Assist land managers in prioritizing areas that would benefit from hazardous fuels reduction and community assistance programs. Listing is intended to focus management on priority areas, but does not determine whether a particular community receives funding.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006" to derive Communities At Risk From Wildland Fire of Idaho - Map 6B. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

Abstract: Idaho communities at risk from wildfire, as listed in the Federal Register (August 17,2001).

Purpose: Assist land managers in prioritizing areas that would benefit from hazardous fuels reduction and community assistance programs. Listing is intended to focus management on priority areas, but does not determine whether a particular community receives funding.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006". It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

Abstract: Aspect was used as a surrogate to characterize areas that are relatively drier, therefor have lower live/dead fuel moistures. If the effects of vegetation are ignored, it was assumed that fuel moisture varies according to aspect. That is, with all else being equal, fuels are typically drier on southwesterly aspects, and moister on northeasterly aspects. Relative fuel moisture was assigned to 3 aspect classes :

Azimuth (degrees) Relative Solar Radiation Relative Fuel Moisture

1 to 80; 351 to 360 low high

Flat; 81 to 170; 261 to 350 moderate moderate

171 to 260 high low

Excluding the effects of real-time weather, fire behavior is dependent upon the structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels; fuel moisture, and slope.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of relative wildland fire risk across the state of Idaho. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006", Map 5B. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: Aspect was used as a surrogate to characterize areas that are relatively drier, therefor have lower live/dead fuel moistures. If the effects of vegetation are ignored, it was assumed that fuel moisture varies according to aspect. That is, with all else being equal, fuels are typically drier on southwesterly aspects, and moister on northeasterly aspects. Relative fuel moisture was assigned to 3 aspect classes :

Azimuth (degrees) Relative Solar Radiation Relative Fuel Moisture

1 to 80; 351 to 360 low high

Flat; 81 to 170; 261 to 350 moderate moderate

171 to 260 high low

Excluding the effects of real-time weather, fire behavior is dependent upon the structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels; fuel moisture, and slope.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of relative wildland fire risk across the state of Idaho. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006", Map 5A. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: At best, predicting surface and canopy fuel loads from mid-scale data is problematic at best. The structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels are dependent upon the disturbance history of any given stand. Disturbance history includes natural processes (e.g., fire, wind, insects, and pathogens), as well as anthropogenic processes (e.g., silvicultural treatments and grazing practices). The only available proxy to the disturbance history (and consequently fuel loadings) available at a mid-scale level is the current structure and composition of vegetation (e.g., cover type, canopy cover, and size class). Unfortunately, the current structure and composition of vegetation is a very poor predictor of stand history. For example, stands having the same cover type, canopy cover, and size class may have substantially different histories; one could have been logged and the fuels cleaned up, and the other could have been impacted by mountain pine beetles.

Since the structure and composition of the current vegetation is a poor predictor of fuel loadings, we had Forest Service and BLM fuels specialist assign a very coarse qualitative ranking of "fuel hazard" (e.g., containment problems) to unique combinations of PVT and FBFM. The specific rule sets can be found in Table 24 of the "Idaho Interagency Assessment or Wildland Fire Risks to Communities: a Description of Methods". The specialists considered the following fire behavior attributes when making these assignments: ROS, fireline intensity, the potential for active crown fires, and the potential for spotting.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the relative fuel hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007" to derive Fuel Hazard - Map 5A . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: At best, predicting surface and canopy fuel loads from mid-scale data is problematic at best. The structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels are dependent upon the disturbance history of any given stand. Disturbance history includes natural processes (e.g., fire, wind, insects, and pathogens), as well as anthropogenic processes (e.g., silvicultural treatments and grazing practices). The only available proxy to the disturbance history (and consequently fuel loadings) available at a mid-scale level is the current structure and composition of vegetation (e.g., cover type, canopy cover, and size class). Unfortunately, the current structure and composition of vegetation is a very poor predictor of stand history. For example, stands having the same cover type, canopy cover, and size class may have substantially different histories; one could have been logged and the fuels cleaned up, and the other could have been impacted by mountain pine beetles.

Since the structure and composition of the current vegetation is a poor predictor of fuel loadings, we had Forest Service and BLM fuels specialist assign a very coarse qualitative ranking of "fuel hazard" (e.g., containment problems) to unique combinations of PVT and FBFM. The specific rule sets can be found in Table 24 of the "Idaho Interagency Assessment or Wildland Fire Risks to Communities: a Description of Methods". The specialists considered the following fire behavior attributes when making these assignments: ROS, fireline intensity, the potential for active crown fires, and the potential for spotting.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the relative fuel hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007" to derive Fuel Hazard - Map 5A . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: Anderson's (1982) fire-behavior fuel models were assigned to unique combinations of PVT, cover type, size class, and canopy density based upon field experience of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management ecologists.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of fuels models for assessing both the relative wildland fire risk and relative wildland fire hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007" to derive NFFL Fuel Model - Map 3 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: The Communities at Risk (CAR) assessment was intended to be used as a decision-support tool to assist with the prioritization of the National Fire Plan related projects across ownerships and jurisdictions throughout the state. These data should facilitate the collaboration process and should be of mutual benefit to all parties involved with implementation of the National Fire Plan.

Purpose: The overall objective of the CAR assessment was to identify (in a relative fashion) those communities that are most at risk from wildland fire in Idaho. The purpose of this document is to identify the analytical logic used to characterize those risks to Idaho communities. This document describes the methods (and assumptions) used to develop each of the spatial layers used in this assessment.

Secondary anticipated uses of the assessments produced from this analysis include (but are not limited to): (1) Providing data for County Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), Fire Management Plans (FMPs), Fire Planning Analysis (FPA), and large-scale interagency planning efforts; and (2) Providing supporting documentation to inform those making an effort to determine priorities for fuels programs, rural fire assistance programs, fire training and preparedness activities, and fire prevention programs.

Abstract: An ignition probability layer (fire density) was derived using an interpolation process (ArcInfo; pointinterp) of the fire start data. 2-km cells were used for the interpolation process because fire locations were commonly only reported to the nearest Public Land Survey Section (PLSS), approximately 1 square mile. Interpolation resulted in 2-km cells being attributed with the count of ignitions. Ignition probability was derived by classifying the density data into 5 classes (low to high) using the "natural break" algorithm included in ArcMap.

The values represent relative values that have been standardized between 0.0 and 1.0

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of Wildland Fire Ignition Probability. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4B. It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: An ignition probability layer (fire density) was derived using an interpolation process (ArcInfo; pointinterp) of the fire start data. 2-km cells were used for the interpolation process because fire locations were commonly only reported to the nearest Public Land Survey Section (PLSS), approximately 1 square mile. Interpolation resulted in 2-km cells being attributed with the count of ignitions. Ignition probability was derived by classifying the density data into 5 classes (low to high) using the "natural break" algorithm included in ArcMap.

The values represent relative values that have been standardized between 0.0 and 1.0

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of Wildland Fire Ignition Probability. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4B. It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: The Wildlife Spatial Analysis Lab (University of Montana) reprocessed the 2000 Census data for this assessment. They used a sequence of GIS filters to reassign people counted by the 2000 Census to map units that were smaller than the available block-level data. The first step involved redefining inhabited areas by excluding public lands, Plum Creek Timberlands, water features, railroad and highway corridors, steep slopes, and other local lands designated by the Census as being non-populated (e.g., commercial zones). The population counts within the inhabited areas were then redistributed using relative weights of percent slope and distance-from-roads. The weighting functions for slope and roads were determined using approximately 90,000 points representing homes that were obtained from county E911 databases (Kootenai and Idaho Counties, Idaho; Gallatin County, Montana) and electric meter locations provided by Flathead Electric Cooperative. For example, analysis of these data sets suggested that 99 percent of all people live within 1-mi of a road and on slopes less than 43 percent. Furthermore, 59 percent of all people live within 90-m of a road and on slopes less than 6 percent.

We reprocessed the above data by clipping it to the Idaho boundary and classifying it into 6 classes.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale human settlement patterns (i.e., population density) across the state of Idaho. They were used with a "at risk communities" point layer (buffered by 1 mile) identified by the Federal Register to characterize the wildland-urban interface.

They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", but was not displayed . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: Anderson's (1982) fire-behavior fuel models were assigned to unique combinations of PVT, cover type, size class, and canopy density based upon field experience of U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management ecologists.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of fuels models for assessing both the relative wildland fire risk and relative wildland fire hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007" to derive NFFL Fuel Model - Map 3 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: Relative rate of spread was determined based on the estimated predominate surface fuel model as described in Anderson’s "Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior (1982)". These models (1-13) are representative of surface fuels only and key in on fuels that would be the primary carriers of wildland fire (i.e., grass, brush, timber, and logging slash). ROS values were then standardized between 0.0 and 1.0.

The table below depicts how areas were rated based on fuel model

FBFM Rate of Spread (Chains/hour)

1 78

2 35

5 18

6 32

8 2

9 7

10 8

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the relative rate of spread (ROS) of wildland fire. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4C. It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: Relative rate of spread was determined based on the estimated predominate surface fuel model as described in Anderson’s "Aids to Determining Fuel Models for Estimating Fire Behavior (1982)". These models (1-13) are representative of surface fuels only and key in on fuels that would be the primary carriers of wildland fire (i.e., grass, brush, timber, and logging slash). ROS values were then standardized between 0.0 and 1.0.

The table below depicts how areas were rated based on fuel model

FBFM Rate of Spread (Chains/hour)

1 78

2 35

5 18

6 32

8 2

9 7

10 8

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the relative rate of spread (ROS) of wildland fire. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4C. It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: For this analysis, it was assumed that a relative measure of the risks to communities from wildland fire could be characterized by integrating relative wildland fire risk, relative wildland fire hazard, and wildland urban interface. That is, within the wildland urban interface, risks are directly associated with the probability that an area will burn, as well as the likely fire behavior that would occur if that area did in fact burn. It was assumed that burn probability and likely fire behavior would contribute equally to the risks to communities. Agriculture, rock, urban, and water were not assigned a burn probability or relative fire behavior. Consequently, by definition, communities within these cover classes would not be at risk from wildland fires. For those communities occurring within burnable areas, a community’s risk to wildland fire could be characterized as follows:

CAR = (WUI + Relative WildlandFireRiskstd + Relative WildlandFireHazardstd)/3

Using the three components mentioned above, RelFireRiskCommunities_ID_BLM, "Relative Risk to Communities from Wildland Fire in Idaho" was derived.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the risks of wildland fire to communities. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 2 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of the risk of wildland fire to communities for regional and subregional assessments. The data were intended to be used for prioritizing subwatershed for fuel treatment projects across the state of Idaho.

GENERAL LIMITATIONS

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

The expected accuracy of these data does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: For this analysis, it was assumed that a relative measure of the risks to communities from wildland fire could be characterized by integrating relative wildland fire risk, relative wildland fire hazard, and wildland urban interface. That is, within the wildland urban interface, risks are directly associated with the probability that an area will burn, as well as the likely fire behavior that would occur if that area did in fact burn. It was assumed that burn probability and likely fire behavior would contribute equally to the risks to communities. Agriculture, rock, urban, and water were not assigned a burn probability or relative fire behavior. Consequently, by definition, communities within these cover classes would not be at risk from wildland fires. For those communities occurring within burnable areas, a community’s risk to wildland fire could be characterized as follows:

CAR = (WUI + Relative WildlandFireRiskstd + Relative WildlandFireHazardstd)/3

Using the three components mentioned above, RelFireRiskCommunities_ID_BLM, "Relative Risk to Communities from Wildland Fire in Idaho" was derived.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the risks of wildland fire to communities. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 2 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of the risk of wildland fire to communities for regional and subregional assessments. The data were intended to be used for prioritizing subwatershed for fuel treatment projects across the state of Idaho.

GENERAL LIMITATIONS

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

The expected accuracy of these data does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: To determine the relative wildland fire hazard for this analysis, fuel hazard, expected fuel moisture (aspect), and slope effect on fire behavior were used. Fire behavior is dependent upon fuels (arrangement, composition, and structure - relatively constant), weather (variable), and topography (aspect/slope constant). For this analysis, relative fire hazard was analyzed excluding the effects of real-time weather condition. A rating of high displays areas where fires may be more difficult to control. Relative Wildland Fire Hazard was then derived using the standardize values for fuel hazard, fuel moisture (aspect), and fire intensity (slope):

Relative Wildland Fire Hazard = Fuel Hazard + Fuel Moisture + Fire Intensity/3

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of relative wildland fire hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 5 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: To determine the relative wildland fire hazard for this analysis, fuel hazard, expected fuel moisture (aspect), and slope effect on fire behavior were used. Fire behavior is dependent upon fuels (arrangement, composition, and structure - relatively constant), weather (variable), and topography (aspect/slope constant). For this analysis, relative fire hazard was analyzed excluding the effects of real-time weather condition. A rating of high displays areas where fires may be more difficult to control. Relative Wildland Fire Hazard was then derived using the standardize values for fuel hazard, fuel moisture (aspect), and fire intensity (slope):

Relative Wildland Fire Hazard = Fuel Hazard + Fuel Moisture + Fire Intensity/3

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of relative wildland fire hazard. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 5 . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: Relative Wildland Fire Risk (i.e., the likelihood that a given area will burn) was analyzed by integrating fire ignition data, fire weather data (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind), and potential rate-of-spread considering the dominant surface fuel model. It was assumed that areas were more likely to experience wildland fire if they were in locations having: (1) a higher ignition probability; (2) a higher frequency of extreme fire weather; and (3) fuels having higher rates-of-spread (ROS). All three variables contribute equally to burn probability. Also it was assumed that wildland fires do not occur on the following land cover classes; agriculture, rock, urban, and water. There were five classes rating relative wildland fire risk in Idaho from "low" to "high". Areas rated as "high" are likely to have more fire ignitions, higher rates of spread, and are relatively hotter, drier, and windier in August.

Relative Wildland Fire Risk = (Potential Fire Weather+Ignition Probability+ROS)/3

The derivation of each of these components to generate Relative Wildland Fire Risk is described in the metadata for each of those components.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of relative wildland fire risk across the state of Idaho. They were develped to be used for assessing the risks of wildland fire to communities and ecosystems within regional and subregional assessments.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006", Map 4. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

Genearl Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: Relative Wildland Fire Risk (i.e., the likelihood that a given area will burn) was analyzed by integrating fire ignition data, fire weather data (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind), and potential rate-of-spread considering the dominant surface fuel model. It was assumed that areas were more likely to experience wildland fire if they were in locations having: (1) a higher ignition probability; (2) a higher frequency of extreme fire weather; and (3) fuels having higher rates-of-spread (ROS). All three variables contribute equally to burn probability. Also it was assumed that wildland fires do not occur on the following land cover classes; agriculture, rock, urban, and water. There were five classes rating relative wildland fire risk in Idaho from "low" to "high". Areas rated as "high" are likely to have more fire ignitions, higher rates of spread, and are relatively hotter, drier, and windier in August.

Relative Wildland Fire Risk = (Potential Fire Weather+Ignition Probability+ROS)/3

The derivation of each of these components to generate Relative Wildland Fire Risk is described in the metadata for each of those components.

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns of relative wildland fire risk across the state of Idaho. They were develped to be used for assessing the risks of wildland fire to communities and ecosystems within regional and subregional assessments.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2006", Map 4. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

Genearl Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: Slope steepness was used to reflect effects on relative fire behavior. It was assumed the steeper the slope, the higher the fire intensity, assuming other variables remain constant (weather; wind; structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels; fuel moisture, etc.).

BehavePlus was used to model the relationship of fire intensity and slope.

Slope Class Percent Slope Fire Intensity Rating

1 0-10% Low

2 10-30% Low

3 30-60% Moderate

4 >60% High

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the effects of slope on wildland fire intensity. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 5C . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: Slope steepness was used to reflect effects on relative fire behavior. It was assumed the steeper the slope, the higher the fire intensity, assuming other variables remain constant (weather; wind; structure, composition, and arrangement of fuels; fuel moisture, etc.).

BehavePlus was used to model the relationship of fire intensity and slope.

Slope Class Percent Slope Fire Intensity Rating

1 0-10% Low

2 10-30% Low

3 30-60% Moderate

4 >60% High

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the the effects of slope on wildland fire intensity. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire hazard which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 5C . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: As used in this assessment, "fire weather" is analogous to "extreme fire weather potential" used by Schmidt et al. (2002). The 3 main components of fire weather include temperature, humidity, and wind. We used average maximum temperature and average humidity (vapor pressure) for the month of August from DAYMET (http://www.ntsg.umt.edu/); and average surface wind speed for August from the ICBEMP (www.icbemp.gov). These data were 1000-m and 9317-m resolution, respectively. We "smoothed" the wind data by resampling it to 1000-m resolution so that it would have a similar resolution as the temperature and humidity data.

A proxy for fire weather was then generated spatially by averaging the standardized values for the 3 weather variables:

Wx_potential = (max_temp + (1- rel_humidity) + rel_wind_ros) / 3

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of typical fire weather across the state of Idaho during August. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4A . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 90 meters

Abstract: As used in this assessment, "fire weather" is analogous to "extreme fire weather potential" used by Schmidt et al. (2002). The 3 main components of fire weather include temperature, humidity, and wind. We used average maximum temperature and average humidity (vapor pressure) for the month of August from DAYMET (http://www.ntsg.umt.edu/); and average surface wind speed for August from the ICBEMP (www.icbemp.gov). These data were 1000-m and 9317-m resolution, respectively. We "smoothed" the wind data by resampling it to 1000-m resolution so that it would have a similar resolution as the temperature and humidity data.

A proxy for fire weather was then generated spatially by averaging the standardized values for the 3 weather variables:

Wx_potential = (max_temp + (1- rel_humidity) + rel_wind_ros) / 3

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of typical fire weather across the state of Idaho during August. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative wildland fire risk which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 4A . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Abstract: For the purposes of this analysis, Wildland Urban Interface is mapped using 2000 Census data and the communities listed in Idaho as "at risk" in the 2001 Federal Register (Vol. 66, Number 160, August 17, 2001), buffered by 1 mile. There were weaknesses with both data sets; data representing "urban wildland communities" are commonly not incorporated communities, nor are they areas that can be precisely located from a geographic standpoint. The Census data accounts for permanent residences only; it does not account for seasonal residences (e.g., summer cabins and ski area condominiums), or residences occurring on public lands (e.g. leased cabin sites).

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the Wildland Urban Interface, and Inhabited Areas. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative fire behavior which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 6 ("Wildland Urban Interface"), and Map 6A ("Inhabited Areas") . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.

Resolution: 30 meters

Abstract: For the purposes of this analysis, Wildland Urban Interface is mapped using 2000 Census data and the communities listed in Idaho as "at risk" in the 2001 Federal Register (Vol. 66, Number 160, August 17, 2001), buffered by 1 mile. There were weaknesses with both data sets; data representing "urban wildland communities" are commonly not incorporated communities, nor are they areas that can be precisely located from a geographic standpoint. The Census data accounts for permanent residences only; it does not account for seasonal residences (e.g., summer cabins and ski area condominiums), or residences occurring on public lands (e.g. leased cabin sites).

Purpose: These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across Idaho of the Wildland Urban Interface, and Inhabited Areas. They were developed specifically for use in characterizing relative fire behavior which was then used to assess the risks of wildland fire to communities.

This dataset was used in the "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities, 2007", Map 6 ("Wildland Urban Interface"), and Map 6A ("Inhabited Areas") . It was created for the Statewide Interagency National Fire Plan Working Group to which the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Idaho is a member. It has also been used in other BLM planning efforts such as Resource Management Plans, Fire Management Plans, and NEPA analysis.

General Limitations

These data were designed to characterize mid-scale patterns across the state of Idaho at a scale of approximately 1:100,000. The use of these data at scales less than 1:100,000 is not recommended without field verification.

Although the resolution of this theme is a 90-m cell, the expected accuracy does not warrant its use for geographic extents smaller than approximately 10,000 acres. That is, these data were not designed to be used for "project level" assessments that typically require 1:24,000 scale data.