Relative Wildland Fire Risk of Idaho

Relative Wildland Fire Risk of Idaho

Frequently-asked questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title:
Relative Wildland Fire Risk of Idaho

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.

Supplemental information:
We resampled ignition probability and fire weather to 90-m to smooth the data's appearance and match the resolution of the ROS data, and then standardized their values between 0.0 and 1.0.  Relative Wildland Fire Risk was then derived by averaging the standardized values of ignition probability, fire weather, and ROS.

  1. How should this data set be cited?

    Documentation "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities" approved by Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group. Assessment completed by Jeff Jones, Landscape Ecologist, Flathead National Forest, Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group, 2007, Relative Wildland Fire Risk of Idaho: U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) , Boise, Idaho, USA .

    Online links:
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    Bounding coordinates:
    West: -117.568245
    East: -110.622168
    North: 49.057360
    South: 41.920974

  3. What does it look like?

    Thumbnail image:

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Calendar date: 2004
    Currentness reference:
    publication date

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial data presentation form: map

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

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Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

    • Documentation "Idaho Interagency Assessment of Wildland Fire Risk to Communities" approved by Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group. Assessment completed by Jeff Jones, Landscape Ecologist, Flathead National Forest
    • Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

    Jones, Landscape Ecologist, Flathead National Forest; Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
    ID956 Geographic Sciences
    1387 South Vinnell Way
    Boise, ID 83709
    USA

    208-373-4000 (voice)
    208-373-3949 (FAX)
    Hours of Service: M-F, 8-4:30 MST
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Why was the data set created?

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.

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How was the data set created?

  1. Where did the data come from?

  2. What changes have been made?

    Burn probability was developed through the integration of ignition probability, fire weather, and rate-of spread.  These data were first standardized between 0.0 and 1.0  Burn probability was calculated using the following equation in Rastor Calculator in ArcMap:
    
    Burnprob = (Ignitprobstd + Firewxstd + ROSstd)/3

    Person responsible for change:
    Jeff Jones
    Flathead National Forest
    Landscape Ecologist
    Flathead National Forest
    1935 3rd AV. E
    Kalispell, MT 59906
    USA

    406-758-5341 (voice)
    Hours of Service: 8-4:30, M-F, MST

    Date: Unknown (change 2 of 2)
    Source data reprojected from IDTM NAD27 to IDTM NAD83
    Dataset Copied, Metadata Imported
    Source data projected from IDTM NAD27 to IDTM NAD83, nearest neighbor
    
    Project GRID in  out  # Nearest 90  (source)
     OUTPUT
     Projection    TRANSVERSE
     Datum         NAD83
     Zunits        NO
     Units         METERS
     Spheroid      GRS1980
     Xshift        0.0000000000
     Yshift        0.0000000000
     Parameters
     0.99960000 
     -114  0  0.000 
      42  0  0.000 
      2500000.00000 
      1200000.00000 
      END

    Person responsible for change:
    Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
    GIS Specialist
    Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
    1387 S. Vinnell Way
    Boise, ID 83709
    USA

    208-373-4000 (voice)
    Hours of Service: 8-4:30, M-F, MST

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How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    No formal test performed

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    < 100000

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    No formal test performed

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How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access constraints: Public - distributed on http://inside.uidaho.edu/
Use constraints:
No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management  as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of these data  for individual use or aggregate use with other data.

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.

This data set is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness or a particular purpose.  The user assumes all responsibility for the accuracy and suitability of this dataset for a specific application.  In no event will the creators or USDA Forest Service be liable for any damages, including lost profits, lost savings, or other incidental or consequential damages arising from the use of or inability to use this data set.  Use of these data may require the ability to read ArcInfo Grid datasets.  

Although the resolution of the Burn Probability 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.

Distributor 1 of 1

  1. Who distributes the data set?

    Bruce Godfrey
    Idaho Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
    GIS Specialist
    Box 442350
    Moscow, ID 83844-2350

    208.262.2076 (voice)
    bgodfrey@uidaho.edu

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Static Maps

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Idaho Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. 

  4. How can I download or order the data?

  5. Is there some other way to get the data?

  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?

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Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20070731

Metadata author:
Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
Geographic Sciences
1387 South Vinnell Way
Boise, Idaho 83709
USA

(208) 373-4000 (voice)
Hours of Service: 8-4:30, M-F MST

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata(FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Metadata extensions used:
  • http://www.esri.com/metadata/esriprof80.html

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