Enhancing the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) for Modeling WUI Fires

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Enhancing the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) for
Modeling WUI Fires

• Derek McNamara
• GIS Analyst
• Coeur dAlene Tribe

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Presentation Overview

• Proposed Work
• Provision of Data (Modeled Surveyed)
• GIS Linkage
• Model Testing Validation
• Progress to Date

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Project Goals

• Provide FDS Group Spatial Data
• Remotely Sensed
• Detailed Ground Surveys
• Identify Minimum FDS inputs for WUI
• Parsimonious Dataset
• Structure Fuel Coding System
• GIS Database and Application Linkage
• Testing Model Outputs
• Model Validation Calibration

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What is GIS

• Spatial Data
• Storage Analysis
• Capture Manipulation
• Graphic Display
• Computer-assisted mapping Statistical Analysis

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Surveyed Structures

• 5907 Surveyed
• NFPA Form 1144
• Building Type
• Commercial Status
• Building Material
• Roofing Class
• Fuels Present
• Emergency Response
• Risk Ratings
• Location
• Photos

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Fuels Monitoring Mapping(FIREMON LANDFIRE)

• Vegetation, fuels, Tree Data
• Vegetation Datasets
• Vegetation Fuel-Classes
• Ground-Truth
• LANDFIRE
• 30 meter (Done)
• 1 meter (in Progress)

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Satellite Aerial Imagery
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Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)

• What is LiDAR?
• Remotely Sensed Elevation

• Why LiDAR?
• High Accuracy
• 15cm Vertical
• lt10cm Horizontal
• Cost Effective
• Many Applications

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LiDAR Products

• Digital Elevation Models
• Building Footprints
• Heights, Roof Type, Slope
• Tree Stem Locations
• Heights, crown radius, DBH
• Fire Barrier Locations
• Roads
• Parking Lots
• Dirt Patches
• Power Lines (?)

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Ancillary Data(Corporate GIS Database)

• Roads
• Power Line Poles
• Streams
• Railroads
• Communication Towers
• Etc

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New Surveys

• Ground-Truth
• Tree Stems and Derivatives
• Building Footprints
• Vegetation
• More Detailed Databases
• Vent Locations
• Smaller Structures
• Other Burnable Materials

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GIS Linkage(Loose Coupling)
ArcGIS Platform (2D 3D)
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Model Validation Testing

• Unique Challenges
• Fire Enter Tree Canopies
• Burn Structures
• Environmental Issues
• Test Difference
• FDS Outputs
• Determine Data
• Requirements

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LiDAR Initial Processing
Point Cloud Filtering
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Building Footprints(Maas, 1999 Dowman, 2003)
LiDAR Texture (Shape Outlines)
Multispectral Reflectance (Differentiation of
Features)
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Building Footprints

• Binary Classifications
• Combine Images
• Supervised Classifications
• Square-up Features
• Manual Clean-up

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Building Footprints(Buildings Surrounded by
Trees)
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Building Heights or Roof Types (What do we need?)
Roof Types (Plane Fitting Algorithms)
Building Heights (First Return Bare Earth)
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Tree Stem Locations and Derivatives

• University of Montana (Fire Lab)
• Tree Stem Locations
• Tree Height
• Crown Width
• DBH (?)
• Early Stages
• (No Products)

Duncan Lutes GIS on Fire Workshop Coeur dAlene
Tribe May 11-12, 2005 (FVS Output)
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Vegetation Classifications
LiDAR Spatial Statistics (Morphological Filters)
NAIP Multispectral Data

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Roads(Fire Barriers)

• Multispectral data
• Image Classification
• Less Manual Clean-up

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Where do we go from here?

• Finish with LiDAR and Multispectral Derivatives
• Learn FDS (Dataset Identification)!!!
• Develop GIS Applications
• Collect Detailed Survey Data
• Test FDS Outputs (Model Validation)

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Acknowledgements

• Eric Rowell (Fire Lab)!!!!!!
• Frank Roberts (CDA Tribe GIS Manager)
• James Twoteeth (CDA Tribe GIS Analyst)
• Berne Jackson (CDA Tribe Senior Analyst)
• NIST

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Questions?
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Project Justification

• Population growth rates.
• 1.9 increase in Idaho (2003-2004)
• No management tool for WUI.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) Linkage.
• Direction for further research.