Forest Fire Analysis in Alaska Tom Stiles, Sarah Rockey, Adele Botha, Kevin Latschaw, Marisa Chong
To determine the direct correlations (if any) between certain factors that influence the frequency and occurrence of wildland fire in Alaska and how can these observations be used to predict or prevent future fires? Objective
Influence Factors Human Presence Vegetation Type (Fuel Type) Fire Management Practices Amount of Precipitation
Data Analyzed Human Influences Natural Influences Proximity to Road Population Density Fire Management Practices Natural Influences Vegetation Weather
Layers of Data Wildland Fires Vegetation Precipitation (Accumulated during Fire Season) Elevations Roads Fire Management Bodies of Water Cities Alaska Fire Management Options Buffer of Roads Roads near Fires Wildland Fires next to Roads Layers of Data
Human Presence
Vegetation Type
Fire Management Practices
Amount of Precipitation
Results 31,130,632 total acres burned in 1999 641,541 acres burned near cities 981,447 acres burned near roads 3% of fires are human caused 50 fires possibly caused by humans in 1999 97% are a result of natural causes Mostly Spruced Forest was Burned Majority of fires occurred in limited management zones
Boundary Fire, Alaska 2004
Alaska fire 2004
Donely Flats Fire, June 1999
Frostfire, Alaska July 1999
Kevinjik Fire July 1999
Solstice Complex Alaska 2004