Mission Canyon Fire Prevention Eli Kersh-Oliva Delwin Leung Viviane Vincent Peter Thermos Tyler Eck

Mission Canyon

Data Sources Santa Barbara County Fire Captain David Neels Dr. Dar Roberts Dr. Ray Smith

Original Objective of Project To create a potential fire hazard map using a combination of variables in a predictive model. Vegetation, Slope, Streets and Houses would be used to determine areas of high risk. The final map would provide the fire department with a tool to identify areas that needed greater attention. To provide the MCPA with visual aids to create general public awareness.

Original Methods of Project Mapping of the Mission Canyon through the use of: Overlays Buffer Proximity Euclidian Distance Resample Reclassify Multicriteria Decision Making (AHP) Raster Calculator

Data Layers & Maps

DEM

Slope

Roads Layer

Euclidian Distance Layer

What Went Right Excellent advice from faculty and County Fire included: Dr. Ray Smith, David Neels and Dar Roberts. Once we had the data layers, our group was able to work with the data effectively. Highly motivated group members and great group chemistry throughout the project.

What Went Wrong Coordinating data between agencies was very difficult. We encountered many problems during this process. Accuracy of data was a major issue, especially with the vegetation layer. 30 meter resolution was the best that we could possible use and create.

What Else Went Wrong “It’s a good idea to use AHP, though software access will have to be worked out.” -Dr. Goodchild

AHP 1 Original template that we worked with.   Structure Distance to Vegetation Structure Distance to Road Slope Vegetation type 1 Vegetation Type Original template that we worked with.

Structure further than 300 feet from roadway AHP   Fuel Risk Structure further than 300 feet from roadway Slope 1 8 1/7 1/8 1/6 7 6   David Neels’ estimate: AHP Matrix

AHP Final weights that were used: x=[1,8,.14286;.125,1,.16667;7,6,1] 0.2180 0.0574 0.7247

Hazardous Area Map

Key Lessons Coordination with agencies and faculty. Simplifying the methods. Using real-world situation to create useful and informative maps for public and private use.

Recommendations Fire risk needs to become the central issue of all future development and planning of Mission Canyon. Identifying extremely high fire danger that would be potential candidates of brush clearance. Greater public awareness for residents.