1. = + + = + Beyond Condition Class:
Using GIS Analysis to Prioritize Landscape Treatment Areas
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
We wanted to know how we could visualize the cumulative effects of high hazard, high ignition risk, high ecological need for fire, and other possible analyses. The resulting Landscape Treatment Analysis is a tool for helping fire managers determine where we could use fire, or where we might need to use other options such as mechanical thinning.
Hazard Model
Ignition Risk Model
Ecological Value Model
Potential
Landscape
Treatment Areas
Physical situation with potential to cause harm
Chance of Fire Occurring
Ecological Value measured by Fire Return Interval Departure (FRID)
VEGETATION
RECLASS
DEM
Fire Ignition Occurrence
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
Aspect
45-135,
0-45,
Elevation (m)
1-1524
Slope
40-90
0-10
HISTORIC FIRE RETURN INTERVALS ?
Density Function (Kernal method, radius 2200 meters)
Reclass Results – Ignitions per 1000 acres per Year
Intersection of Models
Identifies Areas Needing Review
RECLASS
VEGETATION
CATEGORY
RI max
Foothill Chaparral 60
Foothill Hardwoods and Grasslands 17
Giant Sequoia Groves 16
Lodgepole Pine Forest
163
Meadow 65
Mid-elevation Hardwood Forest 23
Montane Chaparral 75
No (or missing) Data
100
Ponderosa - Mixed Conifer Forest 6
Red Fir Forest 50
Subalpine Conifer Forest
508
White Fir Mixed Conifer Forest
Xeric Conifer Forest
Not all model inputs are shown in this poster
RECLASS
FUELS
WUI Interface
HIGH
MODERATE
LOW
Fuels
4,10,15
1,2,3,5,6,9,14,16,17
8,18
Where are Developments?
RImax= Historic Fire Return Interval (# of Years)
Low Hazard
High Hazard
Area of
Developments
Buffer distance
Road Accessibility Classes
Presence or Absence = 0 or 1
0 or 1 – Multiply by Hazard for Weighted Result
Historic Fire Perimeters
Nodata = 1899
Apply Weights to Hazard Inputs
2003-FireYear = Time Since Last Fire (TSLF) =
TSLF-RImax
RImax
FIRE RETURN
INTERVAL DEPARTURE
Fuels + Slope + Aspect + Elevation + Roads = HAZARD
Area of High Hazard,Risk,& Values + + =
The result is not intended to be used to determine where we should do prescribed fire or mechanical thinning, but to draw attention to those areas where the stakes may be high and require specific review. +
HAZARD
WUI AREAS
IGNITION RISK
FRID
Poster by Karen Folger (Fire GIS Specialist) - Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
More info: or (559)
Models depicted are of East Fork Kaweah Watershed Area of Sequoia National Park.