An integrated optimization model for fuel management and fire suppression preparedness planning

Fuel management and suppression preparedness planning are elements of forest fire management that are strongly interrelated with one another. Despite this interrelation, previous forest fire management optimization models have tended to consider these components in isolation from one another. Here we present an integer programming model that incorporates both fuel management and suppression preparedness decisions, thus providing an integrated planning framework. A series of hypothetical test landscapes are used to demonstrate the model's functionality with easily interpretable results. A number of possible extensions to the model formulation are also discussed.