VRFire: an immersive visualization experience for wildfire spread analysis

Wildfires are a frequent summer-time concern for land managers and communities neighboring wildlands throughout the world. Computational simulations have been developed to help analyze and predict wildfire behavior, but the primary visualization of these simulations has been limited to 2-dimensional graphics images. We are currently working with wildfire research groups and those responsible for managing the control of fire and mitigation of the wildfire hazard to develop an immersive visualization and simulation application. In our visualization application, the fire spread model will be graphically illustrated on a realistically rendered terrain created from actual DEM data and satellite photography. We are working to improve and benefit tactical and strategic planning, and provide training for firefighter and public safety with our application.