REAL-TIME DETECTION, MAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF WILDLAND FIRE INFORMATION

In this paper, several innovations to the firefighting process are summarized. Organizational innovations include the Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Protection Initiative, common interagency emergency management procedures, and the National Interagency Incident Management System. Technical innovations include improvements in infrared sensing, more rapid communication, and combining and mapping data sets. Two specific activities are highlighted in the paper: (1) the current Forest Service infrared development activity-Firefly-which will gather, transmit, and display near real-time wildland fire data for fire management and logistics personnel, and (2) the national, interagency compatible computer system, INCINET, which will be taken into the field to support fire suppression operations of any agency, anywhere in the country. Several tools and techniques being developed for fire modeling and forecasting and automated monitoring are also discussed. The technical and organizational innovations discussed in the paper can help Fire Incident Commanders achieve their objectives by improving the accuracy and timeliness of available information. By obtaining accurate information promptly, Fire Incident Commanders will be able to direct their forces to locations of highest priority, where they can be most effective.