Measuring suppression : quantifying reductions in burn probability from initial attack
Subject
burn probability; effectiveness; initial attack; landscape management; spatial variability; suppressionAbstract
Rapid suppression, or initial attack (IA), is the primary method of managing new fires, with relatively low costs and high containment rates. Factors contributing to containment are well understood, but consequences for the landscape-level distribution of fire risk are not. This research introduces a method of assessing IA impacts using spatially-explicit burn probability (BP) analysis, and applies it to a study area in Kootenay National Park. BP is assessed with and without the influence of suppression by combining the Burn-P3 model with a stochastic probability of containment algorithm.
Results indicate IA impacts are spatially heterogeneous. Suppression was most effective in recently burned areas, whereas mature, contiguous fuels moderated its influence. IA was least effective in the management zone where natural fire is not permitted, suggesting supplementary tactics may be appropriate. Managers can use this method to compare emergent, fine-scale consequences of fire management policy and increase long-term management effectiveness.
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Individuals, institutions and initiatives : factors affecting sustainability initiatives within educational institutions
Farish, Craig (2011-02-01)This research project explores factors affecting sustainability initiatives within educational institutions. Using grounded theory and mixed-methods, the project evaluates the experiences and perspective of nineteen ... -
The Nechako Watershed Council: Lessons from a grassroots initiative
Curry, John A.; Nightingale, Katherine (Canadian Institute of Planners, 2000)Freshwater resources in Northern B.C. may be abundant, but decisions affecting these resources cannot be considered routine or easily made. The protracted debate over Alcan's proposed Kemano Completion Project heightened ... -
BC Digital Library initiative: Radical collaboration toward community infrastructure for Open Access
McFarland, Dana; Hyman, Ben; Sifton, Daniel; Cocchia, Anita; Daniels, Caroline; Lew, Shirley; Sprout, Bronwen; Stewart, Dave (BC Digital Library, 2019-01)The idea of the BC Digital Library is to provide a community good by “materializing” infrastructure that enables Open Access to knowledge and stories about and by British Columbia and its people. As an ongoing initiative, ...