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Author(s):
J. Greg Jones, Jimmie D. Chew, Hans R. Zuuring
Year Published:

Cataloging Information

Topic(s):
Fire Behavior
Simulation Modeling
Fuels
Fuel Treatments & Effects
Risk
Risk assessment

NRFSN number: 11067
FRAMES RCS number: 13071
Record updated:

Fuel treatment activities are analyzed at the landscape scale by using both simulation and optimization. Simulating vegetative patterns and processes at landscape scales (SIMPPLLE), a stochastic simulation modeling system, is initially applied to assess wildfire risks on the current landscape without management treatments but with fire suppression. These simulation results are input into a multi-resource analysis and geographic information system (MAGIS), an optimization modeling system, for scheduling activities that reduce these risks and address other management objectives. The derived treatment schedules are used in additional SIMPPLLE simulations to examine the change in wildfire risk and other natural processes. Fuel treatment effects are quantified as changes in the predicted extent and intensity of future wildfires and the resulting economic benefits.

Citation

Jones, J. Greg; Chew, Jimmie D.; Zuuring, Hans R. 1999. Applying simulation and optimization to plan fuel treatments at landscape scales. In: González-Cabán, Armando; Omi, Philip N., technical coordinators. Proceedings of the symposium on fire economics, planning, and policy: bottom lines. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-173. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 229-236