Forest Fire Fighting Research Articles

Scheduling in a multi-processor environment with deteriorating job processing times and decreasing values: the case of forest fires

In forest fire fighting, time and effort required to control a fire increase if fire containment effort is delayed. The problem of scheduling multiple resources employed as parallel identical or non-identical processors in order to contain N?2 fires may be tackled using the concept of deteriorating jobs. In this paper, the above problem is stated and a model is formulated, the criterion being to maximize the total remaining value of the burnt areas and a real-time synchronous heuristic algorithm is proposed. The heuristic algorithm's efficiency was compared to real data provided by Greek Fire Corps from a severe wildfire near Athens in June-July, 2007.

Achieving what cannot be done: Coping with the time constants in a dynamic decision task by doing something else

This study examines how people handle the time constants in dynamic decision tasks, using a microworld called NEWFIRE which simulates forest fire fighting. The results showed that the participants did not adapt to the time constants, as shown by the fact that they did not discriminate between fires requiring different number of fire fighting units when varying the number of fire fighting units was a means of compensating for the time constants. If they were allowed to move units before the fire started their performance improved, suggesting that they could compensate for their problems with the time constants by restructuring the task in such a way that they did not need to consider them. It is suggested that such restructuring may well be how people handle dynamic tasks also in other circumstances, and that more effort should be put into studying what people actually do in dynamic tasks, rather than into only assessing whether or not they perform optimally.

Application of a CO2 dial system for infrared detection of forest fire and reduction of false alarm

Forest fires can be the cause of serious environmental and economic damages. For this reason considerable effort has been directed toward forest protection and fire fighting. The means traditionally used for early fire detection mainly consist in human observers dispersed over forest regions. A significant improvement in early warning capabilities could be obtained by using automatic detection apparatus. In order to early detect small forest fires and minimize false alarms, the use of a lidar system and dial technique will be considered. A first evaluation of the lowest detectable concentration will be estimated by numerical simulation. The theoretical model will also be used to get the capability of the dial system to control wooded areas. Fixing the burning rate for several fuels, the maximum range of detection will be evaluated. Finally results of simulations will be reported.

New technologies for effective forest fire fighting

Efficient fire extinction with water could be greatly improved by using superabsorbent polymers, added to the water used for fire fighting, or sprayed over surfaces of combustible materials in order to protect them from fire. Specially developed superabsorbent polymers such as acrylamide/2‐acrylamide‐2‐methyl‐propane‐sulphonate (AA/AMPS) seem to be particularly efficient for this purpose. In terms of water absorption, the experimental tests performed, showed that the optimal composition of this polymer is 30:70 AMPS versus AA, using 0.5% of bis‐acrylamide (BA) as cross‐linking agent.

SIADEX: An interactive knowledge-based planner for decision support in forest fire fighting

SIADEX is a complex framework that integrates several AI techniques able to design fighting plans against forest fires. It is based on four main components, a web server, that centralizes all the flow of information between the system and the user, the ontology server, that is the cornerstone of the architecture as the basis for knowledge sharing and exchange between all the components, and the planning and monitoring servers that are offered as intelligent services through the web server. This perspective also allow to view SIADEX as a collaborative working environment where it provides two basic functionalities: the intelligent services offered to the user (the ontology, planning and monitoring modules) and a middleware level that interfaces these back-end services to the front-end software of the user (a web browser) achieving several valuable goals like transparent access of the user to a distributed architecture, an ubiquitous access to the services that allow the mobility of the user and his/her independence of the access device.

Active Fire Detection for Fire Emergency Management: Potential and Limitations for the Operational Use of Remote Sensing

The use of the mid-infrared and thermal bands of sensors on board airborne platforms and satellites permits the detection of active fires on the Earth’s surface. This application has been available to the fire-fighting community for many years. However, limitations in the fire detection capabilities of the sensors and/or the lack of adequate re-visit frequency have prevented the use of these systems for operational forest fire-fighting. In addition to mobile systems, remote sensors positioned on fixed fire-watch towers have also been used for active fire detection. These instruments are often positioned in strategic look-out places to provide continuous monitoring of the surrounding areas. They locate fires through the detection of either hot spots (areas of increased temperature in comparison to the background) or smoke plumes produced by the fires. This article evaluates the use of existing remote sensing systems for active fire detection, with emphasis on the applicability of these systems for fire emergency management and fire-fighting. Long-range remote sensing devices on board satellites are considered, airborne systems are assessed, and short-range fire detection instruments on fixed ground platforms are reviewed. A short introduction to forthcoming satellite systems, which will be based on the combined use of several small satellites, is presented. The advantages and drawbacks of the different systems are evaluated from a fire management perspective.

Avaliação de brigadas de incêndios florestais em unidades de conservação

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as condições de trabalho e o nível de treinamento das brigadas voluntárias de prevenção e combate aos incêndios florestais do Jardim Botânico de Brasília, da Reserva Ecológica do IBGE e da fazenda Água Limpa da Universidade de Brasília. Os estudos foram realizados no primeiro semestre de 2000 na sede das três brigadas, localizadas nas respectivas Unidades de Conservação, tendo como metodologia o emprego de questionários e entrevistas com os brigadistas e coordenadores. O conjunto de dados foi analisado para as três brigadas, mostrando que o melhor nível de treinamento e satisfação dos brigadistas foi encontrado na brigada da Reserva Ecológica do IBGE e o pior, na brigada da fazenda Água Limpa da UnB. As três brigadas não contam com equipamentos de proteção individual para todos os brigadistas, faltando também equipamentos de combate e ferramentas. Nenhuma brigada dispõe de máquinas para manutenção de estradas e aceiros. Somente a brigada da Reserva Ecológica do IBGE conta com caminhão-pipa para ações de combate. A brigada da fazenda Água Limpa foi a que apresentou maior participação em campanhas educativas junto às comunidades do entorno. Pode-se concluir que, de maneira geral, as brigadas apresentaram bom nível de capacitação e treinamento, demonstrando que apesar da limitação de equipamentos e ferramentas têm conseguido debelar pequenos focos de incêndios florestais. O problema mais grave verificado nas três brigadas foi a falta de equipamentos de proteção individual para todos participantes de ações de combate, gerando riscos de acidentes.

Intelligent software agents for forest fire prevention and fighting

This paper discusses the design and the development of an original information system based on intelligent agent technologies and dedicated to forest fire prevention and fighting. It describes the work to be carried out in order to achieve and formalise knowledge in the field of forest fires. It presents a detailed demonstration built around two realistic scenarios, where several actors and software were implicated.

The Fuego System Concept

FUEGO is a satellite system intended to provide the firefighting forces in the world with early fire warning and fire monitoring capabilities. It is being conceived with the users, by fostering continuous user direction of the development process. This system concept is presented. We present the user requirements that have evolved from user consultation and have been confirmed in the First FUEGO Users Conference in Madrid. The sensor arrangement is discussed including the sort of algorithm envisaged and the necessary supporting spectral bands and sensitivity. Technological aspects are reviewed. The operational concept is briefly described. The architecture is shown to be flexible and adapted to user expectations. From the operational concept the satellite and ground segment requirements and design are presented, to show the feasibility in technical and programmatic terms. The main system issues are analysed for criticality and basic conclusions are derived. A summary of cost benefit analysis is presented. A satellite system is therefore proposed as an operational mission to support the forest firefighting activity.

Transnational forest fire fighting: the Malaysian experience

The forest fire experiences of Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand in 1997 are reviewed. The problems of transnational co‐operation in such cases are examined and the resulting joint lessons are presented.

FMIS: a decision support system for forest fire prevention and fighting

This paper presents a decision support system for managers in charge of process monitoring, this domain being representative of rapidly increasing emergencies. Designing such a system means combining tasks: automate data processing; give the user efficient access to all relevant data; and synthesize pertinent information. Data used for decisions come from several independent sources. The authors introduce the concept of a scenario associated with every kind of information managed by this system, which describes the tasks related with this information and their scheduling. The system architecture is built around the association of a reactive database and a real-time information manager, whose task is to follow the scenarios describing the processes to trigger for all incoming data. This architecture, based on specifications and knowledge, allows autonomous behavior of the system in order to monitor, update and display all information needed for the user's decisions. It uses a declarative approach, i.e. it separates what is application dependent (data, scenarios and processes) from what is generic, and can be used for other applications. The Fire Management Information System is an application dedicated to forest fire prevention and fighting, partially funded by the European Research Programme for Environmental Protection.

General mathematical model for forest fires and its applications

A review is presented of the results of physical and mathematical modeling of forest fires performed at the Tomsk State University. A general physical model for forest fires is proposed, and the basic system of equations along with basic boundary and initial conditions is given. A structure of the fire front and limiting conditions of its propagation are discussed. A new concept of forest-fire fighting is formulated.

CARDIN: a computer system for the simulation of wildland fire spread

CARDIN is a computer user-driven forest fire behavior simulation system based on digital geographic data, namely fuel distribution and topographical coverages, working on a PC computer. Other inputs belongs to general wind properties (intensity and direction), and fuel status (moisture and wind protection degree). It is allored to modify the parameters at any time user requests as the simulation progress. There is no limit about the number, size and shape of the initial focus points, and new ones can be added at any time within the simulation. CARDIN digital coverages are provided by its own digitizing system, DIGICAR. The calculus and fire spread fundamentals are much the same as used in BEHAVE system. Periodic reports about the perimeters, areas and shapes of burned surfaces, are provided automatically at user pre-set intervals of time. Graphics repreentations are fiven to evaluate the geographic situation and fire shape over 2D coverages, and visual impact of burned areas on a more realistic 3D images. Nowadays a simulation system for forest fire fighting is being developed, which includes a database with background fixed data points and the mobile fighting elements implied in the fire management. Future improvements of the system will include local wind areas and creek effect. This project is been supported by the "Area de Defensa contra Incendios Forestales", Instituto Nacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza, Madrid, España.

FOCUS: A computer simulation model for fire control planning

The U.S. Forest Service has been working toward the development of a mathematical model that is expected to point the way to improved efficiency in forest fire fighting and fire prevention.

Lessons Gained in Helicopter Air Traffic Control from Federal Aviation Agency Activities

I should like to express my gratitude to the Society, on behalf of the Federal Aviation Agency of the United States, for the opportunity of participating in this meeting.Before speaking of the lessons gained in Helicopter Air Traffiic Control some background information is necessary on the types of helicopter operations which are being conducted in the United States.As in many countries, helicopter operations are conducted by both the military services and civil operators. The military operations are primarily those of a tactical training nature and search and rescue work. Civil helicopter operations are conducted mainly for transport and utility purposes.In addition to numerous civil air taxi operators providing transport by helicopter, we have three commercial scheduled helicopter airlines; New York Airways, Chicago Airways, and Los Angeles Airways. These three helicopter airlines serve the aerodromes and residential communities in the metropolitan areas of the cities from which they derive their names. Utility helicopter flying includes such services as forest fire fighting, insecticide spraying of farm crops, power line inspection, and construction work, just to name a few.