Lab Six: 2009 Station Fire: Fire Hazard Analysis

Tutorial: Slope Analysis

Tutorial: Fuel/surrounding Areas

2009 Los Angeles Station Fire: Fire Hazard Analysis

            The Los Angeles Station Fire of 2009 located primarily in the Angeles National Forest had a drastic effect on the surrounding environment, people and government.  According to the US Forest service, “the Station Fire burned 160,577 acres, destroyed 89 structures and killed two LA County firefighters.”  The fire, officially reported on August 26, 2009 burned and was not fully extinguished until October 16, 2009.  By studying the elevation, slope and vegetation values located within the surrounding areas of the station fire, I provide an analysis of places where fire hazards are highest, finding that much of the most hazardous locations are within the station fire’s parameter.

            I initially began the analysis by obtaining a digital elevation model of the area, vegetation information, and the extent of the fire.  By combining slope information, provided by the elevation, with the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standards of slope hazard, I created a map incorporating the station fire that shows which points are at the highest risk of fire according to their slope.  Next, I reclassified the vegetation/fuel information in a similar manner according to the NFPA’s standards on which fuels are at risk of perpetuating fire.  Through these two maps, it became evident where fire risks are most likely to occur.  However, most significant to the analysis of the fire hazards near the 2009 Station Fire, was combing both sets of data, by using the Raster calculator,  to create a final analysis showing where slope and fuel risks were highest.  The final analysis shows that some of the highest risk areas were within the confines of the station fire.  It also shows that for the most part, the type of fuel and the slope of the elevation are closely related.

            This type of spatial analysis, although frustrating at times, is very important in providing information as to where fire risks are most likely to occur and therefore where the most extensive preventative measures should be taken.  My personal issues with creating came with not having a solid knowledge of what exactly I was attempting to create at the beginning of the process.  However, as I began to work through it, I began to understand what the activity entailed.  I still wish I had more time to be instructed in these methods as I find them complicated and still do not fully understand the details.  But as it were, it is still yields quite an accomplished feeling when the output of your map reveals and addresses a spatial problem that can now be helped in order to lead to a solution.

References: 

http://gis.ats.ucla.edu/

http://egis3.lacounty.gov/eGIS/

http://frap.cdf.ca.gov/