Satellite data and geographic information systems for fire and resource management in the Canadian arctic |
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| Authors: | Helmut Epp Rick Lanoville |
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| Institution: | 1. NWT Centre for Remote Sensing, Department of Renewabb Resources , 600, 5102 ‐ 50 Ave., Yellowknife, NT, X1A 3S8, Canada;2. Territorial Forest Fire Centre, Department of Renewable Resources , Box 7, Ft. Smith, NT, XOE OPO, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Abstract A method of analyzing remotely sensed data, a geographic information system, and an intelligent fire management system have been developed to provide integrated resource data for fire and other resources management. Natural and cultural features were digitized from 1:50,000 topographic maps using a geographic information system (GIS) to cover the 29 communities below the tree line in the western Canadian Arctic. Landsat Thematic Mapper data covering the same area were classified into land cover or fuel types. Detailed information on each fire such as location, area burned, date of discovery, fire number, fire zone, fire class and source of ignition was obtained and added to each map sheet as attribute data. A generalized vegetation cover map using NOAA AVHRR data was also obtained. The Intelligent Fire Management Information System (IFMIS) integrates relational data bases, geographic information display, and expert systems. It also has a spatial analysis procedure for forest fire preparedness planning. Linking the weather to the forest fuels through the Fire Weather Index system (FWI) and the Fire Behaviour Prediction System (FBPS), fire danger and fire behaviour are calculated and displayed, cell‐by‐cell. Values‐at‐risk and fire suppression resources are used in the dispatching and planning component of the system. The planning component allows the user to evaluate the coverage of fire suppression resources under the prevalent forecast fire behaviour conditions. Through the integration of data from the above systems, a set of maps were created which were used to analyze fire behaviour potential, identify fire hazards, and provide a basis for settlement protection strategies within the context of other land use activities such as wildlife harvesting and recreational activities. |
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