Reported September 2007

BACKGROUND: The Santa Monica Mountain Range, located just north of Los Angeles, is one of the most fire-prone regions in Southern California. To help fire managers identify the best locations for site treatments in that region, a University of Wisconsin, Madison team of scientists developed a map incorporating both environmental and human factors to pinpoint where the most devastating wildfires are likely to start.

MODEL BEHAVIOR: In collaboration with the United States Forest Service’s Northern Research Station in Evanston, Illinois, the researchers generated computer models based on a variety of data for the Santa Monica Mountain region, including what starts fires, how much area is burned by fires, as well as the locations of homes, roads, trails, local climate and terrain. They found the vast majority of wildfires begin near human infrastructure or along roads which serve as an interface between woodland and urban areas. However, the area burned by a fire depends more on such factors as the type of terrain, climate or vegetation. By combining the data on where fires are likely to start with where fires are most likely to spread, the UWM researchers were able to map out areas where the most destructive fires are likely to start.

The American Geophysical Union contributed to the information contained in the TV portion of this report.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Dr. Alexandra D. Syphard
University of Wisconsin, Madison
(608) 265-9219
asyphard@yahoo.com

American Geophysical Union
Washington, DC 20009-1277
(800) 966-2481
http://www.agu.org

DID YOU KNOW?

An average of five million acres burns every year in the United States, causing millions of dollars in damage. Once a fire begins, it can spread at a rate of up to 14.29 miles an hour.

ON THE WEB...

Maps for wildfire prediction model

Forest & Wildlife Ecology - University of Wisconsin - Madison