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Title: A method for estimating the socioeconomic impact of Earth observations in wildland fire suppression decisions
A method for estimating the socioeconomic impact of Earth observations is proposed and deployed. The core of the method is the analysis of outcomes of hypothetical fire suppression scenarios generated using a coupled atmosphere–fire behaviour model, based on decisions made by an experienced wildfire incident management team with and without the benefits of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite observations and the WRF-SFIRE wildfire behaviour simulation system. The scenarios were based on New Mexico’s 2011 Las Conchas fire. For each scenario, fire break line location decisions served as inputs to the model, generating fire progression outcomes. Fire model output was integrated with a property database containing thousands of coordinates and property values and other asset values to estimate the total losses associated with each scenario. An attempt to estimate the socioeconomic impact of satellite and modelling data used during the decision-making process was made. We analysed the impact of Earth observations and include considerations for estimating other socioeconomic impacts.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1664175
PAR ID:
10162004
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Wildland Fire
Volume:
29
Issue:
3
ISSN:
1049-8001
Page Range / eLocation ID:
282
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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