The NCLFA's Fire Intelligence Module (FIM) installs remote monitoring devices such as network-enabled surveillance cameras, weather stations and long-distance data and communication networks on active wildfires to give fire managers real-time access to fire information. Since 2004, the FIM has been deployed nearly a dozen times to provide fire surveillance and network connections to numerous fires. These fire complexes have crossed jurisdictional boundaries, presented a variety of terrain challenges, and have had varying surveillance and network needs. Operational assignments of the FIM include:
Freezeout Fire -- Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Selway-Salmon WFU Complex -- Bitterroot National Forest
Horseshoe WFU -- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Middle Fork Complex -- Salmon-Challis National Forest,
Tolo and Domke Lake Complex -- North Cascades National Park and Wenatchee National Forest
Conger Fire -- Lolo National Forest
Along with the GIS and Remote Sensing Programs at the NCLFA, the FIM provides fire managers access to state-of-the-science geospatial research and applications development. The FIM is made up of scientists and technicians with extensive fire experience, fire qualifications, and active red cards. Past successes of the FIM include: development of cost-effective remote monitoring strategies for inaccessible fires via wireless-enabled video, operational infrared aerial mapping support, ad hoc field computer systems administration, development of data management strategies linking field personnel with ICP, GIST course development, work-force training in field-enabled GIS, GPS and related technologies, and public information and educational activities. For the Tolo and Domke Complex in 2007, the FIM created a public education web site featuring time-lapse movies and images from the camera network that the FIM installed on the fires; view an archive of the web site.
FIM Accomplishments (pdf)
More about the FIM's work:
