Many land management agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS), have some type of Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). In the fall of 1995, a wildfire occurred on the at Point Reyes National Seashore, California, and during this emergency, GIS/GPS was utilized to monitor the daily spread of the fire, measure fire suppression actions, and to assess damage to structures and to natural and cultural resources. Additionally, as part of the NPS fire recovery effort, several studies were initiated to evaluate fire and fire suppression effects on the ecological integrity of communities within and adjacent to the burn area. GIS/GPS will help to monitor treatments and effected resources to determine the efficacy of measures taken to mitigate suppression and rehabilitation actions. GIS was a significant tool for integrating the data layers in a form that enabled the park to measure, monitor, and map several data themes simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of the fire. GIS, for example, will and has aided in comparing vegetation pre- and post-fire, georeferencing noxious weeds for removal, and georeferencing permanent vegetation plots and photo points. With a more complete base of information, the park can conceive of and initiate more ecologically sound mitigation projects.
| Project Setting | Vision Wildfire | BAER Team | GIS Support | GIS Products | Acknowledgments |
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