Lab 7: Mapping the Station Fire in Arc GIS

Today I will be analyzing the LA County Station Fire of 2009.   This fire began August 26th 2009, and ended October 16th 2009.  It began in the Angeles National Forest, destroyed over 89 home, and killed two firefighters.   It was the largest fire in the modern history of LA County, burning over 160,000 acres. 

Below are maps that I have created to trace the spread patterns across area and elevation.  As you can see, the fire spread "up-hill," and into the higher elevation regions.  If you scroll down, I will discuss the spread of each map. 

Reference Map

Fire Perimeter with Elevation

Fire Stage 1: 5205 Acres

 This first stage of the fire was started by arson.  Accelerant was discovered at the scene.

Fire Stage 2: 13,891 Acres

 After only a few hours, the fire had more than doubled in area.  At this point, a pattern is difficult to discern, but the spread is to the east and west for the most part.

Fire Stage 3: 35,881 Acres

 Close to 24 hours after the start of the fire, you can see that the fire is spreading to the higher elevation areas, and now in a northern direction.  This winds must have shifted at this point. 

Fire Stage 4: 115,575 Acres

 The next day, the fire pattern spread along the hills to the east and west of the previous burn pattern.  Again, the fire seems to be move faster "up-hill."

Fire Stage 5: 136,246 Acres

The final map that I have posted spans most of the major damage of the Station Fire.  As you can see, not just elevation had an effect on the burn pattern, but the fire did seem to spread more in the higher elevation areas.  From the original spot, the spread is to the north, and somewhat to the east and west.  Infrequently did the fire move to lower elevations, or to the south.  Fire moves faster and more intensely uphill than down, and the steeper the slope the faster they move.  Wind also tends to flow uphill, which helps the fire spread. 

According to my findings, locations uphill of a fire source are much more at risk than those that are downhill.  Predictions about spread can also be made by studying the wind patterns.  Subsequently, it would make sense to concentrate fire prevention resources near areas with other risk facts combined with a quick increase in slope.  Structures and homes built in this area are at high risk. 

Bibliography

"2009 California Wildfires." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 1 Nov. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_Fire_(2009)#Los_Angeles_County>.

"All Station Fire Perimeters." Los Angeles County Enterprise GIS. Los Angeles County, 2 Sept. 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://gis.lacounty.gov/eGIS/?cat=11>.

"Digital Elevation Model." Seamless Data Warehouse. U.S. Geological Survey, 30 Sept. 2010. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://seamless.usgs.gov/>.

"Facts About Fire." Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 5 June 2009. Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/AFFM/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_165825.html>.

 "HowStuffWorks "Topography and Wildfires"" Howstuffworks "Science" Web. 23 Nov. 2010. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/wildfire3.htm>.