FARSITE -- Fire Area Simulator

DESCRIPTION

FARSITE is a fire growth simulation program for PCs. It simulates the spread and behavior of fires under conditions of variable terrain, fuels, and weather. Features include:

• Adjustable time and space resolution for fire spread calculations
• Active display of fire perimeter and fire behavior
• 2d & 3D rendering of landscape and active fire perimeter
• Graphical and tabular output of area and perimeter
• Multiple ignitions as points, lines or areas
• Output can be exported to GIS
• Interactive editing of fules and fire barriers on landscape
• Use of weather information for dynamic fuel moisture calculations
• Use of multiple weather and wind streams
• Spotting, surface fire, and crown fire behavior
• Suppression by direct, indirect, parallel, and air attack

FARSITE is most often used to:

• Estimate short and long-term behavior
• Plan for potential fires
• Communicate wildland urban interface concerns

More detailed information on FARSITE and software download are available at the Huntana Web site.

SCALE AND AREAS OF APPLICATION

SURVEY COMMENTS

Thirteen survey respondents reported using FARSITE.  Approximately 60% of reporting FARSITE users consider it to be an important simulation tool. While 25% scored FARSITE to be "Poor" in ability to do what they needed it to do, 75% marked it as "Very Good." Half of those surveyed that use FARSITE believe that there is a high need to change to a different and better tool.

BENEFITS (PROS)

COSTS (CONS)

RECOMMENDATIONS