FIRES (Fire Information Retrieval and Information System)

DESCRIPTION

According to the Huntana Web site, the Fire Information Retrieval and Information System, FIRES, is a PC program that provides methods for evaluating the performance of fire danger rating indexes. The relationship between fire danger indexes and historical fire occurrence and size is examined.

The program provides:

• Seasonal plots for selected indexes and years
• Percentile curves for indexes-- all-days, fire-days, large-fire-days, and multiple-fire-days
• Plotted summary of fire data
• Bar graphs and tables for index classes

FIRES is used to:

• Evaluate the performance of fire danger rating indexes analyze historical trends of fire danger and fire activity
• Choose appropriate fuel model and index
• Choose appropriate weather station

The USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Fire Sciences Laboratory Web site provides more detailed information of FIRES as well as software downloads.

SCALE AND AREAS OF APPLICATION

SURVEY COMMENTS

Four survey respondents reported using FIRES.  All four respondents scored FIRES as moderately important to execute the tasks needed in their jobs, moderately able to do what they needed it to do and a moderate need to change to or develop a new tool.

BENEFITS (PROS)

COSTS (CONS)

RECOMMENDATIONS