Discrete Wildfire Simulation Case Study

Wildfire activity around the world has been increasing for the past several decades. This has led to increased frequency of wildfires and longer fire seasons. When a fire is detected, one of the most important considerations is where to allocate limited firefighting resources to best contain the fire and protect infrastructure and urban areas. This is where robust, high-resolution fire simulations can play a critical role. Many software applications currently exist that predict the propagation of wildfires, each using a variety of input data and techniques. In this case study, we examine and implement a discrete probabilistic fire model developed and validated for the 2012 Tavira wildfire in Portugal. We then simulate a hypothetical fire in western Wyoming, USA, analyze the probable burn scar, and determine where firefighting resources are best allocated.