Fire Behavior Assessment Team
About us: We are a unique fire module that measures pre-fire fuels/vegetation, fire behavior
(with sensors in the fire), and post-fire
fuels/vegetation conditions during fires (wildfires, wildland fire use fires and prescribed fires). The team is lead by Dr. Nicole Vaillant
and includes 6-12 fireline qualified personnel, at least one of which is crewboss qualified or more typically Division Supervisor qualified.
The team also conducts canyon or chimney blow-up modeling. See how to order us and 2006 fires for more information
on the team.
What can we do for WFU, prescribed fires or wildfires?
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We are a unique module that specializes in measuring fire behavior on active fires of all kinds including wildland fire use fires, prescribed fires
or wildfires. We utilize fire behavior sensors and special video camera set-ups to measure direction and variation in rate of spread, fire type
(e.g. surface, passive or active crown fire behavior) in relation to fuel loading and configuration, topography, fuel moisture, weather and operations.
We measure changes in fuels from the fire and can compare the effectiveness of past fuel treatments or fires on fire behavior and effects. We are
prepared to process and report data while on the incident, which makes the information immediately applicable for verifying LTAN or FBAN fire
behavior prediction assumptions. In addition, the video and data are useful for conveying specific information to the public, line officers and others.
We can also collect and analyze data to meet longer term management needs such as verifying or testing fire behavior modeling assumptions for fire
management plans, unit resource management plans or project plans. We can address specific unit objectives such as effects to archeological,
botanical or wildlife habitat resources in relation to fire behavior and fuels. |
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How to order us: [ print or copy order information ]
- We can be ordered from ROSS, where we are set up as "TEAM- FIRE BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT - VAILLANT".
We can be requested by the
following steps: 1) Overhead, 2) Group, 3) Squad, and 4) in Special Needs box, "Requesting -Fire Behavior Assessment Team- Vaillant' Team
out of CA-GVCC 530-477-7237.
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- You can also contact us directly by phone to notify us that you are placing an order, to speed up the process. You can reach Dr. Nicole Vaillant at 530-277-1258. Or you can reach Scott Dailey at 530-575-7057.
» 2006/2009 FBAT Fire Reports: these reports were completed while ordered on the Incident, before the end
of a 14 day or less tour. A proposal was submitted to the Joint Fire Science Program in the fall of 2006 to conduct further analysis and
publication. The additional analysis would include comparisons of measured fire behavior, fuel consumption and fire effects with model
predictions from fire behavior models (BEHAVEplus, crown fire initiation algorithms, Rothermel crown fire spread), CONSUME, and FOFEM.
Clover Wildland Fire Use Fire — Sequoia National Forest — 2008
This report contains the results of the assessment of fire behavior in relation to fuels, weather, topography, and fire effects to resources in relation to fire behavior for the Clover Wildland Fire Use Fire on the Sequoia National Forest on the Kern Plateau in the South Sierra Wilderness.
Ham Lake Fire on the Superior National Forest — November 2007
The FBAT team conducted post-fire effects measurements on the Ham Lake fire area.
Antelope Complex on the Plumas National Forest—July 2007
The FBAT team conducted both detailed fire behavior/fuels and post-fire effects measurements and a rapid assesssment of fire behavior through different fuel types and especially areas that had undergone fuel treatments. The use of treated areas on suppression and fire behavior were the emphasis of the assessment.
Florida/Georgia — Bugaboo Fire—June 2007
The FBAT team made two trips to the southeast in late spring an early summer, focusing on changes in fire behavior through different fuel types and especially areas treated with prescribed fire. This included areas on the Okefenokee Refuge, Osceola National Forest and surrounding areas.
Ralston Incident, Tahoe National Forest—September 2006
Orleans Incident, Six Rivers National Forest—August 2006
Bar Incident, Shasta-Trinity National Forest—July 2006
Tiger-Rock Incident, Arizona—July 2006
Warm Incident, Kaibab National Forest—June 2006
- The team met with the District and were given objectives of:
- Data were collected on 10 sites, mostly in ponderosa pine. One site included what may be a rare and endangered cactus (identification is
being confirmed), which was specifically censused. Rapid assessment post-fire effects were sampled on several randomly placed
transects in Goshawk habitat.
- A 30 page report was submitted to the district that included: 1) data on pre-fire fuels and vegetation structure; 2) fire behavior;
3) post-fire fuels and vegetation structure. Following review by the district, the report will be added to the website.
- Warm Wildland Fire Use Fire ¤ Fire Behavior Assessment Report
(.pdf, 30 pages, 1321kb)
Fire Behavior Assessment Team Monitoring Plots, Warm WFU Fire June 2006
(.pdf, map, 593kb)
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