GeoHazards: Wildfires
A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire often occurring in wildland areas, which can also consume houses or agricultural resources. Common causes include lightning, human carelessness, arson and volcanic eruption. Heat waves, droughts, and cyclical climate changes such as El Niño can have a dramatic effect on the risk of wildfire. Dr. Christian Renschler has studied wildfires using several GIS applications designed to understand fire progress and to lessen the consequences of erosion on burnt land.
GeoWEPP: http://lesam.geog.buffalo.edu/lesam/geowepp-jfsp.htm
RIT WASP fire program: http://lesam.geog.buffalo.edu/lesam/rit-wasp.htm
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| Property damage in San Bernardino, California, following the Old Fire of October, 2003. The fire originated in the mountains above the inhabited valley. |