Prototype development for a wildfire modeling and management system

The main objective of this research is to investigate the solution to three problems currently existing in wildfire management. The three problems are: (1) Wildfire policy does not adequately outline guidelines that should be followed when conducting prescribed burns; (2) Canadian fire modeling programs are sub optimal and should be improved; (3) Communications between fire management districts are sub optimal and should be improved with the introduction of an Internet based wildfire management and modeling system.; Solutions to these problems are accomplished through the completion of four sub-objectives. The first sub-objective is to investigate the parameters that influence fire behavior and how wildfires react to various elements in the environment. The three primary influences on fire spread are weather, topography and vegetation type. The second sub-objective of the thesis is to investigate Canadian and American wildfire policies and make recommendations for Alberta's new prescribed burning policy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...