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Burning ring of fire simulated with UT professor's research |
| By
Deanna Woolf |
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Sep 14, 2005 |
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| Dr. Jiquan Chen shows off the fire management computer program he helped develop. |
Radiating from a central point, flames engulf and burn the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin. Slowly the destruction spreads, and areas that were lush green turn to barren brown. But then, with a click of Dr. Jiquan Chen's mouse, the forest comes alive and the computer-simulated burn begins all over again.
Chen, professor of earth, ecological and environmental sciences, along with other researchers, developed the fire management computer program, which was featured in the July Joint Fire Science Program Project Highlights newsletter.
The work dates back to a proposal Chen submitted in 2001 in which researchers asked for funding to develop a computer model that land managers can use to examine the potential effects of fire regimes and forestry practices. According to Chen, he got the idea for the fire management program from movies. "If Hollywood can produce [animated] things like 'The Lion King' and 'Aladdin,' then why can't we?"
They integrated existing computer software models, including "HARVEST," a forest management simulator, and "FARSITE," a fire area simulator, and others, to create one that would visually map a forest and show burn areas. The resulting computer program even allows its users to vary factors in order to examine how forest clearing or other management methods would play out in a live burn. "We wanted to go beyond the publication of our research and provide managers with useful tools," he said.
Chen and other researchers then converted Geographic Information System (GIS) data from the Chequamegon National Forest into a computer animation of the entire park. They were finally able to run their computer program for this real-life model and see how different areas of the park would burn.
Chen believes the software can be used to save lives and valuable parts of forest ecosystems. "Ideally, we want to be able to help managers and fire fighters," he said. "If someone calls from the Sierra National Forest [in California] about a fire, we can get the GIS data, look at where the fire is going to be in 10 to 15 minutes, and let them know so they can be best prepared. We can save lives and property," he explained. In addition, "we will know which lands are valuable from an ecosystem point of view. We can let them know to let the fire go or stop it in a certain direction."
Although some scientists question the validity of the software tools, Chen feels that time is too valuable to waste. "It's like the classic academics — they say, 'Don't tell the story until it's perfect.' But we can't wait," he said. "If we don't respond now, we'll lose more."
Chen and his team are continuing to work on fire management data and software for forests in Washington, California, Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina and New Jersey.
For more information or to view animation of the forest, visit the program Web site http://research.eeescience.utoledo.edu/lees/research/jfsp/index_files/slide0001.htm.
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