Wildland Fires Spark Communication Innovations

During the Florida fire rage, how many residents captured digital images and posted them to their web site so that Mom or Dad in another state could see what was happening in their back yard?  So it happened in our very own California back yard, an event that could have a significant impact on the way wildland fires are reported. The Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service in California conducted the first pilot of the "F-Project" during the Banner Queen Prescribed Fire in San Diego County, CA, the week of June 29, 1998.

What is the "F-Project"?

During emergency operations, such as a wildland fire, there are immediate demands from the news media, general public, and agency officials for statistics, maps, photographs, sound bites, and video footage of the incident.  Traditionally this information has been disseminated through an Information Officer in the form of press releases, faxes and on-site media interviews.  Video footage is captured by news reporters flying over the incident in helicopters, and interviewing local residents and fire fighting personnel on the ground.  This presents a safety hazard and delays the information reaching the intended audience.

The "F-Project", a brainstorm of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service in California, provides up-to-date on-going fire information to the news media, concerned public, geographic area coordination centers, and agency administrators through the use of the World Wide Web.  The "F-Project" is designed to report conditions directly from the fireline in close to "real-time" by using available technology such as digital cameras, digital video recorders, a notebook computer, cell-phone, GPS (global positioning system) receiver, and Tactical Mapping System software.

Our First Pilot

The Banner Queen Prescribed Fire was chosen as the first pilot of "F-Project's" objectives and capabilities under actual field conditions.  The incident far exceeded any of our expectations and proved to be the challenge that we needed.

On April 17, 1998, a pre-burn took place to strengthen a handline built as a perimeter around the prescribed burn area.  The objectives were to burn out the fuel 50 feet in immediately adjacent to the line.  Digital photos were captured and uploaded to the server, the web site was developed and initially launched for public viewing.

1998 will be remembered as the year of unusual weather patterns that created an overabundant growth of annual and perennial grasses, which contributed to extreme fire conditions in many areas of the country. Fire behavior can be deceptive under controlled situations and intense burning can occur in fuel beds that appear to be somewhat green.

Equipment and personnel started to arrive on scene during the afternoon of June 30.  Total holding forces consisted of heavy fire engines (4), light fire engines (6), water tenders (2), helicopters (2) and firefighters (80). The "F-Project" web site crew consisted of fire management staff at Joshua Tree National Park and external affairs and fire staff from the BLM California State Office.

 A remote area weather station (RAWS) had been installed along the south flank of the burn unit to provide site-specific weather observations.  It takes hourly readings and transmits the data to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho through a geosyncronous satellite.  This data can be accessed through a National Weather Service website (www.boi.noaa.gov).  Our first assignment was to obtain current weather conditions and inform the prescribed fire Incident Commander.

A true test of working remotely was to access the weather Internet site from the fireline.  We hiked up the mountain for better access.  After many years of wildland firefighting, which entails carrying heavy loads up steep hillsides, it was a welcome relief to trade a 45 pound backpack pump for an 8 pound computer. We discovered numerous deadspots where the signal strength was insufficient to make the connection through the cell-phone.  As a back up we were able to connect through a vehicle mounted satellite transceiver (SATCOM) which worked everywhere even while the vehicle was in motion.  The weather report was captured and the first assignment completed.

On July 1, the Incident Commander held the morning fire briefing, which was recorded with a digital video recorder and digital camera.  Two Toshiba Tecra notebook computers were used to edit the raw footage and transmit still images in JPEG format through file transfer protocol (FTP) to the BLM CA State Office.  At one time we were transferring digital images through the cell-phone at 9600 bps and movie files of the briefing through the satellite phone at 4800 bps simultaneously to the same FTP server in Sacramento.  This is all being performed in the front seat of a Ford Expedition. (Yeah, it was cramped!)  Power was supplied to the computers through an inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter.  The motorized satellite-tracking antenna draws a lot of current so we had to keep the engine running while transmitting through SATCOM. At least that gave us an air-conditioned mobile office with a view!  It seemed almost like a luxury penthouse suite when a GIS (Geographic Information System) specialist allowed us to use a generator- powered trailer that had been towed to the site.

At approximately 12:00 pm, the ignition test burn phase of the prescribed fire took place.  Spotting occurred in the brush fuel type due to the heavy grass understory where spotting normally doesn't occur.  It escaped the control lines in less than an hour after ignition, and was declared a wildland fire.
 

Even though this incident may be viewed as a failure to prescribed burn objectives, the intent of the pilot reinforced the need for timely and accurate information in a high-risk environment.  Over 100 TV media clips were aired on the major networks in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento metropolitan areas over the 4th of July weekend.  As usual, not all of the information being passed on to the public was entirely accurate.  During the first day of the fire we were able to post fire activity updates to our website (www.ca.blm.gov/fire/banner.htm) as it happened.  However, because this was our first pilot, we did not advertise the website location, therefore the public was not aware of the website location.

As you can imagine, once the fire was declared a wildland fire, there was considerable interest by BLM management and the web site became an immediate success, as images were uploaded to the web site.  At this time, we became aware of the value of "real-time" video footage.

The fire was contained within four days, with no loss of property or injuries to personnel.

A Learning Experience

Successes:
 
1.  Digital images were easy to capture and FTP to the server.  These were the first on-site transmissions received from the field and posted to our web site.

2.  Our first attempt at video captured only the audio.  The audio contained great sound bites, therefore, it was transmitted to the server, and posted to the web site.

3.  While the second attempt at video provided instant access to fire footage, the quality of the video was undesirable.  See notes under What Didn't Work to find possible solutions to this issue.

4.  3-D modeling of the canyon added interest to the web site.  It was done prior to the fire and has been available on the web site since the time of the pre-burn.

5.  Coordination between video crew, the Incident Commander, and BLM State Office web staff was excellent.

6.  Maps were plotted and easily converted to JPEG format.  Files were transmitted to the server and immediately posted on the web site.  Tactical Mapping System by ERM, Inc. was used to map the Banner Queen and Chariot fires.  There is no other program available that is as versatile for all kinds of uses such as search and rescue, fire, law enforcement and emergency management.  The simplicity and practical applications of Tactical Mapping System enables on-scene fire personnel to quickly plot the fire's location with a GPS receiver and display the coordinate waypoints on a map which can be viewed on a notebook computer.  Tactical Mapping System CD-ROM's contains custom designed, regional maps assembled to meet specific needs.  The map can be printed on site with an ink jet printer, faxed or sent E-mail in full color to any location through the cell-phone or satellite transceiver.

Determining the fire size in acres, length of perimeter in chains and the ability to add all common Incident Command System (ICS) symbols such as helispots, staging areas, incident command post, etc., to the map in their exact location is easy to do even while flying in a helicopter.  Coordinates can be displayed in latitude/longitude and/or UTM (Universal Transverse Mercadum).  A split screen image of the same location can be displayed simultaneously in 1:24000, 1:100,000 and several other scales up to 1:2 million.  This feature is useful to show a detailed map of the fire perimeter on one side and a larger overview vicinity map next to it.

Another nice feature of the program allows real-time tracking of fire resources such as aircraft, engines, crews etc.  A distinctive icon is displayed on a moving map and a pop-up window depicts the current location coordinates, speed, heading and elevation.  It effectively removes the guesswork when trying to determine your location when working at night or when in unfamiliar terrain.  The software also has the ability for a remote computer to track your location through a satellite link-up.  Up to 50 different icons can be tracked at one time.  This tool enables incident commanders to tell at a glance, the estimated time of arrival, directions and locations of responding resources, which is needed to make sound tactical decisions.

The software is designed to work with all of the available GPS receivers on the market.  If you choose not to lug an 8 pound notebook computer around on the fireline you can plot the fire perimeter simply by downloading the waypoints collected from the GPS receiver alone.

The technicians at ERM are constantly seeking input to meet the needs of field users.  One improvement was achieved as a direct result of the Banner Queen pilot.  Track files created in Tactical Mapping System can be converted to the comma delimited format used by GIS Specialists to make shape files in other common mapping software applications such as ESRI's (Environmental Systems Research Institute) ArcView or ArcInfo. This ability will allow GIS precision mapping to be archived at the district office or park headquarters without the wait for GIS specialists to arrive on scene.

Another function, which originated to meet the needs of firefighters, permits a field observer to map the fires edge and videotape the fire activity with a video recorder using IZEE Lab's NavCap. One or more frames of the video can be embedded with geographic coordinates, date, elevation, heading, and speed.  The map and image can be displayed in Tactical Mapping System at the exact location where the video was recorded.

Different types of lines can be drawn on a map such as the uncontrolled fires edge or a dozer line. Distances and bearings between two points can be plotted with a simple click of the mouse. Text may be added to designate place names.  The program also contains a search function by name, telephone number agency, city and geologic feature.  The included database permits the user to create records for all resources such as personnel, equipment, aircraft, fire apparatus, hospital locations etc.
 
 
 
 

Other Recommendations

The fire environment is probably the worst possible place that you would want to expose a computer.  Commercial off-the-shelf components were not designed for the excess heat, smoke, ash and fine soot common during a wildland fire.  Here are a few suggestions to protect your expensive investment:

* A viziflex keyboard seel will help to keep internal circuit boards clean.
* There are many different computer vehicle mounts available.  Select one that incorporates shock absorbers to reduce vibrations while driving on those bumpy fire roads and dozer lines.
* When leaving the computer in a vehicle mount, direct sunlight through the windshield can adversely affect the computer.  Keep it covered when not in use.  We cut off the bottom 6" of a flexible 48-qt.beverage cooler and turned it inside out to create a white, heat reflecting, waterproof, insulated makeshift dust cover.  A 48-degree difference in temperature between the thermometer placed on the dashboard and the one sitting on top of the closed computer lid underneath the cover could be measured.
* It you bring a notebook on the fireline it may not come back.  All wildland firefighters are trained to drop their packs and deploy fire shelters on the run in the event of a burn over.  We would be very interested in obtaining information on a lightweight, heat-reflecting, waterproof, insulated, fire-resistant computer case with quick release buckles on the straps!

Improvements for Next Time

1.  Have an agreement up-front with other fire agencies so web site publishing may continue in the event the fire escapes.

After the escape of the prescribed burn the rules changed when we went into the suppression mode.  It was pre-arranged for dissemination of Banner Queen Prescribed Fire information to have Incident Commander approval prior to posting on the web.  This particular location is under contract to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) to suppress all wildland fires that occur on federally owned lands.  When the Banner Queen Prescribed Fire escaped the boundaries, CDF assumed command and the fire was renamed the "Chariot Wildfire" (renamed for its location in Chariot Canyon).  It then became responsibility of the CDF to disseminate fire information and all federal resources assisted in the suppression effort, therefore, we had to discontinue updates to the Banner Queen web site.

The "F-Project" video crew continued to photo-document and map the fire progression for internal use only.  This information proved to be invaluable during the post-fire review.

2.  Closer coordination between Incident Commander and web site crew for updates to statistical information.  Ensure background information web pages are prepared to supplement web site.

Updated statistical information was needed by the web site crew to supplement the maps and photographs.  A copy of the burn plan in text file format would have been excellent information to provide on the web site.  During large wildland fires the Incident Action Plan (IAP) contains the incident objectives, tactical assignments, maps, weather forecasts, fire behavior predictions and various other plans.  An entire IAP can be assembled from CD-ROM programs such as Neotec's ICS Companion Documents.  This report can be saved in GIF format and published directly to the web.

3.  Find solutions to speed up the FTP process

Although the satellite transceiver (SATCOM) proved to be the most reliable, the fastest connection speed is only 4800 bps.  The cell-phone would connect at 9600 bps but we had to remain stationary (this was not always possible with an advancing fire front rapidly approaching).  We found the best connection at a lightning 28.8 speed in a restaurant in nearby Julian, however, we had to unplug their cash register to access the phone jack !

The slow transfer rate between the fireline and server (in Sacramento, CA) would delay website publishing by up to an hour or more.  When the fire escaped, management was quite interested in real time video.  The Toshiba Tecra notebook computers used on-site have built in video conferencing capabilities.  A small digital camera, used to capture video footage during a recon overflight, plugs directly into the computer. It is possible to transmit real-time video through the Internet by using a readily available program such as Microsoft's NetMeeting or the Intel Video Phone.  Only two computers can be logged on at a time but this would be one option of keeping the Incident Commander back at the command post informed.

The file transfer protocol limited edition software restricted the number of files that could be transmitted at one time.  Upgrading the FTP software will solve this problem

4.  Improve video quality

The video capture card (PCMCIA) that we were using would only capture in 8-bit.  The Adobe Premier editing program requires a minimum of 24-bit video for rendering.  The Toshiba engineers quickly responded and provided us with a contact at another vendor who offered to provide a prototype device that we will test during the next pilot to improve video quality.

5.  Set-up file naming conventions for digital images and video files

Digital camera diskettes automatically assigned numeric file names to images.  When the images are uploaded from multiple diskettes, they copy over existing files.  We caught this early, however, each diskette has a new naming convention.  To facilitate faster web publishing, we recommend the file naming conventions be established prior to the incident.

Video files on our RealVideo server require a script to access the video.  If video file naming conventions are established prior to the fire, the scripts can also be developed and in-place for faster web publishing.

6.  Consider maintaining an internal web site for fire management officers and upper management to follow progress in the field.

When the prescribed fire escaped its boundaries, top level managers at the Bureau of Land Management were highly interested in up-to-the-minute information on the fire and its progress.  Even though the video crew continued to photo-document and record video files of the fire progression, they were for internal use only and determined inappropriate to publish on the web without an agreement with CDF.  An internal web site for agency use only would have been a valuable addition to this pilot to keep managers and fire fighting officials informed.
 
 

7.  Consider training Fire Information Officers to use the web as a communication tool on future fires.

The web has become another communications tool for disseminating information to the news media, public, fire personnel, and agency administrators.  Training Fire Information Officers to use this communication tool would enhance our information dissemination capabilities.

Conclusion

Going back to those 100 TV media clips which aired over a five-day period, the best explanation of why BLM was conducting a prescribed fire in the area was delivered by a miner on a news broadcast the third day of the fire.  Information was not easily accessible by the news media, but we believe web sites of the future will provide everyone, including the news media, with photos, video, statistics, and other valuable real-time information as fire occur.  As more and more information becomes available on the World Wide Web, we as government agencies have a tool to help improve the way in which we communicate our message.
 
Addendum

Stonewall - the second pilot

On August 4th the "F-Project" crew was dispatched to the 2800 acre Stonewall wildland fire which was started by a downed powerline on August 3rd in Pinnacles National Monument.  A fire camp had been established at the county fairground 25 miles north of the fire.  At first, it was confusing as to what to call us and how we fit into the overall organization.  Under ICS, technical specialists are usually assigned to the Planning Section and we certainly provide the mapping needs of the Situation Unit in Plans.  It was finally decided to assign us to the Fire Information Officer who reports directly to the Incident Commander.  It worked very effectively to have us work in Fire Information and share our data with Plans.  On this fire we got to work indoors with electricity on a full size wooden conference table and access to our own telephone line!

The CA BLM State Office staff developed an internal-use web page for our second pilot
(www.ca.blm.gov/fire/stonewall/Stonewall.htm).  A decision between BLM and the National Park Service Pacific West Regional Office enabled us to go public and hyperlink the Stonewall fire page to the California Fedpage (http://fedpage.doi.gov).  The amount of incoming calls dropped significantly after the news media were directed to the Fedpage for updates.

There was so much interest in the "F-Project" that we gave a formal Powerpoint presentation to the command and general staff  one afternoon.  There was favorable discussion on the benefits of information dissemination using the World Wide Web during the post-fire closeout between the incident management team and the Pinnacles park staff.  A description of the Project has been included in the permanent documentation of the incident.  The National Interagency Fire Center obtained a draft copy of this article.  It was forwarded service-wide throughout NPS.  The following replies are typical responses:

"This is wild!  I was able to bring up the map in full color with the IC's speech and aerial flyby of  the burn line.  Incredible!"

"I don't know whether to be happy or scared about the march of technology.  We are going to have to order strike teams of computer operators just to keep up.  I don't think we have any choice,  the systems are there and are going to be used.  We can use them to our benefit or be dragged along kicking and screaming by everyone else."

"Grainy is not good."

We still have some additional fine-tuning ahead of us but from all indications the "F-Project" is starting to make a difference.