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Spatial Patterns and Physical Factors of Smokejumper Utilization Since 2004

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Spatial Patterns and Physical Factors of Smokejumper Utilization Since 2004 University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2014 SPATIAL PATTERNS AND PHYSICAL FACTORS OF SMOKEJUMPER UTILIZATION SINCE 2004 Tyson A. Atkinson University of Montana - Missoula Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Part of the Forest Management Commons, and the Other Forestry and Forest Sciences Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Atkinson, Tyson A., "SPATIAL PATTERNS AND PHYSICAL FACTORS OF SMOKEJUMPER UTILIZATION SINCE 2004" (2014). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 4384. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/4384 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SPATIAL PATTERNS AND PHYSICAL FACTORS OF SMOKEJUMPER UTILIZATION SINCE 2004 By TYSON ALLEN ATKINSON Bachelor of Science, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 2009 Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Forestry The University of Montana Missoula, MT December 2014 Approved by: Sandy Ross, Dean of The Graduate School Graduate School Dr. Carl A. Seielstad, Chair Department of Forest Management Dr. LLoyd P. Queen Department of Forest Management Dr. Charles G. Palmer Department of Health and Human Performance Atkinson, Tyson Allen, M.S., December 2014 Forestry Spatial Patterns and Physical Factors of Smokejumper Utilization since 2004 Chairperson: Dr. Carl Seielstad Abstract: This research examines patterns of aerial smokejumper usage in the United States. I assess landscape and environmental factors of their deployment using a detailed nine-year record of smokejumper activity in combination with terrain, fuels, and transportation network data. Specifically, the research seeks to identify commonalities in location (proximity), terrain, fuels, fire occurrence, and accessibility of smokejumper actions that inform current usage and identify opportunities for improved utilization. Terrain parameters (steep, rugged, inaccessible) of the western U.S. were classified and a baseline travel time grid was created (30 meter resolution). Fires in which smokejumpers responded were compared with all fires that occurred (Fire Program Analysis Fire Occurrence Database) on the same landscape during the same time period. Most (96%) aerial smokejumper actions (2004-2012) in the western U.S. and Alaska were recovered from the Smokejumper Master Action Database and used in this analysis. Results reveal differences between incidents in which smokejumpers were used when compared with total fire load. In the context of total fire load smokejumpers are dispatched to fires in steeper (+117%), rougher (+100%), and higher terrain (+51%). Additional analysis reveals that smokejumpers are utilized further from roads (+375%), on landscapes that are harder to access on foot (+473%), and on incidents that are proximal to bases where jumpers are stationed (- 33%). The identified patterns in smokejumper utilization provide a systematic assessment that helps explain where and how smokejumpers are currently being used. The research also quantified the occurrence of steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain across the western U.S. and showed that more than half of the western U.S is within a 20 minute walk of the nearest road and 83 percent is within one hour. The most remote location based on Euclidean distance is in the Thorofare Basin of Yellowstone NP (21.5 miles). Based on hiking time, the most difficult to reach location is near Halfway Creek between Fish Lake and Moose Creek in the Selway- Bitterroot Wilderness (29 hours). The travel-time results have utility beyond smokejumping in the areas of wildlife management, recreation, and search and rescue. This study provides the groundwork and takes an initial step toward the culminating goal of improving the efficacy of the U.S smokejumper program and the wildland fire community as a whole. ii Acknowledgements: First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Carl Seielstad for providing me the opportunity, mentorship, funding, and encouragement. Without his interest and support, none of this would have been possible. I would like to thank my committee, Dr. Carl Seielstad, Dr. LLoyd Queen, and Dr. Charles Palmer for their willingness to serve on my committee. Their individual input and expertise not only as scientists, but as fellow firefighters was essential in the success of me achieving my goals. I am grateful to Dr. LLoyd Queen and the staff at University of Montana’s National Center of Landscape Fire Analysis for investing in me, providing me the necessary resources to succeed, education and networking opportunities, and continued support. I hope to one day be able to pay it forward. In particular, I would like to thank Valentijn Hoff and Casey Teske for always answering my GIS and programming questions, I would not have done it without you; Jim Riddering, Tim Wallace, Eric Rowell, and Jami Sindelar for continued support and advising; and my fellow FireCenter grad students for their friendship, advice, and humor. I would like to recognize Mike Fritsen, Mitch Kearns and the entire Missoula Smokejumper Base for their patience, flexibility, and support in allowing me to further my education and goals. I would also like to extend special thanks to the National Smokejumper Association and Systems for Environmental Management for their scholarship contributions, Matt Galyardt for allowing me access to the Smokejumper Master Action Database, and Tyler Keith for his reliable support and editing skills. Lastly, I am particularly grateful to my family and friends who have encouraged me throughout this endeavor. I would especially like to thank my parents, Jim and Luan Atkinson, my wife Ashley, son Brayden, brother Sam, and Grandfather A. Their unequivocal love, positive attitudes, and continued daily patience and support have been influential in lifting me through the tough times. For that I am truly grateful. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................. vii 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................... 5 2. BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................. 7 2.1 The Smokejumper Program .......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Fighting Fire in Alaska ............................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Smokejumper Mission ................................................................................................................ 11 2.4 Defining Landscape Characteristics ............................................................................................ 13 2.4.1 Topography/Terrain ............................................................................................................ 13 2.4.2 Fuels .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4.3 Accessibility ........................................................................................................................ 16 3. METHODS ......................................................................................................................................... 18 3.1 Study Area .................................................................................................................................. 18 3.2 Data ............................................................................................................................................. 19 3.2.1 The Smokejumper Master Action Database ....................................................................... 19 3.2.2 The Fire Program Analysis System Fire Occurrence Database .......................................... 21 3.2.3 Fuels .................................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.4 Terrain ................................................................................................................................. 23 3.2.5 Boundaries and Roads ......................................................................................................... 23 3.3 Database Cleaning ...................................................................................................................... 24 3.4 Geoprocessing ............................................................................................................................. 26 3.5 Objectifying Steep, Rugged, and Inaccessible Terrain ..............................................................
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