FIREcast system - Previsional fire danger index computation system for alpine regions

Abstract

FIREcast is a previsional fire danger index computing system, which elaborates weather parameter maps to evaluate the danger indicator on the interest area. FIREcast uses as a starting point the foreseen Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) adjusted for continental European latitudes and climatology and adapted for alpine regions orography. As FWI is a meteorological fire danger index, it represents the fire danger level due solely to the present and past weather conditions, not considering contingent human presence and actions. FIREcast operates on meteorological forecast input data maps, to obtain output maps representing expected fire danger in the studied area (Piedmont criteria in the current case) with a forecasting time interval up to 72 hours, after adjusting the forecast to historical fire records. FIREcast is a valuable aid in firefighting management: it allows involved agencies to have an efficient resources administration (both logistic and human), well aimed territory monitoring and reliable intervention planning for operators' safety.