Wildland fires are increasing in frequency, severity, and size; a concerning trend recognized by the Department of Defense (DoD).DoD wildfire management is a multi-objective, collaborative process that encompasses strategic and tactical planning. DoD installation managers must decide where and when to apply limited resources for proactive and reactive wildland fire management to greatest effect. These decisions are complex and driven by several factors, including the spatial and temporal variability in wildland fire likelihood and severity across the landscape; the need to operate within military mission constraints; the need to coordinate wildland fire management across installation programs and other agencies or stakeholders; and the significant monetary investment typically required for wildland fire risk and hazard management. Thus, maximizing the utility of available wildland fire data and resources will aid the decision-making process.

Wildland fire management planning relies on the combined information from multiple technologies, tools, and methodologies to maximize the reliability, transparency, and efficiency of management decisions. Many of these technologies are mature but untested for DoD use. This project will evaluate technologies that been broadly documented in technical reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts. The project team will validate the suitability of an existing wildland fire burn probability technology for use on DoD installations. The project team will we also evaluate novel applications of biodiversity metrics as a technology to better represent and quantify the unique mission and assets of the DoD with regards to wildfire impacts.

Ultimately, there is a resource gap between the costs of managing and mitigating for wildfire risk and available funds, suggesting that the validation of available wildfire data products and novel application of existing methods may reduce these unfunded needs. The results of this project will support DoD to make informed management and mitigation decisions related to wildland fire. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2026)