Chapter 9. A Database for Spatial Assessments of Fire Characteristics, Fuel Profiles, and PM10 Emissions

Summary This paper describes the procedures and data used to develop a database of 28 fire, fuels, and smoke attributes for the broad-scale scientific assessment of the Interior Columbia River Basin. These attributes relate to three general areas: (1) fire weather, fuel moisture, and fire characteristics; (2) fuel loading and fuel consumption; and (3) PM10 smoke emissions. The process flow and development protocols for creation of the database are fully described and illustrated, with examples provided where appropriate. This database was developed for application to a certain geographic area with parameters specific to both the biophysical environment and the management issues of that area. However, the methods and protocols used to develop this comprehensive suite of fire-related data are applicable to any ecosystem for which predictions are needed for wildfire hazard, fire potential, biomass consumption, and smoke emissions.