Preparing for Future Forest Fires: Emerging Technologies and Innovations

Forest fires are part of the global ecosystems occurring for a long time in earth history.  These forest fires are part of the processes which establish the ecosystems and directly influence plant species composition within the ecosystems. However, the anthropogenic effect has changed this relationship causing an increasing number of forest fires Human activities have also changed world climate and future climate is expected to increase in temperature with dire consequences on the earth environment. These changes will profoundly impact on the earth’s socio-economic and human well-being. One of the effects of higher global temperature is increasing forest fires occurrences with stronger intensities.  There is a need to develop innovation and new technologies to manage these future fires. This paper aims to review various innovations and new technologies that can be used for the whole spectrum of forest fire management, from forest fire prediction to forest restoration of burnt areas. Emerging technologies such as geospatial technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, 5G & enhanced connectivity, the Internet of Behaviors (IoB), virtual and augmented reality, and robotics are discussed and potential applications to forest fire management are discussed. Adaptation of these technologies is vital in the effective management of future forest fires. Key words: Climate Change, Future Fires, InnovationsKebakaran hutan merupakan bagian dari ekosistem global yang terjadi sejak lama dalam sejarah bumi. Kebakaran hutan ini merupakan bagian dari proses yang membentuk ekosistem dan secara langsung mempengaruhi komposisi spesies tumbuhan di dalam ekosistem. Namun, efek antropogenik telah mengubah hubungan ini yang menyebabkan peningkatan jumlah kebakaran hutan Aktivitas manusia juga telah mengubah iklim dunia dan iklim di masa depan diperkirakan akan meningkatkan suhu dengan konsekuensi yang mengerikan pada lingkungan bumi. Perubahan ini akan sangat berdampak pada sosial ekonomi bumi dan kesejahteraan manusia. Salah satu dampak dari peningkatan suhu global adalah meningkatnya kejadian kebakaran hutan dengan intensitas yang lebih kuat. Ada kebutuhan untuk mengembangkan inovasi dan teknologi baru untuk mengelola kebakaran di masa depan ini. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji berbagai inovasi dan teknologi baru yang dapat digunakan untuk seluruh spektrum penanggulangan kebakaran hutan, mulai dari prediksi kebakaran hutan hingga restorasi hutan pada kawasan yang terbakar. Teknologi yang muncul seperti teknologi geospasial, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, 5G & konektivitas yang ditingkatkan, Internet of Behaviors (IoB), virtual dan augmented reality, dan robotika dibahas dan aplikasi potensial untuk manajemen kebakaran hutan dibahas. Adaptasi teknologi ini sangat penting dalam pengelolaan kebakaran hutan yang efektif di masa depan. Kata kunci: Perubahan Iklim, Kebakaran di Masa Depan, Inovas

Space assets and technology for bushfire management

The financial, emotional, and ecological impacts of bushfires can be devastating. This report was prepared by the participants of the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program 2021 in response to the topic: “How space assets and technologies can be applied to better predict and mitigate bushfires and their impacts.” To effectively reach the diverse set of stakeholders impacted by bushfires, Communication was identified as a key enabler central to any examination of the topic. The three pillars “predict”, “mitigate” and “communicate” were identified to frame the task at hand. Combining the diverse skills and experience of the class participants with the interdisciplinary knowledge gained from the seminars, distinguished lectures, and workshops during the SHSSP21 program, conducted a literature review With specific reference to the 2019-20 Australian fire season, we looked at the current state of the art, key challenges, and how bushfires can be better predicted and mitigated in the future. Comparing this to the future desired state, we identified gaps for each of the three domains, and worked across teams to reach consensus on a list of recommendations. Several of these recommendations were derived independently by two or more of the three groups, highlighting the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach. The report details a number of recommendations arising from this Where applicable, we also aligned our discussion with the experience and lessons from other countries and agencies to consider,learn from and respond to the international context, as others develop systems using space technology to tackle similar wildfire issues

Developing a User Interface for the Live 3D Mapping of Wildfires

Our project aimed to help our sponsor, Simtable LLC, bring real-time visual communication to fire personnel. Simtable LLC is developing a software called LiveTexture, which will collect imagery of wildfires from several sources and generate a three dimensional (3D) model of the situation. The technology will enable firefighters to view and annotate 3D maps and exchange information in real time. We researched the limitations of current wildfire management communications systems, and interviewed wildfire response personnel to determine the functions their jobs require. The end result of our project included non-functional mock-up user interfaces that visually outlined how users will interact with LiveTexture to more efficiently reach their goals

Immersed in Fire: The Use of Virtual Reality as an Attitude Assessor and Boundary Object in Wildland Fire Management

Interest in using prescribed burning as a forest management tool to promote forest health and regeneration is growing in Maine. The goal for this research was to better understand the way that the public perceives prescribed burning practices in wildland-urban interfaces, with an emphasis placed on how immersive imagery, closely related to virtual reality (VR), compares to traditional communication methods. We specifically focus on the social acceptability of prescribed burning and analyze how the level of immersive imagery is related to that acceptability (Ahn, 2015; Bricken, 1990; Fogg, Cuellar, and Danielson, 2009; Smith 2015; Wiederhold, Davis, and Wiederhold, 1998). The information derived from this research can be a useful tool in public involvement and communication efforts for forest managers, scientists, and policy makers. Additionally, this research identified potential solutions for bridging public and manager communication boundaries. Immersive imagery is a relatively new technology and its uses within forest management have only recently begun to be explored. This research built upon the concept of boundary spanning objects, where an object – in this case immersive imagery – can create an effective exchange of ideas and information between stakeholder groups. Within the boundary literature, three factors are frequently identified as being particularly influential on the perceptions of information communicated through a boundary object: saliency, legitimacy, and credibility (Cash et al., 2002). Combining this with the growing body of literature on immersive imagery for communication and decision-making purposes, this research attempted to identify public perceptions of immersive imagery. This research evaluated saliency, legitimacy, and credibility of immersive imagery and traditional communication methods, which contributes toward understanding immersive imagery’s potential as a boundary-spanning object. The methodological design for this research was to implement a 2x2 framework in which participants were shown visual imagery that varied based on level of immersion as well as level of smoke within the imagery. Each participant was given a pre and post-questionnaire tailored to whichever of the four groups they have randomly been assigned. The pre-questionnaire included questions that attempted to measure the participants environmental values, prior knowledge and experience, acceptability of prescribed burns, their views on smoke from prescribed burns, their perceived confidence and trust in managers, and questions relating to boundary objects. After viewing the randomly assigned imagery, participants took a post-questionnaire which composed of questions relating to sociodemographic variables, and the other same identical parameters. We found that immersive imagery or VR has substantial potential in several arenas, but most notably as an effective boundary spanning object that seemed to increase participant’s perceptions of credibility and saliency towards VR and wildland fire management. Additionally, the technology also showed a high amount of potential in reducing fear and anxiety towards prescribed burning

A global outlook on increasing wildfire risk:current policy situation and future pathways

International audienc

Risk and vulnerability in Guatemala: a quantitative and qualitative assessment

This study combines quantitative data from the Living Standards Measurement Study and qualitative information from an in-depth qualitative study of poverty and exclusion conducted in 10 villages in Guatemala. Both data sources were designed to capture issues related to vulnerability, risks, and risk management. The quantitative survey included a risks and shocks module, in which households were asked to report if they had experienced a shock during the previous 12 months, using precoded questions for 28 economic, natural, social/political, and life-cycle shocks. These shocks were classified ex ante into covariant and idiosyncratic shocks. Households also reported: (1) whether these shocks triggered a reduction or loss of their income or wealth; (2) the main strategy that they used to cope with their welfare loss; (3) if they had succeeded in reversing the reduction or loss in their welfare by the time of the survey, and (4) the estimated time that had elapsed until successful resolution of the situation. Information on covariant shocks was also collected from the community questionnaire at the survey cluster level. The vulnerability assessment includes several types of analysis of shocks and their impact, including (1) factor analysis to understand the correlation structure or"bunching"of shocks; (2) a multivariate logistic model to examine the association between a household's characteristics and location and the probability that it reports a shock or incurs wealth and income losses due to the shock and the probability that it has recovered from the negative impact of the shock by the time of the interview; (3) nonparametric density estimation to estimate the counterfactual density of consumption or income; (4) multiple regression analysis to estimate the cost of shocks; (5) propensity score matching to estimate the cost of shocks; and (6) multiple regression analysis toestimate vulnerability to consumption poverty.Poverty Assessment,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Social Risk Management,Services&Transfers to Poor

Climate change and disaster impact reduction

Based on papers presented at the 'UK - South Asia Young Scientists and Practitioners Seminar on Climate Change and Disaster Impact Reduction' held at Kathmandu, Nepal on 5-6 June, 2008

“The Street Was One Place We Could Not Go”: The American Army and Urban Combat in World War II Europe

Much has been written about the nature of the United States Army in World War II and the topic of military effectiveness. This dissertation examines how the United States responded to a combat environment, specifically, fighting in built-up areas, that it had not planned to fight within before World War II. By following three infantry divisions, the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Infantry Divisions through their combat in World War II, this dissertation investigates how the Army of the United States fought within the urban setting to see whether the American Army improved and became more effective as the war continued. It argues that the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Infantry Divisions learned and became more proficient at urban combat over time. This dissertation asserts that as these divisions embraced combined-arms operations in general, that is, mastered the coordination of infantry weapons, armor, and artillery into battle, so they applied those lessons to the urban environment. Whereas the American military had neither doctrine nor tradition of urban combat before World War II, combat units learned to develop methods of fighting within towns and cities. Further, the United States Army processed and incorporated these battlefield lessons into military doctrine at a slower rate. The infantry divisions’ combat experience had a greater impact on army doctrine than the doctrine had on the divisions’ warfighting practices

National Inquiry on Bushfire Mitigation and Management

Bushfires are an inherent part of the Australian environment. We cannot prevent them, but we can minimise the risks they pose to life, property and infrastructure, production systems, and the environment. Australia has a large and very capable force of volunteer and career firefighters, advanced firefighting technologies, and significant firefighting resources. But the geographical scale of our country, the large and expanding rural–urban interface, and the potential for rapid bushfire development and spread under adverse weather conditions mean that individual Australians cannot rely solely on fire agencies to protect their lives and property from bushfires. Bushfires have a fundamental and irreplaceable role in sustaining many of Australia’s natural ecosystems and ecological processes and are a valuable tool for achieving land management objectives. However, if they are too frequent or too infrequent, too severe or too mild, or mistimed, they can erode ecosystem health and biodiversity and compromise other land management goals. We have been learning to live with fire since the first Australians arrived on our continent. We need to continue, and enrich, that learning process in contemporary circumstances and be able to adapt our planning and responses to change. This report seeks to help all Australians meet these challenges