Fire History Database Compilation

Existing fire history and location databases were compiled into a single, standardized project database that formed the basis for image scene selection. Fire history sources were from two general origins—Federal agency databases and State databases. In some cases, State and Federal agencies have collaborated in developing and maintaining a single database for State and Federal incidents. Federal agency data are aggregated into the Incident Command System database known as the ICS 209 and are maintained by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, ID (http://www.nifc.gov/). ICS 209 data make up the bulk records in the MTBS project database. States were solicited for State-maintained data where there was uncertainty of their inclusion in the ICS 209 data.

Wildland fire locations

Whereas there is some level of standardization within ICS 209, Federal land management agencies have varying or no standards for content, geospatial accuracy, and nomenclature. Duplicate records and name changes are common because the same incidents are often reported by multiple agencies. Further standardization and correction, where possible, were performed as part of the compilation of an MTBS project database. For the purposes of this project, standardization was accomplished by selecting data elements common to the source databases and not through record editing or manipulation of the source data except in the case of geospatial coordinates. Where a record was grossly and obviously incorrect, and a correction could be made confidently, coordinates were adjusted. Table: Brief description of database elements contained within the MTBS fire history database lists the elements that comprise the MTBS fire history database. Records for these elements were harvested from the ICS 209, and State data and source links were included to ensure that data could be traced to their databases of origin. the figure at right depicts the spatial distribution and relative frequency of fire occurrences across the project extent. Likely omissions and coarse spatial precision are noticeable, particularly in the Central and Eastern portions of the conterminous United States.