Last week I posted again about the need for The Peoples’ Database, in which some group of citizens would give advice to the Forest Service on what information in what formats it should make available to the public. Having FOIAd various master agreements, SPAs and quarterly reports, for example, I didn’t see anything that couldn’t be made public (with names redacted perhaps). Matthew Haggerty brought up the need for budget and personnel data.
Dan Reese wrote these pieces on Wildfire Data on Linked-In on the same topic, so I’m re-posting here. Compatible data sets across agencies seems like one of the Holy Grails of our world.. do I remember John Teply in Region 6 in the 80’s and a discussion about whether FS data should match nationally, Oregon, or with BLM? Conceptually, it seems like it should be simple.
1. Defining who needs the data (across agencies and landowners)
2. Asking them what they need
3. Prioritizing based on that
4. Collecting info.
Clearly it is not, and has never been, that simple. Perhaps with today’s platforms and sensing capabilities, it should be easier?
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Post Title: Wildfires and Data: Where Are We Falling Short?
Wildfires are relentless, wreaking havoc on our communities and costing lives, resources, and billions of dollars. Despite living in an era of advanced technology, why are we still struggling to manage them effectively?
The truth is, the challenges are complex. Bureaucratic red tape, fragmented response efforts, and cautious decision-making (often influenced by litigation) create significant obstacles. But perhaps the biggest hurdle is our incomplete understanding of data.
We still lack a fully integrated system that combines information from drones, satellites, dispatch records, flight logs, ground resource data, and beyond. Firefighters, often overwhelmed and exhausted, cannot reliably input this data manually. Without automation and advanced analytics—potentially powered by supercomputers—fire managers are left navigating a maze without a map.
The opportunity is clear: better data integration and analysis could transform how we prepare for and respond to these infernos. So, how do we get there? Stay tuned for more insights in the next post.
Post Title: Wildfires and Data; Bridging the Data Gap to Fight Wildfires
Imagine a world where fire managers have access to real-time, integrated data to guide their strategies. Predictive models anticipate fire patterns, and advanced analytics inform decisions—before fire suppression efforts even begin.
This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s achievable. But to unlock this potential, we must break down silos between government and private sectors. Standardized data collection and analysis across agencies and jurisdictions is essential. No more “chess games with mismatched pieces.”
Yet collaboration alone isn’t enough. Leaders must advocate for funding, create testing environments for new technologies, and foster innovation in the private sector. Without real-world testing opportunities—like on active wildfires—companies can’t refine their solutions.
The good news? The fire service, environment, and public would all benefit from these advancements. Let’s commit to bridging this gap and creating a unified, data-driven approach to wildfire management.
Post Title: The Future of Wildfire Management: A Call to Action
The wildfire crisis demands more than incremental change—it requires a bold, transformative shift. The tools and technologies we need are within reach, but they require decisive leadership and investment.
Here’s what we need:
1️⃣ Standardization: Compatible data sets and equipment across agencies.
2️⃣ Collaboration: Foster partnerships between public and private sectors to share expertise and resources.
3️⃣ Real-World Testing: Agencies must provide environments for testing and scaling innovative solutions.
4️⃣ Appropriate Funding: Agencies must encourage the use of new innovations by providing exclusive proof-of-concept use contracts to help grow and refine these technologies.
The private sector alone can’t simulate the complexities of managing massive wildfires. Government agencies must support these efforts, ensuring new technologies are field-tested and ready to deploy.
The stakes are too high to settle for less. Let’s equip the next generation of fire managers with the tools they need to protect our communities and planet.
Thanks for taking up to problem of data accessibility, Sharon. I’ll admit the wildfire data problem feels insurmountable given the need for real-time, integrated, and massive amounts of information delivered to people under huge amounts of stress. This is WAY beyond my pay grade. I’m hoping for something much simpler. Budgets are statements of values and priorities. But we don’t have a good database of basic budget data–FTEs, contracts, agency funds in different priority areas by geography (NF, NF Region, Congressional District) and over time. I hope we can crowd source much of this information relatively quickly. I assume many of you here have extracted data from PDFs or from FOIA requests. If you’re willing to share, I’ll compile budget data and put it on our website so everyone can access it. Or maybe put it all here on a permalink?