A spatial optimisation model for multi-period landscape level fuel management to mitigate wildfire impacts

James P. Minas, John W. Hearne and David L. Martell

European Journal of Operational Research, 2014, vol. 232, issue 2, 412-422

Abstract: Elevated fuel loads are contributing to an increase in the occurrence of, and area burned by, severe wildfires in many regions across the globe. In an attempt to reverse this trend, fire and land management agencies are investing in extensive fuel management programs. However, the planning of fuel treatment activities poses complicated decision-making problems with spatial and temporal dimensions. Here, we present a mixed integer programming model for spatially explicit multi-period scheduling of fuel treatments. The model provides a flexible framework that allows for landscape heterogeneity and a range of ecological and operational considerations and constraints. The model’s functionality is demonstrated on a series of hypothetical test landscapes and a number of implementation issues are discussed.

Keywords: OR in natural resources; Spatial optimization; Wildfire; Wildland fire; Fuel management; Integer programming (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ejores:v:232:y:2014:i:2:p:412-422

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2013.07.026

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