Developed by fire science company FiSci, Mitigate combines data on vegetation, weather and topography to simulate how wildfire could spread, according to a news release. Mitigate uses proprietary AI and predictive analytics to produce maps highlighting risk areas, how fast fires could spread and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cCentral Texas is a patchwork of grasslands, wooded corridors, and dense neighborhoods. Each of those environments reacts differently to fire,\u201d said Ken Bailey, Travis County Fire Rescue fire chief, in the news release. \u201cThis modeling helps us see those differences clearly and plan around them, well before smoke is in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n
The platform also allows agencies to test fire mitigation in a virtual environment, and has been used in evacuation planning for communities with narrow roads or limited exits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis gives us a clearer sense of timing,\u201d said Bobby Abbott, Lake Travis Fire Rescue fire chief, in the news release. \u201cWe can estimate how quickly a fire might compromise evacuation routes, how wide the fire front could become, and when sheltering in place or moving residents to a refuge area might actually be safer than a full evacuation.\u201d<\/p>\n
What else?<\/p>\n
The agencies have started comparing the model\u2019s projections with past fire behavior under similar conditions, and early findings suggest the models closely match the real-world outcomes, the news release states.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe real payoff may be on the prevention side,\u201d said Nick Perkins, Pflugerville Fire Department fire chief. \u201cBy identifying areas more likely to experience large-scale fire spread, we can focus mitigation efforts, community outreach, and public education where they\u2019re most likely to make a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In case you missed it<\/p>\n
The adoption of the technology comes on the heels of a countywide burn ban in unincorporated areas of Travis County, which was extended Feb. 24<\/a> due to continued dry conditions. The ban remains in effect through March 24 unless the county judge or fire marshal lifts it earlier.<\/p>\n