Fire Behavior Assessment Team: plot location data

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Reiner, Alicia L.
Originator: Ewell, Carol M.
Originator: Fites-Kaufman, Josephine A.
Originator: Dailey, Scott N.
Originator: Noonan-Wright, Erin K.
Originator: Norman, Tiffany P.
Originator: Vaillant, Nicole M.
Originator: Dickinson, Matthew B.
Originator: Morgan, Chelsea
Originator: Courson, Mark
Originator: Campbell, Mike
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
Fire Behavior Assessment Team: plot location data
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Other_Citation_Details:
Updated 16 April 2020
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0056
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains the location data for the plots in which pre- and/or post-fire fuels, and fire behavior data were collected by the Fire Behavior Assessment Team (FBAT) on a subset of wildland fires in the United States from 2003-2017. Logistics (proximity to instrumentation/crew members), funding, fire activity, and monitoring questions influenced the geographic regions and fires where sampling was attempted, for instance, fuel treatments recorded in the Forest Service Activity Tracking System (FACTS), as well as tree mortality areas, were each targets for FBAT sampling in the past. FBAT is an interagency group of primarily Forest Service employees with both monitoring and fireline qualifications which collects pre- and post-fire fuels and tree data along with fire behavior measurements on wildland fires. This package contains a shapefile for each fire that includes the point locations of each plot. The fuels and fire behavior data are archived separately.
Purpose:
The purpose of these data is to provide the location data for spatial applications of the FBAT fuels/fire behavior/fire severity datasets.
Supplemental_Information:
For more information about FBAT data see: https://www.fs.fed.us/adaptivemanagement/projects_main_fbat.php.

Data were originally published on 10/03/2018. Minor metadata updates were made on 06/13/2019. On 04/16/2020 minor updates were made to the metadata and these data were updated to include fires through 2019, which included: Alder (2019) and Walker (2019). On 12/03/2020 this data publication was updated to include a supplemental file that provides a diagram of the FBAT plot layout and a brief list of key method changes throughout the years FBAT has taken data to present (2020).
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2003
Ending_Date: 2019
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: Irregular
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
The data were measured on wildland fires across the United States, mostly in California.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -127.972202
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -65.258792
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 51.632799
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 22.765684
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Fire
Theme_Keyword: Fire ecology
Theme_Keyword: Fire effects on environment
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme_Keyword: Fire
Theme_Keyword: Fire ecology
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Forest management
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: location data
Theme_Keyword: plot center
Theme_Keyword: GPS
Theme_Keyword: GNSS
Theme_Keyword: fuels
Theme_Keyword: fire behavior
Theme_Keyword: fire severity
Theme_Keyword: Joint Fire Science Program
Theme_Keyword: JFSP
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: United States
Place_Keyword: California
Place_Keyword: Montana
Place_Keyword: Idaho
Place_Keyword: Arizona
Place_Keyword: Wyoming
Place_Keyword: Georgia
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Reiner, Alicia L.; Ewell, Carol M.; Fites-Kaufman, Josephine A.; Dailey, Scott N.; Noonan-Wright, Erin K.; Norman, Tiffany P.; Vaillant, Nicole M.; Dickinson, Matthew B.; Morgan, Chelsea; Courson, Mark; Campbell, Mike. 2018. Fire Behavior Assessment Team: plot location data. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. Updated 16 April 2020. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0056
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Washington Office Business Operations
Contact_Person: Alicia Reiner
Contact_Position: Fire Ecologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway
City: Pisgah Forest
State_or_Province: NC
Postal_Code: 28768
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 530-559-4860
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: alreiner@fs.fed.us
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding for this project has been provided in the past by various intermittent sources including the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Project # 01C-2-1-08, USDA Forest Service Washington Office Fire and Aviation Management (WO-FAM), Pacific Southwest Region, Stanislaus National Forest, Sequoia National Forest, and Northern Research Station (NRS).
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Reiner, Alicia L.
Originator: Ewell, Carol M.
Originator: Fites-Kaufman, Josephine A.
Originator: Dailey, Scott N.
Originator: Noonan-Wright, Erin K.
Originator: Norman, Tiffany P.
Originator: Vaillant, Nicole M.
Originator: Dickinson, Matthew B.
Originator: Morgan, Chelsea
Originator: Courson, Mark
Originator: Campbell, Mike
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
Fire Behavior Assessment Team: pre- and post-fire tree data, raw and processed
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0057
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Attribute accuracy should be relatively high. The main attribute is the plot number.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
These data are the locations for the fuels/fire behavior/fire severity in the FBAT dataset. The FBAT dataset is organized by fire, and within each fire, by data type and then plot number. In order to join or relate this data to the rest of the FBAT fuels/fire behavior/fire severity data, both the fire name and the plot number would be necessary.

Over the years, some of the names assigned to the fires has varied. Sweatfarm is synonymous with GA Bay Complex and Big Turnaround Complex. The Tatanka complex is also synonymous with the Maple/Buffalo fires. The Bake and Oven fires were part of the Bar Complex and were sampled during the same tour as the Orleans Complex, so these data from these fires are often named BarOrleans. The Somes fire was part of the Orleans Complex and was sampled the same tour as the Bar Complex, so data from this fire is also often named BarOrleans.
Completeness_Report:
Some plots are missing from this dataset. For more information about what data are missing and any caveats, see \Supplements\FBAT_file-level_additional_info_GPS.pdf.

Bar complex, Somes fire: A note says that original GPS data are lost. These were based on paper maps. Plot 5 is not represented.

Rim fire: The file merged seems to be one with mostly rate of spread (ROS) locations, so if the fuels plot center was not available (which happened frequently) the ROS sensor location closest to plot center was used, which was usually placed within 15 feet of fuel plot center, so could work for an approximate plot center.

Lion fire: Plot 6 was marked plot 6 in one column, but 7 in another. It is in the same place as plot 7, so probably is plot 7, maybe no record of plot 6.

IMPORTANT: There are different variables in each of these shapefiles because not all information was available or included for each location. All available data are provided.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Earlier location data in this dataset were likely taken with a Trimble GPS unit and were differentially corrected using Pathfinder Office. Approximately 2011-2015 Trimble receivers were also used, most likely the Trimble Juno B3. Up until 2015, location data were generally taken with receivers set to UTM, and the appropriate zone. In later data, Garmin GPSMap64 units were generally used, and data were generally recorded in geographic formats. Crews were asked to average points for location data, however, almost all location data are under forested canopy, which reduces accuracy.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
The methods used by FBAT during this timeframe varied somewhat by year. Please see the metadata associated with fuels and fire behavior datasets (Reiner et al. 2018) for these nuances. These locations are generally for the “plot center” unless noted. Plots were located opportunistically near actively burning fires given monitoring goals as well as logistical and safety constraints. Plot sizes were as follows: one to three 50-foot fuels transects originated from these plot centers and tree data were taken using a variable-radius plot centered on these “plot centers” with a basal area factor based on stand density (to allow for at least 9-12 trees per plot), fire behavior equipment were located in the vicinity of the plot, with rate of spread sensors (which also show temperature through time) located on the periphery of the plot, and video camera also located along the periphery of the plot, facing towards the plot.

Sometimes, if approval was obtained from the local unit, rebar were left at the plot center and also the ends of the fuels transects. If rereads of these plots were attempted, the plot photos might come in handy (available via author).


Below is a list of the fire names sorted by the year the fire occurred.

2003:
Black Mt II

2005:
Blackerby
Crag WFU

2006:
Ralston
Warm
Bar, Somes (Bake and Oven Fires were part of the Bar Complex and were sampled during the same tour as the Orleans Complex, so data is often named BarOrleans. Somes Fire was part of the Orleans Complex and was sampled the same tour as the Bar Complex, so data is often named BarOrleans)

2007:
Antelope Complex
Sweatfarm (also also referred to as Big Turnaround Complex or GA Bay Complex)

2008:
Clover

2011:
Lion

2013:
Aspen
Rim

2014:
Beaver
French
King

2015:
Rough
Willow

2016:
Cedar
Tantanka (also referred to as Tantanka Complex, Buffalo, or Maple)

2017:
Pier
Schaeffer

2019:
Alder
Walker
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Reiner, Alicia L.
Originator: Ewell, Carol M.
Originator: Fites-Kaufman, Josephine A.
Originator: Dailey, Scott N.
Originator: Noonan-Wright, Erin K.
Originator: Norman, Tiffany P.
Originator: Vaillant, Nicole M.
Originator: Dickinson, Matthew B.
Originator: Morgan, Chelsea
Originator: Courson, Mark
Originator: Campbell, Mike
Publication_Date: 2018
Title:
Fire Behavior Assessment Team: pre- and post-fire tree data, raw and processed
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0057
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Authors obtained the most recent and cleaned GPS files for each fire. These files where then reprojected to geographic NAD 83 rather than a UTM zone because data spanned several zones. All shapefiles were merged. Data fields were cleaned up (removed unnecessary and duplicate) and we ensured that each point at least had a plot, fire and comments fields. The result was individual shapefiles for each fire. Files were then renamed consistently.
Process_Date: 201807
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Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Entity point
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 202
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Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 8.983152841195215e-009
Longitude_Resolution: 8.983152841195215e-009
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees
Geodetic_Model:
Horizontal_Datum_Name: D WGS 1984
Ellipsoid_Name: WGS 1984
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137.0
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257223563
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below is a complete description of the files included in this publication.

\Data\YYYY_*LOCATION(S)*\*LOCATION*_FBAT_plots.shp or FBAT_*LOCATION*_plots.shp
ArcGIS shapefile (and associated files) containing the location of the FBAT plots for the specified location and year (YYYY).

*LOCATION* = name/location of fire: BlackMountain, Backerby, Crag, BarOrleans, Ralston, Warm, Antelope, Sweatfarm, Clover, Lion, Aspen, Rim, Beaver, French, King, Rough, Willow, Cedar, Tatanka, Pier, Schaeffer, Alder and Walker. (Note: Over the years, some of the names assigned to the fires has varied. Sweatfarm is synonymous with GA Bay Complex and Big Turnaround Complex. The Tatanka complex is also synonymous with the Maple/Buffalo fires. The Bake fire, Oven fire, Somes fire, Bar Complex, and Orleans Complex are all also referenced as BarOrleans. To help prevent confusion the folder names include all relevant names.)


\Data\2006_Lion\Lion_Crew20plots_GS84.shp
ArcGIS shapefile (and associated files) containing locations of fuels plots taken by Crew 20, no fire behavior equipment (WGS 84).


\Data\GIS\FBAT_thru2019.shp
ArcGIS shapefile (and associated files) containing locations of all FBAT plots from fires through 2019.


POTENTIAL VARIABLES INCLUDED WITHIN SHAPEFILES (Note that not all SHP files contain all of these variables):

FID = internal feature number

Shape = shape type

ObjectID_1 = consecutive ID assigned in GIS

GPS_Date = date point was taken

GPS_TIME = time point was taken

Type = type of point collected in a GARMIN

Name = plot name

Plot (or Plot_No, PlotNum) = plot number

Elevation (or Altitude) = elevation (units unknown)

Elem_TEXT = position notes

Aspect_deg = aspect in degrees

McNallySev = fire severity assigned to McNally Fire

Slope = slope

Latitude = latitude (decimal degrees)

Longitude = longitude (decimal degrees)

Symbol = (irrelevant)

Time = time location data were taken

MAX_PDOP = maximum positional dilution of precision

Model = type of GNSS (global navigation satellite system) receiver used

RCVR_Type = type of GNSS receiver used

Typeoffeat = notes on whether the location was a fuels plot center, or camera location or rate of spread sensor location

Comments = comments

Notes = notes

2013_notes = notes from 2013

Fire = name of fire

* Unfortunately there are some variables included in these files that we cannot define, but were left in because they were part of the original files. (e.g., Ident, x_proj, y_proj, Ltime)


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES INCLUDED

\Supplements\FBAT_file-level_additional_info_GPS.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing additional notes or comments pertaining to each individual fire.

\Supplements\FBAT_Plot_Layout.pdf: Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing a diagram of the FBAT plot layout along with a brief list of key method changes throughout the years FBAT has taken data to present (2020). The diagram depicts (not to scale) the lengths and directions of the fuel transects in relation to the various fire behavior sensors installed on plots. The summary of methods changes highlights namely differences in subsampling, i.e. the number of fuel transects or rate of spread sensors used.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
none provided
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of December 2020. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2018-0056
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: SHP
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
ESRI ArcGIS shapefile
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0056
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: PDF
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Adobe Acrobat PDF or PDF/a file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2018-0056
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20201203
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Washington Office Business Operations
Contact_Person: Alicia Reiner
Contact_Position: Fire Ecologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 1600 Pisgah Highway
City: Pisgah Forest
State_or_Province: NC
Postal_Code: 28768
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 530-559-4860
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: alreiner@fs.fed.us
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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