Lab Assignment #7: Mapping the Station Fire

Reference Map of the Station Fire Perimeter

Thematic Map: Populated Areas and Watersheds in relation to the Station Fire

Report:

It has been concluded that “The Station fire is the largest blaze in Los Angeles County's modern history”. [2] The fire was caused by arson on the afternoon of August 26^th, 2009 in an area of the Angeles National Forest that had not experienced a major fire in over 60 years. It was named the “Station Fire” because the fire broke out near a mountain peak which contained several radio and television transmission towers. The aftermath of the Station Fire included 160,577 burned acres, 64 destroyed structures, and the deaths of two firemen. [1]

The first map shows a general reference map of the growth of the station fire over a period of five days. It is helpful to observe the perimeter of the fire with respect to the Los Angeles County boundary in order to put its location into perspective. Other features shown on this map are major highways, which help to show how the station fire perimeter is connected to more populated areas, and major bodies of water, which could be potential water sources for firefighters. Another feature of this map is elevation in the form of hillshade map formed from a digital elevation model. Examining elevation is imperative to the analysis of wildfires because drastic changes in elevation corresponding with steep slopes tend to be at higher risks for the spread of fire. [3]

The thematic map demonstrates the relationship between the station fire perimeter, populated areas, and watersheds. Following a major wildfire it is important to study its effect on water quality due to layers of ash. This layer of ash causes the soil to become semi-impervious. Therefore when the first rain event occurs, all of the contaminants in the ash layer are washed into the nearby watershed and carried to populated areas. [5] This thematic map may be used to determine which watersheds near the station fire perimeter flow towards highly populated areas. Luckily most of the rivers and streams do not flow directly through this perimeter but the ash cloud likely affected many of the surrounding watersheds.

Other conclusions that could be derived from this thematic map is the amount of property damage that occurred during the Station Fire. It may be assumed that property area directly correlates to dense populations. If the thematic map is examined it can be concluded that the majority of Los Angeles residents were not at risk to property loss. However, fire officials issued evacuation notices for residents of the 10,000 homes under threat. Although many of the structures were saved from the fire, surrounding homes were still subject to severe property damage. [4]

Hopefully California officials will examine maps such as these and observe important trends to prevent wildfires in the future in order to protect residents, structures, and drinking water quality. There are several ways in which fire hazards can be reduced. If dry flammable vegetation is cleared from these areas, there will be less fuel for the fire. Also special precautions should be used when the Santa Ana winds are active and fire risk is high.

  

References:

[1] "Station Fire Incident Overview." Incident Information System (2009): <http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1856>.

[2] Bloomekatz, Ari. "Station fire is largest in L.A. County's modern history." Los Angeles Times (2009): <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/09/station-fire-is-largest-in-la-county-history.html>.

[3] Jones, L.M. "Hazard Science in Support of Community Resiliency: The Response of the Multi Hazards Demonstration Project to the 2009 Station Fire in Los Angeles County." American Geophysical Union. (2009).

[4] Marciano, Rob. "'Angry fire' roars across 100,000 California acres." CNN (2009): <http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/08/31/california.wildfires/index.html>.

 [5] Rust, Brad. "Station Fire Burn Area Emergency Response Hazmat Assessment Report." United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service (2009): <www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/station/BAER/SpecialistReports/HazmatAssessmentReport_PublicRelease_StationBAER.pdf>.

Lab Assignment #6: Using DEM's in ArcGIS

DEM Maps of the Island of Kauai

Description of the Area:

Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands and is the fourth largest, with an area of 562.3 square miles. Kauai originated from volcanic activity, as did the rest of the Hawaiian archipelago. The highest peak on the island of Kauai is Kawaikini, which has an elevation of 5,243 feet. The area east of Mount Wai’ale’ale has an annual average rainfall of 460 inches, which has eroded deep valleys and canyons in the midst of the mountain range. The Waimea Canyon, formed by the flow of the Waimea River, is 3,000 feet deep, earning it the title of “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. This contrast of high mountain peaks and deep canyons within such a small area makes Kauai the perfect subject for a digital elevation model (DEM).

The maps below illustrate the island of Kauai which lies between 22.222° (top) and 21.907° (bottom), and -159.738° (left) and -159.293° (right). The geographic coordinate system used is GCS North American 1983.

Shaded Relief Model above a Hillshade Model

Slope Map of Location

Aspect Map of Location

3D Image of Location

Lab Assignment #5: Exploring Map Projections

Projections: Conformal, Equidistant, Equal Area

Distance: Between Washington D.C. and Kabul

Conformal Projections: 

Mercator, North Pole Stereographic

Distance: 10119 miles

Distance: 7634 miles

Equidistant Projections:

Sinusoidal, Equidistant Conic

Distance: 8098 miles

Distance: 6975 miles

Equal Area Projections:

South Pole Lambert Azimuthal, Bonne

Distance: 13530 miles

Distance: 6733 miles

            Since the earth is a spherical it is most correct to represent it as a three dimensional image. However, for many mapping purposes, especially in GIS, two-dimensional maps are necessary. All two-dimensional maps are projections with varying accuracy of shape, distance, and area. Conformal projections preserve angles, which make them ideal for navigation. Equidistant projections maintain distance between the origin and other points on the map. Equal area projections preserve areas and size of map features.

            Conformal projections are the most commonly used in most maps. The advantage of conformal projections is that angular relationships are preserved and can be used for navigation. A disadvantage is the distortion of sizes and areas. For example, Greenland is often portrayed as much larger in conformal projections than in reality. This is because distance and size become increasingly distorted when approaching the Polar Regions.

            Equidistant projections are most appropriate when distances are being measured between two points because distance is not distorted. However, the distances will only be preserved in certain conditions. For example the sinusoidal projection preserves distance along latitudes, which was ideal for measuring the distance between Washington D.C. and Kabul. Each equidistant projection has its own conditions for preserved distances, making the use of these maps very confusing.

            Equal area projections maintain the relative size and area of a geographic feature like a continent or country. Similarly to the equidistant projections, equal area projections cannot maintain relative size for all geographic features. Each equal area map preserves area in a certain region or with certain conditions. Therefore it is essential to choose the right equal area projection depending on your region of focus. For example, if you are interested in maintaining equal area in the North Pole region, the North Pole Lambert Azimuthal projection should be used.

Lab Assignment #4: Learning ArcGIS

Map for Exercise #1

Map for Exercise #2/5

Graph for Exercise #2

Map for Exercise #3

Map for Exercise #4

Map for Exercise #5

Final Product: Series of Maps related to an Airport Expansion Proposal

Review of ArcGIS: Potential and Pitfalls

After completing the formal tutorial of ArcGIS I have realized the great potential that this program has to transform data and all kinds of information into a visually appealing image. This transformation follows the old saying that “a picture is worth a thousand words” except in this case, a map is worth a thousand data cells. Although the interface of the program is not incredibly sleek or attractive, ArcGIS still gives you the opportunity to create eye-catching visuals with seemingly limitless options for customization. Through the course of the tutorial I was led to create three maps, a graph, and an extent rectangle. However, in the final exercise I was able to make my own choices about color, borders, map elements, and other basic customizations. Through this process of learning all about ArcGIS, I realized how little I know about ArcGIS, but I am more than willing to continue exploring.

In several of the assigned readings concerning neogeography, ArcGIS is often put into the same category as tools like Google Maps which facilitate amateur map-making based on an individual’s experiences. However after completing Lab Assignment #3 which focused on Google Maps and its capabilities, it seems inaccurate to put the two programs into the same category. ArcGIS is more often based on data from the census and other governmental statistics, while Google Maps is usually used as a tool to communicate personal experiences through pictures, videos, and landmarks. From my experience with these programs, ArcGIS seems to be a more scientific approach to mapping than Google Maps. Furthermore, I had much fewer glitches and problems with ArcGIS than I had with Google Maps. With elements like multi-layers, table of contents, legends, and customization, ArcGIS was more useful and reliable than web based programs like Google Maps.

Part of the distinction between ArcGIS and other neogeographic programs is that ArcGIS is more scientific in its analysis of data. Instead of representing sensory data, like pictures and details about experiences, ArcGIS often displays statistical and physical data. Since it is more detailed and complex this program is inherently less intuitive and easy-to-use, which is why the tutorial is necessary. Even after completing the tutorial, I know that I still of much to learn about ArcGIS and all of the tools that were left undiscovered in the tutorial. Also, ArcGIS seems somewhat less creative and user-friendly compared to Google Maps, which allows you to post pictures and videos to significantly enhance observers’ experiences of your map with little to no formal experience.

Another major pitfall of ArcGIS is that there is only one distributor and developer of GIS software, ESRI. This significantly limits the innovation and enhancement of the program because there is no competition to drive improvements. Furthermore, this monopoly has made the price of this program much too high for casual users. The program is only offered to students because of connections with a sponsoring university. Other neogeography programs are more widespread with more users due to the low cost, easy-access, user-friendliness, and the informal, fun uses and purposes.

In conclusion, ArcGIS is a sophisticated program with enormous potential to visualize complex data in order to communicate spatial patterns and trends. However, due to its scientific nature and privatization, ArcGIS is not user-friendly or easily accessible to the average person. I believe that eventually many of its weaknesses will be overcome and ArcGIS will continue to expand its potential to effectively display data.