Where can I get the GIS data to run FARSITE?
A1. The only data generally available used in FARSITE are DEMs (Digital Elevation Model) from the USGS. A GIS can create the slope, aspect, and elevation themes from a DEM. All fuel-related data must be produced using a GIS – essentially mapping the different fuel layers over the landscape. Many federal land management agencies are developing fuel data for use in FARSITE but data do not exist for most of the US yet. Typical data sources are 1) existing vegetation maps that can be cross-walked to fuels, 2) satellite image analysis along with ground-truth data, 3) aerial photography and manual interpretation.
