Tools and Trainings
EPA researchers initiated a citizen science project called Smoke Sense. This project has two broad objectives. The first to increase awareness of the known health effects associated with exposure to wildfire smoke. The second is to further advance the scientific understanding of that relationship, specifically to:
- Understand the subclinical health impacts of wildland fire smoke
- Discover how people protect their health during smoke exposure
- Develop effective strategies to communicate health risks from smoke exposure
Individuals who want to contribute to science can participate in the study by using the Smoke Sense app, a publicly available mobile application on the Google Play Store and the App Store.
Access database.
The spatially explicit, web-based Conservation Efforts Database is capable of (1) allowing multiple-users to enter data from different locations, (2) uploading and storing documents, (3) linking conservation actions to one or more threats (one-to-many relationships), (4) reporting functions that would allow summaries of the conservation actions at multiple scales (e.g., management zones, populations, or priority areas for conservation), and (5) accounting for actions at multiple scales from small easements to statewide planning efforts.
Access map.
The LANDFIRE Web–Hosted Applications Map WHAM! is an online, interactive map that calls up many of the applications, their locations, and the partners we work with. It’s easy as point–and–click! Hover over a “point,” click on it, and learn how LANDFIRE products helped land managers meet their planning objectives. Use the checkboxes at the bottom right of the map to view projects by categories.
Access RAP App.
The Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) is an innovative online mapping tool that can be used by anyone—no fees or registration required. The tool provides quick snapshots of rangeland vegetation. It allows users to easily compare trends in rangeland resources through time at a ranch, county, or watershed scale.
Access resources.
After a catastrophic wildfire, quick action must be taken to minimize social, environmental, and economic devastation. Responsive action requires navigating a complex maze of diverse landowners, community organizations, and numerous local and federal requirements.
Given enough time, forests eventually heal from wildfire. But that healing process can take decades, or even centuries. They simply won’t heal quickly without human intervention. Timely rehabilitation efforts reduce environmental impacts of fire, and can have a positive impact on the community’s social and economic situation in the months and years after the fire. Perhaps most importantly, quick and effective rehabilitation efforts improve public health and safety.
Access CHAT.
The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool (CHAT) was developed to bring greater certainty and predictability to planning efforts by establishing a common starting point for discussing the intersection of development and wildlife. The tool is managed by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA). CHAT is designed to reduce conflicts and surprises while ensuring wildlife values are better incorporated into land use planning, particularly for large-scale linear projects. It is a non-regulatory tool and not intended for project-level approval.
Access InciWeb.
InciWeb is an interagency all-risk incident information management system. The system was developed with two primary missions:
- Provide the public a single source of incident related information
- Provide a standardized reporting tool for the Public Affairs community
A number of supporting systems automate the delivery of incident information to remote sources. This ensures that the information regarding active incidents is consistent, and the delivery is timely.
Video showcasing new features of this tool.
Access OR Explorer.
The Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer is designed to increase wildfire awareness, give a comprehensive view of wildfire risk and local fire history, and educate users about wildfire prevention and mitigation resources. The site provides decision support for homeowners, communities, and professionals to identify and prioritize local fire prevention and mitigation efforts.
Access CCAST dashboard.
CCAST is an online library of conservation case studies. Through the Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative, conservation partners in the southwestern US and northern Mexico identified the need to create an inventory of case studies on management actions, partnership and collaboration, monitoring, and adaptive management. Sharing lessons learned through case studies can inform management practices by facilitating communication and learning in the conservation community.
With funding support from the USDA Southwest Climate Hub, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Forest Service are partnering to launch CCAST to share case studies on a new online platform. The goal of this effort is to develop a user-friendly “management toolbox” to inform achievable on-the-ground actions that will help meet conservation goals.
See also the CCAST storymap and case study tag-based search.