GIS Mapping for CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit

Through a partnership between Sonoma State's Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Analysis (CIGA) and the CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technician was hired through a competitive process to assist the agency in creating a variety of planning maps. A high-priority product will be pre-fire attack maps in the tri-county area. Pre-attack maps include base imagery overlaid with spatial information on fire control lines, access, gates, water resources, structures, and known hazards. These maps are a critical tool given to fire officers to aid in command and control priorities and resource tactics during wildland fires. The CIGA director, Dr. Matthew Clark, is hopeful this partnership will establish a link between SSU and CAL FIRE, providing information exchange and a pipeline for students to careers with the agency.