Using Novel Photogrammetry Approaches to Estimate Ground Fire Fuels in a Northern California Oak-Woodland for Improved Fuels Management and fire modeling
-Science Symposium Bright Idea Award-
Wildfires are becoming larger due to climate change and historical fire suppression, requiring reevaluation of fuels management approaches. The purpose of our project is to test novel approaches to quantify ground fire fuels in oak woodlands and compare these approaches to traditional forestry approaches (Brown's transects). In particular, we test the use of photogrammetry via: 1) a handheld camera (Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) and 3D volume estimation with the program Pix4D and 2) a Spike laser camera and 2D image analysis with the program ImageJ. In addition to these 2 photogrammetric approaches and Brown's transects, we also empirically measure the true volume of surface fuels using water-displacement. We conduct these measurements along multiple transects at Bouvarie Preserve and on the SSU campus. The ability to observe and monitor surface fuels effectively and inexpensively using one of these new approaches could allow land managers to better predict and prepare for wildfires.