Screenshots

FireFamilyPlus outputs are available in both graphical and tabular form, while inputs are designed for ease-of-use. Displayed below are examples of some of these features.

Working Set

The Working Set window opens automatically with the last opened database. It displays information about the weather stations included in the database and allows the user to select parameters such as fire associations, historical time period and portions of the year for analysis. Station information fields that affect NFDRS outputs can be viewed and edited through the Station Information box.

Toolbar

The FireFamilyPlus toolbar shown below provides access to the program’s operation. Users can select drop-down menus from the tool bar itself or click on icons to navigate through the program’s many features.

In the following example, the Weather drop-down menu allows users to select from a variety of analysis options. Output can be displayed in the form of tables, graphs, and reports.

Importing Data

FireFamilyPlus allows users to import fire and weather data from a number of sources. A default database structure is populated with federal management agencies to facilitate input, but users can also select custom options. Weather station information now loads with the database but can also be imported.

Statistics Graph

FireFamilyPlus can generate a variety of tables and graphs from a list of weather parameters. The program’s flexibility allows users to easily modify the content and appearance of the output selected. The following Statistics Graph was producing using the Climatology option and shows the variable “Energy Release Component” (ERC) for Flagstaff during the months April through September for the years 1987 through 2010.

Frequency Distribution

The following table is a Frequency Distribution report that ranks data from lowest to highest value in “bins” or ranges. The report displays the number of observations within each bin as well as the relative and cumulative percentiles for each. This example shows the variable “Dry Bulb Temperature” for the Libby Ranger Station.

Pocket Card

FireFamilyPlus can be used to generate a National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) Pocket Card. The Fire Danger Pocket Card is a method of communicating information on fire danger to firefighters. The use of Pocket Cards can lead to greater awareness of fire danger and subsequently increased firefighter safety. The Pocket Card provides a description of seasonal changes in fire danger in a local area and is useful to both local and out-of-area firefighters.

Fire Analysis

The Fire Analysis and Decision Point tools provide access to cumulative and probability fire analysis. The resulting graphs can be used to identify statistical relationships among weather indices and fire occurrence. The following example shows a Fire Probability Graph of "Energy Release Component" (ERC) for the Libby Ranger Station.

Term Module

The Term function in FireFamilyPlus 4.1 is used to analyze season-ending dates. The Edit Term Data dialog window allows users to identify a Start Date representing the normal start of the fire season and a range of years appropriate for a particular analysis. The following graph “Waiting Time to Term Event” can be used to estimate the probability of a season-ending event occurring on or before a given date.