Rapid Assessment of Vegetation Condition after Wildfire (RAVG)

There is a need in the Forest Service to rapidly and consistently communicate post-fi re vegetation conditions and potential vegetation treatment following large fires. This is particularly important in areas where treatments are allowed, such as forested lands outside of wilderness. The rapid communication of post-fire vegetation conditions can serve a host of needs including determining the amount, location, and pattern of deforested condition, under-burned, and fragmented habitat. Post-fire vegetation condition information is useful for relaying the needs of local units to Washington Office level reforestation and restoration program decision makers, and congressional budget and program processes.

A new product suite called Rapid Assessment of Vegetation Condition after Wildfire (RAVG) is being delivered to Forests within 30 days following containment of a fire greater than 1,000 acres in size. Region 5 has begun this work locally and the Remote Sensing Applications Center (RSAC) has implemented RAVG for national forests in the western US during the 2007 fire season. RAVG products delivered to the Forests include standard vegetation mortality summary tables and maps. The tables and maps are made by overlaying existing vegetation maps (LANDFIRE EVT) with vegetation burn severity maps from satellite imagery. The RAVG products can assist the Forests decision-making capabilities, and reduce planning and implementation costs associated with postfire vegetation management. This presentation will discuss the origins of RAVG, and provide an overview of the process, current status of the RAVG program, and future direction for the 2008 fire season.