Build LCP

Running FlamMap or FARSITE, two commonly used fire behavior modeling programs, requires a landscape file (LCP). LCPs are binary files containing a compilation or “sandwich” of ASCII data, including elevation, slope, aspect, fuel model, canopy cover, canopy height, canopy base height, and canopy bulk density.

Landscape file (LCP) schematic, adapted from Finney (2006).

In addition to the eight layers listed above, a FlamMap or FARSITE LCP can include duff loading and course woody fuels layer, but these are not easily obtained or often used. The Wildland Fire Assessment Tool (WFAT) also uses an LCP file with additional data requirements (fuel loading model and tree list data) for the fire-effects functionality.

ArcFuels10 streamlines the process of building LCPs from FVS/FFE-FVS output database(s), an attributed shapefile, or raster data. ArcFuels10 has the ability to reduce the analysis area based on another raster’s extent or coordinates, quickly apply treatments, and export ASCIIs and rasters created along with the LCP.

The Build LCP menu has a drop-down list with four options and seven accompanying exercises:

Build LCP Using FVS or GNN Data

Exercise 17—Building the no treatment alternative LCP and creating rasters using FVS data
Exercise 18—Building a treatment alternative LCP and creating rasters using FVS data

Build LCP Using Raster Data

Exercise 19—Building the no treatment alternative LCP using raster data
Exercise 20—Applying treatment adjustments with a database to build an LCP and rasters
Exercise 21—Applying treatment adjustments with shapefile to building an LCP and rasters

Build LCP Using Shapefile Data

Exercise 22—Building an LCP and rasters from an attributed shapefile

Build LCP by Merging Data

Exercise 23—Building an LCP and rasters from multiple rasters

To start with the first form go to Build LCP Using FVS or GNN Data.