Exploring use of climate information for optimal design of water resources infrastructure

Corringham, Thomas W and Westerling, Anthony L and Morehouse, Barbara J (2008) Exploring use of climate information for optimal design of water resources infrastructure. In: Third National Frontiers of Engineering Symposium of Indian National Academy of Engineers (INAE), IIT Madras.

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Abstract

We conducted surveys of fire and fuels managers at local, regional, and national levels to gain insights into decision processes and information flows in wildfire management. Survey results in the form of fire managers’ decision calendars show how climate information needs vary seasonally, over space, and through the organizational network, and help determine optimal points for introducing climate information and forecasts into decision processes. We identified opportunities to use climate information in fire management, including seasonal to interannual climate forecasts at all organizational levels, to improve the targeting of fuels treatments and prescribed burns, the positioning and movement of initial attack resources, and staffing and budgeting decisions. Longer-term (5–10 years) outlooks also could be useful at the national level in setting budget and research priorities. We discuss these opportunities and examine the kinds of organizational changes that could facilitate effective use of existing climate information and climate forecast capabilities.

Item Type:	Conference Paper
Keywords:	climate;forecasts;western United States;wildfire management
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Civil Engineering
Date Deposited:	13 Oct 2011 10:36
Last Modified:	13 Oct 2011 10:36
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/40821

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