written by Grant Hamilton
Basic Information
Acronym: FIREMON
Author/Owner/Steward: US Forest Service, National Park Service, and US Geological Survey
Type: Manuals (downloadable as pdfs), MS Access databases
Website: http://www.frames.gov/partner-sites/firemon/firemon-home/
Description
FIREMON is a suite of sampling methods, Access databases, and protocols developed by an independent team of researchers with federal agencies and the Universities of Idaho and Montana to aid federal land managers in monitoring and responding to the long-term ecological effects of fire. All of the FIREMON tools are available for free. The following components make up the FIREMON suite.
Sampling Methods
Includes sampling forms/data sheets, monitoring protocols/methods, and field equipment checklists for monitoring these characteristics, forms to record metadata information and fire behavior, as well as a general FIREMON ‘How to Guide’, appendices, and glossary. The following topics are addressed:
- plot description
- tree data
- fuel load
- species composition
- cover/frequency
- point intercept
- density
- line intercept
- rare species
Landscape Assessment
Includes a guidebook on long-term monitoring of fire impact at the landscape using a variety of quantitative methods. Remote sensing and GIS methods such as the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), Burn Index (BI), and Composite Burn Index (CBI) are explained. Field methods are also discussed.
Integrated Sampling Design
Features a guidebook on sampling design for fire managers. The guidebook will help fire managers decide what statistical approach is appropriate for a sample design, the appropriate number of plots and where they should be located, and the sampling methods that should be used on the plots.
Software and Tools
The FIREMON database software allows users to enter data, generate summary reports, and perform other data management tasks. The FIREMON database software is available as a Java application or Microsoft Access database.
Reference
Lutes, D., Kean, R., Key, C., Benson, N., Caratti, J., and Gangi, L. (n.d.). FIREMON: Fire Effects Monitoring and Inventory Protocol. University of Idaho Fire Research and Management Exchange System (FRAMES). http://www.frames.gov/partner-sites/firemon/firemon-home/