Camp Fire 2018 Wildfire Observations and Timeline

Butte County, California data contains over 2200 documented fire observation points with timestamps and geographic locations, compiled into a fire spread timeline. The dataset supports analysis of the 2018 Camp Fire, which destroyed over 18000 structures and resulted in 85 fatalities. It was created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study wildland-urban interface fire behavior and evacuation.

Use Cases

• Reconstruct the fire's progression by analyzing the timestamp and geographic location of each observation point.
• Study fire behavior patterns by categorizing observations based on the type of fire (spot fire, vegetative, structural).
• Validate fire spread models using the integrated timeline compiled from over 2200 cross-referenced data points.
• Analyze the impact on specific communities like Concow, Paradise, and Magalia using the geographic location data.

Strengths

• Contains over 2200 individual fire observation data points.
• Data underwent extensive cross-referencing and quality control to reconcile inconsistencies.
• Each observation includes multiple attributes like description, time, location, and fire type.
• Focuses on a historically significant event with over 18000 destroyed structures documented.

Limitations

• The exact number of rows and columns is not specified in the provided metadata.
• Data is specific to a single historical event, limiting generalizability to other wildfires.
• Relies on post-event reconnaissance and documentation, which may introduce observational gaps.

Provenance

Source

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Collection Method

Documented through preliminary reconnaissance and integrated via cross-referencing and quality control.

Time Range

Focuses on the 2018 Camp Fire, ignited on November 8, 2018.

Freshness

Last updated in April 2024.

Geography

Butte County, California, specifically impacting Concow, Paradise, and Magalia.