FARSITE

FARSITE, developed by the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory, is currently available in its latest version, 4.0. This educational tool is categorized under Science Tools and is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of wildfire growth and behavior. Users can download the software, which is offered as freeware, making it accessible to anyone in need of advanced fire simulation capabilities without any cost.

The program file names associated with this tool are farsite4.exe, and _B50F290EB6368D2000FA5A.exe. These files are compatible with a range of operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, allowing for broad accessibility across various platforms.

FARSITE stands out due to its ability to automatically compute wildfire growth and behavior over extended periods, considering varying conditions of terrain, fuel, and weather. Leveraging established fire behavior models such as surface fire spread (Rothermel 1972), crown fire initiation (Van Wagner 1977), and crown fire spread (Rothermel 1991), the program offers users a deterministic modeling system. This means that simulation results align directly with the input variables, rendering it a robust tool for fire management professionals and researchers.

One of the significant advantages of FARSITE is its compatibility with both Windows® and Workstation graphics and GIS software, which facilitates detailed analysis and display of the results. The software supports the creation of animated GIF images, spatial, linear, and tabular formats, enhancing the visualization of projected fire growth.

Another key feature is the ability to simulate air and ground suppression actions, making it useful for both operational planning and educational purposes. Users can also engage in fire "gaming" by posing multiple "what-if" scenarios and comparing the outcomes.

Pros:

• Free to download and use, making it accessible to a wide audience.
• Comprehensive simulation of wildfire behaviors using well-established models.
• Compatibility with both Windows® and Workstation systems enhances usability and integration.
• Supports multiple output formats, including animated GIFs and GIS-compatible files.
• Useful for both operational suppression simulation and educational purposes.

Cons:

• The interface may be complex for beginners.
• Requires an understanding of fire behavior models to interpret results effectively.

You may want to check out more software, such as PolicyMaker, FSAcars or Pocket Stars, which might be related to FARSITE.