ABSTRACT
Wildfire events across North America are impacting more communities, putting people’s lives and possessions increasingly at risk. Local community leadership and emergency management are taking the initiative to develop public-facing wildfire information campaigns to help people identify two factors: (1) the level of fire risk where they live and (2) evacuation route alternatives. FireClear is a visual diagrammatic methodology applied to public-facing maps that help people become aware of their risk and wildfire hazard areas prior to a wildfire event. The goal of FireClear is to help people learn new evacuation routes that may differ from everyday routines. FireClear maps translate data-driven and content-heavy GIS maps traditionally developed and used by government agencies for internal planning into simplified and visually consistent public-facing maps to improve understanding and increase transparency and enhance communication. FireClear maps are not meant to be used at the time of a wildfire. FireClear is a tool to be used to help develop a person’s cognitive map of their risk area before a crisis, and to facilitate learning and remembering new evacuation route options. During a wildfire, people should rely on local alerts and listen to information from local authorities.
