Neural network models were developed that demonstrated better predictive accuracy and map quality for prediction of daily maps of wildfire burn probability. A good understanding was obtained on human behaviour in response to wildfires of wildfire evacuation. A large scale pedestrian evacuation model was integrated with traffic and wildfire spread models. Efficient algorithms were designed for solving general problems such as fuel management, evacuation, firebreak locating and firefighting. These developments have progressed beyond the state of the art, allowing decision makers and practitioners to better plan prescribed burns, identify location for firebreaks, allocate resources for initial attack and the protection of life and property.
A significant long-term GEO-SAFE impact has been the establishment of close contact between wildfire researchers from a wide range of disciplines and end-users of the research, the firefighters and incident commanders from, Australia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. Collaboration between these researchers and end-users will continue beyond the life of the project. The knowledge and data produced by GEO-SAFE (107 publications) will also have an impact on the rapidly developing area of wildfire research. The most important long-lasting impact of the GEO-SAFE project is the number of young scientists it has nurtured - 21 doctoral students. These publications, their wide spread dissemination and the next generation of scientists that GEO-SAFE has nurtured will open new lines of research and help to improve life, property and environmental safety into the future.
Economic: Advances in modelling technology achieved by GEO-SAFE will contribute to saving financial resources for public firefighting organisations in Europe and elsewhere and will contribute to reducing losses due to wildfires.
Practitioners and professional services: Contributions are provided to improve management processes, firefighter training programmes and upskilling for wildfire control. This is being achieved through knowledge exchange between firefighters and researchers.
Societal: The scientific knowledge gained and the modelling tool sets developed - once fully exploited via IP in future projects - will ultimately safeguard human lives, the infrastructure, livestock, the natural environment, and other natural resources.
