San Jose Fire Model


Following a dangerous October 2000 wildfire in the San Jose's foothills the San Jose (CA) Fire Department purchased a STM model of the area. This four-foot by four-foot model shows the foothills east of San Jose and Alum Rock area in amazing detail including access roads, hazards and jurisdiction boundaries.

San Jose Fire Model

Battalion Chief for the San Jose Fire Department, Jim Carter commented on how the model is being used. “This model will help us provide firefighters with continual strategic and tactical training for fighting fires in the geographic area where wildfires are most likely to occur. The model represents this area far more accurately than any maps or photos we have. During an actual wildfire, we can transport the model to the incident-area command post and use it to plot the fire as it burns. The model will give the incident commander a real-life picture of the area, where the fire is and where it is going. In addition to access roads, jurisdiction lines and possible hazards, fire officers will be able to see the geography, scale, distances, terrain, points of view, and sight lines.”

Other models have been produced to help fight progressing forest fires including the September 1999 Kirk South Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, Monterey County, CA. “The model made a big difference, both in tactical planning and in communicating plans to all concerned with controlling the fire. In fact, we had another model made that covers a larger area than the actual Kirk fire to help with long-range projections of fire runs.” said Will Spyrison, Battalion Chief, U.S. Forest Service, South Division, Los Padres National Forest.

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San Jose Fire Model - Close Up
Close up of the model


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