This is a users manual for VSMOKE, a computer program for predicting the smoke and dry weather visibility impact of a single prescribed fire at several downwind locations. VSMOKE is a FORTRAN 77 program that depands on the input in file VSMOKE.IPT to generate output in file VSMOKE.OUT. VSMOKE is based on steady-state Gaussian plume modeling principles compatible with those used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. VSMOKE is uniquely tailored as a plume model for a low to moderate intensity ground fire as an emission source.

Scientists and managers alike need timely, cost-effective, and technically appropriate fire-related information to develop functional strategies for the diverse fire communities. "Remote Sensing Modeling and Applications to Wildland Fires" addresses wildland fire management needs by presenting discussions that link ecology and the physical sciences from local to regional levels, views on integrated decision support data for policy and decision makers, new technologies and techniques, and future challenges and how remote sensing might help to address them. While creating awareness of wildland fire management and rehabilitation issues, hands-on experience in applying remote sensing and simulation modeling is also shared. This book will be a useful reference work for researchers, practitioners and graduate students in the fields of fire science, remote sensing and modeling applications. Professor John J. Qu works at the Department of Geography and GeoInformation Science at George Mason University (GMU), USA. He is the Founder and Director of the Environmental Science and Technology Center (ESTC) and EastFIRE Lab at GMU.

The fundamental purpose of this handbook is to raise awareness about environmental impacts of fire and fire suppression, primarily within the fire engineering and firefighting communities, but also within the environmental engineering and planning disciplines. The Handbook provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the problem and its magnitude and includes a set of tools and methods for assessing environmental, social and financial impacts, and a set of tools for identifying and selecting appropriate mitigation options.