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Reproject LANDFIRE data to your local projection: LANDFIRE data are delivered in the USGS version of the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection as the default map projection. LANDFIRE data can also be delivered in UTM, NAD27, or NAD83 by modifying the order option on the “modify data request” form. When LANDFIRE data are delivered in the USGS version of the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection, they must be projected prior to running fire simulations in FARSITE and FlamMap. If LANDFIRE data are not reprojected, inaccurate fire behavior outputs could result from these models.

Background:

LANDFIRE data layers (grids) and the landscape (LCP) file products are in the USGS Albers projection as the default projection. This projection is appropriate if you plan to use it at the national scale. However, if you plan to use LANDFIRE data at a local scale as inputs for programs such as FlamMap and FARSITE, it is very important to reproject the LANDFIRE data. FlamMap and FARSITE programs both require data in rectangular projections with true north-up alignment. The north-up orientation is expected by these programs in order to accurately factor wind direction for fire behavior simulations. Local projections with rectangular forms, such as UTM, minimize distortion at large scales (small areas). Using a local projection (with a geographically near point of origin) will maximize true north in your locale. Data that remain in the USGS Albers projection will distort north the farther you go from the central meridian. Again, failing to reproject LANDFIRE data prior to running fire simulations in FARSITE and FlamMap could result in inaccurate fire behavior outputs from these models. UTM and State Plane projections are common projections for local analysis.

Advice:

When LANDFIRE data delivered in the USGS version of the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection are viewed in ArcMap, they remain in the USGS Albers projection, regardless of the map projection in the current ArcMap project. While it may appear that LANDFIRE layers have been reprojected to UTM and line up with your local data in ArcMap, they do not in actuality. ArcMap has merely projected the data "on the fly" for display purposes only and does not alter the layer’s original projection. You must reproject your data into a local projection. In ArcMap, this can be done by going to ArcToolbox > Data Management Tools > Projections and Transformations > Raster > Project Raster. In addition, data can be reprojected from Environment Settings in any ArcToolbox analysis. LCP products used in FARSITE and FlamMap, delivered in the USGS version of the USA Contiguous Albers Equal Area Conic projection, also remain in the USGS Albers Projection. The best approach for using LANDFIRE LCP product is to download LANDFIRE data in UTM projection by using the "modify data request" form to choose the best fit UTM Zone and appropriate datum.

Analysis performed using data with different projections could produce unexpected results with programs such as FlamMap or FARSITE. Therefore, it is good practice to understand the map projection characteristics of the data and, when necessary, reproject data to best fit local needs.

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