A hybrid geospatial analytics project integrating 3D terrain modeling, building-level fire risk scoring, and 2D analytical dashboards to explore wildfire exposure across Glendale.
This project examines wildfire exposure at both the regional and building levels across Glendale. By combining terrain analysis, vegetation patterns, and structural attributes, we identify which neighborhoods and structures face the greatest risk.
Glendale sits along the Verdugo Mountains, a fire-prone region with steep slopes, dense fuels, and a long history of wildfires. These geographic and climatic factors make Glendale one of the most at-risk cities in Los Angeles County for destructive wildfire events.
Derived slope, aspect, and elevation from USGS DEM data to quantify natural fire-propagation risk.
Integrated high-resolution vegetation maps and Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) from CAL FIRE.
Each structure assigned a 1–5 fire risk score using a logic-based weighted model combining terrain + exposure.
3D maps built using QGIS2ThreeJS. 2D analytics built in Leaflet + Plotly for filtering and interactivity.
Note on Terms: DEM stands for Digital Elevation Model, a 3D representation of terrain. WHR stands for Wildfire Hazard Risk, a vegetation-based fire behavior classification.
We developed a scoring system assigning each building a risk category (1–5). Scores reflect terrain difficulty, fuel exposure, and relative hazard from surrounding landscapes. The result is a terrain and building-level wildfire exposure map for Glendale.
Together, these components form a unified risk assessment system that allows users to explore how terrain, vegetation, and structural characteristics shape wildfire exposure across Glendale. You can navigate to our 2D and 3D interactive maps to see how individual structures score within the city's broader fire landscape.
Select a view to explore the full analysis and interactive tools: