Lab 8: Mapping the Station Fire in ArcGIS

Reference Map

Thematic Map

Wildfires are known to happen constantly in the state of California, and they affect all Californians in some way. Californians have learned to fear the destructive power of wildfires. The Station Fire of 2009 was a tragedy with lasting effects on the Los Angeles community. The fire was started by arsonist activities and eventually burned across 160,577 acres claiming 89 houses. Three weeks before the fire was started, a memo was filed that called for cuts to spending on fire response resources. The Station Fire serves as a perfect example of why fire defense spending in California should not be cut, but rather increased in order to protect the lives and property of Californians.


The flames endangered thousands of structures in nearby cities. The cities of La Canada Flintridge, Glendale, Acton, La Crescenta, Littlerock, Altadena, Sunland, and Tujunga (as seen on the above reference map) were all threatened by the Station Fire. Nevertheless, most of these areas were protected except for some the homes lost in Tujunga. The victims of home loss demanded an exploration of why budgeting concerns regarding fire safety existed. They felt that these cuts hindered the response of emergency personnel. It was found that some fire-fighting resources, such as a small helicopter, were withheld from the fight by the LA County Fire Department. Had the situation with funding been different, these resources could have helped reduce the total structure damage of the fire.


Air quality in the surrounding area was greatly affected by the Station Fire. Smoke advisories were published by The South Coast Air Quality Management District. A spokesman for the district stated that air quality in the foothill area was negatively affected. These areas are visible on the above themed map, illustrated by the digital elevation model data within a 10-mile buffer of the fire. Furthermore, the impact on the lives of school children only adds to the scope of the tragedy. Because the school year was starting as the fire died down, the bad air quality prevented young students from being allowed to go outside during recess. The map clearly illustrates several schools located within a 10-mile distance of the burn area. This area represents the likely highest concentration of smoke caused by the fire.


However, the most tragic aspect of the Station Fire has to be the deaths of two courageous firefighters. After the fire, the two men were honored at a memorial located at Dodger Stadium. Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the ceremonies honoring the bravery of these 2 men. 47-year-old Capt. Tedmund "Ted" Hall, and 35-year-old firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones lost their lives in the 2009 Station Fire. Sadly, each one left behind a family. The men were stationed at a backcountry camp for inmates training in environmentalism. When the fire started, they went out to search for a safe escape route for all those trapped inside the camp. It was then that their truck plunged 800 feet into a ravine and they died. It is important that we continue to honor and praise those who have died in wildfires.


In conclusion, because California is known to have many wildfires, I think we need to start funding more firefighting programs. The Station Fire is an example of why well-funded, fire-fighting programs are important, especially during California's fire season. Evacuations, air quality, and firefighter deaths were the primary areas where the community was affected. I hope that in the future legislators will learn from these events and make proper judgment calls to protect the property and lives of California's citizens from wildfires.


Works Cited

Bloomekatz, Ari B. "Air Quality Back to Normal in L.A. Basin - Los Angeles Times." Featured      Articles From The Los Angeles Times. 15 Sept. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.


"Firefighters Honor 2 Comrades Killed in 'Station Fire' - KTLA." Los Angeles News and Video for Southern California - KTLA.COM - KTLA 5 - KTLA. 4 Sept. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.


"InciWeb the Incident Information System: Station Fire News Release." InciWeb the Incident Information System: Current Incidents. 8 Sept. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.


Pringle, Paul. "Before the Station Fire, a Cost-cutting Memo - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. 2 Oct. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.


Song, Jason. "Another Wildfire Victim: Outdoor Recess - Los Angeles Times." Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. 4 Sept. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.


"Station Fire Over La Cañada Flintridge Threatens Thousands Of Homes - Cbs2.com." CBS 2 - KCAL 9 - Los Angeles - Southern California - LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - Cbs2.com. 30 Aug. 2009. Web. 27 May 2010.

Lab 7: Census 2000/2010

These population density maps were created using geographic data from the 2000 census. This first map represents the percentage of Asian-American citizens per county in the United States of America. Areas with a large percentage of Asians include northern and southern California as well as Washington. It is interesting to note that the Northeastern region and the West coast appear to be areas of dense Asian-American populations.

This second map depicts the percentage of African Americans dispersed throughout the continental United States as of the 2000 census. This map analyzes the concentration of the black population across the lower 48 states by county. Most of the black population is concentrated in the South, especially in Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina. In addition, in other regions of America, the black population is concentrated around urban centers, such as Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles, California. Consequently, fewer percentages of African Americans can be found in states in the midwest.  

The final map shows the percentage of other races alone according to the 2000 census. It is the population density map of the United States representing races other than Asian, Caucasian, African-American and Hispanic. In this map, we see that by far the largest percentage of "other" races live in the American Southwest. We can see that the percentages are much higher on the western areas of the United States, especially in southern states like Texas. This map is an interesting because a variety of “minority” races were used to create this distribution.

Conclusion

Once I was finished mapping the census data of these races, I was able to analyze the data and reach several conclusions. First, each race tends to cluster into certain regions of the country. For example, in the maps it showed that Asians settle along the Pacific coast, blacks reside in the Deep South, and the "other" races live throughout the Southwest. However, each race appears to settle within the urban centers of their chosen regions. A second observation I made was that each race is represented in almost every county. With few exceptions, every county across the U.S. has an Asian, black, and "other" race presence. Although these populations may be small in most counties, they still hold significance to the culture of American society. These three maps illustrate that America is a melting pot but also that different ethnicities incline to live with their own respected race.

Overall Impression of GIS

After taking this course my outlook on GIS and maps has changed significantly. Over the course of this quarter, I have come to realize the enormous potential of GIS. At first, I thought GIS involved taking measurements of altitude and recording them in a notebook, but this course showed me the vast capabilities of GIS and its increasing popularity as it is integrated into our everyday lives. GIS technology provides a unique geographical tool that assists the general public in their understanding of the world. GIS software can transform data into visual and dynamic models that can help to solve some of the world's greatest problems. GIS can manipulate census data to help predict political outcomes. GIS can manipulate forest fire data to aid in fire investigations and prevent future wildfires. From mapping out simple mashups on Google Maps to generating 3D renderings of a geographic space, my knowledge of GIS has changed the way I see maps.

Lab 6: DEMs in ArcGIS

Shaded Relief Model

Aspect Map

Slope Map

3-D Model

Extent Data:

Top: 34.1966666658 

Bottom: 33.8680555546

Left: -118.634166666

Right: -118.159722222


For this week's assignment I chose to create a DEM on the Los Angeles basin area. I included the Santa Monica Mountains as well as Santa Monica to Pasadena. The DEM was taken from the USGS Seamless Data server using the 1983 North American GCS datum. I chose this region for a variety of reasons. For one, it is relevant to me. I live in the Los Angeles area so I found it interesting to learn more about my city. The maps display flat plane regions with little change in elevation. However, it still possesses mountains which make for more interesting aspect maps and 3D models due to abrupt and large elevation variations.  

Lab 5: Map Projections

Map projections are a necessary part of creating maps and very useful in ArcGIS. They are useful because they let someone visualize a three-dimensional globe on a 2-d plane. However, although map projections are useful, there are also pitfalls to transferring a 3-d object onto a 2-d plane. No matter how you project the globe onto a plane, distortions in your map are bound to happen.

A map can be projected in many ways and each is suitable for different situations. Conformal maps such as the WGS 1984 Mercator and Mercator projections illustrated above preserve the angles of points at small distances. Pilots can find these maps useful because the angle at which they turn is very important. However, pilots favor maps, such as the Lambert Conformal conic projection, that are both conformal and equidistant. Equidistant maps, such as the equidistant conic and cylindrical projections, preserve the distance of places to each other. A pilot would find an equidistant conformal map projection useful because it would increase accuracy in the angle they have to turn and the distance they have to travel. In addition, there are also maps that preserve area, such as the sinusoidal and Mollweide projections above.

Projections can also be categorized into the type of surface used to project them. Sinusoidal projections keep the north-south and east-west scales the same. Cylidrical projections tend to stretch distances east to west when meridians are mapped to equally spaced vertical lines. An interesting trait about these was that the length of each longitude line was the same no matter how far from the equator. This did not happen with the Sinusodial projection. Conical projections can help minimize distortion from projecting a 3-dimensional object to a 2-dimensional surface.

Map projections must be made to suit the user's needs. As mentioned earlier, pilots may prefer the Lambert conformal conic projection, while the Mollweide projection provides a neater view for world maps. Overall, the main thing to look at is what part of the globe you need preserved. Whether it is area, distance, angles, or even a mixture of them all. Once you have established your need, you can choose the projection most suitable for you.

Lab 4: Introducing ArcMap

This was the first time I have ever used ArcMap or anything like ArcMap. My first experience with ArcMap was surprisingly easy, but only after my first attempt. I had trouble adjusting myself to the different controls and buttons of the program. It was frustrating trying to adjust the resolution of the images and it took me a while to figure out what the two "pan" buttons did. Not only that, but adjusting the scales and legends took a lot of time and patience as well. It actually took me quite some time to finish this lab. However, after a while I was able to go through the process without having to constantly look at the instructions and the process went smoother. The work was a bit tedious but in the end I was able to create a map that gives details and spatial information on a proposed airport expansion.

Like all things, the ArcMap program is not perfect. For one, GIS is a complex subject and the program used for this assignment could be considered just as complex to some. The software seems very sensitive and just clicking on the wrong button may lead to some unintended results. It can lead to a map being deleted or it could undo a time-consuming step. In addition, oftentimes, settings are deep within the program, and unless you are extremely familiar with ArcMap, they can be very hard to find. It takes a while to become familiarized with the complicated features on ArcMap. Users may become frustrated and overwhelmed with all the buttons and controls. There is definitely a lot of patience needed to use a program as complex as this.

Nevertheless, ArcMap is a very helpful program that has many benefits. The data provided by the maps on ArcMap give many layers of information that could be used to make the most informed decisions. ArcGIS has a robust system for creating very accurate road segments at the exact angles you would like. ArcMap also provides people with an organized view of a certain model they are creating. Working with multiple properties becomes fairly easy with ArcMap’s table of contents and the ability to toggle on/off aspects of your map. Additionally, ArcMap allows you to let the different components of your maps interact with each other. You can find areas of overlap, change initial conditions, and change the color to whatever color you want. You could put much detail into these maps. This assignment has barely shown us a bit of ArcMap's potential.

Overall, my experience with ArcMap was a successful one. Although it took me a very long time to finish, I was able to create the map and complete this assignment. Once you are familiar with the program, ArcMap is fairly user-friendly. I am still a bit confused on some aspects of ArcMap, but it is probably because of my lack of knowledge and expertise on geographical data and how it can be represented effectively. Pretty soon I will learn more advanced techniques on map representation. I hope that as we continue to work with ArcMap, I learn the most effective ways to present informative data for the viewer. In conclusion, even though ArcMap may be hard to understand at first, its benefits outweigh its few pitfalls.

Lab 3: Neogeography

View Life in Boyle Heights in a larger map

I have lived in Boyle Heights, California, in the Los Angeles County, for my entire life. Although I started living on campus this year, I visit my hometown often and frequently visit the areas marked on this map. These places have given me many memories and continue to do so and because of neogeography, I am able to mark and show these places on a map with much ease. Neogeography gives everyone the chance to be a geographer. People are able to make their own maps and share them with whomever they choose. Neogeography allows users to describe places to others in an astonishing way. It allows people to digitally update information and add multimedia; embedding links, photos, and videos to the places they want within these maps to make the experience of the place much more real. In addition, marking online maps though neogeography as opposed to marking on paper maps is a cleaner, easier, and more attainable process. It is more environmentally friendly, saving paper and thus having the potential to limit deforestation. Neogeography is a cooperative effort of people from all over the world and therefore has the potential to contribute significantly to our knowledge and understanding of the world and the societies in it. The information shared and followed by various people can be used to help in everyday life.

However, while neogeography does have the potential to help us gain knowledge, it also has the power to lessen it. Sadly, not all people are honest, and even those who are make mistakes sometimes. Neogeography is relatable to Wikipedia. It gives access to anyone with Internet to create a map, but it also has the risk of that map being totally wrong. The accuracy of mash-up maps is certainly something to be cautious of. Someone can easily give false information about a place, whether on purpose or by accident, and provide viewers with wrong information. This can lead to a viewer believing things to exist that in reality may not. Moreover, not only can people can falsify information about places, but people can also have the potential to exploit others through neogeography. The wide accessibility of neogeographic maps online allows anyone to access private information. These facts make us question neography’s authority, content, and reliability.

Lab 2: Beverly Hills Quadrangle

1.     What is the name of the quadrangle? Beverly Hills Quadrangle

2.     What are the names of the adjacent quadrangle? Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, and Inglewood

3.     When was the quadrangle first created? 1966

4.     What datum was used to create your map? North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27) and North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

5.     What is the scale of the map? 1:24000

6.     At the above scale. Answer the following:

a.     5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground?

1200m

b.     5 inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground?

1.89miles

c.     One mile on the ground is equivalent to how many inches on the map?

2.64in

d.     Three kilometers on the ground is equivalent to how many centimeters on the map?

12.5cm

7.     What is the contour interval on your map? 20 feet

8.     What are the approximate geographic coordinates in both degrees/minutes/seconds and decimal degrees of:

a.     The Public Affairs Building: Latitude 34° 4.5’ 270” N, Longitude118° 26.5’ 1590” W, & 34.15°, -118.88333°

b.     The tip of Santa Monica pier: Latitude 34° .5’ 30” N, Longitude 118° 30’ 1800” W, & 34.016666667°, -119°

c.     The upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir: Latitude 34° 7.2’ 432” N, Longitude 118° 24.5’ 1470” W, & 34.239999999999995°, -118.816666667°

9.     What is the approximate elevation in both feet and meters of:

a.     Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park): 560ft, 170.69m

b.     Woodlawn Cemetery: 140ft, 42.47m

c.     Crestwood Hills Park: 600ft, 182.88m

10.  What is the UTM zone of the map? Zone 11

11.  What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map? ³⁷67^000mN, ³62⁰⁰⁰E, 3767000 northing and 362000 easting

12.  How many square meters are contained within each cell (square) of the UTM gridlines? 1,000,000 square meters

13.  Obtain elevation measurements, from west to east along the UTM northing 3771000, where the eastings of the UTM grid intersect the northing. Create an elevation profile using these measurements in Excel. Figure out how to label the elevation values to the two measurements on campus. Insert your elevation profile as a graphic in your blog.

14.  What is the magnetic direction of the map? 14° East

15.  In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and the Stone Canyon Reservoir? North to South

16.