Indeed, and that is why I started this thread about it. Modeling fire activity and behaviors has long been a difficult task but the software referenced in the article seems to be quite accurate in its output and so it bears looking into.
I live next to a National Forest at the moment and fires are a constant worry. Software such as this should be discussed and promoted if indeed it has progressed to the point where it can accurately map what a fire’s actions are likely to be.
If I need to evacuate some day because it turns out I am directly in the path of a fire, the more time I have to grab some essentials and expeditiously egress the better off I will be.
Software such as this would be incredibly valuable for this and likely save lives especially as the modeling algorithms are refined over time for more realistic scenarios.
All you say is true and your concerns are valid.
You have many resources at your disposal. Search for a local “Community Wildfire Protection Plan” and learn about it. Contact Firewise and learn how to reduce your risks. There are many Wildland Urban Interface programs that help residents with advanced planning.
It isn’t likely that you could use the Fire Brhavior tool on your own but agencies (in your case the USFS) already use such tools (lots of them, in fact) and they might be able to show you scenarios that would present the highest risks to your property.
I suggest that you contact them and make an appointment to talk with someone. That’s what I’d do, by golly.