Description: - Metric Name: Ember Load Index - Tier: 1
- Data Vintage: 08/2023. Includes disturbances through the end of 2022.
- Unit Of Measure: Relative number of embers.
- Metric Definition and Relevance: This ember load dataset represents the ember load index (ELI) per pixel, for a given pixel, based on surface and canopy fuel characteristics, climate, and topography within the pixel. The Ember Load Index (ELI) incorporates burn probability (BP). BP is incorporated into calculations of the ember production before the distribution of embers across the landscape to determine ember load. Given that ELI incorporates burn probability, this index can be used to identify where on the landscape hardening buildings may be needed to resist ignition and the priority for doing so according to the likelihood of the area being visited by fire.
- Creation Method: ELI is not simply the multiplication of ember load (ELI) and burn probability (BP). Rather, BP is incorporated into calculations of the ember production prior to the distribution of embers across the landscape to determine ember load. ELI is based on heading-only fire behavior.