The SPOTS concept contributes to an overall understanding of the spatial dynamics of fuel and related fire behavior through the use of a collaborative planning process and fire modeling tools that describe fire potential on a specific landscape. The SPOTS approach considers trade-offs between multiple treatment options by gaming fire scenarios with fire behavior and spread modeling software. SPOTS is designed not only for fire and fuel planning, but rather as a holistic land management process. While problem fire is the filter through which potential treatment patterns are tested, the objectives of many planned treatments are related to timber management, silviculture, forest health, wildlife, and watershed issues, as well as protection of assets from unwanted wildland fire. Strategically placed treatments have potential to add value to acres treated by affecting large fire spread and effects at the landscape level. Better than simply assessing fuel treatment success by “acres achieved,” the SPOTS approach assesses the effectiveness of treatment design by comparing the pros and cons of a variety of tested treatment options.

Figures A, B, and C demonstrate problem fire spread on the same landscape, with the same ignition, under identical conditions. Figure A represents fire spread without fuel treatments. Figure B represents the same fire encountering a first iteration of planned treatments. A readjustment of treatment placement and orientation on the landscape in Figure C greatly reduces overall fire size.