An online publication, "Computer World - The voice of IT management," ran an interesting story today on the use of high-tech tools such as GPS technology, satellite imaging systems and aerial photography in fighting the Southern California fires and managing evacuations. For the story, reporter Todd Weiss spoke to two UC Cooperative Extension experts.

Glenn Nader, the natural resources advisor for UCCE Yuba City, said one technology that continues to help firefighters is geographic information system mapping data, which can be combined in layers to provide details on topography, fire history, roads, access and population.

"It gives you kind of a plan," Nader is quoted.

He told the reporter that GPS navigational technology helps fire fighters from other areas find fire hydrants and other water supplis and reverse 911 systems enable police and fire officials to quickly issue evacuation notices to thousands of residents at a time.

The reporter also spoke to Max Moritz, a wildfire specialist at UC Berkeley, about his new "fire engine tool kit" Web site, where officials and residents can use databases of historical fire data to analyze new fires and determine how they might behave.

"Firefighters can use the tool kit to see what they're up against when fighting fires like this," Moritz is quoted.

According to the article, Moritz said the Web site is still evolving, but it's drawing interest from officials.