A solution to the problem of finding the most effective lookout-aircraft forest fire detection system for a specific budget is presented. Generated fire and weather data, based on past probability distributions, are used to produce a forest fire detection environment. Within this environment, many feasible all-lookout, all-aircraft, and combined lookout-aircraft detection systems are simulated. Each alternative is constrained by a fixed budget and each is evaluated in terms of a common criterion.

To illustrate the method, hypothetical data, similar to that available to forest protection agencies are used. Five budget levels are examined and the most effective alternatives and corresponding operating rules are identified.