FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — As wildfires rage with increasing frequency and intensity across the United States, a collaborative project funded by NASA is making strides to equip firefighters with better tools for high-stakes decisions. Obsidian Solutions Group announced on Thursday continued advancements in the third year of the FIRE ADAPT initiative, a program designed to create a decision-centric framework for wildland firefighting operations.
The FIRE ADAPT project, which stands for Firefighter Information Response Engine for Advanced Decision-making, Preparedness, and Training, brings together Obsidian Solutions Group, the Western Fire Chiefs Association, and Processus Group. Funded through a grant from NASA’s Earth Science Division, the effort aims to address the challenges posed by modern wildfires, where flames spread faster and more destructively due to factors like climate change, urban expansion, and shifting fuel loads.
At the heart of the project is a digital twin of wildfire decision-making, built using a semantic knowledge graph. This technology maps out key decisions, their timing, and the essential information needed to support them, such as weather patterns, fuel conditions, terrain features, and resource deployments. By organizing data around the actual processes firefighters use on the ground, the framework seeks to bridge the gap between vast amounts of available information and the urgent needs of those battling blazes.
“The challenge has never been a lack of data—it’s delivering the right information to the right decision-maker at the right moment,” said Matt Maher, CEO and co-founder of Processus Group, in a statement released by Obsidian. Maher emphasized how FIRE ADAPT captures the knowledge of experienced firefighters through a decision-centric knowledge graph that mirrors real fireground operations, transforming fragmented data into a unified operational view.
This approach, according to the announcement, enables quicker and clearer decisions during initial attack phases of a fire, while also bolstering the judgment honed by seasoned personnel. In its third year, the project has focused on expanding data collection and integration. Teams have incorporated inputs ranging from real-time weather data and fuel assessments to terrain analysis, firefighter interviews, and reviews of firefighting doctrines.
These elements are directly linked to specific decision points, converting raw information into actionable insights that enhance situational awareness. Obsidian highlighted that a key aspect of the work involves ongoing engagement with frontline practitioners. Through workshops, one-on-one interviews, and simulated exercises, the project ensures its framework remains rooted in the practical realities, constraints, and intuitive judgments that define wildland firefighting.
“As wildfires grow more complex, better decision support is urgent,” said Ken Kassner, a retired Marine Corps colonel and principal advisor at Obsidian Solutions Group. Kassner noted that FIRE ADAPT not only documents decision-making on the fireground but also scales it across broader firefighting enterprises, with plans to refine the model in collaboration with partners and the wider community.
The initiative aligns closely with Obsidian’s core competencies in operational analysis, systems integration, data analytics, modeling, simulation, and training. Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the company has a track record of supporting complex problem-solving in high-pressure environments, drawing from military and emergency response expertise. The Western Fire Chiefs Association, a key partner, represents leaders from fire departments across the western U.S., where wildfires have devastated communities in recent years, from California’s megafires to outbreaks in the Rockies.
Processus Group, co-founded by Maher, specializes in knowledge management and decision support systems, bringing technical prowess to the table. NASA’s involvement underscores the project’s reliance on earth observation data, including satellite imagery and climate modeling, to inform wildfire predictions and responses. The grant from NASA’s Earth Science Division highlights how space-based technologies are increasingly vital for terrestrial challenges like disaster management.
Looking back, the FIRE ADAPT project launched in response to evolving wildfire dynamics. In the past decade, the U.S. has seen a surge in large-scale fires; for instance, the 2020 wildfire season alone burned over 10 million acres, according to federal reports. Firefighters often operate with incomplete information under time constraints, leading to calls for innovative tools that prioritize decision workflows over mere data dumps.
Year 3 progress builds on earlier phases, where the foundational knowledge graph was established. This year’s expansions include deeper integration of practitioner insights, ensuring the system reflects not just technical data but also the human elements of firefighting—team dynamics, risk assessments, and adaptive strategies. A video accompanying the announcement depicts simulated fire scenarios, illustrating how the framework could streamline information flow during an active incident.
While the project is still in development, its proponents argue it could revolutionize training and preparedness nationwide. By creating an open, shared framework, FIRE ADAPT aims to foster better alignment between technology providers, data scientists, and operational teams. Future work will involve enhancing the knowledge graph with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence tools for predictive analytics and real-time scenario modeling.
Broadening community engagement is another priority, with plans to involve more fire agencies, researchers, and policymakers. This collaborative approach could extend the project’s impact beyond initial responders to include land managers, emergency coordinators, and even community preparedness programs. As climate experts warn of worsening fire seasons ahead, initiatives like this gain added urgency.
The announcement comes amid a particularly active wildfire year in parts of the West, where dry conditions and high winds have fueled numerous outbreaks. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service, have echoed the need for advanced decision support, though specifics on FIRE ADAPT integration into official protocols remain forthcoming. Obsidian’s press release, distributed via Business Wire, positions the project as a pioneering effort—the first comprehensive decision-centric model of wildfire operations that weaves together data, technology, and expert knowledge.
Looking ahead, the FIRE ADAPT team anticipates scaling the framework to support not just tactical responses but also strategic planning and post-incident reviews. With wildfires projected to become more frequent and severe, according to NASA climate assessments, tools that empower faster, informed decisions could save lives, protect property, and preserve ecosystems. As the project enters its next phases, stakeholders in the firefighting world will watch closely to see how this digital innovation translates to the front lines.
Obsidian Solutions Group can be contacted through Kayla Wiley at kroy@obsidiansg.us for further details on the initiative.