NEWSP is now being used to collect data from the past 20 years about other environmental risk factors beyond wildfires. Populated areas, schools, and other geographic locations that are vulnerable to floods, landslides, erosion, and drought are being mapped with layers related to proximity to hospitals, civil defense, airports, and other critical resources.
Currently, NEWSP is also being used to communicate early warning messages for forest fire potentiality in Lebanon through a daily bulletin distributed on social media and through the NEWSP website. The website leverages the powerful capabilities of ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript, seamlessly integrating dynamic mapping functionalities into reports. Visually engaging maps are generated directly within the content of the report, enhancing data visualization and analysis. Additionally, the incorporation of featured layers enriches the depth of information presented in the reports. Alerts are also communicated daily to the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Lebanon’s various municipalities, civil defense stakeholders, and first responders.
CNRS-L also developed a mobile application in conjunction with NEWSP called Leb-Alerts. The custom app embeds GIS components to provide users with a comprehensive geospatial experience on handheld devices. Leb-Alerts allows users to access two interactive dashboards and participate in surveys. For CNRS-L, implementing GIS has led to improvements in decision-making and data collection as well as collaboration and transparency among the public.
Moving forward, the agency hopes to use the technology to improve post-fire assessment after an event, as GIS can help in conducting damage assessments and monitoring recovery efforts. Maps and dashboards can be used to document the extent of the fire's impact, identify areas needing rehabilitation, and track progress in restoring affected ecosystems. CNRS-L is working on specific dashboards for first responders in Lebanon's different regions, with the hope that each city or village can have its own maps for fire forecasting, aiding an even faster response at the local level.