The Department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) replaced the Burn-P3 model which is used to simulate wildfire for evaluating wildfire risk with BurnP3+ in late 2022. BurnP3+ was developed by the Canadian Forestry Service (CFS) as a package that runs on the SyncroSim modeling platform. Since the creation of BurnP3+, the CFS has been using the SyncroSim platform to create numerous other modeling packages. SyncroSim is the property of Apex RMS, a Canadian company. SyncroSim can be set up to “talk” to other models using both scripts (e.g. in R or Python), and existing program executables, which allow outputs from one model to become inputs for the next model, which can be inputs for yet a third model and so on. SyncroSim includes both a Graphical User Interface, and a command-line application programming interface (API), running under both Windows and Linux. As most scientists are proficient in R and/or Python for analytical work, but not literate in C++, this system of model interaction enables the CFS research science community to maintain the code base for these model interaction systems, and to develop and scale modelling workflows for a wide range of users across multiple platforms.
In addition to general SyncroSim support, the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) is undertaking the development and testing of Linux-based SyncroSim packages, including BurnP3+, in order to enable the fire risk modelling system developed by NRCan as an open-source package to operate on High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters, such as those maintained by the CFS. To date, development of these packages has primarily focused on the Windows operating system; however, HPC environments operate on Linux, necessitating additional development, testing, and technical adaptation. As a result, ongoing guidance and technical support from Apex RMS is required to support the development, testing, configuration, and deployment of SyncroSim packages in a Linux operating system environment.
NRCan requires the ongoing and on-demand support for the SyncroSim platform to help with the following types of tasks:
a. Answer questions regarding base SyncroSim functionality
b. Provide guidance and technical support to assist with the development and testing of SyncroSim packages, including BurnP3+, for use in Linux operating system environments.
c. Provide guidance on the configuration and parameterization of SyncroSim-based models to support correct execution and performance when deployed in Linux and High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments.
d. Provide guidance and training in the development of SyncroSim packages
e. Assistance for configuration and parameterization of SyncroSim-based models
f. Participation at scientific meetings and writing of publications and reports describing studies based on SyncroSim and Linux-based and HPC-enabled execution of SyncroSim packages.
g. Providing support at training workshops (in-person, or on-line)
