> I guess the reason is that it helps the fire chiefs or whoever really envision the landscape. "Ah, yes, this is Devil's Pass, I see how the wind is going to b

> I guess the reason is that it helps the fire chiefs or whoever really envision the landscape. "Ah, yes, this is Devil's Pass, I see how the wind is going to blow right through there and blow the fire that way. What if we cut a fire lane here? Ok, that slows it down." Yeah, if you're familiar with topographical maps (the way any decent hiker or fire chief would be), you really don't need the physical 3d layout to envision the landscape.