The term "fire weather" has become increasingly prevalent in the news lately, but what does it mean? Fire weather is the use of meteorological parameters to determine if conditions are conducive to fire growth and smoke dispersion. Though it may sound like something that has little to do with your life, as a member of the public, you should be aware of how fire weather impacts your environment.
Fire Weather Planning Forecast
The National Weather Service issues a Fire Weather Planning Forecast for most areas of the United States. This forecast includes information about relative humidity, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, mixing heights and soil moisture. These parameters help land management agencies make decisions related to controlled burns and other activities that can increase wildfire risk. Knowing this information ahead of time can help agencies prepare for potential fires and minimize their impact on communities.
Fire Weather Watches and Warnings
When conditions in an area become more favorable for wildfires, Fire Weather Watches or Warnings will be issued. A Watch means that fire weather conditions are possible within 12-48 hours; a Warning means that those conditions are expected within 6-12 hours. If either of these products is issued for your area, it means there is an increased risk of wildfire activity or smoke dispersion in the near future and you should take extra precautions to stay safe.
Spot Forecasts
Spot Forecasts provide detailed meteorological information about specific locations. They are most often used by firefighters to help them anticipate fire behavior or to plan their operations around the current weather conditions. Spot Forecasts can also be used by land management agencies when planning controlled burns or other activities that can increase wildfire risk in an area. The general public should also be aware of Spot Forecasts as they provide insight into what kind of fire activity might occur in a particular area on any given day.
No matter where you live, understanding how fire weather impacts your environment is key to staying safe during wildfire season. From Fire Weather Planning Forecasts to Spot Forecasts, familiarizing yourself with these important products will enable you to make informed decisions about how best to protect yourself and your loved ones from potential danger. As always, following local guidelines during times of increased wildfire risk is essential for everyone’s safety!