Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group
Memorandum
To:
PNWCG Steering Committee
From:
Paul Werth, Chair, Weather Working Team
Date:
February 18, 2003
Re:
2002 Annual Activity Summary and 2003 Work Plan
The following people were agency representatives on the Weather Working Team (WWT) in 2002: Roddy Baumann
(USFWS), Mike Fitzpatrick (NPS), Greg Sinnett (DNR), Paul Werth (Chair, USFS/BLM/NWCC), Mike Ziolko (ODF), and
Terry Marsha (BIA).
The WWT met seven times in 2002 and had two joint meetings with the NWS. Conference calls were used for additional
discussions.
2002 PROJECTS and ACTIVITIES
1. Activities associated the PNWCG/NWS Agreement
The agreement calls for biannual meetings in February and November each year. The primary goal of the February
meeting is to prepare the Fire Weather Annual Operating Plan that outlines weather support for the coming fire season.
The November meeting is a review of the fire season with suggestions for improvement. Meetings were held on
February 21-22 and November 25-26 in 2002. A report summarizing the November meeting with recommendations
was delivered to the NWS and PNWCG in mid December. The meeting notes with attachments are available on
PNWCG’s web site under Fire Weather Working Team, Meeting Notes. Meeting discussion items included:

Interactive Forecast Preparation System (IFPS) implementation in 2003

National Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services

PNWCG/NWS MOU review

Evaluation of Agency provided weather observations

Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit

Evaluation of NWS Services in 2002 (Daily forecasts, spot forecasts, Red Flag Warnings, NFDRS forecasts,
IMET dispatches, internet briefings, and comments received from local users)

Evaluation of Predictive Services 10-day fire severity assessment
2. Weather Station Network
Phase 1 work resumed on this project in 2002. Recommendations from field users were used to modify the original
analysis of approximately 200 RAWS down to 76 stations. These 76 stations would comprise the backbone for a
Regional level NFDRS network in Oregon and Washington. The list will be transmitted to field offices for final
comment. The report with recommendations will be submitted to PNWCG later this year for final approval completing
Phase 1 of the project.
3. Fire Weather Zones
NWS fire weather zone boundary changes were finalized in April after consultation with field units and the Weather
Working Team. These zone boundary changes were used during the fire season. After the fire season, there were
questions of zone boundaries in the Columbia Gorge, but these were resolved without additional zone boundary
changes. The WWT’s position is that future boundary changes be coordinated through the WWT after inclusive
analysis of fire, fuels and weather data. These new zone boundaries have been input into GIS and are available on the
Internet.
4. National MOU with the NWS
The Working Team provided input to NWCG regarding provisions of a national MOU with the NWS pertaining to fire
weather services. Issues included: local agreements, the role of GACC meteorologists, and fire agency use of IMETs.
5.
Deployment of Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit to the Biscuit Fire
A test deployment of the Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit occurred in August on the Biscuit Fire. The
purpose of the test was to determine the feasibility of using this unit on wildland fires in remote areas and the usefulness
of the data produced. This unit has the capability to collect the same meteorological data as NWS radiosonde sites. It
can measure the winds aloft, stability, and dryness of the air over the fire at any time day or night. This information is
fed to the Incident Meteorologist and Fire Behavior Analysist for analysis and the making weather and fire behavior
forecasts. Data produced by this unit is used to calculate the Haines Index over the fire, something that has never been
done before. Firefighter safety and operational efficiency is definitely enhanced through the employment of this Oregon
National Guard unit.
2003 Projected Work
1.
NWCG/NWS biannual meetings
The February biannual meeting will develop changes for 2003 operations that will be reflected in the Fire Weather
Annual Operating Plan. The Operating Plan will be available by April 1 via the Internet.
2.
Weather Station Network
Phase 1 of the Regional level NFDRS backbone network will be completed this year with recommendations to
PNWCG. Phase 2 will begin with focus on weather station needs for other activities such as smoke management, Red
Flag event and verification, other fire management uses, and special projects.
3.
Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit
Criteria will be developed with the Oregon National Guard and Oregon Department of Forestry concerning the
deployment of the mobile radiosonde unit on wildland fires. The procedure for requesting the services of this unit will
be detailed in “Ops Plan Smokey”.
4.
Red Flag Criteria
Work will continue to further refine red flag criteria for dry lightning situations and strong wind/low relative humidity.
Verification work will continue in cooperation with the NWS on red flag issues.
5.
PNWCG/NWS Agreement
Further development, implementation and verification of products and services provided under the interagency
agreement will continue. Periodic reports will be submitted to PNWCG.
In general, the Working Team will also maintain contact with the National and California Wildfire Coordinating Groups on
weather issues of mutual concern. Coordination and communications with other PNWCG working teams needs to be
established and maintained.