Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group
Memorandum
To:
PNWCG Steering Committee
From:
Paul Werth, Chair, Fire Weather Working Team
Date:
December 17, 2003
Re:
2003 Annual Activity Summary and 2004 Work Plan
The following people were agency representatives on the Fire Weather Working Team (FWWT) in 2003: Roddy
Baumann (USFWS), Mike Fitzpatrick (NPS), Greg Sinnett (DNR), Paul Werth (Chair, USFS/BLM/NWCC), Mike Ziolko
(ODF), and Terry Marsha (BIA).
The FWWT met three times in 2003 and had two joint meetings with the NWS. Conference calls were used for additional
discussions.
2003 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 18-19 and November 18-19 in 2003. A report summarizing the November meeting with
recommendations will be delivered to the NWS and PNWCG in late January, 2004. The meeting notes with
attachments will also be 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 and projections for 2004 concerning
fire weather products

National Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services

PNWCG/NWS MOU review (some actions required by MOU are still not being done such as: the Forecast
and Service standards and Fire Weather Forecaster Proficiency and Currency standards)

Evaluation of Agency provided weather observations (data quality and timeliness of input into WIMS)

Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit

Evaluation of NWS services in 2003 (Daily forecasts, spot forecasts, Red Flag Warnings, NFDRS forecasts,
IMET dispatches, internet briefings, and comments received from local users including DNR and ODF)

Evaluation of Predictive Services 10-day fire severity assessment
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2. Weather Station Network
Phase 1 work is nearly complete. An analysis of approximately 200 RAWS was used to develop a regional level
NFDRS network of 76 stations in Oregon and Washington. This list will be transmitted to field offices for final
comment. Start on Phase 2 has been begun with a wind analysis of the entire RAWS network. The intent is to
identify stations that can be used to monitor wind speed and relative humidity for the issuance and verification of Red
Flag events. This analysis has produced a list of 77 RAWS that are vital to the Red Flag program in the Northwest.
About half of these stations are already on the regional level NFDRS network. A report with recommendations will
be submitted to PNWCG next year for final approval completing Phase 1 of the project.
3. Fire Weather Zone
NWS fire weather zone boundary changes have now been finalized. The FWWT’s position is that future boundary
changes will be coordinated through the FWWT 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. Fire Weather District changes
Discussions were held with the NWS concerning a transfer of forecast duties along the east slopes of the Oregon
Cascades from the Portland NWS to Pendleton in 2004. Pendleton will take responsibility for providing fire weather
forecasts and services for fire weather zones 609, 610 and 611. This would affect all of the Deschutes NF and Warm
Springs BIA and possibly the eastside of the Mt. Hood NF. The FWWT requested that Portland and Pendleton NWS
coordinate with the affected parties and obtain letters of acceptance from the FMOs or document their acceptance in
written trip reports.
5. Collaboration with the Fire Use and Fuels Management (FUFM) Working Team
The FWWT had discussions with the FUFM concerning the establishment of daily prescribed fire weather briefings
(internet) during the spring and fall burning periods. The FWWT decided that these internet briefings would best be
provided by ODF and DNR smoke management meteorologists rather the NWS because the states regulate the smoke
management program in Washington and Oregon. DNR and ODF representatives on the FWWT will investigate the
feasibility of having the states develop and provide these daily briefings.
6.
Deployment of Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit
The FWWT had discussions with the Oregon National Guard concerning the availability of this unit on wildland fires.
ODF now has a cooperative agreement with the Oregon National Guard stating the conditions under which the mobile
radiosonde unit will be dispatched to wildfires. The conditions and procedure for dispatching this unit is included in
“Ops Plan Smokey”.
2004 Projected Work
1.
FWWT/NWS biannual meetings
The February biannual meeting will develop changes for 2004 operations that will be reflected in the Fire Weather
Annual Operating Plan. The Operating Plan will be available by April 1 via the Internet. A November meeting to
evaluate the 2004 fire season will be scheduled.
2.
Weather Station Network
Field comments will be collected and included in a final report to PNWCG on Phase 1 of the project. Phase 2 will
proceed with focus on weather station needs for other activities such as: Red Flag events and verification, smoke
management, other fire management uses, and special projects. A list of stations for Red flag events and verification
will be sent to the field for comment.
3.
Oregon National Guard mobile radiosonde unit
Since this unit is only available for dispatch in Oregon, the possibility of similar units in Washington will also be
investigated.
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4.
Red Flag Criteria
Work will continue to further refine red flag criteria for dry lightning situations and strong wind/low relative humidity
events. 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. Emphasis will be placed on developing
strategies with the NWS to improve forecast and warning accuracy to MOU standards and to document and track
forecaster proficiency and currency.
In general, the Working Team will also maintain contact with the National Weather Service and National and California
Wildfire Coordinating Groups on weather issues of mutual concern. Coordination and communications with other
PNWCG working teams will be established and maintained.
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