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National
Weather Service Incident Meteorologists
Fire fighters and meteorologists are gearing
up as fire season approaches across the Western U.S. Since 1914,
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have worked closely
with fire control specialists from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land
Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other federal, state, and
local fire control agencies responsible for suppression. The NWS
employs a small group of approximately 50 experienced and certified
Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) that are dispatched to remote
locations to support wildfire operations. Special training in
microscale forecasting, fire behavior, and fire suppression
operations makes these fire weather forecasters key members of fire
incident management teams.
IMETs use special equipment in preparing
critical forecasts used in wildfire suppression and prescribed
burning projects. One of these tools is the All-hazard Meteorological
Response System (AMRS) which
enables forecasters to operate at the incident command post,
providing close meteorological support to the suppression efforts.
The AMRS can be used throughout the country wherever wildfire,
chemical spills, and other catastrophes threatens life, property, or
other valuable resources.
These IMETs can deploy rapidly with portable
forecast and communications equipment to provide critical fire
weather forecasting support. The forecaster sets up the portable unit
near the fire lines and provides critical information that helps fire
managers decide where to move fire crews, learn about incoming
weather, plan tactics, and provide for fire fighter and public
safety.
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IMETs typically provide
weather forecasts at the morning and evening crew briefings as
well as the strategy meetings for each shift.
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IMETs work closely with the
National Forest Service’s Fire Behavior Analyst (FBAN) to
provide the latest weather information that might impact fire
behavior and suppression tactics.
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The All-hazard
Meteorological Response System utilizes portable two way satellite
technology to access a continuous stream of current weather
information.
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IMETs use laptop computers to access information from local and
national NWS offices. Surface observations, upper air
observations, Doppler Radar, and weather satellite pictures are
used to make specialized forecasts. Daily coordination calls are
used to discuss forecasts with local NWS offices and other IMETs
that may be working other fires in the area.
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FireRAWS are portable
weather stations that continuously measure temperature, relative
humidity, wind speed and direction. These units also include
observations of fuel temperature, fuel moisture, solar radiation
and precipitation. In addition, the upgraded units include GOES
satellite communication capability so the data reports can be
accessed via the Internet. The FireRAWS are placed in a safe
location near the fire to provide the IMETS with reliable and
continuous weather information. Field observers also take weather
readings on the fire line. This helps in understanding how
topography influences the weather.
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Viewing the fire from a safe
distance helps the meteorologist adjust their forecast to the
variable terrain.
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IMETs live in fire camp just
like the rest of the firefighters. One of the fire camps for the
Chediski-Rodeo Fire was at a school in Cibeque. Smoke can be seen
billowing from the fire in the background.
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National Weather Service Mission: "The
National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather,
hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for
the United States, its territories, adjacent waters
and ocean areas, for the protection of life and
property and the enhancement of the national economy.
NWS data and products form a national information
database and infrastructure which can be used by
other governmental agencies, the private sector,
the public, and the global community." |
www.weather.gov 
