Forecaster Lora Mueller with Texas Fire Service personnel at the forecast office in Midland (Photo: WFO Midland)
(April 10, 2008) - Incident Meteorologist (IMETS) from the forecast office in Midland have been teaming up with fire personnel from around the country to deal with the current fire weather season in Texas. Assigned to numerous locations across west Texas as early as February, the National Weather Service forecasters have been helping firefighters prepare for daily operations.
The Texas Forest Service (TFS) has responded to more than 100 fires, which burned nearly 500,000 acres in the West Branch, since January 1. The Midland forecasters participate in local and state briefings each morning to prepare for that day's fire possibilities.
To date, the forecasters have spent more than 100 hours preparing and delivering crucial fire weather briefings; and, the team is prepared to continue providing briefings for as long as necessary.
The forecast office in Midland has also opened its doors to TFS personnel interested in observing daily National Weather Service operations, with particular emphasis on forecasting the fire weather information they rely on in the field. Office visits and tours for TFS personnel are conducted frequently by the staff and more are anticipated in the near future.
Midland MIC Ray Fagan (left), WCM Pat Vesper (right), IMET Greg Murdoch (second from right) and TFS personnel (Photo: WFO Midland)