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New Archive Search Interface |
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We have developed a new interface to search the map image archives of WFAS. Click on the "Search Archive" link under the "WFAS" menu or Click Here to use it. |
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NDFD Fire Danger Forecasts added to WFAS |
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WFAS developers have been working on a process to use seven day forecasts from the National Weather Service to estimate future fire danger. These fire danger forecasts are being produced at 6:00 AM Mountain Time each day for the current day and the next six days. Images of the forecast Energy Release Component for Fuel Model G are currently being provided and future enhancements will offer more indices, components and fuel moistures as well as more comprehensive analysis tools.
Click Here for more details
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 WFAS, the Wildland Fire Assessment System, is an internet-based information system. The current implementation provides a national view of weather and fire potential, including national fire danger and weather maps and satellite-derived "Greenness" maps (Burgan and others 1997). Development is continuing. See News for current information. WFAS was first made available in 1994. In 1999 operation was transferred from the Fire Sciences Laboratory (FS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula MT) to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC, Boise, ID). WFAS was redesigned in 2002 to provide easier access to products and vastly improve the archival process. The archives now provide real-time access to past map images including fire danger, heavy fuel moisture, Haines Index, and greenness. The navigation bar on the left organizes products by category. Selection provides access to links along with a description of the product. The Quick Links table provides direct access to products, which are categorized as - Current conditions
- Forecast
- Image archive (just pictures)
- Data archive
Archives are selected from a calendar. Variables available for each day are listed. Pop ups from wfas.net should be allowed. Maps/Data are loaded into seperate windows so different dates/maps can be compared. Animation of past 7 images is no longer available.
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Ongoing Research Highlights |
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The WFAS team is composed of both research and operational members. We are constantly looking for new and improved ways to map fire potential, fuel moisture / condition and critical weather variables across areas of interest and we are actively involved with researchers that are studying these questions. We have added a link to the left menu bar called "Ongoing Research" and we will use this as a way to communicate new research topics to our visitors. Our first topic is: Mississippi Fire Potential. Researchers from Mississippi State University are evaluating methods to link surface weather and satellite-derived metrics of fuel conditions to create fire potentail models that might be applicable to the southern states. They are attempting to create a comprehensive fire potential model that links fuels, weather and topography with ignition potentials to depict fire danger across an area. They are also evaluating existing drought indices, such as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI), to determine if they are related to fire activity. We will continue to post more of their research findings and some of their operational products for our visitors. |
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