Req 9e — Fire Weather Study
9e.
Meet with a meteorologist or someone familiar with fire weather and discuss the fire weather concerns and typical fire seasons that exist in your area. Discuss the conditions that lead to a Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning. Discuss what you learned with your counselor. Option E — Fire Weather & Red Flag Warning
Option E explores atmospheric science and National Weather Service fire weather warnings.
Fire Weather Discussion Topics
- Relative Humidity (RH): Understand why RH dropping below 15% to 20% drastically increases fuel flammability.
- Wind Speed & Gusts: Sustained winds above 20 mph rapidly accelerate fire fronts and carry spot embers.
- Haines Index: Measures atmospheric instability and dry air promoting plume-dominated megafires.
- NWS Warnings:
- Fire Weather Watch: Issued 24 to 72 hours in advance when weather conditions favor critical fire growth.
- Red Flag Warning: Issued within 24 hours when warm temperatures, very low humidity, and strong winds combine to produce extreme fire danger.
Requirement 9e Resources
🎬 Video: The Relationship Between Relative Humidity, Fuel Moisture, and Fire Behavior — NWCG / WFSTAR — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUdPfKL8lXA
Next Steps
Now that you have completed Requirement 9, investigate a major historic wildland fire incident in Requirement 10.