TO :
FROM :
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
REPLY TO :
NWCG@nifc.gov
DATE :
06/17/2005
SUBJECT :
SAFETY ADVISORY : Fine Fuels
A very wet winter in the West, including the Southwest, Great Basin, Southern California and other areas has led to abnormally high grass and brush growth leading to an increase in wildfire potential in the lower elevations (primarily below 6,500 ft).
Long-term forecasts call for a greater than even chance for the monsoon in the Southwest to be weak and/or delayed. Indications are that the monsoon onset this year could be similar to 2004, with many areas west of the continental divide seeing a delay in the onset of consistent precipitation. Additionally, climate models are showing July, August and September outlooks for above average temperatures and below average precipitation throughout the Southwest, Great Basin and Southern California.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/multi_season/13_seasonal_outlooks/color/page2.gif
There is abundant anecdotal evidence from these areas of record high fine fuel loadings with potential for extremely rapid fire growth and high resistance to control once fuels cure. Firefighters throughout the United States should be mindful of the hazards they will encounter when fighting fires in these fuel conditions. With no significant relief in sight the NWCG members request that all Operations resources, including Aviation, who may be assigned to these Geographic Areas, be oriented to the key messages from this safety alert to assist them in preparing for assignments in which they may be exposed to extreme fire behavior.
The attached talking points, written by two seasoned Southern California firefighters, are a good foundation for beginning a discussion on the exceptional hazards posed by this years fuel conditions.
The National Wildland Fire Outlook through September can be found at:
http://www.nifc.gov/news/intell_predserv_forms/season_outlook.html
For additional information on weather and fuel predictions, visit the NIFC predictive services website at:
http://www.nifc.gov/news/pred_services/Main_page.htm
ATTACHMENT :