COMET® Fire Weather Distance Learning Course

Description:
The “Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course Orientation” module introduces the organization of the course, the topics presented, and the intended audience, as well as the motivation for converting this course to online training. This web module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course..

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:
1. Describe the structure of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course and component modules.

Estimated time to complete: 15 m

Description:
The “History of the Incident Meteorologist Program” describes the evolution of fire weather support by National Weather Service meteorologists, including the more recent expansion to other hazardous incidents and significant national events. This webcast also reviews the evolution of the Air-Transportable Meteorological Unit (ATMU) into today’s AMRS/FxNet system used by Incident Meteorologists today. This short webcast is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:
• Identify key events and milestones in the NWS Fire Weather and IMET program
• Describe the ATMU and its evolution into today's AMRS/FxNet system used by IMETs today
• Describe important customer issues that arose in the 1990s and steps made in recent years to resolve these issues and improve/expand IMET services

Estimated time to complete: 15 min

Description:
The Structure of the NWS Fire Weather Program explores the joint agreement between NOAA’s NWS and land management agencies to develop an appreciation of the contribution each agency makes in providing the best possible fire weather services. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this module focuses on the NWS Fire Weather Program itself to set the stage for other course modules.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:

* Describe the components and responsibilities in the NWS Fire Weather Program, including the objectives of fire weather services provided by the NWS in support of fire weather customers.
* Identify and use the three primary policy and guidance documents defining fire weather services to answer questions about the NWS Fire Weather Program.
* Define the terms "Red Flag Warning" and "Fire Weather Watch" and determine the appropriate actions to take given a fire weather scenario.
* Explain the actions customers take in response to an issuance of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings.

Estimated time to complete: 90 min

Description:
The “Assessing Fire Danger” distance learning module explores techniques for recognizing weather and fuel conditions contributing to fire danger. The module includes a matrix of data sources offering useful weather, fuels, and other information related to fire ignition, spread, and intensity. An overview of situational awareness practices provides information relevant to forecasters in the office or field. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Describe the fire “setup” stage and identify weather patterns that lead to fuel dryness,
2. understand fuel dryness evolution and how it relates to the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS),
3. describe specific fire weather and fuel data sources that aid in determining fuel susceptibility,
4. apply situational awareness concepts to fire weather forecasting operations.

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Description:
This is part 1 of a 2-part Webcast based on a presentation by Dr. David Whiteman on August 11, 2004 in Boulder, CO. Dr. Whiteman presents conceptual and practical information regarding winds in the planetary boundary layer in complex terrain. Part 1 topics include diurnal wind systems, mountain-plain wind systems, and slope wind systems.

Objectives:

• Identify the characteristics of diurnal wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of mountain-plain wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of slope wind systems

Estimated time to complete: 1 h

Description:
This is part 2 of a 2-part Webcast based on a presentation by Dr. David Whiteman on August 11, 2004 in Boulder, CO. Dr. Whiteman presents conceptual and practical information regarding winds in the planetary boundary layer in complex terrain. Part 2 topics include valley wind systems, cross-valley wind systems, diurnal mountain-wind systems, and plateau-basin wind systems.

Objectives:

• Identify the characteristics of valley wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of cross-valley wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of diurnal mountain-wind systems


• Identify the characteristics of plateau-basin wind systems

Estimated time to complete: 75 min

Description:
The “Fire Weather Climatology” module provides a comprehensive look at fire regions across the United States and characteristics of typical fire seasons in each region. In addition, critical fire weather patterns are described in terms of their development, duration and impact on fire weather. Numerous case studies provide examples and opportunities to practice recognizing these critical patterns and how they can affect fire ignition and spread. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Identify critical fire weather patterns across North America and describe:
* Basic set-up, effects on fire weather elements, and typical duration of each pattern
* Characteristics of each pattern that contribute to fire ignition, spread and intensification.
2. Describe locations of key large-scale air-mass source regions and the air mass characteristics that impact fire weather.
3. Identify typical fire seasons for fire climatological regions of the United States and Canada and the critical fire weather patterns that affect these regions.

Estimated time to complete: 3-4 h

Description:
The “Stability, Smoke Management, and Fire Weather Forecasting” module examines the effects of atmospheric stability on fire behavior and the transport of smoke, as well as fire and smoke management operations. Topics covered include the impacts of the formation, persistence, and dissipation of inversions and how best to relate forecast information on these phases to customers. Calculation and application of the Haines Index is applied through the highly interactive Haines Game. In addition, the influence of stability on the transport and dispersion of fire related smoke is covered in the context of smoke management programs and the critical information provided by fire weather forecasters. This web module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Describe various atmospheric stability profiles in terms of their potential influences on fire behavior
a. Characterize influences of stability on fire behavior
b. Describe impacts of inversion formation, persistence, weakening, and dissipation on fire behavior
c. Describe, interpret, and apply the Haines Index
d. Identify impacts of inversions on fire management operations

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the smoke management process and the forecaster's role in that process
a. Correctly identify statements describing the purposes for, and importance of smoke management
b. Identify consequences of accurate/inaccurate smoke management-related forecasts
c. Identify the factors that influence smoke-management decision-making
d. Calculate and interpret ventilation index values in support of smoke management operations

Estimated time to complete: 90 min

Description:
The Fire Model Matrix is an on-line resource that presents four fire community models in a matrix that facilitates the exploration of the characteristics of each model. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this matrix is meant to sensitize forecasters to the use of weather data in these fire models to forecast potential fire activity.

Estimated time to complete: 45 min

Description:
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the three main dimensions of the fire environment triangle: fuels, topography, and weather. Five interactive case studies illustrate the interdependent influences these three dimensions have on fire behavior. A wide range of fire behavior is also discussed in terms of the environmental factors that support or suppress fire ignition and spread. As part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course, this module is meant to introduce forecasters to science of fire behavior.

Objectives:
1. Identify key factors contributing to the fuels dimension of the fire environment triangle, including fuel properties, components, complexes, states, moisture levels, and continuity.
2. Identify key factors contributing to the topography dimension of the fire environment triangle, including slope, aspect, elevation, and soil moisture.
3. Identify key factors contributing to the weather dimension of the fire environment triangle, including temperature, humidity, winds, and instability.
4. Given a case situation including descriptions of fuels, topography, and weather, identify the fire behavior most likely to occur.

Estimated time to complete: 1.5 h

Description:
The “Mesoscale Meteorology Effects on Fire Behavior” module reviews the development of thermally forced winds in complex terrain and explores how these winds combine with the effects of terrain to influence fire spread. Three-dimensional conceptual animations illustrate these effects through a 24-hr period, as members of the team working this theoretical fire describe different aspects of weather, fire behavior, and operational fire fighting decisions at specific times during this day. This module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:

1. Describe the effects of thermally forced winds in complex terrain on fire behavior

2. Identify how suppression operations are related to fire and smoke conditions in complex terrain

Estimated time to complete: 30 min

Description:
Fire Weather Grid Techniques: Relative Humidity and Dewpoint describes techniques and best practices for creating scientifically consistent grids of fire weather parameters. A case study is used to apply Smart Tools to model guidance to edit relative humidity and dew point temperature grids, and to demonstrate the advantages of editing dew point temperature rather than relative humidity to best represent the moisture in the atmosphere.

Objectives:
1. State how calculating 24-hour “change grids” can help forecasters generate more realistic forecast grids.

2. Explain the need to carefully check trends and values when forecasting changes to parameters used for calculating other grids.

3. Explain how examining recent observational data – either via observational grids or point observations – is essential to making realistic forecast grids.

Estimated time to complete: 30 min

Description:
The “Fire Weather Forecasting: Clear Communications” distance learning module offers best practices for Fire Weather Forecasters needing to communicate weather information when deployed in the field. The 30-minute module defines strategies for communicating with Weather Forecast Offices and with customers. Examples include writing a useful fire weather forecast discussion and undertaking proper planning to quickly and accurately disseminate information. This distance learning module is part of the Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course.

Objectives:
At the end of this module you should be able to:
1. Identify audiences of fire weather forecasts, forecast discussions, and spot forecasts
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of IMET/WFO coordination
3. Describe best practices for writing an effective and useful fire weather forecast discussion

Estimated time to complete: 30 min