CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER PATTERNS, THEIR FREQUENCY AND LEVELS OF FIRE DANGER
Abstract
Weather is one of the dominant factors responsible for uncontrollable spread of mass fires in both urban and rural areas. Identification of the weather types causing critical burning conditions in 14 contiguous regions of the United States was the subject of the previous report. But to be of much practical value, knowing what the critical weather types are and where they influence burning conditions adversely is not enough. We must also know when they will occur and the type of weather and burning conditions that can be expected. This study is a step in that direction. Ten years of synoptic weather maps (1951-1960) were studied to determine the frequency of occurrence of each of 21 critical fire-weather types, by months, on a year-round basis. Next, various statistics were computed showing mean values and variations of weather parameters and fire danger indexes, by type and month, at each of a network of 89 representative cities. Using these data as a climatology reference, fire-weather forecasters should be able to make a first approximation probability statement about the occurrence of a particular weather event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0634565
Entities
People
- Clyde A. O'dell
- Mark J. Schroeder
- Melvin K. Hull