WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS- v01.6

WILDFIRE: LATEST LEARNINGS

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General learning outcome:

FIRE MANAGEMENT:

Specific learning outcome:

A range of nocturnal processes must be considered: subsidence inversions, jets, thermal belt, Foehn winds.

Topic:

Detecting a low-level jet using an on-site AWS, hand-held weather meters, internet data sources and pressure charts.

Operational Awareness for Advanced Firefighters & Fire Behaviour Analysts


Low-level jets can be inferred by the presence of strong winds on high ground, especially overnight. This needs confirmation from meteorological services.
In conditions in which a low-level jet has been forecast it is imperative that Planning and Operations sections work closely to ensure safety in the field.
Field observers and Sector Leaders should routinely monitor and report general fire weather, but especially winds. They should use either hand-held weather meters or properly installed automatic weather stations. The Situation Unit staff should look at these reports for an indication of both (a) signs of an inversion within the elevation range on the fireground, and (b) anomalously high wind speeds on higher ground.
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This website is dedicated to bringing forward the latest research findings. They are provided to allow firefighters to be made aware of critical safety issues ahead of the material being included in the national training curriculum.
Material prepared by Rick McRae for AFAC Research Dissemination Pilot Study, March 2012.