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.

Expert Awareness for Fire Behaviour Analysts


Low-level jets can be forecast, based on a synoptic air flow that is strongest at about the height of the main local range systems. Numerical weather models may indicate an event through the patterns of wind speed at 850 hPa. Note that they may not show up in surface weather products, due to the poor resolution of high ground in these models.
Analysts need to discuss the situation with the duty forecaster.
It is highly recommended that expert staff are tasked to the Situation Unit if a low-level jet is in place over a fireground or is forecast to be so. They must be tasked to monitor the onset and effects of low-level jets. Analysts must be familiar with the synoptic weather patterns locally associated with low-level jet development. They are best detected in Aerological Diagrams.
Field observers need to assess the impact of winds flowing over the ranges, especially from the point of view of where they are reaching the surface. Field observers should also monitor surface fire weather.
Consideration may be given to issuing watchouts or Red Flag Warnings (Wind change).
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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.