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**EASTERN** **GREAT BASIN**

**ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN**

2007

SECTION PAGE

[**INTRODUCTION 2**](#__RefHeading___Toc163379534)

[SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST YEAR 2](#__RefHeading___Toc163379535)

[ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY 2](#__RefHeading___Toc163379536)

[NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE \-- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3](#__RefHeading___Toc163379537)

[Basic Services 3](#__RefHeading___Toc163379538)

[*Routine Fire Weather Forecasts (FWF)* 3](#__RefHeading___Toc163379539)

[*Spot forecasts* 5](#__RefHeading___Toc163379540)

[*Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather* *Watches*
6](#__RefHeading___Toc163379541)

[*National Fire Danger Ratings* *System (NFDRS) Forecasts*
8](#__RefHeading___Toc163379542)

[*Participation in Interagency Groups* 9](#__RefHeading___Toc163379543)

[Special Services 9](#__RefHeading___Toc163379544)

[Forecaster Training 9](#__RefHeading___Toc163379545)

[PREDICTIVE SERVICES/LAND AGENCIES -- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
9](#__RefHeading___Toc163379546)

[Operational Support and Predictive Services
9](#__RefHeading___Toc163379547)

[*Daily Fire Weather/Fire Behavior Map*
10](#__RefHeading___Toc163379548)

[*7-day Fire Weather/Fire Danger Outlook*
10](#__RefHeading___Toc163379549)

[*Monthly Fire Potential Outlook* 10](#__RefHeading___Toc163379550)

[*Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook* 10](#__RefHeading___Toc163379551)

[Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)
11](#__RefHeading___Toc163379552)

[Land Management Liaison 11](#__RefHeading___Toc163379553)

[Monitoring, Feedback, and Improvement of Fire Weather Information
11](#__RefHeading___Toc163379554)

[Technology and Data Transfer 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163379555)

[Fire Weather Observations 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163379556)

[Incident Response 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163379557)

[JOINT RESONSIBILITIES 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163379558)

[Briefings 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163379559)

[Coordination Calls 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163379560)

[Training 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163379561)

[Verification of Fire Weather Products 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163379562)

[Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries
13](#__RefHeading___Toc163379563)

[EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN
13](#__RefHeading___Toc163379564)

[SIGNATORIES 14](#__RefHeading___Toc163379565)

[Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact Information
15](#__RefHeading___Toc163379566)

[Appendix B: PSA Maps / Fire Weather Zone Maps and National Weather
Service Offices 17](#__RefHeading___Toc163379567)

[Boise Weather Forecast Office 19](#__RefHeading___Toc163379568)

[FLAGSTAFF WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 22](#__RefHeading___Toc163379569)

[GRAND JUNCTION WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE
24](#__RefHeading___Toc163379570)

[LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 27](#__RefHeading___Toc163379571)

[POCATELLO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 29](#__RefHeading___Toc163379572)

[RIVERTON WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 32](#__RefHeading___Toc163379573)

[SALT LAKE CITY WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE
34](#__RefHeading___Toc163379574)

INTRODUCTION[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379534 .anchor}

This document serves as the Interagency Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for
Fire Weather and Predictive Services for the Eastern Great Basin
Geographic Area (EGB). The general relationship between the National
Weather Service (NWS) and the interagency fire management community is
set forth in the National Interagency Agreement for Meteorological
Services. This AOP provides specific procedural and policy information
regarding the delivery of meteorological services to the fire management
community within the EGB as allowed under the umbrella of the National
Agreement.

References include:

-   National Weather Service NWSI 10-4: Fire Weather Services

([www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/010.htm](http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/010.htm)
)

-   Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services (National MOA or
    "National Agreement")

([www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/pd01004006a.pdf](http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/010/pd01004006a.pdf)
)

-   Great Basin Mobilization Guide

(
[www.blm.gov/utah/egbcc/trng_pub.htm](http://www.blm.gov/utah/egbcc/trng_pub.htm)
)

-   National Interagency Mobilization Guide

( <http://www.nifc.gov/news/mobguide/index.html> )

I.  **SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST
    YEAR**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379535 .anchor}

-   Red Flag Criteria at a forecast office which differ from the
    standard EGB criteria appear in that office's section of Appendix B.

-   The Boise NWS office will be testing fuel dryness levels for Dry
    Lightning RFW criteria. More information can be found in Appendix B.

-   A Map of the updated EGB Predictive Services Areas has been included
    in Appendix B.

-   Changes to contact information can be found in Appendix A.

-   The 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Outlook will be archived each
    day for the 2007 fire season.

    -   
    -   
    -   

II. **ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379536 .anchor}

> Cooperating federal and state land management agencies in the Eastern
> Great Basin include:
>
> Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service
>
> Bureau of Indian Affairs National Park Service
>
> US Fish and Wildlife Service Utah Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
>
> Idaho Department of Lands
>
> Fire weather products and services are provided by Eastern Great Basin
> Predictive Services and the following NWS offices:
>
> Boise, ID Flagstaff, AZ Grand Junction, CO
>
> Las Vegas, NV Pocatello, ID Riverton, WY
>
> Salt Lake City, UT
>
> Additional administrative support is provided by:

NWS Central Region NWS Western Region National Interagency Fire Center

> Contact information for Predictive Services and the NWS offices can be
> found in Appendix A. Service areas are depicted in Appendix B. NOTE:
> All phone numbers are unlisted and should [not]{.underline} be given
> to the general public.

III. **NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE** **\-- SERVICES AND
     RESPONSIBILITIES**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379537 .anchor}

     A.  Basic Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379538 .anchor}

> Basic services constitute the collective suite of operational fire
> weather forecast products and professional services provided by the
> NWS. Any changes to these forecast services or implementation of new
> operational forecast products and/or services will be coordinated with
> the EGB Predictive Services Unit (PSU) (Reference NWSI 10-403) and
> with local land management officials within the County Warning
> Forecast Area (CWFA) of the NWS office that is proposing the changes.
> Any non-operational forecast products will be clearly labeled as
> "Experimental" or "Prototype".

1.  Planning Forecasts (FWF)[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379539 .anchor}

> Planning forecasts (or preparedness forecasts) are issued by all NWS
> WFOs offices serving the EGB. These forecasts provide general,
> zone-based information used in daily planning and preparedness.

a.  Issuance Times During Fire Season

> Two forecasts will be issued daily -- a morning forecast issued no
> later than 0730 local time and an afternoon forecast issued by 1530
> local time -- 7 days a week during the fire season. Twice per day fire
> weather forecast requirements will normally run from May 1 to October
> 31, with sub-regional variations dependent on weather, elevation and
> latitude. Local start and stop dates shall be coordinated between the
> NWS offices and fire weather customers, including the geographic area
> Predictive Services Units. Modifications to these start and stop dates
> are enumerated in Appendix B, National Weather Service Offices.

b.  Issuance Outside Fire Season

> Some NWS offices issue fire weather planning forecasts year-round.
> However, all NWS offices will issue spot forecasts upon request at any
> time of year.

c.  Forecast Updates

> Forecasts will be updated during the first 36-48 hour time period
> when: 1) A Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning is issued,
> cancelled, or updated; 2) when any of the amendment criteria in Table
> 1 are met over a meteorologically significant area; or 3) typographic
> or formatting errors that confuse the intended meaning are detected.
>
> Table 1. Fire Weather Forecast and Associated Digital Data Amendment
> Criteria

  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------
  **Fire Weather Forecast and        
  Associated Digital Data**          
  **Amendment Guidelines**           

  **Forecast**                       **AMEND WHEN...**

  Thunderstorms are not in the       Thunderstorms occurring or are
  forecast...                        imminent prior to the next routine
                                     planning forecast issuance..

  Wind speed of 15 mph or greater... Speed exceeds forecast by 10 mph or
                                     more.

  Average minimum RH is 16% to       Differs by 10% or more.
  40%...                             

  Average minimum RH is 15% or       Differs by 5% or more.
  less...                            
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------

> The NWS forecaster should notify all impacted Dispatch and
> Communications Centers when the forecast has been updated. The
> forecaster should also notify the Meteorologist or the Coordinator on
> Duty (COD) at the GACC. When notifying the GACC, do not use voicemail
> during normal business hours (published in Appendix B). During
> non-business hours (i.e., overnight), no special notification is
> necessary.

d.  Access

> Forecasts are transmitted automatically to the Internet. Forecasts can
> be accessed through the various NWS offices that serve the Eastern
> Great Basin, the EGB PSU web site, and WIMS. Links can be found in
> Appendix B.

e.  Content and Format

> Forecasts will conform to the national standard narrative format, per
> NWSI 10-401. Morning forecasts will focus on the following 36 hours (3
> operational periods). Afternoon forecasts will focus on the following
> 48 hours (4 operational periods). General extended outlooks will
> cover, at a minimum, the next 5 calendar days.
>
> Each forecast will begin with pertinent headlines and a brief,
> non-technical weather discussion highlighting significant weather
> events or critical fire weather patterns. Headlines are required for
> Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches and are encouraged for
> other significant fire weather elements that do not meet Red Flag
> criteria. Affected zone segments of the planning forecast must also
> include the appropriate headline.
>
> Forecasts for the first 36 or 48 hours will contain the elements shown
> in Tables 2 and 3 below for each zone or zone grouping, listed in the
> order they will appear. Format examples and descriptions of forecast
> elements can be found in the appendices.

**Table 2. Planning Forecast (FWF) Elements**

  --------------------------- ------------------ -------------------------
  **Forecast Element and      **Requirement**    **Remarks**
  Order**                                        

  Headline(s)                 National           As appropriate

  Sky/Weather                 National           

  Temperature and locally     National           In complex terrain,
  optional 24-hour trend                         temperature and relative
                                                 humidity should be
                                                 forecast at discrete
                                                 elevations (e.g.,
                                                 3000-ft, 5000-ft,
                                                 8000-ft, etc) or at
                                                 generally accepted
                                                 locations (i.e., valley
                                                 bottom and mid-slope).
                                                 These should be
                                                 coordinated with the
                                                 local land management and
                                                 Predictive Services.

  Humidity and locally        National           
  optional 24-hour trend                         

  Wind -- 20-ft RAWS standard National           Wind speed must conform
  (slope/valley)                                 to the NWCG standard of
                                                 20-foot, 10-minute
                                                 average wind.

  Wind -- Ridgetop (as        National           
  appropriate)                                   

  Chance Wetting Rain (0.10   Eastern Great      
  inch)                       Basin              

  Lightning Activity Level    Eastern Great      As defined in Table 3.
  (LAL)                       Basin              

  Haines Index                Eastern Great      
                              Basin              

  Mean Mixing Height          Optional           

  Mean Transport Wind         Optional           

  Ventilation Index (kt-ft)   Optional           

  Clearing Index              Optional           

  Extended forecast to day 7  National           One extended forecast at
                                                 end of planning forecast
                                                 or each zone depending on
                                                 local agreement.
  --------------------------- ------------------ -------------------------

> Table 3. Lightning Activity Level Definitions

  --------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------
  **Lightning                                             
  Activity Level                                          
  Definitions**                                           

  **LAL**         **Areal Coverage Description**          **Area Coverage**

  **1**           No lightning.                           

  **2**           Isolated wet or dry thunderstorms.      Less than 15% coverage.

  **3**           Widely scattered wet thunderstorms.     15% to 24% coverage

  **4**           Scattered wet thunderstorms.            25% to 54% coverage

  **5**           Numerous wet thunderstorms.             55% to 100% coverage

  **6**           Widely Scattered or greater dry         15% or greater coverage
                  thunderstorms.                          
  --------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------

1.  Spot forecasts[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379540 .anchor}

> Spot forecasts are site-specific forecast products issued for
> wildfires, prescribed burns, aerial spraying, HAZMAT incidents, search
> and rescue, and other land management activities. Spot forecasts are
> available by request, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. They are
> available to any federal, state, county or municipal agency as
> described in NWSI 10-401.
>
> The priority for spot forecast issuances and updates is described in
> NWS Western Region Supplement 14-2003, Prioritizing Products and
> Workload Activities for Western Region Forecast Offices.
>
> Site-specific forecasts are considered one-time requests. Updates will
> be issued when:

i.  The forecaster determines that the current spot forecast does not
    adequately represent current or expected weather conditions, or;

ii. Land management personnel communicate to the forecaster that the
    current forecast is unrepresentative of conditions at the site, or;

iii. A typographical or formatting error is detected and could confuse
     the intended meaning.

> Updates will be disseminated to users in the same manner as the
> original spot forecast. If the update is initiated by the NWS, a
> follow-up phone call will be made to inform the user (i.e., the
> original requestor) that an update has been issued. If the update is
> requested by the user, a contact point number will be provided.

a.  Content and Format

> Spot forecasts may contain the following elements as requested by the
> user. (Table 4).

**Table 4. Spot Forecast Elements**

  --------------------------- ----------------- --------------------------
  **Forecast Element**        **Requirement**   **Remark**

  Headline                    National          Required if watch or
                                                warning is in effect when
                                                spot is issued.

  Discussion                  National          

  Sky/Weather                 National          

  Temperature                 National          

  Relative Humidity           National          

  20-ft, 10-minute average    National          
  winds                                         

  Transport winds, mixing     By Request        Request made via NWS Spot
  height, LAL, Haines Index,                    web interface or on Spot
  Chance of wetting rain,                       Forecast Request Form D-1
  etc.                                          
  --------------------------- ----------------- --------------------------

> The valid time will be determined at the time of the request. Most
> spots contain three periods, usually "TODAY", "TONIGHT", and
> "TOMORROW" but users will indicate the period(s) for which a forecast
> is needed in their request.

b.  Procedures for Requesting Spot Forecasts

> Internet-based NWS Spot is the standard for requesting and retrieving
> spot forecasts and should be used when available. It is accessible via
> web sites of the NWS offices that serve the EGB and on the EGB
> Predictive Services web site, found in Appendix B.
>
> When Internet access is not available, spot forecasts may be requested
> and disseminated via fax - using spot forecast request form D-1 (found
> in Appendix G). Spot forecasts should be available within 60 minutes
> of the time the NWS office receives the request. If a spot forecast is
> not returned within 60 minutes, the requestor should contact the NWS
> office immediately. Spot forecasts should be requested no more than 24
> hours in advance. Beyond this time, planning information should be
> used, including the fire weather planning forecast, weather activity
> planner and fire weather point forecast matrix. For large burn plans,
> please coordinate multiple spot forecast requests with your local NWS
> office. It is strongly recommended that the requestor indicate the
> time he or she needs the forecast returned. If not specified in a spot
> forecast request, the NWS assumes the forecast is needed immediately.
>
> The requestor must provide information about the location
> (latitude/longitude), slope aspect, drainage name, fuel type(s), top
> and bottom elevations of fire or project (if appropriate), size of
> fire or project, ignition time (if appropriate), and a contact name(s)
> and telephone number(s) of the responsible land management personnel.
> It is critically important that each spot forecast request also
> include quality, representative observations at, or near, the site or
> from a nearby representative RAWS station. A detailed description of
> the observation location relative to the project (if not at the site)
> should be provided. The description should include, at a minimum,
> distance and direction from the project or fire site, station
> elevation and aspect.

c.  Spot Forecast Feedback Requirement

    Good communication between fire managers and the NWS is critical for
    quality spot forecast services. Land management personnel should
    provide feedback to the NWS forecasters about the quality and
    accuracy of the spot forecast. Feedback should also be relayed to
    GACC meteorologists. Responsibility for providing fire line
    observations for the verification of forecast accuracy rests with
    the land management agencies, as outlined under, "Fire Weather
    Observations," Section V-F.

d.  FARSITE support.

    NWS offices in Boise, Pocatello, Salt Lake City, Flagstaff, and Las
    Vegas will automatically provide FARSITE wind and weather files when
    a wild land fire spot forecast is requested. Links to the files will
    be available on the WFO's fire weather web page for retrieval as
    needed. FARSITE weather data can also be requested independently
    from a spot forecast by calling the WFO. Latitude and longitude of
    the fire or incident is required to generate FARSITE forecast files.

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3.  Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather
    Watches[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379541 .anchor}

> The Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch program is designed to
> provide land management officials with advanced notice of weather
> conditions that, when coupled with critical fuels conditions, can lead
> to extreme fire behavior or heightened potential for large fire
> starts. [It is implicit that firefighter and public safety are of the
> utmost importance.]{.underline} Identification of Red Flag events is a
> shared, collaborative responsibility between land management officials
> and NWS fire weather forecasters. Land management officials must
> identify critical fuels conditions. Weather forecasters must identify
> weather conditions that will contribute to extreme fire behavior or
> heightened large fire potential.
>
> A [Red Flag Warning]{.underline} shall be issued when Red Flag weather
> criteria (defined below) are forecast to occur within the next
> 24-hours or are already occurring, and are coupled with critical fuels
> conditions.
>
> A [Fire Weather Watch]{.underline} shall be issued when there is a
> high potential for Red Flag weather criteria to be met in the 12-72
> hour time frame. The watch may be issued for all, or selected,
> portions within a fire weather zone or region.

a.  Criteria

> Standardized criteria for issuance of Red Flag Warnings and Fire
> Weather Watches in the EGB are a combination of weather and critical
> fuels conditions. A standard set of Red Flag criteria have been
> developed to simplify issuances and to facilitate coordination and
> ensure continuity between neighboring NWS offices as well as across
> land management administrative boundaries. While no set of criteria
> can possibly accommodate all areas equally within the EGB, land
> management officials and their servicing NWS office may address local
> concerns not specifically accounted for in the standard criteria, as
> outlined for each individual NWS office in Appendix B.
>
> These criteria assume the following:

i.  In the absence of local (CWFA) agreements, fuels conditions must be
    listed as CRITICAL on the Fuels Status Table/Map. Fuel status should
    be updated and maintained at least weekly.

ii. The mid-point of a forecast wind speed range is the breakpoint for
    watch/warning issuance. Additionally, forecast ranges should not
    exceed 10 mph.

> iii\. Wind gust speed must be from NWCG compliant RAWS stations
> (20-foot) or a NWS/FAA
>
> ASOS station (10 meter). Wind gust speed measurements from other
> observation platforms
>
> will be used upon agreement between NWS and land management agencies.
> []{.mark}

b.  Product Format and Content

> A Red Flag Warning/Fire Weather Watch statement (RFW) will be used for
> issuing, updating, and canceling all Red Flag Warnings and Fire
> Weather Watches. This message will include:

i.  Headline that includes a description of the watch or warning, a
    description of the area (i.e., counties, agency administrative unit,
    etc.), and the time period for which the watch or warning is valid;

ii. List of fire weather zones impacted, and;

iii. Short discussion detailing the causes and nature of the event.

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c.  Procedures and Access

> When Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are issued, they will
> be headlined in both the fire weather planning forecast and any
> subsequent spot forecasts. In the planning forecast, the headline
> shall appear at the beginning, before the discussion section, and at
> the beginning of each zone or zone grouping affected by the warning or
> watch. The headline will be in the same descriptive format as on the
> RFW product itself. If issuance of a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather
> Watch requires an update of the planning forecast, the NWS office will
> notify the affected dispatch centers and the EGB PSU as soon as
> possible during business hours. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather
> Watches will remain in effect through the expiration time noted in the
> planning forecast, or until canceled or updated.
>
> Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches can be accessed through the
> various NWS offices that serve the EGB, the EGB PSU web site, and
> WIMS. Links can be found in Appendix B.

4.  National Fire Danger Ratings System (NFDRS)
    Forecasts[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379542 .anchor}

> The National Weather Service will provide National Fire Danger Ratings
> System (NFDRS) forecasts valid at 1300 LST (1400 LDT) the next day
> after issuance. These forecasts are used to prepare the NFDRS fire
> danger indices for the next day.

a.  Criteria for Issuance

> NWS will issue NFDRS forecasts daily when NFDRS-compliant observations
> are received. NFDRS observations must be complete and available in
> WIMS by 1350 LST (1450 LDT) to be received by NWS in time to produce a
> forecast. Stations that do not have valid observations in WIMS on time
> will not receive an NFDRS weather forecast and, thus, will not receive
> forecast fire danger indices for the next day.

b.  Content and Format

> The content and format shall comply with NWSI 10-4 and is outlined in
> Appendix C for reference. The actual NWS NFDRS forecast product is
> used only by WIMS and is not viewable directly by fire management
> personnel.

c.  Procedures

> Each WFO will produce individual NFDRS station or zone forecasts.
> Valid observations must appear on the 1400 LST (1500 LDT) observation
> collective or forecasts will not be generated. Forecasts may be in the
> form of a *trend forecast* for individual or grouped stations, or a
> *point (station-specific) forecast*. However, the form used should be
> coordinated with local land management officials and Predictive
> Services at the GACC. When point forecasts are issued, NWS will ensure
> that forecast values are statistically valid relative to
> climatological values for those stations. When using the trend
> forecast format, there may be rare instances in which weather
> conditions require separate point forecasts be issued for one or more
> of the grouped stations. This should be a temporary change to be used
> only while meteorological conditions require.

5.  Participation in Interagency Groups[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379543
    .anchor}

    a.  Local Outreach Meetings

        NWS offices should participate in at least one outreach meeting
        per year, usually prior to the start of the next fire season
        with local fire management units. These meetings can be used to
        strengthen the customer relationship, present new or changes to
        services and address local concerns. GACC meteorologists should
        be notified of these meetings and strongly encouraged to
        participate. Similarly, fire agencies should advise the GACC of
        fire weather meetings they are planning.

        b\. GACC Meetings

NWS WFOs and local Interagency Dispatch Centers within the EGB should
send a representative to the annual AOP meeting (if scheduled). Proxy
representation is acceptable. A GACC-wide fall review meeting can be
used to review the previous season, discuss what worked and what did not
and identify issues to be addressed for the next Annual Operating Plan.

A.   RAWS Monitoring

    Meteorologists should monitor the RAWS network for suspect or
    erroneous data, using sound meteorological judgment to determine if
    data is not representative of conditions. When an observation is
    identified as unrepresentative, forecasters should notify the EGB
    Predictive Services meteorologist to initiate maintenance or repair
    of the station in question.

B.  Special Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379544 .anchor}

> NWS will provide and maintain a cadre of trained Incident
> Meteorologists (IMETs). A sufficient number of IMETs should be
> available to support multiple incidents from May through September.
> Information regarding the dispatch of IMETs, both within and outside
> the EGB, can be found in the Great Basin Mobilization Guide.

C.  Forecaster Training[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379545 .anchor}

    The NWS recognizes the need for specialized training in fire weather
    meteorology for forecasters. Any NWS meteorologist producing fire
    weather products shall have met the requirements set forth in NWSI
    10-405.

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I.  **PREDICTIVE SERVICES/LAND AGENCIES -- SERVICES AND
    RESPONSIBILITIES**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379546 .anchor}

> The EGB Predictive Services Unit resides at the Eastern Great Basin
> Coordination Center. The interagency coordination centers' primary
> mission is to provide resource support for the functional areas of
> overhead, crews, aircraft, supplies and equipment to the field for
> wildland fire and other emergency operations.
>
> The PSU will provide daily, medium-range, and long-range fire weather,
> fire danger, and resource outlooks for use in tactical and strategic
> planning. These outlooks will complement short-term forecast products
> provided by the NWS.

A.  Operational Support and Predictive
    Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379547 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will produce a suite of products tailored to the
> tactical and strategic mission of the land management agencies within
> the EGB. While the main area of responsibility is at the geographic
> area level, Predictive Services will provide services to sub-units of
> the geographic area, such as dispatch centers and local administrative
> units. Contributions will also be made to the national level
> Predictive Services program. All products will be available on the EGB
> PSU web page.

1.  Daily Fire Weather Map[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379548 .anchor}

> The Daily Fire Weather Map is a text-and-graphics product which
> summarizes expected fire weather conditions for the next 24-hours.
> Fire behavior forecasts will be included when a Fire Behavior Analyst
> is assigned to Predictive Services at either or both of the
> coordination centers. This typically occurs when the Great Basin MAC
> is convened.
>
> The Daily Fire Weather Map will be issued every day -- Monday through
> Friday and on weekends during critical fire periods beginning May 1
> and continuing through October 31. Seasonal start and stop dates may
> vary based on need and will generally follow the NWS schedule for
> planning forecasts. Updates will be made when it appears that observed
> or expected conditions are significantly different than those
> contained in the product.

2\. 7-Day Significant Fire Potential
Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379549 .anchor}

> The 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Outlook addresses the probability
> of new large fires for each Predictive Services Area (PSA) across the
> EGB for each of the next 7 days. The outlook will identify significant
> fire potential in a 3-category scale based on ERCs and 100-hour fuel
> moisture forecasts. Fire triggers (i.e., lightning, wind, etc.) will
> be incorporated to refine the potential on individual days. A map of
> PSAs within EGB is included in Appendix B.
>
> The outlook will be issued every morning -- Monday through Friday and
> on weekends during critical fire periods - by 0930 MST/MDT, beginning
> May 1 and continuing through October 31. Seasonal start and stop dates
> may vary based on need and will generally follow the NWS schedule for
> planning forecasts. Updates will be made when it appears that observed
> or expected conditions are significantly different than those
> contained in the product.
>
> 7-Day Outlooks will be archived each day for the 2007 fire season.
> More information on the 7-Day Outlook can be found on the EGB PSU
> website.

3.  Monthly Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379550
    .anchor}

> The Monthly Fire Potential Outlook is a broader, more general
> assessment of weather, climate, and fuels conditions across the area.
> It incorporates climate trends, potential weather, and fuels condition
> and trends to make long-term predictions of impacts on fire business.
> Outlooks will focus on potential for large fire activity and time
> frames that will impact resource availability and mobilization
> relative to normal fire business for the time of year.
>
> The Monthly outlook will be issued no later than 2 business days prior
> to the start of the month for which it is valid. Monthly outlooks will
> be produced by the Predictive Services National Office for the 2007
> Fire Season, following the same general format.

4.  Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379551
    .anchor}

> The Seasonal outlook is similar to the Monthly, except for a longer
> time period. This outlook attempts to predict the overall character of
> the upcoming fire season relative to a normal season (based on 5 to 10
> year historical averages). The Seasonal is issued in the late winter
> or early spring prior to the onset of the fire season, and is updated
> at irregular intervals as needed, with a first update issued around
> mid-May. These times are not fixed, depending heavily on such factors
> as winter snowpack, onset and progress of snow melt, weather trends,
> fuels condition and trends, etc.
>
> Seasonal Outlooks will be produced by the Predictive Services National
> Office for the 2007 Fire Season, following the same general format.
>
> 5\. Fuels Status for Red Flags Table and Map
>
> Fuels Status for Red Flags table and map will be produced primarily to
> provide NWS forecasters with a snapshot of fuels conditions that would
> require a red flag warning or fire weather watch if weather conditions
> that would meet the red flag criteria (Section III.A.3) are expected
> or are imminent. These do not replace the NFDRS observed and forecast
> indices for fire danger. Instead, the fuels status table and map
> highlight areas where fuels conditions would support large fire growth
> or extreme fire behavior as determined by fuels and fire specialists
> on the ground. The tabular and graphical information also do not
> preclude coordination between the NWS forecasters and the local land
> management agencies they serve.
>
> The table will be updated regularly (preferably every 7-10 days) or
> immediately if fuels become critical by land management fuels
> specialists (or other designee). The map will automatically update to
> reflect what is displayed by the tabular data and will indicate when
> it was last updated.

B.  Remote Automated Weather Stations
    (RAWS)[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379552 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will monitor the RAWS network within the EGB. This
> will include identifying unrepresentative observations or inoperative
> equipment and ensuring the data record is complete and accurate for
> input into WIMS and NFDRS. Predictive Services will relay information
> regarding the network to, address issues and concerns with, and offer
> recommendations for improvements to the network to the USDA Forest
> Service Regional RAWS coordinator and to the BLM-NIFC RAWS Program
> manager, as appropriate. Predictive Services will attempt to notify
> appropriate NWS offices of outages and restoration of services in a
> timely fashion, as time and human resources allow.

C.  Land Management Liaison[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379553 .anchor}

> Predictive Services meteorologists will act as a liaison on issues
> regarding weather, climate, and fuels between the land management
> agency partners in the EGB and service providers in these areas,
> including the NWS, private sector providers, and the research
> community.

D.  Monitoring, Feedback, and Improvement of Fire Weather
    Information[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379554 .anchor}

> Land management agencies will monitor all sources of fire weather
> information to ensure quality, consistency, and applicability. When
> significant issues arise, Predictive Services will address the issue
> with the service provider to enhance awareness and to work toward an
> appropriate solution. Items of significance include, but are not
> limited to:

1.  General forecast consistency between County Warning and Forecast
    Areas (CWFAs), dispatch zones, and land management administrative
    units.

2.  Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch consistency with established
    criteria, timeliness of issuance, coordination and applicability.

3.  NFDRS forecast consistency with station climate histories.

4.  Quality of fireline observations and spot forecast feedback from the
    field.

5.  Overall adherence to policy and procedure, especially as set forth
    in the AOP.

6.  Feedback from the field on the quality of all forecast products,
    especially Red Flag Warnings and Watches and Spot forecasts.

> It is imperative that field personnel provide timely feedback to the
> NWS about products and services. This information will be used to
> gauge the quality and validity of products and services, make
> improvements and to resolve any conflicts or discrepancies between
> products issued. Feedback should be provided as soon as possible so
> that action can be taken immediately. Feedback may be positive or
> negative but it should always be constructive and intended to provide
> information that will help improve products and services. Comments can
> be submitted through Predictive Services or directly to the NWS (with
> a copy to Predictive Services).
>
> Resolution of issues shall follow procedures outlined in the
> interagency agreement found in Appendix F.

E.  Technology and Data Transfer[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379555 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will work to integrate advanced technology into
> analytical and prediction systems for use in fire management planning
> and operations. This will include regional numerical modeling, weather
> and fuels data assimilation and dissemination, and continued research
> and development in fire meteorology.
>
> Where fire management computer systems, such as WIMS, are available,
> access will be granted to NWS for the purpose of obtaining and
> providing mission critical information, such as weather observations
> and forecasts.

F.  Fire Weather Observations[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379556 .anchor}

> Weather observations will be provided by the land agencies to the NWS
> to ensure sufficient information is available to produce quality
> forecast products. RAWS observations will comply with NWCG standards
> for quality and timeliness. RAWS will be sited and maintained in
> accordance with the NWCG PMS 426-3, "National Fire Danger Rating
> System Weather Station Standards."
>
> Weather observations at or near the fire or project site are highly
> recommended when requesting a spot forecast. If this is not possible,
> observations from a nearby, representative RAWS site may be
> substituted. Fireline observations are strongly preferred. Agency
> personnel should provide observations containing, at a minimum:
> temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and weather and sky
> condition that complies with guidance provided in NFES 2140, "Weather
> Station Handbook -- an Interagency Guide for Wildland Managers." Keep
> in mind that the quality of the observation, or how representative it
> is of conditions at the fire or project site, will affect the
> precision a forecaster can provide in a spot weather forecast.
>
> For large or complex planned projects requiring spot forecasts, such
> as prescribed burns, aerial spraying, rehabilitation, etc., it is
> strongly recommended that observations be taken for a minimum of seven
> (7) days, 24 hours a day, prior to commencement of the project. This
> will provide forecasters with a history of diurnal variations of
> weather, temperature, humidity, and wind at or near the project site.
> For smaller, less complex projects, such as pile burns, observations
> should be collected for a minimum of two (2) days.

G.  

H.  Incident Response[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379557 .anchor}

> The NWS is the provider of Incident Meteorologists (IMETs). Predictive
> Services meteorologists can respond to incidents when the NWS cannot
> provide a certified IMET within 24-hours of request receipt by the
> National Fire Weather Operations Coordinator (NFWOC). In these
> instances, and when requested by incident command staff, Predictive
> Services meteorologists will provide forecast support as a Technical
> Specialist until the arrival of a certified NWS IMET. Technical
> Specialists will not be used as a substitute for NWS IMETs. Forecast
> support will revert to the NWS IMET after a reasonable transition
> period.

VI. **JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379558 .anchor}

    A.  Briefings[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379559 .anchor}

> Predictive Services or NWS meteorologists may be asked to provide
> briefings to agency decision-makers. These briefings generally occur
> during peak periods of the fire season or when a Multi-Agency
> Coordination (MAC) Group has been convened. The briefings usually
> include a short-term weather discussion of critical weather patterns
> and a longer-term discussion of trends during the next several days.
> The briefings provide tactical (operational) and strategic (planning)
> information for land managers.
>
> Briefing schedules vary with planning and staffing levels, fire
> activity, and management priorities. Predictive Services will provide
> briefing schedules and conference bridge phone numbers, as needed.

B.  Coordination Calls []{#__RefHeading___Toc163379560 .anchor}

> Coordination calls will be conducted as needed during fire season.
> Either Predictive Services meteorologists or NWS meteorologists can
> initiate a call. The method of notification will be determined jointly
> prior the beginning of the season. The time window for calls will
> generally begin in early May as fire danger dictates, and will
> continue until no longer needed. In the event of conflict with
> coordination calls in other GACCs served by common NWS offices,
> arrangements will be negotiated between the PSUs at the GACCs and the
> results relayed to the affected NWS offices.
>
> Predictive Services will provide conference bridge phone numbers.

C.  Training[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379561 .anchor}

> Training for weather sections of S-190, S-290, and other fire weather
> courses can be provided at customer request. Requests can be made at
> any time of year to any of the NWS offices in the Great Basin.
> Requests will generally be met unless there are scheduling or staffing
> conflicts at the NWS office. In these cases, the requesting person or
> agency should provide alternate dates. If this is not possible, the
> NWS will assist in locating another trainer from another NWS office,
> or as necessity dictates, from the GACC. Reimbursement for NWS
> instructor travel costs is required for all training requests.
>
> Cross-training between NWS and GACC meteorologists is encouraged. NWS
> forecasters can detail at the GACC to gain an understanding of the
> decision support role Predictive Services fills in fire operations.
> GACC meteorologists can shadow NWS forecasters to view the forecast
> preparation process utilizing technologies available at NWS offices.
> Scheduling of cross-training visits should be arranged as far in
> advance as possible to reduce impacts on operations. However, because
> of the rapidly-changing nature of fire operations, the best
> opportunity may come with short notice. Flexibility is necessary.

D.  Verification of Fire Weather Products

    []{#__RefHeading___Toc163379562 .anchor}

> Predictive Services and NWS meteorologists will cooperatively develop,
> perform, and report verification results of prepared fire weather
> products. These will include, but are not limited to: Red Flag
> Warnings and Fire Weather Watches; NFDRS point and/or trend forecasts;
> 7 Day fire weather/fire potential outlooks. Data sources used in
> verification must be well-sited, representative of conditions being
> verified, and reliable. Data sources not listed explicitly in the AOP
> will be determined on a case by case basis by both NWS and Predictive
> Services meteorologists. Verification of Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag
> Warnings should generally occur within a few days of an event or a
> period of events. NWS and Predictive Services should discuss
> verification results at least annually at the end of the season to
> ensure consistent verification methods are used and to share lessons
> learned from each event.

E.  Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries

    []{#__RefHeading___Toc163379563 .anchor}

> Forecast zone boundaries shall be established and/or modified jointly
> by the NWS and the land management agencies with administrative
> responsibility for the affected lands. Predictive Services
> meteorologists should be included in negotiations. Existing zone
> boundaries may be modified to avoid splitting land management
> administrative boundaries between multiple NWS forecast areas. Changes
> must be agreed upon at least 120 days prior to implementation.

VII. **EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE ANNUAL OPERATING
     PLAN**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379564 .anchor}

> The effective period for this Annual Operating Plan shall be from 1
> April 2007 to 31 March 2008. The AOP shall be deemed official when all
> signatories have accepted and signed the document. Updates or
> amendments may be added upon agreement of all signatories.

VIII. **SIGNATORIES**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379565 .anchor}

Dated signature on file

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Sheldon Wimmer

Chair, Great Basin Coordinating Group

Bureau of Land Management

Utah State Office

Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Dated signature on file

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Roger Lamoni

Fire Weather Program Manager

National Weather Service Western Region

Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact
Information**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379566 .anchor}

**Eastern Great Basin Coordination Center -- Predictive Services**

5500 W Amelia Earhart Dr, Ste 270

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: 801.531.5320 / Fax: 801.531.5321 / Web Site Address:
<http://gacc.nifc.gov/egbc>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [Phone]{.underline}
[E-Mail]{.underline}

Edward Delgado Program Manager (801) 531-5320 Edward_Delgado@blm.gov

Shelby Sharples Meteorologist (801) 531-5320 Shelby_Sharples@blm.gov

Deb Hamill Intelligence Coord. (801) 531-5320 dhamill@fs.fed.us

Dave Hart Center Manager (801) 531-5320 Dave_Hart@blm.gov

Coordinator on Duty (COD) (801) 531-5320

**Boise Weather Forecast Office**

NIFC -- National Weather Service

3833 S. Development Ave., Bldg 3807

Boise, ID 83705-5354

Phone: (208) 334-9060 / Fax (208) 334-1662/1660 / Web Site Address:
<http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/fwx.php>

National Fire Weather Operations Coordinator (NFWOC): (208) 334-9824

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Chuck Redman Program Leader/IMET Chuck.Redman@noaa.gov

Coleen Decker Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET Coleen.Decker@noaa.gov

John Jannuzzi Meteorologist-in-Charge John.Jannuzzi@noaa.gov

**Flagstaff Weather Forecast Office**

P.O. Box 16057

Bellemont, AZ 86015-6057

Phone: (928) 556-9409 / Fax (928) 556-3914

Web Site Address: <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/fwx/fwx.php?wfo=fgz>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Robert Bohlin Program Leader Robert.Bohlin@noaa.gov

Mark Stubblefield Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET
Mark.Stubblefield@noaa.gov

Brian Klimowski Meteorologist-in-Charge Brian.Klimowski@noaa.gov

**Grand Junction Weather Forecast Office**

792 Eagle Drive

Grand Junction, CO 81506-8648

Phone: (970) 256-9463 / Fax (970) 257-0452 / Web Site Address:
<http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gjt/?n=firewx> []{.mark}

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Chris Cuoco Program Leader Christopher.Cuoco@noaa.gov

Mike Chamberlain Asst. Program Leader/IMET Mike.Chamberlain@noaa.gov

Joe Ramey Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET Joe.Ramey@noaa.gov

Doug Crowley Meteorologist-in-Charge Doug.Crowley@noaa.gov

**Las Vegas Forecast Office**

7851 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, NV 89139

Phone: (702) 263-9750 / Fax (702) 263-9759 / Web Site Address:
<http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/vef/fire.php>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Jim Harrison Program Leader/IMET Jim.Harrison@noaa.gov

Kim Runk Meteorologist-in-Charge Kim.Runk@noaa.gov

**Pocatello Weather Forecast Office**

1945 Beechcraft Avenue

Pocatello, ID 83204-7446

Phone: (208) 232-9357 / Fax (208) 232-9264

Web Site Address: <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pih/firewx/index.php>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Bob Survick Program Leader/IMET Robert.Survick@noaa.gov

Jack Messick Asst. Program Leader/IMET Jack.Messick@noaa.gov

Rick Dittmann Meteorologist-in-Charge Rick.Dittmann@noaa.gov

**Riverton Weather Forecast Office**

12744 West Highway 26

Riverton, WY 82501

Phone: (307) 857-3869 / Fax (307) 857-3861 / Web Site Address:
<http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/firewx/>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Dave Lipson Program Leader/IMET David.Lipson@noaa.gov

Todd Baker Assistant Program Leader/IMET Trainee Todd.W.Baker@noaa.gov

Kevin Lynott Meteorologist-in-Charge Kevin.LynottJoe.Sullivan@noaa.gov

**S** **alt Lake City Weather Forecast Office**

2242 West North Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: (801) 524-5066/4377/4378 / Fax (801) 524-4030 / Web Site Address:
<http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/slc/fire/>

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mail]{.underline}

Mark Struthwolf Program Leader / IMET Trainee Mark.Struthwolf@noaa.gov

Brandon Smith IMET Trainee Brandon.Smith@noaa.gov

Larry Dunn Meteorologist-in-Charge Larry.Dunn@noaa.gov

**Appendix B:**

![](media/image2.png){width="5.572916666666667in"
height="8.385416666666666in"} []{#__RefHeading___Toc163379567 .anchor}

![](media/image4.png){width="6.25in" height="8.791666666666666in"}

**BOISE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379568
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR THE 2007 SEASON**

Haines 6 (High) is an additional local criteria for Red Flag Warnings
and Fire Weather Watches only for the West Central Idaho Mountain USFS
zones 400, 401, 402, 403, and 404.

The daily internet briefing will not be recorded on a regular basis.

The NWS Boise Fire Weather webpage is:
<http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/fwx.php>

NWS Boise forecasters will be testing a new method for issuance of Dry
Thunderstorm Red Flag Warnings based on EGB GACC Dryness Level Products
instead of accumulated precipitation. For the 2007 season this test will
run side-by-side with traditional RFW issuance to determine its
effectiveness and may be implemented for the 2008 season. Details of
this method were discussed at all of the 2006 post-season meetings but
for more information please contact Chuck Redman or Coleen Decker at
(208) 334-9060**.**

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather Hours of Operation will be:

> 4/16 through 5/11: 0830-1630 MDT,
>
> Forecast issued once a day Monday through Friday by 1530 MDT.
>
> 5/13 through 10/27: 0830-1630 MDT.
>
> Forecasts issued twice a day, 7 days a week by 0730 and 1530 MDT
> daily.

Staff meteorologists will be on duty and available at any time, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Boise Fire Weather District:**

West Central Idaho Mountains\...

[Zone 400]{.underline} -- Northern Boise BLM

[Zone 401]{.underline} -- Western Payette NF and Southern Idaho Timber
Protection Agency (SITPA)

[Zone 402]{.underline} -- Eastern Payette NF

[Zone 403]{.underline} -- Northern Boise NF

> [Zone 404]{.underline} -- Southern Boise NF

Southwest Idaho

[Zone 408]{.underline} -- Treasure Valley

[Zone 418]{.underline} -- Western Twin Falls District of Shoshone BLM

[Zone 419]{.underline} -- Owyhee Mountains

Southeast Oregon\...

[Zone 636]{.underline} - Burns BLM south of Highway 20.

[Zone 637]{.underline} - Vale BLM (including Malheur County and far
southeastern Baker County).

See map at end of this section.

**B**. **Basic Meteorological Services**

> **Internet Briefing:** During fire season, a daily internet briefing
> will be offered each day at 0930 MDT for all agencies. During low fire
> activity periods or if there is not sufficient interest in a daily
> briefing, it will be held on Mondays and Thursdays at 0930 MDT. This
> briefing will include a general discussion of weather conditions and
> forecasts for the current day, as well a brief discussion of the
> extended period. Model data, satellite loops, and other items of
> interest will be addressed for the forecast period. During the
> briefing, the appropriate maps will be available on the Boise Fire
> Weather website. The briefing will usually be less than 15 minutes but
> may be longer during active fire periods.

**Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via the
Boise Fire Weather homepage found at:
<http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/boi/fwx.php>

> Alternatively requests can be faxed to: (208) 334-1662 or (208)
> 334-1660.
>
> To ensure receipt, follow-up phone calls are highly encouraged when
> requesting spot forecasts.
>
> Please call (208) 334-9060.
>
> **Planning Forecasts:** Mixing heights and transport winds will be
> included in the daily fire weather planning forecasts for Idaho zones
> only. The mixing height is the height above the ground (AGL) through
> which relatively vigorous mixing will take place due to convection.
> The transport wind is the average wind speed and direction within the
> mixing layer.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast By 0730 MDT

Internet briefing At 0930 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast By 1530 MDT

NFDRS point forecasts By 1545 MDT

NFDRS point forecast -- Burns Oregon BLM by 1630 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts On request

**D. Red Flag Events**

> **Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag
> Warning, there will be coordination with the affected agencies and
> neighboring NWS fire weather offices in order to assess fuel
> conditions and general fire danger.
>
> **Dissemination of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings:** Each
> issuance, update or cancellation of a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag
> Warning will be relayed by telephone to the dispatch offices and GACCs
> affected by the watch or warning.
>
> **Criteria for Red Flag Events:** Standard criteria have been
> developed for the Great Basin and can be found starting on page 8.
> However, local criteria specific to an area may be used in addition to
> the standard criteria. For the Boise CWFA, the following has been
> developed:
>
> Haines 6 (High) for the West Central Idaho Mountain zones: 400, 401,
> 402, 403, and 404.
>
> Criteria for the Oregon zones of the Boise CWFA can be found in the
> Pacific Northwest AOP.

![](media/image5.png){width="6.899305555555555in"
height="6.752777777777778in"}

**FLAGSTAFF WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379569
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

2.  **HOURS OF OPERATION**

Staff meteorologists will be on duty and available at any time, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.

Forecast issued twice a day NLT 0730 and 1530 MST. ( during the fire
season)

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Flagstaff Fire Weather District:**

Arizona Fire Weather Zones...

> [Zone 104]{.underline} -- Kaibab Plateau, excluding the Kaibab NF
>
> [Zone 105]{.underline} -- Marble and Glenn Canyons north of Colorado
> River

See map at end of this section.

**B**. **Basic Meteorological Services**

> **Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via
> the Flagstaff Fire Weather homepage found at:
>
> <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ifps_spot/spotmon?site=fgz>

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0730 MST

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 MST

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1500 MST

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts Upon request

**D. Red Flag Events**

> **Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag
> Warning, there will be coordination with the affected agencies and
> neighboring NWS fire weather offices in order to assess fuel
> conditions and general fire danger.
>
> **Dissemination of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings:** Each
> issuance, update or cancellation of a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag
> Warning will be relayed by telephone to the dispatch office(s) and
> GACC affected by the watch/warning.
>
> Criteria for Red Flag Events: Standard criteria have been developed
> for the Great Basin and can be found starting on page 8. However,
> local criteria specific to an area may be used in addition to the
> standard criteria.
>
> ![](media/image7.png){width="7.246527777777778in"
> height="3.527083333333333in"}

**GRAND JUNCTION WEATHER FORECAST
OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379570 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

The Fire Weather Point Forecast Matrix was introduced in the middle of
the 2006 fire season. This product is a tabular forecast for each RAWS
and NWS observing site. It presents 72 hours of detailed data and 4
additional days of less detailed data. A link to the forecast can be
found on the NWS Grand Junction fire weather web site.

**Forecasts Issuance:** WFO Grand Junction will produce one fire weather
planning forecast (FWF) per day, seven days a week from April 1 to April
30. From May 1 to October 31, forecasters will produce two forecasts per
day.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather Hours of Operation will be:

> 4/1 through 4/30: 0800-1600 MDT,
>
> Forecast issued once a day NLT 1530 MDT for Colorado.
>
> 5/1 through 10/31: 0800-1600 MDT.
>
> Forecasts issued twice a day, NLT 0800 and 1530 MDT, expanding into
> Utah.

Staff meteorologists will be on duty and available at any time, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Grand Junction Fire Weather District:**

> The following zone groupings will be used for all products except the
> Fire Weather Planning Forecast (FWF):

Eastern Utah\...

Zone 442 through 449

See map at end of this section.

> The following zone groupings will be used for the Grand Junction Fire
> Weather Forecast (FWF) only:

Northeast Utah (Uinta IFC)

> [Zone 428]{.underline} -- Western Uinta Mountains
>
> [Zone 429]{.underline} -- West Tavaputs Plateau and surrounding ranges
>
> [Zone 430]{.underline} -- Western Uinta Basin
>
> [Zone 442]{.underline} -- Eastern Uinta Mountains
>
> [Zone 443]{.underline} -- Eastern Uinta Basin
>
> [Zone 444]{.underline} -- Northern Roan and East Tavaputs Plateaus and
> surrounding ranges
>
> The Fire Weather Planning Forecasts for southeast Utah, Zones 445,
> 446, 447, 448, and 449, are issued by NWS Salt Lake City.

**B**. **Spot Forecasts**

> The Grand Junction office prepares spot weather forecasts for
> prescribed burns and wildfires as requested for locations within the
> office's CWFA.
>
> The primary means of requesting and disseminating spot forecasts is
> the NWS Spot Internet-based spot request and reply program, found at:

<http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=gjt>

> To ensure receipt by the fire weather forecaster, the requester should
> call the NWS after submitting each spot request.  This call will serve
> two purposes: to confirm receipt of the request and provide an
> opportunity for the requester or the fire weather forecaster to ask
> questions. The forecaster will also be able to advise the requester of
> a possible delay in completing the forecast due to multiple spot
> requests.  The fire weather forecaster will provide the same courtesy
> by calling the requesting agency after completing each spot forecast.\
> \
> It is strongly recommended spot forecasts for non-wildfires NOT be
> requested between 1100 and 1500.  This is a key fire weather and
> public forecast preparation period.  Completion of spot forecasts for
> non-wildfires that are requested during this period will be delayed
> until after these key public and fire weather forecasts are
> completed.\
> \
> At the beginning of a project, a nearby RAWS site may be used for the
> INITIAL spot request.  Unless the RAWS site is physically located on
> the burn project, all further spot requests must include weather
> observations taken by on-site personnel or other on-site
> instrumentation.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0900 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 MDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts Upon request

**D. Red Flag Events**

> **Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag
> Warning, there will be coordination with the affected agencies and
> neighboring NWS fire weather offices to assess fuel conditions and
> general fire danger. Coordination of fuel conditions will be
> accomplished by accessing the GACC fuels page and from GACC/NWS
> conference calls.
>
> **E. Smoke Management Forecast**
>
> This forecast is issued no later than 1600 during the fire season. It
> is a separate product from the afternoon forecast and is valid for the
> tonight and tomorrow periods. The Smoke Management Forecast includes a
> brief discussion of air mass stability and meteorological parameters
> that may affect smoke dispersal. The forecast also includes a forecast
> of transport winds, mixing heights and a ventilation index (clearing
> index for eastern Utah) for the tonight and tomorrow time periods.
>
> A Graphical Utah Clearing Index Forecast is available in the fire
> weather sections of the Grand Junction and Salt Lake City web pages.
>
> **F. Incident Meteorologists (IMETs)**
>
> The Grand Junction office has two certified IMETs available for
> dispatch to major forest fires and incidents. Dispatch for significant
> prescribed burn projects will only be possible when coordination with
> the fire weather program leader and WFO Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC)
> is well in advance (i.e., months in advance) of the project and only
> when NWS manpower and resources permit.
>
> ![](media/image8.png){width="6.565972222222222in"
> height="8.934722222222222in"}

**LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379571
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Staff meteorologists are on duty at WFO Las Vegas 24 hours a day
throughout the year.

Scheduled dates and times for the Fire Weather Planning Forecast and
NFDRS forecasts are:

5/1 through 10/31: Planning Forecast issued twice daily at 0700 and 1500
PDT.

NFDRS forecast issued by 1530 PDT.

Off season: Planning Forecast issued once daily at 0700 local time.

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather dates may begin earlier in the season or continued
later in the season.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4. FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Las Vegas Fire Weather District (** **Eastern**
**Great Basin Portion):**

Arizona Fire Weather Zones within the Great Basin

[Zone 101]{.underline} -- Lake Mead

[Zone 102]{.underline} -- Northwest Plateau (Arizona Strip) and
Northwest Deserts

See map at end of this section.

**B. Basic Meteorological Services**

Spot Forecasts: Requests for spot forecasts will be received via the Las
Vegas Fire Weather

homepage found at:

<http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=vef>

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather planning forecast NLT 0700 Pacific Time

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 Pacific Time

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1530 Pacific Time

Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts Upon request

**D. Red Flag Events**

**Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag Warning,
there will be

coordination with the affected agencies and neighboring NWS offices in
order to assess fuel

conditions and general fire danger.

**Dissemination of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings:** Each
issuance, update

or cancellation of a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning falling
between normal narrative

forecast issuance times will be relayed by telephone to the dispatch
office(s) and GACC

affected by the watch/warning.

> **[Criteria for Red Flag Events:]{.mark}** [Fuels are critical and
> sustained winds greater than or equal to 20 mph or gusts greater than
> or equal to 35 mph for 3+ hours and relative humidity less than or
> equal to 15% OR Dry Thunderstorms with areal coverage of widely
> scattered or greater (\>15%) in a fire weather zone.]{.mark}
>
> ![](media/image9.png){width="6.896527777777778in"
> height="5.445833333333334in"}

**POCATELLO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379572
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

Fire Weather Internet briefings will be available for the 2007 fire
season at 0900 MDT. The following schedule can be adjusted as needed:

> \- Weekly in June (Monday)
>
> \- Bi-weekly July (Monday and Thursday)
>
> \- Daily in August and September
>
> \- Bi-weekly in October (Monday and Thursday)

Conference Call

Phone Number **(866) 453-3594** Passcode **2304459#**

GoToMeeting

[**https://www.gotomeeting.com/join/741248665**](https://www.gotomeeting.com/join/741248665)
OR [**http://www.gotomeeting.com**](http://www.gotomeeting.com/)

Select the Join a Meeting button.

Enter the following Meeting ID in the popup window: **741-248-665**

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Staff meteorologists are on duty at WFO Pocatello 24 hours a day
throughout the year. Concerns about current or developing weather
conditions may be discussed anytime. Scheduled dates for issuance of the
Fire Weather Planning Forecast and NFDRS forecasts are:

> 5/1 through 5/13: Forecast issued once a day NLT 0700 MDT.
>
> 5/14 through 10/31: Forecast issued twice a day NLT 0700 and 1530 MDT.

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather dates may begin earlier in the season or continue
later in the season.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Pocatello Fire Weather District:**

East Central Idaho Mountains\...

[Zone 405]{.underline} -- Northern Salmon-Challis NF, portions of Upper
Columbia-Salmon Clearwater BLM District east of Middle Fork of Salmon
River

> [Zone 406]{.underline} -- Southern Salmon-Challis NF, portions of
> Upper Columbia-Salmon Clearwater BLM District east of Middle Fork of
> Salmon River.
>
> [Zone 407]{.underline} -- Northern Sawtooth NF, Sawtooth NRA,
> southeastern Salmon-Challis NF and Camas Prairie

Upper Snake River Plain\...

> [Zone 409]{.underline} -- Upper Snake River BLM District north of
> Snake River, including Minidoka NWR
>
> [Zone 410]{.underline} -- Northeastern Upper Snake River BLM District,
> Craters of the Moon NM, Camas NWR, Idaho State Land Department --
> Cotton Protective District, southeastern Birch Creek and Little Lost
> River Valleys

Southeast Idaho Highlands...

> [Zone 412]{.underline} -- Southern Sawtooth NF, Upper Snake River BLM
> District south of Snake River
>
> [Zone 413]{.underline} -- Caribou-Targhee NF south of Palisades
> Reservoir, portions of the Upper Snake River BLM District east of
> Snake River, Grays Lake NWR, and Bear Lake NWR.

Upper Snake Highlands...

> [Zone 411]{.underline} -- Caribou-Targhee NF north of Palisades
> Reservoir, excluding the eastern slopes of the Lemhi Mountain Range.

See map at end of this section.

**B**. **Basic Meteorological Services**

> **Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via
> the Pocatello Fire Weather homepage found at:

<http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=pih>

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0700 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 MDT

NFDRS forecast NLT 1545 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts upon request

**D. Red Flag Events**

> **Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag
> Warning, there will be coordination with the affected agencies in
> order to assess fuel conditions and general fire danger.
>
> **Dissemination of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings:** Each
> issuance, update or early cancellation of a Fire Weather Watch or Red
> Flag Warning will be relayed by telephone to the dispatch office(s)
> and GACC affected by the watch/warning. For Red Flag Warnings that run
> their stated valid time and expire between 600 pm and 600 am local
> time, a single notification call will be made to Eastern Great Basin
> Coordination Center Predictive Services who in turn will notify the
> appropriate on-call number.
>
> Criteria for Red Flag Events: Standard criteria have been developed
> for the Eastern Great Basin and can be found in the main section of
> this operating plan.

![](media/image10.png){width="6.891666666666667in"
height="7.454861111111111in"}

**RIVERTON WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379573
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather Hours of Operation will be:

> 5/1 through 10/31
>
> Forecast issued twice a day NLT 0700 and 1500 MDT.

Staff meteorologists will be on duty and available at any time, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Riverton Fire Weather District:**

Great Basin Fire Weather Zones\...

[Zone 414]{.underline} -- Bridger-Teton NF and surrounding mountainous
terrain in Lincoln as well as western Sublette Counties west of Highway
189/191

[Zone 416]{.underline} -- Bridger-Teton NF and surrounding mountainous
terrain in Sublette County east of Highway 189/191, and a small portion
of Fremont County west of South Pass

[Zone 415]{.underline} -- Bridger-Teton NF in extreme western Fremont
County and southwest Park County, Teton County excluding the Targhee NF,
extreme northwest Sublette County.

See map at end of this section.

**B**. **Basic Meteorological Services**

> **Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via
> the Riverton Fire Weather homepage found at:
>
> <http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=riw>

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0700 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1500 MDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts Upon Request

**D. Red Flag Events**

> **Interagency Coordination:** Before the issuance of a Red Flag
> Warning, there will be coordination with the affected agencies and
> neighboring NWS fire weather offices in order to assess fire weather
> conditions.
>
> **Dissemination of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings:** Each
> issuance, update or cancellation of a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag
> Warning will be relayed by telephone to the dispatch office(s) and
> GACC affected by the watch/warning.
>
> Criteria for Red Flag Events: Standard criteria have been developed
> for the Great Basin and can be found starting on page 8. However,
> local criteria specific to an area may be used in addition to the
> standard criteria. For Riverton, red flag criteria will include 25 mph
> sustained wind (20-foot, 10-minute average).

![](media/image12.png){width="6.897916666666666in"
height="6.289583333333334in"}

**SALT LAKE CITY WEATHER FORECAST
OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163379574 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2007**

See main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Fire Weather Program Leader:** Mark Struthwolf has replaced Chris
Brenchley as program leader.

**IMET:** Brandon Smith and Mark Struthwolf will take the necessary
courses to become IMET certified and may become available for IMET
status late this summer depending on training progress.

**GoToMeeting:** SLC will be setting up a briefing page that will be
used for event driven situations. Contained within the briefing will be
analyses of fronts, forecast maps, satellite, radar and graphics with
precise outlines of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings. A short
10 minutes conference call will be initiated at 0900 MDT on event driven
days. Details concerning the dates and phone numbers for the conference
call can be found on the Salt Lake WFO fire weather homepage.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

Depending on variables such as fuel parameters and customer need,
seasonal Fire Weather Hours of Operation will be:

> 4/30 through 10/31: 0700-1600 MDT,
>
> Forecast issued twice a day, NLT 0700 and 1500 MDT.

Staff meteorologists will be on duty and available at any time, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4**. **FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Salt Lake City Fire Weather District:**

The following zone groupings will be used for all products except the
Fire Weather Forecast (FWF):

Northern Utah

[Zone 420]{.underline} -- Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains

[Zone 421]{.underline} -- Cache Valley

[Zone 422]{.underline} -- Northern Wasatch Front

> [Zone 423]{.underline} -- Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys
>
> [Zone 424]{.underline} -- Southern Wasatch Front
>
> [Zone 425]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountain Valleys
>
> [Zone 426]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountains north of Interstate 80
>
> [Zone 427]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountains south of Interstate 80

Northeast Utah

> [Zone 428]{.underline} -- Western Uinta Mountains
>
> [Zone 429]{.underline} -- West Tavaputs Plateau and surrounding ranges
>
> [Zone 430]{.underline} -- Western Uinta Basin

East Central Utah

[Zone 431]{.underline} -- Castle Valley

[Zone 432]{.underline} -- San Rafael Swell and Desert

West Central Utah\...

[Zone 433]{.underline} -- San Pete and Sevier Valleys

[Zone 434]{.underline} -- West Central Deserts and Mountains

[Zone 436]{.underline} -- Central Utah Mountains

[Zone 438]{.underline} -- Henry Mountains

Southern Utah

[Zone 435]{.underline} -- Southwest Deserts and Mountains

[Zone 437]{.underline} -- Southwest and South Central Mountains

[Zone 439]{.underline} -- Utah's Dixie and Zion Canyon

[Zone 440]{.underline} -- South Central Utah

[Zone 441]{.underline} -- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Lake
Powell

See map at end of this section.

The following zone groupings will be used for the Salt Lake City Fire
Weather Forecast (FWF) only:

Northern Utah (Northern Utah IFC)

[Zone 420]{.underline} -- Great Salt Lake Desert and Mountains

[Zone 421]{.underline} -- Cache Valley

[Zone 422]{.underline} -- Northern Wasatch Front

> [Zone 423]{.underline} -- Salt Lake and Tooele Valleys
>
> [Zone 424]{.underline} -- Southern Wasatch Front
>
> [Zone 425]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountain Valleys
>
> [Zone 426]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountains north of Interstate 80
>
> [Zone 427]{.underline} -- Wasatch Mountains south of Interstate 80

East Central Utah (Moab IFC)

[Zone 431]{.underline} -- Castle Valley

[Zone 432]{.underline} -- San Rafael Swell and Desert

[Zone 445]{.underline} -- Grand Flat, Roan and Book Cliffs

[Zone 446]{.underline} -- Arches National Park and surrounding area

[Zone 447]{.underline} -- Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges
National Monument

[Zone 448]{.underline} -- La Sal and Abajo Mountains

[Zone 449]{.underline} -- Southern San Juan County

West Central Utah (Richfield IFC)

[Zone 433]{.underline} -- San Pete and Sevier Valleys

[Zone 434]{.underline} -- West Central Deserts and Mountains

[Zone 436]{.underline} -- Central Utah Mountains

[Zone 438]{.underline} -- Henry Mountains

Southwest Utah (Cedar City IFC)

[Zone 435]{.underline} -- Southwest Deserts and Mountains

[Zone 437]{.underline} -- Southwest and South Central Mountains

[Zone 439]{.underline} -- Utah's Dixie and Zion Canyon

[Zone 440]{.underline} -- South Central Utah

[Zone 441]{.underline} -- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area/Lake
Powell

See map at end of this section.

**B**. **Basic Meteorological Services**

The following services are provided to Land Management Agencies in the
state of Utah:

> **Emergency Fire Weather Briefings:** During emergency situations when
> a spot forecast will take too long, you should call us for weather
> information. Ask to speak with the Fire Weather Forecaster on-duty. If
> a Fire Weather Forecaster is not in the office, ask to speak with the
> Lead Forecaster on-duty.
>
> **Routine Fire Weather Zone Forecasts:** Disseminated via WIMS and our
> Internet Homepage twice a day from 4/30 through 10/31. Issuance times
> are 0700 MDT and 1500 MDT. Times vary according to the current weather
> situation/spot forecast workload though every effort is made to make
> the forecast available as soon as possible. The GACC Predictive
> Services Meteorologist or the Coordinator on Duty (COD) will be
> notified of any updates.
>
> **Routine Smoke Management Forecasts:** Disseminated via WIMS and our
> Internet Homepage once a day from 4/30 through 10/31. Issuance times
> will usually be from 1100-1200 MDT depending on our spot forecast
> workload. **Note:** With the recent increased emphasis on prescribed
> burning\...we continue to try and make improvements to this product.
> Consult our homepage for the latest updates and improvements to this
> product. Outside the normal burning season, the 7-Day Weather Planner
> and the Graphical Clearing Index or the Airshed Clearing Index
> Forecasts may be used.

**Spot Forecasts:**

> Please utilize the web-based system on our homepage to request Spot
> Forecasts, found at:
>
> <http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=slc>
>
> []{.mark}

[]{.mark}

> **Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings:** Normally issued via our
> Internet Homepage and WIMS with the Routine Forecast Package (0700 or
> 1500) and as a separate product. Coordination calls are made as needed
> to Local Dispatch Centers to verify fuel conditions. FMOs, FBAs, and
> Burn Bosses should make every effort to call the Fire Weather
> Forecaster on-duty whenever there is any concern about critically dry
> fuels and severe fire behavior. Watches and warnings will be based on
> the standard criteria set forth in this document, beginning on page 8.

**Experimental Gridded Forecast Products:** Internet based fire weather
forecast products will be tested on the Salt Lake NWS Fire Weather
Homepage. These products should be considered experimental and feedback
on their usefulness will be solicited from users. Any suggestions on how
to improve these tools are very welcome; please email your suggestions
or call the Fire Weather Program Leader, Mark Struthwolf.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0700 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1500 MDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot Forecasts Upon request

![](media/image13.png){width="6.899305555555555in"
height="6.752777777777778in"}