**PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK**

**GREAT BASIN**

**ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN**

2006

SECTION PAGE

[**INTRODUCTION 2**](#__RefHeading___Toc138049212)

[SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST YEAR 2](#__RefHeading___Toc138049213)

[ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY 2](#__RefHeading___Toc138049214)

[NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE \-- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3](#__RefHeading___Toc138049215)

[Basic Services 3](#__RefHeading___Toc138049216)

[*Routine Fire Weather Forecasts (FWF)* 3](#__RefHeading___Toc138049217)

[*Spot forecasts* 6](#__RefHeading___Toc138049218)

[*Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather* *Watches*
7](#__RefHeading___Toc138049219)

[*National Fire Danger Ratings* *System (NFDRS) Forecasts*
9](#__RefHeading___Toc138049220)

[*Participation in Interagency Groups* 10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049221)

[Special Services 10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049222)

[Forecaster Training 10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049223)

[PREDICTIVE SERVICES/LAND AGENCIES -- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049224)

[Operational Support and Predictive Services
10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049225)

[*Daily Fire Weather/Fire Behavior Map*
10](#__RefHeading___Toc138049226)

[*7-day Fire Weather/Fire Danger Outlook*
11](#__RefHeading___Toc138049227)

[*Monthly Fire Potential Outlook* 11](#__RefHeading___Toc138049228)

[*Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook* 11](#__RefHeading___Toc138049229)

[Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)
12](#__RefHeading___Toc138049230)

[Land Management Liaison 12](#__RefHeading___Toc138049231)

[Monitoring, Feedback, and Improvement of Fire Weather Information
12](#__RefHeading___Toc138049232)

[Technology and Data Transfer 12](#__RefHeading___Toc138049233)

[Fire Weather Observations 13](#__RefHeading___Toc138049234)

[Incident Response 13](#__RefHeading___Toc138049235)

[JOINT RESONSIBILITIES 14](#__RefHeading___Toc138049236)

[Briefings 14](#__RefHeading___Toc138049237)

[Coordination Calls 14](#__RefHeading___Toc138049238)

[Training 14](#__RefHeading___Toc138049239)

[Verification of Fire Weather Products 14](#__RefHeading___Toc138049240)

[Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries
15](#__RefHeading___Toc138049241)

[EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN
15](#__RefHeading___Toc138049242)

[SIGNATORIES 16](#__RefHeading___Toc138049243)

[Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact Information
17](#__RefHeading___Toc138049244)

[Appendix B: National Weather Service Offices
21](#__RefHeading___Toc138049245)

[Boise Weather Forecast Office 22](#__RefHeading___Toc138049246)

[ELKO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 25](#__RefHeading___Toc138049247)

[FLAGSTAFF WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 27](#__RefHeading___Toc138049248)

[GRAND JUNCTION WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE
29](#__RefHeading___Toc138049249)

[LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 33](#__RefHeading___Toc138049250)

[POCATELLO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 36](#__RefHeading___Toc138049251)

[RENO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 39](#__RefHeading___Toc138049252)

[RIVERTON WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE 42](#__RefHeading___Toc138049253)

[SALT LAKE CITY WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE
44](#__RefHeading___Toc138049254)

0\. INTRODUCTION[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049212 .anchor}

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

References will 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___Toc138049213 .anchor}

    -   Changes to Red Flag Criteria for Las Vegas, Flagstaff CWFA

    -   

    -   Expanded support for FARSITE

II. **ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049214 .anchor}

> Cooperating federal and state land management agencies in the 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 Nevada Division of Forestry
>
> Fire weather products and services are provided by Eastern and Western
> Great Basin Predictive Services and the following NWS WFO's
>
> Boise, ID Elko, NV Flagstaff, AZ
>
> Grand Junction, CO Las Vegas, NV Pocatello, ID
>
> Reno, NV 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___Toc138049215 .anchor}

     A.  Basic Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049216 .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 Land Management Agencies' Predictive Services Units (PSUs) at
> either, or both, coordination centers (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___Toc138049217 .anchor}

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

a.  Issuance Times During Fire Season

> Forecasts will be issued 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
> will be enumerated in Appendix B, National Weather Service Offices.
>
> 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. Because of the large north-to-south
> extent of the Great Basin and seasonal variations in weather and fire
> occurrence, only one issuance per day may be sufficient during the
> early spring or late fall. This must be coordinated with either or
> both of the geographic area coordination centers and the local land
> management agencies affected.

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 WIMS, the Great Basin Predictive Services' web
> sites, and the web sites of the various NWS offices that serve the
> Great Basin. Links can be found in Appendix B.

e.  Content and Format

> Forecasts will conform to either of the national standard narrative or
> tabular formats, per NWSI 10-401 (all Great Basin NWS offices
> currently use the narrative format and are encouraged to continue to
> do so to maintain uniformity). 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 to
  (slope/valley)                                the NWCG standard of
                                                20-foot, 10-minute average
                                                wind.

  Wind -- Ridgetop (as        National          
  appropriate)                                  

  Chance Wetting Rain (0.10   Great Basin       
  inch)                                         

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

  Haines Index                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___Toc138049218 .anchor}

> Spot forecasts are site-specific forecast products issued for
> wildfires, prescribed burns, aerial spraying, HAZMAT incidents, search
> and rescue, and other activities conducted by the land management
> community. Spot forecasts are available by request, 24-hours a day,
> 365 days a year. Spot forecasts are available to any federal, state,
> county or municipal agency as described in NWSI 10-401.

The priority for spot forecast issuances and updates are 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 appears unrepresentative of conditions at the site,
    or;

iii. A typographical or formatting error that confuses the intended
     meaning is detected.

> 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 "NEXT
> DAY," but users will indicate the period(s) for which a forecast is
> needed.

b.  Procedures for Preparing and 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 Great Basin area and on
> the coordination center web sites, found in Appendix B.
>
> When Internet access is not possible, spot forecasts may be requested
> and disseminated via fax - using the backup spot forecast request form
> (found in Appendix G) Spot forecasts should be available in less than
> 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 may be requested
> well in advance of a planned project, for example, the night before.
> In such situations, it is strongly recommended that the requestor
> indicate the latest time he or she needs the forecast returned. If not
> provided by the requestor, the NWS forecaster should ask for it
>
> The requestor must provide information about the location
> (latitude/longitude preferred), topography, 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. The
> request should 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 should provide
    feedback to the NWS forecasters on the quality and accuracy of the
    spot forecast. Feedback should also be relayed to GACC
    meteorologists. Responsibility for providing fireline 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.

    All WFOs supporting fire agencies in the Great Basin will
    automatically provide FARSITE weather data when a wildland fire spot
    forecast is requested. This data will be posted on the WFO's fire
    weather web page for retrieval as needed. FARSITE weather data
    support can also be requested independently from a spot forecast by
    calling the WFO. A latitude and longitude of the fire or incident is
    required to provide FARSITE data.

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2.  Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather
    Watches[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049219 .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 Great Basin area are a combination of weather
> and critical fuels conditions. A standardized 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
> Great Basin, land management officials and their servicing NWS office
> may address local concerns not specifically accounted for in the
> standard criteria.
>
> These criteria assume the following:

i.  For Eastern Great Basin, 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. For Western Great Basin CRITICAL on the Fuels Status
    Table/Map and/or the NFDRS Adjective Rating (as displayed on the
    WFAS website) must be High, Very High, or Extreme will be used to
    determine fuels condition.

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}

> Additional (optional) criteria will be left to agreements between
> local NWS offices and land management agencies within their CWFAs.
> These may include but are not limited to: location-specific,
> windshifts; cold frontal passages (CFP); first lightning after
> extended hot, dry period; poor overnight RH recovery; or combinations
> of any of these. Additional criteria can be implemented as
> justification for a warning ONLY after coordination with the NWS,
> local land management officials and Predictive Services
> meteorologists.
>
> In rare situations, forecasters may issue a watch or warning for
> conditions which do not meet the established criteria but in their
> best judgment, and after coordination with local land management
> officials, will contribute to extreme fire behavior or heightened
> large fire potential.

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 Predictive Services at the
> appropriate GACC 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 are available in WIMS, the
> Great Basin Geographic Area Coordination Center Predictive Services
> web page and the web sites of the NWS offices that serve the Great
> Basin area. Websites are listed in Appendix B.

3.  National Fire Danger Ratings System (NFDRS)
    Forecasts[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049220 .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.

4.  Participation in Interagency Groups[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049221
    .anchor}

> NWS WFOs and local Interagency Dispatch Centers within the Great Basin
> area should send a representative to the annual AOP meeting if a
> meeting is scheduled. Proxy representation is acceptable. 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 included in these meetings. 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
    Predictive Services meteorologist in the GACC where the observation
    resides to initiate maintenance or repair of the station in
    question.

B.  Special Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049222 .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 Great Basin area, can be found in the Great Basin Mobilization
> Guide.

C.  Forecaster Training[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049223 .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___Toc138049224 .anchor}

> Predictive Services units reside at both the Eastern and Western Great
> Basin Coordination Centers. 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 Predictive Services units 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___Toc138049225 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will produce a suite of products tailored to the
> tactical and strategic mission of the land management agencies within
> the Great Basin. 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 Predictive Services web pages.

1.  Daily Fire Weather/Fire Behavior Map[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049226
    .anchor}

> The Daily Fire Weather/Fire Behavior Map is a text-and-graphics
> product which summarizes expected weather conditions and fire behavior
> 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 product will be issued at least once a day
> per the following schedule:
>
> Early Spring March 1 -- April 30 (as needed or requested)
>
> Spring/Summer: May 1 -- October 31 (daily)
>
> Fall: November 1 -- November 30 (as needed or requested)

2.  7-Day Significant Fire Potential
    Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049227 .anchor}

> The 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Outlook will address the
> potential for significant weather events (dry lightning outbreaks,
> precipitation events, wind events, etc.) that will impact fire
> occurrence or fire behavior in the next 7 days and that will require
> short-term decisions on resource availability and movements. The
> outlook will identify significant fire potential in a 3-category scale
> based on ERCs and 10-hour fuel moisture forecasts. Fire triggers
> (i.e., lightning, wind, etc.) will be incorporated to refine the
> potential on individual days.
>
> 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.

3.  Monthly Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049228
    .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.

4.  Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049229
    .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.
>
> 5\. Fuels Status for Red Flags Table and Map (Eastern Great Basin
> only)
>
> 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___Toc138049230 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will monitor the RAWS network within the Great
> Basin. 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___Toc138049231 .anchor}

> Predictive Services meteorologists will act as the liaison on issues
> regarding weather, climate, and fuels between the land management
> agency partners in the Great Basin 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___Toc138049232 .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___Toc138049233 .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___Toc138049234 .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 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." In situations
> where a fireline or on-site observation cannot be obtained (remote
> location, time constraints, etc.) a nearby, representative RAWS
> observation may be used. 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.  Fuels Status

    Land management agencies will provide fuels status information to
    the National Weather Service for use in the Red Flag program. This
    information shall be provided via a web-based Fuels Status for Red
    Flags table and map and will be updated regularly (preferably every
    7-10 days) by field personnel (FMOs, FBANs, fuels specialists or
    other designated persons). The idea is to provide the National
    Weather Service fire weather forecasters with an assessment of fuels
    conditions in each fire weather forecast zone to determine if
    weather conditions that meet the Red Flag criteria would warrant a
    watch or warning. The Fuels Status for Red Flags table and map do
    not preclude coordination between local fire personnel and the
    forecasters. Instead, it provides a snapshot of conditions that
    forecasters can reference when making weather forecasts.

    Predictive Services meteorologists will conduct coordination calls
    with fuels specialists as needed to coordinate the status of fuels
    to be presented to the National Weather Service.

H.  Incident Response[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049235 .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___Toc138049236 .anchor}

    A.  Briefings[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049237 .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___Toc138049238 .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 for each GACC. The time window for
> calls will generally begin in early May in Eastern Great Basin and
> early June in Western Great Basin, 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 Predictive Services units
> at the GACCs and the results relayed to the affected NWS offices.
>
> In Western Great Basin, the Predictive Services meteorologist will
> notify the NWS offices that will need to be on the coordination call.
> Notification will be done by phone.
>
> In Eastern Great Basin, the Predictive Services meteorologist will
> notify the NWS offices that will need to be on the coordination call
> by posting a message to the GACC web page. This message will be
> updated by 0830 AM MST/MDT and will identify the offices that need to
> participate. NWS forecasters will be reminded daily by an AWIPS alert
> to check the GACC web page. If a NWS forecaster determines that a
> coordination call is needed, he/she will notify the Predictive
> Services meteorologist, who will then post the message to the web
> page.
>
> Predictive Services will provide conference bridge phone numbers.

C.  Training[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049239 .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.
>
> 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 the new 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___Toc138049240 .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;
> Weekly fire weather/fire danger 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 once a month to ensure consistent
> verification methods are used and to share lessons learned from each
> event. These discussions can be conducted by conference call at a
> mutually agreeable time. Dates and times of verification conference
> calls can be arranged by email or by phone.

E.  Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries

    []{#__RefHeading___Toc138049241 .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___Toc138049242 .anchor}

> The effective period for this Annual Operating Plan shall be 1 April
> 2006 to 31 March 2007. 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___Toc138049243 .anchor}

> \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> Sheldon Wimmer
>
> Chair, Great Basin Coordinating Group
>
> Bureau of Land Management
>
> Utah State Office
>
> Date:

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

Richard H. Douglas J. Michael Looney

National Weather Service National Weather Service

Meteorological Services Division Meteorological Services Division

Western Region Central Region

Date: Date:

**Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact
Information**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049244 .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

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

1340 Financial Blvd

Reno, NV 89502

Phone: 775.861.6455 / Fax: 775.861.6459

Web Site Address: <http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/index.html>

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

Richard Woolley Program Manager (775) 861-6455
Richard_Woolley@nv.blm.gov

Fred Svetz Met/RAWS Coord (775) 861-6455 Fred_Svetz@nv.blm.gov

Randy Dzialo Intelligence Coord. (775) 861-6455 Randy_Dzialo@nv.blm.gov

Nelda St. Clair Center Manager (775) 861-6455 Nelda_St_Clair@nv.blm.gov

Coordinator on Duty (COD) (775) 861-6455

**Boise Weather Forecast Office**

NIFC -- National Weather Service

3833 S. Development Ave., Bldg 3807

Boise, ID 83705-5354

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(208) 334-9060

NIFC Staff Meteorologist......(208) 334-9824

Fax..................................(208) 334-1662/1660

Web Site Address:
[www.boi.noaa.gov/firewx.htm](http://www.boi.noaa.gov/firewx.htm)

[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

**Elko Weather Forecast Office**

3720 Paradise Drive

Elko, NV 89801

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(775) 778-6720

Fax................................. (775) 778-9786

Web Site Address:
[www.weather.gov/elko](../www.wrh.noaa.gov/Elko/firewx/fire.html)

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

Rick Arkell Program Leader Richard.Arkell@noaa.gov

Brian Fehrn IMET Brian.Fehrn@noaa.gov

Gerald Claycomb Asst. Program Leader Gerald.Claycomb@noaa.gov

Kevin Baker Meteorologist-in-Charge Kevin.Baker@noaa.gov

**Flagstaff Weather Forecast Office**

P.O. Box 16057

Bellemont, AZ 86015-6057

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(928) 556-9409

Fax..................................(928) 556-3914

Web Site Address:
[www.wrh.noaa.gov/Flagstaff/fwx2.html](http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Flagstaff/fwx2.html)

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

Dave Foss Program Leader Dave.Foss@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: Fire Weather Forecaster......(970) 256-9463

Fax.................................(970) 257-0452

Web Site Address: <http://www.crh.noaa.gov/gjt/fire.php>

[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 Weather Forecast Office**

7851 Industrial Road

Las Vegas, NV 89139

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster...(702) 263-9750

Fax...............................(702) 263-9759

Web Site Address:
[www.weather.gov/lasvegas](http://www.weather.gov/lasvegas)

[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: Fire Weather Forecaster......(208) 232-9357

Fax..................................(208) 232-9264

Web Site Address:
[www.wrh.noaa.gov/Pocatello/firewx/index.shtml](http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Pocatello/firewx/index.shtml)

[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

James Meyer Meteorologist-in-Charge James.Meyer@noaa.gov

**Reno Weather Forecast Office**

2350 Raggio Parkway

Reno, NV 89512

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(775) 673-8105

Fax..................................(775) 673-8110

Web Site Address:
[www.weather.gov/reno/fire](http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/reno/fire)

[Name]{.underline} [Position]{.underline} [E-Mai]{.underline}l

Brian Brong Program Leader Brian.Brong@noaa.gov

Chris Jordan Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET (t) Chris.Jordan@noaa.gov

James Wallmann Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET James.Wallmann@noaa.gov

Jane Hollingsworth Meteorologist-in-Charge Jane.Hollingsworth@noaa.gov

**Riverton Weather Forecast Office**

12744 West Highway 26

Riverton, WY 82501

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(307) 857-3869

Fax..................................(307) 857-3861

Web Site Address:
[www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/fire.htm](http://www.crh.noaa.gov/riw/fire.htm)

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

Chuck Baker Co-Program Leader/IMET Charles.Baker@noaa.gov

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

Joe Sullivan Meteorologist-in-Charge Joe.Sullivan@noaa.gov

**Salt Lake City Weather Forecast Office**

2242 West North Temple

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

Phone: Fire Weather Forecaster......(801) 524-5066/4377/4378

Fax..................................(801) 524-4030

Web Site Address:
[www.wrh.noaa.gov/Saltlake/fire](http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Saltlake/fire)

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

Chris Brenchley Program Leader/IMET Christopher.Brenchley@noaa.gov

Andy Church Fire Weather Forecaster/IMET Andrew.Church@noaa.gov

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

**Appendix B: National Weather Service Offices**
[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049245 .anchor}

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="7.64375in" height="8.931944444444444in"}

**BOISE WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049246
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Internet Briefing.** The 0930 internet briefing will now be recorded
for later playback for those who cannot make the live briefing.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

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

> 4/17 through 5/13: 0730-1530 MDT,
>
> Forecast issued once a day NLT 1530 MDT.
>
> 5/14 through 10/28: 0730-1530 MDT.
>
> Forecasts issued twice a day, NLT 0730 and 1530 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 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. The briefing will be
> recorded for those who cannot make the live session.

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

> <http://www.boi.noaa.gov/fwx.htm>

Follow-up phone calls are still encouraged when requesting spot
forecasts.

> **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 defined as the height above the ground
> (AGL) through which relatively vigorous mixing will take place due to
> convection. The transport wind is defined as the average wind speed
> and direction within the mixing layer.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0730 MDT

Internet briefing 0930 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 MDT

NFDRS point forecasts NLT 1545 MDT

NFDRS point forecast -- Burns BLM NLT 1630 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 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. For the Boise CWFA, the following has been
> identified:
>
> \- A sudden windshift or the passage of a cold front which will result
> in a windshift or erratic winds in combination with other red flag
> criteria.
>
> Criteria for the Oregon zones of the Boise CWFA can be found in the
> Pacific Northwest AOP.

![](media/image3.png){width="6.899305555555555in"
height="6.752777777777778in"}

**ELKO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049247 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

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: 0800-1600 PDT,
>
> Forecast issued twice a day NLT 0900 and 1530 PDT.

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 Elko Fire Weather District:**

Great Basin Fire Weather Zones\...

[Zone 451]{.underline} -- Humboldt County.

> [Zone 452]{.underline} -- Elko County
>
> [Zone 454]{.underline} -- Northern Lander/Eureka Counties

[Zone 455]{.underline} -- White Pine County

[Zone 457]{.underline} -- Southern Lander/Eureka and Northern Nye
Counties

See map at end of this section.

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

> **Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via
> the Elko Fire Weather homepage found at:
>
> <http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=lkn>
>
> Follow-up phone calls are still encouraged when requesting spot
> forecasts. In the event internet communications are not available,
> spot requests may be made by fax using the WS Form D-1 or by phone.
>
> Forecast feedback is imperative to improving services. In many cases,
> the only the forecaster will know what happened on a remote incident
> is through feedback from the fire community. You can phone in concerns
> or comments about forecasts to the forecaster on duty. Feedback may
> also be submitted in the remarks section on the next internet request,
> or by using the feedback option on the already processed
> internet-based spot forecast. Lastly, block 13 on the WS Form D-1 may
> be used in subsequent spot forecast requests. If forecasts services or
> weather conditions significantly impact operations, please notify the
> Fire Weather Program Leader, via phone or email. See Appendix A for
> contact information.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0900 PDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 PDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 PDT

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/image4.png){width="7.122222222222222in"
height="6.243055555555555in"}

**FLAGSTAFF WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049248
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

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 073 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>
>
> Follow-up phone calls are encouraged when requesting spot forecasts.
> In the event internet communications are not available, spot requests
> may be made by fax using the WS Form D-1 or by phone.
>
> Forecast feedback is imperative to improving services. In many cases,
> the only way the forecaster will know what happened on a remote
> incident is through feedback from the fire community. Phone in
> concerns or comments about forecasts to the forecaster on duty.
> Feedback may also be submitted in the remarks section on the next
> internet request, or by using the feedback option on the already
> processed internet-based spot forecast. Lastly, block 13 on the WS
> Form D-1 may be used in subsequent spot forecast requests. If
> forecasts services or weather conditions significantly impact
> operations, please notify the Fire Weather Program Leader, via phone
> or email. See Appendix A for contact information.

**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/image5.png){width="7.246527777777778in"
> height="3.527083333333333in"}

**GRAND JUNCTION WEATHER FORECAST
OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049249 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

See main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**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>

> When internet or computer capabilities are not available, fax or phone
> can be used to request a spot forecast.
>
> To ensure receipt by the fire weather forecaster, the requester should
> call the NWS after submitting each spot request. If you have not
> indicated on the spot request, during your follow-up telephone, please
> tell the forecaster that your request is for a wildfire or a
> prescribed burn, so that your request can receive the proper priority.
> This call to the WFO will also allow the fire weather forecaster to
> ask any questions he/she might have, and inform you if multiple spot
> requests may delay completing your forecast. WFO Grand Junction will
> show the same courtesy by calling the requesting agency after each
> completed spot forecast is transmitted.
>
> Spot forecasts will be available 24 hours a day for wildfires and will
> receive the same priority as severe weather warnings. For prescribed
> burns, delays may occur due to priority of duties and office staffing.
> Delays may also occur if severe weather or flash flood watches or
> warnings are in effect in the WFO Grand Junction CWFA. If a spot
> forecast has not been returned after 60 minutes, call the WFO to check
> on the status to determine if there has been a communications system
> failure, or a significant weather event, that may have delayed
> completion.
>
> When requesting a non-wildfire spot forecast any time of year, it is
> strongly suggested that requests NOT be made between 1100 and 1500.
> Requests made during this time will occur during the key preparation
> period for the afternoon fire weather forecasts and will result in a
> delay between the request and receipt of a spot forecast.
>
> Certain prescribed burns will be considered high risk for significant
> smoke impacts, as determined by the Smoke Risk Rating Worksheet for
> Prescribed Fire Projects, which is part of the Colorado Memorandum of
> Understanding (MOU). These burns could either be Category III or
> Category IV burns, and REQUIRE detailed observations at least 3 days
> prior to burn. Consultation with the fire weather program leader or
> assistant program leader, well in advance of the scheduled burn date,
> daily feedback, and fire line observations throughout the course of
> the project are required by the Smoke Risk Rating Worksheet and the
> Colorado MOU.

**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 in order to assess fuel
> conditions and general fire danger. Information on fuel conditions
> will be assessed using the GACC fuels page and from weekly GACC/NWS
> conference calls.
>
> **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.
>
> **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 airmass 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.
>
> **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, i.e., CAT III and CAT IV burns, will only be
> possible when coordination with the fire weather program leader and
> WFO Meteorologist- in- Charge (MIC) has been accomplished well in
> advance (months in advance) of the project and only when NWS manpower
> and resources permit.
>
> ![](media/image6.png){width="6.565972222222222in"
> height="8.934722222222222in"}

**LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049250
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**New zone boundaries and numbers:** The changes being implemented for
this season will create seven new zones which are more closely aligned
with dispatch boundaries and climatic regimes. In order to avoid
confusion, the zone number 456 will no longer be used.

**Red Flag Criteria:** A change to the wind portion of the criteria to
sustained winds greater than or equal to 20 mph and/or gusts greater
than or equal to 35 mph for 3 hours in a given period.

**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 (Great Basin
Portion):**

Nevada Fire Weather Zones

[Zone 460]{.underline} -- Central Nevada Dispatch Southern Deserts --
Esmeralda and parts of

Central Nye County

[Zone 461]{.underline} -- Lincoln County -- Ely Dispatch

[Zone 462]{.underline} -- Nye County Deserts -- LV Dispatch

[Zone 463]{.underline} -- Sheep Range

[Zone 464]{.underline} -- Spring Mountains

[Zone 465]{.underline} -- Clark and SW Lincoln County Deserts -- LV
Dispatch

[Zone 466]{.underline} -- Lake Mead and Colorado River -- LV Dispatch

Arizona Fire Weather Zones within the Great Basin

[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>

Follow-up phone calls are encouraged when requesting spot forecasts to
verify we actually

received the request. In the event the internet is not available, spot
requests may be made by

faxing the WS Form D-1 or by phone. Forecast feedback is imperative to
improving

services. In many cases, the only way the forecaster will know what
happened on a remote

incident is through feedback from the fire community. Phone in concerns
or comments

about forecasts to the forecaster on duty. Feedback may also be
submitted in the remarks

section on the next internet request, or by using the feedback option on
the already

processed internet-based spot forecast. Lastly, block 13 on the WS Form
D-1 may be used

in subsequent spot forecast requests. If forecast services or weather
conditions significantly

impact operations, please notify the Fire Weather Program Leader via
phone or email. See

Appendix A for contact information.

**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 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="6.896527777777778in"
> height="5.445833333333334in"}

**POCATELLO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049251
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

Weather input for FARSITE calculations are generated automatically each
time a SPOT forecast is requested on line. FARSITE weather input will be
available at <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pih/firewx/farsite.php?wfo=pih>

**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 5/14: Forecast issued once a day NLT 0700 MDT.
>
> 5/15 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>

> Follow-up phone calls are still encouraged when requesting spot
> forecasts. In the event Internet communications are not available,
> spot requests may be made by fax using the WS Form D-1 or by phone. A
> copy of this form in PDF format may be downloaded from our web site at
>
> <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pih/firewx/index.php>
>
> Forecast feedback is imperative to improving services. In many cases,
> the only way the forecaster will know what happened on a remote
> incident is through feedback from the fire community. Phone in
> concerns or comments about forecasts to the forecaster on duty.
> Feedback may also be submitted in the remarks section on the next
> Internet request, or by using the feedback option on the already
> processed internet-based spot forecast. Lastly, comments may be
> attached on a separate page and attached to the WS Form D-1 in
> subsequent spot forecast requests. If forecasts, services or weather
> conditions significantly impact operations, please notify Bob Survick,
> Fire Weather Program Leader, via phone or email. See Appendix A for
> contact information.
>
> **WS Form D-1** for manual SPOT Requests is available in downloadable
> PDF format at
>
> <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pih/firewx/index.php>

**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. However, local criteria specific to an area may
> be used in addition to the standard criteria.

![](media/image8.png){width="6.891666666666667in"
height="7.454861111111111in"}

**RENO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049252 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2005**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Red Flag Criteria**: The Red Flag for the Great Basin is on page 9.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

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

> 5/15 through 10/31: 0800-1600 PDT,
>
> Forecast issued twice a day NLT 0730 and 1530 PDT.

Staff meteorologists are 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 Reno Fire Weather District:**

Great Basin Fire Weather Zones\...

[Zone 450]{.underline} -- Sierra Front

> [Zone 453]{.underline} -- West Central Nevada Basin and Range
>
> [Zone 458]{.underline} -- Northern Washoe County

[Zone 459]{.underline} -- Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties

See map at end of this section.

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

> **Spot Forecasts:** Requests for spot forecasts will be received via
> the Reno Fire Weather homepage found at:
>
> <http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotmon?site=rev>
>
> Follow-up phone calls are strongly encouraged when requesting spot
> forecasts. In the event internet communications are not available,
> spot requests may be made by fax using the WS Form D-1 or by phone.
>
> Forecast feedback is imperative to improving services. In many cases,
> the only the forecaster will know what happened on a remote incident
> is through feedback from the fire community. Phone in concerns or
> comments about forecasts to the forecaster on duty. Feedback may also
> be submitted in the remarks section on the next internet request, or
> by using the feedback option on the already processed internet-based
> spot forecast. Lastly, block 23 on the WS Form D-1 may be used in
> subsequent spot forecast requests. If forecasts services or weather
> conditions significantly impact operations, please notify the Fire
> Weather Program Leader, via phone or email. See Appendix A for contact
> information.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0730 PDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast NLT 1530 PDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 PDT

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 9. However,
> local criteria specific to an area may be used in addition to the
> standard criteria.
>
> **E. Experimental Graphical Forecast Products**
>
> Experimental Graphical Forecast Products for selected Fire Weather
> parameters will be available on our Fire Weather page (web site
> above), during fire season. Your feedback is welcome on the usefulness
> of these products and as well as suggestions on additional products.
> Please call or email Brian Brong for more information.
>
> ![](media/image9.png){width="6.90625in" height="7.739583333333333in"}

**RIVERTON WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049253
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2005**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Red Flag Criteria**: New Red Flag criteria will be implemented for the
Great Basin. See page 8.

**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>
>
> Follow-up phone calls are still encouraged when requesting spot
> forecasts. In the event internet communications are not available,
> spot requests may be made by fax using the WS Form D-1 or by phone.
>
> Forecast feedback is imperative to improving services. In many cases,
> the only way the forecaster will know what happened on a remote
> incident is through feedback from the fire community. Phone in
> concerns or comments about forecasts to the forecaster on duty.
> Feedback may also be submitted in the remarks section on the next
> internet request, or by using the feedback option on the already
> processed internet-based spot forecast. Lastly, block 13 on the WS
> Form D-1 may be used in subsequent spot forecast requests. If
> forecasts services or weather conditions significantly impact
> operations, please notify the Fire Weather Program Leader, via phone
> or email. See Appendix A for contact information.

**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/image10.png){width="6.897916666666666in"
height="6.289583333333334in"}

**SALT LAKE CITY WEATHER FORECAST
OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc138049254 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2006**

See main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Moab Dispatch Area:** Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch
responsibility for all of Moab Dispatch area will switch to Salt Lake
City (Grand Junction will cover the Uintah Basin).

**Issuance Times:** Morning Fire Weather Planning Forecast (FWF) will be
issued no later than 0730.

**Smoke Management Forecasts:** Smoke management forecasts will now be
issued for 16 airsheds.

**Digital Forecast Products:** New digital forecast products -- 7-Day
Weather Planner and Point Forecasts -- available. The 7-Day Weather
Planner now includes a smoke management section.

**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: 0800-1600 MDT,
>
> Forecast issued twice a day, NLT 0700 and 1530 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 5/1 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. Notification of updates
> will be made through the GACC Predictive Services Meteorologist or the
> Coordinator on Duty (COD).
>
> **Routine Smoke Management Forecasts:** Disseminated via WIMS and our
> Internet Homepage once a day from 5/1 through 10/31. Issuance times
> will usually be from 1100-1200 MDT depending on our spot forecast
> workload. **Note:** With the increased emphasis on prescribed burning
> these days\...we continue to try and make improvements to this
> product. Consult our homepage for the latest updates and improvements
> to this product including a new internet-based clearing index planner.
> Outside the normal burning season, the 7-Day Weather Planner and the
> Clearing Index Planner may be used.
>
> **Spot Forecasts:** This forecast office operates 24 hours a day,
> seven days a week throughout the year. Meteorologists trained in fire
> weather forecasting will be on duty and available for Spot Forecasts
> outside of normal fire weather working hours. Spot Forecasts are made
> available on the web page to the requesting agency as soon as
> possible. Average turn around time is 30-60 minutes. This will vary
> depending on the number of Spot Forecast requests being handled at any
> given time. Spot requests for wildfires are always given the highest
> priority. Spot requests for prescribed burns are prioritized based on
> the order in which they are received. (The exception is when
> significant problems are occurring on a particular prescribed burn
> operation.)
>
> Please utilize the web-based system on our homepage to request Spot
> Forecasts, found at:
>
> <http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ifps_spot/spotmon?site=slc>
>
> In the event of internet problems or internet unavailability, spots
> can still be requested via fax using WS-FORM D-1. Any problems
> encountered with the web-based program should be addressed to Chris
> Brenchley (Lead FWX Forecaster) as soon as possible. When requesting a
> spot, call the office to ensure receipt of the request. In addition to
> high quality, representative observations, critical weather elements
> for prescribed burning operations should be noted in block 13 on your
> request. This will ensure additional emphasis on the weather elements
> that may keep you out of prescription.
>
> Due to staffing considerations in the Fire Weather Season, it is
> preferred that \"non-emergency\" spot forecast requests be submitted
> to the Fire Weather Forecaster on-duty during normal business hours
> (0700-1600 MDT). This will ensure you receive a spot forecast from a
> forecaster who has been monitoring specific fire weather conditions
> throughout the state.
>
> Verification is an essential part of improving this service to you. In
> most cases, we only know what happened at the site if we hear from
> you. You are encouraged to write comments and observations in the
> feedback section of the spot and send them back to us or include in
> remarks of subsequent spot requests. If the feedback is urgent and
> there is a large discrepancy between forecast and observations, call
> the Fire Weather Forecaster on-duty directly. Any significant problems
> that result on your operation due to weather conditions, should be
> called or e-mailed into Chris Brenchley, Fire Weather Program Leader.
>
> **Numerical NFDRS Forecasts:** disseminated each day between 1515-1545
> MDT via WIMS. These are also available on our Internet Homepage site.
> The fire weather forecaster will issue a point forecast for the next
> day for all NFDRS observations that are received from the Fire Weather
> District that day.
>
> **Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings:** Normally issued via WIMS
> with the Routine Forecast Package (0700 or 1530) and as a separate
> product. This product is also available on our Internet Homepage Site.
> 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. Local criteria may be
> established to meet specific requirements. These should be coordinated
> between the NWS and the local land management officials and Predictive
> Services.

**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
to call the Fire Weather Program Leader, Chris Brenchley.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0730 MDT

Afternoon fire weather forecast 1530 MDT

NFDRS trends forecast NLT 1545 MDT

Fire Weather Watch / Red Flag Warnings Event-Driven

Spot forecasts Upon request

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