Number range CHAPTER[**FIRE WEATHER OPERATIONS PLAN FOR OHIO AND NW
PENNSYLVANIA**-**2008**]{.underline}

SECTION

Introduction 1.0

Forecast Areas 2.0

Fire Season 3.0

Issuance Time of Normal Forecasts 4.0

Content of the Fire Weather Forecast 5.0

Elements in the Fire Weather Forecast 5.1

Dissemination of the Fire Weather Forecast 5.2

Spot Forecasts for Wildfire Support 6.0

Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings 7.0

Fire Danger Rating 8.0

Dissemination of the Fire Danger Rating 8.1

NOAA Weather Radio 9.0

Automated Surface Weather Observations 10.0

Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) 11.0

Air Transportable Mobile Unit Support 12.0

Requests for Historical Weather Information 13.0

Points of Contact 14.0

**[ATTACHMENTS]{.underline}**

A Ohio Zone Forecast Boundaries

B Pennsylvania Fire Weather Forecast Areas

C Fire Weather Forecast

D Automated Surface Observing Locations in Ohio

E Spot Forecast Request Sheet

F Spot Forecast Sheet

G. Spot Forecast VIA the Internet (Users and WFO forecasters)

**1.0 INTRODUCTION**

The National Weather Service (NWS) Offices in Cleveland;
Wilmington,Ohio; Charleston, West Virginia; Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and
North Webster, Indiana will provide fire weather support for the State
of Ohio.

The National Weather Service Offices in Cleveland, Mount Holly, New
Jersey, Pittsburgh, State College and Binghamton, New York will provide
fire weather support for the State of Pennsylvania.

**Each weather office shall be responsible for the fire weather forecast
in their county warning area (CWA).**

A general Fire Weather Forecast for the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania
will be issued year round by most offices. Some offices will issue the
forecast twice a day from early March through December.

Also spot forecasts for wildfire support will be available throughout
the year, 24 hours a day from each of the above mentioned weather
offices. The NWS can provide formal spot forecasts for non-wildfire
situations, such as prescribed burns and smoke management, for state and
federal land areas and for any agency with a wildfire.

This Operations Plan will explain the type of information available for
Fire Weather support and the sources of this information.

This plan will be reviewed annually by all parties. Proposed changes to
this plan will be approved by all parties before such changes are
implemented.

**2.0 FORECAST AREAS**

**Ohio** is divided among five NWS Offices for weather forecast and/or
weather warning responsibility.

The state is divided as follows:

**[Forecast Office]{.underline} [Area of Responsibility]{.underline}**

Cleveland Much of Northern Ohio

Pittsburgh, PA East Central Ohio

Charleston, WV Southeast Ohio

Wilmington West Central and Southwest Ohio

North Webster, IN Extreme Northwest Ohio

**Pennsylvania** is divided among five NWS Offices for weather forecast
and/or weather warning responsibility.

**[Forecast Office]{.underline} [Area of Responsibility]{.underline}**

Cleveland, OH Extreme Northwest Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, PA Much of Western Pennsylvania

State College, PA Most of Central Pennsylvania

Mt. Holly, NJ Most of Eastern Pennsylvania

Binghamton, NY Extreme Northeast Pennsylvania

**3.0 FIRE SEASON**

The fire season is normally March through the first snows of December.
This can vary because of the weather.

The NWS Cleveland fire weather forecast for its Ohio and Pennsylvania
counties will be issued under CLEFWFCLE with a WMO header of FNUS51.
Some offices, including NWS Cleveland issue the Fire Weather forecast
year round.

**4.0 ISSUANCE TIME OF NORMAL FORECASTS**

The Northern Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania Weather Forecast will be
issued daily by 630 am local time year round.

**5.0 FIRE WEATHER FORECAST**

The fire weather forecast will cover specific conditions for a 36 hour
period and consist of three 12-hour periods (today, tonight and
tomorrow). An extended 3-7 day forecast will be included after each zone
group. The 8 to 14 day forecast is presented as a comparison to normal
conditions for that particular time period and uses data for Ohio. See
attachment C for example of a Fire Weather Forecast.

The forecasts are generated using the GFE (Graphic Forecast Editor)
software. In GFE, graphics are drawn for different weather parameters
including: temperature, dew point, wind, etc. The software then
generates a Fire Weather Forecast using the graphics that have been
drawn. Counties are grouped together (based on expected weather
conditions) to make up a zone in the public forecasts. The zones used in
the Fire Weather Forecast are the same as used in the public forecasts.
The counties included in a zone forecast may vary daily.

If the forecast cannot be generated because of software issues, BUF the
primary backup office for CLE would be contacted to run the Fire Weather
Forecast. If they can't generate a forecast, then the secondary office
ILN would be notified.

[The fire weather product issued will include the following
information:]{.underline}

1)  **DISCUSSION** - brief description of general weather conditions
    affecting forecast for the next 36 hours.

> The forecast is then broken down into 3 periods; today, tonight, and
> tomorrow, for the following parameters;

2)  **CLOUD COVER** - clear, mostly clear (MCLEAR), partly cloudy
    (PCLDY), mostly cloudy (MCLDY), and cloudy.

3\) **PRECIP TYPE** - none, drizzle, rain, showers, tstms, frzg rain,
sleet, snow/rain.

4)  **CHANCE PRECIP (%)** - the probability of precipitation in tens of
    percent for each 12 hour.

5\) **TEMP (24 H TREND)** - daytime maximums and nighttime minimum using
a specific temperature and trend from previous day.

6)  **RH (%) (24 H TREND) -** relative humidity in percent. Afternoon
    minimums and overnight maximum and trend from previous 24 hours.

7\) **20FT WND-AM MPH** - Direction is according to an 8 point compass
and wind speed in mph.

8\) **20FT WND-PM MPH** - Direction is according to an 8 point compass
and wind speed in mph.

9\) **PRECIP AMOUNT** - 12 hour precipitation amount forecast in
hundredths of an inch.

10\) **PRECIP DURATION** - length of time in hours that precipitation is
occurring.

11\) **PRECIP BEGIN** - beginning time of precipitation (ex.; 3 pm, or
continuing).

12\) **PRECIP END** - end time of precipitation (ex.; 5 pm)

13\) **HAINES** **INDEX**- a stability index determined by combining the
stability and moisture content of the lower atmosphere into a single
number that correlates very well with large fire growth. Calculated near
noon (18Z) for daytime and near midnight (06Z) for nighttime.

Haines Index potential for large fire growth;

(2 or 3 very low, 4 low, 5 moderate, 6 high)

14\) **LAL (LIGHTNING ACTIVITY LEVELS)** -

1\. - No Thunderstorm/Lightning

2\. - Few Thunderstorms/Few Lightning Strikes

> 3\. - Widely Scattered Thunderstorms/Scattered Lightning Strikes

4\. - Scattered Thunderstorms/Numerous Lightning Strikes

5\. - Widespread Thunderstorms/Frequent Lightning Strikes

> 6\. - Dry Lightning {LAL Level 3 or higher with no precipitation}

15\) **MIXING HEIGHTS -** height above the surface (AGL feet) through
which relatively vigorous mixing will take place due to convection. The
maximum height in feet of the top of the mixing level during the day.

16\) **TRANSPORT WINDS** - average wind speed (KTS) and direction from
surface to top of mixed layer. Wind direction is according to the 8
point compass.

17\) **VENTILATION RATE -** this parameter is a product of the mixing
height multiplied by the transport wind speed (KT). Higher values would
indicate faster dispersion of particulate matter generated fire.

18\) **REMARKS** - text space to include additional information such as
a Fire Weather Watch/Red Flag Warning.

**5.1 DISSEMINATION OF THE FIRE WEATHER FORECAST**

The fire weather forecast for northern Ohio and Erie and Crawford
counties in Northwest Pennsylvania will be available on the Internet
through the Cleveland NWS Homepage. The Fire Weather Forecast will also
be sent on AWIPS under the WMO header FNUS51.

In Ohio in the event that the Internet link is down, the Division of
Forestry in Columbus will contact the NWS office in Wilmington or
Cleveland and have the forecast faxed to them. The Division of Forestry
will then be responsible for disseminating the forecast to individual
districts and other user agencies.

CLE Internet address is:

**Cleveland <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle> or**

**http://www.weather.gov/cle**

The Internet addresses for the other weather offices serving Ohio are:

**Charleston, WV <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rlx> or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/rlx**](http://www.weather.gov/rlx)

**North Webster, IN <http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx> or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/iwx**](http://www.weather.gov/iwx)

**Pittsburgh, PA
[http://www.erh.noaa.gov/p](http://www.erh.noaa.gov/pit)bz or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/pbz**](http://www.weather.gov/pbz)

**Wilmington, OH <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/iln>**

**http://www.weather.gov/iln**

*The Internet addressed for the other weather offices serving
Pennsylvania are:*

**Binghamton, NY <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/bgm> or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/bgm**](http://www.weather.gov/bgm)

**Mount Holly, NJ <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/phi> or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/phi**](http://www.weather.gov/phi)

**Pittsburgh, PA
[http://www.erh.noaa.gov/pbz](http://www.erh.noaa.gov/p) or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/pbz**](http://www.weather.gov/pbz)

**State College, PA <http://www.erh.noaa.gov/ctp> or**

[**http://www.weather.gov/ctp**](http://www.weather.gov/ctp)

**6.0 SPOT FORECASTS FOR WILDFIRE SUPPORT**

The spot forecast is a site-specific, localized weather forecast
available for wildfire support. This product includes a forecast of
wind, temperature, humidity and any effects local topography will have
on the weather. The parameters forecast should be the **worst case**
scenario expected.

Requests for spot forecasts should come to the WFO via the Internet. The
backup method is via phone or fax.

If they use the phone then the information shall be logged. The
following information should be exchanged whenever a spot forecast is
requested:

**The requesting agency will provide the following/ or as per the
Internet:**

1). The name of the agency.

2). Location and size of the fire.

3). Elevation/Geography/Topography.

4). Recent weather observations if any.

5). Any additional information that would help the forecaster.

**The duty forecaster will provide the following or what was requested
via the Internet:**

1). Time period of forecast (usually for 12 hours).

2). Brief synopsis.

3). Temperature forecast

4). Relative humidity forecast (minimum during the day, maximum

at night).

5). Wind direction and speed at 20 foot level. State height if

other than the 20 foot level.

6). Probability of precipitation (POP).

7). Mesoscale features associated with thunderstorms/fronts.

8). Other weather phenomena deemed important.

This forecast will be provided via the INTERNET or given verbally over
the telephone or faxed to the requesting agency. The forecast will
usually be completed within 30 minutes.

**7.0 FIRE WEATHER WATCH/RED FLAG WARNING**

**Specific conditions must be met for a Fire Weather Watch and/or a Red
Flag Warning to be issued. In [Ohio]{.underline} they are:**

**A. Ten hour fuels must be at 8% moisture or less and expected to
remain at that level for 2 or more days. (Usually the state will notify
the NWS when we reach those conditions).**

**Specific conditions must be met for a Fire Weather Watch and/or a Red
Flag Warning to be issued. In [Pennsylvania]{.underline} they are:**

**A. Ten hour fuels must be at 15% moisture or less and expected to
remain at that level for 2 or more days. (Usually the state will notify
the NWS when we reach those conditions).**

**B. The afternoon and evening relative humidity levels are expected to
fall to 30% or lower and the 20 foot sustained winds are expected to
exceed 15 mph (13 knots).**

A **\"Fire Weather Watch\"** is used to alert the user to the possible
development of a Red Flag event in the near future. The watch would be
issued 12 to 72 hours in advance of the expected onset of criteria.

A **\"Red Flag Warning\"** will be issued to warn the user of an
impending or on-going Red Flag event. A Red Flag Warning will be issued
immediately when Red Flag Conditions are occurring. Otherwise, it will
be issued for impending Red Flag Conditions when there is a high degree
of confidence that conditions will develop and the forecast time of
onset for the event is 24 hours or less from the forecast issuance time.
The warning can be issued for all or selected portions within a fire
weather zone.

If a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued, it will be
included as a HEADLINE in the **FWF** above the synopsis. Also a
statement **CLERFWCLE** will be issued. Zones codes are used. The
product expiration time should be 24 hours to coincide with the next
issuance of the FWF. The event expiration time for a Fire Weather Watch
is set to 24 to 72 hours. The event expiration time for a Red Flag
Warning is set within the first 24 hour period. A Red Flag Warning can
be issued for the second and third periods if needed.

Because of the restrictions on user programs brought about by a Red Flag
Warning, it is imperative that the warning be promptly cancelled when
the conditions cease to exist or if the conditions are no longer
expected to develop. **A statement (CLERFWCLE) will be needed to cancel
the Red Flag Warning or**

**Fire Weather Watch. Also the Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch
may be issued after the routine issuance. If this happens the Fire
Weather Forecast will need to be updated with the headline.**

**An RFW stating the Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is cancelled
is issued and the FWF is updated to remove the headline.**

The watch or warning shall be mentioned in the AFD and HWO.

**EXAMPLES:**

**THESE STATEMENTS SHALL NOT GO ON THE NOAA ALL HAZARDS RADIO, THEY WILL
GO TO THE INTERNET AUTOMATICALLY.**

**FIRE WEATHER WATCH EXAMPLE:**

WWUS81 KCLE 131100

RFWCLE

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

700 AM EDT WED OCT 13 2005

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-141100-

\...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST OHIO FOR
THURSDAY\...

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE:

HANCOCK\...LUCAS\...OTTAWA\...SANDUSKY\...SENECA AND WOOD.

DISCUSSION\...THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING THE HUMIDITY LEVELS ARE
EXPECTED TO FALL TO 25% OR LOWER AND WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED 15 MPH
THURSDAY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE THREAT OF WILDFIRES TO BE VERY
HIGH.

FIRE OFFICIALS NEED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND MONITOR LATER
FORECASTS.

\$\$

KIELTYKA

WWUS81 KCLE 141100

RFWCLE

RED FLAG WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

700 AM EDT THU OCT 14 2005

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-142300-

\...RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST OHIO FOR
TODAY\...

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE:

HANCOCK\...LUCAS\...OTTAWA\...SANDUSKY\...SENECA AND WOOD

DISCUSSION\...HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL BE 25% OR LOWER THIS AFTERNOON AND
THE WINDS WILL BE FROM THE SOUTH AT 20 TO 30 MPH. THE THREAT OF
WILDFIRES WILL BE EXTREMELY HIGH.

FIRE OFFICIALS NEED TO TAKE THE PROPER STEPS TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY.

\$\$

KIELTYKA

**[EXAMPLE HAVING A FIRE WEATHER WATCH AND A RED FLAG WARNING AT THE
SAME TIME.]{.underline}**

WWUS81 KCLE 131100

RFWCLE

RED FLAG WARNING/FIRE WEATHER WATCH

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

700 AM EDT WED OCT 13 2005

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-132300-

\...RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHWEST OHIO FOR
TODAY\...

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE:

HANCOCK\...LUCAS\...OTTAWA\...SANDUSKY\...SENECA AND WOOD

FIRE OFFICIALS NEED TO TAKE THE PROPER STEPS TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY.

\$\$

OHZ012\>014-089-141100-

..FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF NORTHEAST OHIO FOR
THURSDAY\...

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE:

ASHTABULA\...GEAUGA AND LAKE.

DISCUSSION\...THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING THE HUMIDITY LEVELS ARE
EXPECTED TO FALL TO 25% OR LOWER AND WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED 15 MPH
THURSDAY. THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE THREAT OF WILDFIRES TO BE VERY
HIGH.

FIRE OFFICIALS NEED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND MONITOR LATER
FORECASTS.

\$\$

**[EXAMPLE OF A CANCELLATION:]{.underline}**

WWUS81 KCLE 081100

RFWCLE

RED FLAG WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

1PM EDT THU OCT 9 2005

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-082300-

\...RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR NORTHWEST OHIO FOR THIS
AFTERNOON\...

COUNTIES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE:

HANCOCK\...LUCAS\...OTTAWA\...SANDUSKY\...SENECA AND WOOD.

DISCUSSION\...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVED INTO THE AREA QUICKLY AND
THAT CAUSED THE HUMIDITY LEVELS TO RISE. THIS WILL DECREASE THE THREAT
OF WILDFIRES.

\$\$

**[EXAMPLES OF FORECASTS WITH HEADLINES:]{.underline}**

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR NORTHERN OHIO AND NORTHWEST
PENNSYLVANIA

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

630 AM EDT THU SEP 9 2005

\...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR NORTHWEST OHIO FRIDAY\...

.DISCUSSION\...

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-092300-

\...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FRIDAY\...

ANOTHER EXAMPLE:

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR NORTHERN OHIO AND NORTHWEST

PENNSYLVANIA

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OH

630 AM EDT THU SEP 9 2003

\...RED FLAG WARNING FOR NORTHWEST OHIO TODAY\...

.DISCUSSION\...

OHZ003-006\>008-017-018-092300-

\...RED FLAG WARNING TODAY\...

**[DISSEMINATION AND COORDIATION OF WATCH OR WARNING:]{.underline}**

**Once it is decided that a Fire Weather Watch or a Red Flag Warning is
needed, we need to make only [one or two phone calls]{.underline} to a
non-National Weather Service Group.**

1\. We need to coordinate with **NWS ILN and PBZ if Ohio is involved and
PBZ and CTP if Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania are
involved.** We do not have to coordinate with IWX since they do not
issue a fire weather forecast. They will do spot fire weather forecasts
as needed.

2\. If the watch or warning is for our **entire Ohio** CWA we call
Michael Bowden in Columbus (Rural Fire and Training Coordinator for the
state of Ohio(Monday-Friday). No action is necessary on the weekend or
holidays.

3\. If the watch or warning is more for **Northeast Ohio** including any
of the following counties: Richland, Ashland, Holmes, Stark and Knox we
call Frank Corona (Assistant District Forester in New Philadelphia
Monday-Friday). No action is necessary on the weekend or holidays.

4\. If the watch or warning is more for **Northwest Ohio** including
Lucas and Wood we notify Don Schmenk (Maumee State Forest 7 days a week,
leave a message on the machine on the weekend).

5.  If the watch or warning is for **Erie and Crawford Counties in
    Northwest Pennsylvania** call Denny Kirkpatrick or Bill Dobson in
    North Warren Pennsylvania (PA Bureau of Forestry).

**[Monday through Friday the day shift should make the call around 8
AM.]{.underline} If we get the persons voice mail, we should try to talk
to the operator. The only exception is for Northwest Ohio when we can
leave a message.**

**[Summary of what to do if we issue a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag
Warning]{.underline}:**

**1. Coordinate with ILN, PBZ and CTP if applicable.**

**2. Be sure the headline is in the FWF.**

**3. Issue the CLERFWCLE for the initial, continuation and cancellation.
An RFW is not needed when a warning expires.**

**4. Make the appropriate phone call to the state agency for the initial
issuance.**

**8.0 FIRE DANGER RATING**

The Ohio Division of Forestry in Columbus will calculate the fire danger
ratings for the State of Ohio. The categories of concern are **very high
and extreme**. Should the fire danger category reach, change or fall
below the very high or extreme categories, then the Division of Forestry
will call or FAX the appropriate NWS office(s) listed in Attachment A. A
call will be made Monday through Friday when the criteria is reached or
has changed. The Division of Forestry will cease calling when the fire
danger category falls below **very high**.

The Bureau of Forestry in Harrisburg will calculate the fire danger
ratings. The categories of concern are high, very high and extreme.
Should the category reach, change or fall below the above categories,
then a program specialist with the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (PDCNR) will call the weather
office/s with NOAA weather radio

responsibility in that particular METAFIRE zone. A call will be made
daily (including Saturday and Sunday) during the late afternoon to each
office affected when the criteria is reached or has changed. The PDCNR
will cease calling when the fire danger category falls below high.

**8.1 DISSEMINATION OF THE FIRE DANGER RATING**

Upon receipt of a very high, or extreme fire danger rating from the
state of Ohio or high, very high or extreme fire danger rating from the
state of Pennsylvania, the rating shall be broadcast on the appropriate
NOAA weather radio station. The appropriate NWS office(s) shall also
transmit the high or extreme fire danger rating in a **PUBLIC
INFORMATION STATEMENT** (PNS). The PNS will also be available on the
appropriate INTERNET site.

An example of a PNSCLE is shown below for **Ohio**:

CLEPNSCLE

TTAA00 KCLE 051950

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OHIO

330 PM EDT WED MAY 5 2005

THE OHIO DIVISION OF FORESTRY HAS INDICATED THAT THE WILDFIRE DANGER FOR
THURSDAY IS VERY HIGH ACROSS NORTHERN OHIO. PEOPLE SHOULD FOLLOW RULES
FOR BURNING.

\$\$

An example of a PNSCLE is shown below for **Pennsylvania**:

CLEPNSCLE

TTAA00 KCLE 051950

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CLEVELAND OHIO

330 PM EDT WED MAY 5 2005

THE PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF FORESTRY HAS INDICATED THAT THE WILDFIRE
DANGER FOR THURSDAY IS HIGH ACROSS NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA. CHECK WITH
YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FORESTRY OFFICE TO SEE IF A BURNING BAN IS
IN EFFECT.

\$\$

**9.0 NOAA WEATHER RADIO**

The only fire weather products placed on the All Hazards NOAA Weather
Radio is some Fire Danger Ratings as per section 8.0.

Ohio has a statewide NOAA Weather Radio network. These 24-hour
broadcasts provide continuous up-to-date weather information directly
from the NWS. Automated or taped weather messages are repeated every 3
to 6 minutes, and are routinely revised as needed. The broadcasts are
tailored to the weather needs of the people within the receiving area.
These broadcasts can usually be heard as far as 40 miles or more from
the antenna site depending on terrain, receiver quality, and other
factors.

NOAA Weather Radio transmitter sites in and near the CLE CWA and their
assigned frequency are listed below:

Akron 162.400 Mhz

Bridgeport 162.525 Mhz

Cambridge 162.475 Mhz

Castalia 162.400 Mhz

Chesterland (CLE)162.550 Mhz

Columbus 162.550 Mhz

Findlay 162.525 Mhz

Fort Wayne (IN) 162.550 Mhz

Grafton 162.500 Mhz

Holland (Toledo) 162.500 Mhz

Lima 162.400 Mhz

Mansfield 162.425 Mhz

Spencer (WV) 162.500 Mhz

Youngstown 162.500 Mhz

NOAA Weather Radio transmitter sites serving northwest **Pennsylvania**
and their assigned frequency are listed below:

Erie 162.400 Mhz

Meadville 162.475 Mhz

Parker (Butler) 162.425 Mhz

Warren 162.450 Mhz

Some Fire Danger Ratings will be broadcast on the appropriate NOAA
weather radio.

**10.0 SURFACE OBSERVATIONS**

The following is the list of ASOS observation available in AWIPS and by
telephone.

**[ID]{.underline}** **[LOCATION]{.underline}**
**[TELEPHONE]{.underline}**

CAK Akron-Canton Akron-Canton 330-966-9545

AKR Akron Municipal Akron 330-724-4237

HZY Ashtabula County Ashtabula 440-576-6907

BKL Burke Lakefront Cleveland 216-241-6904

CVG Greater Cincinnati Cincinnati 606-767-8210

CLE Cleveland Hopkins Cleveland 216-267-9955

CMH Port Columbus Columbus 614-235-2540

DAY Dayton Dayton 937-454-7845

MGY Dayton General Dayton 937-885-2171

DFI Defiance Memorial Defiance 419-658-2301

LHQ Fairfield County Lancaster 740-681-1097

FDY Findlay Airport Findlay 419-427-8524

HAO Hamilton-Fairfield Hamilton 513-863-6137

PHD Harry Clever Field New Philadelphia 330-339-1125

MFD Lahm Airport Mansfield 419-522-1375

AOH Lima Allen County Lima 419-224-6098

LPR Lorain County Regional Elyria 440-323-7088

LUK Lunken Airport Cincinnati 513-321-6291

MNN Marion Municipal Marion 740-383-3400

TDZ Metcalf Field Toledo 419-838-5034

VTA Newark-Heath Newark 740-522-1066

OSU Ohio State Columbus 614-451-2465

TOL Toledo Express Toledo 419-865-8351

BJJ Wayne County Wooster 330-669-9105

ILN Wilmington Airpark Wilmington 937-383-7334

YNG Youngstown-Warren Youngstown 330-856-9357

ZZV Zanesville Municipal Zanesville 740-453-8139

In addition to the ASOS observation, Automated Weather Observations
(AWOS) are available from the following sites:

**[ID]{.underline}** **[LOCATION]{.underline}**
**[TELEPHONE]{.underline}**

I28 Ashland-Boyd, KY Ashland, KY 606-836-2682

UNI Ohio University Athens 888-682-4799

1G0 Wood Co. Regional AP Bowling Green 419-354-1415

LCK Rickenbacker Columbus 614-492-2441

TZR Boulton Field Columbus 614-878-1722

FZI Fostoria Metro AP Fostoria 419-436-0053

S24 Sandusky Regional Fremont 419-547-6932

I78 Union County Airport Marysville 937-644-2967

10G Holmes County AP Millersburg 330-674-6279

4I3 Knox County Airport Mt. Vernon 740-397-6297

OWX Putnam County AP Ottawa 419-523-4151

3I2 Mason County Airport Pt. Pleasant, WV 304-675-4618

PWC Carl Keller Field Port Clinton 419-734-9955

PMH Greater PMH Airport Portsmouth 740-820-2500

DUH Toledo Suburban Lambertville, MI 734-856-1563

AXV Auglaize County AP Wapakoneta 419-753-2821

In Northwest Pennsylvania and extreme Western New York the following are
the ASOS sites and phone numbers.

**[ID]{.underline} [LOCATION]{.underline} [TELEPHONE]{.underline}**

ERI Erie International Erie 814-835-7112

GKJ Port Meadville Airport Meadville 814-337-2590

BFD Bradford Regional Bradford 814-368-2581

DKK Dunkirk Airport Dunkirk 716-366-7664

In Northwest Pennsylvania and extreme Western New York the following are
the AWOS sites and phone numbers.

**[ID]{.underline} [LOCATION]{.underline} [TELEPHONE]{.underline}**

FKL Venango Regional PA Franklin 814-437-2066

JHW Chautauqua County NY Jamestown 716-366-7664

11. **REMOTE AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS (RAWS)**

Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) collect and disseminate weather
data used to rate fire danger and monitor air quality. Although there
are nearly 2,200 of these sites across the county, there is currently
only one RAWS site in the WFO CLE area of responsibility. This station
is named **ERIE**, has the identifier of **GMWP1** and is located in
Crawford County, Pennsylvania. A second RAWS site is located just west
of the WFO CLE area of responsibility in Fulton County, Ohio. This site
has the identifier **TS318**, is named **MAUMEE** and is located in the
Maumee State Forest. Maumee State Forest includes portions of western
Lucas County and northwestern Wood County.

These RAWS stations collect and disseminate weather information on an
hourly basis. The types of weather data collected include: temperature,
dew point, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation, relative humidity,
fuel temperature, peak wind and fuel moisture. The RAWS units forward
data to the computer system at the National Interagency Fire Center
(NIFC) in Boise,

Idaho via GOES. This data is then forwarded to several other computer
systems including the Weather Information Management

System (WIMS) and the Western Regional Climate Center in Reno, Nevada.

**Station Information**

**Site Name Ident Lat Long Elev NWS Zone Fire Zone**

ERIE GMWP1 41.6264 79.955 1800ft PAZ003 CLE003

MAUMEE TS318 41.5306 83.9294 612ft OHZ002 IWX002

**Accessing RAWS Data**

RAWS data can be accessed through various websites, including the
National Weather Service National Fire Weather Page at:
<http://fire.boi.noaa.gov/> RAWS data is available on this website under
the ***OBSERVATIONS/RAWS/HAINES INDEX*** section data. Select the ***ALL
U.S. RAWS Data (Text)*** link and then scroll down to either Ohio or
Pennsylvania depending on which site you would like to look at.

A listing of current and recent observations for the **ERIE** site can
be found at: <http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/obs/PA_ERIE.txt>

A listing of current and recent observations for the **MAUMEE** site can
be found at: <http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/obs/OH_MAUMEE.txt>

**12.0 AIR TRANSPORTABLE MOBILE UNIT SUPPORT**

Large wildfires in Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania may need an incident
response. If the situation should arise, the Ohio Division of Forestry
or the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry would request an AIR
TRANSPORTABLE MOBILE UNIT (ATMU). A request for this unit by the state
shall be done through the U.S. Forest Service Eastern Area Coordination
Center in Minneapolis.

The ATMU consists of four modules with a combined weight of 300 pounds.
A separate MicroREMS (Remote Environmental Monitoring system) unit
should be requested. The ATMU provides the equipment and supplies for
field meteorological operations. The

user agency must provide a relatively clean and dry working

environment as well as a normal electric power supply. A static free
telephone line is also needed.

The local user agency requesting the on-site forecast service has the
primary responsibility for paying for the transportation of the ATMU
unit and ATMU meteorologist to and from the incident. The cost can be up
to \$350 a day.

**13.0 REQUESTS FOR HISTORICAL WEATHER INFORMATION**

Agencies requiring historical weather information for specific locations
should consult the INTERNET site of the appropriate NWS office as listed
in Section 5.2 of this plan. If the information is not available on the
INTERNET site, then the agency should contact the appropriate NWS office
listed in Attachment A at the addresses/phone numbers listed in Section
13.0. If the requested historical information is available, the NWS will
disseminate the information via telephone, fax or mail, depending on the
needs of the user agency. There will be no charge if the request is from
a government agency (city/state/federal).

Whenever possible, NWS offices will attempt to disseminate this
information at the time of the request with little or no delay. However,
because of staffing and/or operational priorities, NWS offices will
often not be able to process such requests immediately. User agencies
should anticipate such delays and request information as far in advance
as possible.