**Fire Weather Operations Plan**

National Weather Service Honolulu

**CONTENTS**

Introduction

New for 2006

Contact Information

NWS Policies and Services

Fire Weather Planning Forecast Spot Forecasts

Red Flag Program

Appendix

**INTRODUCTION**

This plan documents policies and services provided by the National
Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Honolulu, Hawaii for the
support of fire management and response agencies in the state of Hawaii.

This plan will be reviewed annually by all parties. Any intermediate
changes or amendments will be coordinated with all parties involved
before the changes are incorporated.

**NEW FOR 2006**

WFO Honolulu is implementing NWS Spot, an internet-based application for
the request and delivery of Spot forecasts in addition to existing
phone/fax request and delivery.

**CONTACT INFORMATION**

Personnel vital to the Fire Weather program may be contacted at the
following email addresses and/or phone numbers.

[National Weather Service]{.underline}

2525 Correa Road Suite 250

Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

<http://weather.gov/hawaii>

<http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/firewx.php>

James Weyman, Meteorologist-in-Charge, 808-973-5272

e-mail: <james.weyman@noaa.gov>

Jeffrey Powell, Fire Weather Program Leader

email: <jeffrey.powell@noaa.gov>

Nezette Rydell,Warning Coordination Meteorologist, 808-973-5275

email: <nezette.rydell@noaa.gov>

[National Park Service]{.underline}

Joe Moelhoek, Pacific Island Fire Management Officer

e-mail: <Joe_Molhoek@nps.gov>

[State of Hawaii]{.underline}

Wayne Ching, DLNR <wayne.f.ching@hawaii.gov>

Pat Costales, DLNR <Patrick.g.costales@hawaii.gov>

Glenn Shishido, DLNR Maui <glenn.n.shishido@hawaii.gov>

[City and County of Honolulu]{.underline}

HFD Chief Roland Harvest - <rharvest@honolulu.gov>

[Department of Defense]{.underline}

Jason Greenlee, Wildland Fire Management Officer, Fire and Safety
Office, Wheeler AFB <jason.m.greenlee@us.army.mil>

**NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE POLICIES AND SERVICES**

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Honolulu, Hawaii
provides forecasts, warnings, and consultation services for the
prevention, suppression, and management of forest and rangeland fires in
the State of Hawaii. The forecast office is located on the campus of the
University of Hawaii at Manoa in the Hawaii Institutes for Geophysics
(HIG) building.

The National Weather Service issues a standard fire weather planning
forecast daily with event-driven updates as necessary. Spot forecasts
for government agencies involved in fighting currently burning wildfires
or soon-to-be ignited prescribed burns are provided on request.

**FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST**

The [Fire Weather Planning
Forecast](http://www.prh.noaa.gov/data/HFO/FWFHFO) is issued daily by
530 AM Hawaii Standard Time. Fire Weather Planning Forecasts are
available on the web at <http://www.weather.gov/Hawaii> under the Fire
Weather link.

The Planning Forecast includes a discussion covering locations of fronts
and systems which produce the weather along with anticipated significant
trends or changes, a 2-day tabular forecast separated into 3 periods
(TODAY, TONIGHT, TOMORROW), which covers the specific weather elements
mentioned below, and a narrative extended forecast which continues
through day seven. The extended portion is a general forecast which
mentions the possibility of precipitation, expected high and low
temperatures for each day, and wind speeds and direction.

Elements of the fire weather planning forecast are described below.

1.  **SKY COVER**

    a.  Clear (or Sunny) \-- \< 1/8th cloud cover

    b.  Mostly Clear/Mostly Sunny \-- 1/8th to 2/8ths of cloud cover

    c.  Partly Cloudy/Partly Sunny\-- 3/8ths to 5/8ths of cloud cover

    d.  Mostly Cloudy \-- 6/8ths to 7/8ths cloud cover

    e.  Cloudy \-- 8/8ths cloud cover

    f.  Increasing Cloudiness \-- the clouds are increasing in amount
        (this also implies thickening of clouds)

    g.  Decreasing Cloudiness\-- A progressive decrease in the amount of
        sky covered with clouds

    h.  Variable Cloudiness\-- A constant variation in the amount of
        clouds covering the sky with respect to time and space.

2.  **PRECIPITATION TYPE**

> a\) Rain\--General, not showery, usually in a stable atmosphere, small
> to medium sized water droplets

b\) Drizzle\--General precipitation in a stable atmosphere, very small
water droplets that appear to float in the atmosphere

c\) Showers\--Rain of short duration and varying intensity, usually
beginning and ending abruptly

d\) Thunderstorms\--Downpour of rain, often with strong gusty winds

3.  **LIGHTNING ACTIVITY LEVEL**

Lightning Activity Level, LAL, will be used to forecast the general
likelihood for thunderstorms within each forecast zone for each of the
three periods. An LAL value of 1 denotes no thunderstorm activity
expected, while a value of 5 denotes a forecast for widespread
thunderstorms. An LAL value of 6 denotes a forecast for dry lightning,
an exceedingly rare phenomena in Hawaii.

4.  **MAX AND MIN TEMPERATURE**

The temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. The maximum and minimum
temperatures are forecast for the 30-hour period from 1:00 PM the day of
the forecast until 7:00 PM the next day.

5.  **MAX AND MIN RELATIVE HUMIDITY**

Relative Humidity (RH), in percent, the ratio of the amount of moisture
in the air compared to the amount the air could hold if fully saturated
(100%). The range of RH is from 0% to 100%. Usually, the minimum RH
occurs at the time of the maximum temperature and the maximum RH occurs
at the time of the minimum temperature. Because of the dependency of the
relative humidity upon temperature, it should be noted that if the
actual temperature is higher than forecast, then the forecasted relative
humidity will likely will be too high.

6.  **WIND - DIRECTION AND SPEED**

> The wind direction is the direction from which the wind blows.
> Direction is listed using 16 points of the compass (e.g. NE, S, WSW,
> etc.). Significant changes expected during the forecast period will be
> mentioned in the narrative. Wind speed is given in miles per hour
> (mph) and is forecast for the 20-foot level. Speeds pertain to
> two-minute averages while gusts pertain to the maximum instantaneous
> value expected.

7.  **SMOKE MANAGEMENT FORECAST PARAMETERS**

Note: One consequence of the Clean Air Act is that land managers must
practice principles of careful smoke management. This is done by
combining favorable meteorological conditions with a variety of
prescribed fire techniques so that smoke will be readily dispersed. The
Clean Air Act has established 500 meters (1700 feet) as a minimum for
mixing height for permitting prescribed burning.

a\) AFTERNOON MIXING HEIGHT - The extent or depth to which smoke will be
dispersed by means of turbulence and diffusion. Expressed in feet above
ground level.

b\) TRANSPORT WIND - The average wind speed in mph in the mixing depth
above the surface. These winds are a good indication of the horizontal
dispersion of suspended particles. The transport wind is the forecast
wind at the time of maximum mixing of the atmosphere, normally during
mid-afternoon. Usually a wind of less than 8 mph restricts an agency
from burning. Transport wind directions are typically given to eight
compass points (e.g. northeast, east southwest, etc.)

**FIRE WEATHER (SPOT) FORECASTS**

Spot forecasts are site-specific forecast for wildfires, prescribed
burns, HAZMAT incidents, search and rescue operations, aerial spraying,
and other similar functions. NWS will provide spot forecast services
upon request of any federal, state, or local official for wildfire
support. For non-wildfire purposes, resources permitting, NWS will
provide spot forecast for any federal, state, or local official under
the terms of the Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services or
for any public safety official who represents the spot forecast is
essential to public safety.

Requests for Spot or Prescribed Burn forecasts may be made via
telephone, fax (phone notification of request required), or internet
(NWS Spot). Spot forecasts may be delivered via fax, e-mail, or
internet. Unless otherwise stated by the requesting agency, the forecast
parameters of sky condition, weather, temperature, relative humidity, 20
foot wind, significant/sudden changes in wind speed or direction, along
with mixing heights, and transport winds are provided. Guidance for
requesting spot forecasts is contained in [WS Form
D-1](http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/firewx/D1.pdf) in the Appendix and on
the [NWS Spot request
page](http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotform?site=hfo).

**RED FLAG PROGRAM**

The Red Flag program provides notification of the likelihood that
weather conditions associated with the outbreak of wildfire will occur.
Red flag criteria are dependent on both weather forecasts provided by
the NWS and the fuel moisture and fire danger assessments provided by
land management agencies.

No criteria have been established for Red Flag warnings in Hawaii. NWS
Honolulu seeks input from customers on the establishment of red flag
warning criteria in 2006.

**WILDLAND FIRE AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES**

When requesting weather forecast products in support of fire suppression
operations in the State of Hawaii, fire weather customers will provide
the location of the wildfire or prescribed burn, the requester's name,
reason for the support request (prescribed burn, wildfire, etc.), as
well as a contact point for weather forecast product submission once
completed (fax number, email address, etc.).

Customers requesting spot forecasts should provide at least one local
weather observation valid for the location and elevation of the burn
site. Spot forecasts with no representative observation may be subject
to large errors.

**Appendix --**

A.  [Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services in Support of
    Agencies with Land and Fire Management
    Responsibilities](http://www.nws.noaa.gov/directives/sym/pd01004006curr.pdf) -
    outlined in National Weather Service Instruction 10-406

B.  [Fire Weather Zone
    Maps](http://www.weather.gov/mirs/public/prods/maps/map_images/state-maps/fire-zones/hi_firezone.pdf)
    for Hawaii

C.  Fire Weather Observation Sites -- [RAWs sites in
    Hawaii](http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/roman/raws_ca_monitor.cgi?state=HI&rawsflag=2)

D.  [WS FORM D-1](http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/firewx/D1.pdf) Special
    Weather Forecast (Spot) Request (attached)

E.  [NWS Spot Request for
    Hawaii](http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spot/spotform?site=hfo)

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 15%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 19%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="19"><p>WFORM D-1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE</p>
<p><strong>SPECIAL WEATHER FORECAST REQUEST - 2001</strong></p>
<p><strong>NOAA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="19"><strong>I. REQUESTING AGENCY WILL
FURNISH:</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td><strong>1. Time†</strong></td>
<td colspan="5"><strong>2. Date</strong></td>
<td colspan="6"><strong>3. Name of Fire or Project</strong></td>
<td colspan="7"><strong>4. Control Agency</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="6"><p><strong>5. Type of Project</strong></p>
<p><strong>Emerging Wildland Fire</strong></p>
<p><strong>Ongoing Wildland Fire</strong></p>
<p><strong>Mgmt. Ignited Prescribed fire</strong></p>
<p><strong>Other_______________________</strong></p></td>
<td colspan="6"><strong>6. Location (<em>S/T/R or
LAT/LONG)</em></strong></td>
<td colspan="5"><strong>8. Exposure</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>9. Size (<em>acres)</em></strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="6"><strong>7. Drainage Name</strong></td>
<td colspan="7"><p><strong>10. Elevation</strong></p>
<p><strong>Top | Bottom</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="19"><p><strong>11. Fuel Type: Grass Brush Timber Slash
Grass/Timber Understory Other___________________</strong></p>
<p><strong>Fuel Model: 1,2,3 4,5,6,7 8,9,10 11,12,13
2,5,8</strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="19"><strong>12. Location and name of nearest RAWS station
(distance &amp; direction from project):</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="19"><strong>13. Weather Observations from project or nearby
station(s)</strong>:</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"><strong>Place</strong></td>
<td><strong>Elevation</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>†Ob Time</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>20 ft. Wind</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Eye Level Wind.</strong></td>
<td colspan="4"><strong>Temp.</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Moisture</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><p><strong>Remarks</strong></p>
<p><em><strong>(Indicate rain, T’storms, etc. Also wind condition and
10ths of cloud cover)</strong></em></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Dir</strong></td>
<td><strong>Speed</strong></td>
<td><strong>Dir</strong></td>
<td><strong>Speed</strong></td>
<td><strong>Dry</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"><strong>Wet</strong></td>
<td><strong>RH</strong></td>
<td><strong>DP</strong></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="4"><p><strong>14. Requested Forecast Period</strong></p>
<p><strong>†Time Date</strong> <strong>Start</strong> ______ _______</p>
<p><strong>End</strong> _______ _______</p></td>
<td colspan="14"><p><strong>15. Critical Elements <em>(for management
ignited wildland fires, provide prescription
parameters):</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Sky/Weather Wind Speed</strong></p>
<p><strong>Wind Direction ______________________
RH____________________________________</strong></p>
<p><strong>Temperature ________________________ Other <em>(specify)</em>
__________________________</strong></p></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="4"><p><strong>16. Send Forecast to:</strong></p>
<p><strong>ATTN:</strong></p></td>
<td colspan="9"><strong>Location:</strong></td>
<td colspan="5"><p><strong>Phone Number:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Fax Number:</strong></p></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="18"><strong>II. FIRE WEATHER FORECASTER WILL
FURNISH:</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="18"><strong>17. FORECAST AND OUTLOOK</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="6"><strong>Name of Forecaster:</strong></td>
<td colspan="7"><strong>NWS Office:</strong></td>
<td colspan="5"><strong>Time and Date:</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="18"><strong>Forecast</strong> <strong>Confidence: ____High
____Low</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="18"><strong>III. REQUESTING AGENCY WILL COMPLETE UPON
RECEIPT OF FORECAST:</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="18"><strong>18. FEEDBACK to NWS:</strong> Please provide
feedback to NWS staff on forecast accuracy etc. (see instructions)</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="18"><p><strong>IV. FORECAST RECEIVED:</strong></p>
<p><strong>TIME: DATE: NAME:</strong></p></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="18"><strong>EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS: † Use 24-hour clock to
indicate time. Example: 10:15 p.m. = 2215; 10:15 a.m. =
1015</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

**WS FORM D-1**

**WS FORM D-1, April 2000 INSTRUCTIONS:**

**I. Fire Control and Other Project Personnel:**

> 1\. Complete all items in sections I, III and IV each time a special
> forecast is requested.
>
> a\. Example of weather conditions on site:

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 19%" />
<col style="width: 7%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 4%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="12"><strong>13. Weather Observations from project or nearby
station(s)</strong>:</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td><strong>Place</strong></td>
<td><strong>Elevation</strong></td>
<td><strong>†Ob Time</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>20 ft. Wind</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Eye Level Wind.</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Temp.</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"><strong>Moisture</strong></td>
<td><p><strong>Remarks</strong></p>
<p><em><strong>(Indicate rain, T’storms, etc. Also wind condition and
10ths of cloud cover)</strong></em></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td><strong>Dir</strong></td>
<td><strong>Speed</strong></td>
<td><strong>Dir</strong></td>
<td><strong>Speed</strong></td>
<td><strong>Dry</strong></td>
<td><strong>Wet</strong></td>
<td><strong>RH</strong></td>
<td><strong>DP</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td>Unit G-50</td>
<td>1530'</td>
<td>0830</td>
<td>315</td>
<td>6-8</td>
<td>315</td>
<td>3-5</td>
<td>32</td>
<td></td>
<td>72</td>
<td></td>
<td>Observations from unit RAWS station, 50% cloud cover.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

> 2\. Transmit in numerical sequence to the appropriate Fire Weather
> Office. (A weather forecaster on duty will complete the special
> forecast as quickly as possible and transmit the forecast and outlook
> to you by the method requested)
>
> **For forecast zones 1-5, 9-13, 17-23, 25, 31-37, 40-48, and 50-51
> (western and central North Dakota) submit request to the Bismarck NWS
> office by fax : (701) 250-4450. Phone inquiries should be directed to
> (701) 250-4494.**
>
> **For forecast zones 6-8, 14-16, 24, 26-30, 38-39, 49 and 52-53
> (eastern North Dakota) submit request to the Grand Forks NWS office;
> FAX: (701) 772-0751. Phone inquiries should be directed to (701)
> 795-5127**

3.  Retain completed copy for your records.

4.  Provide feedback to NWS utilizing Section III, #18 or separate page.
    Be sure to include a copy of the spot forecast with any feedback
    submission including forecaster's name. Feedback to NWS personnel is
    imperative to assist with future forecasts. [Remember, feedback on
    correct forecasts is equally as valuable as feedback on incorrect
    forecasts!]{.underline} If spot forecast is significantly different
    than conditions on site, a second forecast may be required.

**II. ALL RELAY POINTS should use this form to insure completeness of
date and forecast. A supply of this form should be kept by each
dispatcher and all others who may be relaying requests for forecasts or
relaying completed forecasts to field units.**

**III. Forms are available from your local National Weather Service Fire
Weather Forecast Office, at the North Dakota Interagency Dispatch Center
(NDC), and on the NDC web page located at
http://www.fws.gov/r6jcslyr/ndc.html. They may also be reproduced by
forest or range agencies as needed, entering the phone number and radio
identification if desired.**

**IV. Fire Weather Forecasters:**

> 1\. Complete special weather forecast as quickly as possible and
> return forecast and outlook by the method requested. Forecast should
> include standard forecast information for the period including today,
> tonight and tomorrow, and specific information as requested in Section
> II, along with a measure of forecast confidence.
>
> 2\. Retain copy for record purposes.
>
> 3\. Read and evaluate feedback based upon original conditions and
> forecast to assist with accuracy of future forecasts.