# INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT

**for**

# METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES

Among the

Bureau of Land Management

Bureau of Indian Affairs

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

National Park Service

of the

United States Department of the Interior

and the

Forest Service

of the

United States Department of Agriculture

and the

National Weather Service

of the

United States Department of Commerce

BLM Agreement No. 1422RAI02-0030

Number range CHAPTERBIA Agreement No.

FWS Agreement No.

FS Agreement No. 02-IA11130206041

NPS Agreement No.

NWS Agreement No. 201-02-002

**1.0 INTRODUCTION.**

> Fire management and suppression in the nation=s wildlands is an
> on-going concern to the American public and to the Department of the
> Interior's Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fish
> and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service, and the Department of
> Agriculture, Forest Service, as well as to the Department of Commerce,
> National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Weather
> Service (NWS). Considerable cooperation and coordination among these
> agencies exists, which is critical to the success of fire management,
> suppression and safety. This agreement will refer to the National
> Weather Service as "NWS" and the federal wildland fire management
> agencies as the "Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies."

The National Weather Service is legally mandated to issue weather
forecasts and warnings for the protection of life and property. The
Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies are responsible for the stewardship
and/or protection of lands owned or held in trust by the United States
or under the jurisdiction of state agencies.

The NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire Agency responsibilities are
defined in Section 5. The NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO) products and
services shall be focused on respective County Warning Forecast Areas
(CWFA) for the operational concerns of local wildland fire agency
districts, while Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies shall focus on
geographic area and national level products and services. The needs of
geographic areas are met using a geographic area Memorandum of
Understanding and/or geographic specific Annual Operating Plan (AOP) -
(see appendix 1 for a suggested outline), and this Interagency
Agreement. The NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies will
coordinate and cooperate on developing fire weather policy, standards
and guidelines

2.  **AUTHORITIES.**

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A.  Economy Act of June 30, 1932 (47 Stat. 417; 31 U.S.C. 1535), as
    amended.

B.  Travel Authority (5 U.S.C. 5702).

C.  Organic Act of 1890 (15 U.S.C. 313).

D.  Joint Project Authority (49 U.S.C. 44720).

> E. Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et
> seq.).
>
> F. National Park Service Organic Act of August 1916 (16 U.S.C. 1).

G.  National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of June 27, 1998 (16
    U.S.C. 668dd)

> H. Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5147).
>
> I. National Indian Forest Resources Management Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C.
> 3101 et seq.).

J.  Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-313, 92 Stat.
    365 as amended; 16 U.S.C. 2101 (note), 2101-2103, 2103a, 2103b,
    2104-2105).

> K. Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of October 29, 1974, (P.L.
> 93-498, 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq., 88 Stat 1535.)

**3.0 PURPOSE.**

The purpose of this Inter-Agency Agreement is to combine resources and
provide complementary services without duplication to best serve the
needs of the public and all agencies for the protection of life,
property and resource values to enhance ecosystem health. Accurate and
timely meteorological and fire danger information is required to manage
these resources effectively and efficiently. It is also the purpose of
this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions under which the NWS
will continue to provide meteorological services to support these
efforts as requested by the Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies. It is
with this knowledge that this Inter-Agency Agreement is entered into.

> This Agreement supersedes the ANational Agreement for Meteorological
> Services in Support of Agencies with Land Management and Fire
> Protection Responsibilities" among the six participating agencies, as
> listed above, that was effective June 1983.

**4.0 OBJECTIVES.**

The objectives of this Agreement are:

A.  To identify meteorological services to be provided;

B.  Establish interagency relationships; and

C.  Define obligations of the NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire
    Agencies.

**5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES.**

The responsibilities listed are not all-inclusive, but are meant to
provide the overall scope of services provided by the respective
agencies.

A.  The National Weather Service agrees to:

> All obligations undertaken by the NWS under this Agreement are subject
> to the availability of appropriated funds.

1.  Provide Basic Meteorological Services: Basic Meteorological Services
    will be provided in accordance with the Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
    for Fire Weather Service for designated NWS offices. These services
    will be made available without cost to Interagency Wildland Fire
    Agencies and will include:

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a.  Routine fire weather forecast and updates during the designated
    period outlined in the AOP.

b.  Extended and long-range weather and climate outlooks.

c.  NWS weather observations.

d.  Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning program.

e.  Site-specific forecasts for wildland fires or special federal
    projects (i.e. spraying, seeding, fuels management, or search and
    rescue operations).

f.  Provide consultation and technical advice in support of basic
    services to Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies.

g.  Provide weather information to a central communication gateway and
    the internet for Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies' use and further
    distribution.

h.  Provide a cadre of Incident Meteorologists (IMET) in support of the
    fire weather program.

i.  Maintain a current list of offices providing basic meteorological
    services.

j.  National scale short-range fire weather outlooks.

    1.  Non-Routine Services: These services will be provided by
        designated NWS offices.

> Expenses above planned salary and operating costs will be borne by the
> benefiting agency.

a.  Weather Observer training.

> b\. Weather observation station visits.
>
> c\. Participation in Wildland Fire Agency training.

1.  Course development.

2.  Classroom instruction.

> d\. On-site meteorological services.

e.  Other special fire management services.

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3.  Fire Weather Training: The NWS recognizes the need for specialized
    training in fire weather meteorology for forecasters. Costs
    associated with training NWS staff will be borne by NWS. The NWS
    will meet this need as follows:

    a.  The NWS will ensure all meteorologists producing fire weather
        products have met the minimum fire weather forecaster training
        requirements.

b\. The NWS will provide specialized training for the purpose of
qualifying NWS IMETs.

4.  Participation in interagency groups: All NWS costs will be borne by
    NWS.

5.  Wildland fire suppression related activities: The NWS will not
    charge an administrative surcharge or any other expenditure that is
    not authorized under the Wildland Fire Agencies' Appropriation Acts
    related to these activities.

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B.  **Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies**

> Wildland Fire Agencies' programs provide Geographic Area and national
> products for the strategic role of resource prioritization and
> utilization. Specific responsibilities of Wildland Fire Agencies are
> listed below.

1.  Operational Support and Predictive Services

    a.  Geographic Area and national level fire weather products,
        services and assessments will be provided for resource
        allocation and prioritization.

    b.  Integration of weather and climatic sciences into Geographic
        Area Coordination Center (GACC) operations.

    c.  Develop value-added products to enhance short and long-range
        outlooks and projections.

    d.  Provide weather briefings to GACC and NIFC Coordinators and
        Multi-agency Coordinating Groups.

    e.  Manage weather and climatology portions of GACC web site.

    f.  Manage agency fire weather infrastructure.

    g.  Smoke management.

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2.  Program Management

> Program management of federal land management and fire agencies' fire
> weather responsibilities, which includes:

a.  Program coordination with state agencies.

b.  Programmatic guidance, evaluation and certification.

c.  Advice and staff support to Fire Directorate

d.  Manage weather station network.

e.  Liaison between field users and service providers.

f.  Participation in activity reviews.

> 3\. Monitoring, Feedback and Improvement

a.  Transmit feedback to product and service providers.

b.  Suggest improvements to providers of products and services received.

c.  Advise agencies on quality control of weather observations.

d.  Coordination with NWS and users in assessment and evaluation of
    program effectiveness.

e.  Fire weather expertise in accident/incident investigations.

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4.  Technology Transfer

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a.  Transfer meteorology and climatology knowledge to field level
    personnel.

> b\. Promote proper usage by agency personnel of weather and climate
> products and services.

c\. Conduct training/expertise needs assessment.

d.  Coordinate data and technology acquisition.

> e\. Participation on training cadre.

5.  Agency Computer Systems

> Where fire management computer systems are locally available, access
> to the systems will be granted to NWS to provide services, as needed.
> Costs will be borne by the Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies for
> requirements that are beyond the distribution of weather information
> through a central communications gateway.

6.  Fire Weather Observations:

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a.  Provide routine surface weather observations to NWS.

    b.  Provide all equipment, equipment maintenance, inspection of
        weather observation sites, and data quality control.

    c.  Pay all travel and per diem costs associated with Interagency
        Wildland Fire Agencies' requests for visits of NWS personnel to
        weather observing sites.

    d.  Provide for collection, storage and retrieval of remote
        automatic weather stations (RAWS) data.

    e.  Provide observations for site specific and other special
        forecasts.

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7.  On-Site Meteorological Support:

    a.  Pay costs directly associated with on-site meteorological
        support by NWS personnel. This includes costs incurred by the
        NWS IMET duty station.

    b.  Provide logistical and weather observation support to NWS
        personnel at on-site operations.

    c.  Provide and pay costs associated with telecommunication
        services.

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8.  Training:

    a.  Pay per diem and travel costs for NWS personnel instructing and
        providing course development in Wildland Fire Agency training.

    b.  Provide technical assistance, instruction, and supporting
        material for NWS sponsored fire weather training sessions.

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9.  Other Non-Routine Services

> Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies will provide logistics support and
> pay all overtime, travel, and per diem costs of NWS personnel
> associated with the provision of all other special fire meteorological
> services, including Wildland Fire agency approved wildland fire
> familiarization for NWS personnel.

**6.0 JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES:**

NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies shall jointly prepare
national and Geographic Area specific MOUs and/or AOPs for Fire Weather
Services that will set policy and procedures at GACC, NIFC, state or
forecast office level, and shall include:

> A. Shared responsibilities of all participants shall include, but not
> limited to weather briefings, training, research, product/service
> verification as outlined in Geographic Area specific AOPs.
>
> B. Provision for monitoring, feedback and improvement.
>
> C. Procedure for documenting, monitoring and evaluating fire weather
> products, briefings and services delivered.
>
> D. Provision for monitoring and evaluating advances in science and
> technology.
>
> E. Provision for efficient means for technology transfer.
>
> F. Provision for participation in fire weather research activities.
>
> G. Provision that on-site IMET services may be provided by Interagency
> Fire Weather Meteorologist meeting NWS standards only when NWS IMETs
> are not available to meet Wildland Fire Agency resource requests on a
> national basis. The coordination for Interagency Fire Weather
> Meteorologists will be done between the NWS IMET coordinator and the
> National Interagency Coordination Center.
>
> H. Provision that NWS meteorologists and Interagency Wildland Fire
> Agency meteorologists stationed at GACCs and at NIFC will work
> together to ensure fire agency decision makers receive consistent and
> coordinated fire weather products and services.

I.  Provision that the NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies will
    jointly develop and share technology including meteorological
    software and data, Advance Technology Meteorological Units, portable
    weather stations, etc. to improve abilities and performance.

    J.  The NWS and Wildland Fire Agency meteorologists shall work
        closely in all phases of the fire weather forecast and warning
        program to resolve concerns and avoid potential inconsistencies
        in products and services prior to delivery to fire agency
        customers. The goal of all agencies is to maximize firefighter
        and public safety through a coordinated delivery of consistent
        services.

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K.  The Parties recognize that, given the current administrative process
    for payments for fire suppression activities, it is not feasible to
    obligate the full amount of funds that may be required by this
    Agreement, because the Agreement does not constitute a binding
    obligation under 31 U.S.C. § 1501 since it cannot anticipate the
    specific goods or services for which payment will be requested, or
    the individual payment amounts, in each future case. This
    information can only be provided by Resource Orders executed when
    the goods or services are requested. At the same time, the Parties
    recognize that Resource Orders are insufficient to constitute a
    binding obligation under the statute because there is no evidence of
    intent to be bound, no authorized signatures are present, and no
    legal authorities are cited. However, these requirements are
    satisfied by the Agreement. The two documents, when taken together,
    contain all the elements required for an obligation under the
    statute. Hence, the Parties agree that this Agreement shall
    automatically be incorporated by reference into any Resource Orders
    issued under it, and that an obligation of funds will occur at the
    time the NWS presents a copy of this Agreement and the Resource
    Orders for payment. The parties also agree to work toward a more
    efficient resolution of this administrative process for obligation
    and payment of fire suppression funds.

**7.0 STATEMENT OF WORK.**

Procedures for notification of and obtaining services from the NWS will
be prepared and specified in the Annual Operating Plans (AOP) and/or in
the MOUs for the Geographic Area Coordinating Centers, and in the
Geographical Area and National Mobilization Guides. An electronic copy
of the *National Mobilization Guide* can be viewed via
[www.nifc.gov](http://www.nifc.gov/) - select "National Interagency
Coordination Center" -- select "References" link to National
Mobilization Guide.

**8.0 TRANSFER OF FUNDS.**

A.  Billing and collection procedures will follow the Intra-governmental
    Payment and Collection (IPAC) system process.

B.  [Wildland Fire Suppression Activities]{.underline}: Transfers under
    this subsection are under the Disaster Relief Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5147.
    Reimbursable costs are estimated not to exceed a maximum of
    \$2,000,000.00 per fiscal year. In the event this amount is
    insufficient for a particular fiscal year, this Agreement may be
    modified to increase the amount of funding, subject to the
    availability of funds. This Agreement is automatically incorporated
    by reference into any Resource Order that []{.mark}is issued under
    it, constituting a binding obligation. The Interagency Wildland Fire
    Agencies warrant that they will administratively reserve these funds
    to ensure that the funds will be available when the obligations are
    recorded. The recording of the obligations will occur upon the
    receipt of the billings from the NWS by the applicable Interagency
    Wildland Fire Agency. The billings, inclusive of copies of this
    Agreement, the Resource Order(s), and expenditure documentation,
    will define the specific services, supplied goods and costs for each
    order, and subsequent obligation and payment.

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1.  Reimbursement payments for suppression-related activities will be
    accomplished by submission of billings, which are inclusive of
    copies of the Resource Orders that define the requested services and
    goods, and the expenditure back-up documentation. The NWS will not
    charge an administrative surcharge or any other expenditure that is
    not authorized under the Wildland Fire Agencies' Appropriation Acts
    related to these activities

2.  It is the responsibility of the requesting agency/office to provide
    billing instructions to the NWS office that provided the service,
    which includes the items listed below. It is also the responsibility
    of the requesting agency/office to conduct any required verification
    of costs, authorization of expenditures and reconciliation of
    payment.

    a.  The fire name, jurisdictional unit, and incident number (The
        copy of the Resource Order generally includes this information);

    b.  Applicable support documentation requirements;

    c.  A copy of this Agreement complete with signatures;

    d.  Identification (name and phone number) of NWS financial contact;

    e.  Provide information to NWS regarding which payment center to
        send the billings for processing; and

    f.  Billings and support documentation are to be submitted to the
        appropriate payment center by the NWS within sixty-days of
        completion of service.

> []{.mark}

A.  [Non-Wildland Fire Suppression Activities]{.underline}: Obligation
    of funds and payments for non-wildland fire suppression activities
    that are included in the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) shall be
    accomplished by Task Orders against this Agreement between the
    concerned agencies by the responsible officers at the appropriate
    level operating within their authority.

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1.  All funding obligations must be placed against the individual
    agency/office's Task Order number and not against this Agreement
    number.

2.  Task Orders to this Agreement may be approved and signed for the NWS
    by the Director, Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services.

3.  Each federal agency shall make direct settlement from its own funds
    for all liabilities it incurs under this Agreement.

> 4\. The NWS will not charge any agency that is signatory to this
> Agreement an indirect administrative surcharge~~s~~ for activities
> addressed in the respective Annual Operating Plan(s) and Geographical
> Area MOUs, and are requested through Task Orders or Resource Orders
> under the *National Mobilization Guide*.
>
> 5\. Task Orders may be prepared in any format acceptable to the
> agencies involved in each project. At a minimum, each Task Order
> written in support of this Agreement will include the following items:

a)  Detailed description of services to be done or supplies to be
    delivered;

b)  Description of the deliverables;

c)  Performance period for completion;

d)  Cost estimates;

e)  Identify responsible project officials for each Task Order agency;

f)  Payment procedures (applicable billing procedures, identification of
    codes, method of payment---advance/reimbursement; and

g)  Signature(s) by authorized personnel for each Task Order agency.

**9.0 TERM OF AGREEMENT.**

> The terms of this Inter-agency Agreement shall become effective with
> and upon execution by NWS and any or all Interagency Wildland Fire
> Agencies and shall remain in effect for a period of five-years from
> the date the last signature was placed on the signatory section, or
> until such time as the Inter-agency Agreement is terminated by mutual
> agreement. Any signatory may terminate their participation in this
> Agreement by written notice to all other signatories provided that
> such notice shall be given between the dates of October 1 of any year
> and February 1 of the following year. Full credit shall be allowed for
> each party's expense and all non-cancelable obligations properly
> incurred up to the effective date of termination. The remaining
> signatories may continue the provisions of this Agreement as long as
> the NWS remains a signatory.

**10.0 RESOLUTION OF DISAGREEMENT.**

> Should disagreement arise on the interpretation of the provisions of
> this Agreement, or modifications thereto, that cannot be resolved at
> the operating level, the area(s) of disagreement shall be stated in
> writing by each party and presented to the other party for
> consideration. If agreement on interpretation is not reached within
> thirty-days, the parties shall forward the written presentation of the
> disagreement to respective higher officials for appropriate
> resolution. Conflicts and/or disagreements that cannot be resolved at
> the regional (GACC) level will be elevated to the National Fire
> Weather Program Managers for the NWS and Interagency Wildland Fire
> Agencies. If the conflict cannot be resolved at the National Program
> Managers level, the conflict will be elevated to the Agency Director
> level (NWS and applicable Wildland Fire Agency Director) for final
> resolution.

**11.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS.**

A.  Parties to this Agreement are not obligated to make expenditures of
    funds or provide services under terms of this Agreement unless such
    funds are appropriated or services are authorized by either the
    State Legislatures or the Congress of the United States, or are
    otherwise available under Section 101 and 102 of the Annual
    Appropriations Act for Interior and Related Agencies.

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B.  The points of contact listed in Section 13 will review this
    Agreement annually.

C.  Modifications to this Agreement may be initiated by any signatory
    agency. The modifications shall not take effect until documented and
    signed by all signatory agencies.

    1.  The BLM is designated as the agency responsible for all
        administrative oversight of modifications to this agreement.

    2.  Modifications to this Agreement may be approved for the NWS and
        signed by the Director, Office of Climate, Water and Weather
        Services, or pursuant to NWS protocol.

> D. The signatory Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies agree to consider
> expansion of this Agreement to cover areas of mutual concern, e.g.,
> changing technology and improved procedures, as opportunities for such
> cooperation become available.

**12.0 WAIVER.**

> Each party to this agreement does hereby expressly waive all claims
> against the other party for compensation for any loss, damage,
> personal injury or death occurring in consequence of the performance
> of this agreement.

**13.0 PRINCIPAL CONTACTS.**

The Points of Contact are responsible for coordinating an annual review
of the currency and adequacy of this Agreement among the signatories,
and/or their designees.

> [National Weather Service]{.underline}: [Interagency Wildland Fire
> Agencies:]{.underline}
>
> National Fire Weather Program Manager NIFC Fire Weather Program
> Manager
>
> Rusty Billingsley Rick Ochoa
>
> National Weather Service National Interagency Fire Center
>
> 3833 South Development Ave. 3833 South Development Ave.
>
> Boise, ID 83705 Boise, ID 83705
>
> 208/334-9824 -- Office 208/387-5451-Office
>
> <david.billingsley@noaa.gov> rick_ochoa@nifc.blm.gov

**14.0 DEFINITIONS.**

When the following terms are used in this Agreement, or in an AOP, such
terms will have the meanings stated below.

A.  **Annual Operation Plan for Fire Weather Services (AOP):** A
    procedural guide, based on the National Interagency MOU and
    applicable Geographic Area MOUs, which describes fire meteorological
    services provided within the Geographic Area of responsibility,
    including NIFC. At a minimum the AOP will include the items in
    Appendix 1, *Annual Operating Plan - Required Elements and Suggested
    Format*.

B.  **Assessment:** Fire weather and/or fire danger product based on a
    thorough evaluation of all pertinent sources of meteorological and
    fire danger information.

C.  **Basic Meteorological Services:** Basic meteorological services are
    those state-of-the-science meteorological forecasts, warnings,
    observations and statements produced at a designated NWS office.

D.  **Fire Weather Watch:** Fire Weather Watch is issued to advise of
    conditions, which could result in extensive wildfire occurrence or
    extreme fire behavior, which are expected to develop in the next 12
    to 48 hours, but not more than 72 hours. In cases of dry lightning,
    a Fire Weather Watch may be issued for the next 12 hours. Fire
    Weather Watch meteorological and fuel criteria will be defined in
    the AOP.

E.  **Geographic Area:** A geographic boundary designated by Interagency
    Wildland Fire Agencies, where these agencies work together in the
    coordination and effective utilization of resources within their
    boundaries. The *National Interagency Mobilization Guide* identifies
    the areas encompassed by the eleven Geographic Areas.

F.  **Geographic Area Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):** A document,
    based on the National Interagency Memorandum of Understanding for
    Meteorological Services, which establishes local policy to meet
    unique needs of a Geographic Area.

G.  **Incident Meteorologist (IMET):** A meteorologist specially trained
    to provide on-site meteorological support of Wildland Fire Agency
    designated incidents.

H.  **Non-Routine Services:** Meteorological services uniquely required
    by interagency Wildland Fire Agencies, which usually are not
    provided from a designated NWS office.

I.  **On-Site Meteorological Services:** Special service which dedicates
    an IMET to an incident so that they are removed from their normal
    duties.

J.  **Predictive Services:** Those Geographic Area/national level fire
    weather and/or fire danger services and products produced by
    Wildland Fire Agency meteorologists in support of resource
    allocation and prioritization.

K.  **Red Flag Warning:** Red Flag Warning is used to warn of impending
    or actually occurring critical weather conditions that could result
    in extensive wildland fire activity. A warning will be issued when
    the forecast time of onset is less than 24 hours. Red Flag Warning
    meteorological and fuel criteria will be defined in the AOP.

L.  **Routine Fire Weather Forecasts:** A Routine Fire Weather Forecast
    is a scheduled narrative and/or matrix forecast of weather
    parameters pertinent fire management activities in support of
    protection of life, property, and resources at risk in a given area.
    The number of parameters may vary due to regional weather
    requirements, but normally include a brief weather synopsis,
    expected weather and clouds, duration of precipitation, maximum and
    minimum temperature/relative humidity, wind direction and speed,
    transport and stability parameters, and lightning activity level.
    These forecasts normally cover the next 48 hours and may include
    input for the computation of National Fire Danger Rating System
    indices. These forecasts may also include long-range outlooks.

M.  **Site Specific Forecasts:** Site-specific forecasts are issued when
    requested by Interagency Wildland Fire Agencies for wildland fires.
    These forecasts differ from routine fire weather forecasts by
    incorporating greater detail in timing, higher resolution of terrain
    influences, and incorporate meso-scale and sometimes micro-scale
    weather influences impacting the site. These may be generated from
    an office with Wildland Fire supplied information (i.e., location,
    weather observations, objectives) or generated by an IMET assigned
    to the incident. Forecast formats may vary but all are highly
    tailored to satisfy requirements of the incident objectives.

N.  **Wildland Fires:** All ignitions that occur on wildlands.

**15.0 SIGNATORY.**

> This Agreement shall be effective on the date the last signature is
> placed on the signature section and it will remain in effect for a
> period of five-years from the date of the last signature.
>
> [\_\_\_]{.underline} [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}

Gregory A. Mandt, Director Date

Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services

> [\_\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Byron J. Green, Contracting Officer Date

Bureau of Indian Affairs

> [\_\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Dan Ashe, Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System Date

Fish and Wildlife Service

> [\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Donna Kalvels, Chief, Contract Office Date

National Park Service

> [\_\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Larry Hamilton, Director Date

Bureau of Land Management-Office of Fire & Aviation

> [\_\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Richard A. Harter, Supervisory Contract Officer Date

Bureau of Land Management-Office of Fire & Aviation

> [\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Phil Street, Director Date

DOI-Fish and Wildlife Service

> [\_\_\_]{.underline} [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}
>
> Jim Stires, Fire Director Date

DOI-Bureau of Indian Affairs

> [\_\_\_]{.underline}
> [\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}

Sue Vap, National Fire Management Officer Date

DOI-National Park Service

> [\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
>
> Alice Forbes, Acting Director Date
>
> USDA, Forest Service-NIFC

[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline} \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
[\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_]{.underline}

Tory Majors, Administrative Officer Date

USDA, Forest Service-NIFC

Appendix 1

Annual Operating Plan

Required Elements and Suggested Format

I.  INTRODUCTION

The introduction will include a general statement of purpose and an
explanation of the relationship between the Annual Operating Plan (AOP)
and the Geographic Area Coordinating Center Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) for Meteorological Services, and the Geographic Area Mobilization
Guide and/or the National Mobilization Guide will be referenced.

II. SERVICE AREA AND ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY

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A.  List of weather offices and points of contact

B.  List of agencies participating

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III. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

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A.  Basic Services

    1.  Routine fire weather forecasts

        a.  Issuance (seasonal, daily)

        b.  How forecast is issued and accessed

        c.  Content of the forecast

    2.  Site-specific wildland fire forecasts

        a.  Criteria

        b.  Contents

        c.  Procedures

    3.  Fire Weather Watch, Red Flag Programs

        a.  Criteria

        b.  Contents

        c.  Procedures

    4.  Participation in interagency groups.

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    A.  Special Services. Procedures for obtaining and billing for
        special services.

    B.  Training. Procedures for obtaining and billing for special
        services.

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IV. WILDLAND FIRE AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES

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A.  Operational support and predictive services.

    1.  Program management

    2.  Monitoring, feedback and improvement

    3.  Technology transfer

    4.  Agency computer systems

    5.  Fire weather observations

    6.  On-site support

    7.  Training

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V.  JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES

Negotiate service boundaries and fire weather forecast zones to meet
customer and forecaster need.

VI. EFFECTIVE DATES ON THE AOP

VII. SIGNATURE PAGE

VIII. APPENDICES

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A.  Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services in Support of
    Agencies with Land and Fire Management Responsibilities

B.  Fire weather zone maps.

C.  Catalog of fire weather observation sites.