**PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK**

**WESTERN GREAT BASIN**

**ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN**

2008

SECTION PAGE

[***INTRODUCTION 2***](#__RefHeading___Toc163103397)

[SIGNIFICANT CHANGES SINCE LAST YEAR 2](#__RefHeading___Toc163103398)

[ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY 2](#__RefHeading___Toc163103399)

[NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE \-- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3](#__RefHeading___Toc163103400)

[Basic Services 3](#__RefHeading___Toc163103401)

[Routine Fire Weather Forecasts (FWF) 3](#__RefHeading___Toc163103402)

[Spot forecasts 5](#__RefHeading___Toc163103403)

[Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches
7](#__RefHeading___Toc163103404)

[National Fire Danger Ratings System (NFDRS) Forecasts
9](#__RefHeading___Toc163103405)

[Participation in Interagency Groups 10](#__RefHeading___Toc163103406)

[RAWS Monitoring 10](#__RefHeading___Toc163103407)

[Special Services 10](#__RefHeading___Toc163103407)

[PREDICTIVE SERVICES/LAND AGENCIES -- SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
10](#__RefHeading___Toc163103408)

[Operational Support and Predictive Services
10](#__RefHeading___Toc163103409)

[7-day Fire Weather/Fire Danger Outlook](#__RefHeading___Toc163103410)
10

[Monthly Fire Potential Outlook 11](#__RefHeading___Toc163103411)

[Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook 11](#__RefHeading___Toc163103412)

[Fuels Status for Red Flag Warnings 11](#__RefHeading___Toc163103412)

[Remote Automated Weather Stations (RAWS)](#__RefHeading___Toc163103413)
11

[Land Management Liaison 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163103414)

[Monitoring, Feedback, and Improvement of Fire Weather Information
12](#__RefHeading___Toc163103415)

[Technology and Data Transfer 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163103416)

[Fire Weather Observations 12](#__RefHeading___Toc163103417)

[Incident Response 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163103418)

[JOINT RESONSIBILITIES 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163103419)

[Briefings 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163103420)

[Coordination Calls 13](#__RefHeading___Toc163103421)

[Training](#__RefHeading___Toc163103422) 13

[Verification of Fire Weather Products 14](#__RefHeading___Toc163103423)

[Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries
14](#__RefHeading___Toc163103424)

[EFFECTIVE DATES FOR THE ANNUAL OPERATING PLAN
14](#__RefHeading___Toc163103425)

[SIGNATORIES 15](#__RefHeading___Toc163103426)

[Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact Information
16](#__RefHeading___Toc163103427)

[Appendix B: National Weather Service
Offices](#__RefHeading___Toc163103428) 18

[ELKO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE](#__RefHeading___Toc163103429) 19

[LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE](#__RefHeading___Toc163103430) 22

[RENO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE](#__RefHeading___Toc163103431) 25

0\. INTRODUCTION[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103397 .anchor}

This document serves as the Interagency Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for
Fire Weather and Predictive Services for the Western Great Basin
Geographic Area. The general relationship between the National Weather
Service (NWS) and the interagency fire management community is set forth
in the National Interagency Agreement for Meteorological Services. The
AOP provides specific procedural and policy information regarding the
delivery of meteorological services to the fire management community in
the Western 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___Toc163103398 .anchor}

    Changes to contact information can be found in Appendix A.

    Widely Scattered wording for thunderstorm areal coverage will be
    replaced with Isolated wording.

    The LAL value shall be utilized to differentiate areal thunderstorm
    coverage.

II. **ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTORY**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103399 .anchor}

> Cooperating federal and state land management agencies in the Western
> Great Basin include:
>
> Bureau of Land Management USDA Forest Service
>
> Bureau of Indian Affairs National Park Service
>
> US Fish and Wildlife Service Nevada Division of Forestry
>
> Fire weather products and services are provided by the following NWS
> offices and Western Great Basin Predictive Services
>
> Elko, NV Las Vegas, NV Reno, NV
>
> Additional administrative support is provided by:

NWS Western Region

National Interagency Fire Center

Western Great Basin Geographic Area Coordination 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___Toc163103400 .anchor}

     A.  Basic Services[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103401 .anchor}

> Basic services constitute the collective suite of operational fire
> weather forecast products and professional services provided by the
> NWS. 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 Unit (PSU) at the
> coordination center (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.

1\. Routine Fie Weather Forecasts (FWF)[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103402
.anchor}

> Planning forecasts (or preparedness forecasts) are issued by all NWS
> WFOs offices serving the Western 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 will be coordinated between the
> NWS offices and fire weather customers, including the geographic area
> Predictive Services Unit. 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 Western 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
> the geographic area coordination center 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...                            
  ---------------------------------- ------------------------------------

> []{.mark}
>
> 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 Western Great Basin Predictive Services
> web sites, and the web sites of the various NWS offices that serve the
> Western 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 Western 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 3 to 7 day forecast
> period.
>
> 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   | **            | **Remarks**              |
| Order**                  | Requirement** |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| 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       | National      | Wind speed must conform  |
| standard (slope/valley)  |               | to the NWCG standard of  |
|                          |               | 20-foot, 10-minute       |
|                          |               | average wind.            |
|                          |               | Additionally, forecast   |
|                          |               | ranges should not exceed |
|                          |               | 10 mph.                  |
|                          |               |                          |
|                          |               | 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.                |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Wind -- Ridgetop (as     | National      |                          |
| appropriate)             |               |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Chance Wetting Rain      | Western Great |                          |
| (0.10 inch)              | Basin         |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Lightning Activity Level | Western Great | As defined in Table 3.   |
| (LAL)                    | Basin         |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Haines Index             | Western Great |                          |
|                          | Basin         |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Mean Mixing Height       | Optional      |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Mean Transport Wind      | Optional      |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Ventilation Index        | Optional      |                          |
| (kt-ft)                  |               |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Clearing Index           | Optional      |                          |
+--------------------------+---------------+--------------------------+
| Extended forecast to day | National      | One extended forecast at |
| 7                        |               | 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**           Isolated wet thunderstorms.             15% to 24% coverage

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

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

  **6**           Isolated or greater dry thunderstorms.  15% or greater coverage
  --------------- --------------------------------------- -------------------------

1.  Spot forecasts[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103403 .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.

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 Western Great Basin area
> and on the coordination center web site, 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 should be requested
> no more than 24 hours in advance. Beyond this time, planning
> information should be utilized, including the fire weather planning
> forecast, weather activity planner and fire weather point forecast
> matrix. For large burn plans, please coordinate multiple spot forecast
> requests with your local NWS office. It is strongly recommended that
> the requestor indicate the time he or she needs the forecast returned.
> If not otherwise indicated by the requestor, the NWS assumes the
> forecast is needed immediately.
>
> 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. It
> is critically important that each spot forecast request also include
> quality, representative observations at, or near, the site or from a
> nearby representative RAWS station. A detailed description of the
> observation location relative to the project (if not at the site)
> should be provided. The description should include, at a minimum,
> distance and direction from the project or fire site, station
> elevation and aspect. It is preferable to have observations that
> indicate maximum and minimum temperature and humidity conditions near
> the fire location.

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 Western 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. It is anticipated that during the
    2008 season,, WGB NWS offices will provide FARSITE data for any
    location via an interactive web page. NWS offices will notify users
    when this capability becomes available.

    3\. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather
    Watches[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103404 .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 fuel 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
> 36-hours or are already occurring, and are coupled with critical fuel
> 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 24-72
> 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 Western 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
> Western Great Basin, land management officials and their servicing NWS
> office may address local concerns not specifically accounted for in
> the standard criteria.
>
> \*Critical fuels status will be determined via the WGBCC 7-Day Outlook
>
> **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, wind
> shifts; 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.**
>
> **While no set of criteria can possibly accommodate all areas equally
> within the WGB, land management officials and their servicing NWS
> office may address local concerns not specifically accounted for in
> the standard criteria, as outlined for each individual NWS office in
> Appendix B.**

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.

```{=html}
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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 will
> 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
> Western Great Basin Geographic Area Coordination Center Predictive
> Services web page and the web sites of the NWS offices that serve the
> Western Great Basin area. Websites are listed in Appendix B.

d.  Expanded Fire Weather Discussion

    At a minimum, when either a Red Flag Warning or a Fire Weather Watch
    is in effect, there will an expanded FIRE WEATHER portion in the
    Area Forecast Discussion (AFD) issued twice daily from each NWS
    office. The AFD allows NWS offices to portray uncertainty and expand
    on reasoning beyond what is in other products. The Area Forecast
    Discussion is available on each NWS office's website.

    4\. National Fire Danger Ratings System (NFDRS)
    Forecasts[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103405 .anchor}

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

a.  Criteria for Issuance

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

b.  Content and Format

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

c.  Procedures

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

5\. Participation in Interagency Groups[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103406
.anchor}

> NWS WFOs and local Interagency Dispatch Centers within the Western
> Great Basin area should send a representative to the annual AOP
> meeting if a meeting is scheduled. Proxy representation is acceptable.
> A GACC-wide fall review meeting can be used to review the previous
> season, discuss what worked and what did not and identify issues to be
> addressed for the next Annual Operating Plan.
>
> NWS offices should participate in at least one outreach meeting per
> year, usually prior to the start of the next fire season with local
> fire management units. These meetings can be used to strengthen the
> customer relationship, present new or changes to services and address
> local concerns. GACC meteorologists should be notified of these
> meetings and strongly encouraged to participate. Similarly, fire
> agencies should advise the GACC and NWS offices of fire weather
> meetings they are planning.

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___Toc163103407 .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 Western Great Basin area, can be found in the Great Basin
> Mobilization Guide.

I.  **PREDICTIVE SERVICES/LAND AGENCIES -- SERVICES AND
    RESPONSIBILITIES**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103408 .anchor}

> The Predictive Services unit resides at the Western Great Basin
> Coordination Center (WGBCC). WGBCC is the primary logistical support
> center within Nevada, mobilizing resources such as aircraft,
> personnel, equipment, and crews to fight wildland fires and support
> disaster relief efforts.
>
> The Predictive Services unit will provide daily briefings, in addition
> to 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___Toc163103409 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will produce a suite of products tailored to the
> tactical and strategic mission of the land management agencies within
> the Western 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 page.
>
> 1\. 7-Day Significant Fire Potential
> Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103410 .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, 100-hour and 1,000-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 1100 PST/PDT, 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.
>
> More information on the 7-Day Outlook can be found on the Western
> Great Basin Predictive Services website. 7-Day Outlooks are archived
> daily.

1.  Monthly Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103411
    .anchor}

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

2.  Seasonal Fire Potential Outlook[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103412
    .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. National Seasonal Outlooks are
> produced by the Predictive Services National Office, following the
> same general format.

3.  Fuels Status for Red Flag Warnings

> Fuels Status is a fundamental consideration for the issuance of Red
> Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches. If existing fuels are not dry
> enough to support large fire growth, the NWS forecaster should not
> issue a Watch or Warning regardless of weather conditions. In the
> Western Great Basin, the 7-day Significant Fire Potential Outlook
> should be consulted to determine fuels conditions that would meet the
> criteria for a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch. These do not
> replace the NFDRS observed and forecast indices for fire danger.
> Instead, this product highlights areas where fuels conditions would
> support large fire growth or extreme fire behavior as determined by
> fuels and fire specialists on the ground. If time permits, the
> forecaster should also seek coordination with the local land
> management agencies they serve.

B.  Remote Automated Weather Stations
    (RAWS)[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103413 .anchor}

> Predictive Services will monitor the RAWS network within the Western
> 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___Toc163103414 .anchor}

> Predictive Services meteorologists will act as a liaison on issues
> regarding weather, climate, and fuels between the land management
> agency partners in the Western 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___Toc163103415 .anchor}

> Land management agencies will monitor 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
> should be submitted 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___Toc163103416 .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___Toc163103417 .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.  Incident Response[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103418 .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___Toc163103419 .anchor}

    A.  Briefings[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103420 .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___Toc163103421 .anchor}

> Coordination calls will be conducted as needed during fire season.
> Either Predictive Services meteorologists or NWS meteorologists can
> initiate a call. The time window for calls will generally begin in
> early June, 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.

C.  Training[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103422 .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 Western 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___Toc163103423 .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.

E.  Establishing or Modifying Forecast Zone Boundaries

    []{#__RefHeading___Toc163103424 .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___Toc163103425 .anchor}

> The effective period for this Annual Operating Plan shall be 1 April
> 2008 to 31 March 2009. 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___Toc163103426 .anchor}

*Dated Signature on File*

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

Sheldon Wimmer

Chair, Great Basin Coordinating Group

Bureau of Land Management

Utah State Office

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

*Dated Signature on File*

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

Roger Lamoni

National Weather Service

Western Region

Fire Weather Program Manager

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

**Appendix A: Organizational Directory and Contact Information**

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103427 .anchor}

**[Western Great Basin Coordination Center -- Predictive
Services]{.underline}**

1340 Financial Blvd

Reno, NV 89502

Phone: 775.861.6455 / Fax: 775.861.6459

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

Predictive Services Handbook:
<http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/NPSG/npsg_pdf/PSHandbook_Web.pdf>

Outlook Maps:
<http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/predictive/outlooks/detailed_maps.htm>

**[Elko Weather Forecast Office]{.underline}**

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)

**[Las Vegas Weather Forecast Office]{.underline}**

7851 Dean Martin Drive

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)

**[Reno Weather Forecast Office]{.underline}**

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)

**Appendix B: National Weather Service Office Information**
[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103428 .anchor}

![](media/image2.png){width="6.509722222222222in"
height="8.421527777777778in"}

**ELKO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103429 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2008**

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 0700 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:**

Western 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 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. 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 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.
>
> **Fire Weather Short Term Forecasts (NOWCASTS):** WFO Elko will
> continue the fire weather short term forecast (FWXNOW) for the entire
> forecast area this season. The text product will be headlined by "Fire
> Weather Short Term Forecast" to distinguish it from the general public
> short term forecast. This product will provide forecast information
> for immediate fire weather concerns. At a minimum, dispatch will be
> notified when a fire weather short term forecast is issued.

**C. Product Schedule**

Morning fire weather forecast NLT 0700 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

Fire Weather Short Term Forecast Event-Driven

**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 Western 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/image3.png){width="7.175in" height="7.117361111111111in"}

**LAS VEGAS WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103430
.anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2008**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**2. HOURS OF OPERATION**

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

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

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

NFDRS forecast issued by 1530 PDT.

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

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

**3. STAFF AND CONTACT INFORMATION**

See Appendix A.

**4. FIRE WEATHER SERVICES**

**A. Description of the Las Vegas Fire Weather District (Western 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 Western 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.
> 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. 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 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 Western 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 Las Vegas, red flag criteria
> will include sustained winds greater than or equal to 20 mph and/or
> gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph for 3 or more hours in a given
> period.

![](media/image4.png){width="7.028472222222222in"
height="7.302083333333333in"}

**RENO WEATHER FORECAST OFFICE**[]{#__RefHeading___Toc163103431 .anchor}

**1. CHANGES FOR 2008**

See Main section of AOP for overall program changes.

**Red Flag Criteria**: The Red Flag for the Western 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:**

Western 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 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. 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 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 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 Western Great Basin and can be found starting on
> page 7. However, local criteria specific to an area may be used in
> addition to the standard criteria.

![](media/image5.png){width="6.5625in" height="7.25in"}