United States 

Department 

Agriculture 

Forest Serv See 

NFDRSPC: 

on a Persona 

Southeastern Forest 

Experiment Stat1or-i Bryan G. Donaldson and James T. Paul 

General Technical 

Report SE-61 
April 1990 

Southeastern Forest Experiment Station 

P-0. Bax 2680 

Asl-teville, North Carolina 28802 
NFDRSPC: 

The National Fire-Danger Rating System 

on a Personal Computer 

AUTHORS 

BRYAN G. DONALDSON is Software Engineer, Sales Technologies, Inc., Atlanta, GA 

30326. He was Computer Programmer, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Dry Branch, GA, when the 

program was developed. 

JAMES T. PAUL is Supervisory Research Forester, Southeastern Forest Experiment 

Station, Dry Branch, GA 31020. 

Contents 

Page 

Section I Introduction ................ 

Section 2 System Needs ................ 

Section 3 Program Concepts .............. 

3.1 Installation ................ 

3.2 Initialization ............... 

3.3 Using the Program .............. 3.4 Choosing From Menus ............. 3.5 Data Entry on Windows ............ 3.6 Returning From a Menu or a Window ...... 3.7 Special Keys ................ 

Section 4 Installation of NFDRSPC Program ....... 

4.1 Procedure for a Type 1 Installation ..... 4.2 Procedure for a Type 2 Installation ..... 

Section 5 Initialization of NFDRSPC Program ...... 

Section 6 Running the NFDWSPC System ......... 

6.1 Archiving .................. 

6.2 Backup . Hard Disk. Floppy Disk ....... 6.3 Full Disk .................. 

Section 7 NFDRSPC Menus ................ 

7.1 NFDRSPC Main Menu .............. 

7.2 Display Options Menu ............ 

7.3 Catalog Operations Menu ........... 

7.4 Station Selection Menu ........... 

7.5 UtilitiesMenu ............... 

Section 8 NFDRSPC Entry or Modification Windows .... 

8.1 Station Observation Entry .......... 

8.2 RAWS Observation Entry ........... 

8.3 Station Forecast Entry ........... 

8.4 Zone or Station Trend Forecast Entry ..... 8.5 Station Catalog Entry or Modification .... 

8.6 Custom Format Selection ........... 

Section 9 FutureWork ................. 

Literature Cited ...................... 

Appendix 1 Discussion of Files ............ 

Appendix 2 Fuel Model Differences ........... 
Page 

Appendix 3 Graphical Representation of NFDRSPC 

Program Structure ............. 

Appendix 4 The Format of Standard Archive Fire Weather 

Data. Fort Collins Archive Format ..... 

Appendix 5 Custom Archive Construction ......... 

Appendix 6 NFDRS Problem Report ............ User Suggestion Form ............ 

List of Figures ...................... 

List of Tables Within Sections ............... 

List of Tables Within Appendix ............... 
ABSTRACT 

This user's guide is an introductory manual for using the 1988 

version (Burgan 1988) of the National Fire-Danger Rating System on 

an IBM PC or compatible computer. NFDRSPC is a window-oriented, 

interactive computer program that processes observed and forecast 

weather with fuels data to produce NFDRS indices. Other program 

features include user-designed display formats, on-line contextsensitive help, archiving in the standard Fort Collins format or 

in a user-designed format, and utilities to maintain a catalog of 

station attributes. 

Keywords: Fire-danger rating, computerized systems, PC software. 

Section 1. Introduction 

The 1972 fire-danger rating system was installed on a mainframe computer in 

1972. The primary purpose of the program was to compute fire-danger indices, but 

various other functions such as a message system were added to provide 

communications among fire control organizations and to archive observed fire 

weather data. The system was designated as "Administrative and Forest Fire 

Information Retrieval and Management System" (AFFIRMS) and has been widely used by 

fire management organizations nationwide. 

AFFIRMS has migrated across a number of mainframes since its original 

installation. It was revised in 1978 to accommodate the 1978 Revision of the 

National Fire Danger Rating System (Burgan and others 1977; Deeming and others 

1977), and was again revised in 1988 to accommodate the latest revisions (Burgan 

1988). 

Many AFFIRMS users have expressed concern about communication costs, and about 

what would now be considered a "user unfriendly" system. As a result of these 

concerns, the 1988 NFDRS (Burgan 1988) has been installed on a PC with a 

window/menu-oriented user interface. 

Before fire-danger indices or other program functions can be accessed, the 

program must be installed on your PC and initialized. (Detailed instructions on 

installation and initialization are provided in sects. 4 and 5.) 

It is assumed that any potential user should have a working knowledge of: 

The MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating system. 

The AFFIRMS user manual (Helfman and others 1980). 

The 1978/1988 National Fire Danger Rating System manual (Burgan 

1988; Deeming and others 1977). 
Appendix 1 discusses the files used in the NFDRSPC program, and appendix 3 shows 

the program flow. The archive files are stored as ASCII files and hence can be used 

as input to many spreadsheet, graphics, or data-base programs. 

The program will perform the following tasks: 

a Compute 1988 version of the National Fire-Danger Rating System 

indices with either observed or forecast data as input. 

Archive weather and compute indices in the Fort Collins formats 

designed by the user. 

a Display the entered weather and resultant indices in the AFFIRMS 

format or a user-designed format. 

a Provide for forecast trending in a fire weather zone or 

individual station. 

a Provide for input of RAWS (Remote Automated Weather Station) and 

the associated manual station. 

(See "Section 3. Program Concepts" for further details on program functions.) 

If you have problems you think are related to the installation or execution of 

the NFDRSPC program on your equipment, collect the information for a Problem Report 

as indicated in appendix 6. Then contact the Southeastern Forest Experiment Station 

at 912-744-0252 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or mail the Problem Report to: 

Southeastern Forest Experiment Station 

Rt. 1, Box 182A 

Dry Branch, GA 31020 

Section 2. System Needs 

Minimum Equipment Requirements 

IBM PC or compatible computer. 

Two 5 1/4" 360k floppy disk drives. 

e 512K memory. 

Monochrome monitor. 

PC- or MS-DOS version 3.0. 

Optional Equipment 

5 1/4" 1.2M floppy disk drives. 

3 1/2" 720k and 1.44M microfloppy disk drive. 

Hard drives. 

Color monitors, such as the CGA, EGA, and VGA. The NFDRSPC program will use 

color if it is available, but it does not produce graphic output. Other programs 

are becoming available to graph NFDRSPC outputs. 
Section 3, Program Concepts 

3.1 Installation 

Many computers with various hardware configurations are advertised as "IBM" or 

"DOS" compatible. The major hardware differences among these computers that are 

important in installing, initializing, and running the NFDRSPC program include 

memory size, hard/floppy disk locations and capacities, and, to a lesser extent, 

type of video display. As a result, the NFDRSPC program must be installed on your PC 

using the supplied SETUP program. (See sect. 2 on the minimum equipment requirements 

to determine if your PC will accommodate NFDRSPC, and sect. 4 for details on 

installation.) 

3.2 Initialization 

Installation is the first of two mandatory tasks that must be completed before 

running the NFDRSPC program. The second mandatory task is initialization. The main 

task in initialization is cataloging all the stations for which you expect to enter 

weather data. The initialization process uses certain procedures that can also be 

used later to change, delete, or add stations to the catalog. Access to the 

initialization process is through the NFDRSPC Main Nenu, (See sect. 5 for detailed 

instructions on initialization.) 

3.3 Using the Program 

Although some tradeoffs were required, flexibility, ease of use, and ease of 

updating were major considerations in designing NFDRSPC. The program will compute 

NFDRS-88 indices using either observed or forecast weather information, and the 

computed indices can be displayed in a variety of user-selected formats. The program 

will archive observed and forecast weather information, and archiving of the 

calculated indices is an option. Other features of the program include station 

catalog maintenance routines and a set of specialized utilities that perform such 

tasks as changing the date and designing custom formats. 

3.4 Choosing From Menus 

When the program is executed, the user first sees the NFDRSPC banner, followed 

by the NFDRSPC Main Menu. Selections from this and all other menus are made by 

entering the number associated with the desired option. The menu selection bar 

moves to the option the user selects. The user may alternatively use the Up and Down 

Arrow keys to move the menu selection bar up or down one option at a time. Once the 

selection bar is on the user's choice, press the ENTER key, and the program will 

continue. The user may press the HELP key (defined to be the F1 key) to receive more 

information on the currently selected choice of the menu. 

3.5 Data Entry on Windows 

Data inputs (observations, forecasts, etc.) are made through a window that 

represents a form with blanks to fill in, Usually the program will place prompts on 

the screen for the information to be entered, return to the space after the first 

prompt, and wait for the user to enter a value. Enter your choice for each of the 

values as the program asks for them. If you are unsure exactly what the program is 
asking for, press the HELP key, and the program will provide a short explanation of 

the current item. When your entry for the field is complete, press the ENTER key. 

The program will move to the next field, or it will process your entries if you have 

finished the last field. 

3.6 Returning From a Menu or a Window 

If you are in a data entry window, such as the Station Observation Entry window, 

when the last entry is made, the program will process your entries and return you to 

the menu where you selected the window. If you wish to abort the entry window and 

discard any information you have entered, press the ESCAPE key (ESC), and the 

program will return to the Main Menu. If you are at one of the other menus, choose 

the Return option go go back to the previous menu. The ESC key will also provide a 

return to the previous menu. 

3.7 Special Keys 

Throughout the program, when selecting an option from a menu or filling a data 

window, various special keys can be used to advantage. The keys and the action taken 

are shown below. 

DELete 

Up Arrow 

Down Arrow 

ESC 

Fl 

. (Period) 

Key Act ion 

Left Arrow Moves the cursor one space to the left in the current 

field without changing field contents. 

Right Arrow Moves the cursor one space to the right in the current 

field without changing the contents. 

Back Space Deletes the last character typed and moves the cursor one 

space to the left. 

INSert Toggles insert mode. In insert mode, characters are 

inserted at the cursor location. Any characters after the 

cursor are pushed to the right and can be pushed out of 

the field and lost. 

Deletes the character under the cursor. 

Moves the cursor to the previous field, or moves the menu 

selection bar up. 

Moves the cursor to the next field, or moves the menu 

selection bar down. 

Quit input and exit current window or menu. If you are in 

a data entry window, the system will ask whether you wish 

to exit the window. 

The Help key. Retrieves information about the current 

entry field or menu choice. 

When entering a number involving a decimal point, as in 

latitude or precipitation amount, the decimal point 

toggles the cursor from the left side of the decimal to 

the right and back. 

Throughout the NFDRSPC system, when the program is waiting for an entry or menu 

choice from you, you can press the HELP key (Fl) and the system will give you a 

short explanation of the entry to be made or the current choice of the menu. To 

exit the Help screen, press the ESC key. 
Section 4. Installation of NFDRSPC Program 

We suggest you read through this entire procedure once before you attempt it. 

We have attempted to make it as painless as possible, but you can get ahead sf 

yourself. 

All of the screen displays shown in this documentation are enclosed in quotation 

marks (" 'I) . 

There are two types of installations for the NFDRSPC program. 

Type 1 installs the program on one of the following: 

a single 5 1/4" 1.2M floppy disk, or 

a single 3 1/2" 720k microfloppy disk, or 

. a single 3 1/2" 1.44M microfloppy disk, or 

a hard disk. 

Type 2 installs the program on two disks. This is the required type on a 

computer that only has 360K floppy disk drives. 

The difference is that in a Type 2 installation, there is not enough room on a 

single 360k floppy disk to hold all the NFDRSPC files, so they are split between the 

two disks. 

4.1 Procedure for a Type 1 Installation 

In this procedure, you will be asked to place diskettes in drives and enter your 

choices for drives. We will assume that the SETUP disk will be in the A: drive, and 

you will be installing the program on the C: drive. You can change these to suit 

your particular system configuration. 

1. If you are installing the program on one of the floppy drives, there are two 

steps you need to complete before starting the Setup Program. 

- a. Format a diskette, (You can use diskettes formatted previously; just 

make sure they are blank.) 

b. Copy the file 'iCOMMAND.COMu from your boot or system diskette to the - NFDRSPC SETUP Diskette. 

2. Place the NFDRSPC SETUP Diskette in your A: drive and enter A: to make the 

A: drive your current working drive. 

3. At the DOS prompt, type SETUP and press the ENTER key. 

4. The Setup Program loads and then asks you for the following information: 

a. 'Do you want to perform a Type 1 installation or a Type 2 installation? - (Enter a 1 or a 2.)" 

You should enter a 1 and press the ENTER key. 

b. "Enter the letter for the drive where I should put the program and - files . " 

The program will display "C" for the destination drive. If "C" is your 

choice, press ENTER. If you wish to use a drive other than "C," enter 

the letter for the drive you want to use. 
- e. "Enter the name of the directory where I should put the program and 

files : 

\NFDRSPC " 

The default directory name is "\NFDRSPC." If you wish to put the 

program in another directory, enter the name of the directory. You can 

use 2d or 3d level subdirectories, but are limited to 32 characters for 

the entire directory path. Remember to include the leading backslash 

character "\", and do not add a backslash at the end. 

The program will then attempt to create the directory. If it already exists, the 

program will go on. If any other error occurs, the program will stop. If a problem 

occurs, please record the contents of the PC display and report the problem to the 

authors. 

- d. You will be asked to make sure the SETUP Diskette is in the A: drive. 

Note: If you want to stop at this point, press the ESC key. The 

program will return you to the DOS prompt. If you want to continue with 

the installation, just press the ENTER key. 

The program will place the NFDRSPC program and its files on the destination 

disk. It will also update the NFDRSCFG.DAT file to store the information obtained 

here. 

When the program finishes, remove the Setup Disk and store it in a safe place. 

The program is complete when the following message appears on the screen, 

"Installation of the NFDRSPC system is complete." 

If you are doing a floppy disk installation, remove the floppy disk and label it 

"NFDRSPC Program Diskette." 

CAUTION: The program will not function properly if you move the files from the 

directory where the SETUP Program put them. You can back them up, but the NFDRSPC 

program uses the NFDRSCFG data file to determine where the files should be when it 

needs them. If you wish to move the NFDRSPC program and files, create the new 

directory, and copy all the files in the old directory to the new directory. Then 

rerun the SETUP Program, and specify the new drive and/or directory when asked for 

them. The SETUP Program will then overwrite the program and unchanging data files, 

and update the NFDRSCFG.DAT data file to reflect the new location. 

Now, skip to section 5 and continue with the procedure for initialization of the 

program. 

4.2 Procedure for a Type 2 Installation 

In this procedure, you will be asked to place diskettes in drives and enter your 

choices for drives. We will assume that the SETUP Disk is in the A: drive, that you 

will be installing the program on the B: drive, and that, after the installation is 

completed, you will run the program with the Program disk in the A: drive and the 

Data disk in the B: drive. However, you can change these to suit your particular 

system configuration. 
1. There are three steps you need to complete before starting the SETUP 

Program : 

a. Format two diskettes. (You can use diskettes formatted previously; just - make sure they are blank.) 

b. Label one of the blank diskettes "NFDRSPC Program Disk" and the other - one "NFDRSPC Data Disk." 

c. Copy the file "CO ND.COMH from your boot or system diskette to the - NFDRSPC SETUP Diskette. 

2. Place the NFDRSPC SETUP diskette in your A: drive and the blank floppy 

labeled "NFDRSPC Data Disk" in the B: drive. 

3. Enter A: to make the A: drive your current working drive. 

4. At the DOS prompt, type SETUP and press the ENTER key. 

5. The SETUP program loads and then asks you for the following information: 

a. "Do you want to perform a Type 1 installation or a Type 2 installation? - (Enter a 1 or a 2. )I1 

You should enter a 2 and press the ENTER key. 

b. "Enter the letter for the drive where I should put the program and - files . " 

The program will display "B" for the destination drive. If "B" is your 

choice, press ENTER. If you wish to use a drive other than "B," enter 

the letter for the drive you want to use. 

c. "Enter the letter for the drive where you will place the NFDRSPC Program 

Diskette when executing the program." 

The program will display "A" for the program drive. If "A" is your 

choice, press ENTER. If you wish to use a drive other than "A," enter 

the letter for the drive where you will put the NFDRSPC Program 

diskette. 

d. "Enter the letter for the drive where you will place the NFDRSPC Data - Diskette when executing the program." 

The program will display "B" for the data drive. If "B" is your choice, 

press ENTER. If you wish to use a drive other than "B," enter the 

letter for the drive where you will put the NFDRSPC Data Diskette. 

e. You will be asked to make sure the SETUP Diskette is in the A: drive, - and that a blank floppy is in the drive you choose in step b, above. 

Note: If you want to stop at this point, press the ESC key: The 

program will return you to the DOS prompt. If you want to continue with 

the installation, just press the ENTER key. 

The program will place the NFDRSPC files on the data disk. 

f. Remove the diskette in the B: drive. - At this point, remove the Data Diskette from the B: drive and insert the 

Program Diskette. When the switch is made, press the ENTER key. The 

SETUP Program will place the NFDRSPC program on the Program Diskette and 

update the file NFDRSCFG.DAT with the information obtained here. 

When the program finishes, remove the Setup disk and store it in a safe place. 

The program is complete when the following message appears on the screen, 

"Installation of the NFDRSPC system is complete." 
Below this message are reminders of where to place the program and data 

diskettes when executing NFDRSPC. 

CAUTION: The program will not function properly if you do not put the diskettes 

where you said you would in steps c and d. You can back them up, but the NFDRSPC 

program uses the NFDRSCFG data file to determine where the files should be when it 

needs them. If you wish to move the NFDRSPC program and files, rerun the SETUP 

Program, and specify the new drives when asked for them. The SETUP Program will 

then overwrite the program and unchanging data files, and update the NFDRSCFG.DAT 

data file to reflect the new locations. 

Now, continue with the procedure for initialization of the program in section 5. 

Section 5. Initialization of NFDRSPC Program 

Before the NFDRSPC program can be used to compute NFDRS indices, the system must 

have been successfully installed as described in section 4, and the program must be 

initialized as described below. 

1. If your copy of the NFDRSPC system was installed on your hard disk, use the 

CD command and go to the directory where you installed the system (you may 

already be there). If your copy of the NFDRSPC system was installed on 

floppy diskettes, place the "NFDRSPC Program Diskette" in the drive you 

chose, and for Type 2 installations, the "NFDRSPC Data Diskette" in the 

other drive, and make the drive containing your Program disk your current 

drive , 

2. Execute the NFDRSPC program by entering NFDRSPC at the DOS prompt. You will 

see the NFDRSPC banner, followed by a display of the NFDRSPC Main Menu. 

3. The first step in initialization requires a decision on processing current 

and historical data. Historical data are defined as any data for days 

earlier than when you installed the program. If no historical data; i.e. 

only current data, are to be entered, go to step 4 below to catalog your 

station. If you are going to enter historical data, you need to set the 

date in the computer to the starting date for the historical data. To set 

the date, choose option 7 (Use System Utilities) from the Main Menu, by 

pressing 7, then pressing the ENTER key. The program will display the 

Utilities Menu.*Select option 3 (Change the Date) by pressing 3, then the 

ENTER key. A window will be open for the entry of the earliest date of the 

historical data to be entered. When the entry is completed, press ENTER, and 

the program will return you to the Utilities Menu. Choose option 4, and 

press ENTER, to return to the Main Menu. Proceed with step 4 below. 

4. The NFDRSPC Main Menu is displayed. A complete description of this menu is 

given in section 7.1. To initialize the program, choose option 6 (Use 

Catalog Operations) by pressing 6 and pressing the ENTER key. 

5. The Catalog Operations Menu (sect. 7.2) is displayed. The next step is to 

add your stations to the NFDRSPC catalog. Do that now by selecting option 1 

(Add a Station). 
The program will open a window and ask whether the station is automated 

or manual. After your response, the Station Catalog Entry or Modification 

window (sect. 8.5) is displayed. The program will then return to the space 

after the first header and wait for you to make an entry. 

Enter your choice for each of the values as the program asks for them. 

If you are unsure of exactly what the program is asking for, you can press 

the HELP key (Fl), and the program will give you a short explanation of the 

current item. When your entries are completed, the program will save your 

information, allocate space for your station in the NFDRSPC files, and 

return you to the Catalog Operations Menu. 

6. Choose Catalog option 8 (Return to Main Menu) or, choose option 1 to 

continue adding stations. 

At this point, the program is ready for routine operation. 

7. Optionally, you may choose to 

e Design a Custom Display Format. 

* Design a Custom Archive Format. 

If no custom display or archive formats are chosen, the standard formats will be 

used. Custom display or archive formats may be designed now or at a later date; 

once a custom display or archive format is designed, it will be saved and available 

for future use. 

If you want to design a format, choose NFDRSPC Main Menu option 7 (Use System 

Utilities). Then choose which format to design, display or archive. 

8. The program will display the Custom Format Selection window. (See sect. 8.6 

for complete details on designing custom formats.) 

9. When you are finished designing your format, just press RETURN when the 

program asks you for an item number. 

Your format will be saved, and is immediately available for use. If you 

decide to quit without changing the format, press the ESC key when asked for 

an item number. This causes the system to ignore any changes you made to 

the design. If you had no format designed, you will not have one after 

pressing ESC. If you had a format, any changes made this time will be 

ignored. 

10. Choose Utility option 4 (RETURN) to return to the NFDRSPC Main Menu. 
Section 6. Running the NFDRSPC System 

Observation and forecast data must be entered in sequential time order. For 

example, the program will not allow the entry of Saturday's or Sunday's data after 

you have entered the data for the following Monday. You should first enter 

Saturday's data, then Sunday's, and then Monday's. 

Historical data (last month, last year, etc.) can best be accommodated with the 

FIRDAT program (Main and others 1982). However, historical data can be properly 

entered and utilized by the NFDRSPC program, provided you do a few things first. 

If you have already entered an observation for the station, you must delete the 

station and then add it again before you can enter the historical data. To delete a 

stat ion : 

a. Choose Main Menu option 6 (Catalog). - 

b. Choose Catalog option 2 (Delete a station). - 

c. Enter the number of the station you wish to delete. - 

When you return to the Catalog Menu, the station has been deleted. To add the 

station, repeat steps 4, 5, and 6 of the procedure for Initialization of NFDRSPC 

Program (sect. 5). Then you can continue here. 

From this point on, you can enter your station observations like you would in 

normal processing. 

- A. Choose the type of data to be entered from the Main Menu. (See sect. 7.1 

for complete details on the options possible from the Main Menu.) 

B. Enter the information the program requests. When the system returns you to - 

the Main Menu, the indices have been calculated and stored. 

- C. 

the 

The 

To see your indices, choose Main Menu option 5 (Display data). Then choose 

format and data type to display using the Display Options Menu (sect. 7.2). 

n choose how the program is to search for stations, using the Station 

Selection Menu (sect. 7.4), and, if necessary, enter the search criteria. The 

system will search for data. If any are found, it will display the data in the 

format you chose. 

Before RAWS (Remote Automated Weather Station) data can be entered using Main 

Menu option 2, the observation must be entered for the RAWS station's associated 

manual station. You should also enter the observation data before entering forecast 

data for a station, Main Menu options 3 or 4 (Forecasts). 
6.1 Archiving 

The system can maintain two types of archive files. The first is the format 

defined by Furman and Brink (1975) and hereafter referred to as the "Fort Collins 

Archive Format" (FCAF). This format is discussed in appendix 4. The second is a 

custom format file, containing the items of interest to your organization. There is 

no fixed record format for the custom archive file, but appendix 5 has a description 

of how the archive file is assembled. The custom archive file is not created unless 

you design a custom archive format using the Utilities Menu option. The program can 

archive data in both files if you have designed a custom format, but it will in all 

cases archive using the FCAF. 

The archive files are updated in one of two cases, Whenever you successfully 

enter an observation or a forecast, (i.e., no error), the program checks to see if 

the data you entered previously have been archived. If not, the program will archive 

the data. When you use the Quit option at the Main Menu, the program reads the file 

containing the observed and forecast entries, and saves any data you have entered 

that have not already been archived. 

6.2 Backup - Hard Disk, Floppy Disk 

You should backup your data at least once per week. Just copy the data files 

with the .DAT extension to another location, preferably to another diskette. It is 

suggested that you copy all the files to another diskette and put that diskette away 

in a safe place once you have added all the stations you will be using and designed 

the custom formats the way you like them. 

6.3 Full Disk 

At least once a week, check the space remaining on your data drive, If you get 

close to the capacity, you may fill up your disk while running the program. This 

should happen in only two cases--either you are adding a station or you are entering 

some weather data, and the archive filled up the disk. In either case, you will have 

to quit the program, ignoring errors on your way out, and make some room on your 

data drive. Probably the best way to make room is to copy the files NFDRSARC.DAT and 

NFDRSCTM.DAT to another drive, and delete them from your data drive. 

If you were adding a station when you reenter the program, you should delete the 

station, then add it again, since the data files probably were not updated 

correctly. If entering some weather data, then you should just reenter that data. 

Any data you entered previously should not be affected. 
Section 7. NFDRSPC Menus 

The menus permit you to select the task you want to accomplish. When a menu is 

displayed, press the number of the choice you want, and the menu selection bar will 

move to that choice. Alternatively, you can use the Arrow keys to move the menu 

selection bar. When the bar is on the choice you want, press ENTER, and the program 

will perform the action you have requested. It may open an entry window or display 

another menu with additional options. 

Below are examples of the menus in the NFDRSPC program. After each menu option 

is a discussion of the task that option performs. (For a graphical representation 

of the menu structure, see app. 3). 

7.1 NFDRSPC Main Menu 

1 Enter a Station Observation 

This option allows you to enter a station observation (using the Station 

Observation Entry window (sect. %.I), calculates the indices, and saves them 

for later display. When completed, you are returned to the Main Menu. 

Missing Days 

While calculating the indices, the program determines how many days 

have passed since the previous entry. To avoid requiring the date for 

every observation entered, the program assumes any data entered are for 

today's date, as stored by DOS in your PC. If more than 1 day has 

passed since your last entry, you are asked to confirm your intention to 

miss a day. If you choose to miss a day, the program will continue, 

making the necessary allowances for the missed day(s). Otherwise, the 

program will abort the entry and return to the Main Menu. 

Depending on the number of days since the previous entry, you will 

be asked to enter new defaults for the items that cannot be taken from 

the previous entry. For a gap of more than 3 days, new values for 

10-Hour and 100-Hour Moistures are requested. For a gap of 7 or more 

days, a starting value for the Drought Index also is requested. For 

gaps of more than 50 days, new values for Herbaceous, Woody, 1000-Hour, 

and XlOOO Moistures are requested in addition to the other items. 

If you have missed a day's observations, the missed day's data can 

be properly entered after setting the date to that of the missed day, 

using the Date option of the Utility Menu (sect. 7.5).27. 

Saving the Data, and Archiving 

The weather and calculated information is saved in the file 

NFDRSCOF.DAT, a random access file. This file contains the most current 

forecast and observed information and is replaced when new data are 

entered. Before updating the NFDRSCOF.DAT file with new d:.-, those 

elements to be archived are saved on the NFDRSARC.DAT file, and, 

optionally, on the NFDRSCTM.DAT file. 
2 Enter a RAWS Observation 

This option allows you to enter a RAWS observation (using the RAWS 

Observation Entry window, section 8.2) and will retrieve the information 

entered by the Associated Manual Station, if one has been assigned. Then 

you are asked to confirm the manual data. If you do not confirm the manual 

data, or the manual data are unavailable, you are allowed to enter new 

values for the manual data, The program then calculates the indices and 

saves them for later display. When completed, the program returns you to 

the Main Menu. 

Missed days of RAWS Observations are processed as described above in 

"Entering a Station Observation." 

The information is saved as described above in "Saving the Data and 

Archiving" in "Enter a Station Observation." 

3 Enter a Point Forecast 

This option allows you to enter a single station forecast (using the 

Station Forecast Entry window, sect. 8.3), calculates the indices, and saves 

them for later display. When the entry is completed, you are returned to 

the Main Menu. 

Any forecast entered is assumed to be valid for tomorrow's date. Before 

calculating the forecast indices, the program determines how many days have 

passed since the previous observation was entered. If more than 3 days 

separate the forecast valid date and the date of the observation, the 

forecast is rejected, and indices are not calculated. 

Saving Forecast Data 

The weather and calculated data are saved in the file NFDRSCOF.DAT, 

a random access file. The new data replace any earlier data of the same 

type. Thus, if today's forecast needs to be changed, simply enter the 

new forecast as you would the original and the data will be archived 

upon exiting the program. If you change the date and enter a new 

forecast, the following occurs: 

1, The forecast data in NFDRSCOF.DAT file are archived. 

2. The newly entered forecast is saved in the NFDRSCOF.DAT file. 

3. The new forecast (2 above) is archived upon exiting the program. 

4 Enter a Forecast Trend 

This option allows you to enter a trend forecast (using the Zone or 

Station Trend Forecast Entry window, sect. 8.4), calculates the indices for 

the trended station(s), and saves them for later display. When completed, 

the program returns you to the Main Menu. 

7.2 Display Options Menu 

With this menu, you choose what format the program is to use when displaying 

station weather and indices. After you enter your choice, the program shows you a 

two-line menu, where you choose to display either observed or forecast data. Then 

you are asked which stations you wish to display (Station Selection Menu, sect. 

7.4). The data for the station(s) you select will be shown, and the program will 

wait for you to tell it to continue. When you do, it displays more data or returns 

to this menu. 

After each format option is a sample of how that format will display the data. 

If no displayed format shown provides the information you need, you may design your 

own custom format, using the Design Custom Display option of the Utilities Menu 

(sect. 7.5). 

If you want a printing of the displays, the simplest way is to use the PrtSc 

(Print Screen) key. Make sure the printer is turned on, loaded with paper, and 

on-line. Then hold down the Shift key and press the Print Screen key, which will 

provide a hard copy of the contents of your screen. If an error occurs, refer to 

your DOS manual or the Operating Guide for your printer. (If the line characters 

around the window do not print correctly, try putting the line "DEVICE=ANSI.SYS" in 

your CONFIG.SYS file. See your DOS manual for more information on the CONFIG.SYS 

file, the DEVICE command, and the ANSI.SYS driver.) 

1 Display Station(s) Weather 

This format displays the entered weather data for your station. The 

actual format will differ between observed data and forecast data. Below are 

the two formats, first for observed data, then for forecast data. 

Figure 1--Sample observed weather display. 

--------WEATHER----------12/10/88--0BS-- LCL------------------------- 

STANAM WR DY W DBT DPT RH YLMLDIR WS 10 TMX TMN HMX HMN PD PPAMT HF WF S MESG 

Athens 13 10 2 65 37 35 1 1 -99 0 3 68 33 78 28 0 .000 0 0 4 

Figure 2--Sample forecast weather display. 

---------WEATHER----------12/10/88--FCST LCL--------------------------- 

STATN DY HR W DBT DPT RH AL TL DIR WS 10 TMX TMN HMX HMN P1 P2 

Athens 11 13 3 69 55 60 1 1 -99 0 14 70 45 100 50 0 0 

2 Display Station(s) Indices 

This format displays the fuel moistures and indices calculated for each 

model of the selected stations. The information for each model is displayed 

on a separate line. This format is the same for observed and forecast data. 
Figure 3--Sample observed indices format display. 

---------INDICES----------12/10/88--OBS- LCL--------------------------- 

STANAM YMSGC DY WS WDY HRB 1H 10 HU TH KDI IC LR LO MR MO SC EC BI FL MC R 

Athens 8P3P3 10 0 70 3 3 3 17 23 32 47 0 0 0 0 6 43 39 0 M - 

3 Display in Abbreviated Format 

This format displays some of the moistures and the indices for each 

model of the selected stations, with each model displayed on a separate 

line. The format is the same for observed and forecast information. 

Figure 4--Sample observed abbreviated format display. 

-------ABBREVIATED--------12/10/88--OBS- LCL--------------------------- 

STANAM YMSGC DY HR TH IC LR LO MR MO SC EC BI FL MC R 

Athens 8P3P3 10 13 23 47 0 0 0 0 6 43 39 0 M - 

4 Display in Shortest Format 

This format is the most compact and displays the precipitation and 

manning information for each model on a separate line. This format is the 

same for observed and forecast information. 

Figure 5--Sample observed shortest format display. 

-------- SHORTEST----------12/10/88--OBS---13:12 LCL--------------------------- 

STATN YMSGC DY PPAMT PD MC R 

Athens 8P3P3 10 .000 0 M - 

5 Display in Manager's Format 

This format displays the information likely to be needed by a fire 

manager, again with each model on a separate line. The format is the same 

for observed and forecast data. 

Figure 6--Sample observed manager's format display. 

--------~NAGERS----------12/10/88--OBS LCL--------------------------- 

STANAM YMSGC DY DBT DPT RH WS PPAMT PD 1H 10 IC SC EC BI FL MC R 

Athens 8P3P3 10 65 37 35 0 .000 0 3 3 47 6 43 39 0 M - 

6 Display Station Data in Custom Format 

This format displays the information you selected when you designed the 

custom format using the Utility Options Menu. Depending on which items you 

chose, formats for observed and forecast data may or may not differ. For 

example, if you choose to display the Morning Lightning Activity Level when 

you display observed data, you will see the entered value. But, when you 

display forecast data, you will always see a 0, as the ML entry is only in 

observed data. 
Below is a sample of a custom display format. Your custom display will 

not look like this one. This display was produced using the information 

shown in the example Custom Format Selection (sect. 8.6). 

Figure 7--Sample of observed data in custom format. 

---------CUSTOM-----------12/10/88--OBS-; LCL--------------------------- 

STANAM RH HR DD DBT 1H DIR YL PD UNIT KDI HRB R S HF WF IC LO MO 

Athens 3513 10 65 3 -99 1 0 GaFC 32 3 - 4 0 0 47 0 0 

7 Return to Main Menu 

This option takes you back to the NFDRSPC Main Menu. 

Catalog Operations Menu 

This menu provides the option of adding a station to your catalog, deleting a 

station from the catalog, displaying the catalog of one or more stations, or 

modifying a station. 

The catalog information is stored in the random-access file NFDRSCAT.DAT. When 

you add a station, the information entered is saved in this file. When you display 

stations, information is read from the catalog file, and displayed to you. If you 

modify a station, the program will replace the old information with your modified 

inf ormat ion. 

When you are finished with catalog operations, or if you are at this menu by 

mistake, choose the Return option or press the ESC key. You will be returned to the 

Main Menu. 

1 Add a New Station 

Before any data can be entered or indices calculated for a station, you 

must add your station's information to the catalog file using this option. 

The information you enter will be saved and used later when an observation 

or forecast is entered. You are limited to 1025 stations in your catalog. 

When this option is chosen, the program will ask you if you are adding a 

Manual Station or an Automated Station. Enter an M if your station is a 

manual station, or enter an A if your station is automated. Then the program 

will display the Station Catalog Entry or Modification window (sect. 8.5), 

and request your catalog information. When you complete the entry of your 

information, the program will save it in the catalog file, and space for the 

station is created in the current observation file, NFDRSCOF.DAT. The 

program then returns you to the Catalog Operations Menu. 

2 Delete an Existing Station 

When you choose this option, the program will delete the station whose 

number you enter. If you chose this option by mistake, press the ESC key, 

or enter a station number of 0. The program will return you to the Catalog 

Operations Menu. 
This option removes your station from the catalog file AND from the 

current observation file, but it will not alter the contents of the archived 

files. Be very sure you wish to delete a station, as recovery of its 

catalog, weather, and calculated information is not possible. 

3 Display One or Nore Catalog Entries 

This option displays the catalog information for stations that are saved 

in your catalog file. When you choose this option, the program asks you 

which stations to display, using the Station Selection Menu (sect. 7.4). 

After each station is displayed, the program waits for you to press ENTER 

and then displays another station if any are left to display. When all the 

stations you requested have been displayed, you will be returned to the 

Catalog Operations Menu. 

4 Modify Any Catalog Value 

With this option, you are able to alter any value saved in your catalog 

except the station number. The station number must remain because it is 

used throughout the program as the key reference number for information 

about that station. If a station number is incorrect, delete the station 

and add the station back using the correct station number. 

When you choose this option, the program asks for the number of the 

station you wish to modify. Once that number is entered, the program 

searches for that station in the catalog file, displays the catalog 

information, and requests your modifications, using the Station Catalog 

Entry or Modification window (sect. 8.5). 

When your modifications are complete, the program saves the new catalog 

information in the file, and returns you to the Catalog Operations Menu. 

Note: With this option you can make some changes that will cause the 

program to reset the fuel moistures and indices to starting values. (See the 

Station Catalog Entry or Modification window for more details.) 

5 Change Woody Fuel Moisture 

This option permits entry of a measured woody-fuel moisture content. 

The program asks for the number of the station for which you measured the 

woody moisture. The program searches for that station, displays the catalog 

information, and requests your woody moisture measurement, using the Station 

Catalog Entry and Modification window (sect. 8.5). When the entry is 

completed, the program saves your information and returns you to the Catalog 

Operations Menu. 

6 Change Fuel-Stick Date 

With this option, you enter the date that you installed the fuel sticks 

used to measure 10-Hour Fuel Moisture. When you choose this option, the 

program asks for the number of the station where the new sticks are to be 
installed. The program searches for the station, displays all the catalog 

information, and requests the new fuel-stick date, using the Station Catalog 

Entry or Modification window (sect. 8.5). When completed, the program saves 

your information and returns you to the Catalog Operations Menu. 

7 Return to Main Menu 

Choosing this option returns you to the NFDRSPC Main Menu. 

7.4 Station Selection Menu 

When you reach this menu, you have selected the format with which to display 

your information--one of the data formats or the catalog format. If you have reached 

this menu incorrectly, simply press the ESC key, and you will be returned to the 

menu you were using previously. 

At this menu, you will choose which of the stations defined in your catalog the 

program will display. Each option offers a different way to select stations. If you 

choose an incorrect option, when the program asks for your information, press the 

ESC key, and you will be returned to the beginning of this menu. 

1 All Stations 

This option causes the display of data for all the stations defined in 

your station catalog. 

2 Single Station 

With this option, you enter the NFDRS station number of the station you 

wish to display. 

3 State 

For this option, you enter the one- or two-digit NFDRS code number for 

the State containing the stations you wish to display. Remember, NFDRS 

station numbers are formatted SSCCNN, where the SS is the State code, CC is 

the county code, and NN is the number of the station in the county. For 

example, station 092701 is in State 09, county 27, station number 1. 

4 County 

For this option you enter the one- or two-digit NFDRS code number for 

the county where the stations of interest are located. Then, you enter the 

code for the State where the county is located. See the discussion "3 

State" above, for the location of the county and State codes in the station 

number. 

5 Zone 

In this option, you enter the one- or two-digit Fire Weather Forecast 

Zone number for the stations of interest. You also are asked for the Forest 

Service Region Number associated with the stations. If you wish, enter 0 
(zero) for the Region Number, and all the stations defined in your catalog 

with the last two digits of their FWX Zone number the same as your entry 

will be displayed. Otherwise, only those whose complete F'WX Zone number 

matches your Zone and Region entry will be displayed. 

6 Region 

With this option, you enter a Forest Service Region Number. All stations 

defined in your catalog as being in this region will be displayed. 

7 Unit 

With this option, you enter the Unit Name of the stations you wish to 

display. You can also enter a Region Number. The program will display data 

for all stations in your catalog with the same unit name and region number, 

if you selected one. 

8 List of Stations 

With this option, you enter a list of up to 15 station numbers for the 

program to display. If you have fewer than 15 stations to display, enter a 

station number of 0 (zero) to stop the entry and start the display of the 

data. 

7.5 Utilities Menu 

At this menu, you have the option to design a Custom Display format, design a 

Custom Archive format, or set the operating date. 

If you are finished using the utilities or if you reached this menu by mistake, 

choose the Return option or press the ESC key. You will be returned to the Main 

Menu. 

1. Design Custom Display 

Choose this option to design a format which will be used when you select 

option 6 from the Display Options Menu (sect. 7.2). When this option is 

chosen the computer displays the Custom Format Selection window (sect. 8.6). 

When you complete your selection of items by selecting item 0, the 

program saves the items in the configuration file, NFDRSCFG.DAT, and returns 

you to this menu. The new format you have designed is available for use 

immediately. If you exited the Custom Format Selection window by pressing 

the ESC key, the items are not saved, and the old format, if any, is left 

unchanged. 

2. Design Custom Archive 

Choose this option to design a format for archiving data. When this 

option is chosen, the computer displays the Custom Format Selection window 

(sect. 8.6). Indicate that your selection of items is complete by selecting 

item 0. The program then saves the items in the configuration file, 
NFDRSCFG.DAT, and returns you to this menu. The new format you have 

designed is used the next time the program archives any data. If you exited 

the Custom Format Selection window by pressing the ESC key, the items 

selected are not saved, and the old format, if any, is left unchanged. 

3. Change the Date 

This option allows you to change the date that the program associates 

with any data entry. When the program starts, it assumes the date in your 

PC is correct unless the date given by your PC is January 1, 1980. In this 

case, the program automatically requests that you set the date, just as if 

you had chosen this option. 

You cannot use this option to enter a date later than the date in your 

PC, unless the date in your PC is 1/1/80. If your computer's date is 

incorrect, exit the program, and reset the date using DOS. 

4. Return to Main Menu 

Choosing this option returns you to the NFDRSPC Main Menu. 
Section 8. NFDRSPC Entry or Modification Windows 

Below are descriptions of the windows used to enter or modify data in the 

NFDRSPC program. 

While you are entering data using these windows, you may move within the fields 

using the Left and Right Arrow keys, and between fields using the Up and Down Arrow 

keys. If you do not wish to complete the entries, or chose the window by mistake, 

press the ESC key, and the program will return to the last menu displayed. (Special 

keys and their functions are described fully in sect. 3.7.) 

8.1 Station Observation Entry 

Figure 8 is a sample of the Station Observation Entry window. The values are 

arranged in three columns, with the computer asking for all the values on each row 

before proceeding to the next row. On the left side of each column is the prompt 

for the data item to be entered, and on the right is the space for the entry itself. 

If at any time during the entry of data on this window you decide that you do 

not wish to continue, you may press the ESC key. You will be asked to confirm your 

request to abort. Enter a Y to abort the entry, or an N to go back to the entry 

window . 

In this sample, the numbers in parentheses () to the left of the prompts are 

used solely for reference to table 1, which follows the sample. This table shows 

maximum and minimum values for each field, the length of the entry space, and if the 

item is allowed to be missing. The numbers in parentheses do not appear on the 

actual entry window on your computer screen. 

Some of the values have one or more zeros (0) in the entry space, some have the 

letter M, and some are blank. Those items with the zero (0) are required entries, 

and you must enter some value for them. Those items with the letter M are allowed 

to be missing. If you do not have the data item, you can just press the ENTER key, 

and the program will move to the next field. The blank entry spaces are for 

character entries like number 21, the season code. 

Figure 8--Sample of station observation entry window. 

(1)Station Number 0 (2)Obs Time 0.00 (3)State ofweather 0 

(4) Temperature 0 (5)Humidity 0 (6)lO-Hour Fuel Stick M 

(7)Wind Direction M (8)Wind Speed 0 (9)Human-Caused Risk 0 

(10)Forecast HCR 0 (11)Max. Temperature 0 (12)Min. Temperature 0 

(13)Max. Rel. Hum. 0 (14)Min. Rel. Hum. 0 (15)Precip. Duration 0 

(16)Precip. Amount 0.00 (17)Morning LAL 0 (18)YesterdaySs UL 0 

(19)Herb. Green. Factor 0 (20)Woody Green. Factor 0 (21)Season Code 

(22)Message (23)Are these values OK ? (Y/N) 
Table 1--Items for entry of station observation 

I tem Minimum Maximum 

number Item name value value Length Missing OK? 

Station number 010101 

Observation time 0.01 

State of weathera 0 

Dry- Bulb tempe ature 6 - 98 

Humidity entry - 98 

10-Hour fuel s ickc 5 1 

Wind direction Variable 

Wind speed 0 

Human caused risk 0 

Human caused risk for forecaste 0 

Maximum temperature - 98 

Minimum temperature - 98 

Maximum relative humidity 1 

Minimum relative humid't kY 1 

Precipitation duration - 24 

Precipitation amount 0 

Morning lightning activity levelg 1 

Yesterday's lightning activity 

1 eve I.' 1 

Herbaceous greenness factor 0 

Woody greeTess factor 0 

Season Code Variable 

Message None 

Confirmation that rntry of 

items is complete Variable 

509999 

24.00 

9 

136 

136 

9 9 

Variable 

9 9 

9 9 

9 9 

136 

136 

100 

100 

2 3 

9.99 

6 

6 

2 0 

2 0 

Variable 

None 

Variable 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

a~tates of the weather 5, 6, or 7 (drizzle, rain, and snow) cause all indices to be set to zero because 

generalized precipitation over the protection area is assumed. States of the weather 8 and 9 assume 

localized precipitation and will not zero out all indices. 

b~urnidity may be entered as wet-bulb, relative humidity, or dewpoint temperature. The selection is 

made when the station is added to the catalog by choosing the proper value for the "Hum Type" entry. 

Once this selection is made, it stays in effect until this value is changed, using the "Modify Any 

Catalog Valuen option of the Catalog Menu. 

'IF the Observed 10-Hour Timelag Fuel Moisture is entered as missing, then the 10-Hour T/L Moisture 

will be calculated using the Burgan (1988) method. Otherwise, the entered value will be corrected for 

the age of the fuel sticks, if the age is known. 

%ind direction may be entered in regular 8-point one-digit form, in 16-point two-digit form, in 

degrees-of-the-compass three-digit form, or in 16-point letter codes. Thus, all of the following would 

give the same wind direction :I, 02, 045, NE. (If 0 is entered for wind speed, then 0 or l4 must be 

entered for wind direction.) Wind direction is stored in degrees-of-the-compass format. If the wind 

direction is unknown, enter M, 

e~uman-caused risk to be used automatically in any subsequent forecast for this station. 

fn~uels Wetn can be indicated by entering the precipitation duration as a negative number. For 

example, if the actual duration was 3 hours, you would enter -3 if the fuels were still wet. If snow or 

ice still covers the sticks, but no precipitation has fallen that day, enter -0. Any negative number 

sets all indices to zero. 

%orning LAL is the code that best describes the lightning situation from midnight to basic observation 

time. Yesterday's LAL is the level for the entire previous day. The value of Yesterday's LAL cannot be 

lower than the Morning LAL from Yesterday's observation. 

h~eason of the year can be entered in one- or two-letter codes. Winter can be W or WI, spring must be 

SP, summer must be SU, and fall can be F or FA. These entries will be converted to their numeric 

equivalents, with winter being 1 and fall being 4. 

i Enter a Y if all the items are satisfactory, or an N if you see an error or something you want to 

change. If you enter an N, the program will allow reentry of all the items. 
8.2 RAUS Observation Entry 

Below is a sample of the RAWS Observation Entry window, The values are shown in 

two sections, with the RAWS information in the top, and the associated manual 

station data in the bottom. 

The RAWS information is arranged in two columns, with the computer asking for 

all the values on each row before proceeding to the next row. The entry space is to 

the right of the prompts on the row. 

The manual station information is entered in the bottom section. The prompts 

are on a row, with the entry spaces below. When you complete the entry of the RAWS 

information, the program searches for the associated station and retrieves the 

manual data entered for that station. This information is shown in the entry spaces 

in this section, and you are asked if the data are satisfactory. If you answer N, 

you are allowed to change any of the manual station items. 

In the sample provided in figure 9, the numbers in parentheses () to the left of 

the prompts are used solely for reference to table 2, which follows the sample. This 

table shows maximum and minimum values for each field, the length of the entry 

space, and if the item is allowed to be missing. The numbers in parentheses do not 

appear on the actual entry window on your computer screen. 

Some of the values have one or more zeros (0) in the entry space, some have the 

letter M, and some are blank. Those items with the 0 (zero) are required entries, 

and you must enter a numeric value for them. Those items with the letter M are 

allowed to be missing. If you do not have the data item, press the ENTER key, and 

the program will move to the next field. The blank entry spaces are for character 

entries, like number 12, the message. 

If at any time during the entry of data on this window, you decide that you do 

not wish to continue, you may press the ESC key. You will be asked to confirm your 

request to abort. Enter a Y to abort the entry, or an N to go back to the entry 

window. 

Figure 9--Sample of RAWS observation entry window, 

(1)Station ID 0 (2)Obs. Time 0.00 

(3)Wind Direction M (4)Windspeed 0 

(7)Max Temp 0 (8)Minimm Temp 0 

(11)Precip Amount 0.00 (12)Message 

(15) 

(14) 10-hour (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) 

SW F.M. HCR FHCR PD MLAL YLAL HGF WGF Sea 

0 M 0 0 00 0 0 0 

(13) Are these values OK? (Y/N) [press ESC key to abort entry] 
Table 2--Items for entry of RAWS observation 

I tem Minimum Maximum I 

number Item name value value Length Missing OK? B $ 

Station number 

Observation time 

Wind directiona 

Windspeed 

Dry-bulb tempe sture 

Humidity entry 6 

Maximum temperature 

Minimum temperature 

Maximum RH 

Minimum RH 

Precipitation amount 

Message 

Are these values OK?' 

State of weather d 

10-hour fuel sticke 

Human-caused risk 

Human-caused risk for forecast f 

Precipitation durationg 

Morning lightning activity level h 

Yester ay's lightning activity 

level ft 

Herbaceous greenness factor 

Woody greenness factor 

Season code1 

010101 

0.01 

Variable 

0 

- 98 

- 98 

- 98 

-98 

1 

1 

0 

None 

Variable 

0 

1 

0 

0 

- 24 

1 

1 

0 

0 

Variable 

509999 

24.00 

Variable 

9 9 

136 

136 

136 

136 

100 

100 

9.99 

None 

Variable 

9 

9 9 

9 9 

9 9 

23 

6 

6 

2 0 

2 0 

Variable 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

%ind direction may be entered in regular 8-point one-digit form, in 16-point two-digit form, in 

degrees-of-the-compass three-digit form, or in 16-point letter codes. So, all of the following would 

give the same wind direction: 1, 02, 045, NE. (If 0 is entered for windspeed, then a 0 or M must be 

entered for wind direction). Wind direction is stored in degrees-of-the-compass format. If the wind 

direction is unknown, enter M. 

b~umidity may be entered as wet-bulb, relative humidity, or dewpoint temperature. The selection is 

made when the station is added to the catalog by choosing the proper value for the "Hum Type" entry. 

Once this selection is made, it stays in effect until this value is changed, using the "Modify Any 

Catalog Valuen option of the Catalog Menu. 

'~nter a Y if all the items are satisfactory, or an N if you see an error or something you want to 

change. If you enter an N, the program will allow reentry of all the items in the current section. 

d~tates of the weather 5, 6, or 7 (drizzle, rain, and snow) cause all indices to be set to zero because 

generalized precipitation over the protection area is assumed. States of the weather 8 and 9 assume 

localized precipitation and will not zero out all indices. 

e~f the Observed 10-Hour Timelag Fuel Moisture is entered as missing, then it will be calculated using 

Burgan's 1988 method. Otherwise, the entered value will be corrected for the age of the fuel sticks if 

the age is known. 

f~uman-caused risk to be used automatically in any subsequent forecast for this station. 

g"~uels Wetn can be indicated by entering the precipitation duration as a negative number. For 

example, if the actual duration was 3 hours, you would enter -3 if the fuels were still wet. If snow or 

ice still covers the sticks, but no precipitation has fallen that day, enter -0. Any negative number 

sets all indices to zero. If the program detects inconsistency in the precipitation entries (amount in 

the RAWS section, and duration in the manual section), the program will ask you to reenter both of these. 

h~orning LAL is the code that best describes the lightning situation from midnight to basic observation 

time. Yesterday's LAL is the level for the entire previous day. The value of Yesterday's LAL cannot be 

lower than the Morning LAL from yesterday's observation. 

i Season of the year can be entered in one- or two-letter codes. Winter can be W or WI, spring must be 

SP, summer must be SU, and fall can be F or FA. These entries will be converted to their numeric 

equivalents, with winter being 1 and fall being 4. 
8.3 Station Forecast Entry 

Figure 10 is a sample of the Station Forecast Entry window. The values are 

arranged in two columns, and the computer asks for aii the values on each row before 

proceeding to the next row. The entry space is to the right of the prompt for each 

data item. 

In figure 10, the numbers in parentheses () to the left of the prompts are used 

solely for reference in table 3 which follows the sample. This table shows maximum 

and minimum values for each field, the length of the entry space, and if the item is 

allowed to be missing. The numbers in parentheses do not appear on the actual entry 

window on your computer screen. 

Some of the values have one or more zeros (0) in the entry space, and some have 

the letter M. Those items with the 0 (zero) are required entries, and you must 

enter some value for them. Those items with the letter M are allowed to be 

missing. If you do not have the data item, you can just press the ENTER key, and 

the program will move to the next field. 

If at any time during the entry of data on this window you decide that you do 

not wish to continue, you may press the ESC key. You will be asked to confirm your 

request to abort. Enter a Y to abort the entry or an N to go back to the entry 

window. 

Figure 10--Sample of station forecast entry window. 

(1) Station Id 0 

(3)State Of Weather 0 

(5)Humidity 0 

(7)Wind Direction M 

(9)Max Temp 0 

(11)Max RH 0 

(13)Precip Dur 1 0 

(15)Precip Amount 0.00 

(17)Tomorrow LAL 0 

(2)Valid Time 0.00 

(4)Temperature 0 

(6)lO-Hr F.M. M 

(8)Wind Speed 0 

(10)Min Temp 0 

(12)Min RH 0 

(14)Precip Dur 2 0 

(16)Afternoon LAL 0 

(18)Are these values OK ? (Y/N) 
Table 3--Items for entry of station forecast I 

Item M in imum Maximum 

number I tem name value value Length Missing OK? 

Station number 010101 

Forecast valid time 0.01 

State of Weathera 0 

Dry-bulb temperature -98 

Relative humidity b 1 

10-hour fuel stick 1 

Wind directionC Variable 

Wind speed 0 

Maximum temperature - 98 

Minimum temperature - 98 

Maximum relative humidity 1 

Minimum relative humidity d 1 

Precipitation duration period 1 d 0 

Precipitation Duration period 2 - 8 

Precipitation amount 0 

Afternoon lightning activity levele f 1 

Tomorrow's lightning activity level 1 

Confirmation pat entry of items 

is complete Variable 

509999 

24.00 

9 

136 

100 

9 9 

Variable 

99 

136 

136 

100 

100 

16 

7 

9.99 

6 

6 

Variable 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

*states of the weather 5, 6, or 7 (drizzle, rain, and snow) cause all indices to be set to zero because 

precipitation over the entire area is assumed. States of the weather 8 and 9 assume localized 

precipitation and will not zero out all indices. 

b~f the 10-Hour Timelag Fuel Moisture is entered as missing, and if the Forecast Valid Time is within 1 

hour of 2 p.m., the forecasted 10-Hour T/L Fuel Moisture will be calculated using the Fosberg 1977 

method. In all other cases of this entry as "M," the forecasted 10-Hour Moisture will be calculated with 

the Burgan 1988 method. 

'Wind direction may be entered in regular 8-point one-digit form, in 16-point two-digit form, in 

degrees-of-the-compass three-digit form, or in 16-point letter codes. So, all of the following would 

give the same wind direction: 1, 02, 045, NE. (If 0 is entered for wind speed, then a 0 or M must be 

entered for wind direction). Wind direction is stored in degrees-of-the-compass format. If the wind 

direction is unknown, enter M. 

d~recip. Duration Period 1 is for the first 16 hours, and Precip. Duration Period 2 is for the last 8 

hours of the 24 hours between standard observation times. "Fuels Wet" can be indicated by entering the 

Precip. Duration Period 2 as a negative number. For example, if the actual duration was 3 hours, you 

would enter -3 if the fuels were still wet. If snow or ice still covers the sticks, but no precipitation 

has fallen that day, enter -0. Any negative number sets all indices to zero. 

e~fternoon LAL is the predicted lightning activity level from standard observation time to midnight. 

Tomorrow's LAL is the lightning activity level for tomorrow, midnight to midnight. 

'~nter a Y if all the items are satisfactory, or an N if you see an error, or something you want to 

change. If you enter an N, the program will allow reentry of all the items. 
8.4 Zone or Station Trend Forecast Entry 

Figure 11 is a sample of the Trend Forecast Entry window. The values are 

arranged in two columns, with the computer asking for all the values on each row 

before proceeding to the next row. The entry space is to the right of the prompt 

for each data item. 

In this sample, the numbers in parentheses () to the left of the prompts are 1 

used solely for reference to table 4, which follows the sample. This table shows 

maximum and minimum values for each field, the length of the entry space, and if the 

item is allowed to be missing. The numbers in parentheses do not appear on the 

actual entry window on your computer screen. 

i 

When you first request the Trend Forecast, the program asks if you want a trend 

for a zone or a station. If you enter Z for a zone trend, then the prompt for item 1 

number 1 will be as shown. If, however, you enter an S for a station trend, then 

the prompt for item number 1 will be "Station Number." 

Some of the values have one or more zeros (0) in the entry space, and some have 

the letter M. The zero (0) indicates that you must enter a numeric value. The 

letter M indicates that a value need not be entered. If you do not have the data 

item, press the ENTER key, and the program will move to the next field. 

If at any time during the entry of data on this window you decide that you do 

not wish to continue, you may press the ESC key. You will be asked to confirm your 

request to abort. Enter a Y to abort the entry, or an N to go back to the entry 

window. 

Figure 11--Sample of zone trend forecast entry window. 

(1) Zone Number 0 (2)RegionNumber 0 

(3)Valid Time 0.00 (4)State of Weather 0 

(5) Temp Trend M (6)Humidity Trend M 

(7)lO-Hr F.M. Trend M (8)Wind Speed Trend M 

(9)Max Temp Trend M (10)Min Temp Trend M 

(11)Max RH Trend M (12)Min RH Trend M 

(13)Precip Dur 1 0 (14)Precip Dur 2 0 

(15)Precip Amount 0.00 (16)Afternoon UL 0 

(17) Tomorrow LSiL 0 (18)Values OK ? (Y/N) 
Table 4--Items for entry of zone or station trend forecast I B I 

I tem Minimum Maximum 

number Item name value value Length Missing OK? 

I 

Zone number or Station numbera Variable 

Forest Service region number 1 

Forecast valid ?ime 1 

State of weather 0 

Dry-bulb temperature - 40 

Relative humidity trend - 90 

10-hour fuel stick trend - 65 

Wind speed trend d - 40 

Maximum temperature trend d - 40 

Minimum temperature trend d - 40 

Maximum relative humidity trend d - 90 

Minimum relative humidity trend - 90 

Precipitation duration period le 0 

Precipitation Duration period 2e - 8 

Precipitation amount f 0 

Afternoon lightning activity level f 1 

Tomorrow's lightning activity level 1 

Confirmation that entry of items 

is completeg Variable 

Variable 

10 

2 4 

9 

40 

90 

6 5 

4 0 

4 0 

4 0 

90 

90 

16 

7 

9.99 

6 

6 

Variable 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

a~his item can either be a Zone Number or a Station Number, depending on which type of trend you 

selected. If you are interested in a Zone, then the Minimum Value is 1 and the Maximum Value is 10, with 

7 not allowed. If you are interested in a Station, the Minimum Value is 10101, and the Maximum Value is 

509999. 

b~tates of the weather 5, 6, or 7 (drizzle, rain, and snow) cause all indices to be set to zero because 

precipitation over the entire area is assumed. States of the weather 8 and 9 assume localized 

precipitation and will not zero out all indices. 

'1f a trend is entered, the Observed 10-Hour Fuel Moisture will be limited to 25 (maximum) before the 

trend is applied. If the trend to 10-Hour Timelag Fuel Moisture is entered as missing, and if the 

Forecast Valid Time is within 1 hour of 2 p.m., then the forecast 10-Hour Fuel Moisture will be 

calculated with the Fosberg 1977 method. In all other cases of missing trend, the forecast 10-Hour T/L 

Moisture will be calculated with the Burgan 1988 method. 

d~f you wish to forecast the average 24-hour temperature and relative humidity, enter the same trend 

for both the forecast Maximum and Minimum values. This will have the same effect as trending the 

averages. 

e~recip. Duration Period 1 is for the first 16 hours, and Precip. Duration Period 2 is for the last 8 

hours of the 24 hours between standard observation times. "Fuels Wet" can be indicated by entering the 

Precip. Duration Period 2 as a negative number. For example, if the actual duration was 3 hours, you 

would enter -3 if the fuels were still wet. If snow or ice still covers the sticks, but no precipitation 

has fallen that day, enter -0. Any negative number sets all indices to zero. 

f~f ternoon LAL is the predicted lightning activity level from standard observation time to midnight. 

Tomorrow's LAL is the lightning activity level for tomorrow, midnight to midnight. 

g~nter a Y if all the items are satisfactory, or an N if you see an error or something you want to 

change. If you enter an N, the program will allow reentry of all the items. 
8.5 Station Catalog Entry or Modification 

Below is a sample of the Station Catalog Entry or Modification window. The 

values are arranged in two sections. The top section contains the general station 

information, and the bottom section contains the model-specific information. The 

program requests all of the station information (items 1-23) and checks it before 

requesting model-specific information (items 24-30). 

For station information, the entry space is to the right of the prompts for each 

value. The program asks for all the values on each row before proceeding to the 

next row. 

For model-specific information, the prompts are arranged along the top, with the 

corresponding entry spaces below. Each model is entered on a separate line, and the 

program checks each as it is entered. 

Figure 12 shows a Station Catalog Entry or Modification window. In it, the 

numbers in parentheses () to the left of the prompts are solely for reference in 

table 5, which follows the sample. This table shows maximum and minimum values for 

each field, the length of the entry space, and if the item is allowed to be missing. 

The numbers in parentheses do not appear on the actual entry window on your computer 

screen. 

If you are adding a station to the catalog, some of the values have one or more 

zero (0) in the entry space, and some are blank. Those items with the 0 (zero) are 

numeric entries, and you must enter a numeric value for them. The items with the 

blank entry space are for character entries, like the station name. If you are 

modifying an existing station, the current values for your station are displayed. 

If at any time during the entry of data on this window, you decide that you do 

not wish to continue, you may press the ESC key. You will be asked to confirm your 

request to abort. Enter a Y to abort the entry, or an N to go back to the entry 

window. 

Caution: If you modify any items of an existing station other than Station 

Name, Unit, Fire Weather Forecast Zone, Agency Code, Associated Station, Measured 

Woody Fuel Moisture, or Fuel Stick Date, the program will discard the carried items, 

(1,000- and X1,000-hour timelag fuels moistures, and herbaceous and woody fuel 

moistures) and restart calculation of moistures and indices as if you were starting 

a new station. 
Figure 12--Sample of station catalog entry or modification window. 

(1) Station name (2)Station Id 0 (3)Region 0 (4)Unit 

(9)Agency 0 (1O)Time Zone (11)Hum Type 0 (12)Manning Index (13)# Classes 0 

(14)Assoc. Station 0 (15)Climate Class 0 (16)LRSF 0.00 (17)Aspect 

(18)Site 0 (19)Woody F.M. 0 (20)Stick Date / / (21)Annual Precip. 

(22)Fine Dead F.M. = 10-Hr ?(Y/N) (23)Obs Time 0 (24)Number of Models 0 

Model Slope Grass Manning Manning Woody 

(25) Model (26) System (27) Class (28) Type (29) 90th (30) 97th (31) Type 

0 0 0 
Table 5--Items for entry or modification of station catalog 

I tem M in imum Maximum 

numbe r Item name value 

1 Station name Variable 

value 

Variable 

509999 

10 

Variable 

70 

180 

99999 

999 

9 

Variable 

6 

Variable 

9 

Length 

6 

6 

2 

4 

7 

7 

5 

3 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

Missing OK? 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

Station ID 10101 

1 

Variable 

0 

1 

0 

1 

1 

Variable 

1 

Variable 

3 

Region 

unita 

Latitude 

Longitude 

Elevation 

Fire weather forecast zone b 

Agency code 

Standard time zone codeC 

Humidity entry type 

Manning class index d 

Number of manning classese 

Associate9 station for automated 

stations 

Climate class 

Lightning risk scaling factor 

Station aspectg 

Siting code for station loc%ion 

Measured woody fuel moisture 

Date of exposure for 10-hour 

fuel sticks1 

Average annual precipitation amount 

Should 1-hour fuel moisture - 

10 -hour?' 

Hour that observations are usually 

taken 

Number of fuel yodels k 

Fuel model code 

Code for the type of fuel modelm 

Station slope class 

Code for the type of grassn 

90th percentile for calculating 

manning class0 

97th percentile for calculating 

manning classP 

Code for type of woody fuelq 

10101 

1 

.O1 

Variable 

1 

Variable 

50999 

4 

5 

Variable 

3 

500 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Variable Variable 

1 

1 

Variable 

7 7 

1 

Variable 

24 

4 

Variable 

or 8 8 

5 

Variable 

3 Yes 

1 

Variable 

999 

Variable 

Yes 

No 

a~he four-letter code of the administrative unit for this station. If the unit name is unknown or unassigned, you may leave this field blank. 

b~he Fire Weather Forecast zone, usually assigned and used by the National Weather Service. 

Customarily, the first digit is the Forest Service Region number. If this number is unknown, enter a 0 

(zero). 

C~ossible values for the standard 

Code 

E 

C 

M 

P 

Y 

H 

B 

Note: Most of the Alaska stations 

Time Zone Code are: 

Time zone 

Eastern 

Central 

Rocky Mountain 

Pacific 

Yukon 

Hawaiian 

Bering 

should enter H for Hawaiian time. 
d~he index used by your organization for calculation of Manning Classes. Valid entries are: 

Code Meaning 

IC Ignition Component 

SC Spread Component 

EC Energy Release Component 

MO Man-Caused Occurrence Index 

LO Lightning-Caused Occurrence Index 

B I Burning Index 

n Fire Load Index 

If your agency does not wish to calculate Manning Classes, leave this field blank. Also, enter a 0 

(zero) when asked for the number of Manning Classes. 

number of Manning Classes used by your organization. If your organization does not wish to to 

calculate Manning Classes, enter a 0 (zero) here, and you leave the entry for Manning Index blank as 

well. 

f~or Automated Stations, the number of the manual station from which this program can obtain manually 

observed items. If this station is manually operated, you will not be prompted for this item. 

g~he direction towards which the station slopes. The value is entered like wind direction, in 

one-digit 8-point form, two-digit 16-point form, three-digit degrees-of-the-compass form, or 16-point 

letter codes. If there is no slope at your station, enter the direction that the station faces, usually 

South or Southwest. 

h~he actual woody fuel-moisture content, as manually measured at the station. The minimum value for 

this entry depends on the climate class, with 50, 60, 70, and 80 being the minimums for climate classes 

1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. If you do not measure the woody moisture, enter a 0 (zero). The 

measurement, if entered, will be used to fine-tune the internal calculation of the woody moisture content 

for the next 30 days. If another measurement is not entered by the end of that period, you will receive a 

message warning you of stale woody data, for the following 5 days. After the 30-day period, the program 

will calculate the woody fuel-moisture content, without considering this entry. 

Note: Modification of this item may be selected directly from the Catalog Options Menu. 

i~f you use fuel-moisture sticks to measure 10-Hour Fuel Moisture enter the first date you used them, 

in the format month/day/year. If you do not use the sticks, leave this entry blank. 

Note: Modification of this item may be selected directly from the Catalog Options Menu. 

j~ecide whether or not to always set the Fine Dead (1-Hour) Fuel Moisture to the same value as the 

10-Hour Fuel Moisture. Enter a Y or an N. 

k~nter the number of fuel models you wish the program to maintain for this station. You will be 

prompted for this many model lines in the following entry section. 

l~nter the letter code for the NFDRS fuel model. Values range from A to 2, excepting II. 

m Enter the fuel model group you wish to use for this model, 78 for 1978 system fuel models, or 88 for 

1988 system fuel models. Some of the fuel loads have been changed in the 1988 system. (For more 

information, see "Appendix 2: Fuel Model Differences.") 

n Enter the letter code for the type of grass for this station, P for perennial, or A for annual. 

O~he 90th and 97th percentiles of the Manning Index, used to calculate Manning Class. If you chose not 

to have the program calculate the Manning Classes, you will not be prompted for these items. 

'~nter the type of Woody Fuels in your station locations, D for deciduous, or E for evergreen. I 

I 
8.6 Custom Format Selection 

The Custom Format Selection window is used to design both Custom Display and 

Archive formats, The operation of the screen is essentially the same for both types 

but is different from the other entry windows in the program. Rather than many 

entry spaces there is only one. Most of the screen is taken up with the display of 

information about your choices. 

Figure 13 shows a sample Custom Format Selection window. In this sample, it is 

assumed you are designing a Custom Display format, and the discussion will reflect 

this assumption. However, where the operations differ, the Custom Archive format 

will be discussed as well. 

Figure 13--Sample of custom display format selection window. 1 

1 - STANAM 11 TMX 21 MR 

2 -UNIT 12 TMN 22 MESG 

3-HR 13 RMX 23 PI 

4-DD 14 RMN 24 P2 

5 - DBT 15 PPAMT 25 AL 

6-RH 16-PD 26 TL 

7W 17 -YL 27-1H 

8 10 18 ML 28 HU 

9-DIR 19 PR 29 TH 

10 WS 20 DPT 30 0 

(1)Man Caused Occurrence Index 

41 YMSGC 

42-R 

43 -HRB 

44 WDY 

45 x1000 

46-KDI 

47 STAT'N 

48 DATE 

49 -HF 

50-WF 

Enter the item number to add or delete.(2} 0 

press ENTER to end. press ESC key to quit. 

(3) 

STANAM RH HR DD DBT 1H DIR YL PD UNIT KDI HRB R S HF WF IC LO MO 

I 

1 TOP 

] Sectzion 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

1 

I 

I 

] Middle 

] Section 

I 

] Bottom 

Section 

The entry screen can be divided into three sections for the purposes of 

discussion. The top section lists the items you can display or archive. There are 

five columns of numbers and keywords. Between some of the numbers and keywords there 

is a dash "-", which indicates that item has been selected for display or archiving. 

The middle section displays messages (following the (I)), the prompt for your 

entry, and the entry space (following the (2)), alomg with an instruction on how to 

end the entry of data. To select an item, enter the number of that item, and press 

ENTER. The "-" will be placed on the screen, between the number and the keyword. To 

delete (or turn off) an item, enter the number again. 
The bottom section provides a Sample Header line (under the (3)), or the Archive 

record length. This is where the program shows you what the Custom Display Header 

will look like, or tells you how long your Custom Archive record will be. 

When an item is added to the Custom Display format, the keyword is placed at the 

end of the Sample Header. When an item is deleted, it is removed from the line, and 

any following items are moved to the left. You cannot add more items to the Custom 

Display format than will fit on one line of the screen. 

When an item is added to the Custom Archive format, the length of the item is 

added to the Archive record length. When an item is deleted, the length of the item 

is subtracted from the Archive record length. Due to the method of building the 

Custom Archive file, there will always be an extra space in the record, and the 

length will reflect it. 

To exit the Custom Format window and save the changes made to the Custom Format, 

enter a value of 0 (just press the ENTER key when 0 is in the entry space). If you 

want to discard any changes you have made, press the ESC key. You will be asked to 

confirm your intention, and if you choose not to exit, you will be returned to this 

window. When you do exit, you will be returned to the Utility Menu. 

We suggest that any format you design include the following: 

Either item number 1 (station name) or item number 47 (station 

number) 

Either item number 4 (day) or item number 48 (date) 

For a Custom Archive format, items 47 and 48 are suggested. 

Following this sample is a table of the items with their keywords, a discussion 

of the item, and the number of spaces available for the entry. 
Table 6--Custom item keyword descriptions 

Station name 

Unit name 

Hour of observation or forecast 

Day of observation or forecast 

Dry-bulb temperature (OF) 

Relative humidity (percent) 

State of weather code 

10-hour timelag fuel moisture 

Wind direction (degrees) 

Wind speed (mi,%) 

Maximum temperature ( F) 

Minimum temperature (OF) 

Maximum relative humidity (percent) 

Minimum relative humidity (percent) 

Precipitation amount (inches) 

Precipitation duration 

Yesterday's lightning activity level 

Morning lightning activity level 

Predicted man-caused risk 

Dewpoint temperature (OF) 

Man-caused risk (today's) 

Message field 

Precipitation duration, first period 

Precipitation duration, second period 

Afternoon lightning activity level 

Tomorrow's lightning activity level 

1-hour timelag fuel moisture 

100-hour timelag fuel moisture 

1000-Hour timelag fuel moisture 

Option level (computed) 

Season code 

Lightning risk 

Ignition component 

Lightning occurrence index 

Man-caused occurrence index 

Spread component 

Energy release component 

Burning index 

Fire load index 

Manning class 

Model type-fuel model-slope-grass-climate 

Adjective rating 

Herbaceous fuel moisture 

Woody fuel moisture 

Predictor for 1,000-hour moisture 

Keetch-Byram drought index 

Station number 

Date of observation or forecast 

(YYMMDD, year, month, day) 

Herbaceous greenness factor 

Woody greenness factor 

I tern Spaces or 

Number Keyword Explanation entry length 

STANAM 

UNIT 

HR 

DD 

DBT 

mi 

W 

10 

DIR 

WS 

TMX 

TMN 

RMX 

RMN 

PPAMT 

PD 

YL 

ML 

PR 

DPT 

MR 

MESG 

P 1 

P2 

AL 

TL 

1H 

KO 

TH 

0 

S 

LR 

I C 

LO 

MO 

S C 

EC 

BI 

FL 

MC 

YMSGC 

R 

HRB 

WDY 

XlOOO 

KD I 

STAT ' N 

DATE 

%issing entry displayed as -99. 

b~or observations, this is the precipitation duration as entered. For 

forecasts, this is sum of the precipitation durations for periods 1 and 2. 

'~vailable for observations only. Displayed as zero "0" for forecasts. 

d~vailable for forecasts only. Displayed as 0 (zero) for observations. 

e~here are four of these entries, one for each possible fuel model. For 

Display format, each model is displayed on a separate line. In Archiving, 

all four are always archived. 
Section 9, Future Work 

Planned Additions to the NFDRSPC Program 

Commands to set woody, herbaceous, 1,000-hour and X1,000 moistures. 

Command to add records to the Archive files. 

a Ability to use the program in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Addit tonal Programs 

Program to process the Archive files that will print 

selected records, graph selected data for selected stations, 

sort the archive files, deleting duplicate records. 

PC version of the FIRDAT program. 

These are some of the additions we have planned to the program. If you have a 

suggestion about a change or addition to the program, please use a copy of the USER 

Suggestion Form in appendix 6. 
Literature Cited 

Burgan, Robert E. 1988. 1988 Revisions to the 1978 National Fire-Danger Rating 

System. Res. Pap. SE-273. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 39 pp. 

Burgan, Robert E.; Cohen, Jack D.; Deeming, John E. 1977. Manually calculating 

fire-danger ratings--1978 National Fire-Danger Rating System. Gen. Tech. Rep. 

INT-40. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain 

Forest and Range Experiment Station. 51 pp. 

Deeming, John E.; Burgan, Robert E.; Cohen, Jack D. 1977. The National Fire-Danger 

Rating System--1978. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-39. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 

63 PP* 

Fosberg, Michael A. 1977. Forecasting the 10-hour timelag fuel moisture. Res. Pap. 

RM-187. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky 

Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 10 pp. 

Furman, R. William; Brink, Glen E. 1975. The national fire weather data library: 

what it is and how to use it. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-19. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range 

Experiment Station. 8 pp. 

Helfman, R.S.; Straub, R.J.; Deeming, J.E. 1980. User's guide to AFFIRMS: 

time-share computerized processing for fire danger rating. Gen. Tech. Rep. 

INT-82. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain 

Forest and Range Experiment Station. 150 pp. 

Main, William A,; Straub, Robert J.; Paananen, Donna M. 1982. Firefamily: fire 

planning with historic weather data. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-73. St. Paul, MN: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment. 

31 PP 
APPENDIX 1: DISCUSSION OF FILES 

These are the files the Setup program put on your PC. 

NFDRSPC.EXE The actual program. 

NFDRSGFG'DAT The configuration file. Tells the program where-to 

find the other data files. 

NFDRSERR.DAT The error messages. 

NFDRSHLP-TXT The help messages shown when you press F1. 

NFDRSHLP.NDX An index to the help messages, used to speed the 

search for the proper help. 

The size of these files will not change, unless you get an update to 

the program. These files should not be altered, since alteration of these 

files would produce unpredictable results. 

The other files you will find on your PC, after you have added a 

station to the catalog, are : 

NFDRSCAT.DAT The file containing the catalog information. 

NFDRSDIR.DAT A directory to all the operating files containing 

station information. 

NFDRSCOF.DAT The file holding the current observation data and the 

current forecast data for each station. 

NFDRSARC.BAT The Standard Archive file, containing fire weather 

information in the Fort Collins Archive Format. 

These files will consume disk space in the following amounts: 

NFDRSCAT.DAT 250bytes/station 

NFDRSDIR.DAT 12 bytes / station 

NFDRSCOF.DAT 1100 bytes / station 

NFDRSARC.DAT 81 bytes / observation or forecast / day 

You will see the file below only if you tell the program to create 

it. This file and the NFDRSARC.DAT file listed above are the only files 

in the system that you should attempt to edit. The variability of this 

file precludes any attempt to guess the size. 

NFDRSCTM.DAT The Custom Format Archive file. 

APPENDIX 2: FUEL MODEL DIFFERENCES 

The changes required by the 1988 update to the NFDRS program (Burgan 1988) 

required modification of all 20 NFDRS Fuel Models. A second set of fuel models was 

created. In some cases, fuel loads were changed to improve the seasonal response, 

but the major changes involved adding a minimum and maximum wind adjustment factor 

and a reservoir of dead fuel to improve the drought response. The user can choose 

which set of fuel models to use: the original 1978 NFDRS models or the 1988 revision 

of those models. Both the 1978 and 1988 models are listed below. 
Table 1--1978 NFDRS fuel model descriptions 

Fuel models 

Fuel model 

parameters A B C D E F G H I J 

Load (tons/acre) 

1 -hour dead 

10-hour dead 

100 -hour dead 

1,000 -hour dead 

Woody 

Herbaceous 

Surface-area-to-volume 

ratio (l/ft) 

1 -hour dead 3,000 700 2,000 1,250 2,000 700 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 

10-hour dead - 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 

100 -hour dead - - 30 3 0 - - 30 3 0 30 30 30 30 

1,000 -hour dead - - 8 - - - - - - - + 8 8 8 8 

Woody - - 1,250 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,250 1,500 1,500 - - - - Herbaceous 3,000 - - 2,500 1,500 2,000 - - 2,000 2,000 - - - - 

Heat content (all fuels) 

(Btu/lb) 8,000 9,500 8,000 9,000 8,000 9,500 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 

Moisture of extinction (%) 

Dead 15 15 2 0 30 2 5 15 2 5 20 2 5 2 5 

Fuel Bed depth (ft) 0.8 4.5 0.75 2.0 0.4 4.5 1.0 0.3 2.0 1.3 

Wind adjustment Factor 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 

SCmax 301 5 8 3 2 6 8 2 5 24 30 8 6 5 44 

Load (tons/acre) 

1 -hour dead 

10-hour dead 

100 -hour dead 

1,000 -hour dead 

Woody 

Herbaceous 

Surface-area-to-volume 

ratio (l/ft) 

1 -hour dead 1,500 2,000 1,600 1,500 1,750 1,500 1,500 1,500 2,500 1,750 

10-hour dead 109 - - 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 

100-hour dead 30 - - - - 30 30 30 30 30 - - 3 0 

1,000 -hour dead 8 - - - - 8 - - 8 8 8 - - - - Woody - - - - 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,200 1,500 1,200 1,500 1,500 

Herbaceous - - 2,000 - - 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 2,000 

Heat content (all fuels) 

(Btu/lb) 8,000 8,000 8,700 9,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 

Moisture of Extinction (%) 

Dead 2 5 15 2 5 30 30 2 5 2 5 2 5 15 20 

Fuel Bed Depth (it) 0.6 1.0 3.0 4.0 0.4 3.0 0.25 0.4 1.25 0.5 

Wind adjustment factor 

0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.6 4 

SCmax 2 3 178 167 9 9 14 59 6 17 96 16 
Table 2--1988 NFDRS fuel model descriptions 

Fuel models 

Fuel model 

parameters A B C D E F G H I J 

Load (tons/acre) 

1-hour dead 

10-hour dead 

100-hour dead 

1,000-hour dead 

Woody 

Herbaceous 

Drought 

Surface-area-to-volume 

ratio (l/ft) 

1-hour dead 3,000 700 2,000 1,250 2,000 700 2,000 2,000 1,500 1,500 

10-hour dead - - 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 

100-hour dead - - 30 30 - - 3 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 

1,000-hour dead - - 8 - - - - - - - 8 8 8 8 

Woody - - 1,250 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,250 1,500 1,500 - - - - Herbaceous 3,000 - - 2,500 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 2,000 - - - - 

Heat content (all fuels) 

(Btu/lb) 8,000 9,500 8,000 9,000 8,000 9,500 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 

Moisture of extinction (%) 

Dead 15 15 2 0 40 2 5 15 2 5 20 2 5 2 5 

Fuel bed depth (ft) 0.8 4.5 0.25 2.0 0.4 4.5 1.0 0.3 2.0 1.3 

Minimum wind adjustment factor 

0.6 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 

Maximum wind adjustment factor 

0.6 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.5 

SCmax 301 5 8 3 2 6 8 2 5 2 4 30 8 6 5 44 

Load (tons/acre) 

1-hour dead 

10-hour dead 

100-hour dead 

1,000 -hour dead 

Woody 

Herbaceous 

Drought 

Surface-area-to-volume 

ratio (l/ft) 

1-hour dead 1,500 2,000 1,600 1,500 1,750 3,500 1,500 1,500 2,500 1,750 

10-hour dead 109 - - 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 

100-hour dead 30 - - - - 30 30 30 30 30 - - 30 

1,000-hour dead 8 - - - - 8 - - 8 8 8 - - - - Woody - - - - 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,200 1,500 1,500 

Herbaceous - - 2,000 - - 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 2,000 

Heat content (all fuels) 

(Btu/lb) 8,000 8,000 8,700 9,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 8,000 

Moisture of extinction ($1 

Dead 2 5 15 40 3 0 30 18 2 5 2 5 15 2 0 

Fuel bed depth (ft) 0.6 1.0 3.0 4.0 0.4 2.0 0.25 0.4 1.25 0.5 

Minimum wind adjustment 

factor 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.3 

Maximum wind adjustment 

factor 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.3 

SCmax 2 3 178 16 7 9 9 14 59 6 17 9 6 16 
APPENDIX 3: GRCIPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF NFDRSPC PROGM STRUCTURE 

Main Menu (sec. 7.1) 

Choose one of : <-------------------<------------------------<---------------- 

1 Manual --> Manual Observation --->------------------->--- (calculate and 

Obs Entry & Checking save indices) -^ 

(sec. 8.1) A 

I 

2 RAWS -> RAWS Observation --> (get Associated --> Allow changes -mA 

Obs Entry & Checking manual station to manual data 

(sec. 8.2) data) (sec. 8.2) 

3 Station --> Station Forecast -->--------------->------------------ A 

Fcs t Entry & checking 

(sec. 8.3) 

4 Trend --> Trend Forecast --> (get manual --> (trend obs -->--^ 

Fcs t Entry & Checking observation(s)) data ) 

(sec. 8.4) 

E 

I 

[ 

E 

I 

[ 

[ 

I 

E 

[ 

E 

E 

[ 

E 

E 

I 

[ 

E 

E 

[7-Return to Main Menu 

5 Display --> Choose a format:---<-----------------------<-------------

-< 

(see. 7.2) 

Data [1-Weather Format 1 

[2-Indices Format 

[3-Abbreviated Format 

[4-Shortest Format 

[5-Manager's Format 

--> Enter Station 

Selection: 

Station Id, or 

State code, or 

County Code, or 

Zone Id, or 

Region Number, or 

Unit, or 

--> Choose Data 

Type : 

[1-Observed Data) A 

[2-Forecast Data) 

Stations (sec. 7.4) 

[1-All Stations } ------ -v 

[2-Single Station ) 

Selected Data 

Data) 

[6-Custom Format I 

[ --> Choose which 

[3-State 

[ 4-County 

[ 5 - Zone 

[ 6-Region 

[7-Unit 

List of Stations.) 

v 

(Continued on next page) 

[8-List of Stations) 

I 
7- Utilities --> Choose a utility:----<--------------------<------------- -< 

(sec. 7.5) 

[1-Design Custom Display) 

[2-Design Custom Archive) --> Select items for ---( Update - ->-A 

[ Display or Archive Configuration 

1 File ) 

[3-Change the Date ) --> Show Current 

I Operating Date 

1 I 

6 Catalog --> Choose a catalog operation: <----------<--------------- -< A 

Functions (sec. 7.3) 

[I-Add a Station 1 ----------- -> Enter Station -->---- 

1 Catalog Data 

[2-Delete a Station 1 - - - - - - - -V I I 

select ----------------->----V A 

1 Station 

[3-Displayastation } 

[ I 

E --> Choose Which 

Stations : 

I [1-All Stations f--------- -v 

1 12-Single Station } V 

13-State A A 

1 [4-County 

1 --> Allow Changes --> (Save New -->-- 

[ to Date Date ) 

14-Return to Main Menu --->-------------------------------------- } 

1 [ 5 - Zone 

I [6 -Region 

C [7-Unit 

I [8-List of Stations} 

E 

[ 

I 

--> Enter Station 

[ Selection: 

8-Quit --> (Read Observation files -->-- Confirm Quit ? --> Either exit 

and Archive Observations to DOS, or -->--- 

(Update 

[ Station Id, or ) -->(Get --> Show ---------- files)--^ 

1 State code, or 

[ County Code, or 

[ Zone Id, or 

[ Region Number, or 

[ Unit, or 

Selected Data A 

Data) 

r List of Stations.) 

[ 

[4-Modify any Value 1 

[5-Change Measured Woody ( -> Select A 

[6-Change Fuel-Stick Date) Station 

[ 

[ 

I 

(Get selected 

[ Station Data) 

[ I 

Show Current --> Allow Changes ->-" 

[ Station Data to selected data 

[ 

[7-Return to Main Menu } --->----------------------------------->--A 
APPENDIX 4: THE FOWT OF STANDARD ARCHIVE FIRE WATWER DATA 

FORT COLLINS ARCHIVE FORMAT 

Begin End 

Field Descriptions Col. # Col. # 

Station Number 

Date (yymmdd) 

State of Weather 

Dry-Bulb Temperature (OF) 

Relative Humidity (percent) 

Herbaceous Greeness Factor 

Digit '9' If Fuels Wet 

Not Used 

Man-Caused Risk 

Wind Direction (8 points) 

Windspeed (miles per hour) 

Not Used 

10-Hr-T/L Moisture 

(Only if measured) 

Woody Greenness Factor 

0 Maximum temperature ( F) 0 Minimum Temperature ( F) 

Maximum Relative Humidity (percent) 

Minimum Relative Humidity (percent) 

Season Code 

1 = Winter 

2 = Spring 

3 = Summer 

4 = Fall 

Precipitation Duration (Hours) 

Precipitation Amount (inches-100) 

Lightning Activity Level 

Digit "2" 

Model 1 ID 

Secondary Models: 

Model 2 ID 

Not Used 

Model 3 ID. 

Not Used 

Model 4 ID 

Not Used 

Not Used 

Forecast Flag 

0 or blank = OBS 

1 = FCST 

Region Number 

Explanatory Notes for Format 

1. Because all humidity entries are converted by NFDRSPC to relative 

humidity (even though the input may have been wet-bulb, dewpoint, or 

R.H.) only the relative humidity is available for archiving. The 

presence of the digit "2" in card column 61 indicates that the data in 

columns 17-19 are relative humidity and not wet-bulb (which is standard 

for the WS-D9b). 
2. The program permits up to four fuel models to be associated with any 

given station. The model identifier (a letter from A through U) for the 

first model is placed in column 62. The other four models have their 

identification placed in columns 63, 67, and 71. 

3. In the Max/Min temperature and humidity fields, a value of 100 in 

both Max and Min indicates that both values were missing. Subsequent 

processing should make this check. 

4. The Forest Service Region Number (column 80) is included for 

convenience in sorting by the National Fire-Danger Rating Library. 

5. The wind direction eight-point code in the card images has been 

derived from the stored degrees-of-the-compass value. Some stations may 

enter wind direction in systems other than 8 point which offer more 

resolutions, such as 16 point or degrees-of-the-compass. Such additional 

resolution is, of course, lost when this conversion to 8 point is made. 

Missing direction is recorded in the card images as "0." 

6. The 10-Hour Timelag Fuel Moisture is only archived if actually 

entered (nonmissing) in an observation. In all cases where this item 

is computed from ambient conditions, it appears in the archived records 

as zero or blank. 
APPENDIX 5: CUSTOM. ARCHIVE CONSTRUCTION 

Each record in the Custom Archive file will have one of three 

characters in the first position; either the pound sign "#," the letter 

" or the letter "F." 

The records starting with the "#" are called list records, because 

they contain a list of the data items being archived, and the order in 

which they are placed on the record. The records starting with the 

letter "0" contain observation data, and the records starting with the 

"F" contain forecast data. 

f il 

Arc 

Normally, there will be only one list record in the Custom Archive 

e, located at the beginning. However, if you change your Custom 

hive format, the program will place another in the file, before 

archiving any data in the new format. Therefore, anytime you see another 

list record in the file, expect the data on the following records to be 

in a different order or have different data altogether. 

The list record is constructed with up to 50 two-digit numbers 

following the "#", with each number separated by a space, but no space 

after the "#". For example, the record 

would mean that items 1, 2, 36, 10, 3, and 41 are being archived, and 

those items are located in the data records in that order. 

The records beginning with the letters "0" and "F" contain 

observation and forecast data. The data items follow the "0" or "F" in 

the same order as that given on the most recent list record. There is a 

space between each data item, with items 32-45 being handled a little 

differently. The length of each item is given in table 6, following the 

Custom Format Selection window discussion in section 8.6. 

For items 32-45, there are four possible values, one for each 

possible fuel model. The program will always archive all four values, 

even if they are zeros, and there will not be a space between the 

values. For example, in the case of BI, there are four items each of 

length 3, so the entire space occupied by the BI data would be 12 

characters long, with a space before and after it. 

So, if we use the example above as a list record, after 1 day, the 

Archive file would look something like this: 

# 1 2 36 10 3 41 

0 ATHENS GAFC 23 16 43 0 11 13 8AlP37BZA38RlPZ 

F ATHENS GAFC 33 19 51 0 12 14 8AlP37B2A38RlP2 

A IAA 11 1 1 IAAA IAAA IAAA IAAA ]This part 

STATN UNIT SC1 SC3 WS HR YMSGCYMSGCYMSGCYMSGC ]wouldn't be 

NAME NAME SC2 SC4 I 2 3 4 linthefile. 
APPENDIX 6: NFDRS PROBLEM REPORT 

NFDRS Version Number Date 

Type of installation performed TYP~ 1 Type 2 

Computer manufacturer 

Model 

CPU type (XT or 8086/8088) (AT or 80286) (80386) 

Memory installed in system 

Base memory (RAM) (0 to 640K) 

extended memory 

expanded memory 

Disk Information 

Floppy size I$ Capacity 

Hard disk (if any) Capacity 

Operating system Version 

Any TSR programs loaded? (Sidekick, Metro, etc.) 

Running on a network? Yes No 

If on a network, manufacturer 

version 

Problem Description 

Describe the problem. Also describe how to reproduce it. (Have 

available a printout of the screen (shift- PRTSC key) if your 

problem resulted in a strange-looking display, or you received 

the message ABNOmL END.) 
USER SUGGESTION FORM 

Name Date 

Address 

City State Zip 

Country 

Suggestion(s): 
List of Figures 

Figures Page 

Sample observed weather display .......................... 15 

Sample forecast weather display .......................... 15 

Sample observed indices format display ................... 16 

Sample observed abbreviated format display ............... 16 

Sample observed shortest format display .................. 16 

Sample observed manager's format display ................. 16 

Sample of observed data in custom format ................. 17 

Sample of station observation entry window ............... 22 

Sample of RAWS observation entry window .................. 24 

Sample of station forecast entry window .................. 26 

Sample of zone trend forecast entry window ............... 28 

Sample of station catalog entry/modification window ...... 31 

Sample of custom display format selection window ......... 34 

List of Tables Within Sections 

Tables 

1 Items for entry of station ebservation ................... 23 

2 Items for entry of RAWS observation ...................... 25 

3 Items for entry of station forecast ...................... 27 

4 Items for entry of zone or station trend forecast ........ 29 

5 Items for entry or modification of station catalog ....... 32 

6 Custom item keyword descriptions ......................... 36 

List of Tables Within Appendix 

Tables 

1 Appendix 2: 1978 NFDRS fuel model descriptors ........... 40 

2 Appendix 2: 1988 NFDRS fuel model descriptors ........... 41 

I Donaldson, Bryan G. ; Paul, James T. 1990. NFDRSPC: The National I Donaldson, Bryan G. ; Paul, James T. 1990. NFDRSPC : The National I I fire-danger rating system on a personal computer. Gen. Tech. 1 fire-danger rating system on a personal computer. Gen. Tech. 

I Rep. SE-61. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest I Rep. SE-61. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest 

I 

1 Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 49 pp. I Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 49 pp. 

1 I I 

This user's guide is an introductory manual for using the 1988 I 

version (Burgan 1988) of the National Fire-Danger Rating System on I an IBM PC or compatible computer. NFDRSPC is a window-oriented, 1 

interactive computer program that processes observed and forecast I 

weather with fuels data to produce NFDRS indices. Other program 

features include user-designed display formats, on-line context- I 

sensitive help, archiving in the standard Fort Collins format or in I 

a user-designed format, and utilities to maintain a catalog of I 

station attributes. I 

I 

Keywords: Fire-danger rating, computerized systems, PC software. I 

This user's guide is an introductory manual for using the 1988 I 

version (Burgan 1988) of the National Fire-Danger Rating System on I an IBM PC or compatible computer. NFDRSPC is a window-oriented, 1 

interactive computer program that processes observed and forecast 

weather with fuels data to produce NFDRS indices. Other program 

I 

features include user-designed display formats, on-line context- I 

sensitive help, archiving in the standard Fort Collins format or in 1 a user-designed format, and utilities to maintain a catalog of 

station attributes. 

I 

1 

Keywords: Fire-danger rating, computerized systems, PC software. 1 

I 


The Forest Service, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, is dedicated to the principle of 

multiple use management of the Nation" forest resources 

for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and 

recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the 

States and private forest owners, and management of the 

National Forests and National Grasslands, it strives-as 

directed by Congress-to provide increasingly greater 

service to a growing Nation. 

USDA policy prohibits discrimination because of race, 

color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or handicapping 

condition. Any person who believes he or she has been 

discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should 

immediately contact the Secretary of Agriculture, 

Washington, DC 20250.