Weather is recognized as the most critical element in fire behavior.
Loss of property, many injuries and fatalities are directly related to a weather factor. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department recognizes the importance of weather and climate, and the available technology allows the effective and accurate collection of weather information. The County of Los Angeles invested in the RAWS technology in 1990. These computer systems also act as multi-agency RAWS data collection and distribution systems. RAWS data from CDF, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forester Service, National Park Service and others are collected and shared by the interested participants.