PCU 5: Strategic and Tactical Meteorological Support to Fire Operations

Determine incident resources and and understand weather needs. Incorporate detailed knowledge of fire operations and interpretation of terrain to provide site specific support.

Job Task Skills and Knowledge:

Assess exposure of incidents to weather events based on logistical and operational considerations Coordinate with incidents to develop trigger points for notification on short term and long term events high impact events Ensure that products address potential of high impact events and use confidence terminology to help incident planners Identify critical operational areas that may require high detailed weather information Evaluate complex terrain to determine locations which may demonstrate substantial departures from expected prevailing weather Utilize multiple methods to increase understanding of local specific site needs. This may include site visits and access to site maps and other site intelligence Coordinate development of observing networks including portable weather stations and manual observations to confirm local weather patterns. This can incorporate portable upper air systems Utilize conceptual and fine scaled computer models to improve understanding of local weather conditions

Instructional Components:

Introduction to Fire Behavior (COMET - Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course) Mesoscale Meteorology Effects on Fire Behavior (COMET - Advanced Fire Weather Forecasters Course) Given a Wind Ninja or Wind Wizard run for a given location and interpret its results given weather data and maps. Identify locations where weather stations should be placed and belt weather kit observations should be taken. Tactical forecasting briefing and spot forecast simulation Tactical Forecasting Modules 1, 2 and 3 Supplemental fire weather observations to support operations Annual Fire Weather Research and Modeling Roundup Virtual Workshop

Legend for Instructional Components:

Normal:	Instructional component already exists in current form
Bold:	Instructional component is an instructor lead activity
Italicized:	Instructional component is a learning module that needs to be developed