The National Weather Service will provide forecast, warning and consultation services for the prevention, suppression, and management of forest and rangeland fires primarily for Federal and State wildland management agencies.

The National Weather Service cannot provide formal spot forecasts for non-wildfire situations. These situations include, but are not limited to, prescribed burns and smoke management etc. for non-federal land areas.

2.0 Pittsburgh Weather Forecast Office Fire Weather Policy

The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania began providing fire weather support in accordance with the National Weather Service Fire Weather Policy on February 1, 2000 . This support is provided for the area described as the Pittsburgh County Warning Area (CWA ). The support consists of daily fire weather forecasts during the fire season. Spot (non-routine) forecasts, fire weather watches and red flag warnings are provided on an as needed basis at any time throughout the year.

3.0 County Warning Areas {See attachments # 1 and 2 }

The WFO Pittsburgh CWA consists of:

A) Southwestern Pennsylvania

B) A Portion of Northwestern Pennsylvania

C) East Central Ohio

D) The Northern Panhandle of West Virginia

E) A Portion of Northern West Virginia and

F) Garrett County Maryland .

4.0 Weather Zones

Weather zones are groups of counties within the Pittsburgh CWA that are expected to have similar weather conditions over the given forecast period. These zones will generally change from forecast to forecast as the contributing weather situation changes. This concept is called flexible zone forecasting and gives a more realistic and accurate description of a county's weather conditions for that forecast period. Therefore, a given county may not always be in the same zone grouping in every forecast.

An example:

Today, Butler County's forecast may be similar to Allegheny County's forecast and both counties would be located in the same zone grouping. A month later (or even the next day), Butler County's forecast may be more like Venango County's forecast and then these counties would be grouped together.

5.0 Forestry Districts {See attachment #3 }

There are 9 Forestry Districts served by the Pittsburgh CWA. These districts were established by the state Forestry Departments based on general location. It is the responsibility of the various forestry districts to be familiar with the fire zones located in their district. The forestry districts in the Pittsburgh CWA are as follows:

In Pennsylvania :

District 4

District 6

District 8

District 14

In Maryland :

Western Region

In West Virginia :

District 1

In Ohio :

District 3

District 4

6.0 State Liaison Offices

The state liaison office is the NWS office that handles statewide fire weather coordination with the users for a given state. The state liaison offices for the Pittsburgh CWA are as follows:

Maryland - WFO Sterling, Virginia

44087 Weather Service Road

Sterling, VA 20166

(703) 206-0107

Ohio - WFO Wilmington, Ohio

1901 South State Route 134

Wilmington, OH 45177

(937) 383-0929

Pennsylvania- WFO State College, Pennsylvania

227 West Beaver Street, Suite 402

State College, PA 16801-4921

(814) 237-1152

West Virginia - WFO Charleston, West Virginia

400 Parkway Road

Charleston, WV 25309

(304) 746-0190

7.0 Description of Area

The Pittsburgh CWA is located in the northeast portion of the continental United States with an area of about 19,000 square miles. The topography ranges from rolling hills with farmland over the south and west portions to mountains in the north and east. The Allegheny Mountains extend along the eastern boundary of the CWA with elevations as high as 4,000 feet in West Virginia and Maryland . Considerable agricultural land lies in the rolling hills and mountain valleys. Hardwood forests provide the majority of the vegetative coverage in the higher elevations. The growing season averages about 166 days in length; extending from late April to mid October.

8.0 Fire Season

The normal fire season is broken down into two separate periods. The Spring season which extends from March 1^st through May 31^st. The Fall season which extends from October 1^st through December 31^st. WFO Pittsburgh will issue a daily fire weather forecast (PITFWFPIT) for the Pittsburgh CWA during both of these fire seasons.

9.0 Site Specific Weather Product (PITFWMPIT ) {See attachment # 4 }

A site specific weather forecast (PITFWMPBZ) will be issued daily whenever a zone forecast is routinely created or updated. This product will be created by using the published forecast grids from GFE {Gridded Forecast Editor}. This forecast is created for 4 specific sites. One site is in Pennsylvania , at Marienville in Forest County and three sites are in West Virginia. One at Kingwood in Preston County, one at Beard Knob in Tucker County and the other at Tomlinson Run in Hancock County.

Format for the product is:

FCST,Station,DATE,13,WX,T,RH,L1,L2,WD,WS,TM,TN,HM,HN,P1,P2,WF

9.1 Information for the Site Specific Weather Product

The WIMMS fire weather site product from the Pittsburgh WFO will include the following information:

a. Extent of forecast - FCST.

ZONE (for zone) or FCST (for a point)

b. Station Identification Number - Station.

c. Forecast Date - DATE. ( yymmdd)

d. Forecast Time - 13. (usually 18Z)

e. Weather Code - WX.

f. Temperature for time "d" - T. (degrees F)

g. Relative Humidity for time "d" - RH. (percent)

h. Lightning Activity Level (LAL) – L1&L2. {see attachment #7 }

(period 1 [19Z-04Z], period 2 [04Z-04Z])

i. Wind Direction for time "d" - WD. (16 point compass)

j. Wind Speed for time "d" - WS. (MPH)

k. 24 Hour Maximum Temp Forecast - TM . (degrees F)

l. 24 Hour Minimum Temp Forecast - TN. (degrees F)

m. 24 Hour Maximum RH Forecast - HM. (percent)

n. 24 Hour Minimum RH Forecast - HN. (percent)

o. Hours of Precipitation - P1&P2.

(period 1 [18Z-10Z], period 2 [10Z-18Z])

p. Wet Flag - WF.{"Y" or "N"} ("Y" - only used when fuels are saturated or snow covered, therefore rarely used)

10.0 Daily Fire Weather Product (PITFWFPIT ) {See attachment # 4 }

The daily fire weather product will be issued by the Pittsburgh CWA for each of the weather zones within its CWA. The weather zones will be established based on that days weather situation as explained in section 4.0.

The fire weather forecast will cover specific conditions for a 36 hour period and consist of three 12-hour periods (today, tonight, and tomorrow). The product will also contain a 3-5 day extended forecast issued by the WFO Pittsburgh for western Pennsylvania . A brief synopsis of the weather as it pertains to the CWA may precede the forecasts, especially in critical weather situations.

10.1 Information Included in the Daily Fire Weather Product

The fire weather forecast product will be issued between 5 and 6 AM daily for a 36-hour period of detailed forecast information. This will consist of three 12-hour periods (today, tonight and the next day). An extended 3 to 5 day forecast for the area followed by a general wind speed forecast for the same period and a 8 to 14 day outlook will also be included. The outlook will be a departure from normal based on the state of Pennsylvania. The daily forecast will also include a headline in the event of a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning. The fire weather product from the Pittsburgh WFO will include the following information:

a) A headline {optional, but required if a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning are in effect.} (HEADLINE )

b) A brief synopsis of the current weather pattern. (.DISCUSSION )

c) Cloud Amount. (CLOUD COVER)

d) Chance of Precipitation in percent. (CHANCE PRECIP (%) )

e) Precipitation Type. (PRECIP TYPE )

f) Daytime maximum and nighttime minimum temperature in degrees F and 24 hour change. {TEMP (24H TREND))

g) Daytime minimum and nighttime maximum relative humidity in percent and 24 hour change. (RH % (24H TREND))

h) Valley wind direction in 8-point compass and wind speed in miles per hour. (20FTWND-VAL/AM(MPH) )

i) Ridge wind direction in 8-point compass and wind speed in miles per hour. (20FTWND-RDG/PM(MPH) )

j) Precipitation amount in range. (PRECIP AMOUNT )

k) Precipitation duration in continuous hours. (PRECIP DURATION )

l) Beginning time of precipitation. (PRECIP BEGIN )

m) Ending time of precipitation. (PRECIP END )

n) Afternoon mixing height in meters. (M-AGL/MSL )

o) Afternoon mixing height in feet. (FT-AGL/MSL )

p) Transport Wind in miles per hour and 8-point compass. ( TRANSPORT WND (MPH))

q) Ventilation rate The mixing height multiplied by the transport wind speed.

{MIXING HEIGHT x TRANSPORT SPEED} (VENT RATE (MPH-FT) )

r) Morning dispersion potential in category. (DISPERSION ) {see attachment # 6 )

s) The Lightning Activity Level in categories. (LAL ) {see attachment # 7 )

t) Haines Index potential for large fire growth in categories. (HAINES INDEX) { see attachment # 5}

This forecast and other Hydro-meteorological information will be available on the Pittsburgh Weather Internet site at:

www.erh.noaa.gov/pbz

11.0 Spot(non-routine) Forecasts

The spot forecast is a site-specific, localized weather forecast available for wildfire support. This forecast will include wind, temperature, and humidity forecasts, as well as, any local topographic or special effects that may be present. It will normally cover a 12-hour period and will be issued upon request by the agency overseeing the wildfire. Spot forecasts will only be issued for prescribed or planned burns requested by federal and state agencies.

11.1 Requesting the Issuance of a Spot Forecast

a) Completion of form WS Form D-1 by the requesting agency which will provide current weather information for the site-specific location.

{See attachment # 11 }

b) Agency will provide the following information:

1) Agency Name

2) Location and Size of the wildfire {Latitude and Longitude)

3) Elevation, Geography and Topography

4) Recent weather observation

5) Any additional information that would help the forecaster

There are 2 ways to make a request for a spot forecast.

1. Make a request through the national NWS SPOT internet program.

a) Agency will access the NWS SPOT internet site via a link from the Pittsburgh internet site.

b) After accessing the NWS SPOT web site, the agency will complete the request form providing all

available information for the spot forecast request. The same information listed on the WS Form D-1.

c) After submitting the request, a product will alarm at the WFO PBZ office.

d) After receiving the alarm, the forecaster will create a spot forecast then go to the internet site and enter

it. The program will also create a PITFWSPBZ and issue that.

e) The agency can then obtain the spot forecast from the same internet site.

2. Make a request by calling or faxing the request directly to our office.

a) Agency will call or fax the information from the WS Form D-1.

b) Forecaster will create the spot forecast then issue it through the internet.

c) The agency can obtain it through the internet or by providing an appropriate phone or fax number.

11.2 Spot Forecast Product{See attachment # 8}

The duty forecaster will provide the following information in the spot forecast product:

a) Time period for the forecast (usually 12 hours)

b) A brief synopsis - Include any warnings or watches in effect.

c) Relative humidity forecast (minimum range for the day, maximum range at night)

d) 20 foot forecast wind direction and speed (indicate height if not the 20 foot wind)

e) Probability of precipitation

f) Mesoscale features affecting site (i.e. thunderstorms, fronts etc.)

g) Any other weather phenomena deemed important by the duty forecaster including

any warnings, watches or advisories in effect for the area.

12.0 Fire Danger Ratings {See attachment # 10}

Due to the non-meteorological parameters involved in forecasting fire danger ratings, the direct computation of fire categories will be calculated in season by the Bureau of Forestry. When a category of HIGH , VERY HIGH , or EXTREME is calculated, the Bureau of Forestry will notify the Pittsburgh WFO. The Pittsburgh WFO will broadcast this rating in the form of a brief call-to-action statement over the NOAA weather radio servicing the affected climatic districts. The Bureau of Forestry will continue to notify the Pittsburgh WFO daily during the late afternoon of the current rating until the fire danger falls below the high category.

13.0 Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings ( PITRFWPBZ ) {See attachment # 9 }

Specific conditions must be met for a Fire Weather Watch and/or a Red Flag Warning to be issued. These conditions are as follows:

1) Ten hour fuels must be at 15% moisture or less and expected to remain at that level for 2 or more days. {10 hr fuels <= 15% }

2) Minimum Relative Humidity (RH) levels are expected to fall to 30% or lower. {RH <= 30%}

and

3) The 20 foot winds are expected to exceed 15 MPH. { 20 ft wind speed > 15 MPH}

The appropriate district forestry office will notify the Pittsburgh WFO when the fuel moisture of the 10 hour fuel moisture sticks have/or are expected to drop to 15% or less.

If, after being notified of low fuel moisture, the Pittsburgh WFO determines that the relative humidity/wind criteria may (or will) also be met, the Pittsburgh WFO will coordinate with the affected forestry district(s) and decide whether a FIRE WEATHER WATCH or RED FLAG WARNING is in order or needed. In all cases, the Pittsburgh WFO will coordinate with the affected district(s) before issuing a FIRE WEATHER WATCH or RED FLAG WARNING. Also, if at all possible, notify Russell DeMaris the Pittsburgh WFO Fire Weather Focal Point when considering the issuance of a FIRE WEATHER WATCH or RED FLAG WARNING.

If a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued, the Pittsburgh WFO will include a HEADLINE in the daily fire weather forecast, as well as any spot forecasts issued during the event.

A "FIRE WEATHER WATCH" is issued to alert the user to the possible development of a Red Flag event in the near future. This could be up to 72 hours in advance.

A "RED FLAG WARNING" is issued to warn the user of an impending or on-going Red Flag event. A Red Flag Warning will be issued immediately when Red Flag conditions are occurring or for impending Red Flag conditions when there is a high degree of confidence that conditions will develop within the next 4 hours.

Because of the restrictions on user programs brought about by a Red Flag Warning, it is imperative that the warning be promptly canceled when conditions cease to exist or the conditions are no longer expected to develop.

14.0 NOAA Weather Radio

The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio continually broadcasts weather and related information over a special broadcast band. This band is available on specially designed radios equipped to pick up the frequencies assigned to this band. Maps of the areas covered by the PBZ CWA radios are included.

{See attachments # 12 through 18 } There is also a map showing the location of other area NOAA Weather Radio transmitters. {See attachment # 19 }

Following are the PBZ CWA NOAA weather radios and their assigned frequencies.

Location Station Frequency

a) Pittsburgh, Pa KIH-35 162.550

b) Parker, Pa WWG-53 162.425

c) Bridgeport, Oh WWF-35 162.525

d) High Hill, Oh WXJ-47 162.475

e) Backbone Mountain , WvKXI-73 162.450

f) Morgantown , WvKWN-35 162.475

g) Gregg Knob, Wv KWN-36 162.500

15.0 On-Site Meteorological Support

Large wildfires may require an incident response. If the occasion should arise in the Pittsburgh CWA, then the appropriate state would request an Air Transportable Mobile Unit ( ATMU). This unit would be requested by the state or federal government through the U.S. Forest Service or the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho . The local user agency requesting the on-site forecast service has the primary responsibility (administrative, financial, etc.) for transporting the ATMU and Incident Meteorologist to and from the incident.

16.0 Department of Forestry Contacts

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT of CONSERVATION and NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Paul Sebasovich [psebasovich@state.pa.us]

400 Market Street

P.O. Box 8552

Harrisburg , PA 17105-8552

(717) 787-2925

District # 4: Cory Wentzel [cwentzel@state.pa.us]

Forbes P.O. Box 519, Rte 30E

Laughlintown , PA 15655

(724) 238-1200

District # 6: Robert Schweitzer [rschweitze@state.pa.us]

Gallitzin 155 Hillcrest Drive

P.O. Box 506

Ebensburg , PA 15931-0506

(814) 472-1862

District # 8: Gary Frank [gfrank@state.pa.us]

Kittanning 158 South Second Avenue

Clarion , PA 16214

(814) 226-1901

District # 14: Dennis Kirkpatrick [dekirkpatr@state.pa.us]

Cornplanter 323 North State Street

North Warren , PA 16365

(814) 723-0262

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

Northwest Pa Office: Terry Steffan [tsteffan@fs.fed.us]

Allegheny National Forest

HC-2, Box 130

Marienville , PA 16239

(814) 927-6628 ext 141

Don Scronek [dscronek@fs.fed.us]

222 Liberty St .

Warren , PA 16365

(814) 723-5180 ext 239

OHIO DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Michael Bowden [michael.bowden@dnr.state.oh.us]

Ohio Division of Forestry, Fire Training Coordinator

2045 Morse Road , H-1

Columbus , OH 43229

(614) 265-1088

District # 3: Frank Corona [frank.corona@dnr.state.oh.us]

2205 Reiser Avenue SE

New Philadelphia , OH 44663

(330) 339-2205 ext 13

District # 4: David Hildebrand [dave.hildebrand@dnr.state.oh.us]

Blue Rock State Forest

6665 Cutler Lake Road

Blue Rock , OH 43720

(740) 674-4035

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST

Southeast Oh Office: Kevan Moore [kevanmoore@fs.fed.us]

13700 U.S. Highway 33

Nelsonville , OH 45764

(740) 753-0574

WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION of FORESTRY

State Office: Matthew Dillon [mdillon@wvforestry.com]

West Virginia Division of Forestry

Guthrie Center

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East

Charleston , WV 25305-0180

(304) 558-2788

District # 1: Lowell McPherson [mcphersl@ma.rr.com]

West Virginia Division of Forestry

Route 2, Box 1100

Fairmont , WV 26554

(304) 367-2793

MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST

Northern Wv Office: Peter Fischer [pfischer@fs.fed.us]

Monongahela National Forest

200 Sycamore Street

Elkins , WV 26241

(304) 636-1800 ext 264

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Monte Mitchell [mmitchell@dnr.state.md.us]

Maryland DNR Forest Service, State Fire Supervisor

580 Taylor Avenue, E-1

Annapolis , MD 21401

(410) 260-8503

Western Region: Ric Lillard [rlillard@dnr.state.md.us]

Green Ridge Fire Center

28800 Headquarters Dr, NE

Flintstone , MD 21530

(301) 478-2976

17.0 National Weather Service Contacts

Pittsburgh WFO: Russell DeMaris; FWFP [russell.demaris@noaa.gov]

Theresa Rossi; MIC

Richard Kane; WCM

192 Shafer Road

Moon Township , PA 15108

(412) 262-1882

State College WFO: Bill Gartner; FWFP [william.gartner@noaa.gov]

Bruce Budd; MIC

Thomas Dunham; WCM

328 Innovation Blvd, Suite 330

State College , PA 16803

(814) 231-2408

Cleveland WFO: Francis Kieltyka; FWFP [francis.kieltyka@noaa.gov]

William Comeaux; MIC

Gary Garnet; WCM

5301 West Hanger Road

Federal Facilities Building

Cleveland , OH 44135

(216) 265-2380

Wilmington WFO: John J. Franks; FWFP [john.j.franks@noaa.gov]

Kenneth Haydu; MIC

Mary Jo Parker; WCM

1901 South State Route 134

Wilmington , OH 45177

(937) 383-0929

Charleston WFO: Kari Fleegel; FWFP [kari.fleegel@noaa.gov]

Alan Rezek; MIC

Daniel Bartholf; WCM

400 Parkway Road

Charleston , WV 25309

(304) 746-0189

Sterling WFO: Christopher Strong; FWFP [christopher.strong@noaa.gov]

Jim Lee; MIC

David Manning; WCM

44087 Weather Service Road

Sterling , VA 20166

(703)260-0105 ext 1

Eastern Region: Harvey Thurm; FWPM [harvey.thurm@noaa.gov]

Airport Corporate Center

630 Johnson Avenue

Bohemia , NY 11716

(631) 244-0124

NWS Headquarters: Larry Van Bussum; FWPM [larry.vanbussum@noaa.gov]

National Interagency Fire Center , NIFC

3833 S. Development Avenue , Building 3807

Boise , ID 83705

(208) 334-9824

NIFC at Boise ID : National Interagency Fire Center

3833 S. Development Avenue

Boise , ID 83705

(208) 387-5512

EACC Interagency: Stephen Marien; FWPM [Stephen_Marien@nps.gov]

1 Federal Drive, P. O. Box 29

Fort Snelling , MN 55111-4080

(612) 713-7300

Attachment # 1

Text Box:

Attachment # 2

Text Box:

Attachment # 3 Text Box:

Attachment # 4

DAILY FIRE WEATHER PRODUCT

FIRE WEATHER FORECAST

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

TIME AM EST DAY MON DT YEAR

.DISCUSSION...

A COLD FRONT WILL PUSH TOWARD THE AREA LATER TODAY. CLOUD COVER WILL INCREASE WITH THIS FRONT LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT. WINDS THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE OUT OF THE SOUTHWEST

AND INCREASING TO 15 AND 30 MILES PER HOUR WITH HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE. THESE STRONG WINDS WILL BRING MILDER TEMPERATURES TO THE REGION.

PAZ021-030-OHZ040-041-049-050-PAZ020-029-032-WVZ001>003-110532-

ALLEGHENY-BEAVER-BROOKE-CARROLL-COLUMBIANA-FAYETTE-HANCOCK-

HARRISON-JEFFERSON- OHIO-WASHINGTON -WESTMORELAND-

TIME AM EST DAY MON DT YEAR

TODAY TONIGHT NEXT DAY

CLOUD COVER MO CLR MO CLDY MO CLR

PRECIP CHC (%) 0 0 0

PRECIP TYPE NONE NONE NONE

MAX/MIN TEMP 56 34 46

AM WIND SW 15 NW 5

PM WIND SW 25 NW 15 NW 10

PRECIP AMOUNT 0 0 0

PRECIP DURATION 0 0 0

HUMIDITY (%) 41 86 41

HAINES INDEX 5 -- 4

PRECIP BEGIN -- -- --

PRECIP END -- -- --

LAL 1 1 1

MIXING HGT 4000 4000

TRANSPORT WIND SW 32 -- NW 23

VENTILATION RATE 128000 -- 92000

DISPERSION EXCELLENT

OHZ048-057>059-068-069-039-PAZ031-WVZ004-012-021-022-110532-

BELMONT-COSHOCTON-GREENE- GUERNSEY-MARION-MARSHALL-MONONGALIA- MONROE-

MUSKINGUM-NOBLE-TUSCARAWAS-WETZEL-

TIME AM EST DAY MON DT YEAR

TODAY TONIGHT NEXT DAY

CLOUD COVER MO CLR MO CLDY MO CLR

PRECIP CHC (%) 0 0 0

PRECIP TYPE NONE NONE NONE

MAX/MIN TEMP 56 34 46

AM WIND SW 15 NW 5

PM WIND SW 25 NW 15 NW 10

PRECIP BEGIN -- -- --

PRECIP END -- -- --

HUMIDITY (%) 41 86 41

HAINES INDEX 5 -- 4

PRECIP AMOUNT 0 0 0

PRECIP DURATION 0 0 0

LAL 1 1 1

MIXING HGT 4000 4000

TRANSPORT WIND SW 32 -- -- NW 23

VENTILATION RATE 128000 -- 92000

DISPERSION POOR

PAZ007>009-013>016-022-023-110532-

ARMSTRONG-BUTLER -CLARION-FOREST -INDIANA-JEFFERSON -LAWRENCE-

MERCER-VENANGO-

TIME AM EST DAY MON DT YEAR

TODAY TONIGHT NEXT DAY

CLOUD COVER MO CLR MO CLDY MO CLR

PRECIP CHC (%) 0 0 0

PRECIP TYPE NONE NONE NONE

MAX/MIN TEMP 56 34 46

AM WIND SW 15 NW 5

PM WIND SW 25 NW 15 NW 10

PRECIP AMOUNT 0 0 0

PRECIP DURATION 0 0 0

HUMIDITY (%) 41 86 41

HAINES INDEX 5 -- 4

PRECIP BEGIN -- -- --

PRECIP END -- -- --

LAL 1 1 1

MIXING HGT 4000 4000

TRANSPORT WIND SW 32 -- -- NW 23

VENTILATION RATE 128000 -- 92000

DISPERSION FAIR

MDZ001-WVZ023-041-110532-

GARRETT-PRESTON-TUCKER-

TIME AM EST DAY MON DT YEAR

TODAY TONIGHT NEXT DAY

CLOUD COVER MO CLR MO CLDY MO CLR

PRECIP CHC (%) 0 0 0

PRECIP TYPE NONE NONE NONE

MAX/MIN TEMP 56 34 46

AM WIND SW 15 NW 5

PM WIND SW 25 NW 15 NW 10

PRECIP AMOUNT 0 0 0

PRECIP DURATION 0 0 0

HUMIDITY (%) 41 86 41

HAINES INDEX 5 -- 4

PRECIP BEGIN -- -- --

PRECIP END -- -- --

LAL 1 1 1

MIXING HGT 4000 4000

TRANSPORT WIND SW 32 -- -- NW 23

VENTILATION RATE 128000 -- 92000

DISPERSION GOOD

.EXTENDED…

.SUNDAY NIGHT...CLEAR. LOWS 25 TO 30.

.MONDAY...PARTLY SUNNY. HIGHS 45 TO 50.

.TUESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS NEAR 30. HIGHS 50 TO 55.

.WEDNESDAY...SCATTERED SHOWERS. LOWS NEAR 35. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.

.THURSDAY...SCATTERED SHOWERS. LOWS 35 TO 40. HIGHS 55 TO 60.

.DAY 3 TO 6 WIND FORECAST…

.SUNDAY NIGHT...WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH.

.MONDAY...WEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.

.TUESDAY...WEST WINDS AROUND 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH.

.WEDNESDAY...SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 15 MPH.

.THURSDAY...NORTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.

.OUTLOOK 8 TO 14 DAY...8^th DAY DATE TO 14^th DAY DATE

TEMPERATURE… ABOVE NORMAL.

PRECIPITATION… BELOW NORMAL.

WIMMS Fire Weather Site Forecast {PITFWMPBZ}

FCST,361002,050809,13,2,81,55,,,SW,05,,81,65,97,55,0,0,N

Sites for the Site Specific Forecasts:

Allegheny National Forest at Marienville PA - ALLEGH 361002

Tomlinson Run State Park Tomlinson Run WV - TOMLIN 460101

Kingwood WV - KINGWO 460901

Monongahela National Forest at Beard Knob - DAVIS 462601

Attachment # 5

Haines Index Categories (for potential fire growth)

3 or less - Very Low

4 - Low

5 - Moderate

6 - High

Attachment # 6

DISPERSION CATEGORIES

Very Poor (VP); Poor (PO ); Fair ( FA); Good (GD); Excellent ( EX)

Attachment # 7

LIGHTNING ACTIVITY LEVELS (LAL)

1. - No Thunderstorms/Lightning

2. - Few Thunderstorms/Few Lightning Strikes

3. - Widely Scattered Thunderstorms/Scattered Lightning Strikes

4. - Scattered Thunderstorms/Numerous Lightning Strikes

5. - Widespread Thunderstorms/Frequent Lightning Strikes

6. - Dry Lightning {LAL level 3 or higher with no precipitation}

Attachment # 8

SPOT WEATHER FORECAST EXAMPLES

A DAYTIME FORECAST:

A WEAK COLD FRONT WILL PASS THE AREA ABOUT 3 PM BRINGING A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. THE WIND WILL INCREASE AND SHIFT FROM THE SOUTH TO THE WEST AFTER FRONTAL PASSAGE. RAIN SHOULD BEGIN BETWEEN 1 AND 2 PM WITH 0.50 INCHES POSSIBLE.

.THIS AFTERNOON...INCREASING CLOUDINESS WITH A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S WITH LOWEST RH AROUND 25 PERCENT. WIND SOUTH 5 TO 10 MPH INCREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH THEN SHIFTING TO THE WEST. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT.

.TONIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW NEAR 45 WITH HIGHEST RH BETWEEN 85 AND 90 PERCENT. WIND WEST 10 TO 15 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION LESS THAN 10 PERCENT.

A NIGHTTIME FORECAST:

LITTLE CHANGE IS EXPECTED AS SKIES WILL REMAIN FAIR OVERNIGHT. LIGHT UPSLOPE WIND WILL REVERSE TO A LIGHT DOWNSLOPE WIND.

.OVERNIGHT...FAIR. LOW 50 TO 55. MAX RH AROUND 75 PERCENT. WIND SOUTHEAST LESS THAN 5 MPH.

.FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH NEAR 80. MIN RH 30 TO 35 PERCENT. WIND BECOMING NORTHWEST LESS THAN 5 MPH.

Attachment # 9

RED FLAG WARNING AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH

WVZ023-041-042000

RED FLAG WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

0530 EST SAT DEC 04 1999

...RED FLAG WARNING FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS

THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA ...

FIRE WEATHER ZONE INCLUDED IN THIS WARNING IS:

DISCUSSION: A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA AROUND NOON TODAY. AHEAD OF THE FRONT STRONG SUSTAINED WINDS BETWEEN 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED. THE WINDS WILL BECOME NORTHWEST AFTER THE FRONT PASSES BUT THE SPEEDS WILL DECREASE TO 10 TO 15 MPH SHORTLY AFTER THE WIND SHIFT.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

OHZ039-040-048>050-057>059-068-069-050000-

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

0530 EST SAT DEC 04 1999

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS THIS AFTERNOON FOR EAST CENTRAL OHIO ...

FIRE WEATHER ZONES INCLUDED IN THIS WATCH ARE: 8 AND 9.

DISCUSSION: A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON. STRONG SUSTAINED NORTHWEST WINDS BETWEEN 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH BEHIND THE FRONT. A RED FLAG WARNING MAY BE NEEDED THIS AFTERNOON.

PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH.

Attachment # 10

WILDFIRE DANGER STATEMENT

Here is a Wildfire Danger Statement issued by the [State] Bureau of Forestry in [City, State].

For [Day Month Date Year ] the wildfire danger is [High , Very High , or Extreme ] for the [Geographic area of danger ] of [State ].

Open burning of any type is considered extremely dangerous at this time. Contact your local fire authorities before doing any type of open burning. Be very careful of heat and sparks while operating any equipment or smoking in wildland areas.

Note: Information within [BRACKETS] and in BLUE will change with each new or updated issuance.

Attachment # 11

WS FORM D-1 FIRE WEATHER SPECIAL FORECAST REQUEST (SPOT FORECAST)

***** SAVE AS "PITFWSPIT" *****

I - REQUESTING

AGENCY WILL FURNISH:

______________________________________________________________________________

1.NAME OF FIRE OR PROJECT: |2.CONTROL AGENCY: |3.REQUEST MADE:

| |TIME: |DATE:

__________________________________|___________________|____________|__________

4.LOCATION OF FIRE:(LAT/LON,CNTY/TOWN/TWNSHP)|5.DRAINAGE NAME: |6.EXPOSURE:

| |

_____________________________________________|____________________|___________

7.SIZE OF PROJECT(ACRES)|8.ELEVATION: |9.FUEL TYPE(IF KNOWN):|10.ON:

|TOP: |BOTTOM: | | [ ]GROUND

________________________|_________|________|______________________|[ ]CROWNING

11.WEATHER CONDITIONS AT PROJECT OR NEARBY STATION: |

|TION: |TIME:|20 FT: |EYE: |DRY|WET|RH |DP | ETC.)

______________________________________________________________________________

| | | | | | | | |

_____________|______|_____|_______|_______|___|___|___|___|___________________

| | | | | | | | |

_____________|______|_____|_______|_______|___|___|___|___|___________________

| | | | | | | | |

_____________|______|_____|_______|_______|___|___|___|___|___________________

12.SEND FORECAST TO|PLACE: |VIA: |ATTN:

| |FAX |

___________________|____________________|_____________|_______________________

==============================================================================

******************************************************************************

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

******************************************************************************

==============================================================================

II - FIRE WEATHER FORECASTER WILL PROVIDE:

______________________________________________________________________________

13.FORECAST AND OUTLOOK.....

FORECAST...

______________________________________________________________________________

TEMP:(MAX RANGE-DAY,MIN RANGE-NIGHT) | RH:(MIN RANGE-DAY,MAX RANGE-NIGHT)

MAX: MIN: | MIN: % AFTERNOON, MAX: % NIGHT _____________________________________|________________________________________

20 FOOT WINDS:(DIRECTION AND SPEED){USE ABOVE OBS AS GUIDE TO LOCAL EFFECTS}

______________________________________________________________________________

MESOSCALE FEATURES AFFECTING LOCATION(FRONTS,STORMS,ETC) AND ADDITIONAL REMARKS:

______________________________________________________________________________

NAME OF FORECASTER:|FIRE WEATHER OFFICE:

|WFO PITTSBURGH PA

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III - REQUESTING AGENCY WILL COMPLETE UPON RECEIPT OF FORECAST

______________________________________________________________________________

14.FORECAST RECEIVED|TIME: |DATE: |NAME:

____________________|_______________|_______________|_________________________

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