NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH, PA

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.

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 Fire Weather Zones

Fire weather zones exist for each of the 36 counties within the Pittsburgh CWA.

5.0 Forestry Districts {See attachment #3 }

There are 8 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 :

Northeast Forest District (Formerly District 3)

Southern Forest District (Formerly 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

WFO Pittsburgh will issue a daily fire weather forecast (PITFWFPIT) for the Pittsburgh CWA during the entire year.

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

A site specific weather forecast (PITFWMPBZ) will be issued daily at 2100 UTC. This product will be created by using the published forecast grids from GFE (Graphical Forecast Editor). This forecast is created for 5 specific sites. Two sites are in Pennsylvania, at Marienville in Forest County, and Quarry Trail in Westmoreland County. Three sites are in West Virginia, at Kingwood in Preston County, at Beard Knob in Tucker County, and at Tomlinson Run in Hancock County.

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 36 counties within the CWA.

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 3-7 day extended forecast issued by WFO Pittsburgh and an 8-14 day outlook issued by the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) for the region. A brief synopsis of the weather as it pertains to the CWA will precede the forecast

10.1 Information Included in the Daily Fire Weather Product

The fire weather forecast product will be issued between 3 and 5 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 7 day forecast for the area followed by a general wind speed forecast for the same period and an 8 to 14 day outlook will also be included. The outlook will be a departure from normal based on CPC’s prediction for the region. 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, humidity, and smoke dispersion (mixing height/mixing winds) forecasts. It will normally cover a 12 to 36 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 (MUCH PREFERRED).

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 (12-36 hours)

b) A brief synopsis…including any warnings or watches in effect.

c) Sky/Weather

d) Temperature forecast (maximum T for the day, minimum T at night)

e) Relative humidity forecast (minimum RH for the day, maximum RH at night)

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

g) Probability of precipitation

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

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

i) For the first 12 hours...a matrix is available giving two hour increments of sky cover, weather type/coverage, temperature, RH, 20 foot sustained wind, and 20 foot wind gust.

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 VERY HIGH or EXTREME is calculated, PBZ should be notified. State/federal agencies may request PBZ to issue a Special Weather Statement (SPS) highlighting the threat.

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

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 6 hours.

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

For PA...
- Relative Humidity less than or equal to 30%
- Sustained Wind Speed greater than or equal to 15 mph
- 10-hour Fuel Stick Moisture less than or equal to 15%

For MD...
- Relative Humidity less than or equal to 30%
- Sustained Wind Speed greater than or equal to 20 mph
- 10-hour Fuel Stick Moisture less than or equal to 8%

For WV/OH...
- Relative Humidity less than or equal to 25%
- Sustained Wind Speed greater than or equal to 15 mph
- 10-hour Fuel Stick Moisture less than or equal to 8%

The appropriate district forestry office should notify the Pittsburgh WFO when the fuel moisture of the 10 hour fuel moisture sticks have/or are expected to drop critical values.

Fuel values can also be obtained at the Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) web page at

http://www.wfas.net/index.php/dead-fuel-moisture-moisture--drought-38

If, after being notified of low fuel moisture, the Pittsburgh WFO determines that the relative humidity/wind criteria may (or will) be met, the Pittsburgh WFO should coordinate (when possible) with the affected forestry district(s) and decide whether a FIRE WEATHER WATCH or RED FLAG WARNING is needed. If contacts cannot be made to coordinate, the Pittsburgh WFO may issue a FIRE WEATHER WATCH or RED FLAG WARNING based on meteorological conditions and a reasonable estimate of fuel conditions.

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. In addition, if a Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued after the routine Fire Weather Forecast is issued, an updated FWF shall be issued.

For events that are approaching, but less than Red Flag criteria, Special Weather Statements should be issued highlighting the threat.

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 20 }

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

h) Punxsutawney, Pa KZZ-42 162.500

i) New Philadelphia, Oh WNG-735 162.425

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 Agency Contacts

PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT of CONSERVATION and NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Randy White

400 Market Street

P.O. Box 8552

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552

(717) 787-2925

District # 4: Cory Wentzel

Forbes P.O. Box 519, Rte 30E

Laughlintown, PA 15655

(724) 238-1200

District # 6: Terry Stemmler

Gallitzin 155 Hillcrest Drive

P.O. Box 506

Ebensburg, PA 15931-0506

(814) 472-1862

District # 8: Gary Frank

Kittanning 158 S. Second Avenue

Clarion, PA 16214

(814) 226-1901

District # 14: Cecile Stelter

Cornplanter323 N. State Street

North Warren, PA 16365

(814) 723-0262

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

Northwest Pa Office: Peter To

4 Farm Colony Drive

Warren, PA 16365

(814) 728-6199

OHIO DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Michael Bowden

2045 Morse Road, H-1

Columbus, OH 43229

(614) 265-1088

Northeast Forest: Frank Corona

11 Township Road 181

Bloomingdale, OH 43910

(740) 266-6021

Southern Forest: Bob Boyles

345 Allen Avenue

Chillicothe, OH 45601

(740) 774-1596

WAYNE NATIONAL FOREST

Southeast OH Office: Kevan Moore

13700 U.S. Highway 33

Nelsonville, OH 45764

(740) 753-0574

WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION of FORESTRY

State Office: Ben Webster

West Virginia Division of Forestry

Guthrie Center

1900 Kanawha Boulevard East

Charleston, WV 25305-0180

(304) 558-2788 (8 AM – 4 PM)

(304) 881-3326 (cell)

Region # 1: L. R. “Rudy” Williams

West Virginia Division of Forestry

PO BOX 40

Farmington, WV 26571

(304) 825-6983

MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST

Northern WV Office: Peter Fischer

Monongahela National Forest

200 Sycamore Street

Elkins, WV 26241

(304) 636-1800 ext 264

MARYLAND DEPARTMENT of NATURAL RESOURCES

State Office: Monte Mitchell

Maryland DNR Forest Service

580 Taylor Avenue

Annapolis, MD 21401

(410) 260-8503

Western Region: Ric Lilliard

Green Ridge Fire Center

28800 Headquarters Dr, NE

Flintstone, MD 21530

(301) 478-2976

17.0 National Weather Service Contacts

Pittsburgh WFO: Zaaron Allen; FWFP

Richard Kane; MIC

Richard Kane; WCM

192 Shafer Road

Moon Township, PA 15108

(412) 262-1882

State College WFO: William Gartner; FWFP

Bruce Budd; MIC

David Ondrejik; WCM

328 Innovation Blvd, Suite 330

State College, PA 16803

(814) 231-2405

Cleveland WFO: Will Kubina; FWFP

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

Kenneth Haydu; MIC

Mary Jo Parker; WCM

1901 South State Route 134

Wilmington, OH 45177

(937) 383-0929

Charleston WFO: Mark Pellerito; FWFP

Alan Rezek; MIC

Jason Franklin; WCM

400 Parkway Road

Charleston, WV 25309

(304) 746-0190

Sterling WFO: Brian Lasorsa; FWFP

James Lee; MIC

Chris Strong; WCM

44087 Weather Service Road

Sterling, VA 20166

(703) 260-0107 ext 230

Eastern Region: Harvey Thurm; FWPM

Airport Corporate Center

630 Johnson Avenue

Bohemia, NY 11716

(631) 244-0124

NIFC at Boise ID: National Interagency Fire Center

3833 S. Development Avenue

Boise, ID 83705

(208) 387-5512, (208) 334-9824

EACC Interagency: Stephen Marien; FWPM

1 Federal Drive

P.O. Box 29

Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4080

(612) 713-7300

Attachment # 1 Text Box:

Attachment # Text Box: 2

Attachment#3 Text Box:

Attachment # 4

DAILY FIRE WEATHER PRODUCT (example for one county along with outlook)

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

330 AM EDT DAY MTH DT YEAR

.DISCUSSION...

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CROSS TODAY BRINGING A CHANCE FOR RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS.

WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WILL SLIDE TO THE SOUTH OF THE REGION ON TUESDAY...WITH A SERIES OF

LOWS THEN AFFECTING THE REGION THROUGH FRIDAY.

PAZ021-102130-

ALLEGHENY-

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PITTSBURGH METRO AREA

330 AM EDT DAY MTH DT YEAR

                      TODAY        TONIGHT      TUE

CLOUD COVER           MCLDY        MCLDY        PCLDY

CHANCE PRECIP (%)     30           20           0

PRECIP TYPE           SHOWERS      SHOWERS      NONE

TEMP (24H TREND)      40 (+9)      25 (+7)      41

RH % (24H TREND)      49 (+1)      79 (-14)     43

20FTWND-VAL/AM(MPH)   LGT/VAR                   LGT/VAR

20FTWND-RDG/PM(MPH)   SW 5        LGT/VAR      SW 7

PRECIP AMOUNT         0.07        0.03         0.00

PRECIP DURATION       2           1

PRECIP BEGIN          6 AM        CONTINUING

PRECIP END            CONTINUING  12 AM

MIXING HGT(M-AGL/MSL) 1140        1170

MIXING HGT(FT-AGL/MSL)3750        3830

TRANSPORT WND (MPH)   SW 10       W 15

VENT RATE (MPH-FT)    37500       57450

DISPERSION            5           5

LAL                   1           1             1

HAINES INDEX          3           3             3

REMARKS...NONE.

.FORECAST FOR DAYS 3 THROUGH 7...

.WEDNESDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE MID 40S.

WEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.

.THURSDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS AND SNOW SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE

LOWER 30S. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. SOUTH WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.

.FRIDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S. HIGHS IN

THE LOWER 50S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 10 MPH.

.SATURDAY...CLOUDY WITH CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE MID 30S. HIGHS IN THE

MID 40S. NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.

.SUNDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY. CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGHS IN THE

MID 40S. WEST WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH.

$$

.OUTLOOK 8 TO 14 DAYS...

TEMPERATURES BELOW NORMAL. PRECIPITATION ABOVE NORMAL.

WIMS Fire Weather Site Forecast {PITFWMPBZ}

FNUS81 KPBZ 082100

FWMPBZ

FCST,361002,100408,13,8,60,65,1,3,S,13,,80,58,80,32,0,5,N

FCST,361291,100408,13,8,61,61,1,3,SSW,17,,79,58,77,27,0,0,N

FCST,460901,100408,13,8,62,60,1,3,SSW,16,,83,59,70,17,0,0,N

FCST,460101,100408,13,8,58,65,1,3,NW,11,,81,58,78,30,0,5,N

FCST,462601,100408,13,8,61,56,1,3,SW,13,,79,57,71,18,0,0,N

Sites for the Site Specific Forecasts:

Allegheny National Forest at Marienville PA ALLEGH 361002

Quarry Trail in Westmoreland County PA QUARRY 361291

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 (1); Poor (2 ); Fair ( 3); Good (4); Excellent (5)

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 EXAMPLE

SPOT FORECAST FOR JB HOLLOW RX BURN...USDA FOREST SERVICE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

328 AM EDT TUE MAR 11 2008

FORECAST IS BASED ON IGNITION TIME OF 1130 EDT ON MARCH 11.

IF CONDITIONS BECOME UNREPRESENTATIVE...CONTACT THE NATIONAL WEATHER

SERVICE.

.DISCUSSION...

HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD ACROSS THE REGION TODAY FOR DRY CONDITIONS.

A WEAK CANADIAN LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL CROSS THE GREAT LAKES BY

WEDNESDAY...BRINGING SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS.

.TODAY...

SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY SUNNY (55-65 PERCENT).

MAX TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 41.

MIN HUMIDITY........52 PERCENT.

WIND (20 FT)........LIGHT WINDS BECOMING SOUTHWEST 5 TO 6 MPH IN

THE AFTERNOON.

MIXING HEIGHT.......2200-2800 FT AGL.

MIXING WINDS........WEST 12 TO 15 MPH.

.TONIGHT...

SKY/WEATHER.........PARTLY CLOUDY (35-45 PERCENT) THEN BECOMING

MOSTLY CLOUDY (60-70 PERCENT). SLIGHT CHANCE OF

SNOW SHOWERS EARLY IN THE MORNING.

MIN TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 27.

MAX HUMIDITY........85 PERCENT.

WIND (20 FT)........SOUTHWEST WINDS 5 TO 6 MPH EARLY IN THE EVENING

BECOMING LIGHT...THEN BECOMING SOUTHWEST 5 TO 6

MPH LATE IN THE EVENING.

MIXING HEIGHT.......1800-2400 FT AGL.

MIXING WINDS........WEST 15 TO 24 MPH INCREASING TO 25 TO 26 MPH

EARLY IN THE MORNING.

.WEDNESDAY...

SKY/WEATHER.........MOSTLY CLOUDY (70-80 PERCENT).

MAX TEMPERATURE.....AROUND 45.

MIN HUMIDITY........59 PERCENT.

WIND (20 FT)........WEST WINDS 7 TO 8 MPH.

MIXING HEIGHT.......2000-2900 FT AGL.

MIXING WINDS........WEST 23 TO 31 MPH DECREASING TO 15 TO 20 MPH

EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON.

FORECASTER...30

REQUESTED BY...CAMERON CRISP

TYPE OF REQUEST...PRESCRIBED

.TAG 20080311.JBHOL.01/PBZ

Attachment # 9

RED FLAG WARNING AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH

WWUS81 KPBZ 120419

RFWPBZ

RED FLAG WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

1219 AM EDT WED MAR 12 2008

MDZ001-PAZ030-032-WVZ022-023-041-121230-

/O.NEW.KPBZ.FW.W.0001.080312T0600Z-080313T0000Z/

GARRETT-WESTMORELAND-FAYETTE-MONONGALIA- PRESTON-TUCKER-

1219 AM EDT WED MAR 12 2008

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG

WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL FALL TO AROUND 25 PERCENT BY THIS

AFTERNOON...AND WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20 TO 30 MPH.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE

EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG

WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE

EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

WWUS81 KPBZ 120423

RFWPBZ

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA

1223 AM EDT WED MAR 12 2008

MDZ001-PAZ030-032-WVZ023-041-121230-

/O.NEW.KPBZ.FW.A.0001.080313T1800Z-080315T0000Z/

GARRETT-WESTMORELAND-FAYETTE- PRESTON-TUCKER-

1223 AM EDT WED MAR 12 2008

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH

FRIDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PITTSBURGH HAS ISSUED A FIRE

WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON

THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

DRY HIGH PRESSURE WILL SLOWLY MOVE EAST OF THE REGION BY LATE IN

THE WEEK. AS LOW PRESSURE APPROACHES...WINDS WILL INCREASE TO 20

TO 30 MPH THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY. IN ADDITION...MINIMUM

RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL LOWER TO AROUND 25 PERCENT...WITH LIMITED

RECOVERY THURSDAY NIGHT.

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS

ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE

RED FLAG WARNINGS.

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 |

___________________|____________________|_____________|_______________________

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II - FIRE WEATHER FORECASTER WILL PROVIDE:

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13.FORECAST AND OUTLOOK.....

FORECAST...

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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}

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

______________________________________________________________________________

NAME OF FORECASTER:|FIRE WEATHER OFFICE:

|WFO PITTSBURGH PA

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III - REQUESTING AGENCY WILL COMPLETE UPON RECEIPT OF FORECAST

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

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