Unfamiliar With Weather And Local Factors

Watch Out Situation #4:  Unfamiliar with weather and local factors influencing fire behavior.

Read about all 18 Watch Out Situations.

What kinds of questions would you ask of local experts?

Does the operational period plan or Incident Action Plan (IAP) give you adequate weather information? What kinds of weather forecasts are available? What other weather or local information do you look for in the plan?

Can you get information from resources that have been on the fire? What questions will you ask of the crew that you are replacing?

Is there any other way to obtain information? List common sources of information on weather and local factors. Examples include web-based Weather Activity Planner, Point Forecast Matrix, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Internet Briefing.

To Reduce Risks:

• Standard Firefighting Order #3: Base all actions on current and expected fire behavior.
• Standard Firefighting Order #4: Establish escape routes and safety zones.
• Standard Firefighting Order #5: Post lookouts.
• Discuss a fire where you relied on information from the local unit. For example, where your fire knowledge and experience were very different from how they did things—such as in the southeastern United States or Alaska.
• Recognize and report visual indicators (clouds, weather observed, cold front passage, inversion breaking).