Fire Danger Rating

The U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) produces indices such as Energy Release Component (ERC) that indicate the potential for fire activity. (There is not a computer program called NFDRS.)

• FireFamilyPlus

  Uses archived weather and fire data Seasonal tracking of fire weather and fire danger indices Analysis of correlation between fire danger indices and fire occurrence Used to set threshold levels for fire management actions, such as forest restrictions, and more

• WFAS, Wildland Fire Assessment System

  Internet-based system, http://www.wfas.net Used to assess the current state of the fire season, and more, including national and regional maps of fire danger Provides daily maps of dry lightning Provides access to experimental and emerging technologies that improve fire season assessment capabilities Uses weather data from more than 2000 fire weather stations, forecast models, and satellite data

• Fire Characteristics Chart

  Graphical display of U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System variables Data from FireFamilyPlus can be imported Graphs aid communication and interpretation of data Can be used for comparing fire seasons, weather stations, and fuel models

• Weather Information Management System

  Implement the Growing Season Index in the WIMS test environment. Implement a seven-day forecasting scheme in the National Weather Service (NWS) for forecasting NFDRS indices in WIMS. Implement the new FW13 data exchange format into the Kansas City Fire Access Software (KCFAST) and Fire and Weather Data web applications. Last year the FW13 format was implemented in WIMS, FireFamilyPlus, and the long-term repository of hourly RAWS data at the Western Region Climate Center