National Weather Service Improvements in Communication of Fire Weather Hazards

The National Weather Service (NWS) is investigating improvements for fire weather products and services. The current state of science and technology, new observational satellites, as well as ongoing complimentary efforts such as the NWS Hazard Simplification Project, have created optimal space for the improvement of NWS fire weather hazard products and services. The NWS is leveraging an internally funded social science project aimed at determining the most useful aspects of current NWS products and services for public consumption. In addition, in 2015, the Wildland Fire Agencies’ Joint Fire Science Program funded complementary studies with respect to wildland fire management use of fire weather products and services.

In the last 10 years, four new observational satellites (2 polar and 2 geostationary) have been launched. Each of these satellites is equipped with fire monitoring and detection technology. With new polar data spatial resolution of 750 meters, and up to 1 minute temporal resolution for geostationary data, wildland fires are viewable from space like never before.

This is an exciting time with respect to fire weather capabilities and we are presented the opportunity to discover new possibilities. The best way to investigate our path forward is in close coordination with our partners and customers. Together we will find our new maximum potential.