During the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 fires seasons, the Australian and American meteorologists collaborated to share both expertise and workload. During the 2006-2007 austral summer, conditions were very dry across southern Australia worsening already established drought conditions. This resulted in large amounts of critically dry fuels along the urban-wildlife interface as well as in remote locations. In addition, an El Nino episode was unfolding and the seasonal forecast predicted below average rainfall and above average temperatures. Consequently, conditions supported the creation of a very serious fire season. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology assessed the situation and decided to offer an unprecedented invitation to NOAA/NWS Fire Weather Forecasters to travel to Australia and provide assistance with fire weather forecasting duties, supplementing the Australian staff that was becoming over-extended due to unusually high fire forecasting requirements. The concept involved the use of a small number of experienced NWS Fire Weather Forecasters and the Bureau of Land Management's Predictive Services Meteorologists to augment staff resources at the Bureau of Meteorology's forecasting offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Hobart. Subsequent to this exchange, Australian meteorologists have traveled to the United States to assist with fires in California, Georgia and Idaho. Despite the obvious differences between Northern and Southern Hemispheric meteorology, the meteorologists' skills were compatible with their host fire weather programs.

This poster will focus on the duties and protocol of the visiting forecasters, a comparison between the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the US National Weather Services fire weather programs and the lessons learned from this forecaster exchange.