NWS Decision Support Services Before, During and AFTER the Waldo Canyon Wildfire

The Waldo Canyon wildfire was the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. While the acreage burned was 18,247 compared to the 138,114 acres consumed by the Hayman wildfire (the largest wildfire in Colorado history), the fire destroyed 346 homes in Colorado Springs and resulted in 2 fatalities. Insurance claims from the Waldo Canyon wildfire are estimated to total more than $352.6 million according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

The impact from this wildfire is comparable to a large tornado striking a city. This talk will discuss the decision support activities associated with a major wildfire and compare them with a major severe weather event.

Some of the similarities of fire weather decision support to severe weather include outreach ahead of time. Our office was involved in a full scale functional exercise simulating a wildfire in the southwest side of Colorado Springs. The office hosted a Colorado Integrated Warning Team conference in April 2012 where fire weather issues were discussed. All the meteorologists at WFO Pueblo are trained for fire weather forecasting, and the office does not have to rely on a small group of fire weather forecasters to provide around the clock support.

Decision support for a major wildfire can be more challenging than for severe weather. A major wildfire can last for days or weeks. WFO Pueblo was the main fire weather support for the wildfire until the Incident Meteorologist (IMET) arrived at the fire 3 days after ignition. After the IMET arrived, the office was still in constant communication with the IMET providing assistance for forecasting. During the event, WFO Pueblo provided a wide range of decision support including a Waldo Canyon wildfire decision support webpage updated frequently through the event, answering media inquiries and being one conduit for information to the public.

Even after the fire was extinguished, the Waldo Canyon burn scar will continue to pose many decision support challenges. Flash flooding will be a major concern for the next 5 to 10 years. Flash flooding could affect the city of Colorado Springs, US 24 (a 4 lane highway into the mountains), and communities downstream along Fountain Creek. The various decision support activities associated with the flooding threat will be discussed including participation and collaboration with a variety of partners on a flash flood “taskforce”, advocating for expansion of a near real time network of rain gages within the Waldo Canyon burn scar, continuation of a Waldo Canyon burn scar decision support webpage through the southwest monsoon season, providing media interviews on flash flooding, and public education and outreach efforts.