A Re-Evaluation of Critical Fire Weather Criteria in the Southeastern United States

Applying traditional fire weather forecasting techniques to the southeastern United States

has proven problematic, mostly because the ingredients necessary for elevated to critical fire

weather in this region seem to differ significantly from ingredients found in other regions (i.e.,

southwest United States, southern Plains). An extensive analysis was conducted to determine

what constitutes a favorable environment for wildfires in the southeast United States to improve

forecasts for this region. Findings suggest that these wildfires are largely driven by fuels with

smaller contributions from wind and relative humidity.