Weather Prediction and Forecast
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service (NWS) provides forecasts and other predictive services for weather that are highly useful for prescribed fire practitioners.
- NWS Fire Weather Page
- Fire Weather Dashboard: Get point forecasts for fire weather, including mixing heights. This video [YouTube link] provides an overview on how to use the Dashboard.
- Spot Forecast Request Page: Request spot forecast for a prescribed fire from NWS forecasters
Regional NWS Weather Offices
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Spokane (OTX)
- Fire Weather Zone Forecasts
- Spokane Office Fire Dashboard: Resource page with statewide fire information useful for all of Washington
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Pendleton (PDT)
- Seattle (SEW)
- Portland (PQR)
Weather Measurements and Current Conditions
MesoWest
Weather stations set up across the state provide valuable information on current local weather and trends over time. These stations can provide information on temperature, relative humidity, wind, precipitation, and more.
MesoWest provides access to a range of weather networks, including Remote Automatic Weather System (RAWS) stations. The MesoWest User’s Guide provides a good overview on navigating the website.
Measuring Weather Onsite
Having access to real-time weather measurements at a burn site is critical for understanding current weather and how that is changing over time. You may have a more permanent weather station on site such as those for home use. There are also portable tools to measure weather, including electronic weather meters (Kestrel is a popular brand with dedicated fire weather meters) and belt weather kits, which include a set of tools for measuring weather. Both of these can be purchased from forestry and wildland fire equipment suppliers.
Learn how to use a belt weather kit:
Learn how to use a Kestrel digital weather meter:
Weather and Fire Behavior Educational Resources
- Fire Weather (Prescribed Fire Basics Module, Oregon State University Extension): Overview of fire weather, including before, during, and after a burn.
- Fire Behavior (Prescribed Fire Basics Module, Oregon State University Extension): Overview of fire behavior from Oregon State University (OSU) Extension on the elements of fire behavior and relevance to prescribed fire.
Smoke Management
Current Air Quality and Smoke Information
- Washington Smoke Blog: Provides updates on air quality conditions during wildfire season, as well as links to Washington state air quality and health resources
- Learn about Washington state air quality burn bans
- AirNow Fire and Smoke Map: Provides current particle pollution air quality information, fire locations, and smoke plumes, as well as smoke forecast outlooks where available.
Smoke Modeling and Prediction
Wildland Fire/Air Quality Tools from the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station’s Pacific Wildland Fire Sciences Laboratory.
BlueSky Playground: Customized emissions and dispersion modeling
Smoke Management Best Practices
- Smoke Management (Prescribed Fire Basics Module, Oregon State University Extension): Developed by Oregon State University, this smoke management guide provides a high-level overview and a good primer of smoke and smoke management.
- Smoke Management Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southeast Region: Although this was developed for the Southeast region of the United States, it is an in-depth guide that provides valuable information on smoke and smoke management practices that are relevant to all prescribed fire practitioners.
