Hi all I've been reading the topics for a while and thought I should sign up and start writing some!
I did notice there arn't any topics on fire weather and thought it would be a good subject to chat about, seeming there is a full week coming with possible thunderstorms with very little rain it is probably a good time to start the thread.
Here is whats on the cards
Forecast for Perth
--------------Forecast--------------Min./Max.-------Chance of Rain, Likely Amount-----9am Wind RH-----3pm Wind RH
Saturday Possible thunderstorm----19°C - 33°C---------------40%, < 1mm-----------ENE 20km/h 66%-SSW 6km/h 41%
Sunday Possible thunderstorm------21°C - 35°C--------------50%, < 1mm-----------ESE 7km/h 61%---SW 15km/h 41%
Monday Possible thunderstorm------22°C - 36°C--------------50%, 1-5mm-----------ESE 13km/h 68%--SW 16km/h 46%
Tuesday Possible thunderstorm-----21°C - 32°C--------------30%, < 1mm-----------SSE 17km/h 73%--S 22km/h 54%
Wednesday Possible thunderstorm--22°C - 32°C--------------50%, < 1mm-----------SE 21km/h 66%---S 29km/h 54%
Thursday Mostly cloudy--------------22°C - 32°C--------------30%, < 1mm-----------ESE 24km/h 62%--SSE 18km/h 42%
Fire Weather
Moderator: bogged
Re: Fire Weather
I find the topic of weather and its impact on fire behaviour quite fascinating. I remember quite clearly the effect of the 1030(or so) inversion layer break up had on fires around Sydney, as well as the notice we took of swifts and spinetails riding the pre-frontal winds. Generally if you saw them it meant you had less than 30 minutes before the wind change arrived which was great warning if you weren't getting special bulletins.
I was lucky enough to find a report on the weather associated with 1983 Ash Wednesday fires in the UNSW library back in 98 and was it ever a good a read. If I can find it I'll post it here.
References:
A good starting point for those unfamilair with fire weather and a summary of what to watch for on the charts in the different states.
http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_p ... .htm#start
In 2003, the modelled FDI in Canberra passed 107 on 18 Jan. http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiv ... s_clem.pdf
(Anecdotally, It went higher a week or so later prompting the authorities to warn south coast residents (130 odd Kms away) they had a matter of hours if containment lines were broken.)
A list of papers (not all weather related) on the 2003 fires over east.
http://www.australianalps.environment.g ... graphy.pdf
Anatomy of a plume driven fire
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.n ... EA0013F3CB
Formation of a fire Tornado.
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.n ... enDocument
I was lucky enough to find a report on the weather associated with 1983 Ash Wednesday fires in the UNSW library back in 98 and was it ever a good a read. If I can find it I'll post it here.
References:
A good starting point for those unfamilair with fire weather and a summary of what to watch for on the charts in the different states.
http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_p ... .htm#start
In 2003, the modelled FDI in Canberra passed 107 on 18 Jan. http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiv ... s_clem.pdf
(Anecdotally, It went higher a week or so later prompting the authorities to warn south coast residents (130 odd Kms away) they had a matter of hours if containment lines were broken.)
A list of papers (not all weather related) on the 2003 fires over east.
http://www.australianalps.environment.g ... graphy.pdf
Anatomy of a plume driven fire
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.n ... EA0013F3CB
Formation of a fire Tornado.
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.n ... enDocument
Re: Fire Weather
Last year I attended a fire weather course run by FESA. Two retired BoM gentlemen delivered the course. Was excellent information and very worthwhile.
If it's offered in your area and you're in one of the fire services try to attend.
If it's offered in your area and you're in one of the fire services try to attend.
Re: Fire Weather
I was a member of a volly unit a few years back so did a few courses with them, from memory the advanced fire fighter course had a bit on weather, in my opinion a fire weather course should be a standard course for all members of brigades. WA has been very lucky over the past few years, there has been a few town sites saved simply because the weather changed at the last moment, sadly it wouldn't take much for the opposite to happen though and it takes even less for crews to get trapped in the dead man zone, being aware of even the slightest weather changes and just how much it can effect bushfires is a critical aspect of safe and efficient fire fighting.
Re: Fire Weather
Quite a tight cell going through Karnet at the moment, looks like it would be producing alot of lightning, depending on the amount of rain you will probably find a few fires might pop up there later this arvo or over the next few days.
Re: Fire Weather
I check this link to see how much lightning is hitting an area.newbie wrote:Quite a tight cell going through Karnet at the moment, looks like it would be producing alot of lightning, depending on the amount of rain you will probably find a few fires might pop up there later this arvo or over the next few days.
http://www.gpats.com.au/php/cust-cgi/LIAS_free.php
Re: Fire Weather
Looks like there is more on the way...
G
G
George
WARSUG Moderator
VFRS Member
"I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge. I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there." — Confucius
Any views expressed in the above post are my own and do not necessarily depict or reflect the views or opinions of DFES/FRS or VBFB.
WARSUG Moderator
VFRS Member
"I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge. I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there." — Confucius
Any views expressed in the above post are my own and do not necessarily depict or reflect the views or opinions of DFES/FRS or VBFB.
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Re: Fire Weather
Thats a good link, other one is http://firewatch.dli.wa.gov.au/landgate ... public.asp , just use the options on the side to add the strikes you can zoom in a little closer than the other map.
Re: Fire Weather
Thanks newbie, I forgot about that. I mainly use GPATS because it loads so fast. If I need more resolution I can got to firewatch.newbie wrote:Thats a good link, other one is http://firewatch.dli.wa.gov.au/landgate ... public.asp , just use the options on the side to add the strikes you can zoom in a little closer than the other map.
One of these day I've got to ask work if they'll let me code the lightning strike and modis and Noaa hotpsot data into our mapping system so we get updates.
Re: Fire Weather
Another good one is http://www.weatherzone.com.au/stormtracker.jsp the only issue with it is you have to pay if you want to zoom in, but they do have fire and lightning options for the map.
Re: Fire Weather
Not WA, but Victoria looks like somewhere I would prefer not to be come Saturday.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/530 ... wednesday/
With the FDI off the scale, I can only hope no arson occurs.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/530 ... wednesday/
With the FDI off the scale, I can only hope no arson occurs.
Re: Fire Weather
Very extreme FDI's in Victoria. FFDI above 200. From memory around 50-60 was a trigger point for Total Fire Bans. I don't think there has ever been such a high and wide spread FDI as expected on Saturday.
Re: Fire Weather
FFDI I've seen that mentioned several times but don't know what it is. Is it different from the old FDI?observer wrote:Very extreme FDI's in Victoria. FFDI above 200. From memory around 50-60 was a trigger point for Total Fire Bans. I don't think there has ever been such a high and wide spread FDI as expected on Saturday.
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Re: Fire Weather
Forecast Fire Danger Index? Not sure exactly but that's my guess as a FDI would be a definite measurement.
Stirling SES
Team Leader (Stirling 53)
Vertical Rescue Team Member
K9 7 Support
VK6FWDH
ex-Darlington FB
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If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out.
Team Leader (Stirling 53)
Vertical Rescue Team Member
K9 7 Support
VK6FWDH
ex-Darlington FB
WARSUG Demi-God I mean Mod
If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out.