|
Name
|
Inputs
|
Outputs
|
Description
|
Application
|
Access
|
|
Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)
|
Maximum temperature, 24
h precipitation, long-term
annual mean rainfall
|
0 (wet) - 800
(maximum drought)
|
Higher values associated with high fire
threat. Critical values
vary by season.
|
Prescribed burning application. Maximum value
of 600 for burning. Values over 600 require
approval from DOF.
|
http://www.fl-dof.com/fire_weather/KBDI
http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/kbdi.gif |
|
Fire Potential Index (FPI)
|
Mapped fuel models, relative
greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation
Index), temperature,
humidity, precipitation, cloudiness
|
0 (low) - 100 (high)
|
Weights influence of live and dead vegetation
to fire potential. High
correlation between fire occurrence and high FPI.
|
Plan for minimizing threat from wildfires and
prescribed burning.
|
http://www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/exp_fp_1.gif
|
|
Low Visibility Risk Index (LVRI)
|
Relative humidity, smoke
dispersion index
|
1 (low chance of low visibility) - 10
(high chance of low visibility)
|
Index for probabilities of low visibility
occurring. Extreme caution is required when the
forecast LVRI is 8, 9, or 10 for the nighttime
period, as fog will mix with smoke.
|
Used in planning prescribed burns and
nighttime burning.
|
|
|
Spot Weather Forecast
|
Onsite weather observations and measurements
|
Hourly temperature, relative humidity, wind
speed and direction.
|
Special weather forecast issued to fit the
time, topography and weather for a specific
fire.
|
Use for prescribed fires and wildfires.
|
http://www.fl-dof.com/fire_weather/spot/index.html
|
|
Buildup Index
|
Air temperature, humidity,
24 h precipitation, herbaceous stage
|
0 - 15 (low)
16 - 40 (moderate)
41 - 80 (high)
81 - 200 (very high)
201 - 250 (extreme)
|
Reflects the dryness or wetness of fuels that
can have a pronounced effect on fire behavior.
|
Fire prevention and fire suppression.
|
|
|
Spread Index
|
Fuel moisture, wind speed, precipitation,
condition of lesser vegetation
|
0 - 4 (low)
5 - 9 (moderate)
10 - 19 (high)
20 - 39 (very high)
40 - 100 (extreme)
|
Measure of the effect of weather on the
relative rate of forward movement of surface
fires.
|
Fire behavior.
|
|
|
Fire Weather Index (FWI)
|
Winds, temperature, humidity, precipitation
|
0 - 7 (low)
8 - 16 (medium)
17- 31 (high)
32 + (extreme)
|
Used to highlight regions where small-scale,
short time variations from the normal or
expected fire danger occur.
|
Assess fire danger and behavior.
|
http://www.fl-dof.com/fire_weather/forecast/mm5-7km.html
|
|
Dispersion Index (ADI)
|
Stability, mixing
height, transport winds
|
> 81 Extremely Unstable
61
- 80 Highly Unstable
41
- 60 Moderately Unstable
0 - 40 Stable
|
Dispersion is the process by which the
atmosphere mixes and transports particles such
as smoke away from their source. Typical burning
values are in the range 40-60. Hazardous
conditions may exist for ADI > 100. Should
not be used alone in making burning decisions.
|
Assess the impact of prescribed
burning activity and wildfires on atmospheric
smoke concentrations and air quality. Maximum
75, minimum 30 for daytime prescribed burning.
Nighttime minimum 6.
|
http://www.fl-dof.com/fire_weather/forecast/mm5-7km.html |
|
Haines Index (LASI)
|
Atmospheric sounding data
|
2 - 3 very low growth potential
4 low potential
5 moderate potential
6 high potential for large fire
growth
|
Judges the growth potential of a fire by
measuring the dryness and stability of the air
over a fire. Correlated
with large fire growth on initiating and
existing fires where surface winds do not
dominate fire behavior.
|
Indicates where wildfires or prescribed fires
may get out of control. Should be considered
along with a surface fire danger index for
maximum effectiveness.
|
|
