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The fire season for
Spokane County usually lasts from mid July through mid October. During
the fire season, weather data is collected daily at the National Weather
Service on Rambo Road and other remote sites. This data is used to determine
daily fire danger rating for our wildland areas. It also is used to assist
firefighters in determining what kind of fire behavior is expected for
the day.
The National Weather
Service collects temperature, relative humidity, wind direction, wind
speed, and rainfall in the last 24 hours. This information is put into
the National Fire Danger Rating System formula that provides us with the
fire danger class for each day during the wildfire season.
From
Firesafe Spokane
We
use 5 different levels to help you, the public understand the potential
for escaped fire. The purpose of this is to understand the current conditions
and help mitigate your actions to prevent catastrophic human-caused wildfires.
The 5 different fire danger ratings (levels) for you to know are:
LOW
Escaped fire starts are unlikely. Weather and fuel conditions will lead
to slow fire spread, low intensity and relatively easy control with light
mop-up. Controlled burns can be executed with reasonable safety.
MODERATE
Some escaped fire may be expected. Expect moderate flame length and rate
of spread. Control is usually not difficult and light to moderate mop-up
can be expected. Although controlled burning can be done without creating
a hazard, routine caution should be taken.
HIGH
Escape fires
are likely. Fires in heavy, continuous fuel such as mature grassland,
CRP fields and forest litter, will be difficult to control under windier
conditions. South and Southwest facing slopes can burn very rapidly even
under no wind condition. Trees will occasionally torch sending fire brands
short distances down wind. The homeowner needs to be cautious.
VERY HIGH
Fires start easily from all causes and may spread faster than suppression
resources can travel. Spot fires are a constant danger. Fires burning
in light fuels may quickly develop high intensity particularly on South
and Southwest facing slopes. Both suppression and mop-up will require
an extended and very thorough effort. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
EXTREME
Fires will start and spread rapidly. Every fire start has the potential
to become large. Expect extreme, erratic fire behavior. NO
OUTDOOR BURNING SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN AREAS WITH EXTREME FIRE DANGER.
Fires that develop headway in heavy slash or in conifer stands maybe unmanageable
while extreme burning conditions last. Under these conditions the only
effective and safe control action is on the flanks until the weather changes
or the fuel supply lessons. Our priority for protection is: Life safety,
property and environment in that order. There are times that we just canąt
justify putting our lives at risk and we wonąt. The following are general
conditions that allow fires to become a problem and collectively.
Red
Flag Warning
(Red Flag Warning)
allows fires to become large and unmanageable.
1. Time of year, July through October
2. Low humidity <30%
3. Temperatures >80 degrees
4. Winds >15 mph
5. Slopes that are exposed to the sun all day (S & SW)
6. The amount of fine dead fuels (cured grasses)
7. All fuel moisture levels (seasonal)
8. Access to the fire
9. Time of day 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Red Flags; if you see red flags posted at each of our fire stations, which
indicate that a red flag warning has been issued by the National Weather
Service and is predicting extreme fire behavior. Several indicators including,
winds in excess of 10 MPH, relative humidity less than 25 percent, dry
lightning, highly unstable winds and poor relative humidity recovery overnight
or longer periods of time trigger Red Flag conditions.
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