BOISE, Idaho — Now that winter is cooling off, wildfire season will soon be heating up.
Incident meteorologists from across the country are in Boise this week to prepare for wildfire season. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters deploy at wildfires across the country and provide real-time weather forecasts to help firefighters do their jobs - and stay safe.
The weather can change in a matter of minutes during a wildfire.
"Sometimes it's a result of the fire itself having such an effect on the atmosphere that it impacts the fire environment and changes the nature of the weather that we're experiencing," Jonathan Pangburn, fire behavior analyst for CAL FIRE said.
To ensure firefighters' readiness, incident meteorologists use equipment, including mobile weather stations and weather balloons, to provide up-to-date forecasts that help shape firefighters' tactics and strategies.
"We can go to any wildfire across the country," incident meteorologist trainee Spencer Tangen said. "We support wildfire operations, and provide weather forecasts for firefighters to help keep them safe on the fire, and to help them do their job successfully."
Looking ahead to the upcoming wildfire season in the Gem State, the start of the season could depend on weather conditions over the next few months.
"A lot is still going to depend on what happens between now and the end of spring and beginning of summer," Tangen said. "Snowpack for here in southern Idaho is near normal. So if we have a warm spring, that could melt early - which could lead to an earlier than normal fire season. Or if we have a cool, wet spring, then that'll help the snowpack hold on and the fuel not dry out as rapidly."
The incident meteorologist training is held every year before the wildfire season. Last year it helped prepare incident meteorologists to deploy at 149 wildfires.
"It's so invaluable to have the [National] Weather Service on site with us at these incidents to make sure that we get updated, timely information to all of our operational staff in the field," Pangburn said. "So that we can make proper decisions based upon fire behavior and the weather to protect life, property and the environment."
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