fires: an increasing threat 2006 2006 –9.9 million acres burned –set new record 2007 2007...
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Fires: An Increasing ThreatFires: An Increasing Threat 20062006
– 9.9 million acres 9.9 million acres burnedburned
– Set new recordSet new record
20072007– Fire potential above Fire potential above
average for much of average for much of the westthe west
– 2.5 million acres 2.5 million acres burned as of 7/9/07burned as of 7/9/07
– 19% above 10-year 19% above 10-year averageaverage
The U.S. spends approximately $2.7B annually in wildland fire suppression, preparedness, fuels management, and other activities.
WGA RequestWGA Request June 2005 WGA ResolutionJune 2005 WGA Resolution
– ““The Western Governors urge NOAA to: The Western Governors urge NOAA to: Complete a National Needs Assessment Complete a National Needs Assessment Report, by NOAAReport, by NOAA’’s Office of the Federal s Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, of federal, Coordinator for Meteorology, of federal, state and local fire managers state and local fire managers needsneeds for for weather information in their wildfire and weather information in their wildfire and prescribed fire decision making prescribed fire decision making processes and a processes and a frameworkframework to meet to meet those needs by the NWS and Predictive those needs by the NWS and Predictive Services.”Services.”
ICMSSR Action Item, November 2005ICMSSR Action Item, November 2005– ““OFCM should move forward to form a Joint Action Group OFCM should move forward to form a Joint Action Group
(JAG) under the Committee for Environmental Services, (JAG) under the Committee for Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs (CESORN), to review Operations, and Research Needs (CESORN), to review the needs and requirements for wildland fire weather the needs and requirements for wildland fire weather information, to include identifying organizational information, to include identifying organizational responsibilities and addressing the following issues: responsibilities and addressing the following issues: data collection, fire weather research, weather forecast data collection, fire weather research, weather forecast services, data assimilation, air quality, information services, data assimilation, air quality, information dissemination, education and outreach, and user dissemination, education and outreach, and user response.”response.”
By Spring, 2006, the Joint Action Group for By Spring, 2006, the Joint Action Group for the National Wildland Fire Weather Needs the National Wildland Fire Weather Needs Assessment (JAG/NWFWNA) was formedAssessment (JAG/NWFWNA) was formed
OFCM Response
– DHSDHS FEMAFEMA U.S. Fire AdministrationU.S. Fire Administration
– DOCDOC NOAANOAA NISTNIST
– DODDOD– DOEDOE– DOIDOI
U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Park ServiceNational Park Service Bureau of Land MgmtBureau of Land Mgmt U.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Geological Survey Bureau of Indian AffairsBureau of Indian Affairs
– DOTDOT FAAFAA FHWA FHWA
– EPAEPA– HHSHHS– NASANASA– USDAUSDA
U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. Forest Service– Subject Matter ExpertsSubject Matter Experts
State ForestersState Foresters UniversitiesUniversities
Cochairs: Dr. Allen Riebau, USDA/FS Mr. Eli Jacks, DOC/NOAA/NWSRepresentatives from:
JAG/NWFWNA
Obtained info via workshops and questionnairesObtained info via workshops and questionnaires
– Reached out to 2,100+ community membersReached out to 2,100+ community members
– Received input from 745, including reps from:Received input from 745, including reps from: National Association of State ForestersNational Association of State Foresters
National Interagency Fire CenterNational Interagency Fire Center
National Interagency Coordination CenterNational Interagency Coordination Center
National Wildfire Coordinating GroupNational Wildfire Coordinating Group
International Association of Wildland FireInternational Association of Wildland Fire
Many others (federal agencies, states, tribes, local Many others (federal agencies, states, tribes, local emergency managers, academia, private emergency managers, academia, private companies/industry, etc.)companies/industry, etc.)
Results:Results:
– Identified 47 validated needs in 9 functional areasIdentified 47 validated needs in 9 functional areas
Assessment ProcessAssessment Process
Assessment ProcessAssessment Process 9 Functional Areas9 Functional Areas
– Data collection and useData collection and use– Modeling, prediction, and data assimilationModeling, prediction, and data assimilation– Forecast products and servicesForecast products and services– Fire weather research and developmentFire weather research and development– Information dissemination and technologiesInformation dissemination and technologies– User response and decision supportUser response and decision support– Education, training, outreach, partnering, and Education, training, outreach, partnering, and
collaborationcollaboration– Socioeconomic factorsSocioeconomic factors– Funding and human resources (crosscutting)Funding and human resources (crosscutting)
Example: Forecast Example: Forecast Products & ServicesProducts & Services
NWS Red Flag WarningsNWS Red Flag Warnings
Extremely beneficial Extremely beneficial product for usersproduct for users
Frequently usedFrequently used
Enhancements needed Enhancements needed include longer lead include longer lead times and wider times and wider disseminationdissemination
Example: Example: Fire Weather R&DFire Weather R&D
Community needs better Community needs better understanding of how climate understanding of how climate change and variability impact change and variability impact wildland fire threatwildland fire threat
Potential base to build on:Potential base to build on:
– Forest Service Northern Global Change Forest Service Northern Global Change Research ProgramResearch Program
Example: Information Example: Information DisseminationDissemination
Coordinated, “One-stop” Website for Coordinated, “One-stop” Website for Fire Weather Data & ToolsFire Weather Data & Tools
Easier access to all relevant regional data/productsEasier access to all relevant regional data/products
– Operational and experimental productsOperational and experimental products
– Product accuracy informationProduct accuracy information
– Product training and reference materialProduct training and reference material
– Information on latest research effortsInformation on latest research efforts
– Archived dataArchived data
Base to build on: Base to build on:
– Rocky Mountain GACC Internet page is a site with Rocky Mountain GACC Internet page is a site with considerable info addressing some of these areasconsiderable info addressing some of these areas
Example: Decision-Example: Decision-Support ToolsSupport Tools
Users want better decision-support tools Users want better decision-support tools for smoke management for smoke management
Development must include more Development must include more collaboration with and feedback from collaboration with and feedback from the user communitythe user community
Base to build on: Base to build on:
– NOAA Air Resources Laboratory smoke NOAA Air Resources Laboratory smoke analysis & forecast products out to 48 hrsanalysis & forecast products out to 48 hrs
Example: TrainingExample: Training
Users want comprehensive, proven, fire Users want comprehensive, proven, fire weather training/certification programsweather training/certification programs
Build on best practices among existing Build on best practices among existing training programstraining programs– The National Wildfire Coordinating Group The National Wildfire Coordinating Group
Training Working Team has widely used and Training Working Team has widely used and successful training programs, however,successful training programs, however, They need to be validated against current They need to be validated against current
training requirementstraining requirements They need to be available for entire communityThey need to be available for entire community Must address core competenciesMust address core competencies
Example: Example: Socioeconomic FactorsSocioeconomic Factors
Use existing tools to inform and educate Use existing tools to inform and educate the publicthe public
State-of-the-art outreach tools can be State-of-the-art outreach tools can be adapted for public outreach, adapted for public outreach, understanding, mitigating, and understanding, mitigating, and responding to wildland fire threatsresponding to wildland fire threats
Base to build on:Base to build on:
– Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station research on socioeconomic resiliencyresearch on socioeconomic resiliency
Summary and JAG Next StepsSummary and JAG Next Steps
Summary: Identified 47 validated needs within 9 Summary: Identified 47 validated needs within 9 functional areas. Summary document available functional areas. Summary document available onlineonline
JAG Next Steps (approved by ICMSSR and WGA):JAG Next Steps (approved by ICMSSR and WGA):
– Developed detailed needs reportDeveloped detailed needs report
– Work with agencies and interagency groups on a gap Work with agencies and interagency groups on a gap assessment and a coordinated plan to close the gapsassessment and a coordinated plan to close the gaps
– Leverage existing and planned capabilities at all levels; Leverage existing and planned capabilities at all levels; build vertical and horizontal partnershipsbuild vertical and horizontal partnerships
CESORN ActionCESORN Action Recommend the CESORN establish a Wildland Fire WGRecommend the CESORN establish a Wildland Fire WG This WG should:This WG should:
– Monitor agency progress toward meeting identified Monitor agency progress toward meeting identified needsneeds
– Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure Coordinate activities across agencies to ensure established needs are being efficiently addressedestablished needs are being efficiently addressed
– Monitor the needs of the community to address new and Monitor the needs of the community to address new and changing needs as they arisechanging needs as they arise
– Reach out to wildland fire and land management Reach out to wildland fire and land management agencies at the state, tribal, and local levels to: agencies at the state, tribal, and local levels to:
Ensure their needs are documented and addressedEnsure their needs are documented and addressed Help them meet their needs through Federal actionsHelp them meet their needs through Federal actions
This WG will stand up prior to the completion of This WG will stand up prior to the completion of current JAG work and will carry forward JAG current JAG work and will carry forward JAG recommendationsrecommendations
Questions?Questions?
BACKUP SLIDESBACKUP SLIDES
OFCM Background Jan 1964: OFCM formed in response to Public Law 87-
843– Accountable to Congress and OMB
– Coordinate agency budgets and activities
Report budgets and activities in annual Federal Plan
1980: GAO study revitalizes OFCM
– Independent function with full-time staff
1985: DOC IG reviewed OFCM and made two specific recommendations, directing OFCM to:– Perform crosscut studies to review agency weather programs
and requirements
– Document OFCM studies; make information available to interested parties in the decision-making and budgeting processes
OFCM Mission: OFCM Mission: To ensure the To ensure the effective useeffective use of federal of federal
meteorological resources by meteorological resources by leadingleading the the systematic coordinationsystematic coordination of operational weather of operational weather requirements, services, and supporting requirements, services, and supporting research, research, among the federal agenciesamong the federal agencies
High-level focus on:High-level focus on:
– Needs and requirementsNeeds and requirements
– Issues and problems Issues and problems
– Studies, reports, plans, and handbooksStudies, reports, plans, and handbooks
– Crosscut reviews, assessments, and analysesCrosscut reviews, assessments, and analyses
OFCM Background
Federal Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (FCMSSR)
Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research (ICMSSR) National Space Weather
Program Council
Committee for Space Weather
National Aviation Weather Program Council
Committee for Aviation Services and Research
Environmental Services, Operations, and Research Needs
Environmental Information Systems and Communications
Integrated Observing Systems
Climate Analysis, Monitoring and
Services
Cooperative Research
Working Group for Urban Meteorology
Program Councils
Federal Coordinator for Meteorology
Standing Committees
National Operational Processing Centers
Program Council
Committee for Operational Processing Centers
OFCM Background
VADM CONRAD LAUTENBACHER, JR., USN (RET.) Chairman
DR. SHARON L. HAYS Office of Science and Technology Policy
DR. RAYMOND MOTHA Department of Agriculture
BRIG GEN DAVID L. JOHNSON, USAF (RET.) Department of Commerce
MR. ALAN SHAFFER Department of Defense
DR. JERRY ELWOOD Department of Energy
MR. SPANKY KIRSCHDepartment of Homeland Security (OS&T)
DR. MICHAEL SOUKUPDepartment of the Interior (NPS)
MR. RALPH BRAIBANTIDepartment of State
MR. RANDOLPH LYONOffice of Management and Budget
MS. VICTORIA COXDepartment of Transportation (DOT/FAA)
MR. DAVID MAURSTAD Department of Homeland Security (FEMA)
DR. ALAN STERNNational Aeronautics and Space Adm.
DR. JARVIS MOYERS (Acting)National Science Foundation
MR. PAUL MISENCIKNational Transportation Safety Board
MR. JAMES WIGGINSU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
DR. LAWRENCE REITEREnvironmental Protection Agency
MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSONFederal Coordinator
FCMSSR Members
OFCM Background
MR. SAMUEL P. WILLIAMSON, ChairmanFederal Coordinator
MR. THOMAS PUTERBAUGHDepartment of Agriculture
MR. JOHN E. JONES, JR.Department of Commerce
RADM FRED BYUS, USNDepartment of Defense (U.S. Navy)
BRIG GEN LAWRENCE A. STUTZRIEM, USAFDepartment of Defense (U.S. Air force)
MR. RICKEY PETTYDepartment of Energy
MR. SPANKY KIRSCHDepartment of Homeland Security (OS&T)
MR. JOHN VIMONTDepartment of the Interior (NPS)
MR. ANTHONY FURST (Acting)Department of Transportation (FHWA)
MR. JAMES H. WILLIAMSDepartment of Transportation (FAA)
DR. JONATHAN M. BERKSONDepartment of Homeland Security (USCG)
MR. JEFFREY MACLUREDepartment of State
DR. S. T. RAOEnvironmental Protection Agency
MR. JOHN GAMBELDepartment of Homeland Security (FEMA)
DR. RAMESH KAKARNational Aeronautics and Space Adm.
DR. JARVIS MOYERSNational Science Foundation
MR. DONALD E. EICKNational Transportation Safety Board
MS. LETA A. BROWNU.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
MS. MELISSA BRANDTOffice of Management and Budget
ICMSSR Members
OFCM Background
Departments of:
• Agriculture• Commerce• Defense• Energy• Homeland Security
• Science & Technology• FEMA• Coast Guard
• Interior• State• Transportation
• Environmental Protection Agency• National Aeronautics and Space
Administration• National Science Foundation• National Transportation Safety
Board• Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Independent agencies:
Executive Office of the President:
• Office of Management and Budget• Office of Science and Technology
Policy
OFCM Partners
OFCM Background