1. NOAA National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard Fire Weather Decision Support

2. Where are We Going? What is the Threat? What is the Threat? …Trends? What is the Threat? …Trends? Why is the threat so high in SoCal? What is the Threat? …Trends? Why is the threat so high in SoCal? What are the Critical Criteria? What is the Threat? …Trends? Why is the threat so high in SoCal? What are the Critical Criteria? How do we provide Decision Support?

3. Wild Fires ~ What is the Threat? Weather disasters where losses have exceeded a Billion Dollars A majority of these Billion Dollar fires have occurred in California According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center [CPC] Billion dollar losses in the Western United States come from two main types of disasters Floods According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center [CPC] Billion dollar losses in the Western United States come from two main types of disasters Floods Wild Fires From the Climate Prediction Center [CPC]

4. Wild Fires ~ What are the Trends? From the Climate Prediction Center [CPC] While the threat for flooding will always be with us... Well over $10B dollars have been lost to fires in the WEST in the last decade… While the threat for flooding will always be with us... Well over $10B dollars have been lost to fires in the WEST in the last decade…far exceeding losses due to floods… While the threat for flooding will always be with us... Well over $10B dollars have been lost to fires in the WEST in the last decade…far exceeding losses due to floods… Therefore…recent trends in the WEST suggest that Wild Fires may now present a greater threat than floods

5. Wild Fires ~ What are the Trends? There appears to be a recent trend towards larger fires Source  USGS  In the 15 years from 1984 to 1999, this was the wildfire coverage in Southern CA But larger fires have burned more of Southern CA in just the last 10 years  

6. Why is the Threat so Great in Southern California? One way to answer this question is to look at The “Fire Behavior Triangle” The “Fire Behavior Triangle” One way to answer this question is to look at The “Fire Behavior Triangle” This triangle identifies the three critical elements of extreme fire behavior One way to answer this question is to look at The “Fire Behavior Triangle” This triangle identifies the three critical elements of extreme fire behavior Weather Weather One way to answer this question is to look at The “Fire Behavior Triangle” This triangle identifies the three critical elements of extreme fire behavior Weather Weather Topography Topography One way to answer this question is to look at The “Fire Behavior Triangle” This triangle identifies the three critical elements of extreme fire behavior Weather Weather Topography Topography Fuel Fuel For a significant portion of the year in Southern California, these elements combine to produce conditions favorable to extreme fire behavior

7. Why is the Threat so Great in Southern California? Unique Topography West-East Mt Barrier Southern California Topography is the Most Complex in the Nation… West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air Cold Ocean West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air Cold Ocean -Stable Airmass -Stable Airmass West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air Cold Ocean -Stable Airmass -Stable Airmass Steep Terrain West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air Cold Ocean -Stable Airmass -Stable Airmass Steep Terrain -Adiabatic warming -Adiabatic warming West-East Mt Barrier -Slopes Face Sun -Slopes Face Sun -Promotes Heating -Promotes Heating and Drying of Fuels and Drying of Fuels Desert Proximity -Source for Dry Air -Source for Dry Air Cold Ocean -Stable Airmass -Stable Airmass Steep Terrain -Adiabatic warming -Adiabatic warming -Terrain-driven fires -Terrain-driven fires

8. Why is the Threat so Great in Southern California? Dry Weather Southern California has a very well-defined Wet vs Dry season pattern in annual precipitation Let’s see how this impacts local fuels… Dry Southern California has a very well-defined Wet vs Dry season pattern in annual precipitation A wet spring promotes growth of short term fuels… Southern California has a very well-defined Wet vs Dry season pattern in annual precipitation A wet spring promotes growth of short term fuels…like grasses… Southern California has a very well-defined Wet vs Dry season pattern in annual precipitation A wet spring promotes growth of short term fuels…like grasses… …And Long periods of dry weather prime these fuels for extreme fire behavior

9. Why is the Threat so Great in Southern California? Critical Fuel Considerations The type of fuel is important… The type of fuel is important…with sages and chamise being of particular concern Of particular importance is Fuel Moisture…that is monitored closely throughout fire season The type of fuel is important…with sages and chamise being of particular concern Of particular importance is Fuel Moisture…that is monitored closely throughout fire season Fuel Moisture becomes critical in the fall…closely paralleling the local rainfall pattern

10. Why is the Threat so Great in Southern California? The combination of weather, topography, and fuels makes Southern California a prime region for extreme fire behavior But other parts of the U.S. can also demonstrate extreme fire behavior The combination of weather, topography, and fuels makes Southern California a prime region for extreme fire behavior But other parts of the U.S. can also demonstrate extreme fire behavior So what really makes Southern California so uniquely vulnerable? Southern California is home to the largest urban/wildland interface in the Nation This vulnerable interface, in combination with extreme fire behavior, makes Southern California particularly susceptible to huge dollar losses due to wild fires …As a result…”Nothing burns like Southern California”

11. What are the Critical Fire Weather Criteria? The most critical weather criteria are winds and relative humidity The specific thresholds and durations are set in coordination with the various fire fighting agencies with interests in SoCal

12. What are the Critical Fire Weather Criteria? An additional criteria covers those situations with significant levels of dry lighting Collectively, we refer to the above as “Red Flag Criteria” These criteria then serve as the basis for the issuance of Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings

13. What are the Critical Fire Weather Criteria? Finally…there is a “catch-all” criteria that allows forecaster discretion for an event that does not quite fit RFW criteria IMPORTANT ~ All the above criteria assume “dry” fuels So how do we know if fuels are critically dry?

14. How Do We Know About Critical Fuels? This information is provided to forecasters on a routine basis to assist in making the critical go/no-go red flag warning decisions Various fire agencies take live fuel moisture measurements on a periodic basis through- out the fire season This report is from Ventura County Fire Department and shows the moisture curves for several communities Various fire agencies take live fuel moisture measurements on a periodic basis through- out the fire season This report is from Ventura County Fire Department and shows the moisture curves for several communities Note, also, the fuel/fire discussion included in the report

15. How Do We Provide Decision Support? The remainder of the presentation will deal with the question… LA Times Photo

16. We are only Responsible for Part of Southern CA Each “zone” represents an area with approximately the same climatological characteristics Our Forecast Area is Divided into Zones

17. What Types of Decision Assistance Products Do We Offer? We offer the Decision Maker a Variety of Products Some are Scheduled We offer the Decision Maker a Variety of Products Some are Scheduled Others are Aperiodic [situationally dependent] We offer the Decision Maker a Variety of Products Some are Scheduled Others are Aperiodic [situationally dependent] Some are “Push” [we transmit] We offer the Decision Maker a Variety of Products Some are Scheduled Others are Aperiodic [situationally dependent] Some are “Push” [we transmit] Others are “Pull” [you come an get the info]

18. Fire Weather Products The main fire weather product we issue is the routine Fire Weather Planning Forecast [FWF] Issued twice daily during “Fire Season” [AM and PM] Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Issued twice daily during “Fire Season” [AM and PM] Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Issued twice daily during “Fire Season” [AM and PM] Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Details the 48-hour forecast [Days 1 & 2] for each Zone Details the 48-hour forecast [Days 1 & 2] for each Zone Issued twice daily during “Fire Season” [AM and PM] Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Headlines significant weather issues, such as Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Contains a Discussion of Fire Weather Concerns Details the 48-hour forecast [Days 1 & 2] for each Zone Details the 48-hour forecast [Days 1 & 2] for each Zone Includes a general discussion of conditions for days 3 thru 5 Includes a general discussion of conditions for days 3 thru 5

19. Example Headlines and Discussion: FIRE WEATHER FORECAST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 930 AM PDT TUE MAY 14 2007...LOW HUMIDITY INLAND TODAY...THEN INCREASING WEDNESDAY.....DISCUSSION...AN UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL MOVE INTO CALIFORNIA TONIGHT. THE UPPER LOW WILL INCREASE THE DEPTH OF THE MARINE LAYER...AND ALLOW THE CLOUDS TO REACH THE COASTAL SLOPES OVERNIGHT. THE MID LEVEL WINDS WILL BECOME SOUTHWESTERLY AND SHUT OFF THE SUPPLY OF MONSOON MOISTURE TOMORROW. A RETURN OF MID LEVEL MOISTURE IS POSSIBLE BY THE WEEKEND AS A HIGH BUILDS OVER THE GREAT BASIN. Sample Fire Weather Planning Forecast

20. Example Valley Zone Forecast CAZ547-548-142230- LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN FERNANDO VALLEY LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN GABRIEL VALLEY.TODAY SKY/WEATHER...MOSTLY SUNNY. MAX TEMP...90-95. 24 HR TREND…LITTLE CHANGE. MIN HUMIDITY…10-20 PERCENT. 24 HR TREND…DOWN 5. WIND…VARIABLE 3-6 MPH BECOMING SOUTH TO WEST 6-12 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. MARINE LAYER...800 FT ASL. LAL...1 CWR…0. Sample Fire Weather Planning Forecast

21. Example Extended Forecast …ANTELOPE VALLEY….SUNDAY…CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S TO MID 50S. HIGHS 96 TO 101. NORTHEAST WINDS 10-20 MPH..MONDAY…CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 40S TO MID 50S. HIGHS 96 TO 102. NORTHEAST WINDS 10-20 MPH..TUESDAY…CLEAR. LOWS IN THE 50S TO LOWER 60S. HIGHS 96 TO 101. WINDS GENERALLY LESS THAN 15 MPH. The Fire Weather Planning Forecast gives decision makers a look ahead to better anticipate the advent of hazardous fire weather conditions up to 5 days in advance Sample Fire Weather Planning Forecast

22. NATIONAL FIRE DANGER RATING SYSTEM TREND FORECAST [NFDRS] Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Temperature & Relative Humidity Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Temperature & Relative Humidity Lightning Activity Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Temperature & Relative Humidity Lightning Activity Wind Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Temperature & Relative Humidity Lightning Activity Wind 10-hr Fuel Moisture Issued each afternoon during peak “Fire Season” Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Provides 24-hour Trend Forecast of the following elements Temperature & Relative Humidity Lightning Activity Wind 10-hr Fuel Moisture Trend Forecast is NFDRS Zone-averaged for each element Trend Forecast is NFDRS Zone-averaged for each element

23. These are the NFDRS Zones Established by the Fire Weather Customer

24. These are the NFDRS Zones They are not the same as the Fire Weather Zones For example…NFDRS Zone 505 incorporates all or portions of 5 different Fire Weather Zones Established by the Fire Weather Customer

25. Sample NFDRS Trend Forecast The end product of the NFDRS Trend Forecast is a table called the Fire Weather Matrix [FWM] The Fire Weather Matrix is used as the primary input to models that forecast fire weather danger for the next day The output of the Fire Danger Rating Model is used by fire agencies to make manning and deployment decisions to address the forecast fire threat

26. Our Primary Aperiodic Decision Assistance Product is the SPOT Forecast Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies…and for a variety of reasons… Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies…and for a variety of reasons… Prescribed Burns Prescribed Burns Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies…and for a variety of reasons… Prescribed Burns Prescribed Burns Wildfires Wildfires Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies…and for a variety of reasons… Prescribed Burns Prescribed Burns Wildfires Wildfires Hazardous Spills Hazardous Spills Spot Forecasts are for individual points A spot forecast can be requested by a variety of emergency response agencies…and for a variety of reasons… Prescribed Burns Prescribed Burns Wildfires Wildfires Hazardous Spills Hazardous Spills Search & Rescue Search & Rescue

27. Our Primary Aperiodic Decision Assistance Product is the SPOT Forecast The format of a Spot Forecast is very similar to the Planning Forecast… but for a much shorter period

28. We Also Issue Fire Weather Watches and Red Flag Warnings…as Needed  Recall the earlier discussion on Red Flag Criteria  Winds, RH, lightning, dry fuels  Recall the earlier discussion on Red Flag Criteria  Winds, RH, lightning, dry fuels  Duration  Recall the earlier discussion on Red Flag Criteria  Winds, RH, lightning, dry fuels  Duration  Fire Weather Watches are issued when there is reasonable confidence that “red flag criteria” will occur within 24 to 72 hours  Recall the earlier discussion on Red Flag Criteria  Winds, RH, lightning, dry fuels  Duration  Fire Weather Watches are issued when there is reasonable confidence that “red flag criteria” will occur within 24 to 72 hours  A Red Flag Warning is issued when there is a high degree of confidence that “red flag criteria” will be met within 24 hours, or when red flag conditions are occurring  Recall the earlier discussion on Red Flag Criteria  Winds, RH, lightning, dry fuels  Duration  Fire Weather Watches are issued when there is reasonable confidence that “red flag criteria” will occur within 24 to 72 hours  A Red Flag Warning is issued when there is a high degree of confidence that “red flag criteria” will be met within 24 hours, or when red flag conditions are occurring  These are issued in coordination with the local fire fighting agencies…and are issued by fire weather zone…

29. We Also Provide “On-the-Spot” Decision Assistance with Our IMET Program  IMETs, or Incident Meteorologists, provide on-site support for the following…  Wildfires  Hazmat [Hazardous Materials Spills]  Large Burn Area Debris Flow Support  Disaster Recovery [ex. oil spill, earthquake, tornado]  IMETs, or Incident Meteorologists, provide on-site support for the following…  Wildfires  Hazmat [Hazardous Materials Spills]  Large Burn Area Debris Flow Support  Disaster Recovery [ex. oil spill, earthquake, tornado]  IMET coordinates with the local NWS forecast office and provides finer detailed forecast information tailored to the particular emergency scenario  IMETs, or Incident Meteorologists, provide on-site support for the following…  Wildfires  Hazmat [Hazardous Materials Spills]  Large Burn Area Debris Flow Support  Disaster Recovery [ex. oil spill, earthquake, tornado]  IMET coordinates with the local NWS forecast office and provides finer detailed forecast information tailored to the particular emergency scenario  At NWS Oxnard, Rich Thompson is the IMET

30. Besides Providing Products…We Also Provide a Means for “Pulling” Information to Meet Specific Decision Support Needs The main conduit for this type of support is our website at… http://weather.gov/losangeles

31. “ Pulling” Information from the NWS Website to Meet Specific Decision Support Needs This site has numerous ways to access data and the latest forecasts http://weather.gov/losangeles One of the most popular is “point- and-click”

32. “ Pulling” Information from the NWS Website to Meet Specific Decision Support Needs http://weather.gov/losangeles This produces a detailed forecast unique to that point

33. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/?wfo=lox You can “Pull” Products By navigating this website… you can… Spot Forecasts FWF/RWF By navigating this website… you can… “Pull” products By navigating this website… you can… “Pull” products Or make a unique product to meet your decision criteria via the “Activity Planner” “Activity Planner”

34. The Weather Activity Planner You can “Pull” Products To use the Activity Planner… Just set your criteria To use the Activity Planner… Just set your criteria Then pick your site [there are several ways to do this]

35. Weather Activity Planner You can “Pull” Products The results are a multi-day planner that highlights the criteria you specified Indicates time periods with RH between 20 and 40% or with wind speeds between 10 and 30 mph The results are a multi-day planner that highlights the criteria you specified For the location you specified The results are a multi-day planner that highlights the criteria you specified For the location you specified And shows the time periods that meet your specified criteria

36. You can Access Products “On-the-Go” NWS Los Angeles Mobile Website: weather.gov/losangeles/mobile NWS text forecasts, watches, advisories, and warnings for Southern California NWS text forecasts, watches, advisories, and warnings for Southern California Observations Observations Radar and satellite imagery Radar and satellite imagery

37. What Situations Produce the Most Critical Fire Weather Conditions in Southern CA? Our worst fire conditions occur with strong offshore wind events  Santa Ana & Sundowner Winds NASA Photo 22 October 2007

38. The Strongest Offshore Winds Occur When Tight Gradients Interact with Complex Terrain The popular mantra that winds blow clockwise around High pressure and counter-clockwise around Low pressure does not hold for complex terrain Tight Gradient with Strong Winds Loose Gradient with Weaker Winds The popular mantra that winds blow clockwise around High pressure and counter-clockwise around Low pressure does not hold for complex terrain In the complex terrain…the only thing winds blow “around” are the mountains The popular mantra that winds blow clockwise around High pressure and counter-clockwise around Low pressure does not hold for complex terrain In the complex terrain…the only thing winds blow “around” are the mountains…instead, the winds tend to blow more directly from High to Low Pressure The popular mantra that winds blow clockwise around High pressure and counter-clockwise around Low pressure does not hold for complex terrain In the complex terrain…the only thing winds blow “around” are the mountains…instead, the winds tend to blow more directly from High to Low Pressure The orientation and tightness of the pressure gradient gives a good idea of the strength and direction of the low level winds

39. “Sundowner Winds” of the Santa Ynez Range Sundowner winds occur through and below the passes and canyons of the Santa Ynez Range due to strong NW to N pressure gradients Due to compressional warming and adiabatic drying…these winds can produce very warm and dry conditions that enhance fire danger Sundowner winds occur through and below the passes and canyons of the Santa Ynez Range due to strong NW to N pressure gradients Due to compressional warming and adiabatic drying…these winds can produce very warm and dry conditions that enhance fire danger Sundowner Winds have been associated with all the major fires that have impacted the Santa Barbara region… Sundowner winds occur through and below the passes and canyons of the Santa Ynez Range due to strong NW to N pressure gradients Due to compressional warming and adiabatic drying…these winds can produce very warm and dry conditions that enhance fire danger Sundowner Winds have been associated with all the major fires that have impacted the Santa Barbara region… Painted Cave Painted Cave Gap Gap Jesusita Jesusita and Tea Fires and Tea Fires They are called “Sundowner Winds” because they are frequently strongest during the late afternoon and evening

40. South CoastMountains Cuyama Vly Santa Ynez Vly Central Coast

41. South CoastMountains Cuyama VlySanta Ynez Vly Central Coast

45. Tea Fire Observations Montecito Hills RAWS November 13 th, 2008 Fire begins around 6pm RH%Wind Gust (mph)

46. 2008 Tea Fire MSLP pattern at 7:00 pm PST on 13 November 2008 [14/03Z] 8 mb Based on the tight packing of the isobars between High pressure in the San Joaquin Valley and Low pressure in the Santa Barbara Channel [an 8 mb offshore gradient] forecasters predicted strong north to northeast winds over the Tea Fire. Forecast model depiction of MSLP pattern at 7:00 pm PST around the time the fire began to show expansive growth. NAM-WRF model forecast from 18Z run on 13 November

47. 2008 Tea Fire Relative Humidity readings in the vicinity of the Tea fire were forecast to be around 15%. Shows model guidance for winds [  ] and relative humidity [color pattern] over Santa Barbara for 7:00 pm PST on 13 November. The dashed white lines are wind speeds in mph. Relative Humidity [RH] pattern at 7:00 pm PST on 13 November 2008 [14/03Z] Note that the model predicted light winds…10 to 15 mph… over the Tea fire.

48. 2008 Tea Fire MSLP pattern at 4:00 am PST on 14 November 2008 [14/12Z] 5 mb At this time, the gradient between the High pressure in the San Joaquin Valley and the Low pressure in the Santa Barbara Channel has decreased to 5 mb offshore. This was associated with a corresponding weakening of the winds over the Tea Fire. Shows forecast model depiction of the MSLP pattern at 4:00 am PST.

49. 2008 Tea Fire Forecast Relative Humidity [RH] readings in the vicinity of the Tea fire have increased to around 25%. Shows model guidance for winds [  ] and relative humidity [color pattern] over Santa Barbara for 4:00 am PST on 14 November. The dashed white lines are wind speeds in mph. No arrow [  ] indicates light winds. Relative Humidity [RH] pattern at 4:00 am PST on 14 November 2008 [14/12Z] Note that the model predicted winds have decreased to less than 10 mph over the Tea fire.

50. “Santa Ana Winds” of Southern California Santa Ana Winds are very similar to Sundowners…but the center of High pressure is shifted inland over the Great Basin or Rocky Mts Santa Ana Winds are very similar to Sundowners…but the center of High pressure is shifted inland over the Great Basin or Rocky Mts…so the axis of the gradient and the winds is shifted to the East and Northeast Adiabatic/Compressional warming and drying are enhanced due to the arid origin of the air mass from the interior Desert Southwest

51. “Santa Ana Winds” of Southern California The majority of major wildfires in Southern California are associated with Santa Ana Wind Events Santa Ana Winds are very similar to Sundowners…but the center of High pressure is shifted inland over the Great Basin or Rocky Mts …so the axis of the gradient and the winds is shifted to the East and Northeast Adiabatic/Compressional warming and drying are enhanced due to the arid origin of the air mass from the interior Desert Southwest Santa Ana Winds are very similar to Sundowners…but the center of High pressure is shifted inland over the Great Basin or Rocky Mts …so the axis of the gradient and the winds is shifted to the East and Northeast Adiabatic/Compressional warming and drying are enhanced due to the arid origin of the air mass from the interior Desert Southwest The area of greatest threat shifts south and east to coasts and coastal slopes of Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties as well as the Inland Empire

52. 500 MB Map (18,000 Ft)

53. Surface Wind Map

54. Cross-Section Ventura County Mountains to Catalina

55. Low Relative Humidity

56. Trends  Seem to be for larger fires with greater dollar losses Why?  “Nothing Burns Like Southern California”…we have the largest urban/wildland interface with ideal weather, topography and fuel conditions for large dollar losses due to fires. Critical Criteria  Gusty winds + Lo RH/Lightning/Dry Fuels Decision Support  We Push/You Pull/We Come to You/We are available 24/7! Fire Weather Decision Support Wrap-Up!