North Carolina Forest Service

The meeting covered a seasonal climate update, highlighting recent weather patterns, hurricane season impacts, and winter outlooks. Updates were provided on the Fire Weather Portal, including new ECONet station installations and available features. NWS updates for 2024-25 were discussed, focusing on changes to fire weather forecasts. DAQ updates addressed new PM2.5 NAAQS and exceptional events. Other PM2.5/smoke modeling/air quality updates included revisions to the SMP and discussions on ADM runs. NFDRSv4 and RAWS updates covered FDOP revision and RAWS annual maintenance. A post-Helene fuels discussion addressed considerations for fire control operations in storm-damaged areas. Storage and training needs were discussed, along with agency and program updates from various organizations. The meeting concluded with planning for the next meeting.

The Fire Environment Committee meeting included discussions on drought communications, seasonal climate and weather reviews, and updates to the Fire Weather Intelligence Portal. Topics also covered the Madden/Julian Oscillation, DAQ county-level forecasting, updates to the EPI's AirNow Website, and Project Nighthawk Drought Communication. COVID-19's impact on wildland fire management was addressed, along with agency and program updates, training needs, and a review of the Smoke Symposium.

The meeting included a review of minutes from the May 2020 meeting, introductions of new members, and discussions on climate normals, seasonal weather reviews, and updates on the Fire Weather Intelligence Portal (FWIP) contract. The committee also covered upcoming training opportunities, changes to certified burner guidelines, and an update on VSmoke for smoke management. Additionally, there were updates on the Regional Haze Rule, agency and program activities, and preparations for the transition to NFDRS2016.

The meeting included discussions on the Fire Weather Portal, focusing on bug fixes and new breakpoints for Adjective Rating. The Smoke Management Plan was reviewed, including requirements for retaining HYSPLIT met files and the potential use of the BlueSky model. Training needs were assessed, with updates on the burn boss course and RX-410 offering. Updates were provided on air quality monitoring tools, including GOES-16 satellite data and the Ozone Design Value Predictor. The State Climate Office presented updates on the Fire Weather Portal, including new RAWS stations, drought monitor overlays, and the DENSCA Index. Revisions to the Smoke Management Plan were discussed, including changes to burning categories and ADM certification. Training opportunities were reviewed, including national wildfire training courses and EPA workshops. The NWS Results for the Lavdas ADI and NC Ventilation Index were compared, and the Stull Methodology for calculating mixing heights was presented. Agency updates were provided by various organizations, including Region 2 and 1, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy, NC Parks Service, NC Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Camp Lejeune, State Climate Office, and NCFS Fire. Updates on the Fire Environment Project were given, including NFDRS2016 and the live fuel moisture measurement program. Smoke intrusion issues were discussed, and potential solutions were explored.

The meeting included updates from various agencies and programs. The NC DAQ discussed proposed updates to air emission reporting requirements and the EPA's modeling platform. The US Forest Service addressed impediments to prescribed fire implementation and smoke management objectives. The State Climate Office provided a seasonal climate update and discussed renovations to the Fire Weather Portal. The NWS discussed AOP changes for 2024 and the potential removal of lightning activity level and Haines Index. There were discussions on FDOP revision, FEMS and WIMS, live fuel moisture sampling, and soil moisture stations. The 2023 SMP Revision was reviewed, and training needs and opportunities were identified. Agency and program updates were provided by the NC Forest Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, NC State Parks, US Forest Service, DOD/Camp Lejeune, National Weather Service, The Nature Conservancy, and State Climate Office. Planning for the next meeting was also discussed.