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Thought of the Day #61
Someone asked yesterday how we decide when to start a prescribed fire. Our park biologists write burn prescriptions for each zone of the park. The prescription tells us how and when to burn the zone to achieve our desired results. It gives us a range of conditions that are necessary for that zone. The prescription takes into account wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, recent rainfall amounts, fuel moisture, and several other factors. Our biologists can look at the weather forecasts for the week to plan out a window of opportunity to burn. They look at the upcoming conditions and find zones that fit those conditions. When there is a match, we tentatively plan ahead to burn, but the final call is made the morning of the proposed burn. Those of us on staff that participate in prescribed fire are to be ready at all times to burn. As you know, weather forecasts are not always accurate, so things can always change at the last minute. Another check is done right before we start the burn. There is also always someone on the fire line monitoring the weather throughout the burn.
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