[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 051402
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-060215-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
902 AM CDT MON OCT 5 2009

FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK...

THIS WEEK...OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH...IS NATIONAL FIRE
PREVENTION WEEK. IN CONJUNCTION WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAND
MANAGEMENT AGENCIES...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE IS
PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK.

DURING THE WEEK...DIFFERENT TOPICS CONCERNING FIRE WEATHER AND
PREVENTION WILL BE DISCUSSED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND INCREASE
AWARENESS OF FIRE WEATHER AND FIRE SAFETY. THE TOPIC TODAY IS
GENERAL FIRE WEATHER.

WEATHER IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTORS IN DETERMINING THE
POTENTIAL AND SEVERITY OF WILDFIRES. THE SPREAD RATE AND INTENSITY
OF FIRES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO WIND SPEED...TEMPERATURE...AND
RELATIVE HUMIDITY. ALSO CLIMATIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS LONG TERM
DROUGHT PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE NUMBER AND INTENSITY OF WILDFIRES.

ACCURATE AND TIMELY WEATHER INFORMATION IS VITAL TO THE PLANNING AND
EXECUTION OF SUPPRESSING WILDFIRES. A CORE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IS TO PROVIDE DAILY FIRE WEATHER FORECASTS TO
FEDERAL AND STATE LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. IN ADDITION...
SPECIALIZED AND DETAILED FORECASTS ARE PROVIDED...WHEN
NEEDED...TO AID IN SUPPRESSING WILDFIRES AND MANAGING
PRESCRIBED BURNS.

UNFORTUNATELY...ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF WILDFIRES IN TENNESSEE
IS ARSON. APPROXIMATELY 46 PERCENT OF ALL WILDFIRES STATEWIDE ARE
SET INTENTIONALLY BY ARSONISTS. THE THOUGHTLESS ACTS OF ARSONISTS
NOT ONLY DAMAGE FORESTS...WATERSHEDS...AND WILDLIFE HABITATS...BUT
THEY ALSO POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY. HELP FIRE
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES CATCH ARSONISTS BY PROVIDING
INFORMATION. SIMPLE TIPS OFTEN PAY OFF DURING AN INVESTIGATION.
CALL THE ARSON HOTLINE AT 1 800...7 6 2 3 0 1 7.

THE TOPIC FOR TUESDAY WILL BE...UNDERSTANDING HOW WEATHER CONDITIONS
AFFECT FIRE BEHAVIOR.
&&

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE WEATHER INFORMATION...PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING
WEBSITE: WWW.SRH.NOAA.GOV/OHX/FIREWX.PHP.

$$
31/JBW

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