[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 091352
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-110200-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
852 AM CDT SUN OCT 9 2005

FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK OCTOBER 9TH THROUGH
OCTOBER 14TH.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH FEDERAL AND STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
AGENCIES...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE IS
PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK
FROM OCTOBER 9TH THROUGH THE 14TH.

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

WEATHER IS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE POTENTIAL AND
SEVERITY OF WILDFIRES. THE SPREAD RATE AND INTENSITY OF FIRES ARE
DIRECTLY RELATED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. ALSO...CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
SUCH AS DROUGHT PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE WITH WILDFIRES.

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

HUMANS CAUSE 99 PERCENT OF WILDFIRES IN TENNESSEE. SO FAR IN 2005
THERE HAVE BEEN 1,100 WILDFIRES THAT HAVE BURNED 12,500 ACRES IN
TENNESSEE. APPROXIMATELY 37 PERCENT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ARSONISTS,
45 PERCENT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY SUCH THINGS AS CHILDREN PLAYING WITH
MATCHES, CAMPFIRES AND EQUIPMENT. MOST OF THESE FIRES COULD HAVE
BEEN PREVENTED. HOWEVER...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. FIRE AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES NEED YOUR HELP TO CATCH ARSONISTS BY
PROVIDING INFORMATION. YOU CAN DO THIS AND REMAIN ANONYMOUS BY
CALLING THE ARSON HOTLINE AT 1-800-762-3017.

DURING THE WEEK...A SERIES OF TOPICS CONCERNING FIRE WEATHER AND
PREVENTION WILL BE ADDRESSED. 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.HTM.

$$

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