[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 111341
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-111745-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
834 AM CDT TUE OCT 11 2005

FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION AWARENESS WEEK CONTINUES TODAY WITH A
CLOSER LOOK AT HOW WEATHER CONDITIONS AFFECT FIRE BEHAVIOR.

WEATHER IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTORS AFFECTING FIRES. TWO
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WEATHER PARAMETERS ARE WIND SPEED AND RELATIVE
HUMIDITY. IN GENERAL...THE HIGHER THE WIND SPEED AND LOWER THE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY...THE GREATER THE POTENTIAL AND INTENSITY OF
FIRES.

A CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO OUTDOOR
BURNING. CHANGE IN DIRECTION COULD CAUSE A FIRE TO ESCAPE AND SPREAD
RAPIDLY...WHICH COULD PLACE LIFE AND PROPERTY IN HARMS WAY.
PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS AND DURATION ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN DETERMINING
THE DAY'S FIRE POTENTIAL. RAIN OR SNOW WILL WET DOWN AREA
VEGETATION...MAKING IT SAFER TO BURN WOODY DEBRIS.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME DEBRIS BURNING SAFETY TIPS TO HELP PROTECT
LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM WILDFIRES:

1. BEFORE BURNING...CONTACT YOUR LOCAL OR STATE FIRE AUTHORITIES.
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH BURNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS. A STATE ISSUED
BURNING PERMIT IS REQUIRED FROM OCTOBER 15TH THROUGH MAY 15TH.

2. BEFORE YOU BURN...REMEMBER TO CLEAR THE GROUND OF FLAMMABLE
MATERIAL AT LEAST 10 FEET FROM AROUND THE AREA TO BE BURNED. KEEP
TOOLS AND WATER ON HAND WHILE BURNING.

3. WATCH THE WEATHER...STAY INFORMED OF POSSIBLE WEATHER
CHANGES...ESPECIALLY WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION. THE MORNING IS
USUALLY A GOOD TIME TO BURN BECAUSE WINDS ARE LIGHTER AND THE
RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS HIGHER.

4. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF YOUR FIRE. DO
NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED UNTIL THE FIRE IS COMPLETELY OUT.

5. KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHO TO CALL SHOULD YOUR FIRE ESCAPE.

KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST FORECAST FROM YOUR NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE AND LOCAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES ABOUT POSSIBLE BURN
BANS...ESPECIALLY DURING PROLONGED DRY CONDITIONS.

THE NEXT TOPIC DURING FIRE WEATHER/FIRE PREVENTION WEEK WILL
BE...DROUGHT AND ITS EFFECTS ON WILDFIRES.

&&

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

21/05

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