[BNAWX] Public Information Statement

[EMWIN Server]

NOUS44 KOHX 070409
PNSOHX
TNZ005>011-022>034-056>066-075-077>080-093>095-080300-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
1109 PM CDT MON OCT 6 2008

...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

AS WAS STATED YESTERDAY...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.

FORECASTING CHANGES IN WIND DIRECTION IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO
THOSE WHO ARE BURNING OUTDOORS. A CHANGE IN WIND DIRECTION COULD
CAUSE A FIRE TO ESCAPE AND SPREAD RAPIDLY...WHICH COULD PLACE LIFE
AND PROPERTY IN HARM'S 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 OCT 15TH THROUGH MAY 15TH. THE
PERMIT IS OBTAINED BY CALLING YOUR LOCAL TENNESSEE DIVISION OF
FORESTRY OFFICE.

2. BEFORE YOU BURN...REMEMBER TO CLEAR THE GROUND OF FLAMMABLE
MATERIAL...AT LEAST 10 FEET AROUND...FROM 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 GET OUT OF
CONTROL.

KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST FORECAST FROM YOUR NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE AND THE TENNESSEE DIVISION OF FORESTRY 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.HTM.

$$

21

This weather bulletin was brought to you by:
www.nashvilleweather.net