Relation of weather forecasts to the prediction of dangerous forest fire conditions

Abstract

The purpose of predicting dangerous forest-fire conditions, of course, is to reduce the great cost and damage caused by forest fires. In the region of Montana and northern Idaho alone the average cost to the United States Forest Service of fire protection and suppression is over $1,000,000 a year. Although the causes of forest fires will gradually be reduced by education and law enforcement, there always will be forest fires started by lightning and other causes when conditions in the forest are dangerous. If the dangerous fire conditions, however, can be predicted a few days in advance, the fire-protection organization can be prepared to find and suppress fires when they are small and easy to control.

Citation

Weidman, R. H. 1923. Relation of weather forecasts to the prediction of dangerous forest fire conditions. Monthly Weather Review. 51(11): 563-564.