4 Firefighters learn to predict wildfire behavior based on weather, fuels, and topography. El Nino a strong possibility this summer and fall, may affect wildfire season
New Waverly Firefighters (L-R) Bill Derks, Christian
Ghali and Chance Gardner take weather observations
during the 2014 Interagency Wildfire Academy in Lufkin, Texas
This year marked the 17th Annual Lufkin Interagency Wildfire Academy, an annual training event for federal, state and local firefighters. Four New Waverly firefighters completed a four day class aimed at understanding and predicting wildfire behavior during major incidents.
Much of the training centered on the effects of fuel, topography and weather on wildfire behavior. Lessons learned from past fatal wildfires such as the one that killed 19 Arizona wildland firefighters last year are incorporated into the training.
Firefighters learned how to take weather readings in the field and calculate fire spread taking into account terrain and the fuels available to burn. In recent years, New Waverly firefighters have been deployed to several major wildfires through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, (TIFMAS). In 2011, crews responded to the 150,000 acre Wildkat fire in West Texas and the 20,000 acre Riley Road fire in Magnolia, as well as several major fires in Walker County.
Just last week, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center forecast a 70% chance of a return of an El Nino weather pattern this summer, with the chances growing to 80% by the fall. El Nino usually occurs every 3 to 7 years and is characterized by warmer temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, bringing wetter winters to the Southeastern United States, and can result in a diminished Atlantic Hurricane season.
While this pattern may bring much needed relief to our multi-year drought later this year, current predictions are that Southeast Texas may still see 1-2 months of dry conditions this summer dependent on the timing and strength of any developing El Nino pattern.
