Fire Danger Statements

At the request of the United States Forest Service or the Regional State Forestry agencies, the National Weather Service will issue a Fire Danger Statement in rare circumstances of extremely dry or drought conditions in a Special Weather Statement. Distribution will be over NOAA Weather Radio...Internet and AWIPS run by the NWS. The statement will contain the following:

• Highlight will contain one of the following:
  ...FIRE DANGER INCREASING IN _(AREA)_ MISSISSIPPI(EXTREME SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS OR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA)...or HIGH FIRE DANGER CONTINUES IN _AREA_.
• Elaborate on the situation with a direct quote of the appropriate fire control agency. The source of the quote will be clearly identified in the statement.
• Indicate any changes (or no changes) in the weather situation expected over the next few days relative to the Fire Danger situation. We do not forecast Fire Behavior in describing the chances of rain, wind, or other weather parameters.
• Request for individual cooperation:
  THE _(Regional State Forestry agencies and/or USFS)_ REQUEST THAT CAUTION BE EXERCISE TO HELP PREVENT FOREST AND GRASS FIRES.
• Fire Danger statements and Fire Weather Watches and/or Redflag Warnings shall be issued in coordination or at the request of the Forestry Services...especially the Regional State Forestry agencies; since they cover public lands.
• The Fire Danger product, if so requested, should be issued only from noon to 330 pm on NOAA Weather Radio. They may request us to broadcast it twice a week.

Example of a Fire Danger Statement

HIGH FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE REGION

According to the Mississippi Forestry Commission, the drought conditions have made burning extremely hazardous. Conditions are such that a spark from equipment, the heat from a catalytic converter, or any heat source will start a fire. Windy conditions complicate the burning process further by making it impossible to contain burning debris or trash, and by sending any wildfires quickly out of control. Lightning strikes from thunderstorms can quickly start fires.

Fires place the Mississippi Forestry Commission, fire departments, and other fire control services in life threatening situations, and can endanger entire communities. Please use caution and help prevent forest and grass fires. Since July 1st over 34,100 acres have been consumed in over 2600 wildfires across Mississippi.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission does not feel that any reason for burning can be justified at this time. Under such extreme conditions, we urge the public to comply with the Governor’s ban and refrain from any outdoor burning. When barbecuing take the utmost care. Do not dump ashes unless you are certain they are completely out. Live coals can burn far as long as one or two days after being used. Occasionally, there will be some relief to the high fire danger in the form of scattered showers and thunderstorms. However, such relief will only be temporary with high fire danger conditions returning quickly after a few days of drying.