Weather and Fuel Considerations for Prescribed Burning

Weather Maps

Precipitation Gauge

Fire-weather Shelter

A general understanding of the separate and combined effects of several weather elements on fire behavior is needed to plan and execute a good prescribed burn. Wind, relative humidity, temperature, rainfall, and airmass stability are important elements to consider because these factors influence fuel moisture. Because weather and fuel factors interact, an experienced prescribed burner can conduct a successful burn even with one or more factors slightly outside the desired range—as long as they are offset by other factors.

The following sections, from the widely used publication: A Guide For Prescribed Fire In Southern Forests (USDA Forest Service 1989), discuss the desirable ranges for weather and fuel elements that produce optimal burning conditions for both underburning and debris burning.

• Wind Considerations
• Relative Humidity Considerations
• Temperature Considerations
• Rainfall and Soil Moisture Considerations
• Airmass Stability and Atmospheric Dispersion Considerations
• Fine-fuel Moisture Considerations
• Topographical Considerations

For more detailed information on the effects of fuels and weather on fire behavior, see the following major sections of the encyclopedia:

• Fuels
• Fire Weather
• Fire Behavior