11/28/16 Rain!!! What Does It Mean To Firefighting Efforts?

What will the incoming weather mean for firefighting efforts?

This week the southern Appalachian Mountains will receive up to 1-2 inches of rain.  Beginning today through mid-week, weather forecasters are predicting a couple of rain surges that will assist with current firefighting efforts.

The anticipated rain event will initially cross the southern plains on Monday, moving over the lower Mississippi River Valley into Tuesday.   The core fire areas and Appalachian Mountains will also receive rain on Tuesday into Wednesday.   Because most of the leaves have fallen, the moisture will be able to reach areas currently burning and assist with firefighting efforts.  

Bobbi Scopa, Operations Section at the Southern Area Coordination Center provides and overview of what the incoming weather means to firefighting efforts, and how the release of resources is being planned. (Click here for video.)  

Despite the amount of moisture that we will see with the current incoming weather patterns, FIRE DANGER REMAINS HIGH.  The current drought conditions are long term, and a series of wet weather storms are needed to alleviate the extremely dry conditions.  Several areas are still under burn bans. (Click here for Burn Ban information.)  With the heavy layers of dry leaves, drought conditions and anticipated warm weather after these storms, several areas will remain prone to fire activity and people are asked to remain cautious and aware of the fire danger and bans in their areas.
                                                                      

While the much-needed moisture will assist firefighting efforts, it will not be enough to completely extinguish all the fires burning in western North Carolina.   In the days, and possibly weeks ahead, the local area will still see smokes within the fire containment lines.  Agencies will continue to monitor these areas and respond if and as needed.