NOAA Incident Meteorologists prepare for wildfire season

Fire weather training sharpens skills, ensures IMET readiness to keep firefighters safe
Photo of IMETs learning how to set up an Incident Remote Automatic Weather Station (IRAWS). IRAWS gather observations useful for fire weather forecasting including wind speed and direction, air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation and fuel moisture.

IMETs learn how to set up an Incident Remote Automatic Weather Station (IRAWS). IRAWS gather observations useful for fire weather forecasting including wind speed and direction, air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, solar radiation and fuel moisture. (Image credit: NOAA)

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Photo showing IMETs practice launching a weather balloon during 2023 IMET training. Meteorologists use upper air observations from weather balloons to develop a forecast.
IMETs practice launching a weather balloon during 2023 IMET training. Meteorologists use upper air observations from weather balloons to develop a forecast. (Image credit: NOAA)
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NOAA National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) will gather in Boise, Idaho, March 11-15 to complete specialized, intensive training to help keep first responders and firefighters safe during the upcoming wildfire season. Media are invited to observe this training and interview the IMETs — key members of incident command teams who provide continuous weather forecast support during a wildfire battle. 

Seventy meteorologists will participate in the training, which will prepare them to deliver fire weather forecasts, fire behavior guidance and briefings to firefighters at a wildfire incident command post. During training, IMETs learn how a fire reacts to certain weather, fuel and terrain. They also learn forecasting for fire weather in complex mountain terrain from Alaska to the Appalachians. Trainees complete more than 225 hours of fire weather training before becoming certified. 

NOAA has 90 certified IMETs and 36 trainees ready for deployment. IMETs completed 149 missions deployed to wildfires in 2023 (which was around 30 missions above normal).  

WHAT

Observe IMETs training to deliver fire weather forecasts and interview NOAA experts and fire behavior analysts from CalFire and the Southwest Area Incident Management Team

WHEN

Wed., March 13
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT

WHERE

Best Western Vista Inn Conference Center, just outside the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) front gate

2645 W Airport Way, Boise, ID
Please check in at the Vista Inn Conference Center
Parking is available behind the Best Western

REGISTRATION

Reporters must register to attend by Tuesday, March 12 by contacting Julie Malingowski, julie.malingowski@noaa.gov, ‪(801) 872-3416‬

VISUALS

IMETs and trainees participate in simulated exercises, set up and activate remote weather stations, develop a spot weather forecast and deliver a fire weather briefing. There will be computer instruction on interpreting output from computer models and other forecasting tools.

 

 

Media contact

Maureen O’Leary, Maureen.Oleary@noaa.gov, (202) 578-5257

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