Fire Weather Information

2024 Wisconsin Fire Weather Annual Operating Plan

Wisconsin Fire Weather Decision Support Services Website
(Statewide forecast graphics and links)

Wisconsin Fire Weather Dashboard from NWS Duluth, MN

Fire Weather Briefing Page
 

Local Spot Forecasts

• Local Spot Forecast requests/monitoring - Official Use Only

Fire Weather Planning Forecast

• For South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
  • Check out our Graphical Forecast page for a quick look at forecast weather conditions. The South Central and Southeast Wisconsin narrative is created from these graphics!
• For Southwest Wisconsin
• For Southern Minnesota and  West Central Wisconsin
• For Northeast Minnesota and  Northwest Wisconsin
• For Northeast Wisconsin 

Spot Fire Weather Forecasts

• For South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
• For Southwest Wisconsin
• For Southern Minnesota and  West Central Wisconsin
• For Northeast Minnesota and  Northwest Wisconsin
• For Northeast Wisconsin 

Point Forecasts

• For South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
• For Southwest Wisconsin
• For  Southern Minnesota and West Central Wisconsin
• For Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
• For Northeast Wisconsin 

Fire Districts and NWS Zone Numbers Map

Fire Weather Watches/Red Flag Warnings

• For South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
• For Southwest Wisconsin
• For Southern Minnesota and  West Central Wisconsin
• For Northeast Minnesota and  Northwest Wisconsin
• For Northeast Wisconsin 

NWS National Fire Weather Page
National Fire Weather Outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center
National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook
 

Observations

Wisconsin DNR Burning Restrictions and Fire Activity Maps
Great Lakes Fire/Fuels Values

RAWS Observations for Dodgeville, Pardeeville, Horicon, Brooklyn and Eagle
Radar Estimated Precipitation Graphics
Haines Index Map Lower Atmosphere Stability Index, U.S.
Observed Fire Danger Class Map For Previous/Current Day, U.S.
Forecast Fire Danger Class Map For Current/Next Day, U.S.
Visual Greenness Map, U.S.

Satellite Fire Detection

GOES-16 Imagery Use Channel 7: IR "Shortwave Window" (3.9 micron)
Hazard Mapping System - Fire and Smoke Products
Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm

Fuel and Soil Moisture Maps

10 Hour Fuel Moisture Map, Weighed Or Computed For 1/4 To 1 Inch Diameter Fuels.
100 Hour Fuel Moisture Map, Weighed Or Computed For 1 To 3 Inch Diameter Fuels.
1000 Hour Fuel Moisture Map, Weighed Or Computed For 3 To 8 Inch Diameter Fuels.
Keetch-Byram Drought Index  Soil Moisture Drought Index, U.S.
Palmer Drought Index Updated Weekly, U.S.
U.S. Drought Monitor & Seasonal Outlook
 

Related Links 

Many of the links on the page are courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service. Other Fire Weather-related links include:

Eastern Area Coordination Center
National Interagency Fire Center
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Fire Weather Program : Some Background
 

Fire weather forecasts are prepared by the NWS for various fire control agencies in Wisconsin on a seasonal schedule from early Spring to late Fall. Start-up and termination of the fire weather season is mainly related to snow coverage across Wisconsin and will be requested by the U.S. Forest Service and the Wisconsin DNR Bureau of Forestry.

Past history indicates Spring to be the most active season for fire in Wisconsin, since dead fuels are abundant and relative humidity values often drop to very low levels. Fall may be another peak time for the fire weather agencies, due to a new source of fuel from dying vegetation due to freezing temperatures.

-Typical Seasons-

Spring Fire Weather Season....March 15 to June 15
Summer Fire Weather Season....June 15 to September 1
Fall Fire Weather Season....September 1 to November 15 

Agencies Supported by the Fire Weather Program:
 

- United States Forest Service (USFS)

• Chequamegon National Forest in northern Wisconsin
• Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin

• Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
• Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
• Leopold Wetland Management District

- Bureau of Indian Affairs