RED FLAG WARNING NO. 7
DEW POINT DEPRESSION EVENT

Recognition:

FORECAST	DETECTED	OBSERVED
n.a.	n.a.	Where a fire is burning over a range of elevations generally crossing the 1500m ASL contour, weather observations must be obtainable from BoM, deployed field observers or real-time data-feed portable automatic weather stations. The reporting should be to a minimum repeat rate of half-hourly. The goal is to detect weather patterns that differ from extrapolations from forecast and observed weather at the nearby reference station[s].

Response:

[C] high priority for review of safety in all sectors, and ensuring IAP options are developed on a just-in-case basis.

If Situation Unit staff detect a consistent trend to depressed dew points (over three or observing sites or over one hours duration) they are to immediately advise the Planning Officer of an actual Red Flag situation.
The Planning Officer is meet with the IMT to review incident strategies.

Detailed Material:

Sharples, JJ. (submitted). Review of mountain meteorological effects relevant to fire behaviour and bushfire risk.
Sharples, J.J., Weber, R.O., McRae, R. & Mills, G.A. HighFire Risk: Weather Anomalies in the high country I: Nocturnal low-level jets. Poster, AFAC/BushfireCRC Conference 2008, Adelaide.
Sharples, J.J., Weber, R.O., McRae, R. & Mills, G.A. HighFire Risk: Weather Anomalies in the high country II: Subsidence Inversions. Poster, AFAC/BushfireCRC Conference 2008, Adelaide.

This material arises from work carried out by the HighFire Risk Project.

Material prepared by R. McRae September 2009.