The National Weather Service (NWS) has positioned a team of specially trained meteorologists in Florida to provide on-site microscale weather forecasts for firefighters. This unique NWS group is comprised of experienced fire weather forecasters, known as Incident Meteorologists, who deploy from locations throughout the United States to support wildfire operations. This consolidation of resources assures maximum expertise on-site to assess weather conditions that affect fires and maintain fire fighter safety. Media covering wildfires are encouraged to contact the National Weather Service and learn more about this program and arrange interviews.

The National Weather Service offices in Florida have been supporting the effort through coordination and forecasts. NWS has opened a 24-hour Fire Weather Support Center to service the needs of the field personnel involved with the Florida fire effort.

INFORMATION ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB:

From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
The National Weather Service Office at Tampa Bay is the coordination center for NWS support to the multiple fires. Forecasts for the state are available at NOAA has placed satellite imagery of the fires in Florida on the web. The imagery, in GIF or JPEG format, is located at . Click on "fires," then go to the USA directory, and select the image of interest.

Movie loops of the fires are available at:

For additional general information on the NWS Fire Weather Program, please look at At the NWS Southern Region Headquarters, links for forecasts, assessment maps, etc: From the National Interagency Fire Center:
The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho (), has many useful links including the INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, which updates weather and other fire information for fires around the country: . Fire news issued by NIFC: NOAA PLACES ON WORLD WIDE WEB INFORMATION ON FLORIDA'S WEATHER THAT LED TO FIRES

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