1. REPORTS & SUMMARIES S-244 Field Observer & Fire Effects Monitor

2. Objectives Upon completion of this unit, students will be familiar with reporting formats to: Document observations of weather, fire behavior, smoke production, and fire effects using existing forms Document the comparison of predicted fire behavior, fire effects, and weather to observed and prescribed conditions Describe in narrative format how closely wildland fire management objectives were met Document follow-up actions as needed

3. Tasks from FEMO/FOBS Taskbook 12. Provide monitoring summary for assigned area. 16. Monitor, obtain, and record weather data. 17. Monitor and record fire behavior data throughout the fire management operation. 18. Monitor and record smoke management information.

4. Introduction Fire managers need information about fire conditions on a timely basis. Photo: USGS

5. Monitoring Summaries Required elements for final exercise. Map of the project area Observations  Weather, fire behavior, and smoke observations  Observed conditions vs. predicted and prescribed conditions Narrative  Fire effects  Success in meeting management objectives  Follow-up actions needed

6. Map Example of a field map.

7. Observations Use existing forms Photo: NWCG/S-244 Course Materials

8. Compare the predicted conditions to what is actually observed. Observations 2-8 mph0-16 mph 2-4mph S WSW-ESES-SE 2-4, G 8 26% 20% 28-32%30-34% 2-8 ft. 2-12 ft3-6 ft 2-4 ft Ignition started @ 1100; mop-up completed @ 1800 Cove Rx5-8-09 A. Porter SE-SW Photo: NOAA

9. Narrative Narratives are used when you must describe a situation in greater detail or provide information in addition to numeric observations. Photo: NWCG/S-244 Course Materials

10. Narrative Example of a Fire Effects Narrative Photo: Dana Cohen The picture above was taken on the upper northeastern part of the fire. The primary carrier of the fire was the perennial grasses and very small forbs. The Lodgepole regeneration canopy had an estimated height of six to ten feet. The lower one quarter of this regeneration was scorched. Very little of the Lodgepole regeneration was completely consumed. Dead and downed fuel loading on top of Whimstick WFU is estimated to have been approximately <13 tons per acre (tpa) prior to the fire. In this area at the top of the fire, approximately 60-80% of 100- hour time lag fuels were consumed. The majority of the 1000-hour time lag fuels fell due to fire activity. Most of these did not fully consume before being extinguished.

11. Narrative Were the objectives met? Photo: USFWS Objective: Consume 40-80% of understory vegetation within wet prairie and pine habitat during each treatment. Results: The burn resulted in a patchy consumption of understory vegetation, with some limited areas experiencing near 100% consumption, in addition to small patches of unburned vegetation. Based on an ocular estimate, the treatment was successful in consuming 40-80% of the understory vegetation over the project area.

12. Narratives Follow-up actions needed. Follow- up Actions: Flame lengths were successfully kept below 10 feet during the burn; however, verification of actual overstory mortality will require a site visit 1 to 2 months post-burn.

13. Optional Information 1 8/271200 Plot 2 Pre-burn photo Kelly ProjectL. Schneiders

14. Optional Information Fuel Moisture Samples Photo: Heather Heward

15. Optional Information Fire Behavior Summary Photo: Marshel Moy

16. Map Observations Weather Fire Behavior Smoke Observed vs. Predicted and Prescribed Narrative Fire Effects Success in meeting project objectives Follow-up Needed Summary for Field Exercise Photo: NWCG/S-244 Course Materials

17. Summary Work with your incident supervisor to determine what is needed for the monitoring summary as well as how often interim reports should be submitted. Photo: Heather Heward

18. Quiz Question #1 1. Which of the following elements of a fire monitoring summary consists mainly of numeric records and is commonly documented on an existing form? a. Recommendations for management b. Follow-up needed c. Map of the perimeter d. Weather observations

19. Quiz Question #2 2. Which element of the fire monitoring summary is submitted as part of the narrative? a. Discussion of whether management objectives were successfully met by the project b. Fire behavior observations c. Map of the perimeter d. Weather observations

20. Quiz Question #3 3. Fire monitoring summaries for both prescribed fires and wildfires use a standardized interagency format. a. True b. False