Application Period for National Fire Academy Opens April 15

The application period for the first semester of FY2011 at the National Fire Academy (NFA) will be open from April 15 to June 15. NFA courses and course-materials are free, and transportation and lodging for students who represent career or volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, or state/local governments attending on-campus courses are currently provided as part of funding under the student stipend reimbursement program. The first semester includes classes that begin October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. Learn more and apply at www.usfa.dhs.gov/nfa.

Short Range Fire Weather:

FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION:

DISCUSSION...
THERE IS AN ELEVATED RISK FOR FIRE SPREAD ACROSS MOST OF MASSACHUSETTS
THIS AFTERNOON AND THROUGH WEDNESDAY. MINIMUM AFTERNOON RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES WILL DROP TO BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT COMBINED WITH POTENTIAL
DRY SOUTHERLY WIND GUSTS TO 25 MPH. THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE VERY LOW
FUEL MOISTURES IN ALL DEAD OR DORMANT LIGHT SURFACE FUELS AND RESULT IN AN
ELEVATED RISK OF ACTIVE AND/OR DANGEROUS FIRE BEHAVIOR.

EASTERN FRANKLIN, HAMPSHIRE, HAMDEN COUNTIES COULD SEE RELATIVE
HUMIDITIES DROP BELOW 20% DURING THE AFTERNOON PERIODS CAUSING RAPID
DRYING IN LIGHT SURFACE FUELS AND LEADING TO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS
FIRE BEHAVIOR.


OUTLOOK...WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY...

DRY AND UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY. THE
HIGHEST TEMPERATURES WILL GENERALLY BE IN THE INTERIOR WITH COOLER
TEMPERATURES ALONG THE IMMEDIATE SOUTH COAST. THE HIGHEST CONCERN
FOR FIRE SPREAD WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY WHEN HIGHS REACH INTO THE 80S
AND WIND GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH ARE FORECAST. MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES
WILL DROP BETWEEN 20 AND 30 PERCENT. INCREASING CHANCES OF RAIN
FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND.