Unit 7

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Define wind and wind direction.

2. Describe the effects of wind on wildland fire behavior.

3. Describe general winds around high pressure and low pressure systems.

4. Describe the cause and effect of local winds (slope/valley winds and land/sea breeze) on wildland fire behavior.

5. Describe typical diurnal slope and valley wind patterns, and identify these temporal patterns on a topographic map.

6. Describe critical winds and their impact on wildland fire behavior.

7. Identify three ways topography can alter wind direction and speed.

8. Describe general, local, and 20-foot and mid flame winds, and their relationship to each other.

9. Adjust wind speeds based on topographic location and calculate mid-flame wind speeds for the three main fuel types.