The US government is buying 1-5 year fire forecasts for the first time

The US government just awarded a contract to buy weather forecasts that predict fire risk up to five years out. This means fire management agencies will have much longer lead times to plan for major fire seasons.

For decades, fire management has relied on short-term weather predictions, often only a few days or weeks out. This new contract means agencies can start planning for major fire seasons years in advance. They can pre-position resources, manage fuel loads, and make long-term staffing decisions based on a clearer picture of future risk.