top of page
Search

The Hot-Dry-Windy Index (HDWI) Webinar

  • nafsehelp
  • 3 hours ago
  • 1 min read

February 25, 2026 - NAFSE and the Lake States Fire Science Consortium (LSFSC) co-hosted The Hot-Dry-Windy Index (HDWI): Background, History, and Application to Fire Weather Forecasting in the Lake States and Northeast United States webinar. Atmospheric conditions can have a wide range of impacts on wildfire and prescribed fire. The key is recognizing when atmospheric conditions are such that management of the fire on the landscape could be difficult or nearly impossible to perform. This webinar revisited and showcased the Hot-Dry-Windy Index, a tool developed to assist both meteorologists and fire operations in recognizing adverse atmosphere conditions that could have an impact. Dr. Jay Charney provided relevant background information related to the tool, how to utilize it, and shared examples that highlight its value for operations.


Note - while the discussion centered around the north central and northeast portions of the United States, the HDWI tool has relevance and applicability across a large part of North America.


Dr. Jay Charney is a Research Meteorologist with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station based in East Lansing, Michigan. Jay’s work focuses on the meteorological features that affect fire behavior and smoke dispersion. He uses physics-based models of weather conditions in tandem with field observations of fire and smoke to help optimize the use and interpretation of current analysis and forecasting tools for informing management decisions, and to help develop new tools for use in the future.


Resources



bottom of page