The Fire Severity Index is a five-day forecast which will be updated daily on the FireBeaters website, www.firebeaters.org.uk
The system uses live weather forecast information from the Met Office, including air temperature, rainfall, relative humidity and wind speed to predict levels of exceptional fire weather across the country.
Wildfire risk is graded from one, “very low” to five – “exceptional”.
“This exciting initial output from the FireBeaters project will help protect our forests and moors, as well as improving our wildfire fighting capability,” said Michael Bruce of ConFor and chairman of the research steering group.
FireBeaters is a joint project between the University of Edinburgh and the Met Office, funded by the Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage, under the remit of the Scottish Wildfire Forum.
