The Fire Weather Index is a meteorologically based index that estimates fire danger from variables such as temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, and wind speed. A key distinction is that FWI estimates weather conditions favorable to ignition and spread rather than observed burned area, asset damage, or insured loss. For decision-makers, this framing positions FWI as one input inside broader wildfire risk analysis rather than a stand-alone loss forecast (Copernicus Climate Change Service, n.d.; European Environment Agency, n.d.).
References
- Copernicus Climate Change Service. (n.d.). Fire Weather Index.
- European Environment Agency. (n.d.). Fire Weather Index.