A Comparison of the Meteorological Conditions Associated with a Major Wildland Fire in the United States and a Major Bush Fire in Australia

Abstract

Two days which produced major wildland fires in the eastern United States and southeastern Australia were compared in respect to prevailing weather conditions. Both days were seen as representative of extreme fire weather situations. Many similarities were noted. These included warm, dry and windy conditions at the surface occurring ahead of a strong cold front, the proximity of a pronounced upper level trough, unstable temperature lapse rates, and strong winds throughout the lower levels of the atmosphere.