Weather plays an important role in wildland fire operations. The Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center uses current and predicted weather to determine: staffing levels, response levels, fire growth potential, fire danger, and resource needs. During the fire season weather forecast are monitored continuously and staffing is adjusted as needed.
The majority of fires within the Central Nevada dispatch zone are started by lighting and become wind driven. For this reason staffing levels are at their peak during predicted lightning activity. Lightning activity is typically at its peak starting in July and going through September.