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July 5, 2002/Tamuz 25 5762, Vol. 54, No. 42
Meteorologist fights fire
Using weather to contain state's largest wildfire
JESSICA BARBER
Editorial Assistant
Firefighters, rescue workers and citizens throughout Arizona have joined the fight against the massive forest fire burning in the northeastern region of the state. Among them is a Valley man who is doing his part to keep the raging fire under control - he is studying the weather.
Mesa resident Bob Berkovitz, a fire weather meteorologist with the National Weather Service, travels throughout the Southwest to analyze weather patterns and their effect on large forest fires.
Most recently, Berkovitz worked June 24-30 on the Rodeo-Chediski fire burning near Show Low.
"We deal with what to expect," said Berkovitz. "We try to predict the forecast and how the fire is going to behave and how fast it is going to move."
Weather patterns do more than offer relief of rain or danger of lightning, explained Berkovitz. They also aid firefighters in forming an attack plan.
"Firefighters may move based on the weather," he said. "They don't want to be downwind of the fire and they don't want to be in danger."
In order to provide firefighters, safety officers, fire behavior analysts and the media with information, Berkovitz depends on several weather-watching devices.
Fire RAWS, or Remote Automated Weather Stations, are set up close to the fire to get direct observations which are downloaded onto a computer about once an hour. The on-site meteorologists may also set up equipment at the fire camp or several miles away to afford various readings on weather patterns throughout the area.
"I have a constant, steady stream of data coming in," said Berkovitz.
On average, Berkovitz travels to four or five fire sites a year - usually with only a few hours notice. In his 33-year career with the National Weather Service, there were only three years with no fires to go to.
Once he is on-site, Berkovitz commonly works long hours for days at a time.
"I haven't really been off for 12 days," Berkovitz commented hours before he was expected in the Show Low area. "I won't be off for awhile."
Berkovitz not only has to be ready to travel without notice and spend long periods of time away from home, he must also be flexible once he arrives at the fire camp.
"I've worked out of a tent, a U-Haul truck and even out of buildings," he said. When Berkovitz drives to the fires, he usually sleeps in the back of his van or borrows a tent and sleeping bag from the fire camp.
Earlier this summer, Berkovitz was working on the fire burning in the Santa Fe National Forest near Pecos, N.M. In past years, Berkovitz has served as a fire-weather meteorologist at the Los Alamos fire in New Mexico in 2000, the Dude fire in Arizona in 1990, the Yellowstone fires in 1988 and the Santa Ana fires in California in 1985.
Throughout his career, Berkovitz has had several chaotic and intense experiences. One such experience occurred at the Los Alamos fire, a nationally known disaster that destroyed 43,000 acres of land and more than 200 homes and structures.
Berkovitz reached the fire site after an intense day of traveling with little time to rest or eat. Less than half an hour after his arrival, the fire camp was evacuated due to 50 mile per hour winds pushing the fire dangerously close to firefighters and other personnel.
"We all had to get out - quickly," said Berkovitz. "We didn't get to eat dinner until around 11 that night. Not all fires are like that, but I remember that one."
Another intense experience occurred during the Yellowstone fires of 1988.
"All the fire-weather meteorologists were there," said Berkovitz. "We were on duty for 14 days, followed by another 10. You have to be out there because sometimes there just isn't anyone to replace you."
Although Berkovitz admitted to stress from long hours and an intense job, he enjoys his career.
"I like my job," he said. "I enjoy going out on the fires. You get out of the office and into nature, and you're doing something you really like."
In addition to fire weather meteorology, Berkovitz teaches fire behavior courses to trainees of the Forest Service, rural fire departments or employees of the Bureau of Land Management.
Berkovitz earned a bach-elor's degree in atmospheric science from the University of Washington in Seattle and was drafted into the military in 1964. He spent two years on the United States Army weather team.
In his spare time, Berkovitz enjoys an array of physical activities, including jogging, aerobics and weight lifting.
"It's my stress relief," he said.
Berkovitz has lived in the Valley since 1977 and is a member of Temple Emanuel of Tempe. He has two daughters, Staci Collinson, 28; and Leisah Namm, 32. Namm is the assistant editor of the Jewish News of Greater Phoenix.
As of press time, the 467,000-acre blaze destroyed 423 homes and was at least 70 percent contained, according to the Arizona Republic.
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