The Fire Severity Index

Fire outbreaks in the countryside can present some dangerous and unpredictable situations. Under exceptional weather conditions it is vital to be attentive to possible hazards. A fire severity index has therefore been set-up to forcast fire severity in Wales...

The fire severity index is represented by means of a simple scale to predict possible circumstances.

The index has five levels of fire risk, from one [very low] to five [exceptional].

A scoring of five would reflect extremely dry weather conditions or dramatic changes in the condition of the land.

Please be aware that wildfires can occur at any value of the Met Office Fire Severity Index. The information is subject to Met Office Terms and Conditions (See the link below)

How is it used?

A Relevant Authority (Countryside Council for Wales, Snowdonia National Park Authority, Brecon Beacons Park Authority, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission) can restrict the right of  access.

For this to happen, the fire severity index must reach level five and an official request for land restrictions must be received from a landowner, tenant or other land manager.

How is it calculated?

The index collects and analyses information from wind speed, temperature measurements, the time of year and rainfall to produce the complete fire risk assessment.

These come from observations around the country and are received directly from the MET office. We then publish this information on the website each morning, with the current days risk level, plus the predicted levels for the next five days. You can find more information in the Met Office publication 'Met Office Fire Severity Index' (see the link below).

Where can I find it?

The interactive countryside access map shows the index level for today as well as the five day forecast, as soon as it comes in.  Please note that the predicted forecast for the next five days will not be as accurate as the current day's forecast.

See the FSI levels by clicking on 'Open' on the left hand side of the map window, then on 'Map key'.

Scroll down the list until you reach 'Fire Severity Index'. Click in the box to the left of 'Fire Severity Index' then 'Update Map'.

The current days level will automatically colour the map. Move the map around with the 'Move map' tool to discover the level for your area.

For more help go to the 'How to use the map' guide (see link below).

In summer or in very dry conditions, it's worth checking your local conditions on the map daily.