What kind of information do aerial spotters primarily communicate?

Aerial spotters primarily communicate critical fire behavior and conditions because their main responsibility is to monitor and assess the situation on the ground from an aerial perspective. They provide real-time updates on how fire is behaving, such as changes in intensity, direction, and spread, which are essential for informing crew members about the evolving situation. This information allows ground crews and incident command to make informed decisions regarding tactics, resource allocation, and safety protocols.

While weather changes can impact fire behavior and are also important, the immediate focus of aerial spotters is to relay information that is directly related to the fire's dynamics. Ground crew distress signals pertain to safety and emergency situations on the ground but are not the primary focus of an aerial spotter's role. Similarly, passenger safety updates are relevant to aviation in general but not to the specific task of managing fire operations. As such, the communication of critical fire behavior and conditions stands out as the most essential function of aerial spotters.