Wildfire Morning Report and News 6/23/06

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006 - 0530 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3

CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was light nationally with 160 new fires reported. Eight new large fires (*) were reported, three in the Southern Area, two in the Southwest Area and one each in the Eastern Great Basin, Northern Rockies and Rocky Mountain Areas. Five large fires were contained, one each in the Southwest, Northern Rockies, Western Great Basin, Eastern Great Basin and Southern Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota and Wyoming.

SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

An Area Command Team (Loach) is assigned to manage the Reserve, Skates, and Bear fires on the Gila National Forest.

BRINS, Coconino National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Broyles) is assigned. This fire is two miles northeast of Sedona, AZ in brush, chaparral and timber. No new information was reported.

RIVERA MESA, Las Vegas District, New Mexico State Forestry. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lineback) is assigned. This fire is five miles north of Ocate, NM in timber, grass, ponderosa pine and scrub oak. Numerous structures, power lines, timber, rangeland and Philmont Scout Ranch remain threatened. County Road 21 remains closed. Winds from thunderstorms produced active fire behavior including group torching. Burn out operations are ongoing.

BEAR, Gila National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Dietrich) is assigned. This fire is 15 miles northeast of Glenwood, NM in mixed conifer. Numerous residences, wildlife habitat and historical cabins continue to be threatened. Continuous dense stands of timber and accumulations of extremely dry fuels continue to hamper containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior due to thunderstorm downbursts resulted in substantial fire runs across all fire perimeters.

SKATES, Gila National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Philbin) is assigned. This fire is 12 miles northeast of Silver City, NM in timber. The Lake Roberts area remains threatened. Backing fire and isolated torching were reported.

RESERVE COMPLEX, Gila National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Whitney) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the Wilson and Martinez fires, is located near Reserve, NM in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper and grass. Thunderstorms passing through the area produced erratic winds. Smoldering fire behavior was reported.

WARM, Kaibab National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team (Hahnenburg) is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning three miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ in ponderosa pine litter. Jacob Lake development area, administrative sites, historical Ranger Station and private & public campgrounds remain threatened. Active fire behavior with backing, torching and uphill runs was reported.

BEAVERHEAD, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This fire is 15 miles south of Alpine, AZ in timber. Moderate to low fire behavior was reported. Mopup and rehab are in progress.

POTATO COMPLEX, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. This complex is ten miles northwest of Heber-Overgaard, AZ in pinyon pine, juniper and grass. Demobilization has begun.

NAVAJO MOUNTAIN 1, Navajo Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is northeast of Page, AZ in timber. A portion of the west flank will not be lined due to inaccessible terrain. Interior torching was observed.

EICKS DRAW, Socorro District, New Mexico State Forestry. This fire is 35 miles south of Animas, NM in grass, juniper and mixed conifer. Steep rocky terrain is impeding containment efforts. Structure protection is being established for one ranch house. Extreme fire behavior was reported.

BARTLETT, Cimarron District, New Mexico State Forestry. This fire is five miles north of Raton, NM in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper and grass. A radio tower and Raton watershed are threatened. Rugged terrain and gusty winds are impeding containment efforts. Moderate fire behavior was reported.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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BRINS FIRE     |AZ| COF| 2456| 7| UNK| 695| 15| 31|   9|   0| 1.8M| FS
RIVERA MESA    |NM| N4S| 11040| 50| 6/27| 447| 14| 20|   4|   0| 1.5M| ST
BEAR           |NM| GNF| 42884| 5| UNK| 276| 5| 13|   5|   0| 750K| FS
SKATES         |NM| GNF| 12461| 70| 6/24| 299| 6| 17|   2|   0|3.92M| FS
RESERVE COMPLEX|NM| GNF| 15840| 85| 6/24| 629| 14| 29|   5|   0| 4.9M| FS
WARM - WFU     |AZ| KNF| 12273|N/A| N/A| 359| 5| 31|   5|   0|1.57M| FS
BEAVERHEAD     |AZ| ASF| 1497| 95| 6/26|   95| 2| 5|   1|   0| 796K| FS
POTATO COMPLEX |AZ| ASF| 6262| 95| 6/23|   73| 2| 4|   1|   0| 3.7M| FS
NAVAJO MOUNTAIN|AZ| NAA| 3380| 80| 6/25|   94| 3| 2|   2|   0|   NR|BIA
* EICKS DRAW   |NM| N3S| 1000| 0| 6/28|    9| 0| 2|   0|   0|   5K| ST
* BARTLETT     |NM| N2S| 1500| 70| 6/24|   34| 2| 2|   1|   0|   NR| ST
BURNT          |NM| N2S|   400|100| ---|   40| 2| 3|   1|   0|   NR| ST
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SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

GLASS MOUNTAIN COMPLEX, Texas Forest Service. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Hannemann) is assigned. This Team is also managing the Toenail Trail, Richie Ranch, West Tank, Hwy 349, Blue Canyon and Robbers Roost fires. This complex is 15 miles northwest of Marathon, TX in grass, brush and timber. High temperatures, low relative humidity, steep terrain and difficult access continue to hamper containment efforts. Active fire behavior with spotting, group torching and crowning was observed.

DEERFLY, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Coral Springs, FL in pine and grass. Rapid rates of spread with spotting up to a quarter mile were reported.

AIRBOAT, Everglades National Park, National Park Service. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Homestead, FL in saw grass. The fire is being managed in a confine/contain strategy. Active fire behavior was observed with a significant run to the southwest and backing toward the northeast.

RENTIESVILLE, Oklahoma Division of Forestry. This fire started on private land three miles east of Rentiesville, OK in hardwood timber and litter. Steep terrain is hampering containment efforts. Running fire behavior with flame lengths of less than six feet was reported.

RICHIE RANCH, Texas Forest Service. This fire is 27 miles west of San Angelo, TX in grass and juniper. High rates of spread, spotting and flame lengths up to eight feet were reported.

SCOTTS FERRY, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is 20 miles northeast of Panama City, FL in southern rough. Creeping fire behavior was observed.

HORSE, Oklahoma Division of Forestry. This fire is six miles northeast of Braggs, OK in hardwood litter. No new information was reported.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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GLASS MOUNTAIN |TX| TXS| 8549| 50| UNK|   58| 1| 4|   3|   1|   NR| ST
DEERFLY        |FL| FLS| 12000| 30| 6/28|   12| 0| 1|   0|   0|   2K| ST
* AIRBOAT      |FL| EVP| 4000| 60| 6/25|    2| 0| 0|   1|   0| 5.6K|NPS
* RENTIESVILLE |OK| OKS|   700| 85| 6/24|   18| 0| 8|   0|   0|   NR| ST
* RICHIE RANCH |TX| TXS|   674| 85| UNK|   16| 0| 2|   1|   0|   NR| ST
SCOTTS FERRY   |FL| FLS|   550| 70| 6/25|   17| 0| 1|   1|   0| 1.4K| ST
HORSE          |OK| OKS|   130| 90| 6/23|    8| 0| 2|   0|   0|   NR| ST
HWY 349        |TX| TXS| 2200|100| ---|   NR| 0| 0|   0|   0|   NR| ST
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

MATO VEGA, Costilla County. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Blume) is assigned. This fire is 12 miles northeast of Fort Garland, CO in timber, logging slash and grass. Numerous residences, an FAA communication site and commercial resources remain threatened. Structure protection continues. Evacuations remain in effect. Single tree torching at upper elevations and short runs in lower elevations were observed.

ISABELLE, Southern Medicine Bow National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Mullenix) is assigned. This fire is 25 miles southwest of Laramie, WY in timber, sage and grass. Numerous residences and structures are threatened. Numerous road closures and an evacuation plan are in effect. Poor access is hampering containment efforts. Moderate fire behavior with short runs and group torching were reported.

JOLLY MESA, Glenwood Springs Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. This fire is three miles west of Newcastle, CO in pinyon pine, juniper and grass. Dry fuels, low humidity and steep terrain are hampering containment efforts. Numerous structures, natural gas lines, high voltage powerlines and Garfield Creek Wildlife Area are threatened. Running, crowning and torching were observed.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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MATO VEGA      |CO| CTX| 13153| 35| 6/30| 424| 10| 36|   2|   0|1.04M|NTY
ISABELLE       |WY| MB2| 1200| 30| 6/25| 203| 5| 7|   5|   0| 441K| FS
* JOLLY MESA   |CO| GWD|   540| 25| UNK|   NR| 3| 3|   1|   0| 988K|BLM
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EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

LION CREEK, Manti-Lasal National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Thomas) is assigned. This fire is five miles northwest of Paradox, CO in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, brush and grass. Numerous rural homes, Buckeye Campground and power lines to Paradox remain threatened. Road closures remain in effect for the fire area. Reduced acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Moderate fire behavior with single tree torching was observed.

SALERATUS, Uinta and Ouray Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This lightning- caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 23 miles northeast of Green River, UT in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed conifer. The terrain is extremely steep and rugged. This will be the last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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LION CREEK     |UT| MLF| 1530| 25| 6/25| 233| 7| 14|   4|   0|   NR| FS
*SALERATUS - WF|UT| UOA|   105|N/A| N/A|    2| 0| 0|   0|   0|   NR|BIA
HWY 46 MM 7    |ID| TFD| 11295|100| ---|   11| 0| 3|   0|   0|   NR|BLM
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TFD - Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

PERKINS, Los Padres National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Feser) is assigned. This fire is south of Cuyama, CA in brush and grass. Limited access, rugged terrain and gusty winds continue to impede containment efforts. Road closures are in effect for portions of the Forest. The fire continues to spread to the south and southeast with active fire behavior reported.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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PERKINS        |CA| LPF| 13870| 43| UNK| 1080| 40| 35|   8|   7| 2.3M| FS
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ALASKA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

PARKS HWY, Fairbanks Area Forestry, Alaska Division of Forestry. A transfer of command from a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Kurth) back to the local unit will occur today. This fire is one mile southeast of Nenana, AK in black spruce, tundra and grass. Numerous residences, native allotments, recreational cabins, commercial property and utility infrastructure remain threatened. Smoldering and isolated torching were reported.

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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PARKS HWY      |AK| FAS| 83500| 45| 7/1| 250| 6| 6|   3| 16|8.12M| ST
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WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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BARTH 1        |NV| EKD| 2214|100| ---|   NR| 0| 0|   0|   0| 180K|BLM
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EKD - Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management

NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

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   INCIDENT    |ST|UNIT| SIZE | % | EST |TOTAL|CRW|ENG|HELI|STRC| $$$ |Org
     NAME      | |    |      |CTN| CTN |PERS |   |   |    |LOSS|C-T-D|Own
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* EMMONS       |ND| NDC|   600|100| ---|   15| 0| 5|   0|   0|   NR|PRI
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NDC - North Dakota Dispatch Center

OUTLOOK:

Weather Discussion: A strong high pressure ridge covers the West with very hot and dry conditions over most areas. Dry lightning will increase over Arizona and western New Mexico with some thunderstorm activity continuing over Colorado. A weather disturbance moving across Alaska will bring another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms over mainly the eastern interior.

Southwest Area

Geographic Area Weather
Mostly sunny, hot and dry across northern Arizona and northwest New Mexico, with a few dry thunderstorms along the Mogollon Rim and western portion of the Continental Divide in northwest New Mexico. Partly cloudy with widely scattered mixed wet/dry storms southern Arizona and the remainder of western New Mexico. Scattered wet thunderstorms east of the Rio Grande.

High Temperatures
90 to near 110 lower elevations of Arizona and much of New Mexico.
70 to 90 across the mountains and the plains of eastern New Mexico and west Texas.

Minimum Relative Humidity
5 to 15% much of Arizona and the northwest third of New Mexico.
15 to 25% southeast Arizona, remainder of western New Mexico and southwest Texas.
25 to 35% plains of west Texas and eastern New Mexico.

Wind
East to northeast 10 to 20 mph eastern New Mexico and west Texas. North to northeast 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph northern Arizona and northwest New Mexico. Variable 5 to 15 mph southern Arizona and western New Mexico.

Southern Area

Geographic Area Weather
Florida: sunny (West)
Texas:
Oklahoma:

High Temperatures
90s.
88 to 101.
80s.

Minimum Relative Humidity
35 north to 60% (central and south).
Around 20%.
55 to 65%.

Wind
Light northeast winds 3 to 8 mph.
East 10 to 15 mph.
Northwest 5 to 10 mph.

Rocky Mountain Area

Geographic Area Weather
Isolated thunderstorms over northeastern Colorado, South Dakota and Nebraska.

High Temperatures
Highs 75 to 85 except near 90 extreme western Colorado.
60 to 70 mountains.

Minimum Relative Humidity
5 to 15% lower elevations extreme western Colorado and southern Wyoming, 15 to 25% along the front range. Greater than 35% elsewhere.

Wind
South 5 to 15 mph Kansas and Nebraska otherwise variable 5 to 15 mph. West to northwest 5 to 15 mph west of the Divide.

Eastern Great Basin Area

Geographic Area Weather
Idaho, Bridger-Teton: Mostly sunny.
Northern Utah: Sunny.
Southern Utah, Arizona Strip: Sunny.

High Temperatures
Idaho, Bridger-Teton: 61 to 81 mountains. 79 to 91 valleys.
Northern Utah: 73 to 85 mountains. 85 to 95 valleys.
Southern Utah, Arizona Strip: 78 to 90 mountains.
90 to 101 valleys.
103 to 114 low deserts.

Minimum Relative Humidity
Idaho, Bridger-Teton: 25 to 35% mountains.10 to 22% valleys.
Northern Utah: 13 to 19% mountains.8 to 13% valleys.
Southern Utah, Arizona Strip: 12 to 15% mountains. 4 to 12% valleys.

Wind
Idaho, Bridger-Teton: Northwest to west 5 to 10 mph.
Northern Utah: Upslope/upvalley 5 to 10 mph.
Northwest 10 to 20 mph ridgetops.
Southern Utah, Arizona Strip: Upslope/upvalley 5 to 10 mph.

Southern California Area

Geographic Area Weather
Morning low clouds and fog coastal areas, otherwise sunny. Becoming partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms over the Sierra and over the mountains and deserts of southern California east of Cajon Pass in the afternoon.

High Temperatures
85 to 100 mountains.
100 to 110 valleys.
100 to 110 upper deserts.
110 to 120 lower deserts.

Minimum Relative Humidity
20 to 40% coastal areas.
10 to 20% valleys.
5 to 15% mountains.
5 to 15% deserts.

Wind
Northeast to southeast 5 to 15 mph.

Alaska Area

Geographic Area Weather
Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Chance of thunderstorms in the eastern interior. Cloudy with showers in south central.

High Temperatures
50s in the west and south to 60s and 70s in the eastern interior.

Minimum Relative Humidity
25 to 40% in the interior. Above 40% in south central and southwest.

Wind
South to southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Western Great Basin Area

Geographic Area Weather
Mostly sunny.

High Temperatures
N. valleys: 88 to 103.
S. valleys: 98 to 118.
N. mountains: 80 to 90.
S. mountains: 85 to 95.

Minimum Relative Humidity
N. valleys: 5 to 15%.
S. valleys: 3 to 8%.
N. mountains: 7 to 21%.
S. mountains: 5 to 10%.

Wind
Variable winds, mainly from the west at 6 to 12 mph.

Northern California Area

Geographic Area Weather
Sunny, hot and dry.

High Temperatures
90s to 108 valleys and lower slopes, 80s higher elevations.

Minimum Relative Humidity
6 to 25%.

Wind
Morning winds northwest to northeast 5 to 17 mph and locally gusty. Afternoon wind mostly northwest to north 3 to 13 mph and locally gusty.

FIRES AND ACRES YESTERDAY:

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AREA            | BIA | BLM | FWS | NPS | ST/OT | USFS | TOTAL
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Alaska    |FIRES|       |       |       |       |      1|       |         1
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       | 13239|       |     13239
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Northwest |FIRES|       |       |      1|       |      1|       |         2
          |ACRES|       |       |      0|       |      0|       |         0
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Northern |FIRES|      1|       |       |       |       |      2|         3
California|ACRES|      0|       |       |       |       |      9|         9
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Southern |FIRES|      8|       |       |       |     19|       |        27
California|ACRES|     74|       |       |       |     48|       |       122
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Northern |FIRES|      6|      1|       |       |      3|       |        10
Rockies   |ACRES|      7|      1|       |       |    601|       |       609
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Eastern   |FIRES|       |      1|       |       |      1|       |         2
Great Basi|ACRES|       |     26|       |       |      0|       |        26
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Western   |FIRES|      1|      1|       |       |       |       |         2
Great Basi|ACRES|     25|     20|       |       |       |       |        45
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Southwest |FIRES|       |       |       |       |      3|      0|         3
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |   1015|   1030|      2045
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Rocky     |FIRES|       |      2|       |       |      5|      9|        16
Mountain |ACRES|       |      2|       |       |    203|    311|       516
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Eastern   |FIRES|       |       |       |       |     12|      2|        14
Area      |ACRES|       |       |       |       |      3|      1|         4
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Southern |FIRES|      1|       |       |       |     73|      6|        80
Area      |ACRES|      1|       |       |       |   7058|    164|      7223
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TOTAL     |FIRES|     17|      5|      1|      0|    118|     19|       160
          |ACRES|    107|     49|      0|      0| 22167|   1515|     23838
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FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:
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AREA            | BIA | BLM | FWS | NPS | ST/OT | USFS | TOTAL
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Alaska    |FIRES|      4|      2|      3|      2|    180|       |       191
          |ACRES|     65|      1| 68519|   1530| 99450|       |    169565
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Northwest |FIRES|     54|     28|     19|       |    397|    118|       616
          |ACRES|    269|     16|     31|       |   2316|    658|      3290
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Northern |FIRES|     19|      2|      5|      2|    174|    104|       306
California|ACRES|     19|      0|     25|      0|   1552|   1545|      3141
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Southern |FIRES|     41|     31|      1|      3|    743|    174|       993
California|ACRES|    188|    514|      1|      2|   8213| 11164|     20082
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Northern |FIRES|    288|     12|     17|      1|    142|     71|       531
Rockies   |ACRES|   1302|    162|   1053|    223|   5217|    393|      8350
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Eastern   |FIRES|     17|    147|      1|      5|    212|     72|       454
Great Basi|ACRES|    254| 31317|      0|      1| 12772|   2525|     46869
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Western   |FIRES|      1|    121|      3|      7|     24|      8|       164
Great Basi|ACRES|     25| 11089|    668|      4|   2872|   1018|     15676
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Southwest |FIRES|    506|    154|      4|     84|   1150|    733|      2631
          |ACRES|   7655| 11371|    583|   6353| 415268| 83899|    525129
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Rocky     |FIRES|    183|    163|     39|     17|    464|    184|      1050
Mountain |ACRES|   3404|   2514|   2058|     63| 160971| 11805|    180815
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Eastern   |FIRES|    463|       |     34|     53|   9600|    474|     10624
Area      |ACRES|   5734|       |    829|    252| 71661| 13211|     91687
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Southern |FIRES|    395|       |    157|     49| 34781|    840|     36222
Area      |ACRES| 43327|       | 14914|   5684|2037427| 44177|   2145529
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TOTAL     |FIRES|   1971|    660|    283|    223| 47867|   2778|     53782
          |ACRES| 62242| 56984| 88681| 14112|2817719| 170395|   3210133
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Ten Year Average Fires                                                38891
Ten Year Average Acres                                              1094354
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*** Changes in some agency YTD acres reflect more accurate mapping or reporting adjustments. ***

PRESCRIBED FIRES AND ACRES YESTERDAY:
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AREA            | BIA | BLM | FWS | NPS | ST/OT | USFS | TOTAL
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Alaska    |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Northwest |FIRES|       |      2|       |       |       |      3|         5
          |ACRES|       |     82|       |       |       |    456|       538
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Northern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
California|ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Southern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
California|ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Northern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
Rockies   |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Eastern   |FIRES|      1|       |       |       |       |       |         1
Great Basi|ACRES|      3|       |       |       |       |       |         3
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Western   |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
Great Basi|ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Southwest |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Rocky     |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
Mountain |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Eastern   |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
Area      |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
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Southern |FIRES|       |       |       |      1|       |      1|         2
Area      |ACRES|       |       |       |    100|       |    124|       224
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TOTAL     |FIRES|      1|      2|      0|      1|      0|      4|         8
          |ACRES|      3|     82|      0|    100|      0|    580|       765
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PRESCRIBED FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:
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AREA            | BIA | BLM | FWS | NPS | ST/OT | USFS | TOTAL
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Alaska    |FIRES|       |       |       |       |      6|       |         6
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |   2429|       |      2429
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Northwest |FIRES|     15|    121|     54|      1|      1|    224|       416
          |ACRES|   6852| 10396|   6702|     98|    180| 29888|     54116
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Northern |FIRES|     17|     23|     20|      4|       |    100|       164
California|ACRES|    207|   2991| 26950|     66|       |   4121|     34335
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Southern |FIRES|       |      5|      7|      5|      1|     64|        82
California|ACRES|       |    285|    149|    277|     11|   2689|      3411
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Northern |FIRES|      1|     20|    123|      2|     33|    280|       459
Rockies   |ACRES|     40|   4344| 21289|    268|   3177| 31678|     60796
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Eastern   |FIRES|     10|     19|      6|      3|      5|     51|        94
Great Basi|ACRES|   1621|   2846|   1579|   1870|    129| 22497|     30542
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Western   |FIRES|       |      6|      3|       |       |      1|        10
Great Basi|ACRES|       |    425|     12|       |       |   1085|      1522
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Southwest |FIRES|     23|     12|      4|      5|       |     97|       141
          |ACRES|   3767| 10696|   8454|   1163|       | 49518|     73598
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky     |FIRES|     30|     20|     98|     14|     33|     97|       292
Mountain |ACRES|   3765|   5422| 20190|   8995|   1767| 27845|     67984
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern   |FIRES|     40|       |    500|     34|   1188|    148|      1910
Area      |ACRES| 15175|       | 57738|   5081| 69192| 29029|    176215
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern |FIRES|     22|       |    160|     61|    280|    810|      1333
Area      |ACRES|   6639|       | 71036| 29194| 145876| 648644|    901389
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL     |FIRES|    158|    226|    975|    129|   1547|   1872|      4907
          |ACRES| 38066| 37405| 214099| 47012| 222761| 846994|   1406337
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** Changes in some agency YTD acres reflect more accurate mapping or reporting adjustments. ***

WFU FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
AREA            | BIA | BLM | FWS | NPS | ST/OT | USFS | TOTAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska    |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
          |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
California|ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern |FIRES|       |       |       |      6|       |      1|         7
California|ACRES|       |       |       |      1|       |      1|         2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |      1|         1
Rockies   |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |      0|         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern   |FIRES|      1|       |       |       |       |     12|        13
Great Basi|ACRES|    105|       |       |       |       |   3829|      3934
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western   |FIRES|       |      1|       |       |       |       |         1
Great Basi|ACRES|       |      3|       |       |       |       |         3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest |FIRES|       |       |       |      4|       |     18|        22
          |ACRES|       |       |       |   1656|       | 17570|     19226
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rocky     |FIRES|       |      2|       |      1|       |       |         3
Mountain |ACRES|       |      0|       |      0|       |       |         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern   |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |      1|         1
Area      |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |      1|         1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southern |FIRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
Area      |ACRES|       |       |       |       |       |       |         0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL     |FIRES|      1|      3|      0|     11|      0|     33|        48
          |ACRES|    105|      3|      0|   1657|      0| 21401|     23166
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

*** Changes in some agency YTD acres reflect more accurate mapping or reporting adjustments. ***

CANADA FIRES AND HECTARES:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Provinces      |   Fires   | Hectares |    Fires     |   Hectares
                     | Last Week | Last Week | Year-to-date | Year-to-date
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
British Columbia     |          6|          1|           493|          5325
Yukon Territory      |          1|          1|            27|          1604
Alberta              |         10|        200|           875|         11227
Northwest Territory |          0|          0|            13|            73
Saskatchewan         |          3|        505|           172|        160648
Manitoba             |          9|        182|           158|          5370
Ontario              |          4|          2|           377|          1802
Quebec               |          3|          0|           434|        101486
Newfoundland         |          1|          0|            55|          1448
New Brunswick        |          0|          0|           241|           423
Nova Scotia          |          1|         50|           193|          1662
Prince Edward Island |          0|          0|            28|            28
National Parks       |          2|          0|            38|          3272
Total                |         40|        805|          3104|        294367
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESOURCES STATUS: COMMITTED RESOURCES
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Area     |Crews|Crews|Engs |Engs |Heli |Heli |Airt |Airt |Ovrhd|Ovrhd|
|         |Fed |ST/OT|Fed |ST/OT|Fed |ST/OT|Fed |ST/OT|Fed |ST/OT|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|Alaska   |   11|    3|     |    6|    1|    2|    1|     |   52|   72|
|Northwest|    4|     |   21|     |    1|     |     |     |   12|     |
|Northern |   10|     |   29|     |    2|     |     |     |    5|     |
|Southern |   20|   23|   22|   26|    8|    2|    1|     |   87|   86|
|Northern |    1|     |    3|    5|     |     |     |     |     |    4|
|Eastern G|    4|    3|   17|   11|    3|    1|     |     |   42|    9|
|Western G|     |    1|     |    1|     |     |    1|     |     |     |
|Southwest|   74|    8|   64|   99|   28|    9|    7|     | 590| 215|
|Rocky Mou|   15|    8|   16|   52|    6|    3|    4|     | 113|   66|
|Eastern A|     |     |     |     |     |     |     |     |    4|     |
|Southern |    1|     |    6|   16|    1|    5|     |     |   20|   25|
|Total    | 140|   46| 178| 216|   50|   22|   14|    0| 925| 477|
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

*** NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER ***

fire danger map

Crews holding line against wildfire in scenic Arizona canyon

- Crews trying to keep a 3,256-acre wildfire from spreading north were bracing for possible thunderstorms Friday that could bring strong and erratic winds and complicate efforts to extinguish the blaze.

By Thursday night, officials said the fire in this scenic Arizona community was 15 percent contained, up from 7 percent Wednesday. But authorities were watching forecasts for the predicted storms, which could fan the flames.

"That's a red flag. That's a watch-out situation," said Mike Dondero, deputy incident commander for the fire. "It could hit and blow stuff all over the place."

Firefighters stood by to protect roughly 430 homes and 30 businesses in nearby Oak Creek Canyon, which was evacuated when the fire began Sunday as a transient's campfire.

Nora Walker-Yeager, who was allowed to return to her Oak Creek Canyon home Thursday to pick up belongings, grabbed her wedding book, her husband's wedding ring, her engagement ring, dog toys, clothes and medications.

"If it burns, we've got the things that are most important to us," Walker-Yeager said. "We've got each other, our dog and our wedding rings."

In southern Colorado, a 13,100-acre wildfire was 35 percent contained. Residents from a 62-house subdivision were heading home Friday and motorists were being allowed to travel again on U.S. 160, which had been closed since Monday.

Cafe owner Luisa Sena said she was relieved to learn the highway, the main east-west route across southern Colorado, was reopening because she depends on the summer months to make most of the money to pay her nine workers. Without any tourists or truckers passing along the highway through the town at the gateway to the historic San Luis Valley, business slowed to a standstill.

"It's tough in the winter. It doesn't need to be like this in the summer," said Sena, owner of Lu's Mainstreet CafDe in neighboring Blanca.

In western Colorado, a 1,530-acre wildfire started by a car wreck Tuesday was 25 percent contained. The fire was burning in juniper, oak and ponderosa pine in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, about 225 miles southwest of Denver near the Utah border.

Firefighters in New Mexico, facing fires that have scorched more than 70,000 acres, were dealing with more hot weather Thursday, but forecasts of storms and erratic winds didn't materialize.

The largest blaze -- a 33,250-acre one in southwestern New Mexico -- threatened cabins and other structures in the Willow Creek area.

"We have to take one day at a time," fire information officer Brian Morris said. "We can plan for the future, but we still have to deal with today."

In southern California, firefighters were holding their ground against a wildfire that has consumed nearly 15,000 acres of chaparral, pine and grasslands in Los Padres National Forest, officials said.

Fire crews prevented a 10-mile-long swath of flames from rolling over a ridgeline bordering a wilderness area that has larger trees and brush, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato. The fire was 57 percent contained, officials said.

"Today was a key day," said Pasinato. "The fire did not make any rapid advances."

SANTA MARIA Firefighters are holding their ground against a wildfire that has consumed nearly 15,000 acres of chaparral, pine and grasslands in Los Padres National Forest, officials said.

Despite toiling in hot, dry conditions on Thursday, fire crews prevented a 10-mile-long swath of flames from rolling over a ridgeline bordering a wilderness area that has larger trees and brush, said U.S. Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato.

"Today was a key day," said Pasinato. "The fire did not make any rapid advances."

More than 1,000 firefighters, aided by five air tankers and eight helicopters, had contained about 57 percent of the Perkins Fire, which expanded to 14,745 acres as it burned southeast and away from the small town of New Cuyama, about 45 miles east of Santa Maria.

No injuries were reported and no homes were threatened.

Temperatures reached into the high 90s and winds were moderate at 15 mph.

The fire began about 1:30 p.m. Monday when a piece of metal blew into electrical wires, authorities said. Three trailers that belonged to an oil company and two sheds were destroyed.

The firefighting effort has cost about $2.3 million, according to the Los Padres National Forest fire information service.

Smoke from the fire was lowering air quality in Santa Barbara County, prompting health officials to advise children, seniors and people with respiratory problems to stay indoors.

The Southern California fire season has started strong with 15 small brush fires charring pockets of the Angeles National Forest in recent days.

Authorities predicted that late spring rains would present only an average risk of wildfires this season.

Meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed an order that directs the California Department of Forestry to seek additional staffing and resources to protect local communities from wildland fires.

"We are never as strong as when we work together. And with firefighters, government and the people on the same page for fire prevention and control, we will be ready for a safe California summer," Schwarzenegger said.

http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_174092751.html

Crews bracing for erratic winds in wildfire fight
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEDONA - Crews trying to keep a 3,256-acre wildfire from spreading north of this scenic Arizona community were bracing Friday for possible storms that could bring strong and erratic winds.
Meteorologists and fire behavior experts assigned to the fire said if the winds develop they could whip the fire out of control, pushing it at 2 to 3 miles per hour with spot fires another mile ahead of the flames.
The weather concerns add another factor to a fire burning in steep, rugged terrain above Oak Creek Canyon, a lush area dotted with homes and resorts that has been evacuated since the fire began Sunday.
Officials said the fire was 17 percent contained Friday morning _ up from 7 percent Wednesday _ with full containment predicted by June 28.
The thunderstorms are Friday's biggest worry. They're not expected to bring any rain, just lightning and erratic, unpredictable winds.
"That's a red flag. That's a watch-out situation," said Mike Dondero, deputy incident commander for the fire. "It could hit and blow stuff all over the place."
It's hot and dry out there. You add lightning to it, that generates a great deal of concern... That can present problems," said Rod Collins, another fire commander.
"This fire is like a caged-up coyote," Dondero said. "It's trying to get out 24 hours a day."
Fire officials conducted more burnout operations overnight and have patrols around the blaze, especially on the northeast flank.
Crews manning nine helicopters, 31 engines and nine water tenders started attacking the flames again at dawn Friday.
Firefighters scratched out firebreaks Thursday along Sterling Canyon, the fire's northern flank, where winds late Wednesday afternoon forced crews to pull out. The line at Sterling Canyon held overnight, officials said. Several spot fires over that northern fire line were a concern Thursday, but firefighters held the line, officials said.
None of the more than 400 homes and businesses have been burned, and fire information officer David Eaker said "it's looking pretty good in that area right now."
Crews are using Highway 89A, which runs through the middle of Oak Creek Canyon, to contain the fire on its eastern flank.
Authorities are escorting some residents back into their Oak Creek Canyon homes to pick up some belongings.
Nora Walker-Yeager, who was allowed to return Thursday, grabbed her wedding book, her husband's wedding ring, her engagement ring, dog toys, clothes and medications.
"If it burns, we've got the things that are most important to us," Walker-Yeager said. "We've got each other, our dog and our wedding rings."
"We're lucky," said her husband, Mike.
Officials said the reward for information leading to a conviction of those responsible for the fire has increased to up to $11,000 after $6,000 was received in public donations. The Forest Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000.
The fire is the second to hit the Sedona area _ located about 90 miles north of Phoenix _ during the past month. An 836-acre wildfire destroyed five buildings near the Village of Oak Creek in early June and forced the evacuation of about 200 people.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/134929.php

SEDONA, Ariz. - Firefighters battled a blaze burning in steep, rugged terrain that had grown to nearly 4,000 acres Friday and was not expected to be fully contained for several more days.

"This fire is like a caged-up coyote," said Mike Dondero, deputy incident commander for the fire. "It's trying to get out 24 hours a day."

Officials said the blaze threatening this scenic community was 15 percent contained Friday morning, and full containment was predicted by June 28.

Firefighters were prepared to protect the roughly 460 homes and businesses in nearby Oak Creek Canyon that were evacuated after the fire began Sunday with a transient's campfire, but the danger of wind from thunderstorms was in the forecast.

"That's a red flag. That's a watch-out situation," said Mike Dondero, deputy incident commander for the fire. "It could hit and blow stuff all over the place."

Nora Walker-Yeager, who was allowed to return to her Oak Creek Canyon home Thursday to pick up belongings, grabbed her wedding book, her husband's wedding ring and her engagement ring.

"If it burns, we've got the things that are most important to us," Walker-Yeager said.

In southern Colorado, a 13,100-acre wildfire was 35 percent contained. Residents from a 62-house subdivision were heading home Friday, and motorists were being allowed to travel again on U.S. 160, which had been closed since Monday.

Cafe owner Luisa Sena said she was relieved to learn the highway, the main east-west route across southern Colorado, was reopening because she depends on the summer months to make most of the money to pay her nine workers. Without any tourists or truckers passing along the highway through the town at the gateway to the historic San Luis Valley, business slowed to a standstill.

"It's tough in the winter. It doesn't need to be like this in the summer," said Sena, owner of Lu's Mainstreet Cafe in neighboring Blanca.

In western Colorado, a 1,530-acre wildfire started by a car wreck Tuesday was 25 percent contained. The fire was burning in juniper, oak and ponderosa pine in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, about 225 miles southwest of Denver near the Utah border.

Firefighters in New Mexico, facing fires that have scorched more than 70,000 acres, dealt with more hot weather Thursday, but forecasts of storms and erratic winds didn't materialize.

The largest blaze — a 33,250-acre one in southwestern New Mexico — threatened cabins and other structures in the Willow Creek area.

"We have to take one day at a time," fire information officer Brian Morris said. "We can plan for the future, but we still have to deal with today."

In southern California, firefighters were holding their ground against a wildfire that has consumed nearly 15,000 acres of chaparral, pine and grasslands in Los Padres National Forest, officials said.

Fire crews prevented a 10-mile-long swath of flames from rolling over a ridge line bordering a wilderness area that has larger trees and brush, said Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato. The fire was 57 percent contained, officials said.

"Today was a key day," said Pasinato. "The fire did not make any rapid advances."

___

Associated Press Writer Colleen Slevin in Fort Garland, Colo., contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060623/ap_on_re_us/western_wildfires_86

Kohl's tanker blaze contained

By Michael Maresh, Roundup staff reporter

Friday, June 23, 2006

A Wednesday fire, in which smoke could be seen across the entire Rim Country, was a reminder of how fast a wildfire can begin.

photo
Jason Pettifield/Roundup
Highway 260 created a large buffer on one side of the fire, while Forest Service firefighters worked to build a firebreak on the other side to keep it from spreading into surrounding brush.

A tanker truck carrying red dye diesel, commonly used for industrial jobs, overturned on Highway 260 near Kohl's Ranch Wednesday morning, igniting a plume of flames, with smoke that could be seen from Strawberry.

The fire closed Highway 260 for two hours. Traffic was diverted south to Highway 188 to Highway 60 through Globe.

Payson Police Chief Gordon Gartner said the tanker fire should be some sort of a wake-up call to residents to get them prepared just in case.

Gartner said residents need to know what immediate possessions they would want to take if an evacuation were ordered, as well as where those possessions are located. And when people are told to leave, there should be no hesitation, he said.

Diamond Star Fire Chief Gary Hatch called Wednesday's tanker fire a "big one."

"It was very serious when you have eight years of drought and 7,500 gallons of fuel," he said. Hatch said the fire became more serious because of its proximity to the forest.

He said his department knew it was prepared -- his crew has been out on forest fires before.

Hatch said everything came together and all of the equipment at the site worked perfectly.

The tanker overturned about 7:45 a.m. Fire crews responded immediately and contained the fire at a half acre. The highway reopened shortly after 10 a.m.

At the height of the fire, the heat from the blaze could be felt from more than 100 yards away. The popping sounds that were coming from the blaze were probably from the tires of the vehicle, said Department of Public Safety Sgt. John Whetten.

The driver, Clarence Clifton Wade, 44, of Phoenix, walked away from the accident with no apparent injuries.

The tanker fire, which resulted in mounds of smoke, began spreading to the brush on the south side of the highway.

Whetten said Wade reported that he had a front suspension failure that resulted in his tanker rolling.

Whetten said it was fortunate that the type of fuel being burned was diesel.

"This is diesel, and No. 2 diesel is not combustible so we are fortunate," he said.

In an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading to the forest, the U.S. Forest Service created a firebreak.

Whetten said it was also fortunate that the location of the fire -- on the highway -- created a large buffer from the brush.

Firefighters from the departments of Christopher-Kohl's, Payson, Tonto Village and Diamond Star, as well as the U.S Forest Service, joined forces to fight the tanker fire.

Hatch said the cause of the fire is still unknown.

"We don't know if he blew a tire, but we know he hit the guard rail," he said, adding that friction from the tanker to the pavement could have possibly caused the fire.

He said 30 firefighters from four departments as well as 20 employees from the Forest Service were involved in containing the fire.

There were four big-engine fire trucks and five water tender trucks that helped fight the fire.

-- To reach Michael Maresh call 474-5251 or e-mail mmaresh@payson.com.

http://www.paysonroundup.com/section/frontpage_lead/storypr/24019

The Reserve Complex (15,840 acres) consists of two separate fires, the Martinez II fire (7,980 acres) and the Wilson II fire (7,500 acres). Burnout operations were completed on both fires on Thursday. Rehabilitation standards have been established for both fires and crews will begin the process of restoring the fire area affected by suppression related activities. Rehab efforts will include such efforts as knocking down dirt berms and installing waterbars to minimize erosion. Good progress continues and the fire is 90% contained.
Considerable unburned fuel within the perimeter of the fire may continue to smolder causing occasional periods of smoke to be seen today. Smoke may continue to be seen in the fire area for some time due to winds shifting pockets of ash in the interior.
Massive demobilization of resources will occur today to make these resources available for other assignments. Resources remain in place to respond to any new fires that may start on the District. The Type 1 team plans to transition with another organization to manage the fires within the next few days.
Suppression resources on the fires today include Type I crews, Type II crews, engines, dozers, water tenders, structure protection resources, helicopters, and miscellaneous overhead.
The Reserve Senior Center remains open during weekdays for anyone who needs an environment that is relatively smoke-free. After hours and on weekends contact the center manager at 533-6740 to use the center.
Updates on fire activity are being broadcast throughout the day on the local radio station, 104.5 FM. Additional fire information such as the latest new releases and perimeter maps can be found on the team website at: www.fireteam-sw.com/whitney

For public and firefighter safety, an area closure has been implemented in the area surrounding the Wilson II fire. The closure order and map are posted at potential entry points to the fire area. The closure includes FS Road 49 from the junction with Highway 12 to the junction with FS Road 3023 and FS Road 4161A from the junction with FS Road 49 to the MK Ranch. For further information about the closure, please contact the Reserve Ranger District office at 533-6231.

http://inciweb.org/incident/255/

The Jolley Mesa fire is evidently the redheaded stepchild of western fires right now, because it's hard to find news about it.

_____________________

Friday, June 23, 2006

By EMILY MORRIS

The Daily Sentinel

The Jolley Mesa fire west of New Castle was 640 acres as of 9 a.m. Friday, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Containment was at about 50 percent Thursday afternoon, but afternoon winds caused flare ups and current containment is estimated to be about 25 percent, the BLM said.

A type 2 team, composed of firefighters from around the country, is in the process of assuming command of the fire, said BLM spokesperson Mel Lloyd.

Other efforts include two heavy air tanker planes, one single-engine plane, a helicopter, three firetrucks and more than 100 firefighters, Lloyd said.

There are several residences and natural gas wells on the mesa, but are not immediately threatened, Lloyd said.

The BLM has established a hot line that people can call for significant fire updates. The number is (970) 947-2825.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Emily Morris can be reached via e-mail at emorris@gjds.com.

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/06/23/6_23_fire_update_www.html

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