Wildfire News, 6/25

NICC, NIFC, WFAS, ABC13 ^ | 6/25/06 | Various

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Haines Index Map - Higher Haines means fire growth tends to be stronger:



Weekends mean I don't get the morning report in a postable format until quite late.  I've made an extract of the fires in the morning report:

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.  Numerous residences, structures, commercial resources, endangered species, the Oak Creek watershed and Scenic Highway remain threatened.  Evacuation orders for 75 homes were lifted and the northern portion of highway 89A was reopened to residents.  Backing, short range spotting, single tree torching and short runs were observed.  Burn out operations are planned.

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 remain threatened.  Portions of the fire received precipitation which enabled crews to make good progress in line construction.  The southwest corner of the fire remains very active.  Isolated and group torching was observed in Willow Creek. 

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.  Due to the increased complexity of this incident a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reinarz) has been ordered.  The fire is burning three miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ in ponderosa pine and hardwood litter.  The Jacob Lake development area, administrative sites, a historical Ranger Station and private & public campgrounds remain threatened.  Highway 89A is closed from Jacob Lake east to the Kaibab National Forest boundary and Arizona highway 67 is also closed from Jacob Lake to the Forest boundary.  The fire behavior was plume dominated with rapid rates of spread.  

RIVERA MESA, Las Vegas District, New Mexico State Forestry.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lineback) is assigned.  This fire is five miles northeast of Ocate, NM in timber, grass and scrub oak.  County Road 21 remains closed.  Aerial ignition was completed on 3000 acres of unburned islands within the perimeter.  Moderate fire behavior with group torching and short runs was reported. 

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.  Smoldering and creeping fire behavior were observed.

RESERVE COMPLEX, Gila National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lund) is assigned.  This complex, comprised of the Wilson and Martinez fires, is located near Reserve, NM in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper and grass.  The fire received wetting rain which moderated fire behavior to smoldering and creeping.

BEAR PAW, Sante Fe National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Raley) has been ordered.  This fire started on state land two and a half miles northeast of Regina, NM in ponderosa pine and litter.  Voluntary evacuations for Bear Paw and Cuba, NM are in effect.  Numerous residences, 345 kilovolt powerlines and the community of Bear Paw are threatened.  Extreme fire behavior with group torching, short crown runs and spotting up to a half mile was reported.

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 hampering containment efforts.  Fire access roads were impassible due to muddy conditions.  The fire activity was minimal after receiving some precipitation.

BARTLETT, Cimarron District, New Mexico State Forestry.  This fire is five miles north of Raton, NM in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper and grass.  Erratic winds and rugged terrain are hampering containment efforts. The Raton watershed is threatened.  Smoldering fire behavior was observed. 

BEAVERHEAD, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.  This fire is 15 miles south of Alpine, AZ in timber.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

POTATO COMPLEX, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.  This complex is ten miles northwest of Heber-Overgaard, AZ in pinyon pine, juniper and grass.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

NAVAJO MOUNTAIN 1, Navajo Regional Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs.  This fire is northeast of Page, AZ in timber.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.


ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

COOLBROTH, Rio Grande National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.  This fire is 13 miles north of Del Norte, CO in timber and grass.  Numerous structures are threatened and an evacuation order is in place.  Significant amounts of insect and disease killed trees are contributing to rapid rates of spread. 

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.  Evacuation orders are in place.  Highway 160 is open to traffic via pilot car with delays.  Fire spread to the north with creeping and smoldering reported.

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 other structures remain threatened.  Poor access continues to hamper containment efforts.  Road and area closures remain in effect.  Smoldering, creeping and occasional single tree torching were reported.

JOLLY MESA, Glenwood Springs Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) is assigned.  This fire is four miles southeast of Silt, CO in pinyon pine, juniper and grass.  Numerous structures, natural gas lines, high voltage powerlines and Colorado State Wildlife Area are threatened.  Minimal fire activity with interior burning and single tree torching was observed.  Decrease in acreage is due to more accurate mapping.

LITTLE VENUS, Shoshone National Forest.  A Fire Use Management Team (Weldon) has been ordered.  This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives.  This fire is burning 30 miles west of Meeteetse, WY in timber.  Structure protection is being established for one cabin.  The fire received some precipitation which limited fire activity.

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

OLINGHOUSE, Western Region, Nevada Division of Forestry.  This fire is 20 miles east of Reno, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Isolated structures and secondary powerlines are threatened.  High temperatures and low relative humidity contributed to active fire behavior.  Short fire runs were reported in the flashy fuels. 


EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

LION CREEK, Manti-Lasal National Forest.  A transfer of command from a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Thomas) back to the local unit has occurred.  This fire is five miles northwest of Paradox, CO in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, brush and grass.  Road closures have been lifted. Minimal fire behavior was reported. 

POT HOLE, Northeast Area, Utah State Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands.  This fire is 25 miles northeast of Vernal, UT in sagebrush, grass and timber.  Pot Creek Road remains closed.  Steep terrain is impeding containment efforts.  Creeping, running and torching fire behavior was reported

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 and rugged terrain continue to impede containment efforts.  Closures for portions of the Los Padres National Forest remain in effect.  Minimal fire activity with occasional interior flare-ups  was observed.

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

GLASS MOUNTAIN COMPLEX, Texas Forest Service.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Hannemann) is assigned.  This complex is 15 miles northwest of Marathon, TX in grass, brush and timber.  Crews made good progress in line construction in areas with steep rugged terrain.  Minimal fire activity was reported. 

AIRBOAT, Everglades National Park.  This fire is 15 miles northwest of Homestead, FL in saw grass.  Fire will be monitored from the air while suppression action on the northern flank occurs.  Fire made a significant run to the northeast, before receiving considerable precipitation. 

SCOTTS FERRY, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is 20 miles northeast of Panama City, FL in southern rough.  No new information was reported.
DEERFLY, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is 15 miles northwest of Coral Springs, FL in pine and grass.  No new information was reported.

RENTIESVILLE, Oklahoma Division of Forestry.  This fire started on private land three miles east of Rentiesville, OK in hardwood timber and litter.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

CHINA, Santa Clara Unit, California Department of Forestry.  This fire is eight miles northeast of Morgan Hill, CA in grass, brush and timber.  Difficult access is hampering containment efforts.  The watershed area of Henry Coe State Park and a sensitive habitat area are threatened.  Minimal fire activity was observed.

ALASKA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

PARKS HWY, Fairbanks Area Forestry, Alaska Division of Forestry.  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.  Fire behavior moderated due to decreased winds and higher humidity.  Smoldering and isolated torching were reported

Here are some useful links:

Morning Report from NICC

National Interagency Air Space - shows where air flight is restricted over wildfires and for a variety of other reasons


Western Wildfires


SEDONA, Ariz. (AP) - Some of the residents evacuated from scenic Oak Creek Canyon because of a 4,200-acre wildfire returned to their homes Saturday, while officials reopened two roads in the Grand Canyon.

Arizona Highway 89A and Highway 67 were closed earlier in the day because a 15,500-acre wildfire raised questions about whether would-visitors would be stranded in Grand Canyon National Park.

As fire activity lessened, the road closures were lifted Saturday night, said Bill Kight, fire information officer.

An unknown number of tourists were voluntarily escorted out of the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The North Rim, which is significantly more remote and less popular than the park's main South Rim entrance, remained open to visitors.

The blaze, which had not threatened any property, was allowed to burn since it was discovered June 8 in the Kaibab National Forest after a series of lightning strikes.

The closest buildings from the blaze were two miles away, and the fire was burning in the opposite direction, Kight said.

Near Sedona, dozens of residents who were evacuated from Oak Creek Canyon a week ago returned to their homes as crews reinforced the lines around the blaze, officials said.

"I get to go home, take a shower and put on some clean clothes," said 23-year-old Dustin Johnson, who stayed with his brother in a nearby town during the evacuation.

Still hundreds more residents from the roughly 430 homes lining the narrow canyon in northern Arizona must continue to stay elsewhere.

Crews had become confident that two days of work to strengthen the lines keeping flames from moving farther north up the canyon had been successful.

"Things are actually looking quite well," said David Eaker, a fire information officer. "They've just done a lot of good work."

No homes have burned. Officials said the fire was 35 percent contained, with full containment predicted by Wednesday, barring any weather disturbances that could push the flames. The American Red Cross closed one of its shelters and limited hours in the other.

The fire started June 18 north of Sedona as a transient's campfire. About 720 firefighters have been clearing brush, wetting down buildings and setting backfires to remove fuel from the fire's path.

It is the second fire in the Sedona area, about 90 miles north of Phoenix, in the past month. An 836-acre wildfire destroyed five buildings near the Village of Oak Creek, south of Sedona, in early June and forced the evacuation of about 200 people.

Elsewhere, a nearly 48,000-acre blaze in southwestern New Mexico's Gila National Forest was 23 percent contained Saturday. It had destroyed a cabin and was threatening about 80 other structures. It was started by a campfire, forest officials said.

Thunderstorms were forecast. "There's a mixed blessing there of getting some moisture, but also high winds that are associated with that," said Wayne Johnson, fire information officer.

In Southern California, a 15,000-acre wildfire in Los Padres National Forest was 85 percent contained and crews hoped to have it fully contained by late Sunday, a U.S. Forest Service statement said. The blaze 45 miles east of Santa Maria was started Monday by an electrical short circuit, and had destroyed two sheds and three oil company trailers.

Wildfires have charred nearly 3.2 million acres nationwide so far this year, well ahead of the average of just over 1 million acres by this time, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. Huge grass fires that swept Texas and Oklahoma this spring account for much of the increase. --- On the Net: National Interagency Fire Center

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=nation_world&id=4304388

[Knitting A Conundrum]

New fire in Colorado called the Coolbroth. Fire near Reno. Many starts after the morning report was put together, but I don't know if any are major fires yet.

If you would like to be on the Wildfire ping list, please let me know. News updated during the day as I find it.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Wildfire morning ping!

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Malo Vega steady; Coolbroth fire grows
Harsh winds grow the Coolbroth Fire to 250 acres from 125 acres.
By RYAN BLACKBURN
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

Firefighting efforts to control the Malo Vega Fire near Fort Garland remained steady on Saturday, but harsh winds created big problems for crews struggling with the Coolbroth Fire in LaGarita.

According to Tom Doodwin, a ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, wind gusts of 40-50 mph forced the wildfire around a natural barrier.

“The fire went east,” Doodwin said of the Coolbroth Fire. “What happened is, we had a rock barrier that was holding so well and it just blew right around it.”

Jim Jiminet, a fire information officer, said hand crews were pulled back and helicopters were ordered to drop water on the advancing fire into the late afternoon.

“We had a goal to not see any perimeter growth, but with the extreme drought and high winds this grew a little bit,” Jiminet said.

The fire was reportedly 60 percent contained before the flareup grew from 150 to 250 acres.

No structures or injuries were reported in either fire.

“It’s still burning and the crews are still out there working on it and we ended up ordering more resources to provide back up and support,” Doodwin said. “They're going to try to tie in some of fire line on the east side and try to make it more solid and try to clean it up so it isn’t presenting a threat. As dry as it is if you have a wind event and it dumps ashes somewhere it’s a good chance you’ll have another spot fire.”

Jiminet said a request was made for a Type II management team, which was expected to take over the fire by Monday.

Meanwhile, the Malo Vega Fire remained at 45 percent containment.

Harsh wind conditions made crews abandon a burnout operation near the U.S. 160 and Pass Creek Road intersection that would have helped firefighters strengthen the fire line.

“We had pretty strong winds, and a cold front where the burn was planned,” said Chris Worth, a fire information officer. “We had a low cloud ceiling, which made it very difficult for helicopter pilots to operate and see because the visibility was so bad.”

Worth said the fire was still growing along its northwestern end and away from homes.

“It continues to creep in largely remote and steep country,” Worth said.

Today, Worth said crews will again work with bulldozers and water-pump trucks along the existing fire line and put out hot spot areas.

http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1151245615/1

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Officials Reopen 2 Roads in Grand Canyon

Last Updated:
06-25-06 at 7:18AM

Some of the residents evacuated from scenic Oak Creek Canyon because of a 4,200-acre wildfire returned to their homes Saturday, while officials reopened two roads in the Grand Canyon.

Arizona Highway 89A and Highway 67 were closed earlier in the day because a 15,500-acre wildfire raised questions about whether would-visitors would be stranded in Grand Canyon National Park.

As fire activity lessened, the road closures were lifted Saturday night, said Bill Kight, fire information officer.

An unknown number of tourists were voluntarily escorted out of the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The North Rim, which is significantly more remote and less popular than the park's main South Rim entrance, remained open to visitors.

The blaze, which had not threatened any property, was allowed to burn since it was discovered June 8 in the Kaibab National Forest after a series of lightning strikes.

The closest buildings from the blaze were two miles away, and the fire was burning in the opposite direction, Kight said.

Near Sedona, dozens of residents who were evacuated from Oak Creek Canyon a week ago returned to their homes as crews reinforced the lines around the blaze, officials said.

"I get to go home, take a shower and put on some clean clothes," said 23-year-old Dustin Johnson, who stayed with his brother in a nearby town during the evacuation.

Still hundreds more residents from the roughly 430 homes lining the narrow canyon in northern Arizona must continue to stay elsewhere.

Crews had become confident that two days of work to strengthen the lines keeping flames from moving farther north up the canyon had been successful.

"Things are actually looking quite well," said David Eaker, a fire information officer. "They've just done a lot of good work."

No homes have burned. Officials said the fire was 35 percent contained, with full containment predicted by Wednesday, barring any weather disturbances that could push the flames. The American Red Cross closed one of its shelters and limited hours in the other.

The fire started June 18 north of Sedona as a transient's campfire. About 720 firefighters have been clearing brush, wetting down buildings and setting backfires to remove fuel from the fire's path.

It is the second fire in the Sedona area, about 90 miles north of Phoenix, in the past month. An 836-acre wildfire destroyed five buildings near the Village of Oak Creek, south of Sedona, in early June and forced the evacuation of about 200 people.

Elsewhere, a nearly 48,000-acre blaze in southwestern New Mexico's Gila National Forest was 23 percent contained Saturday. It had destroyed a cabin and was threatening about 80 other structures. It was started by a campfire, forest officials said.

Thunderstorms were forecast. "There's a mixed blessing there of getting some moisture, but also high winds that are associated with that," said Wayne Johnson, fire information officer.

In Southern California, a 15,000-acre wildfire in Los Padres National Forest was 85 percent contained and crews hoped to have it fully contained by late Sunday, a U.S. Forest Service statement said. The blaze 45 miles east of Santa Maria was started Monday by an electrical short circuit, and had destroyed two sheds and three oil company trailers.

Wildfires have charred nearly 3.2 million acres nationwide so far this year, well ahead of the average of just over 1 million acres by this time, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. Huge grass fires that swept Texas and Oklahoma this spring account for much of the increase.

http://www.kfmb.com/story.php?id=54771

[george76]

Year-to-date Statistics

2006 (1/1/06 - 6/24/06) Fires: 54,686 Acres: 3,238,319

2005 (1/1/05 - 6/24/05) Fires: 28,399 Acres: 1,014,931

2004 (1/1/04 - 6/24/04) Fires: 36,229 Acres: 918,193

2003 (1/1/03 - 6/24/03) Fires: 25,917 Acres: 601,097

[Knitting A Conundrum]

add in 2000 and 2002, both bad fire years:

2000 47632 1326072
2002 43427 2570741

[george76]

This year is not only bad, but it may become more so .

It is only June and we have not even started in the Northern Rockies !

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Now a lot of this is Texas and Oklahoma burn. But the Southwest region, which was responsible for 714,866 of that 2002 figure has burned 542,619 as of yesterday. The Rocky Mountain region where Colorado is burned 351,486 by that day in 2002, and has burned 180,976 so far.

But the reality of it is that any one year any region can dominate. Last year most of the fire was near St. George UT and nearby and in Alaska. This year, it was Texas and Oklahoma that have kicked the numbers up so much.

In 2002, they had burned 430,089 acres. This year they've burned 2,154,734. That alone will make sure this is a record year.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

BEAR PAW, Sante Fe National Forest.

Don't know a lot about this fire, but they are running 4 air tankers out of Albuquerque to work on it...Hubby saw two of them while waiting for his flight this morning.

The NICC report says:

A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Raley) has been ordered. This fire started on state land two and a half miles northeast of Regina, NM in ponderosa pine and litter. Voluntary evacuations for Bear Paw and Cuba, NM are in effect. Numerous residences, 345 kilovolt powerlines and the community of Bear Paw are threatened. Extreme fire behavior with group torching, short crown runs and spotting up to a half mile was reported.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Crews working on the Mato Vega fire are getting help from the cooler and more humid weather that has moved into the state.

The weather helped them strengthen containment lines along the north and west sides of the fire.

Nearly 300 homes were still threatened by the fire Thursday and as of Saturday, residents of all but 50 homes in the area were allowed to go back to their houses.

There are 566 firefighters assigned to the fire, which covers nearly 14,000 acres. Four helicopters are working the fire and tankers are available. Officials say it is 45-percent contained.

The Mato Vega fire, which was started by lightning, is 12 miles northeast of Fort Garland in Costilla County.

-----

The Coolbroth fire is burning five miles west of La Garita, 12 miles north of Del Norte.

Authorities say the fire started around 4:30 p.m. Friday and believe it was caused by a cigarette.

The fire has burned 195 acres and is 60-percent contained. Eighty firefighters are working on the blaze and residents of 30 homes were evacuated.

Forest Raod 41G or Canero Cr. Road was closed due to the fire.

The fire is burning grass, shrubs and mixed conifers on both state-owned and private land.

-----

The Wrights Reservoir fire started June 19 in Teller County about 60 miles south of Denver. The fire is at 44 acres with 98-percent containment.

Sixty firefighters are working on blaze and air support is being used as needed.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

-----

The Manti-La Sal fire started June 20, 10 miles northwest of Paradox, which is 225 miles southwest of Denver.

Officials say it is nearly 1,500 acres with 95-percent containment. A vehicle crash caused the fire that has required the use of nearly 250 firefighters.

-----

In Garfield County, crews are fighting the Jolly Mesa fire near Silt. A witness told 9NEWS he saw lightning start the fire but the cause is still under investigation.

The blaze spread to 540 acres Thursday and was up to 700 acres Saturday. Crews estimate containment at around 60-percent.

The fire is burning a mixture of pinion juniper and grass. There are scattered structures in the fire area, but no buildings are immediately threatened. Officials say it is burning near several power lines, gas and oil wells.

-----

The State of Wyoming has also fallen victim to very dry conditions.

The Isabelle fire has burned 1,200 acres southwest of Laramie. The fire is threatening nine homes and is 45-percent contained.

Officials say they hope to have it 100-percent contained by Sunday evening. At least 330 people are on the scene of this fire.

In western Wyoming, lightning has ignited a 100 acre wildfire in the Washakie Wilderness 30 miles west of Meeteetse. Shoshone National Forest officials say they are considering letting that fire burn naturally and not intervening to fight it.


http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=0c5b3647-0abe-421a-0170-cdf038d30c31&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047-c589c01ca7bf

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Upper Rio Grande Valley/Eastern San Juan Mountains Below 10000 Ft

... Fire Weather Watch in effect from Monday morning through
Monday evening...

The National Weather Service in Pueblo has issued a Fire Weather
Watch... which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday
evening.

Quite a few thunderstorms are expected to develop over the central
and San Juan mountain region tomorrow afternoon. Since parts of
these areas have been under sustained drought for a while
now... the numerous cloud to ground lightning flashes will have the
potential to cause new fire starts.

This Fire Weather Watch is for the central and Southwest
Mountains... zones 220 and 223.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
red flag warnings.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

First grass fire along the interstate in Ogden! Being urban, they don't get very big as a rule.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Two new Utah fires: the Kolob

Location: Kolob Terrace Road Utah

Start Date: 06/24/06 (reported at 8:47 yesterday)

Type: Wildfire

Cause: unknown

Size: 1200

Resources: 11 engines, 2 crews, 2 helicopters, 2 heavy air tankers, 5 seats, 3 water tenders

Contact: Anne Stanworth (435) 590-5388


and the Jarvis

Location: west of the Apex Mine, 12 miles northwest of St. George in Washington County, Utah.

Start Date: 06/25/2006

Type: Wildfire

Cause: unknown

Size: 2000

Threatened: Communication towers, high voltage power lines and critical desert habitat

Resources: 4 engines, 1 water tender, a crew of 12 people, and 1 helicopter

[Knitting A Conundrum]

New AZ fire:

San Carlos Agency, Hospital Fire: 850+ acres. 35 miles Northeast of Globe, AZ. Burning in rugged terrain, concertrated action on keeping fire from reaching timber slash area, 2 miles ahead of fire. Fire has high growth potential, No structures threatened. Local resources, Type 3 IMT (Lemuel IC) in the daytime. Night time, Type 3 IMT (Thorne IC) taking Command. Requested 1 heavy air tanker, 2 seats.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

There's been a lot of fire activity in Nevada today.

Balls Canyon, Susie are two fires to pay attention to when the news actually notices. Structures were threatened on both.

[moondoggie]

We got between 1-4 inches of rain in an hour yesterday sending North Creek raging through the Mason Gulch burn scar carrying trees and debris.

Several folks had to be rescued. Bridges and roads wiped out.

And, the very next day, parts of the same area are under a Red Flag Warning.

Go figure!

[Knitting A Conundrum]

because the big fuels are still dry enough to burn...but it is funny how that works...probably not everybody in the red flag area got so wet. When I put up today's news, I'll include a map of the 100 hour and 1000 hour fuel dryness. Those are big determinants.

[moondoggie]

You're absolutely right. No amount of moisture can do a thing for the thousands of beetle kill trees running throughout our forests in Colorado.

We keep reading about the thinning going on, but they've never done anything south of Denver.

Like road repair money and everything else....the lion's share of the money for "everything" in this state stays north of Colorado Springs:-(