Wildfire News 6/26

NICC, NIFC, WFAS ^ | 6/26/06 | Various

[Knitting A Conundrum]

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



Fuel Dryness:  Tells you how likely things are to burn if a fire gets started:







CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was light nationally with 117 new fires reported.  Thirteen new large fires (*) were reported, nine in Western Great Basin, two in the Eastern Great Basin, and one each in the Southern California and Southwest Areas.  Eleven large fires were contained, two each in the Southwest, Western Great Basin, Rocky Mountain, Southern California, and Southern Areas, and one in Northern California Area.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. 

The National Interagency Fire Center has deployed two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) C-130 air tankers from the 145th Tactical Airlift Wing based in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Mission Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mike Luckie, the air tankers and support personnel are based in Mesa, Arizona.

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, commercial structures, endangered species habitat, the Oak Creek watershed and Oak Creek Scenic Highway remain threatened.  Evacuation orders for some residents of Oak Creek Canyon remain in effect, and a section of Highway 89 remains closed to the public.  Backing and flanking fire with single tree torching and short runs was observed.  Fire growth was minimal. 

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.  Numerous residences, powerlines and the communities of Gallina Plaza and Bear Paw remain threatened.  Mandatory evacuations for the community of Gallina Plaza and voluntary evacuations for the community of Bear Paw are in effect.    Extreme fire behavior with group torching, short crown runs and flame lengths of 60 to 150 feet was reported.

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.  Crews continued to make progress with line construction.  Higher relative humidity and precipitation moderated fire behavior. 

WARM, Kaibab National Forest.  A transfer of command from a Fire Use Management Team (Hahnenburg) to a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reinarz) will occur today.  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 and hardwood litter.  The Jacob Lake development area, administrative sites, a historical Ranger Station, and private and public campgrounds remain threatened.  All highways are currently open. Backing and flanking fire, short uphill crown runs and high rates of spread were reported.  

SKATES, Gila National Forest.  A transfer of command from a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Philbin) back to the local unit will occur today.  This fire is 12 miles northeast of Silver City, NM in timber.  The fire received some precipitation.  Minimal fire behavior was reported.

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.  No further information was received.

HOSPITAL, San Carlos Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs.  This fire is 20 miles northeast of San Carlos, AZ in grass, juniper and timber.  Cultural resources and wildlife habitat are threatened.  Difficult access and high winds are hampering containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior 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.  No New information was reported.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

COOLBROTH, Rio Grande National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Turman) has been ordered.  This fire is 13 miles north of Del Norte, CO in timber and grass.  Several structures are threatened.  Travel on Forest Road 41G has been restricted.  High rates of spread were reported. 

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 remain threatened.  Evacuation order for the remaining subdivisions was lifted.  Highway 160 is open with warning devices and speed control in place.  Creeping, smoldering and single tree torching were reported.

LITTLE VENUS, Shoshone National Forest.  A Fire Use Management Team (Weldon) will assume command today.  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 for Venus cabin is in place.  Backing fire was reported.

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SUZIE, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.  This fire is three miles northeast of Carlin, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Numerous residences, commercial property and other structures are threatened.  Structure protection is in place.  Steep terrain is hindering containment efforts.  Very active fire behavior was reported on all fronts.  

BALLS CANYON, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.  This fire is 10 miles northwest of Reno, NV in timber.  Private ranches and residences are threatened.  Smoke is affecting the landing operations of commercial aircraft into Reno.  Strong, gusty winds and steep terrain are making containment difficult.  Active fire behavior on all fronts was reported. 

ELBURZ 1, Nevada Division of Forestry, Northern Region.  This fire is 17 miles east of Elko, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Structures and outbuildings are threatened.  High winds hampered containment efforts.  Active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported.

SQUAW, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 15 miles north of Gerlach, NV in grass and brush.  Active fire behavior was observed.

EMPIRE, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 12 miles south of Gerlach, NV in brush.  A power station and power lines are threatened.  Gusty, erratic winds are hindering containment efforts.  Active fire behavior was reported.

GRAYROCK, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 12 miles northwest of Elko, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Several residences and a ski resort are threatened.  High winds and limited access due to terrain are making containment difficult.  Very active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported. 

ECHO, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is eight miles east of Pioche, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Several structures are threatened.  Active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported. 

SHERWOOD, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 15 miles north of Adaven, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Erratic winds resulted in active fire behavior, with running and torching observed. 

EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

KOLOB, Zion National Park.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Brunner) is ordered.  This fire is five miles north of Virgin, UT in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed brush.  Evacuation of nearby structures has occurred.  Structure protection is in place in Rockville and Springdale communities.  Limited access into remote areas is impeding containment efforts.  Extreme fire behavior with spotting, torching and running was observed. 

JARVIS, Southwest Area, Utah State Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands.  This fire is 11 miles southwest of George, UT in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed brush.  Commercial properties, utility infrastructure, an FAA repeater site, Joshua Tree Natural Area and desert tortoise habitat are threatened.  Old highway 91 is closed.  Steep terrain is impeding containment efforts.  Extreme fire behavior with spotting and running 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.  Steep terrain continues to impede containment efforts.  Smoldering, creeping and occasional torching were observed. Increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. 

LION CREEK, Manti-Lasal National Forest.   This fire is five miles northwest of Paradox, CO in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, brush and grass.  No further information was received.

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SCOTTS FERRY, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is 20 miles northeast of Panama City, FL in southern rough.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

DEERFLY, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is 15 miles northwest of Coral Springs, FL in pine and grass.  No new information was reported.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

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.   Smoldering and isolated torching were reported.  The east side of the fire remains moderately active.

OUTLOOK:

Fire Weather Watches:   The Rocky Mountain Area in western Colorado and the south-central Colorado mountains for dry lightning.  Across parts of the Western Great Basin Area in central and northern Nevada for dry lightning.

Weather Discussion:   High pressure continues to dominate the West with much above normal temperatures.  Thunderstorms will develop across much of the west today with drier storms west of the Continental Divide.  In Alaska, a warming and drying trend will begin in the west with thunderstorms possible in the interior

Complete NICC report, with acreages is here:

http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.rtf

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Interesting that although initial attack was considered light on the number of new starts, a whopping 13 new large fires were started. Signals that things are crispy dry in some places.

I've added the fuel dryness maps. This is a tool they use to discover how readily fuels at different diameters would burn, rated at 10 hours, 100 hours, 1000 hours. In the west, even places that recently had rain have 100 and thousand hour fuels that will burn readily given a start.

If you would like to be on the wildfire ping list, let me know.

News updated during the day as I find information.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

By ARTHUR H. ROTSTEIN, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 31 minutes ago

SEDONA, Ariz. - Crews fighting a 4,200-acre wildfire just north of Sedona expressed confidence as containment grew to more than 50 percent.

Firefighters planned to focus Monday on trying to finish construction of protection lines on a flank of the blaze where hundreds of homes remained evacuated.

The blaze was one of several that firefighters were battling in New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Utah.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060626/ap_on_re_us/western_wildfires_106

In Arizona, crews continued to make progress on the Sedona fire's southern end, where a large number of evacuees have yet to return. People living in about 75 homes and four resorts on the fire's northern flank were allowed to return home Saturday.

"I certainly think that we might be seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel," said David Eaker, a spokesman for the team fighting the fire.

While full containment was expected by Wednesday evening, it wasn't known when the remaining evacuees will be allowed to return home.

Officials had been concerned that thunderstorms, which produced little rain but whipped up winds, would complicate firefighting. The storms grounded water-dumping helicopters for about an hour Sunday.

The fire, the second to hit the Sedona area in the past month, began June 18 as a transient's campfire and spread to steep terrain above the canyon. Sedona is located about 90 miles north of Phoenix.

Mary Garland, whose husband operates a lodge in Oak Creek Canyon, was among those who were allowed to return Saturday. Her husband had prepared their property for a wildfire and stayed there during the evacuation.

"We had cut a fireline around our property several years ago, and we knew that we had to be ready, and he was," Garland said. "He wanted to get everything really wet. He sprinkled every building."

An 836-acre wildfire destroyed five buildings near the Village of Oak Creek in early June and forced the evacuation of about 200 people.

In northern New Mexico, a 2,300-acre wildfire blazing a mile west of Gallina forced residents of three small communities nearby to flee their homes.

In southern New Mexico, a fire burning in the Gila National Forest was held back as thunderstorms brought rain and cooler temperatures. The blaze has charred 50,688 acres of dense stands of ponderosa pine and spruce fir.

In northeast Nevada, a fast-moving lightning storm touched off at least nine fires around Elko on Sunday afternoon, forcing the closure of about five miles of I-80 west of Elko and about nine miles of the interstate east of Elko, said Mike Brown, a spokesman for the
Bureau of Land Management.

A fire about 20 miles west of Elko had burned about 5,000 acres, and fire engines were put in place to protect a state fire training academy. Another fire had burned an estimated 3,000 acres and was threatening the small ranching community of Elburz, which was evacuated Sunday night.

In southern Colorado, all evacuation orders were lifted Sunday for homes near a 13,780-acre wildfire as firefighters got help from cooler, more humid weather.

Residents of about 50 homes in the area were allowed back into the area in the afternoon. At one point, about 300 homes had been asked to evacuate after the fire started June 18. Fire officials warned that residents could be asked to evacuate again if the weather and fire activity shift.

A wildfire in southwestern Utah grew to 4,800 acres on Sunday and a finger of the blaze reached Utah 9, forcing closure of the highway between Virgin and Rockville.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

ELKO, Nev. — A lightning storm touched off at least nine fires in northeastern Nevada, forcing interstate closures and threatening a small ranching community, authorities said.

A wildfire about 20 miles west of Elko burned about 5,000 acres, while another blaze had scorched about 3,000 acres northeast of Elko and forced residents in nearby Elburz to evacuate. Two sections of Interstate 80 were closed Sunday night.

"We've got a pair of big fires," said Mike Brown, a spokesman for the Bureau of Land Management in Elko, a city of about 16,000 residents. "It's bearing down on I-80 right now."

Firefighters also were battling blazes in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

In northern New Mexico, a 2,300-acre wildfire west of Gallina forced residents of three small communities nearby to flee their homes. On Sunday evening, evacuees accompanied by law enforcement escorts were allowed to return home briefly to check on or retrieve "the four Ps — pets, papers, pills, pictures," said Lawrence Lujan, a fire information officer.

Thunderstorms helped fire crews in southern New Mexico make progress on a nearly 51,000-acre fire burning in the Gila National Forest. Punky Moore, a fire information officer, said 870 people were battling that blaze.


Investigators have determined that a campfire ignited the fire, and forest officials are offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Arizona fire officials said crews made progress over the weekend trying to get a 4,200-acre wildfire under control just north of the scenic community of Sedona.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200939,00.html

People living in about 75 homes and four resorts on the fire's northern flank were allowed to return home Saturday, but hundreds of homes remained evacuated.

"I certainly think that we might be seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel," said David Eaker, a spokesman for the team fighting the fire.

While crews expected to contain the fire by Wednesday evening, it wasn't known when the remaining evacuees will be allowed to return home.

The fire, the second to hit the Sedona area in the past month, began June 18 as a transient's campfire and spread to steep terrain above Oak Creek Canyon.

In southern Colorado, all evacuation orders were lifted Sunday for homes near a 13,780-acre wildfire as firefighters got help from cooler, more humid weather.

Residents of about 50 homes in the area were allowed back into the area in the afternoon. At one point, about 300 homes had been asked to evacuate after the fire started June 18. Fire officials warned that residents could be asked to evacuate again if the weather and fire activity shift.

A wildfire in southwestern Utah grew to 4,800 acres on Sunday and a finger of the blaze reached Utah 9, forcing closure of the highway between Virgin and Rockville.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I must be tired. The links for the news stories above jumped into the middle of the stories...wow.

Wildfire ping!

[thackney]

Alaska Interagency Coordination
Center Situation Report
Sunday - 06/25/2006

http://fire.ak.blm.gov/content/aicc/sitreport/current.pdf

This year so far
192 fires 191,572.6 acres lost

Active Fires
Name: Parks Hwy
Lat: 64:22:00 Lon: 149:02:00
Acres: 105,500.0

Name: Hadweenzic #2
Lat: 66:38:49 Lon: 146:59:26
Acres: 0.1

Name: Hadweenzic #1
Lat: 66:39:30 Lon: 146:56:50
Acres: 8.0

Name: Coleen River
Lat: 68:06:54 Lon: 141:56:26
Acres: 8,455.2

Name: Koness River
Lat: 67:52:16 Lon: 144:17:43
Acres: 7,523.9

Name: Dennison
Lat: 63:42:00 Lon: 141:21:00
Acres: 542.3

Name: Jarvis Creek
Lat: 63:54:00 Lon: 145:48:00
Acres: 275.0

Name: Pt. Mack Mi. 5
Lat: 61:32:00 Lon: 149:33:00
Acres: 461.0

Name: Little Delta River
Lat: 64:07:00 Lon: 146:48:00
Acres: 14,200.0

[Knitting A Conundrum]

today's NICC shows the Park fire as

110,100 acres.


Getting to be moderately respectable in size....

It's the only one they're putting on the national list. It's probably the only manned one big enough to, I guess

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Nevada may be the active spot once again today. It's got Red Flags, LAL 6s, and is bone dry. This warning was on the News and Notes for the WBACC:

Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 am this morning to 9 pm PDT this evening in zones 451, 454 and 457 for dry thunderstorms. Red Flag Warning in effect this afternoon for zones 270, 271, 278, 450, and 458 for thunderstorms with strong outflow winds and isolated dry lightning. Fire Weather Watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday evening in zones 451, 452, 454, 455, and 457 for dry thunderstorms.

http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/information/newsandnotes.htm

For those already active fires, it may be a tough day.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Make that the WGBCC...still braindead...more coffee...

[Tijeras_Slim]

We got 1/2 of rain last night. First measurable precip in months and months. We're really due here.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Wildfires close I-80, threaten state fire academy in Nevada
By MARTIN GRIFFITH
ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Firefighters were hampered by heat and erratic winds in their battle against the latest in a series of lighting-caused wildfires that have scorched thousands of acres across northern Nevada.

Two brush fires that temporarily shut down portions of Interstate 80 on Sunday night near Elko, 290 miles east of Reno, continued to burn out of control Monday, said Bureau of Land Management spokesman Mike Brown.

A 5,000-acre fire near the remote ranching community of Elburz east of Elko was five percent contained, while a 10,000-acre blaze near the mining town of Carlin west of Elko was 10 percent contained, Brown said.

No structures have been damaged and no injuries were reported.

The Carlin fire had threatened a state fire academy Sunday night, but it was uncertain how close the blaze was to it Monday, Brown said. Fire engines and other equipment were put in place to protect the facility.

The Elburz blaze forced the evacuation of at least one ranch on Monday and continued to pose a threat to an undetermined number of other homes, Brown said.

I-80 has since reopened in both areas.

"They're both tough battles," Brown said. "We're seeing fire behavior that we typically don't see until August, largely because of a dense fuel load. It's just a giant tinderbox.

"The weather doesn't look good for today, with more dry lightning forecast. We're just trying to get as many resources here as we can," he said.

North of Reno, two other wildfires that began Sunday also continued to burn out of control.

Fire officials offered no prediction on when they would be able to contain a 1,000-acre blaze near Gerlach or a 150-acre fire near Bordertown.

No structures are threatened by either fire, but the Bordertown blaze burned within a quarter mile of some homes Sunday night on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.

Firefighters reported better luck in their battle against a 6,841-acre fire in the barren hills about 20 miles east of Reno.

Fire officials said the brush fire was 80 percent contained and was expected to be extinguished by 6 p.m. Monday.

It was the result of four separate lightning-caused blazes that merged into one Friday night near the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Park along I-80.

The fire initially burned on three sides of a Wal-Mart distribution center but caused no damage to any structures.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jun/26/062610846.html

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Hubby just got home from Tijeras yesterday, where he was working at the Cibola District Ranger Station...they're getting ready to close the forest to use and he was there to help prepare that.

Everything there is so dry...but I will be surprised if there are any new major starts nearby there today. And NM deserves a break.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Fire managers overseeing the fight against a 4,200-acre wildfire just north of Sedona plan to release some crews Monday and remove more than four miles of fire hose laid out to protect homes in scenic Oak Creek Canyon.

Both actions are signs that the week-old fire near Sedona is winding down, although residents evacuated from about 400 homes are still awaiting word on when they'll be allowed to return home.

Crews plan to focus Monday on completing fire lines along Oak Creek Canyon and on the fire's western flank. The lines held against high winds Sunday, boosting the confidence of fire team leaders enough to begin releasing crews.

About 100 of 825 firefighters are expected to be released Monday, said Paul Broyles, the incident commander. The fire is now 50 percent contained, but hasn't grown in size in several days.

"We are in the (demobilization) stage, but we still have a lot of work to do," Broyles said. "We have to get a road opened in the next few days."

Highway 89A through Oak Creek Canyon has been closed since the fire erupted at a transient's camp on June 18. Crews used the roadway as a base to stop the fire's eastern advance, and they're worried about debris rolling down the steep cliffs and hitting the road.

People living in about 75 homes and four resorts on the fire's northern flank were allowed to return home Saturday after the fire's danger there subsided.

While full containment was expected by Wednesday evening, it wasn't known when the remaining evacuees will be allowed to return home. That answer may come at a community meeting to be held Monday afternoon.

Officials had been concerned that Sunday's thunderstorms, which produced little rain but whipped up winds, would complicate firefighting efforts. The storms grounded water-dumping helicopters for about an hour Sunday afternoon.

In the end, though, authorities expressed confidence in the strength of protection lines around the blaze. "We're feeling really, really good about it," said Steve Raddatz, a planning official for the team fighting the fire.

The fire, the second to hit the Sedona area in past month, began June 18 as a transient's campfire and spread to steep terrain above the canyon.

Mary Garland, whose husband operates a lodge in Oak Creek Canyon, was among those who were allowed to return Saturday. Her husband had prepared their property for a wildfire and stayed there during the evacuation.

"We had cut a fireline around our property several years ago, and we knew that we had to be ready, and he was," Garland said. "He wanted to get everything really wet. He sprinkled every building."

An 836-acre wildfire destroyed five buildings near the Village of Oak Creek in early June and forced the evacuation of about 200 people. Sedona is located about 90 miles north of Phoenix.

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5078896&nav=HMO6

[Knitting A Conundrum]

SAFETY IS ALWAYS THE BEST POLICY

Monday, June 26, 2006 – 10:50 am EDT

PREPAREDNESS LEVEL	3
STATES MOST AFFECTED: AZ, CA, CO, FL, NM, UT, TX, WY
Print Today's Morning Report (PDF file)

CURRENT SITUATION

Initial attack activity was light nationally with 117 new fires reported. Ten new large fires were reported, one in the Southwest Area, eight in the Western Great Basin and one in Southern California. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

INCIDENT HEADLINES

• Large fire activity (over 500 acres) is occurring in nine geographic areas.

SUMMARY OF FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

Fire Activity	Yesterday	Year-to-Date	2000 Fire Season	10 Year Average
Number of Fires	117	55,163	47,863	39,923
Acres Burned	27,421	3,310,455	1,337,247	1,249,585

RESOURCES COMMITTED

Crews (20 persons)	Engines (5 persons)	Helicopters (7 persons)	Air Tankers (2 persons)	Overhead	Total Personnel
227	604	108	14	1,998	10,342

 

MAPS OF CURRENT FIRE ACTIVITY

• National Interagency Fire Center Fire Danger (www.fs.fed.us/land/wfas/fd_cls_f.gif)
• National Incident Information Center Large Fires (www.fs.fed.us/news/fire/firemap.shtml)
• National Interagency Coordination Center Monthly Fire Outlook (www.nifc.gov/news/OutlookMap.pdf)

REGIONAL LARGE FIRES (500 ACRES OR LARGER)

 

SOUTHWEST AREA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/swcc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Brins	AZ	FS	4,222	50	6/28	825	0
Bear Paw	NM	ST	2,200	5	6/28	224	0
Bear	NM	FS	50,688	44	UNK	870	1
Warm – WFU	AZ	FS	17,589	N/A	N/A	394	0
Skates	NM	FS	12,582	95	6/27	204	0
Reserve Complex	NM	FS	15,436	97	6/26	275	0
Hospital	AZ	BIA	800	0	UNK	83	0
Eicks Draw	NM	ST	5,760	85	6/28	NR	0
Rivera Mesa	NM	ST	16,114	100	---	246	0
Bartlett	NM	ST	1,500	100	---	23	0

 

Brins, 2 miles northeast of Sedona AZ is burning in brush, chaparral and timber.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team is assigned.  Numerous residences, structures, commercial resources, endangered species habitat, the Oak Creek watershed and Scenic Highway remain threatened. Evacuation orders for some residents of Oak Creek Canyon remain in effect, and a section of Highway 89 remains closed to the public. Backing and flanking fire with single tree torching and short runs was observed. Fire growth was minimal.
Bear Paw, two and a half miles northeast of Regina, NM is burning in ponderosa pine and litter. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. Numerous residences, powerlines and the communities of Gallina Plaza and Bear Paw remain threatened. Mandatory evacuations for the community of Gallina Plaza and voluntary evacuations for the community of Bear Paw are in effect. Extreme fire behavior with group torching, short crown runs and flame lengths of 60 to 150 feet was reported.
Bear, 15 miles northeast of Glenwood, NM is burning in mixed conifer. A Type 1 Incident Management Team is assigned. Numerous residences, wildlife habitat and historical cabins remain threatened. Crews continued to make progress with line construction. Higher relative humidity and precipitation moderated fire behavior.
Warm - WFU, 3 miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ, is burning in ponderosa pine and hardwood litter. A transfer of command from a Fire Use Management Team to a Type 2 Incident Management Team will occur today. This lightning caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The Jacob Lake development area, administrative sites, a historical Ranger Station, and private and public campgrounds remain threatened. All highways are currently open. Backing and flanking fire, short uphill crown runs and high rates of spread were reported.
Skates, 12 miles northeast of Silver City, NM, is burning in timber.  A transfer of command from a Type 2 Incident Management Team back to the local unit will occur today. The fire received some precipitation. Minimal fire behavior was reported.
Reserve Complex, located near Reserve, NM, includes the previously reported Martinez and Wilson fires and is burning in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper, and grass. No further information was received.
Hospital, 20 miles northeast of San Carlos, AZ in grass, juniper and timber. Cultural resources and wildlife habitat are threatened. Difficult access and high winds are hampering containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior was reported.
Eicks Draw, 35 miles south of Animas, NM in grass, juniper and mixed conifer. No new information was reported.

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Mato Vega	CO	ST	13,780	50	6/30	542	0
Isabelle	WY	FS	1,200	100	---	317	0
Jolley Mesa	CO	BLM	581	100	---	294	0

Mato Vega, 12 miles northeast of Fort Garland, CO is burning in timber, logging slash and grass.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team is assigned. Numerous residences remain threatened. Evacuation order for the remaining subdivisions was lifted. Highway 160 is open with warning devices and speed control in place. Creeping, smoldering and single tree torching were reported.

 

No new information was reported on Isabelle or Jolley Mesa.

WEstern GREAT BASIN AREA    (website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Suzie	NV	BLM	4,000	10	6/30	142	0
Elburz 1	NV	ST	5,000	5	6/30	96	0
Squaw	NV	BLM	1,500	0	6/27	80	0
Empire	NV	BLM	1,500	50	6/27	43	0
Grayrock	NV	BLM	500	0	6/30	13	0
Sherwood	NV	BLM	600	75	6/26	23	0
Olinghouse	NV	ST	6,841	100	---	20	0

Suzie, three miles northeast of Carlin, NV is burning in grass and sagebrush. A type two team has been ordered.  Numerous residences, commercial property and other structures are threatened. Structure protection is in place. Steep terrain is hindering containment efforts. Very active fire behavior was reported on all fronts.
Elburz 1, 17 miles east of Elko, NV in grass and sagebrush. Structures and outbuildings are threatened. High winds hampered containment efforts. Active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported.
Squaw, 15 miles north of Gerlach, NV, burning in grass and brush. Active fire behavior was observed.
Empire, 12 miles south of Gerlach, NV, burning in brush. A power station and power lines are threatened. Gusty, erratic winds are hindering containment efforts. Active fire behavior was reported.
Grayrock, 12 miles northwest of Elko, NV, burning in grass and sagebrush. Several residences and a ski resort are threatened. High winds and limited access due to terrain are making containment difficult. Very active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported.
Sherwood, 15 miles north of Adaven, NV in grass and sagebrush. Erratic winds resulted in active fire behavior, with running and torching observed.

EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA    (website: gacc.nifc.gov/egbc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Kolob	UT	NP	2,500	3	6/30	150	3
Jarvis	UT	ST	4,000	5	7/1	73	0
Pot Hole	UT	ST	1,398	80	6/26	127	0
Lion Creek	UT	FS	1,499	95	UNK	3	0

Kolob, five miles north of Virgin, UT, burning in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed brush. A type 2 incident management team has been ordered. Evacuation of nearby structures has occurred. Structure protection is in place in Rockville and Springdale communities. Limited access into remote areas is impeding containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with spotting, torching and running was observed.
Jarvis, 11 miles southwest of George, UT, burning in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed brush. Commercial properties, utility infrastructure, an FAA repeater site, Joshua Tree Natural Area and desert tortoise habitat are threatened. Old highway 91 is closed. Steep terrain is impeding containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with spotting and running was reported.
Pot Hole, 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, and occasional torching fire behavior was reported. Increase in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
Lion Creek, This fire is five miles northwest of Paradox, CO in ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, brush and grass. No further information was received.

 

SOUTHERN AREA    (website: www.southernregion.fs.fed.us/sacc)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Scotts Ferry	FL	ST	550	70	UNK	17	0
Deerfly	FL	ST	12,500	45	6/28	12	0
Airboat	FL	NPS	12,665	100	---	NR	0
Glass Mtn Complex	TX	ST	9,543	100	---	11	1

Scotts Ferry, 20 miles northeast of Panama City, FL is burning in southern rough.  This will be the last report.

Deerfly, is 15 miles northwest of Coral Springs, FL is burning in pine and grass. This will be the last report.

 

ALASKA AREA    (website: fire.ak.blm.gov)

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Parks Hwy	AK	ST	110,500	45	7/1	153	16

Parks Hwy, 1 mile southeast of Nenana, AK, is burning 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. The east side of the fire remains moderately active.

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA (website:  http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/index.htm)

 

Incident Name	State	Lead Agency	Size (acres)	Percent Contained	Estimate of Containment	Personnel	Structures Lost
Perkins	CA	FS	14,988	100	---	603	7
W Inc	CA	ST	500	100	---	NR	1

 

WEATHER OUTLOOK

High pressure continues to dominate the West with much above normal temperatures. Thunderstorms will develop across much of the west today with drier storms west of the Continental Divide. In Alaska, a warming and drying trend will begin in the west with thunderstorms possible in the interior.

[Tijeras_Slim]

The closures are probably a good idea. The locals behave pretty well, but being this close to Albuquerque we have an influx of "cookout commandos" on weekends and holidays that aren't careful. I've had 3 brush fires in my immediate neighborhood since I moved here in '95. All three we got under control before the fire dept showed up, and they're only about a mile away. Good neighbors are a blessing up here.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

My hubby was so impressed with the area that I want to go there myself...

[Knitting A Conundrum]

MAFFS are activated


BOISE, Idaho National wildfire response coordinators have activated a pair of North Carolina Air Guard C-130 military cargo planes outfitted with a special pressurized retardant dispensing system to fight blazes in the Southwest.
The two specially equipped planes are temporarily based at Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa, and will be available to fight wildfires in Arizona, as well as New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado.

National Interagency Fire Center officials say the military tankers will augment civilian air tankers that are fully committed on other wildfire assignments.

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5079247&nav=HMO6

C-130s help, but they aren't as good or get as close as the regular fleet of air tankers, and with the WOT there aren't as many available as there used to be.

But they do help.

And this means that slurry bombers, one of the bottle necks in fire work, are in tight demand.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Dang! That Suzie fire is active and big this morning already:

Intel update: Smoke from Suzie is causing visibility problems in Elko, which is now estimated @ 21,000 acres. Elburz 1, now estimated @ 10,000 acres with structures threatened, is planning to order a T2 IMT.

http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/information/newsandnotes.htm

[Knitting A Conundrum]

CUBA, N.M. -- Firefighters have another long day ahead of them as they battle an uncontained forest fire in northwestern Sandoval County.

This most recent blaze is the Bear Paw Fire has burned about 2,300 acres in rugged forest about 12 miles north of Cuba between Regina and Gallina.

Residents of about 120 homes in Gallina Plaza, Bear Paw Estates and Albers Valley were asked to leave although firefighters so far have been able to protect threatened structures. A shelter is open in Cuba although most evacuees appear to have found places to stay with family or friends.

State highway 96 is closed between miles markers 8 and 18

Sunday afternoon storms made a bad situation worse despite a little rain to dampen the flames in some areas. In others the gusty storm winds pushed flames into new fuels.

This morning spot fires were reported up to 1/2 mile in front of the main blaze.


Air tankers were expected back in the fight this morning. On Sunday pilots faced the storm conditions for a while but finally had to suspend operations when it just got too dangerous to fly.

More than 200 firefighters on the ground are using bulldozers, fire engines and hand tools to protect homes and build firebreaks. They report the fire as being 5 percent contained.

Power to about 1,000 homes was knocked out for a while, but utility crews got that restored.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
http://www.krqe.com/expanded.asp?ID=15903

[Knitting A Conundrum]

New fire in NM:

BLM-Farmington, Energen Fire: 102 acres burning in grass, sage, and pinon-juniper, next to gas wells and a pipeline. Plan is to construct dozer line on the north and east sides by mid-afternoon. Located 15 miles northeast of Navajo Dam (36 57 14.7 x 107 25 56.9).

http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/predictive/intelligence/daily/swcc_news_notes.htm

[Knitting A Conundrum]

AP) Hot, windy weather hampered fire crews Monday as they battled wildfires caused by lightning that had charred thousands of acres across northern Nevada, forcing interstate closures and threatening a small ranching community.

Firefighters also were battling blazes that had led to evacuations in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

Two Nevada brush fires that temporarily shut down portions of one highway about 290 miles east of Rena, near the town of Elko, on Sunday night, continued to burn out of control Monday, said Bureau of Land Management spokesman Mike Brown.

A 5,000-acre fire threatened the remote ranching community of Elburz, located east of Elko. A 10,000-acre blaze near the mining town of Carlin, west of Elko, had threatened a state fire academy Sunday night.

"It's just a giant tinderbox," Brown said, adding that dry lightning storms were forecast again Monday.

Elsewhere, a 2,300-acre wildfire in northern New Mexico, west of Gallina, forced residents of three small communities to flee their homes.

Thunderstorms helped fire crews in southern New Mexico make progress on a nearly 51,000-acre fire burning in the Gila National Forest. Investigators blamed that blaze on a campfire and offered a $5,000 reward for information.

Arizona fire officials said crews made progress over the weekend trying to control the 4,200-acre wildfire just north of the scenic community of Sedona.

People from about 75 homes and four resorts on the fire's northern flank were allowed to return Saturday, but hundreds of other residents remained evacuated. Crews expected to contain the fire by Wednesday evening.

In southern Colorado, all evacuation orders were lifted Sunday for about 300 homes near an almost 14,000-acre wildfire as firefighters got help from cooler, more humid weather.

As of Monday, wildfires around the United States had blackened 3.3 million acres this year, compared to 1.1 million acres at this same time in 2005, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. The agency, based in Boise, Idaho, said fires were active in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/26/national/main1750559.shtml