Posted on 06/27/2006 8:43:01 AM PDT by Knitting A Conundrum
258 firestarts with 120,671 burned for the grand total.
There were more, but they missed the deadline. Hottest spots seem to be the Sierra Front (near Reno, NV) and near Elko Nevada.
I'm getting the posts up, and still haven't gotten really good updates on the hottest spots, but I am looking.
(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
By SCOTT SONNER | Associated Press
June 27, 2006
RENO, Nev. (AP) - More than 1,000 firefighters were battling a series of lightning-sparked fires that had burned more than 50,000 acres across northern Nevada by Monday night, forcing evacuations, closing sections of two major highways and scorching part of the training grounds at a state fire academy.
In Arizona, meanwhile, a wildfire north of Grand Canyon National Park jumped the only paved highway leading to the canyon's remote North Rim, closing the road and marooning hundreds of tourists. The tourists were not in any danger, park officials said as the fire burned 30 miles from the park. Some of the tourists were escorted out of the park Monday night on a dirt road.
Already hampered by dry conditions, high temperatures and erratic winds, fire crews in Nevada scrambled to respond to more than a half dozen new fires around the Reno and Carson City area after another round of thunderstorms packing lightning rolled through the area.
More than two dozen fires raged from the heavily timbered western front of the Sierra Nevada near Reno to the sage- and grass-filled rangeland near Elko 300 miles to the east.
"We've got almost all of northeastern Nevada's fire-fighting resources on fires right now," said Gina Dingman, acting manager of the Elko Interagency Dispatch Center.
Evacuations were ordered in two rural communities near Elko and flames burned within one-quarter mile of homes about 15 miles northwest of Reno, but no injuries were reported and no homes were immediately threatened.
The biggest fire Monday afternoon surpassed 40,000 acres about 20 miles west of Elko near Carlin, where the University of Nevada Fire Science Academy is located along Interstate 80.
Flames burned 350 acres of the training grounds on the 426-acre campus and came within several hundred yards of the main academy building, said Denise Baclawski, the academy's executive director.
"We do a lot of real-life fire training but we never expected this," Baclawski said. "All night long we had staff members work to protect the facility."
Two sections of the interstate that were closed Sunday night due to fires were reopened Monday morning, but the Nevada Highway Patrol closed nearly the entire 20 mile stretch from Carlin to Elko again for several hours Monday afternoon before it reopened later in the day.
Fires also temporarily closed part of U.S. Highway 50 east of Carson City, where two new brush fires were burning over about 1,500 acres. Some residents were asked to leave their neighborhoods in the Mound House area, where as many as 300 homes and 50 commercial properties were threatened.
"We're actually waiting at the door to leave," said Bunny Love, an employee at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, a legal brothel in Mound House. "The girls all have their bags packed."
Northwest of Reno, a wildfire in the Sierra just across the California line tripled in size overnight to 1,500 acres on Monday, but it was estimated to be 50 percent contained late Monday night and some of the 250 firefighters assigned there were being transferred elsewhere.
But the new round of storms set off a series of fires in the rural valleys on the outskirts of northern Reno, where some residents were evacuating voluntarily and 120 firefighters were on the job.
Further north on U.S. Highway 395 near Susanville, Calif., an 800-acre fire forced temporary evacuations of dozens of residents but most were returning to their homes Monday night.
The Arizona fire had burned 58,300 acres of the Kaibab National Forest, 30 miles north of Grand Canyon National Park. Seventy-seven vehicles carrying stranded tourists were escorted out of Grand Canyon National Park on a dirt road.
An estimated 200 of the 950 stranded people drove for two hours on a forest road from Grand Canyon National Park to Fredonia, said park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge.
Crews planned to evaluate conditions Tuesday morning to determine whether it was safe to escort out the remaining people.
Near Sedona, Ariz., fire officials predicted containment Wednesday of a 4,200-acre fire that commanded attention last week. It was allocated a top priority in firefighting resources, despite its relatively small size, because of what was at stake, officials said _ the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon area, dotted with hundred of homes and resorts.
"There's bigger fires out there, but probably not with the potential for the economic damage that this one had," said Steve Raddatz, a member of the fire management team.
Elsewhere, crews continued to battle a 3,200-acre blaze burning a mile west of the northern New Mexico town of Gallina.
"Fire behavior today seems a lot less extreme; the winds are less erratic," fire information officer Miles Standish said Monday. "I think they're probably getting some good work done."
Earlier estimates put the Bear Paw Fire at 2,300 acres, but more accurate mapping showed it to be larger than first believed. Thunderstorms on Sunday brought wind that whipped the fire along, but it was followed by rain that dampened the fire's movement.
As of Monday, wildfires around the United States had blackened 3.3 million acres this year, compared to 1.2 million acres on average at this point in the fire season, the National Interagency Fire Center reported. However, much of this year's acreage resulted from huge grass fires in Texas and Oklahoma this spring, not from forest fires.
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/45592.html
Rocky Mountain Area Predictive Services
Southwest Monsoon Update
June 26, 2006
Current Situation/Short Term Forecast:
In the short-mid term a north-northwest flow dominates the RMA from Monday June 26th through the Wednesday June 28th. This pattern keeps the monsoon moisture plume well south of the region (Figure 1). During this period a low level upslope flow combined with passing upper disturbances results in isolated to widely scattered mainly wet thunderstorms in the southern Front Range into the south-central Colorado mountains, with isolated to widely scattered dry thunderstorms in western sections of Colorado and Wyoming.
Figure 1. GFS 500 mb pressure pattern (~18,000 ft msl) Monday 6/26/06, and 500 mb wind (red barb)
Outlook:
As high pressure migrates into western sections of Colorado and Wyoming on Thursday (June 29th) through Monday (July 3rd) expect warmer weather across the RMA, along with a continued trend of isolated to widely scattered mixed wet/dry thunderstorms. By Tuesday July 4th through the remainder of the week, monsoon moisture is forecast to work its way into south-central to southwest Colorado initially (Figure 2), with dry lightning on the fringe of the moisture in west-northwest Colorado into western Wyoming. Other than some lingering dry thunderstorms in central/eastern Wyoming into western South Dakota on Wednesday (July 5th), forecast charts show a trend of spreading the monsoon moisture and associated beneficial rains northward and eastward across most of Colorado, Wyoming, and western South Dakota during the period Wednesday (July 5th) through Sunday (July 9th). This outlook will be updated the week of July 2nd, but could be earlier if significant changes occur in this forecast pattern.
Figure 2. GFS 500 MB pressure pattern (~18,000 ft msl) Tuesday 7/4/06, and 500 mb wind (blue barb)
Reno Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning for northwest Nevada this afternoon and evening for thunderstorms producing strong outflows and isolated dry lightning. Elko Weather Service issues a Red Flag Warning from 1 pm to 9 pm PDT today in zones 451, 452, 454, 455, and 457 for dry thunderstorms.
http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/information/newsandnotes.htm
Expires 7:00 PM EDT on June 27, 2006
Statement as of 4:10 AM PDT on June 27, 2006
... Red flag warning remains in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to
10 PM PDT this evening for thunderstorms with strong outflows and
isolated dry lightning...
A red flag warning remains in effect from 1 PM this afternoon to
10 PM PDT this evening.
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will develop again on Tuesday
afternoon across northeast California and northwest Nevada. While
most storms will be wet... there will still be some lightning
strikes outside the rainfall. These strikes will continue to have
the potential to start fires due to the recent hot and dry
conditions. In addition... the storms will also produce outflow
wind gusts in excess of 40 mph at times which would allow new or
existing fires to spread rapidly.
The combination of these factors will create critical fire
weather conditions on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Fire crews
and officials should keep a close watch on weather conditions and
ensure safe escape routes are available as thunderstorms develop.
http://www.wunderground.com/US/NV/003.html
Military Aircraft Activated for Firefighting Support
http://www.nifc.gov/docs/MAFFS6-24.pdf
June 27, 2006Initial attack activity was moderate throughout the nation with 258 new fires reported. Fourteen new large fires were reported: five in California, one in Colorado, two in Florida, one in Idaho, four in Nevada, and one in New Mexico. Six large fires were contained: two in California and one each in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Idaho. Two military C-130s equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) from Charlotte, North Carolina are currently based in Mesa, Arizona, Arizona to support initial attack firefighting activity across the southwest. Red Flag Warnings: Dry lightning in western and southern Utah and across northern and most of central and east-central Nevada. Also for dry lightning in the northern Sierras and east to the Nevada border. Fire Weather Watches: Dry lightning in western Colorado, southwest Idaho, and northern California. Weather Discussion: A high pressure will continue to bring very warm temperatures to the western states today. Thunderstorms are expected across much of the western states with drier states over the Great Basin, northern Arizona, western Colorado, and southwest Wyoming. A warming and drying trend will move from west to east across Alaska with the possibility of thunderstorms. . |
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Source: National Interagency Coordination Center
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This report will be updated daily. For another source of daily national wildland fire information see the National Interagency Coordination Center. |
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| | National Interagency Coordination Center | | Prevention & Education | | | |
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That's always a sign that there is a lot going on. I was truly surprised they didn't up the Preparedness Level to 4 this morning. Have to see what today brings. We are very, very close to the requirements.
It looks like the monsoons are coming in on schedule this year...
Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center
Current Fire Information (6/27/06, 0855 hours)
Information on wildfire starts in the region:
A staging area is being set up at a dirt clearing on Hytech Drive (off Arrowhead Drive at the intersection of Hwy 50 and Arrowhead) starting 0900 for the media. Shots of the current air attack are available on site.
Within the Sierra Front response area, at least 16 fires have been reported since the recent thunderstorm activity passed through the area.
A Red Flag warning has been issued for the Linehan Complex fire from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm today for dry lightning, low humidity, high temperatures and erratic winds.
A Type III Incident Management team will take over management of the fire this morning, at 0700 hours.
The Command Post is located at Carson City High School, on Saliman Road in Carson City.
All available ground and air resources are being dispatched as they become available.
http://www.sierrafront.net/news%20releases.htm
I saw on the dispatch log that there was going to be something at that school. They are talking about making a complex out of all the little fires. Last I heard there were 50 of them, although I suspect some have been caught since they said that.
here's a story from a Reno TV station that runs down some of them:
A lightning storm started about two dozen fires in Northern Nevada Monday. About 1,000 firefighters are fighting wildfires in Nevada and the Susanville area. Firefighting authorities will meet in Carson City this morning to establish a central command over all the fires, which will be known collectively as the Sierra-Tahoe Complex Fires.
Linehan Complex Fire: Authorities say two fires are burning together near the community of Mound House, just east of Carson City. The fires had burned about 1,500 acres by Monday night, but the acre jumped to 6,000 by Tuesday morning. The fire also jumped U.S. Highway 50. Authorities had closed the highway from Arrowhead Drive to SR 341 (Geiger Grade) for several hours, but it reopened before 11:00 p.m. Monday. Sierra Front Interagency Fire Dispatch says voluntary evacuations are in place near Linehan Road. About 150 to 300 homes and businesses are threatened. Dayton High School is being used as an evacuation center. Domestic animals and livestock can be taken to the Lyon County Sheriff's Office. For more information residents should call (775) 246-6209. 300 firefighters, 60 fire engines, and 4 water tenders are fighting this fire.
Cheney Fire: The Cheney fire burned about 640 acres near Susanville Monday night. Residents in the Marino Manor housing complex were evacuated as a precaution. As of Monday at 11:00 p.m., many residents were allowed to return home, though 10 to 20 homes were still evacuated. Crews were working overnight to restore power to residents.
Iron Mountain Fire: There are two fires burning northwest of Stagecoach. The Iron Mountain fire is 100 acres and the Copper Fire is 25 acres. There are reports the fire has jumped Highway 50. Residents near the fire lines are urged to be prepared for evacuations.
Palomino Valley Fire: The Reno Fire Department says the Palomino Valley Fire consists of three fires. The fires are burning in the Calle de La Plata area in Palomino Valley, including Crazy Horse Road. The fire is about 1,500 to 2,000 acres and as of Monday night there were no estimates on containment. Fire officials say there are homes in the area. About 50 firefighters are having a difficult time fighting this fire because of strong winds.
Oregon Fire: The Oregon Fire is burning north of Lemmon Valley near Oregon Boulevard and Matterhorn Boulevard. As of Monday at 11:00 p.m. the fire was 70% contained and had burned 60 acres. Overnight, Reno Firefighters were working hot spots and single tree torching within the interior of the fire. Earlier Monday evening firefighters were able to diminish the threat to homes by taking advantage of the shift in winds. Three single-engine air tankers (SEATS) were pulled off the fire because of gusty winds. Approximately 120 firefighters are fighting this fire.
Balls Canyon Fire: The Balls Canyon Fire, north of Reno near Bordertown, started Sunday night. Fire officials say the fire grew 400 acres on Monday to 1,500 acres. The fire is 60% contained, and fire officials hope to have it contained by Wednesday night. Overnight on Monday firefighters were back burning brush and trees to prevent the fire from spreading. A Chinook helicopter dropped water on the fire on Monday. About 250 fire personal are fighting the Balls Canyon Fire.
Squaw Creek Reservoir Fire: The Squaw Creek Reservoir Fire is burning north of Gerlach. Fire officials say it's 1,500 acres.
Olinghouse Fire: The Olinghouse Fire in Storey County is contained. The fire burned 6,800 acres near the Wal-Mart Distribution center. The fire started on Friday. Firefighters were responding to smaller fires in the area on Monday. No structures were threatened.
Eagle Pitcher Fire: This fire is burning near I-80 at Patrick, not far from the Olinghouse Fire burn area. About 50 acres have burned so far.
Elko Fires: The Suzie Fire is 40,000 acres about 10 miles northwest of Elko. This fire is 10% contained. The Elburz Fire, 10 miles northeast of Elko, is 9,600 acres and 20% contained. A third fire, the Grayrock Fire, is about 250 acres 12 miles northwest of Elko.
Stay with News 4 and KRNV.com throughout the day and evening for continuing updates on the fires burning around our region.
http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5081848
RENO, Nev., June 27, 2006 - Officials in Nevada thought they had the upper hand on wildfires that is until lighting bolts sparked a half-dozen new ones.
Now there are at least two dozen to worry about in Nevada. On Monday, fires threatened as many as 300 evacuations.
Firefighters are hampered by hot weather and storms. As many as 300 homes and businesses were threatened Monday by a pair of brush fires near Carson City. Other fires in the state burned most of the training grounds at a state fire academy, and forced the temporary closure of Interstate 80 near Elko for a second day in a row.
In northern Arizona, authorities used a dirt road to evacuate tourists who were stranded at the Grand Canyon's North Rim by a wildfire that jumped the only paved road to the remote area. Hundreds of others remain stranded.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=nation_world&id=4310615
50 new little fires !
That will keep some group busy.
I hope that the 50 little fires do not merge into 10 big fires.
A mixed blessing. We need the moisture badly, but we don't need the lightning, and the afternoon thunderstorms in SW Colorado tend to have lots of lightning. :(
Please add me to your ping list. Thanks...
Got ya added.
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/severeusnational/uslightningstrikes_large.html https://thunderstorm.vaisala.com/tux/jsp/explorer/explorer.jsp http://wwwa.accuweather.com/severe/severe-maps.asp?type=lightning&partner=&zipcode=
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