Wildfire News, 6/27

NIFC, NICC,WFAS ^ | 6/27/06 | 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:







INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2006 – 0530 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3



CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 258 new fires reported.  Fourteen new large fires (*) were reported, four in the Western Great Basin Area, three in the Northern California Area, two each in the Southern California and Southern Areas, and one each in the Eastern Great Basin, Rocky Mountain and Southwest Areas.  Six large fires were contained, two in the Southern California Area, and one each in the Southwest, Eastern Great Basin, Rocky Mountain, and Southern Areas.  Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, 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.  Evacuation orders remain in effect for portions of Oak Creek Canyon.  A section of Highway 89A remains closed to the public.  Smoldering, creeping and minimal fire growth were reported. 

BEAR PAW, Santa Fe National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Raley) is assigned.  This fire started on state land three miles northeast of Regina, NM in ponderosa pine and litter.  Numerous residences and a power line remain threatened.  The evacuation order for the community of Gallina Plaza has been lifted, and State Road 96 has been reopened.  Moderate fire behavior with creeping and smoldering 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.  Structure protection is in place.  Crews continued to make progress with line construction.  Additional precipitation further moderated fire behavior. 

WARM, Kaibab National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reinarz) is assigned.  The fire is burning three miles south of Jacob Lake, AZ in ponderosa pine and hardwood litter.  The North Kaibab Ranger District and Highway 67 from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are closed to the public.  Highway 89A remains open.  Grand Canyon National Park has requested their visitors to exit the North Rim via Forest Road 22.  The Jacob Lake development area, administrative sites, a historical Ranger Station, and private and public campgrounds remain threatened.  Higher relative humidity and lower temperatures moderated fire behavior.  Burn out operations continue.  

SKATES, Gila National Forest.  This fire is 12 miles northeast of Silver City, NM in timber.  The fire received some precipitation.  Minimal fire behavior was reported.  No further information was received.

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.  Passing thunderstorms continued to produce gusty, erratic winds. 

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 remain 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.  This will be the last report unless new information is received.

ENERGEN, Farmington Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 46 miles northeast of Farmington, NM in grass, brush and pinyon pine.  Rough terrain is hampering containment efforts.  Smoldering and creeping fire with occasional single tree torching was reported. 


WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SUZIE, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Stanich) has been ordered.  This fire is three miles northeast of Carlin, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Interstate 80 was temporarily closed but has been reopened.  Numerous residences, commercial property and other structures are threatened.  Structure protection is in place.  Steep terrain, poor visibility and high winds are hindering containment efforts.  Very active fire behavior was reported on all fronts, with running and spotting observed.  

LINEHAN, Carson City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is five miles east of Carson City, NV in grass, sagebrush and pinyon pine and juniper.  Numerous residences, critical infrastructure, commercial properties, large historical district, numerous recreation sites and trails and other structures are threatened.  Structure protection is in place.  Mandatory and voluntary evacuations are in effect.  Old abandoned mining operations, shafts and holes are a critical concern to firefighter safety.  Very active fire behavior with running and spotting was reported.  

BALLS CANYON, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Scheuerman) is assigned.  A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Muir) has been ordered.  This fire is 10 miles northwest of Reno, NV in timber.  Private ranches and residences remain threatened.  Smoke is affecting the landing operations of commercial aircraft into Reno.  Steep terrain continues to hamper containment efforts.  Gusty, erratic winds from passing thunderstorms contributed to increased fire behavior, with running and spotting observed.

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, and structure protection is in place.  Interstate 80 was temporarily closed.   High winds continue to hamper containment efforts.  Active fire behavior was observed.

SAGE, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 23 miles northwest of Lovelock, NV in grass and brush.  High winds contributed to fire spread.  Short-range spotting and running fire were reported.

NORTH ANTELOPE, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 15 miles southeast of Midas, NV in grass and sagebrush.  High winds contributed to active fire behavior.

SNEEKEE, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 20 miles southwest of Spring Creek, NV in grass, pinyon pine and juniper.  Running fire behavior was observed.  Rough terrain and difficult access are hampering containment efforts.

SQUAW, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 15 miles north of Gerlach, NV in grass and brush.  Difficult terrain is hampering containment efforts.  Creeping fire with some torching 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 remain threatened.  Gusty, erratic winds are hindering containment efforts.  Backing fire and occasional wind-driven runs were reported.

GRAYROCK, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 12 miles northwest of Elko, NV in grass and sagebrush.  High winds and limited access due to terrain continue to make containment difficult.  Very active fire behavior with running and spotting continues. 

ECHO, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is eight miles east of Pioche, NV in grass and sagebrush.  Smoldering fire with occasional torching was observed. 

SHERWOOD, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is 15 miles north of Adaven, NV in grass and sagebrush.  The community of Adaven is threatened.  Erratic winds resulted in active fire behavior with torching. 
EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

KOLOB, Zion National Park.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Brunner) is assigned.  This fire is five miles north of Virgin, UT in pinyon pine, juniper and mixed brush.  All trails in Zion National Park west of the Virgin River are closed, and the Kolob Terrace Road is closed south of Kolob Reservoir to Highway 9.  The East Rim Trail and the main entrance to Zion National Park at Springdale remain open.  Structure protection is in place for the communities of Rockville, Springdale and Virgin.  Limited access into remote areas continues to impede 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 St. 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.  Burn out operations are planned.  Extreme fire behavior with spotting 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 was reported. 

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


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 remain threatened.  Inaccessible terrain has required the activation of spike camp operations.  Severe thunderstorm activity occurred over the incident with isolated precipitation.  Minimal fire behavior due to precipitation was reported. 

LITTLE VENUS, Shoshone National Forest.  A Fire Use Management Team (Weldon) is assigned.  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 continues.  Moderate fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and short runs was reported.

FOUR MILE, Little Snake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management.  This fire is ten miles south of Baggs, WY in grass, sagebrush and cottonwood.  Two residences and a power line are threatened.  Colorado State Highway 13 is closed.  Active fire behavior was reported.  



NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

OBSERVATION COMPLEX, Northern California Resource Area, Bureau of Land Management.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Kaage) has been ordered.  This fire is 30 miles northeast of Susanville, CA in grass, sagebrush and juniper.  Wildlife habitat and range areas are threatened.  High winds and limited access due to terrain are making containment difficult.  Very active fire behavior on all flanks was reported. 

1-9, California Department of Forestry, Lassen-Modoc Unit.  This fire is located on the south edge of Susanville, CA in timber, grass and sagebrush.  Several residences and commercial properties are reported threatened.  Evacuations of several residences have occurred.  High winds are making containment difficult.  Active fire behavior was reported. 

BOULDER COMPLEX, Plumas National Forest.  This fire is eight miles southwest of Susanville, CA in timber.  Private residences and summer cabins are threatened.  Antelope Lake recreation area and campground have been evacuated.  Extreme fire behavior with torching and long-range spotting was reported. 




SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

GOODALE, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), San Bernardino Unit.  This fire is 11 miles north of Independence, CA in chaparral.  A mandatory evacuation order of Goodale Campground and a voluntary evacuation order of Aberdeen have been issued.  Numerous residences and a power plant are threatened.  Limited access due to difficult terrain is hampering containment efforts.  Very active fire behavior was reported. 
LPF - Los Padres National Forest,          TUU - Tulare Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection


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 creeping were reported.  Precipitation and higher relative humidity moderated fire behavior.


SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

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

LAKE  WIMICO, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is in Calhoun County, FL in southern rough and timber.  Access is difficult due to hurricane blowdown.  Moderate fire behavior was reported.

LANDING COMMAND, Florida Division of Forestry.  This fire is in Franklin County, FL in southern rough and timber.  Mop-up and line fortification is progressing.  Moderate fire behavior was reported. 

OUTLOOK:

Red Flag Warning:   Portions of western and southern Utah and across northern and most of central and east-central Nevada for dry lightning.  For dry lightning in the northern Sierras and east to the Nevada border.

Fire Weather Watches:   Portion of Western Colorado, southwest Idaho, and northern California for dry lightning.

Weather Discussion:   A large high pressure ridge will continue to bring very warm temperatures to the West today.  Thunderstorms will develop across much of the West with drier storms over the Great Basin, northern Arizona, western Colorado, and southwest Wyoming.  In Alaska, a warming and drying trend will move from west to east across the state with thunderstorms possible in the interior.   

  
   

*** NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER ***


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

[george76]

Because of the increasing fire danger in southwest Colorado, beginning on Saturday, July 1 at 8:00 a.m. Stage II fire restrictions will go into effect in Zone 1, the lower elevation zone of the San Juan Public Lands (San Juan National Forest and Bureau of Land Management -- San Juan Field Office).

Under Stage II fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, coal or wood burning stove, any type of charcoal fueled broiler or open fire of any type. This includes all developed campgrounds and picnic areas within Zone

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.

6. Operating a chainsaw without a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher of not less than 8 ounces capacity by weight, and one size 0 or larger round pointed shovel with an overall length of at least 36 inches. The extinguisher shall be with the chainsaw operator. The shovel may be kept with the fueling supplies but readily available.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/koat/20060627/lo_koat/9429855

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Arizona Fires:

HOSPITAL (600 acres, 0% contained) is burning 20 miles NE of San Carlos on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. The fire is burning in pinon-juniper in rugged terrain. HOSPITAL threatens culturally significant areas, tribal timber sales, and habitat for threatened and endangered species in and along the Blue River. The fire has been wind-driven. Lemuel Juan is Type 3 Incident Commander (IC) assigned, also 3 Type 2 crews, 1 helicopter, 5 engines, 3 water tenders, 83 total personnel. The fire area received some light rain, which helped. Wind speed is still high and is causing some problems on the fireline. The fire will continue moving north, aided by winds and continuous fuels.

WARM (58,300 acres; 5% contained) is burning 3 miles S of Jacob Lake in Kaibab National Forest. Started by lightning, WARM had been managed for wildland fire use and is now being suppressed as of Sunday evening. AZ Hwy. 67 is closed from Jacob Lake to Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim. North Kaibab Ranger District is closed to the public as of this morning. Crews will continue flanking the N and S sides of the fire through burnout operations and will use dozers where feasible. Joe Reinarz's Northern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team is assigned, along wtih 6 Type 2 crews, 5 helicopters, 26 engines, 4 dozers, 8 water tenders, 191 overhead, 1 camp crew, 427 total personnel. For more information, call (928)-643-6804, (928)-640-6103, (928)-640-6104. Kaibab National Forest fire information

BRINS (4,317 A.; 65% contained) is 2 miles NE of Sedona in Coconino National Forest. Crews continue securing the fireline, along with mopping up hot spots and rehabilitating firelines. Evacuations are still in effect for some Oak Creek residents and a small section of US Hwy. 89A is still closed. Paul Broyle's Type 1 Incident Management Team is assigned, also 10 Type 1 crews, 8 Type 2 crews, 6 helicopters, 20 engines, 9 water tenders, 201overhead, 4 camp crews, 716 total personnel. For more information, call (928)-226-4601. Coconino National Forest fire information

NAVAJO MOUNTAIN #1 (3,640 A., 80% contained) is in Utah just north of the Arizona line and 35 miles NE of Page. The fire has become more active, making a run toward the communication towers and burning into the head of Horse Canyon. Crews made progress in the upper third of the slope in Horse Canyon with helicopter water drops and crews on the fireline. They are working on clearing the N-S service road to the communication towers and burning out W of the road. Type 3 IC DennisTeller is assigned, also 3 Type 2 crews, 3 helicopters, 1 water tender, 18 overhead, 1 camp crew, 111 total personnel. http://inciweb.org/incident/248/

WEST WILDLAND FIRE USE (1,925 acres) is burning in Kaibab National Forest about 8 miles SE of Tusayan. Minimal spread is anticipated. WEST has reached the maximum established parameters set for its growth and shows little potential to increase in size. Crews will continue monitoring. For more information, call Jackie Denk at (928)-635-5607. Kaibab National Forest fire information

MAVERICK WILDLAND FIRE USE (295 acres) is burning in the Peloncillo Mountains E of Douglas in Coronado National Forest. The fire is inactive and being monitored. Fore more information, call Marylee Peterson at (520)-388-8343.

BAR WILDLAND FIRE USE (176 acres) is another fire burning in Kaibab National Forest 3 miles W of the junction of Arizona Highway 64 and Forest Road 307. BAR is showing minimal activity. Resources assigned: 1 engine, 4 total personnel. For more information, call Jackie Denk at (928)-635-5607. Kaibab National Forest fire information

http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/information/azfireinfo/az_information.htm

[Knitting A Conundrum]

night pic from the warm fire:

[Tijeras_Slim]

Got another 1/4" or rain last night. Looks like the total closure of the Cibola National Forest is on hold.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Warm Fire (north rim of the Grand Canyon) Summary

Highway 67 is closed south of Jacob Lake at Highway 89A. North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is closed.

The North Kaibab Ranger District is closed to public access due to fire and firefighting activity.

U.S. Highway 89A from Kanab, UT to Bitter Springs, AZ is open; however fire or firefighting activity may necessitate future delays or closures.

A coordinated escorted egress for people at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park concluded at 12:15 P.M on 6/27/2006. Groups of 15 vehicles, spaced 15 minutes appart, were escorted north along Highway 67. The operation was coordinated between the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team, National Park Service, Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and Arizona Department of Transportation.

Basic Information

Updated	2006-06-27 04:13:47 EST
Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	06/08/2006 at 1501 hrs.
Location	About 2 miles south and east of Jacob Lake.
Incident Commander	Joe Reinarz

Current Situation

Size	49,680 acres
Percent Contained	5%
Estimated Containment Date
Total Personnel	427
Fuels Involved	Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, pinyon/juniper woodlands
Fire Behavior
Today's Significant Events	A coordinated escorted egress for people at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park began at 8:45 a.m. Today (6/27/06). Groups of 15 vehicles, spaced 15 minutes appart, are being escorted north along Highway 67. The operation is being coordinated between the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team, National Park Service, Department of Public Safety, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, and Arizona Department of Transportation. The operation is expected to be completed by early afternoon today.

http://inciweb.org/incident/262/

[La Enchiladita]

Praying for the best outcome in abating these fires.

[La Enchiladita]

From Fox News:

As of Monday, wildfires around the United States had blackened 3.3 million acres this year, compared with 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.

[La Enchiladita]

Gila Fire Heads Toward Wilderness

(AP) SILVER CITY N.M. -- Thunderstorms have helped firefighters make progress on a 50,688-acre Bear Fire burning in the Gila National Forest. Elsewhere in the forest, fire officials said they expect to contain two other blazes—the Skates and Reserve Complex fires—sometime today.

In northern New Mexico, the 16,114-acre Rivera Mesa Fire in Mora County was reported contained on Sunday. The fire is blamed on a lightning strike a week ago.

The Bear Fire in southwestern New Mexico was 44 percent contained as of this morning, Fire information officer Punky Moore said.

Fire crews completed a line around the west side of the blaze Sunday, which leaves the blaze actively burning on the southern end heading into the Gila Wilderness, she said. Officials plan to use hand crews to fight the fire in the wilderness, she added.

The fire broke out a week ago northeast of Glenwood. Rain helped slow the fire's spread Sunday, and rain is forecast for this afternoon in the area.

The 12,582-acre Skates Fire is now 95 percent contained. It broke out June 2 and is burning about seven miles northeast of Pinos Altos.

The 15,436-acre Reserve Complex also is 95 percent contained. It is made up of two blazes that were sparked by lightning June 6.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

This is true.

It's not unusual for one region to dominate. Last year it was Alaska, and so far this year it's been the South, mostly Texas and Oklahoma.

for comparison, in 2002, which was a bad fire year, with the Rodeo/Chediski fire (which is the 2nd largest non-Alaskan fire), the SW area burned 715,104 acres by this date.

Today the SW has burned 562,552 acres. Not peanuts - still a very active fire year, but not quite as bad.

This time last year, the SW had burned 290,429 acres. And the year before that, 124,150 acres by this day.

Looks like a moderately active fire year, at least, even before the northern states start to burn. And if they burn heavy, it will be one of those years you look back on, like 2000 and 2002...and for the South, it already is!

[Knitting A Conundrum]

map of the Warm fire (a map that shows the progression of the fire)

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Evening roundup time. A lot is happening, particularly in Nevada.

From the Western Great Basin GACC's website:

3:51 MT: Balls Canyon Fire and Linehan Fire are exhibiting extreme fire behavior. Ordering additional heavy air tankers. Linehan Fire threatening homes in the Goni Road area. Crews are doing structure protection in the area.

4:05 MT Increased initial attack north of Winnemucca. Horse Creek Rank Fire is 100+ acres. Ordering crews and J-13 from Elko.

5 PM MT 7 new fires. 4 along the Utah border are threatening structures. Getting heavy air tanker support from Cedar City. Another fire is threatening Highway 93. Trying to get additional air tanker support from CDC.

From the WGB coordination office: Significant thunderstorm activity is creating severe downdrafts and gusty winds in the area affecting fire behavior on all fires.

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

[Knitting A Conundrum]

NEWS RELEASE Modoc National Forest 800 West 12th Street Alturas, CA 96101

For Immediate Release: Contact: Laura Williams

June 27, 2006 530-233-8713

Fires Break on Modoc National Forest

Last night’s lightning storm started fires across the Modoc National Forest. Crews worked late into the night on eight wildland fires. This morning many additional smokes have been reported. Each smoke is being searched down, verified and worked as resources are available.

Each of the eight fires is currently estimated between one and 20 acres in size. Four of the fires are north and south of Adin, two fires are in the South Warner Mountains.

“The entire north state has been hit by lightning, so there is major competition for firefighting resources,” Modoc National Forest Battalion Chief Chris Orr said. “We’re currently prioritizing the fires to save structures and high value natural resources.”

Currently, working the fires are:

8 engines

1 dozer

1 water tender

10 smoke jumpers

1 fixed wing air craft

1 medium duty helicopter

Additional firefighting resources have been ordered to assist in the effort including Engines, Dozers, Water tenders and handcrews.

This weekend many people will be camping in the forest. Please be especially careful with campfires.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/264/408/

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Linehan Complex - 6000+ acres, a line has been built around the west flank of the Linehan Complex and that area is relatively quiet. The fire continues to burn actively on its north and east flanks. The Army National Guard heavy helicopter, the Chinook, is flying the active areas over the fires. Highway 50 through Moundhouse has been reopened in both directions. Residents and individuals are reminded to remain clear of the fire area to keep the roads open for fire equipment. No expected containment is estimated at this time. Residents are allowed to return to their homes except for those who live on Linehan Road. No structures have been lost to the fire, however over 200 remain threatened.

At 5:50 p.m, firefighters report that heavy helicopters dropping water, and air tankers dropping retardant in the Goni Canyon area on the fire's northeast flank have greatly reduced the fire threat.

At 4:30 p.m., the Linehan fire moved down hill, the wind shifted, and the fire then began moving up the hill. A heavy air tanker dropped retardant to slow its growth. The west flank of the fire has been knocked down again and the north east flank has become the focus of the air attack.

http://www.sierrafront.net/news%20releases.htm

[Knitting A Conundrum]

32 large fires burning in 8 western states

By SCOTT SONNER, Associated Press Writer 46 minutes ago

RENO, Nev. - More than 1,000 firefighters fought lightning-sparked blazes that had burned more than 80,000 acres across northern Nevada by Tuesday, putting just about every available piece of equipment and firefighter on the lines.

The fires were among 32 large ones burning in eight western states, according to the National Fire Information Center in Boise, Idaho.

No injuries were reported in any fires Tuesday, and no buildings burned.

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon. The declaration will help local governments get federal assistance to restore firefighting resources, he said.

As many as 300 homes and businesses east of Carson City were threatened by a pair of brush fires that expanded overnight to 6,000 acres. The flames curved around the state's capital city.

Despite the continued threats, the Moonlite Bunny Ranch brothel remained open.

"The girls were back by 2 this morning," said a bartender who gave only the name of Wendy. "We're back in business, and we've got business."

The fires scorched part of the training grounds at the state fire academy and forced officials to close two major highways.

"We're stretched about as thin as possible. Thankfully our neighbors from around Nevada and across the country are giving us a hand," said Jeff Arnberger, an assistant fire management officer with the
Bureau of Land Management in Elko, where the largest fires burned.

In Arizona, authorities escorted hundreds of tourist around the fire that had marooned them since the weekend at the lodge, cabins and campgrounds on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The wildfire had jumped the only highway leading to the area, but the flames were about 30 miles from the park and officials said no one was in any danger.

About 150 cars had been led out of the park by Tuesday afternoon, said park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge. About 800 visitors had been stranded when the fire forced officials to close the highway to the park.

The fire, which has covered about 50,000 acres, was 5 percent contained Tuesday afternoon.

Nevada officials earlier ordered evacuations in two rural communities near Elko and flames burned within a quarter-mile of homes 15 miles northwest of Reno, but no homes faced immediate danger. Some residents also voluntarily left rural valleys on the northern outskirts of Reno, where some of the lightning fires that began Monday had covered an estimated 3,000 acres.

Nevada's biggest fire had grown to 57,000 acres about 20 miles west of Elko near Carlin, where the University of Nevada Fire Science Academy is located along I-80.

"We do a lot of real-life fire training, but we never expected this," said Denise Baclawski, the academy's executive director. "All night long we had staff members work to protect the facility."

Northwest of Reno, a 1,500-acre wildfire in the Sierra just across the Nevada-California line was estimated to be 50 percent contained early Tuesday.

Near Sedona, Ariz., fire officials predicted that the 4,200-acre fire that forced hundreds to evacuate Oak Creek Canyon would be contained Wednesday. Owners of the roughly 400 homes and scattered businesses still evacuated were expected be allowed to return Tuesday night.

More than half of the nearly 800 people assigned to the fire were expected to be released by the end of the day, incident commander Paul Broyles said Tuesday. He said crews had been able to corral the blaze because it was the No. 1 priority in the nation, every available resource was poured into the battle and the weather cooperated.

Elsewhere, a 3,200-acre blaze a mile west of the northern New Mexico town of Gallina calmed and evacuees from 120 homes in three subdivisions were allowed to return Monday.

As of Monday, wildfires around the United States had blackened 3.3 million acres this year, compared with 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://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060628/ap_on_re_us/western_wildfires;_ylt=AjbYa_b363ECi9FC2cR5eZSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MjBwMWtkBHNlYwM3MTg-

[La Enchiladita]

In the meantime...

Extreme Flooding Situation Developing on the Susquehanna River, PA

The east coast, from Washington, D.C. northwards, seems to be being inundated for several days now with more to come.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Going to be interesting if they need emergency resource people too, more than they have local...

[La Enchiladita]

Evacuations reportedly in progress as we speak.

I recall heavy flooding in Pennsylvania within the past 10 years, right around where the 3 rivers come together.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I hate floods. Been in too many of them. Never got flooded out, just stranded, but it's still so stressful and frightening watching the water rise.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

S. Utah Wildfires Burn Nearly 50,000 Acres
June 27th, 2006 @ 4:00pm

(KSL/KCSG/AP) -- Crews in Southern Utah are battling two massive wildfires this afternoon. Flames have consumed nearly 50,000 acres.

Both the Jarvis and Kolob Fires are thought to be manmade. Dry conditions and gusty winds are fanning flames pretty rapidly.


Officials say the Kolob fire has grown to more than 17,000 acres and it's burning dangerously close to homes near Zion National Park.

Two out buildings, a cabin and two pick-up trucks have been lost to the fire.

Zion National Park is still open to the public.

Jerry Brunner, Incident Commander: "There's some stringers of canyons that are full of fuel and run the same direction as the winds, so it could push them further into Zion National Park."

Meanwhile, fire crews in southern Utah say the Jarvis Fire is growing in size.

Authorities say at three this morning, flames came dangerously close to the community of Bloomington. The fire is burning west of Saint George. So far, it's consumed 33,000 acres.

Officials say it is 20 percent contained.

Governor Huntsman got a first-hand look at the blazes yesterday.

Jon Huntsman Jr., Governor of Utah: "It's breathtaking in terms of its sheer size and destructive capacity."

Of the 300 wildfires fires in Utah this year, 12 have been in Southern Utah.

Power has been restored for almost all of the people who lost service for a while last night because of wildfires.

Utah Power says 948 customers lost power around eleven o'clock. All but four had electricity again by about 3:30. Crews were waiting until daylight to replace power poles and get service back to the remaining customers.

Power workers had to replace a 34-thousand, 500-volt line that supports Virgin, Rockville and Springdale in southern Utah.

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