Wildfire News 7/30: 106,000 acres burned yesterday, today red flags, wind and heat

NICC, NIFC, WFAS, FS, Inciweb and others ^ | 7/30/06 | 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

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2006 – 0800 MDT

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 5

 

 

CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was light nationally with 151 new fires reported. Twelve new large fires (*) were reported, five in the Rocky Mountain Area, two each in the Eastern Great Basin and Northern California Areas, and one each in the Northern Rockies, Southern, and Southwest Areas. Five large fires were contained, two in the Southern California Area, and one each in the Northwest, Western Great Basin and Rocky Mountain Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Oregon, Washington, California, Montana, North Dakota, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Two MAFFS C-130 aircraft and support personnel from the 145^th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina, and the 153^rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming are deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon. LT. Colonel Chuck Davis is the Mission Commander.

 

NORTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

An Area Command Team (Loach) is assigned to manage large fires in Washington.

BLACK CRATER, Deschutes National Forest. A transfer of command from a Type 2 Incident Management Team (West) to a Type 1 Incident Management Team (Quesinberry) will occur today, and the Unified Command between the Type 1 Team and the Oregon Department of Forestry (Shults) will remain in place. This fire is seven miles southwest of Sisters, OR in white fir and lodgepole pine. Several subdivisions are threatened and evacuation orders are in place. Structure protection is in place for numerous residences. Campgrounds, trails and roads remain closed. Running, torching and long-range spotting were reported.

FOSTER GULCH COMPLEX, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Anderson) is assigned. This Complex, consisting of the McClean and the Foster Gulch fires, is six miles southeast of Halfway, OR in grass and brush and mixed conifers. The two fires have burned together between Brownlee Reservoir and Highway 86. Several local roads are closed or restricted, including Highway 86 and Forest Road 39. Numerous residences, communications site, a hydroelectric facility and powerlines are threatened. Structure protection is in place. Very active fire behavior with running, torching and spotting was observed.

FLICK CREEK, North Cascades National Park. A Type 1 Incident Command Team (Bennett) is assigned. This fire is three miles southeast of Stehekin, WA in ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and grass. Residences and structures remain threatened, and structure protection is in place. Persistent hot, dry and windy conditions, and steep terrain are hampering containment efforts. Running, torching and backing fire were observed.

TRIPOD COMPLEX, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Custer) and a Washington Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team (LaFave) are in place. This complex, comprised of the Spur Peak and Tripod fires, is seven miles northeast of Winthrop, WA in beetle-kill lodgepole pine and heavy down fuels. Historical cultural sites, commercial resources and wildlife habitat are threatened. Very active plume dominated fire behavior consisting of running, crowning and spotting was observed.

BEAR GULCH II, Olympic National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Gormley) is assigned. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Hoodsport, WA in timber. Rolling rocks and burning debris are posing a hazard on Highway 119, necessitating the closure of access to a portion of the Olympic National Park. Steep rocky terrain is impeding containment efforts. Creeping fire behavior was observed.

ELK LAKE, Deschutes National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Goheen) is assigned. This fire is 26 miles west of Bend, OR in lodgepole pine, fir and hemlock. Numerous residences and recreation sites remain threatened. Steep terrain and snags are hampering containment efforts. Interior torching with some creeping was reported.

MAXWELL, Ochoco National Forest. A Washington Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reed) is assigned. This fire is six miles south of Mitchell, OR in heavy dead and down timber. A residence, communications equipment and the water supply for the city of Mitchell are threatened. Two campgrounds have been closed. Steep terrain and limited access are hampering containment efforts. Some afternoon torching and spotting was reported.

TIN PAN, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. A Washington Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team (Jennings) is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire is burning seven miles west of Lucerne, WA in timber. Hiking trails within the fire area are closed. Backing fire, torching, spotting, and short uphill runs were observed.

WOLFE POINT II, Warm Springs Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is nine miles northeast of Warm Springs, OR in grass, sagebrush and juniper. Steep, rocky terrain is hindering containment efforts. No further information was received.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
BLACK CRATER	OR	DEF	5,700	5	UNK	681	22	42	7	1	1.6M	FS
Foster Gulch Complex	OR	WWF	43,671	30	UNK	751	17	40	4	0	1.8M	FS
Flick Creek	WA	NCP	4,615	0	UNK	72	0	0	0	0	316K	NPS
Tripod COMPLEX	WA	OWF	24,880	0	8/15	553	19	26	0	0	1.4M	FS
bear gulch II	WA	OLF	250	NR	UNK	72	0	0	2	0	305K	FS
ELK LAKE	OR	DEF	81	90	7/30	303	10	3	1	0	867K	FS
MAXWELL	OR	OCF	4,300	20	8/05	650	21	12	2	0	1.6M	FS
TIN PAN - WFU	WA	OWF	3,362	N/A	N/A	130	2	0	3	0	1.1M	FS
WOLFE POINT ii	OR	WSA	4,129	75	7/31	113	4	17	2	0	172K	BIA
Black rock	OR	BUD	730	100	---	109	6	14	0	0	230K	BLM

BUD - Burns District, Bureau of Land Management

 

 

 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

An Area Command Team (Ribar) is assigned to manage large fires within the Geographic Area.

JUNCTION, Shasta-Trinity Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. A CDF Type 1 Incident Command Team (Ault) has been ordered. This fire is six miles west of Weaverville, CA in grass and timber understory. This community of Weaverville and communications infrastructure are threatened. State Highway 299W is closed and a voluntary evacuation of the west side of Weaverville is in place. Extreme fire behavior with long-range spotting was reported.

ORLEANS COMPLEX, Six Rivers National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Blume) is assigned. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Whitney) has been ordered. This complex, comprised of the Somes, Crawford, Buck and Hancock fires, is four miles southwest of Orleans, CA in timber and dead and down fuels. The community of Orleans, a communications site, Native American cultural and spiritual sites and a municipal water supply are threatened. Limited road access, steep terrain and snags are hampering containment efforts. Torching, spotting and sustained uphill runs were reported.

SAGE, Modoc National Forest. This fire is 15 miles north of Alturas, CA in grass, juniper and sagebrush. Difficult access is hampering containment efforts. Creeping and occasional torching were observed.

UNCLES COMPLEX, Klamath National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Sinclear) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the Uncles, Rock, Ethel, Katherine, and Snoozer fires, is 18 miles northeast of Orleans, CA in brush and old growth forest. Residences, outbuildings and wildlife habitat remain threatened. Steep terrain, difficult access and poor visibility due to an inversion are hampering containment efforts. Uphill runs were reported.

HUNTER, Mendocino National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Philbin) is assigned. This fire is 19 miles southeast of Covelo, CA in timber. Spotted owl and fisheries habitats and one cabin remain threatened. Backing fire, single tree torching and short uphill runs were reported.

HAPPY camp, Klamath National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Bradley) is assigned. This complex, comprised of 11 lightning-caused fires, is near Happy Camp, CA in grass and timber. Five fires have been contained or controlled. The fires are burning in a roadless area and limited access is hampering containment efforts. Spotting, single tree torching and flame lengths up to eight feet were observed.

LAKIN, Shasta-Trinity National Forest. A Unified Command has been established between a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Garwood) and a California Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Type 1 Incident Command Team (Holmquist). This fire is 26 miles northeast of McCloud, CA in timber and manzanita. Two major electrical power lines are threatened. Winds and high temperatures continue to hamper containment efforts. Isolated interior burning was reported.

KINGSLEY COMPLEX, Mendocino National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Opliger) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the Kingsley, Soldier and Minnie fires, is 38 miles southwest of Red Bluff, CA in timber. The Team is also managing a portion of the Hunter Fire. Numerous residences are threatened. Steep terrain and difficult access continue to impede containment efforts. Active upslope runs with single tree torching was observed.

BAR COMPLEX, Shasta-Trinity National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Pincha-Tulley) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the Little, Bake and Oven fires, is located north and northwest of Weaverville, CA in timber and grass. Numerous residences, outbuildings and power lines are threatened. Difficult access is hampering containment efforts. Backing fire with upslope runs, and smoldering was reported.

PANTHER, Six Rivers National Forest. This fire is 14 miles west of Big Bar, CA in timber and understory. A watershed and a historic cabin are threatened. Difficult access and steep slopes are impeding containment efforts. Active backing and short uphill runs were observed.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
* JUNCTION	CA	SHU	1,000	0	UNK	525	11	78	2	0	NR	ST
ORLEANS COMPLEX	CA	SRF	2,000	2	8/15	390	13	33	7	0	852K	FS
SAGE	CA	MDF	6,200	50	8/5	93	4	4	0	0	160K	FS
UNCLES COMPLEX	CA	KNF	2,500	0	10/3	289	7	5	1	0	700K	FS
HUNTER	CA	MNF	1,657	5	8/10	379	9	14	2	0	1.0M	FS
HAPPY CAMP	CA	KNF	1,100	15	8/18	349	9	5	2	0	1.1M	FS
LAKIN	CA	SHF	507	85	7/31	336	11	25	4	0	645K	FS
KINGSLEY COMPLEX	CA	MNF	1,947	10	UNK	239	5	18	1	0	1.4M	FS
BAR COMPLEX	CA	SHF	1,280	5	UNK	288	6	8	1	0	760K	FS
* PANTHER	CA	SRF	175	50	8/5	124	4	4	2	0	114K	FS

 

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

WINTERS, Winnemucca Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Suwyn) is assigned. This fire is ten miles northwest of Midas, NV in sagebrush and grass. The towns of Midas and Tuscarora, ranches, a repeater and mining operations remain threatened. Limited road access continues to hamper containment efforts. Extreme plume dominated fire behavior was observed.

BASCO, Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. The fire is located 20 miles northwest of Elko, NV in sagebrush and grass. Residences, structures, mining operations and wildlife habitat are threatened. Structure protection is in place. Difficult terrain and heavy fuel loads are hampering containment efforts. Running and spotting were reported.

HAMBLY COMPLEX, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Whalen) is assigned. This complex, consisting of the Hambly and Range fires, is 15 miles north of Alamo, NV in pinyon pine, grass and brush. A mine, powerlines, cultural sites and wildlife habitat are threatened. Interior torching and flare-ups were reported.

IOWA COMPLEX, Battle Mountain Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Paul) is assigned. This fire is 21 miles northeast of Austin, NV in brush, pinyon pine and juniper. Lack of access and heavy fuels are hampering containment efforts. Minimal to moderate fire behavior was reported.

4 WHEELER, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire 20 miles east of Ely, NV in grass, sagebrush, juniper and timber. Uphill runs pushed by gusty winds were reported.

TAYLOR, Northern Region, Nevada Division of Forestry. This fire is seven miles east of Tuscarora, NV in grass and sagebrush. Highway 226, school buildings, residences, ranches and commercial property remain threatened. Limited road access is hindering containment efforts. Interior burning was observed.

PEERS, Ely Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire started on Forest Service land five miles west of Pony Springs, NV in pinyon pine, juniper and grass. Steep, rocky terrain is hampering containment efforts. Precipitation occurred on the fire.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
Winters	NV	WID	165,960	5	UNK	360	10	9	1	0	320K	BLM
Basco	NV	EKD	41,000	25	UNK	305	9	12	1	0	NR	BLM
Hambly Complex	NV	ELD	51,435	70	8/1	417	11	20	1	0	909K	BLM
IOWA COMPLEX	NV	BMD	2,258	40	UNK	46	2	3	1	0	NR	BLM
4 wheeler	NV	ELD	3,000	40	8/2	39	0	10	1	0	NR	BLM
taylor	NV	NNS	4,467	40	8/3	88	0	16	2	1	655K	ST
PEERS	NV	ELD	3,100	90	7/30	11	0	3	0	0	NR	FS
KICKSMILLER	NV	ELD	3,100	100	---	13	0	4	0	0	NR	BLM

 

NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

BIG CREEK, Central Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) has been ordered. The fire started on private land 29 miles southwest of Livingston, MT in timber, grass, and sagebrush. Numerous residences are threatened and a voluntary evacuation in the South Glasbury community is in place. Highway 89 is threatened but remains open. Extreme fire behavior was observed.

RED EAGLE, Glacier National Park. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Heintz) is assigned. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Stanich) has been ordered. This fire is eight miles southwest of St. Mary, MT in spruce and fir. Commercial property, residences and outbuildings are threatened. An evacuation of St. Mary's is in effect and portions of Highway 89 and the Going to the Sun Road are in place. Extreme fire behavior was observed.

GASH CREEK, Bitterroot National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Turman) is assigned. This fire is six miles south of Victor, MT in timber. Rough terrain and difficult access continue to hamper containment efforts. Several residences are threatened. Running, torching, crowning and medium-range spotting was reported.

WOODCHUCK, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, Southwestern Land Office. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Grant) is assigned. The fire is 12 miles south of Missoula, MT in grass and timber. Several homes are threatened and an evacuation order is in place for the residents of Woodchuck Creek and Miller Creek. Interior torching was observed.

LITTLE SPAR, Kootenai National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (McNitt) is assigned. Steep terrain and difficult access are hindering containment efforts. Creeping, smoldering, torching, and short-range spotting was reported.

OWL, Crow Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The fire is located 9 miles southeast of Lodge Grass, MT in timber, grass and sage. Moderate fire activity was reported.

SOUTH PINE, Gallatin National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Hall) is assigned. This fire is 13 miles south of Livingston, MT in timber. Extremely steep, rugged terrain continues to impede containment efforts. Increased fire activity with group torching and upslope crown runs was observed.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
* BIG CREEK	MT	CES	800	0	UNK	47	1	3	4	0	NR	PRI
RED EAGLE	MT	GNP	6,000	0	UNK	80	2	7	1	0	NR	NPS
GASH CREEK	MT	BRF	1,650	30	UNK	390	9	14	2	0	793K	FS
WOODCHUCK	MT	SWS	1,060	70	UNK	434	12	26	4	2	1.0M	ST
LITTLE SPAR	MT	KNF	74	15	UNK	122	3	0	1	0	174K	FS
OWL	MT	CRA	5,500	87	8/1	127	3	11	1	0	NR	BIA
SOUTH PINE	MT	GNF	520	40	UNK	59	1	0	3	0	763K	FS

 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX, Nebraska National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Mullenix) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the previously reported Roberts Tract fire, and the Dead Horse and Spotted Tail fires, is 15 miles southwest of Chadron, NE in timber and grass. The communities of Chadron, Berryville and Whispering Pines, as well as major power lines and a water treatment plant are threatened. Mandatory evacuations for Berryville and Whispering Pines are in effect. Short runs and group torching were observed.

THAYER, Nebraska Department of Forestry. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Oltrogge) has been ordered. This fire is 20 miles northwest of Crawford, NE in timber and understory. Several ranches are threatened and some residents on the east side of the fire were evacuated. Extreme fire behavior was reported.

OLD CHICAGO, Platte County. The fire is located six miles northeast of Guernsey, WY in pine, sagebrush and grass. Voluntary evacuations for the communities of Sunrise and Hartville are in effect. Historical structures and archeological sites are threatened. Extreme fire behavior with short crown runs and group torching was observed.

EAST RIDGE, South Dakota Division of Forestry. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lowe) is assigned. This fire is three miles east of Piedmont, SD in timber and grass. The evacuation order has been lifted. Very dry fuels and high temperatures are hindering containment efforts. Creeping, smoldering and backing fire were reported.

MOREAU RIVER COMPLEX, Cheyenne River Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs,. This fire is 20 miles north of Eagle Butte, SD in short grass. Ranch houses and power lines are threatened. Steep terrain is hindering containment efforts. Hot spots and flare-ups were reported.

LITTLE VENUS, Shoshone National Forest. This fire is 30 miles west of Meeteetse, WY in bug-killed spruce and heavy down fuels. Private land and structures are threatened. Steep terrain and poor access continues to hinder containment efforts. Crowning, spotting and interior runs were reported.

GOODMAN, Little Snake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is 42 miles north of Dinosaur, CO in pinyon pine, juniper, and sagebrush. This fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy. Steep, rocky terrain and continuous fuels are hampering containment efforts. Running, torching, and spotting was observed. This will be the last report unless significant activity occurs.

WITCHER, Badlands National Park. This fire is ten miles east of Scenic, SD in short grass. Fire behavior consisting of wind-driven runs was reported.

AMICK, South Dakota Division of Forestry. This fire is 11 miles northeast of White Lake, SD in grass. Fire behavior with smoldering was reported.

LIGHTNING COMPLEX, Standing Rock Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is eight miles west of Little Eagle, SD in short grass. The community of Bullhead and cultural and historical resources are threatened. Rough terrain and poor access are impeding containment efforts. Very active to extreme fire behavior was reported.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX	NE	NBF	20,500	10	8/12	313	9	45	0	3	400K	FS
* THAYER	NE	NES	30,000	10	UNK	NR	0	0	0	0	NR	ST
OLD CHICAGO	WY	CPX	12,500	40	7/31	207	3	37	4	0	NR	CNTY
EAST RIDGE	SD	SDS	3,204	80	7/30	366	3	65	5	30	800K	ST
* MOREAU RIVER COMPLEX	SD	CRA	429	16	7/31	38	0	15	0	0	6K	BIA
LITTLE VENUS	WY	SHF	32,250	70	UNK	130	5	4	4	0	2.7K	FS
* GOODMAN	CO	LSD	400	NR	UNK	4	0	1	0	0	NR	BLM
* WITCHER	SD	BDP	1,460	99	7/29	39	0	14	0	0	NR	NPS
AMICK	SD	SDS	700	95	7/30	29	0	8	0	0	NR	ST
* LIGHTNING COMPLEX	ND	SRA	8,000	40	8/1	40	0	12	0	0	150K	BIA
WEST PASS CREEK	SD	BKF	633	100	7/28	97	3	9	0	0	280K	FS

BKF - Black Hills National Forest

 

EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

POTATO, Salmon-Challis National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lunde) is assigned. This fire is seven miles north of Stanley, ID in grass and fir. Fisheries habitat, power lines and recreation sites are threatened. Steep, difficult terrain is hampering containment efforts. Active fire behavior consisting of crown runs and spotting up to a quarter mile was observed.

REILLY COMPLEX, Southern Paiute Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Martin) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the previously reported Reilly and Red Hill fires, is 10 miles northwest of St. George, UT in grass and brush. Smoldering was reported

POCKET COMPLEX, Arizona Strip Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Saleen) is assigned. This complex, comprised of the Paiute Fort, Summit, Cottonwood and Cottonwood 2 fires, is 15 miles south of Mesquite, NV in grass, brush, pinyon pine, and juniper. Fire behavior was limited to smoldering on interior islands.

TRAILHEAD, Sawtooth National Forest. This fire is ten miles southwest of Stanley, ID in Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir. The fire is burning on the western edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness and National Recreation Area. Steep, rugged terrain is hindering containment efforts. Isolated torching, creeping and smoldering were reported.

ARCO, Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is seven miles north of Arco, ID in timber and timber understory. Bighorn sheep habitat and the Natural Arch trail are threatened. Steep, rugged terrain is hampering containment efforts. Fire behavior consisting of isolated torching, small internal pockets burning out and isolated creeping and smoldering was reported.

LAVA, Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is six miles northeast of Gooding, ID in grass and sagebrush. Some structures and wildlife habitat are threatened. Rocky terrain and poor access are hampering containment efforts. Fire behavior with rapid spread and running was reported.

FLATS 2, Cedar City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is ten miles southwest of Milford, UT in cheatgrass and brush. Lack of engine access is hampering containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with spotting was reported.

DUNCE, Payette National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team (Hahnenberg) is assigned. The Team is also managing the Lick Creek WFU. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is 31 miles east of Edwardsburg, ID in cheatgrass. Structure protection measures remain in place in the Cabin Creek drainage. Fire activity slowed, but heat remains in downed logs.

LICK CREEK, Payette National Forest. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is 21 miles northwest of McCall, ID in standing and downed timber. The fire continues to back toward the main access road to the community of Yellowpine, which has been closed. Fire behavior consisting of active backing and minor torching was reported.

JIM CREEK, Bridger Teton National Forest. A transfer of command from a Fire Use Management Team (Weldon) back to the local unit has taken place. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire is 24 miles north of Pinedale, WY in subalpine fir, spruce and pine. Fire behavior with single and group tree torching in the interior was observed.

REESE, Bear River Area, Utah State Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands. This fire is 20 miles west of Tremonton, UT in grass. Torching and running were observed. No further information was received.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
POTATO	ID	SCF	1,529	0	UNK	106	2	0	0	0	NR	FS
REILLY COMPLEX	UT	SPA	7,266	60	UNK	295	7	3	4	0	1.1M	BIA
POCKET COMPLEX	AZ	ASD	11,236	90	7/30	313	8	12	3	0	877K	BLM
TRAILHEAD	ID	STF	1,040	90	7/30	181	6	0	2	0	1.4M	FS
ARCO	ID	IFD	301	95	7/29	67	2	1	1	0	NR	BLM
* lava	ID	TFD	5,000	10	7/30	139	0	14	1	0	NR	BLM
* FLATS 2	UT	CCD	350	NR	UNK	19	0	6	0	0	NR	BLM
dunce - wfu	ID	PAF	7,773	N/A	N/A	15	1	0	0	0	NR	FS
SOUTH WATER HOLLOW - WFU	UT	FIF	1,300	N/A	N/A	41	0	3	0	0	NR	FS
lick creek - wfu	ID	PAF	716	N/A	N/A	90	2	2	1	0	853K	FS
jim creek - WFU	WY	BTF	1,950	N/A	N/A	40	2	0	1	0	475K	FS
REESE	UT	BRS	1,200	95	UNK	25	0	6	0	0	20K	ST

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SAN RAFAEL COMPLEX, Los Padres National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Kaage) is assigned. This complex, consisting of the previously reported Bald fire and three other fires in the San Rafael Wilderness, is 20 miles west of Cuyama, CA in chaparral. Very steep terrain is hindering containment efforts.

HEART-MILLARD, San Bernardino National Forest. This fire is eight miles southeast of Big Bear Lake, CA in timber and brush. No new information was reported. This will be the last report unless new information is received.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
SAN RAFAEL COMPLEX	CA	LPF	2,026	85	7/30	252	3	6	1	0	2.5M	FS
HEART-MILLARD	CA	BDF	NR	75	UNK	40	1	0	2	0	NR	FS
FROG COMPLEX - WFU	CA	YNP	147	N/A	9/01	25	1	0	1	0	25K	NPS
HORSE	CA	CNF	16,681	100	---	859	21	55	3	0	6.9M	FS
Mt Pinos Lightning Complex	CA	LPF	3,179	100	---	309	15	13	17	0	3.6M	FS

CNF - Cleveland National Forest

 

EASTERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

CAVITY LAKE, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Lohrey) is assigned. This fire is 44 miles northeast of Ely, MN in timber and timber blow down. Residential and commercial structures remain threatened. Heavy fuel loading and difficult access continue to hinder containment efforts. Smoldering, creeping and occasional torching were reported.

TURTLE LAKE, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is 15 miles east of Ely, MN in timber. Higher relative humidity and light winds moderated fire behavior.

INCIDENT NAME

ST

UNIT

SIZE

% CTN

EST CTN

TOTL PERS

CRW

ENG

HELI

STRC LOST

$$$ CTD

ORIGIN OWN

CAVITY LAKE

MN

SUF

31,830

55

UNK

532

16

5

7

0

5.8M

FS

TURTLE LAKE - WFU

MN

SUF

2,085

N/A

N/A

76

2

0

0

0

1.2M

FS

 

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

KIRK RANCH, Texas Forest Service. This fire started on private land ten miles northwest of San Saba, TX in juniper, oak and brush. Extremely dry fuels continue to hinder containment efforts.

JOLLY COMPLEX, Texas Forest Service. This fire is ten miles east of Wichita Falls, TX in heavy brush. Some homes have been evacuated. High winds are hampering containment efforts.

MUNSON ROAD COMPLEX, Texas Forest Service. This fire is four miles east of Barnhart, TX in heavy brush, oak and mesquite. Oil field facilities are threatened but none were damaged. Extremely dry fuels and strong wind gusts are hindering containment efforts.

CLOUD CREEK, Oklahoma Division of Forestry. The fire is 3 miles northwest of Colcord, OK in timber and grass understory. No other information was received.

INCIDENT NAME	ST	UNIT	SIZE	% CTN	EST CTN	TOTL PERS	CRW	ENG	HELI	STRC LOST	$$$ CTD	ORIGIN OWN
KIRK RANCH	TX	TXS	1,935	95	7/28	28	0	7	0	0	NR	PRI
JOLLY COMPLEX	TX	TXS	750	50	7/29	7	0	0	1	0	750M	ST
MUNSON ROAD COMPLEX	TX	TXS	1,426	80	7/29	31	0	2	3	0	NR	ST
* CLOUD CREEK	OK	OKS	160	85	7/31	9	0	2	0	0	Nr	ST

 

SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SEMI, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. This fire is 15 miles north of Parker, AZ in tall grass. The Bill Williams Bridge closed from 1830 hours until further notice to clean and check the integrity of the bridge. Habitat and endangered species are still threatened. Creeping with isolated torching were observed.

INCIDENT NAME

ST

UNIT

SIZE

% CTN

EST CTN

TOTL PERS

CRW

ENG

HELI

STRC LOST

$$$ CTD

ORIGIN OWN

* SEMI

AZ

HVR

300

90

7/31

63

1

7

2

0

NR

FWS

GRANT - WFU

AZ

ASF

150

N/A

N/A

0

0

0

0

0

1K

FS

ASF – Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

 

 

 

 

OUTLOOK:

Red Flag Warnings: For central and southwest Idaho mountains, and portions of the Upper Snake River Plain for strong southwest winds and low relative humidity. For northwest and west central Montana for strong winds and low humidities. For southwest Montana for strong winds, low humidities and thunderstorm potential. Sunday for parts of northern and western Nevada for gusty winds and low relative humidity. For sections of eastern Oregon for gusty winds and low humidity.

Fire Weather Watches: Sunday afternoon for the north half of Idaho for strong winds and low humidities. Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon for south central and southeast Montana, all of northeast Montana and northwest South Dakota for very low humidity, dry thunderstorms and strong, gusty and shifting winds. For most of South Dakota, northeast Wyoming, north central Nebraska low humidity, breezy conditions, and dry thunderstorms. For sections of eastern Oregon and Washington for winds and low humidity.

Weather Discussion: A low pressure system will move across the Northwest and into the Northern Rockies today with dry and windy conditions over portions of northern California, the Great Basin, Northwest, and Montana. Isolated, initially dry, thunderstorms are possible over portions of the Great Basin and Intermountain West, with scattered wet thunderstorms further south. Elsewhere, dry and windy

FIRES AND ACRES YESTERDAY:

AREA		BIA	BLM	FWS	NPS	ST/OT	USFS	TOTAL
Alaska	FIRES ACRES					2 0		2 0
Northwest	FIRES ACRES	0 250	0 70	1 200		7 8,300	1 7,666	9 16,486
Northern California	FIRES ACRES					20 263	6 2	26 265
Southern California	FIRES ACRES		2 0			12 280	3 0	17 280
Northern Rockies	FIRES ACRES	8 1,103			0 5,750	9 1,065	9 1,089	26 9,007
Eastern Great Basin	FIRES ACRES		15 1,555			5 50	5 1,101	25 2,706
Western Great Basin	FIRES ACRES		1 75,000			1 5	1 0	3 75,005
Southwest	FIRES ACRES						4 0	4 0
Rocky Mountain	FIRES ACRES		4 340		1 0	2 2	3 1	10 343
Eastern Area	FIRES ACRES					6 19		6 19
Southern Area	FIRES ACRES					20 110	3 37	23 147
TOTAL	FIRES ACRES	8 1,353	22 76,965	1 200	1 5,750	84 10,094	35 9,896	151 104,258

 

FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:

AREA		BIA	BLM	FWS	NPS	ST/OT	USFS	TOTAL
Alaska	FIRES ACRES	5 67	16 3,942	8 82,674	4 1,542	234 181,289		267 269,514
Northwest	FIRES ACRES	145 3,965	207 66,236	28 436	15 8	725 16,495	631 62,073	1,751 149,213
Northern California	FIRES ACRES	100 209	30 4,035	5 25	13 1	1,993 80,724	558 17,544	2,699 102,538
Southern California	FIRES ACRES	78 306	67 2,773	4 2	44 5,526	1,401 63,075	537 58,892	2,131 130,574
Northern Rockies	FIRES ACRES	633 26,009	33 110,368	33 83,661	5 6,223	515 258,048	383 12,872	1,602 497,181
Eastern Great Basin	FIRES ACRES	51 5,981	685 201,576	5 14	25 17,952	516 39,767	326 41,544	1,608 306,834
Western Great Basin	FIRES ACRES	6 28	529 487,085	22 24,196	13 205	100 63,460	101 9,891	771 584,865
Southwest	FIRES ACRES	864 15,705	320 32,533	9 4,483	115 7,311	2,085 497,636	1,594 182,282	4,987 739,950
Rocky Mountain	FIRES ACRES	785 33,913	522 5,497	45 2,078	41 86	925 185,208	451 13,585	2,769 240,367
Eastern Area	FIRES ACRES	513 5,778		42 860	58 256	10,636 73,202	555 45,228	11,804 125,324
Southern Area	FIRES ACRES	1,027 159,607		162 15,487	48 19,212	37,821 2,087,174	940 47,160	39,998 2,328,640
TOTAL	FIRES ACRES	4,207 251,568	2,409 914,045	363 213,916	381 58,322	56,951 3,546,078	6,076 491,071	70,387 5,475,000

 

Ten Year Average Fires	50,657
Ten Year Average Acres	3,011,191

 

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

 

 

 

 

PRESCRIBED FIRES AND ACRES YESTERDAY:

AREA		BIA	BLM	FWS	NPS	ST/OT	USFS	TOTAL
Alaska	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Northwest	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Northern California	FIRES ACRES						0 65	0 65
Southern California	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Northern Rockies	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Eastern Great Basin	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Western Great Basin	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Southwest	FIRES ACRES	1 70						1 70
Rocky Mountain	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Eastern Area	FIRES ACRES							0 0
Southern Area	FIRES ACRES							0 0
TOTAL	FIRES ACRES	1 70	0 0	0 0	0 0	0 0	0 65	1 135

 

PRESCRIBED FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:

AREA		BIA	BLM	FWS	NPS	ST/OT	USFS	TOTAL
Alaska	FIRES ACRES			2 9,640		7 2,429		9 12,069
Northwest	FIRES ACRES	15 6,852	121 10,396	54 6,702	1 98	1 180	230 30,021	422 54,249
Northern California	FIRES ACRES	17 207	23 2,991	20 26,950	4 66	4 16	104 4,717	172 34,947
Southern California	FIRES ACRES		5 285	8 320	6 909	2 21	64 2,689	85 4,224
Northern Rockies	FIRES ACRES	1 40	20 4,344	124 21,389	2 268	33 3,177	284 31,768	464 60,986
Eastern Great Basin	FIRES ACRES	6 1,611	21 3,086	6 1,579	3 1,870	5 129	52 22,502	93 30,777
Western Great Basin	FIRES ACRES		6 425	4 14			1 1,085	11 1,524
Southwest	FIRES ACRES	32 4,338	21 13,270	5 8,456	7 3,181		100 50,154	165 79,399
Rocky Mountain	FIRES ACRES	30 3,817	20 5,422	98 20,190	15 8,996	33 1,767	97 27,845	293 68,037
Eastern Area	FIRES ACRES	40 15,175		509 58,701	35 4,959	1,535 76,013	149 29,049	2,268 183,897
Southern Area	FIRES ACRES	22 6,639		166 73,121	59 27,378	14,924 943,668	844 677,985	16,015 1,728,791
TOTAL	FIRES ACRES	163 38,679	237 40,219	996 227,062	132 47,725	16,544 1,027,400	1,925 877,815	19,997 2,258,900

 

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

 

WFU FIRES AND ACRES YEAR TO DATE:

AREA		BIA	BLM	FWS	NPS	ST/OT	USFS	TOTAL
Alaska	FIRES ACRES			2 260		1 7		3 267
Northwest	FIRES ACRES				5 27			5 27
Northern California	FIRES ACRES				1 0		7 1,472	8 1,472
Southern California	FIRES ACRES				29 176		11 866	40 1,042
Northern Rockies	FIRES ACRES				6 781		20 696	26 1,477
Eastern Great Basin	FIRES ACRES	1 105					42 15,303	43 15,408
Western Great Basin	FIRES ACRES		2 2,378		7 323			9 2,701
Southwest	FIRES ACRES				21 1,956		30 35,898	51 37,854
Rocky Mountain	FIRES ACRES		6 0		1 0		6 129	13 129
Eastern Area	FIRES ACRES						3 1,697	3 1,697
Southern Area	FIRES ACRES				3 63		1 4,682	4 4,745
TOTAL	FIRES ACRES	1 105	8 2,378	2 260	73 3,326	1 7	120 60,743	205 66,819

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

 

CANADA FIRES AND HECTARES:

PROVINCES	FIRES YESTERDAY	HECTARES YESTERDAY	FIRES YEAR-TO-DATE	HECTARES YEAR-TO-DATE
British Columbia	288	0	1,635	107,938
Yukon Territory	4	10,111	68	100,321
Alberta	32	67	1,571	118,012
Northwest Territory	6	6,133	89	18,791
Saskatchewan	10	0	448	1,118,447
Manitoba	16	13	455	70,052
Ontario	23	0	1,029	20,529
Quebec	12	646	579	134,496
Newfoundland	6	6,401	71	9,326
New Brunswick	0	0	274	406
Nova Scotia	1	0	201	1,613
Prince Edward Island	0	0	34	47
National Parks	10	9,189	105	25,351
Total	408	32,560	6,559	1,725,329

 

RESOURCES STATUS: COMMITTED RESOURCES

AREA	CREWS FED	CREWS ST/OT	ENGS FED	ENGS ST/OT	HELI FED	HELI ST/OT	AIRT FED	AIRT ST/OT	OVRHD FED	OVRHD ST/OT
Alaska	13	4
Northwest	29	109	34	211	6	19	5		562	526
Northern California	64	42	98	152	11	15	4		408	286
Southern California	23	27	52	46	18	17			227	510
Northern Rockies	51	3	19	73	22	5	1		355	146
Eastern Great Basin	33	13	66	35	16	6	3		410	95
Western Great Basin	11	31	36	79	7	2	2		162	87
Southwest	5	2	5	2	2				10	3
Rocky Mountain	21	5	54	198	7	9	3		107	122
Eastern Area	7	11		5	13	1			199	92
Southern Area	6		4	9	4				2	6
Total	263	247	368	810	106	74	18	0	2442	1873

 

*** NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER ***

 


Full NICC Report:
http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.rtf

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Although the last two days have seen low numbers of fire starts, where it did start, it burned strongly. Biggest fire in the country today is the Winters fire in Nevada. It's about 187,000 acres in size this morning (which means it grew about 20,000 acres overnight).

There are fires (some of which are contained, but not controlled) in 16 states - there is fire in Alaska, but it is unmanned and in the back country and is not being reported on the big map).

Lots of fire weather watches, red flag weather (which is worse) and heat advisories, all of which are bad news when it comes to fire starts. They are expecting a wind event in Washington which may cause the Tripod fire to run if it hits right. The fires around Rapid City seem to be getting closer to contained.

I'm getting this up before most of the fires have posted this morning's updates, but I will update through the day.

Let me know if you want to be on or off the fire ping list.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident: Foster Gulch Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-30 10:43:00
Date Started: 7/23/2006

Cause of Ignition: Lightning

Location: Foster Gulch Complex - 4 miles south and 6 miles northeast of Halfway, Oregon

Size: 43,761 acres

Percent contained: 30%

Estimated Time of Containment: Unknown

Personnel: 751 personnel

Aircraft Assigned: 4 helicopters

Equipment: 40 engines, 9 dozers and 10 water tenders

Yesterday’s Activities: High temperatures, low humidity, large quantities of fine flashy fuels, and challenging terrain contributed to active fire behavior. These extremely dry fuels supported active spreading with head fire and backing along the uncontained northern half of the fire perimeter. Crews burned out fuels on west side of fire.

Today’s Planned Actions: Patrol and mop-up the contained perimeter. Crews will be mopping up hot spots within twenty-five feet of the line in grass fuels, and within fifty feet of the line in brush. Crews are beginning to water-bar the contained fire line in the lower half of the fire complex. Crews are protecting structures at Pine Creek, Oxbow Village to Homestead, Brownlee Reservoir, and along Brownlee Oxbow Road. Crews are mopping up 300 feet around the structures. Crews are continuing to accomplish burn out objectives and scouting for suppression opportunities in the timber area from Hess saddle to the west. Crews are constructing line on the north along the ridge above the 39 road.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A red flag warning is posted for gusty winds and low humidity. Winds are expected to be terrain driven with southwest winds seven to fourteen miles per hour with occasional gusts at thirty five miles per hour. With high wind gusts, fire brands could be carried up to a half mile ahead of the fire. Temperatures are cooler and are expected to range from 71-81 degrees depending upon elevation. Humidity is expected to range from twenty-five to thirty-five percent. Expect a moderate inversion with smoke trapped below 6000 feet until nine a.m. lifting out as transport winds become stronger.

Traffic Management on the Foster Gulch Complex: Highway 86 from the junction with Forest Service Road 39 to Oxbow is open to all traffic, but may be closed without notice if the fire poses increased risk to traffic. Expect delays. The Homestead Road is open only to residents and emergency vehicles. All campgrounds are closed in the area with exception of McCormick and Woodhead campgrounds, which are east of the Snake River and are open. Access to the Snake River for rafters and boaters from Brownlee Oxbow Road remains open but may be closed without notice if the risk increases.

Road Closures: Forest Road 39 (Wallowa Mountain Loop) from Ollokot Campground south to Highway 86.

Forest Road 66 (Fish Lake Road) from Twin Lakes Campground east to Forest Road 39.

Forest Road 3992 is closed east of the junction of Forest Road 3994.

Forest Road 3990 is closed south from the junction of Forest Road 3992 to Forest Road 39.

Citizens may receive current road closure information by calling the Idaho (888)432-7623, and Oregon 511 numbers.

Evacuations: A Level III evacuation has been posted between Oxbow park north on dirt road (no name) to Cooper Creek (end of road) and from the junction of Highway 86 and Forest Road 39 north on 39 to Hells Canyon overlook.

Special Messages: The public may access www.inciweb.org for current fire information.

The complex continues to burn on private and federal land. Twenty-five percent of the private land is protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The rest of the private land is unprotected and is outside any fire protection jurisdiction. The federal land is under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 3, under the leadership of incident commander of Bob Anderson, is managing the Foster Gulch Complex.

Resources: The interagency fire fighting effort is supported by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Vale District Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, Baker County Sheriff, Oregon Department of Transportation and the Red Cross.

---

INFORMATION PHONE NUMBERS:

Halfway ICP Fire Information:(541) 742-6647

Angie Johnson (ODF): (541) 963-3168 / cell: (541) 786-2630

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/355/924/

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident: Happy Camp Complex Wildfires
Released: 2006-07-30 10:00:00
Time/Date Started: July 23, 2006

Location: The complex is comprised of 11 fires located at various sites across the Happy Camp Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest.

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Timber, brush, grass, snags, duff

Size: 1,300 acres (combined)

% Contained: 10%

Resources Committed: 3 Type 1 crews, 6 Type 2 crews, 3 helicopters (1 heavy, 2 mediums), 4 engines, 1 dozer, 3 water tenders. Total personnel = 348.

Estimated Cost to Date: $1,275,000

Predicted Weather: Temperatures will drop to the high 70s; relative humidity is expected to be 24 percent; winds will be light and from the west.

Structures: No structures are currently threatened.

Closures: To ensure public safety during fire suppression activities, the following trails are closed: Fort Goff (12W01); Boundary National Recreational Trail (12W47); Johnson’s Hunting Ground (7E021); Tickner Creek (8E07); Ukonom-Cuddihy Lakes (7E050); and Ukonom-One Mile Lakes (7E031 and 5427).

Summary: Yesterday, firefighters finished mopping up two more fires; 8 of the original 11 fires comprising the complex are now confirmed contained/controlled. Mop up is continuing on one small fire, which is projected to be controlled within the next day. The Goff and Titus fires both remain active.

• The Goff Fire is approximately 150 acres in size. Yesterday, firefighters made significant progress in constructing containment lines and will continue to construct and secure line around the fire today.

• With drier conditions and gusty winds yesterday, the Titus Fire grew to approximately 800 acres in size. The fire is still burning primarily within the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area. Today, firefighters will continue reconnaissance and plan a suppression strategy for the Titus Fire.

Websites: www.nazteam.com, www.inciweb.org

Information phone numbers: (530) 598-0065, (530) 493-1511.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/361/923/

[RightWhale]

Alaska started off with some large fire activity, but the summer has been cool and slightly damp, so while there are fires now, smoke drifts into Fairbanks now and then, there is nothing major going on right now and the summer is about over.

[Stonewall Jackson]

I just got an e-mail from my aunt who lives in Wyoming, informing me that there are three good-sized wildfires in their area. One is at Hartville, Wyoming and the other two are near Harrison and Chadron, Nebraska.

The one at Chadron destroyed my uncle's brother's house. They were able to save just a handful of personal possessions and now they only have a concrete slab where their house once stood.

The fire near Hartville is burning out of control and is being fanned by strong winds. The firefighters are hoping that the weather will change around Tuesday so they can work on containing the blaze.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Incident: Woodchuck Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-30 09:43:00
FACT SHEET Woodchuck Fire

July 30, 2006 6:00 a.m.

Contact: Information Officers Ted Pettis @ (406) 529-3905 cell phone or Terina Mullen @ (406) 208-0934 cell phone. Incident Command Post @ (406) 273-3749.

Location: 6 miles northeast of Florence, MT

Jurisdiction: Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

Cooperating Agencies: Missoula & Ravalli County, Lolo National Forest, Plum Creek

Incident Commanders: Mark Grant & John Specht, Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team. The ICP is located @ junction of Upper Woodchuck & 8 mile Roads.

Current Size: 1,060 acres Containment: 70%

Estimated Containment Date: Unknown Estimated Control Date: Unknown

Status: This was a human-caused fire that started on July 25th that is still under investigation. Fuel types are Ponderosa pine, grass, and logging slash. There are 24 structures potentially threatened in the Woodchuck area, with two confirmed lost.

Yesterday’s Activities: Containment lines held. Firefighters focused on securing dozer and hand lines around the perimeter of the fire. Hand crews and engines conducted mop-up operations along the perimeter and around structures and patrolled for hot spots. Helicopters provided support with water bucket drops.

Current Resources: There are 434 total personnel, including twelve 20-person crews, assigned to these fires. Equipment includes 5 dozers, 32 engines & water tenders, and 4 helicopters.

Today’s Activities: A Red Flag Warning for dry fuels and strong southwest winds—15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph--is in effect until tonight at 10 p.m. Firefighters will continue to secure machine and hand firelines, patrol and mop-up all secured containment lines and around structures.

The evacuation order has been lifted for residents east and west of Woodchuck Road; residents only will be allowed to access their properties via Upper Woodchuck Road between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Travel on Upper Woodchuck Road will be limited to speeds of not more than 15 mph. The area is still under an evacuation warning due to the potential for increased fire behavior. Residents must be ready to re-evacuate within 30 minutes, if necessary.

The public should be advised that Stage I Fire Restrictions are currently in effect for the West Central Montana Area which includes all the areas in Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley. Stage II Fire Restrictions will go into effect on July 31st. Contact the Northern Rockies website listed below for details.

The following information hotlines have also been established: Missoula County DES Hotline @ 258-4271 and Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center @ 375-6650.

For further information on Fires, contact www.inciweb.org or contact the

Northern Rockies Coordination Center website at http://www.gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/351/922/

[Knitting A Conundrum]

UNDATED (AP) - July 30, 2006 - Officials say they're getting the upper hand on a wildfire near the California-Oregon border. It's about 85 percent contained.
For awhile they were afraid strong winds might blow the flames into some power lines that carry electricity between California and the Pacific Northwest. But the winds never materialized.

Elsewhere, a fire in central Oregon has grown to about seven square miles and is less than five percent contained. More than one-thousand people have been forced from their homes.

Another fire has destroyed three homes in the Nebraska Panhandle. Seven houses were burned in a fire northwest of Rapid City, South Dakota.

People near Victor, Montana, and Lake Cushman and Lake Chelan in Washington state have been told to prepare for evacuation because of threatening fires.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=nation_world&id=4414041

[Knitting A Conundrum]

OMAHA, Neb. — At least three homes were destroyed and at least three others were damaged by one of the six wildfires burning in the Nebraska Panhandle.

About 700 firefighters were battling the fires, which have scorched more than 62 1/2 square miles and continued to be fueled by triple-digit temperatures, low humidity and 20-mph winds.

"As difficult as this situation is, it could be a lot worse," Gov. Dave Heineman said in a teleconference Saturday.

Heineman visited the city of Chadron the day after 1,200 people evacuated their homes and firefighters successfully defended the Chadron State College campus. A subdivision on the south side of Chadron was briefly evacuated again Saturday.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,206273,00.html

[Knitting A Conundrum]

wildfire ping!

[eddiespaghetti]

My wife & I and kids were evacuated Sunday (about 6:00 pm)from what I suppose is the Big Creek Fire. We were at a ranch in Emigrant, MT. The Bozeman newspapers didn't have much info on it.

Thankfully, everybody got out OK.

ES

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Glad you got out safely.

[ccmay]

I am so glad to see those Flood Warnings in Arizona.

[marsh2]

There are several fires in my county on the Klamath, Shasta Trinity, Six Rivers and Modoc National Forests. The ones on private land have been controlled (Yreka and Hoy Rd.) The weather has made my area very smoky - small ash flakes are falling and the air smells of wood burning. None of the fires are close enough yet to be a threat to where I live.

Warnings are going to be issued about air quality and going outside. People with respiratory problems will need to leave the area.

Just over the mountain in Weaverville, the Junction fire is threatening people and structures and there are evacuations.

East of McCloud is the Lakin fire. That threatens major regional power lines and they are fighting that with all they've got.

Many of the fires in wilderness or remote roadless areas are being left to burn. There simply are not enough firefighters to put the fires out. Resources have been drained to southern California. I am told to expect this to continue for several months until the fall rains put the fires out.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

They are demobbing some of the crews from the Horse fire, so it may get a few more people up there.

They have done what is called an Area Command for northern California because of the need and stretched thin resources.

They are getting a handle on the Lakin:, but the Happy Camp complex is still cooking at only 10 percent contained. You probably won't notice much decrease in smoke until it's around 50-70 percent.

Incident: Lakin Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-30 12:50:00
McCLOUD, Calif.— The Lakin Fire, located 26 miles northeast of McCloud, California, remains 507 acres in size, and is now 85 percent contained.

419 fire personnel have made significant progress in containment efforts over the past few days, working safely in difficult volcanic terrain. Both day and night shifts have completed a total of approximately five miles of dozer line, laid over five miles of fire hose around the perimeter of the fire, and have constructed over a mile of handline.

Isolated hot spots remain in the interior of the fire, and firefighters continue to ensure all smoldering materials are out cold 300 feet in from the fire’s edge. Contingency lines are in place, providing additional protection should higher winds materialize today with the arrival of a cold front. Fire managers expect full containment Tuesday evening.

The Lakin Fire remains a priority due to threats to three major power lines serving California from the Pacific Northwest. Although every effort is being made to avoid power interruptions, firefighter and public safety continue to take precedence.

Access to the Medicine Lake area via F.S. 49 remains open.

Updated information on the Lakin Fire, and all fires on Forest Service lands, is also available at www.inciweb.org.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Montana

Montana: Wild fire reported near Stevensville

July 30, 2006 07:23 AM MDT

A new fire started up Saturday evening in the Bitterroot National Forest.

Officials say the McCalla Creek fire, burning west of Stevensville was call in shortly before 8:00 p.m.
-
The cause of the fire is being investigated.

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=5215560

[Knitting A Conundrum]

webcam looking at the fire in Glacier NP

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Glacier Park fire burns 8,600 acres, evacuations ordered

A wild fire burning in Glacier National Park has exploded, with officials saying over 8,600 acres have burned, with the fire line stretching up to 12 miles in length. Fire officials say that at times the flames are reaching as high as 300 feet in the air.

The fire has prompted the evacuation of St. Mary, and has also closed down U.S. Highway 89 south of St. Mary. Flames from the Red Eagle fire jumped the road Saturday, prompting officials to shut down Highway 89 north of Browning, between Star School Road and just south of Babb.

The Glacier County Sheriff's department ordered evacuations of St. Mary on Saturday, and a shelter has been set up at the Cut Bank Creek Boarding School five miles north of Browning. It's not clear how many people have evacuated.

A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team took over management of the fire at 6:00 a.m. Sunday. Over 120 firefighters, along with 14 fire engines and a helicopter are at work on the Red Eagle fire.

Officials say the fire burned actively overnight, and have come to within a mile of structures in the St. Mary's area.

Park officials say the smoke was first spotted from the St. Mary's Visitor Center early Friday afternoon. The fire is burning in the Red Eagle drainage, and officials have closed down
the Red Eagle Lake Trail from the trail head to Triple Divide Pass. The back country campgrounds by the lake are also shut down.

Smoke from the fire can be seen from St. Mary and can be seen from points along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=5214233

[Knitting A Conundrum]

~Note difference in burned area since previous post.~

Glacier Park fire burns 22,000 acres, evacuations ordered

July 30, 2006 07:41 PM MDT

High winds and low relative humidity gave the Red Eagle fire the right conditions to make a major run in Glacier Park.

So far no structures have been destroyed, but Saint Mary Village is under a mandatory evacuation.

Firefighters say its rare to see a fire burning so hot, so late at night, and they watched in the fire with awe.

Sunday fire crews went to work on their plan to secure St. Mary's and the structures
surrounding it. The flames are too dangerous for the 80 person crew to confront head on, so firefighters set up sprinklers around their compound, and placed fire resistant foil around historic cabins.

Since the fire started burning, it's scorched over 22,000 acres, and is spreading as fast as a mile and a half an hour.

Building winds are keeping the fire away from St. Mary, but they're also fueling the flames. Embers carried on the wind can start new fires more than a mile from the front.

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=5214233&nav=menu227_8

[forester]

I am not sure how to access the situation report for a specific fire. The one that has filled are valley full of smoke is the UNCLES COMPLEX, Klamath National Forest. If you have the time, could you post the report for that fire. Thanks