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:
Posted on 07/31/2006 12:56:00 PM PDT by 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:
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National Preparedness Level 5 Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are |
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July 31, 2006 Initial attack activity was light throughout the nation with 159 new fires reported. Seven new large fires were reported: one each in Idaho, Montana, and Utah; and two each in Texas and Kansas. Twelve large fires reached containment yesterday: one each in South Dakota, Kansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Montana; and two each in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. Two MAFFS C-130 aircraft and support personnel from the 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina and the 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming were deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon. Lt. Colonel Chuck Davis is the Mission Commander. Red Flag Warnings: For strong northwest winds, low humidity, and a chance of dry lightning for south-central and eastern Montana. For portions of Nebraska, South Dakota, and northeast Wyoming for winds and dry thunderstorms.
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Source: National Interagency Coordination Center
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ncident: Bar Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-31 13:36:00
Fire Update: Bar Complex
July 31, 2006 10:00 AM
This complex consists of the Oven, Bake, Little, and Martin Fires. Each of these fires was caused by a lightning storm that moved through the area the evening of Sunday July 23rd and Monday July 24th.
Oven Fire: 3827 acres, Bake Fire: 2600 acres, Little Fire: 213 acres, Martin Fire: 3.5 acres
A new fire started on Saturday July 29th, east of Junction City along Highway 299. This fire, called the Junction Fire, is being managed by a California Department of Forestry (CDF) Incident Management Team. Traffic delays are possible along Hwy 299. For additional information about the Junction Fire, please call (530) 225-2510, or visit the CDF website at: http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current
Locations: The Oven Fire and the Bake Fires are located 17 miles NE of Willow Creek and are in the area of the East Fork New River. The Oven Fire is approximately 4 miles NE of Denny. The Bake Fire is burning in the area of Jakes Lower Camp, north of the Jim Jam Ridge Trail.
The Little Fire is located 18 miles northwest of Weaverville, near the community of Canyon Creek. It is in the final stages of being mopped-up.
Fire
Behavior: Yesterday, the Bake Fire grew significantly in size on the northern flanks of the fire. The Oven Fire had substantial growth on the south and southeast flanks of the fire. It crossed over the East Fork of the New River and is moving towards the Bake Fire.
Fire managers are planning for the possibility of the Oven Fire and the Bake Fire merging sometime this week. The strategy is to strengthen the firelines to keep the fires east of the New River and north of the Jim Jam Ridge Trail (12W11).
Today, the inversion will minimize fire activity today until around 12:00 am. An inversion is when a layer of cooler air is trapped near to the ground with a layer of warm air above.
After the inversion lifts, fire activity will increase and the main fire activity will be in the late afternoon.
On the Little Fire, crews will continue with mop-up operations along the fire perimeter. Mop-up is when crews go along the fire perimeter making sure that any “hotspots,” areas that may still have smoldering fire, are fully extinguished. The fire remains at 95 percent containment as crews work to secure the remaining portion of uncontrolled line.
Closures: The following trails have been closed due to fire activity of the Oven Fire and the Bake Fire: Caribou Lake Trail (9W18), East Fork Trail (12W08), New River Trail (7E05), Slide Creek Trail (12W03), Immigrant Creek Trail (8E05), Milk Camp Trail (8E16), Pony Creek Trail (12W07), Jim Jam Ridge Trail (12W11), Semore Gulch Trail (8E08). As fire managers plan for locations of their suppression lines around the fires, it may become necessary to close additional portions of trails or roads to facilitate the suppression operation.
Resources: Currently there are 443 persons assigned to this complex. This consists of: 3- (20 person) Type 1 Crews; 8- (20 person) Type 2 Crews; 8 engines; 1 dozer; 9 water tenders; and 1 helicopter.
The California Interagency Incident Management Team #3 is currently managing the Bar Complex. This is a National Incident Management team comprised of federal, state and county government fire managers. Their Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at the Burnt Ranch School.
Additional
Information: For more updated information, you may visit the incidents’ web page at www.inciweb.org then select the Bar Complex from the incident menu. An information line with recorded fire updates is available by calling (530) 226-2350. The public fire information line at the Burnt Ranch School is (530) 629-4108.
_____________________________
Incident Commander
California Team 3
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/357/972/
Incident: Orleans Complex Wildfire
Released: 2006-07-31 12:10:00
Orleans, CA - The Somes Fire continued to spread eastward into the Salmon River drainage yesterday. The fire is now established in the Whitmore, Ikes, Somes, Butler and Pearch Creek drainages. The fire has also reached the bottom of Pearch Creek in some locations and crews are aggressively utilizing helicopters to keep the fire on the north side of the drainage. Hand crews will also continue fire line construction on a series of ridges to the south and above Pearch Creek.
Despite an increase in size and continued activity, the fire is not directly threatening any homes. In addition, fire behavior is expected to moderate today due to an unseasonable cooling trend. Increased relative humidity and lower temperatures will assist firefighters in their work on the Somes Fire.
Today, crews will continue to clear brush and burnable material surrounding approximately 95 residences in the East Pearch, Somes Bar, Butler Creek and Oak Bottom areas. Firefighters will use aircraft to keep the fire north of Pearch Creek and east of the Klamath River.
The Crawford fire is contained and now in a stage of mop up. Crews are monitoring the Buck Fire and will begin direct suppression efforts as resources become available.
The Orleans Complex Fires are located within the steep, rugged and heavily timbered slopes of the Six Rivers National Forest east of Orleans, California.
A web page with information about the Orleans Complex can be viewed at www.inciweb.org.
Quick Fire Facts:
Size: Approximately 3,450 acres.
Personnel Assigned: 496
Engines: 26
Aircraft: 6 Helicopters
Structures Potentially Threatened: 95
Land Ownership: USFS
Hand Crews: 6 Type I (Hot Shots), 10 Type II
Bull Dozers: 3
Water Tenders: 5
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/370/968/
Incident: Bear Gulch 2 Wildfire
Released: 2006-07-31 11:46:00
Bear Gulch #2 Fire
Fire Update for Monday 7/31/06
For additional information 360-877-6126 or http://inciweb.org/incident/363/
COMMUNITY MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT
FIRE NEWS:
The Bear Gulch #2 Fire had minimal activity again yesterday with two heavy helicopters dropping 324,000 gallons of water on the east and west flanks of the fire. This effort has been successful in preventing further fire spread along the Staircase Road. Falling rocks and debris continue to cause the road to be closed. With firefighter and citizen safety being the top priority, boaters and water recreationalist are asked to avoid the North end of Lake Cushman marked by buoys where the helicopters are operating. The Mason County Sheriff and Mason County Fire District 18 both have boats patrolling the fire area. A community meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. to be hosted by Fire District 18 on Standstill Drive – Lake Cushman. Presentations will be delivered by key agency personnel followed by an opportunity for questions from members of the community.
The Bear Gulch #2 has been burning since July 25th on very steep, rugged terrain between Lake Cushman and the southwest face of Mt. Rose.
CONTAINMENT: 30%
SIZE: 250 Acres
LOCATION: 15 Miles Northwest of Hoodsport, WA
CAUSE: Human, under investigation
RESOURCES: 2 - Heavy Helicopters 1 - 20 person crew has been ordered
CLOSURES:
The Staircase area of Olympic National Park continues to be closed due to hazardous conditions along the Staircase access road (Forest Road 24) outside the park boundary. The closure includes the Staircase campground, picnic area, ranger station and all the following trails: North Fork Skokomish River, Wagon Wheel, and Staircase Rapids Trails in the National Park. Mt. Rose and Dry Creek trails are closed in the National Forest.
COOPERATORS:
National Park Service, Washington State Department of Transportation, Tacoma City Light (Tacoma Power), Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Mason County Fire Marshall, American Red Cross, Mason County Fire District 18.
Rain Helps; BWCA Fire Now 65 Percent Contained
(AP) Minneapolis More than an inch of rain fell on a wildfire burning across part of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but firefighters were still completing a fire line around the blaze, the U.S. Forest Service said Monday.
The three-week-old fire was 65 percent contained as firefighters worked on the line on the western and northwestern edges of the blaze, the agency said. About 1.5 inches fell during a thunderstorm Sunday, and more was expected Monday.
The fire started July 14 in the so-called blowdown area of the BWCA, where a 1999 storm toppled millions of trees -- which initially fueled the fire -- over about 500 square miles. The fire has cost close to $6.37 million to fight.
http://wcco.com/local/local_story_212133933.html
Incident: Foster Gulch Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-31 11:01:00
Date Started: 7/23/2006
Cause of Ignition: Lightning
Location: Foster Gulch Complex - 4 miles south and 6 miles northeast of Halfway, Oregon
Size: 53,617 acres
Percent contained: 45%
Estimated Time of Containment: Unknown
Personnel: 743 personnel
Aircraft Assigned: 4 helicopters, 1 airplane
Equipment: 18 crews, 36 engines, 9 dozers and 13 water tenders
Yesterday’s Activities: Slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity were accompanied by stronger winds yesterday. Firefighters had to watch for flare-ups, spotting, and fire-damaged trees falling. Despite the winds, the fire made no significant runs and stayed within the anticipated control lines. Crews continued to trail and mop-up the slop-over by Hess Road. They also worked on establishing control lines east of Forest Road 39. More burnout was completed along the Brownlee Oxbow Road. Overnight, a few flare-ups were extinguished near Oxbow.
Today’s Planned Actions: Flashy fuels and challenging terrain continue to make control of this fire difficult. Crews will continue to establish fire trails and mop-up the fire, with emphasis on the areas north of Highway 86. Near Hess Road, crews will continue to mop-up the patchy burn, possibly burning out some pockets of vegetation to reduce the chance of a future flare-up. Along the ridge to the east of the North Pine Road/Forest Road 39, hotshot crews will be trailing the fire and watching for spot fires on the west side of the ridge. Eight crews will be staying in a spike camp on the ridge overnight, with supplies flown in by helicopter. The helicopters will also be dropping water onto the fire as needed. Other fire personnel will continue to mop-up along the rest of the fire perimeter and near structures. The Oxbow area has many pockets of unburned fuel and will receive extra attention.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Today’s outlook is for a high pressure cell to dominate the weather. High temperatures will be in the low 80s at 2500’ elevation, but only in the 60s in the higher elevations. Morning winds will be 3 to 5 miles per hour out of the north. These will increase in the afternoon and evening hours to northwest winds at 10 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. The humidity will range from 13 to 26%. Today’s gusty winds could cause some increased fire activity, including torching and spotting. Winds also increase the chance of fire-weakened trees falling.
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. North Pine, Lake Fork, and Duck Lake Campgrounds are closed. Access to the Snake River for rafters and boaters from Brownlee Oxbow Road remains open. The public is asked to use extra caution as firefighters may be working along travel routes.
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 Department of Transportation at (888)432-7623, and Oregon Department of Transportation’s 511 number.
Evacuations: A Level III evacuation has been posted between Oxbow park north on Homestead Road to Copper Creek and from the junction of Highway 86 and Forest Road 39 north on 39 to Hells Canyon overlook.[/b]
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 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, and Oregon Department of Transportation.
Fire near Lake Chelan settles down
07/31/2006
Associated Press
A wildfire that had been threatening the rural community of Stehekin calmed down and was no longer considered a danger to the town, fire officials said Monday.
Firefighters used explosives to build a containment line to the north of the Flick Creek fire on Sunday, said Terry Kanupp, a spokeswoman for the Chelan Ranger District of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests.
The fire has burned an estimated 3,500 acres, or about 5 square miles, in steep terrain on the east shore of central Washington's Lake Chelan. Stehekin is at the lake's northern tip, reachable only by boat, horse, seaplane or on foot.
Half of the fire was burning in the park service's Lake Chelan National Recreation Area and half in the Wenatchee National Forest.
Further north, about 680 firefighters continued to battle the Tripod and Spur Peak fires, which together have burned more than 45 square miles northeast of Winthrop in far north-central Washington.
The fires were burning about five miles southwest of the tourist town Conconully.
The fire had been advancing on the town fairly steadily until the weekend, but on Monday was staying in one spot where firefighters were gaining confidence they could contain it, fire information officer Jim Archambeault said.
Firefighters also were working with the town's residents to set up sprinkler systems and remove brush from around their homes as a precaution, he said.
The region was still very dry, but temperature were cooler and the wind, which had posed problems during the weekend, died down Monday, Archambeault said.
"Things are a little more stable, which is a good thing," he said.
About 40 miles northeast of Entiat, the Tinpan fire had burned more than 5 square miles of sub-alpine trees since it was started July 7 by lightning. The fire was 15 percent contained Monday.
The 250-acre Bear Gulch fire between Lake Cushman and the southwest face of Mount Rose in the Olympic National Forest was 30 percent contained.
http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8J74OO80.html
(AP) High wind hampered fire crews again Sunday as they fought a wildfire that had dashed across nearly 300 square miles of remote rangeland in northern Nevada.
The brush fire 50 miles northeast of Winnemucca had exploded from less than 30 square miles to 292 square miles since Thursday, making it one of the nation's biggest wildfires of the season, fire information officer Susan Marzec said.
No buildings had been damaged but the blaze posed a potential risk to the tiny towns of Midas and Tuscarora as well as scattered ranches. Flames were within 3 miles of Midas and 11 miles of Tuscarora.
"The fire is continuing to make its move because of gusty winds and dryness," Marzec said. "Every time we make headway we're back where we started."
The fire was just 5 percent contained and no estimate was available on when it would be fully contained.
Cooler temperatures and lighter winds in Oregon aided crews fighting the 9,000-acre Black Crater fire west of Sisters on Sunday, and residents in three evacuated subdivisions might soon be able to return home, officials said.
The fire, which started from a lightning strike on July 23 and has yet to burn any houses, was 20 percent contained late Sunday, said Paul Norman, a spokesman for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland.
Tom Berglund, a fire information officer said he did not know when the 1,500 people under orders to evacuate would be allowed to return home. But he said there is talk among some officials that it could be within days.
"It's been a remarkable turnaround," he said.
Wildfires continued to rage Sunday in the Nebraska Panhandle, where three homes were destroyed Saturday, several others were damaged and the campus of Chadron State College was seriously threatened before firefighters managed to turn the flames back.
Officials planned to evacuate the town of Harrison, population 280, after forecasters predicted winds would shift and push the flames toward it.
Officials warned that the focus on Harrison did not mean the Chadron fires were contained.
"That's going to be very spooky out there tonight if this thing comes through like it's planned," Chadron Fire Chief Pat Gould said late Sunday. "We're not out (of) the woods by any means."
Officials planned to order evacuations of 50 to 80 residents near Chadron as a precaution, a day after 200 to 350 were told to leave three subdivisions.
Elsewhere, a wildfire feeding on trees, juniper brush and sage had spread across nearly 20 square miles in southeastern Wyoming, near Hartville, Deputy State Forester Dan Perko said Sunday.
No homes have been lost in the fire, but a 35-mile section of state highway was closed and Perko said one or two ranches could be threatened.
In Montana, a wildfire in the eastern part of Glacier National Park came within a mile of structures as strong winds hastened the fire's growth Sunday. The fire was 34 square miles, said fire information officer Shannon Downey.
People were asked to evacuate one campground, and authorities closed another, along with trails in the area, park officials said.
Near Chelan, Wash., crews used explosives to create a barrier protecting the resort town of Stehekin from a 7-square-mile wildfire. Residents and visitors were warned to be ready to evacuate if necessary.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/31/national/main1848831.shtml
Incident: Iowa Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-31 10:49:00
The Iowa Complex, located 15 miles north of Austin, Nevada consists of the 534 acres Iowa Fire and the 1,738 acre Silver Creek Fire. The 2,272 acre Iowa Complex is burning entirely on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These fires were started by lightning on July 26th and 27th.
Favorable weather and burning conditions combined with active fire suppression activities have limited the growth or size of the fires as containment lines continue to hold. The two fires are considered to be 45 percent contained with an expected containment date of August 3rd. Weather forecasters are predicting cooler and wetter conditions which should aid fire managers in reaching control objectives sooner.
Currently, there are 235 personnel assigned to the fire, including five 20-person hand crews, six fire engines, one water tender, one light helicopter, and three dozers. Crews will begin to extinguish all burning material within 200’ from fire lines and cut hazard trees within 200 feet of the fire lines. Fortunately, wild land fires in this part of the country tend to not smolder long due to the amount of fine fuels (light vegetation) that burn and consume quickly.
Crews and engines will continue to focus on protecting nearby ranches and grazing land, mule deer and sage grouse habitat, herd management areas and cultural resources.
The incident command post (fire camp) is fully functioning at the school in Austin.
No structures are immediately threatened and there have been no reported injuries to date.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/375/973/
Incident Contact: Jean Gilbertson (530) 598-0065
Incident: Happy Camp Complex Wildfires
Released: 2006-07-31 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: 1,800 acres (combined)
% Contained: 10%
Resources Committed: 4 Type 1 crews, 6 Type 2 crews, 3 helicopters (1 heavy, 2 mediums), 4 engines, 1 dozer, 5 water tenders. Total personnel = 386.
Estimated Cost to Date: $1,587,000
Predicted Weather: Temperatures will be in the low 70s; relative humidity is expected to be near 30 percent; winds will be 3-5 mph from the northwest.
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 one more small fire; 9 of the original 11 fires comprising the complex are now confirmed contained/controlled. The two remaining active fires in the complex are the Goff and Titus fires.
• The Goff Fire is approximately 200 acres in size. Firefighters continue to construct and secure line around the fire. Burnout operations occurred on the west flank of the fire overnight.
• The Titus Fire expanded to 1,300 acres yesterday and spotted over one mile in advance of the main fire. Crews entered the area to control the spot fire. The fire is still burning primarily within the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area. Today, firefighters will begin constructing fire line north of 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/361/965/
South Dakota
The cost of fighting the wildfire that resulted in evacuation of about 300 homes in Meade County may be close to one million dollars.
An accountant who tracks firefighting expenses says each load of fire retardant that's dropped from an airplane adds $50,000 to the total tab.
Helicopters run about $3,000 an hour, and small planes that are used in firefighting operations cost $1,500 an hour.
Fire trucks called from distant points cost $130 to $160 an hour.
Governor Rounds says federal aid will cover certain state expenses of fighting the East Ridge Fire. The money, however, cannot be used to help people who lost private property.
Seven homes and about two dozen other buildings were claimed by the blaze.
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail5440.cfm?Id=0,49876
Brush Fires Reported Along Reno's I-80
Motorists traveling on Interstate 80 in Reno, Nev., were hampered Monday by smoke coming from two brush fires in the area.
Firefighters had contained the first wildfire but the other one near the highway and Robb Drive was blowing smoke in the direction of the highways the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Rough terrain and ditches were complicating the firefighting effort in the 5-acre area. Officials think the fires might have been started by something burning thrown from a passing vehicle.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/595540/brush_fires_reported_along_renos_i80/index.html?source=r_science
I don't understand why most of the Colorado high country shows only moderate risk. Sure has been hot and dry this summer.
Incident: Potato Fire
Released: 2006-07-31 09:00:00
POTATO FIRE
Salmon-Challis National Forest
FIRE UPDATE
Nick Lunde, Incident Commander
Blue Mountain Fire Interagency Team
IMT-II
July 30, 2006, 10:00 p.m.
Fire Information at www.inciweb.org
For Immediate Release
There will be a community meeting in Clayton on Monday at 8 pm. Scheduled for the Community Center, everyone is welcome to learn more about the Potato Fire.
The Potato Fire got into some heavy fuels on Sunday, continued to grow, and sent a lot of smoke into the Challis area. It is burning on lands about 7 miles north of Stanley, ID, and 1 mile west of the Bonanza Guard Station in the Yankee Fork Drainage at 9pm Sunday night. The direction of yesterday’s burn was generally east and smoke from this fire has gone as far as Dillon, MT.
The Blue Mountain Interagency Incident Management Team is directing all assembled resources to meet the challenges posed by the Potato Wildland Fire, provide for firefighter and public safety, protect fisheries and other natural resources, provide protection for Yankee and Bonanza structures, protect Yankee Fork private land, and minimize costs.
More engines and fire crews will be in the Yankee Fork Dredge area Monday to continue structural fire protection. The Custer County Sheriff’s Department is handling evacuation operations in this area and all residents safely departed the area yesterday.
Elsewhere, hand crews will be up on the ridges working to fortify the western flank and find suitable locations for future efforts. More resources are on order and arriving daily.
The public is asked to watch out for fire equipment on highway 75 and local roads in the area from the Yankee Fork Work Center west to Yankee Fork Road.
Location: 7 miles north of Stanley, ID. Start Date: 07/27/06
Cause: Lightning Approx. Size: 3,180 acres
Assigned Resources: 4 crews, 3 helicopters Containment: 0%
3 engines, 2 dozers
Total Personnel: 204 Agencies Represented: USFS, NPS, BLM, FWS, BIA, NWS, State, County, and Private
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect.
The Salmon-Challis National Forest has issued a Fire Emergency Road and Trail Closure. Portions of Basin Creek and Hardin Creek Roads, Basin Creek, Sawmill Creek, Deadwood Creek, and Rankin Creek Trails are closed. Please check with your local forest office or see the notices posted on these roads/trails.
Please contact Salmon-Challis National Forest to see if current fire conditions will impact travel or recreational activities at 208-756-5100 or 5177.
Unit Information
Salmon - Challis National Forest
50 Highway 93 South
Salmon, ID 83467
News Releases
* Update July 31, 2006 Am
Released: 2006-07-31 09:00:00 EST
* Update July 30, 2006 10:00 Am
Released: 2006-07-30 10:00:00 EST
* Fire Update
Released: 2006-07-29 10:00:00 EST
Incident Contact: Patrick Mckelvey (406) 732-4009
Incident: Red Eagle Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-31 08:30:00
Structure protection has been the primary focus of firefighters' efforts. The rapic growth of the fire during the first two days of burning was slowed yesterday even though winds continued to be high. The fire was mapped at 22,200 acres, and it is expected that further mapping will show another increase size, however not a dramatic change. Glacier National Park ordered the evacuation of the Cut Bank Cr campground, and residents of the park administrative site at St Marys were evacuated late yesterday afternoon. No structures have been lost, and no injuries have been reported.
Highway 89 remains closed north of Browning at the junction with Star School Road and just South of Babb, MT. Access between Babb and Browning is available via Highway 464 (Duck Lake Road). Going-To-The-Sun Road is open from the west to Rising Sun, where visitors are being asked to turn around and exit western entrances to the Park. The remainder of Glacier National Park, other than Cut Bank Cr Campground and the associated trail system from that area.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/374/970/
Incident: Orleans Complex Wildfire
Released: 2006-07-30 22:55:00
Orleans, CA - The Orleans Complex consists of three fires; the Somes, Crawford, and Buck. The Somes Fire east of Orleans continues to grow in size. Extreme fire behavior was observed yesterday. The fire progressed 2 miles and continues to spot up to ½ mile. The same fire behavior is expected to continue today. The fire is also backing at approximately ½ mile per day. Rollout (burning material “rolling out” down steep slopes) continues to reposition and align the fire for uphill runs.
Although no homes are immediately threatened, a defensive structure protection strategy is in place to protect homes threatened by the Somes Fire. Today, crews are working to clear brush and burnable material surrounding approximately 95 residences in the East Pearch, Somes Bar, Butler Creek and Oak Bottom areas. Firefighters will use aircraft to keep the fire north of Pearch Creek and east of the Kalamath River. Crews will also continue to improve access roads in the area
Crews continue to mop up the Crawford Fire and monitor the Buck Fire. Fire fighters will monitor the Buck until additional resources arrive and direct suppression efforts can begin.
All of the Orleans Complex Fires are located within the steep, rugged and heavily timbered slopes of the Six Rivers National Forest.
A public meeting was held at the Karuk Community Center in Orleans last night to update the community on suppression efforts and to gather local input about the fire.
Members of the Orleans Ranger District and Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team discussed the current state of the fire and some plans on how to contain it.
“Unfortunately, due to fire behavior and available resources we are in a defensive mode, focusing our available crews to protect homes and structures. As additional resources arrive we will begin to shift to a more aggressive offense,” said Geoff Bell, Operations Section Chief with the Rocky Mountain Team.
Additional Public Meetings will be held as needed.
A web page with information about the Orleans Complex can be viewed at www.inciweb.org.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/370/955/
Wildfire ping!
I'm not sure either...but it hasnt been burning much since the monsoons started....Instead of 90+ here today, it's only 77...and overcast. Won't last though.
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