Friday, August 30, 2002 – 0930 EDT
Nationally, 235 new fires were reported. Two new large fires (a fire greater than 500 acres in size) were reported, one in Oregon and one in Utah. Three large fires were contained*. Very high to extreme fire danger was reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
* Containment indicates a non-burnable trail was constructed around the entire perimeter of the fire.
Fireline Headlines
Yesterday, approximately 13,902 people were supporting firefighting efforts on 19 wildland fires exceeding 500 acres in size. Currently there are five fires listed on this report that are being managed for resource benefits by fire use teams. According the latest US Drought Monitor, monsoon rainfall across Arizona and New Mexico has been scattered and light, and has resulted in no net change in existing drought conditions. This is resulting in large late season wildfires throughout the southwest.
This report is based on the daily Incident Management Situation Report released at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise Idaho. All wildland fires in forested areas greater than 100 acres and in grassland areas greater than 300 acres are reported in the NIFC Situation Report. For the ease of our readers, this Morning Report only includes wildland fires greater than 500 acres. These are generally the fires that threaten homes, businesses, public and private property, and areas of special interest to our readers.
|
Fire Activity |
Yesterday |
Year to Date |
2000 yr to Date |
10 yr Average to Date |
|
Number of Fires |
235 |
62,090 |
------ |
63,443 |
|
Acres Burned |
9,012 |
6,302,166 |
6,359,395 |
3,121,150 |
All figures from NIFC websites www.nifc.gov/ and www.cidi.org/wildfire/
|
Crews (20 persons) |
Engines (5 persons) |
Helicopters (7 persons) |
Airtankers (2 persons) |
Overhead |
Total Personnel |
|
335 |
548 |
128 |
30 |
3,536 |
13,902 |
Regional Large Fires (500 acres or greater) are summarized below; for more detailed information on any specific fire, visit: http://www.nifc.gov
Northwest Area – Oregon, Washington http://www.or.blm.gov/nwcc
Oregon: The Biscuit Fire is located 26 miles southwest of Grants Pass in the Siskiyou and Six Rivers National Forests. Fireline rehabilitation and mop-up are underway on the east and south perimeters. Moderate fire behavior was observed along the west and northwest flanks. The fire made a run made in the Mislantah Creek drainage on the west perimeter producing numerous spot fires. Dozers constructed fireline in that area. Firefighters are experiencing moderate fire behavior in heavy timber from the Apple Fire, 21 miles east of Glide. Structure protection remains in place for twenty residences. The Tiller Complex Fire, 25 miles east of Canyonville, consists of eight large and numerous small fires. The complex is seeing some moderate fire behavior in grass, brush, and timber. Aerial ignition to burn out interior islands is continuing. Structure protection is in place for sixty-seven homes. The Oliver Fire, a new fire in the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, has been contained.
Washington: The Quartz Mt. Complex Fire, northwest of Winthrop, is burning within the Pasayten Wilderness and is being managed for resource benefits in a monitor status. Active fire behavior was observed in lodgepole pine and subalpine fir. Three administrative sites are being protected.
|
Incident Name |
State |
*Lead Agency |
Size (acres) |
Percent Contained |
Estimate of Containment |
Personnel |
Structures Lost |
|
Biscuit |
OR |
FS |
499,780 |
90 |
8/31 |
3,144 |
13 |
|
Tiller Complex |
OR |
FS |
68,686 |
85 |
9/2 |
1,481 |
0 |
|
Apple |
OR |
FS |
11,000 |
70 |
9/5 |
1,114 |
0 |
|
Quartz Mt. Complex |
WA |
FS |
1,160 |
0 |
Unknown |
28 |
0 |
|
Oliver |
OR |
FWS |
862 |
100 |
--- |
0 |
0 |
Southwest Area – Arizona and New Mexico http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire:
Arizona: The Trick Fire, 17 miles southwest of Williams, had moderate fire behavior in ponderosa pine and brush. The fire has burned into the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Area. Crews are constructing indirect line in preparation for a burnout operation. Steep, inaccessible terrain and limited water resources are slowing containment efforts. The Pack Rat Fire Complex, eight miles east of Pine, is composed of the Pack Rat and 5 Mile fires. The fire received precipitation yesterday, and fire activity has moderated in ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and chaparral. This allowed crews to make good progress in constructing fireline