Wildland Fire Update
October 26, 2003
Initial attack was heavy in southern California and light throughout the remaining states. Three new large fires were reported in southern California. Santa Ana winds in California continue to hinder containment efforts of the current wildland fires. Arizona, California, and Idaho are experiencing very high to extreme fire indices.
A Red Flag Warning continues for low humidity and moderate easterly winds in northern California west of the Sierra/ Cascade crest. Another Red Flag Warning was issued for northwest winds and low humidity in central California coastal mountains and valleys, northern San Joaquin valley and foothills, and southern California mountains and below canyons and passes.
Santa Ana winds will increase today with gusty winds from Oregon across California and into Arizona. A high pressure will continue over the West with a disturbance proceeding into the Dakotas. A cold front will begin to slowly move across the eastern third of the country.
Statistics
Daily Statistics 10/26/03 Year-to-Date Statistics 1/1/03 - 10/26/03 Number of New Large Fires 3
Year-to-Date Large Fires Contained 6,419
Number of Active Large Fires 8
Fires Contained Yesterday 0
Acres from Active Fires 106,765
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fires 2
Acres from WFU Fires 14,557
States Currently Reporting Active Large Fires includes WFU:
California (9)
Minnesota (1)
Year-to-Date Statistics
2003 (1/1/03 - 10/26/03) Fires: 55,399 Acres: 3,313,956
2002 (1/1/02 - 10/26/02) Fires: 69,252 Acres: 6,707,553
2001 (1/1/01 - 10/26/01) Fires: 65,704 Acres: 3,291,429
2000 (1/1/00 - 10/26/00) Fires: 86,228 Acres: 7,024,291
10-Year Average
1993 - 2003 Fires: 74,372 Acres: 4,331,199
State-by-State Summaries
California Number of Fires: 7 Acres: 106,555 New Fires: 3 Fires Contained: 0
Number of WFU Fires: 2 WFU acres: 14,557
For general information concerning wildland fires in California, call 909-381-3151.
NEW Simi Incident (Ventura County): 47,150 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is burning five miles north of Simi Valley. The fire burned with rapid rates of spread and long range spotting due to high winds. High winds continue to hamper control efforts. Evacuation centers opened and structure protection is in place in the Simi Valley area. State Routes 188, 126, and 23 are closed.
NEW Old (San Bernardino National Forest): 10,000 acres at unknown containment. The fire is located on the north side of San Bernardino. Extreme wind-driven fire behavior was observed yesterday with spotting. Structure protection is in place for numerous residences and commercial properties. The north end of San Bernardino continues to be evacuated.
NEW Verdale (Los Angeles County): 15,000 acres at seven percent contained. The fire is located four miles west of Santa Clarita. Rapid rates of spread with long range spotting was observed on all flanks of the fire due to high winds. Structure protection is in place and State Routes 126 and 23 are closed. Simi Valley and Moorepark areas are being evacuated.
Piru (Los Padres National Forest) 1,253 acres at 90 percent contained. The fire is located 14 miles northwest of Santa Clara. Crews continue to construct direct fire line and mop up along Piru Canyon Road.
Information: For more information, visit the Los Padres National Forest's incident website or call 805-961-5770.
Roblar 2 (Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base): 4,740 acres at 70 percent contained. The fire is burning six miles west of Fallbrook. Minimal fire behavior was observed. A voluntary evacuation notice was issued for the community of De Luz and road closures continue for De Luz Canyon.
Grand Prix (San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 27,182 acres at 23 percent contained. The fire is located two miles west of Mira Loma. Extreme fire behavior due to high winds was observed on ridge tops while torching and spotting occured within the perimeter. Upland, San Antonio, Mt Baldy Village, and Lytle creek are being evacuated.
Information: For more information, call 909-887-8921.
Paradise 2 (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park): 1,230 acres at 95 percent contained. This fire is located seven miles northeast of Three Rivers. The fire was previously reported as part of the Kaweah - Kern Complex. Fire activity in well developed thermal belts and interior surface fire caused by roll-out spotting along ridge tops and in drainages continues within containment lines.
Information: For more information, visit the National Park Service's Fire News website.
Kaweah - Kern Complex (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park): This 11,317-acre lightning Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire was previously reported, began on July 28, and is located 15 miles east of Grant Cove in Kings Canyon National Park.
Information: For more information, visit the National Park Service's Fire News website.
Albanita/Hooker (Sequoia National Forest): This 3,240-acre lightning Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is located ten miles north-northwest of Kennedy Meadows.
Minnesota Number of Fires: 1 Acres: 210 New Fires: 0 Fires Contained: 0
Red Lake 612 (Red Lake Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 210 acres at 70 percent contained. The fire is four miles northeast of Ponemah. No new information was reported.
