The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For August 25, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Notes
=> Current Tropical Weather Outlook
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast and Excessive Rainfall Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column
=> Two Flame-N-Go's Killed By Lightning
=> Ninety Years Ago This Week -- A Massive Firestorm Raged Across Idaho,
Washington, And Montana.
=> More Military Troops Headed For Montana
=> Firefighters Injured On Crow Creek Fire
=> More Evacuations And Closures In Montana
=> Weather Radios Recalled by Oregon Scientific
=> Volunteer Disaster Organizations To Hold Annual Conference
=>Statement Of Ntsb Chairman Jim Hall On Carlsbad, New Mexico Pipeline
Accident
=> Wide Area Augmentation System Signal Now Available
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by TheSandbagger.com
Please visit
www.thesandbagger.com
For all your sand bag needs
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For August 25, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Thu...113 At Death Valley CA
Low Fri...35 At Stanley ID
=> Special Notes
Lots of fire reports and stories in today's SitRep.
We also would like to introduce our readers to www.thesandbagger.com which
will be sponsoring the report for the next two months.
=> Current Tropical Weather Outlook For The North Atlantic Caribbean Sea And
The Gulf Of Mexico
A strong tropical wave....the remnants of Debby...is moving westward at 10
mph over the northwest Caribbean sea and is producing scattered showers and
thunderstorms. Upper-level winds are not favorable for any re-development at
this time.
Elsewhere tropical storm formation is not expected through Saturday.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Fri Aug 25 11:40:12 2000
Flash Flood
Virginia
* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD WARNING FOR... CITY OF POQUOSON IN SOUTHEAST
VIRGINIA * UNTIL 1100 AM EDT
Special Marine
North Carolina
* SPECIAL MARINE WARNING FOR... COASTAL WATERS FROM SURF CITY TO CAPE FEAR,
NC OUT 20 NM * UNTIL 100 AM EDT
Non Precipitation
Arkansas
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR A LARGE PORTION OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
ARKANSAS THROUGH SATURDAY...
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
The forecast probability of an event is by the stated percentage or greater
for the event, within 25 miles of any point for the area described.
Tornado Risk - Slight
There is less than a 2% probability of a tornado within 25 miles of any
point
Hail Risk - Slight
The 5% probability area for hail 3/4 inch or larger covers southeast North
Dakota, east South Dakota, far northeast Nebraska, northern Iowa, central
and southern Minnesota, and Wisconsin except the far eastern and far
northern areas.
The 15% probability area covers far northeast South Dakota, southcentral
Minnesota east to west and far central west Wisconsin.
Wind Risk - Slight
There are three areas at risk of winds in excess of 50 knots.
One area covers the northeast 2/3 of Mississippi, the central west and
northwest of Alabama, western Tennessee, western Kentucky, far southeast
Missouri, far northeast Arkansas, and far southern Illinois.
Another area covers southern Georgia and northeastern Florida.
The last area covers southeast North Dakota, east South Dakota, far
northeast Nebraska, northern Iowa, central and southern Minnesota, and
Wisconsin except the far eastern and far northern areas.
The 15% probability area covers far central east South Dakota, and
southcentral Minnesota east to west.
Tomorrow's Risk - Slight
The risk area tomorrow is located over southeast Iowa, Illinois, western
Kentucky, and southwest Indiana.
The highest risk area is located in central Illinois.
=> Precipitation Forecast and Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hr precipitation forecast is calling for over an inch of rainfall
over a portion of southeast Minnesota and central west Wisconsin.
The 24 - 48 hr precipitation forecast is calling for over an inch of
rainfall over a portion of central east Illinois and over a portion of
southern Florida.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Flash flood values may be exceeded over the east southeast 1/3 of
California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and central and western
Arizona.
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
0900 AM EDT FRI AUG 25 2000
Flood Summary
Flooding in the Southwest
The hot and humid air has caused showers and thunderstorms over parts of the
southwest US, with localized flooding in parts of Arizona, California,
Colorado, Nevada and Utah. More of these storms are expected on Friday, with
additional localized flooding possible. Meanwhile, a developing storm across
the Northern Plains and western Great Lakes could trigger thunderstorms with
heavy rains, strong winds and possible localized flooding.
FLASH FLOODING:
Flood/Flash Flood Warnings and/or Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisories
were issued over the past 24 hours for the following locations (in
alphabetical order, by state):
Arizona: Gila, Imperial and Maricopa Counties; the Joshua Tree National
Park
California: Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties
Colorado: Morgan County
Kentucky: Breathitt, Campbell, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson,
Johnson, Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher,Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry,
Pike, Powell and Wolfe Counties
Missouri: Boone, Callaway andWayne Counties
Nevada: Clark County
Ohio: Adams, Gallia and Scioto Counties
Texas: Cameron and Hidalgo Counties
Utah: Wayne County
West Virginia: Jackson, Kanawha and Mason Counties
RIVER FLOODING:
Rivers and streams with locations either above flood stage or expected to
rise above flood stage (in alphabetical order, by state):
Missouri: the Cuivre River; the Moniteau Creek
Ohio: the Ohio Brush Creek
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2000 - 0530 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL V
CURRENT SITUATION:
Initial attack activity was heavy in the Northern Rockies, Northwest and
Eastern Great Basin Areas. Some precipitation accompanying the lightning in
Montana moderated fire activity there. A total of 15 new large fires were
reported, nine of which were in the Northwest Area. Crews reached
containment goals on eight large fires in the Eastern Great Basin, Western
Great Basin, Rocky Mountain, Southwest and Southern Areas. Holdover fires
from yesterday's lightning are likely to be discovered in Montana, Idaho and
eastern Oregon today, but no new lightning is predicted in those areas. Very
high to extreme fire indices have been reported in all eleven western
states, plus Oklahoma, Texas and North Dakota.
The Army's 3rd Battalion 327th Infantry from Ft. Campbell, KY, commanded by
LTC Lehr, will be deployed to the Valley Complex in Montana today. The
training cadre is traveling to Ft. Bragg, NC to begin training the Army's
1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery.
NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA LARGE FIRES:
An Area Command Team (Edrington) is assigned to manage the large fires in
the Hamilton area. An Area Command Team (Mann) and a Type II Incident
Management Team (Adams) are assigned to manage the large fires in southwest
Montana. An Area Command Team (Meuchel) is assigned to manage the large
fires in central Montana. An Area Command Team (Gale) is assigned to manage
the large fires in northwest Montana. Priorities are being established by
the Northern Rockies Multi-Agency Coordinating Group based on information
submitted via Wildfire Situation Analysis reports and Incident Status
Summary (ICS-209) forms.
BLODGETT TRAILHEAD, Bitterroot National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Hendricks) is assigned. This fire is three miles northwest
of Hamilton, MT. Showers over the fire area have moderated fire activity.
Efforts are concentrated on keeping the fire from crossing Canyon Creek and
moving toward communities west of Hamilton. Much of the western perimeter
has hit natural barriers and is not spreading.
VALLEY COMPLEX, Bitterroot National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Gage) is assigned. These fires are seven miles south of Darby, MT. The
complex consists of the Bear, Taylor, Taylor Spot, Hilltop, Razor, Fat and
Mink fires. Mid-day showers moderated fire behavior as up to two-tenths of
an inch of rain was received in parts of the fire area. The fires continue
to be active with high intensity, but rates of spread are slow because of
low wind speeds. The increase in number of lost structures is due to a more
accurate count completed by a damage assessment team.
SKALKAHO COMPLEX, Bitterroot National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Myers) is assigned. This group of fires is ten miles southeast of
Hamilton, MT. Included in the complex are the Bear, Coyote and Skalkaho
Falls fires. The fire activity has been moderated by showers over the fire
area. The north end of the Bear fire crossed Skalkaho Road on the evening of
8/23, and two hay sheds were destroyed. Mandatory evacuations continue from
Golf Course Road to the east.
WILDERNESS COMPLEX, Bitterroot National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Cook) is assigned. The complex consists of 14 fires in the
Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wildernesses, 40 miles
southwest of Hamilton, MT. Showers throughout the fire area have moderated
fire activity. Minor fire growth occurred prior to the showers. Helicopter
bucket drops are assisting personnel in slowing growth of the fires closest
to the eastern edge of the wilderness. Large fires in the complex include
the Hamilton, Lonely, Fitz, Thirty, Echo and Throng fires.
THOMPSON FLAT COMPLEX, Lolo National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Studebaker) is assigned. This is a complex of six fires in the
vicinity of Superior, MT. Crews and dozers are building fireline along the
north, south and east flanks of the Landowner fire in an effort to keep the
fire from becoming established in the Sunrise Creek drainage. Structure
protection in the Trout Creek and Quartz Flat areas is ongoing.
UPPER NINEMILE COMPLEX, Lolo National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Bateman) is assigned. The Army's 20th Engineers Battalion from Ft.
Hood, Texas, commanded by LTC Shumway, is assigned. These fires are burning
25 miles northwest of Missoula, MT. Crews are making good progress
constructing fireline on the Ninemile and Alpine fires. The fire management
team has met with the team on the Clear Creek Divide Complex to coordinate
suppression actions on the northern perimeter of the Ninemile fire. The
Jacks fire, a spot fire from the Alpine fire, has been included in this
complex.
RYAN GULCH, Southwestern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation. A Type II Incident Management Team (Hoff) is
assigned. This fire is 15 miles east of Clinton, MT. The fire area has
received light rain showers, Hot spots still need attention along the
perimeter of the fire in Cramer Creek and the Dry Gulch area.
CLEAR CREEK DIVIDE COMPLEX, Flathead Agency, BIA. A Type I Incident
Management Team (MacGregor) is assigned. This complex, 60 miles northwest of
Missoula, consists of the Clear Creek, Vanderburg, Siegel, Seepay and Magpie
Creek fires. A structure protection plan in place for residents from Perma
to Dixon.
SCHLEY, Flathead Agency, BIA. A Type II Incident Management Team (Carlson)
is assigned. This fire is burning eight miles south of Arlee, MT. The main
fireline and a contingency fireline are complete. Rehabilitation of dozer
lines is in progress.
MONTURE/SPREAD RIDGE, Lolo National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Wands) is assigned. The fires are 15 miles east of Seeley Lake, MT.
Light rain, winds and lightning activity moved through the area yesterday. A
new start has been discovered in the Seeley Lake area. Crews are working to
keep fire spread on the Monture fire south of Lodgepole Creek, and on the
Spread ridge fire from crossing Spread Creek. Rolling material continues to
be the primary cause of fire spread on both fires.
CROOKED, Clearwater National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Anderson) is assigned. The fire is 50 miles southwest of Missoula, MT, near
Lolo Pass. The team is also managing ten other fires, most of which are in
the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The fire has received some precipitation
and activity has been minimal.
MAUDLOW/TOSTON, Central Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation. Two Type II Incident Management Teams (Joki and Greene)
are assigned. These fires are 25 miles northeast of Belgrade, MT. Fire
activity has decreased, with some torching and short runs in the afternoon.
Microburst winds up to 30 mph struck the fire yesterday afternoon, but no
extreme activity was reported. High winds, turbulence and poor visibility
have limited the use of helicopters.
MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. A Type I Incident
Management Team (Carvelho) is assigned. The complex consists of the Falls
Creek, Cougar Creek/Coyote Springs/Medicine Lake (CCML), Skalkaho Pass, Lick
Creek and Copper Creek fires, 30 miles southwest of Philipsburg, MT. The
Skalkaho Pass fire has spotted across Dailey Creek and Highway 38. During a
weather front passage, the CCML fires made a major run into the Sand Basin
area.
MUSSIGBROD COMPLEX, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. A Type I Incident
Management Team (Humphrey) is assigned. This complex includes the Mussigbrod
and Maynard fires, which are 12 miles northwest of Wisdom, MT. A trace of
precipitation cleared the air enough to allow for aerial reconnaissance of
the fires. The Mussigbrod fire has moved through Hell Roaring Creek and
Reynolds Creek drainages and has burned in the headwaters areas of Clifford
and Star creeks. The Maynard fire has advanced into Schultz and Johnson
creeks on the northeast. Fire in the Elk and Tie creeks have also been
confirmed.
KOOTENAI COMPLEX, Kootenai National Forest. A Type II Incident Management
Team (Cowin) is assigned. Nineteen of the fires in this complex, 20 miles
northwest of Libby, MT, are staffed. Work continues on the contingency
fireline being built from the Kelsey-Can fires north to Okaga Lake. Under
the present weather conditions, there is no immediate threat to residences
in the Upper Yaak Valley.
STONE YOUNG, Kootenai National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Colla) is assigned. The complex is 65 miles northeast of Libby, MT. An
inversion over the fire and calm winds have resulted in less activity on
fires. Crews have made significant progress on all the fires except Cliff
Point. Due to the limited ability to use air support, little suppression
action has been taken on the Cliff Point fire.
TROY SOUTH, Kootenai National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Berndt) is assigned. This complex of 41 active fires is near Troy, MT.
Twenty five fires have been controlled and are in patrol status. Two larger
fires threaten resource lands, while two other large fires threaten the
urban interface and wilderness.
GREEN MOUNTAIN, Kootenai National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Kearney) is assigned. This is a complex of fires five miles southeast of
Noxon, MT. The complex includes the Green Mountain, McNeeley, Basin Creek
and Engle fires. The fires are creeping in heavy duff with limited spotting.
BEAVER CREEK, Gallatin National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Corbin) is assigned. This fire is south of Big Sky, MT. Some precipitation,
lightning and strong wind gusts occurred over the fire. The moisture has
caused fire behavior to moderate. Isolated torching has been observed.
Crews, supported by helicopter bucket work, are constructing fireline within
the Cabin Creek drainage. Mopup along the northern perimeter in Carrot and
Sage basins continues.
BURNT FLATS, Clearwater area, Idaho State Department of Lands. Two Type II
Incident Management Teams (Ostman and Christie) are assigned. The fire is
three miles from Whitebird, ID. The fire has made a significant run in South
Fork White Bird Creek. When thunderstorms passed through, enough rain fell
to dampen fuels. Winds up to 60 mph occurred during the thunderstorms. Crews
are working to hold the fire edge and the slopover in Goose Creek.
MALONEY CREEK, Clearwater Area, Idaho State Department of Lands. A Type II
Incident Management Team (Specht) is assigned. This fire is 12 miles
southeast of Craigmont, ID. The slopover in the head of Eagle Creek has been
contained and a burnout operation is planned for today. Crews are
suppressing the spots over firelines at the head of Deer and Maloney creeks.
Five new fires have been initial attacked by personnel from this fire.
CHIPMUNK, Flathead National Forest. The fire is burning in spruce, subalpine
fir and brush 45 miles southeast of Kalispell, MT. Fire activity has been
low due to an inversion. Limited visibility is preventing an accurate
size-up.
NORTHWEST PEAKS COMPLEX, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Tainsh) is assigned. The fires are burning in subalpine fir
and spruce seven miles southeast of Eastport, ID. Fire behavior has been
mild with no significant spread, but individual torching has been observed.
Helicopter bucket drops are continuing, with priority placed on the northern
edge of the fire. Crews are constructing fireline along the northwest
perimeter.
THREE BEARS, Nez Perce National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Cones) is assigned. This fire is on both sides of the Salmon River, 29
miles from Elk City, ID. A thunderstorm with very little moisture passed
over the fire area yesterday morning, causing inconsistent winds and briefly
clearing smoke out of the canyon.
SUGARLOAF, Gallatin National Forest. The fire is 13 miles northeast of
Wilsall, MT. The fire is being monitored by U.S. Forest Service personnel.
No new information was received.
SPRUCE COMPLEX, Yellowstone National Park. This is a complex of 11 fires in
Yellowstone National Park. The complex consists of the Plateau, Moose,
Unlucky, Boundary, Crow and several smaller fires. Relative humidities have
increased and fire behavior has lessened. One new fire was initial attacked.
HELEN CREEK, Flathead National Forest. This fire is 22 miles south of
Spotted Bear, MT. The Lewis Creek II fire is included with this fire. The
fires are actively backing to the west and south. The backing fires pose a
potential threat to four structures. An inversion is lowering fire activity.
NOSEBAG 22, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This fire is burning in
subalpine fir, spruce, brush and grass 18 miles northeast of Sandpoint, ID.
Helicopter bucket drops continue to be used on hot spots along the northwest
and northeast ends of the fire. Hose lays are being used to cool hot spots
within 100 feet of the perimeter on the southwest and southeast ends. Fire
activity is increasing and some spotting outside the fireline has occurred.
JUDITH COMPLEX, Lewis and Clark National Forest. This complex consists of
the Studhorse, Lost Fork and High Springs fires, which are 25 miles
southwest of Stanford, MT. The 100 acre run in the southeast corner has been
tied in with a 1985 burn area.
LONG RIDGE, Nez Perce National Forest. This fire is in the Selway-Bitterroot
Wilderness, 14 miles southwest of the Moose Creek Ranger Station. The fire
is being monitored by reconnaissance flights and by the Gardiner Lookout.
The fire is beginning to back into the Cub Creek drainage.
MINARET PEAK, Flathead National Forest. The fire is near the Spotted Bear
Ranger Station in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The rate of spread is slow
and the fire is backing.
EAST THUNDER 14, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This fire is 23 miles east
of Sandpoint, ID. Fuels are subalpine fir, spruce, brush and grass. Forest
Service personnel are monitoring the fire. Fire activity is increasing and
some torching has been observed. It is expected the fire will continue
spreading to the north and southwest. No additional spots have been reported
from the recent lightning activity.
MCDONALD II, Lewis and Clark National Forest. This fire is 36 miles
northwest of Choteau, MT. No new information was received.
HIDDEN CREEK, Clearwater National Forest. The fire is 12 miles southeast of
Powell, ID. The fire is being monitored by U.S. Forest Service personnel.
The fire has received light rain.
FROG LAKE, Clearwater National Forest. The fire is 16 miles southeast of
Powell, ID. The fire is being monitored by U.S. Forest Service personnel. No
significant activity has been reported.
ELIZABETH, Clearwater National Forest. The fire is 33 miles northeast of
Pierce, ID. The fire is being monitored by U.S. Forest Service personnel.
SNOW CREEK, Clearwater National Forest. The fire is 30 miles northeast of
Pierce, ID. U.S. Forest Service personnel are monitoring the fire.
EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
Priorities are being established by the Great Basin Multi-Agency
Coordinating Group based on information submitted via Wildfire Situation
Analysis reports and Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) forms.
TRAIL CREEK, Boise National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Shell) is assigned. This fire is near the community of Atlanta, ID.
Structure protection and safety remains a primary concern. The fire
continues to be active and challenging to both aerial and ground crews,
although plume formation has moderated. The persistent low humidity levels
have kept the fire active. As more fireline is being secured, fire spread is
less. The slopes to the south of Atlanta continue to burn as the fire creeps
downhill toward the community.
MARLIN SPRINGS, Salmon-Challis National Forest. This fire is burning along
the ridge between Montana and Idaho, 40 miles northwest of Salmon, ID. This
complex consists of the Marlin Springs, Full Circle and Sister fires.
Evacuation plans for the communities of North Fork and Gibbonsville, ID are
in place if the need arises.
TETON COMPLEX, Grand Teton National Park, NPS. A Type II Incident Management
Team (Murphy) is assigned. This complex is north of Jackson, WY. It consists
of the Wilcox, Moran, Hechtman, Glade and Enos fires. Developed areas in
Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park remain a primary
concern. Significant progress on the Glade fire and the south flank of the
Enos have been made. The Enos fire also is moving to the west, backing down
through stands of 30 to 50 percent bug killed trees. Most fires continue to
torch and spot.
RANKIN, Salmon-Challis National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team
(Stam) is assigned. This fire is 25 miles southwest of Challis, ID.
Structure protection remains in effect. Control lines are holding regardless
of daily thunderstorm winds.
BLIND TRAIL COMPLEX, Bridger-Teton National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Williams) is assigned. This complex consists of the Blind
and Boulder fires. The fires are 26 miles southeast of Jackson, WY. The
Boulder fire is in limited mopup and patrol status. The Blind fire has made
a significant run of 1000 acres to the west and continues to grow.
FONTENELLE, Bridger-Teton National Forest. This lightning-caused fire is 20
miles north of Kemmerer, WY. The southwest portion of the fire has been the
most active, and has spotted across Beaver Trap Creek. The many unburned
islands throughout the fire have become more active, torching and making
small runs during the burning period.
NICK, Payette National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team (Saleen)
is assigned. This fire is burning in subalpine fir 12 miles east of McCall,
ID. Structure protection plans and evacuation plans are in place. Favorable
weather conditions are allowing crews to make progress in establishing and
holding fireline. Previously constructed line continues to hold with the
assistance of helicopter bucket support.
CLEAR CREEK, Salmon-Challis National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Hutchison) is assigned. The fire is ten miles west of Salmon, ID. The
3rd Battalion 5th Marines from Camp Pendleton, California, commanded by Col.
Callihan, is assigned. Aparejo and Shell Rock fires continue to be a threat.
Structure protection plans are in place for the communities and towns of
Salmon, Gibbonsville, North Fork, Cobalt and Shoup. Thunderstorms and
swirling winds continue to inhibit containment objectives.
BURGDORF JUNCTION, Payette National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Dague) is assigned. The 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery from Ft.
Hood, Texas, commanded by LTC Darryl Williams, is assigned. The fire is 23
miles north of McCall, ID. Burnout operations have given firefighters an
anchor point on the northwest flank along the Salmon River. Crews providing
structure protection continue to be successful.
SIDDOWAY, Targhee National Forest. This fire is located 14 miles east of
Swan Valley. The fuels are moderate to heavy timber. Limited access is
hampering control efforts. The fire activity has been minimal and the
assigned crews are working with air tanker drops to limit fire spread on the
north and east sides of the fire.
HALF MOON COMPLEX, Bridger-Teton National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Williams) is assigned. This complex, consisting of the Half
Moon and the Triangle Lake fires, is near Pinedale, WY. The Half Moon fire
is contained. There has been no perimeter growth on the Triangle fire, only
hot spots. Crews are making progress with mopup on the Half Moon Fire.
INDIAN/PROSPECT, Payette National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Saleen) is assigned. The fire is 33 miles east of McCall, ID. The fire has
burned to the perimeter of Stibnite, a historical mining site, and continues
to back down slope towards the historic mining town of Cinnibar.
MORSE, Salmon-Challis National Forest. The fire is burning in grass,
sagebrush and douglas fir five miles east of May, ID. Crews are using bucket
drops to control hot spots and hold containment lines.
DIAMOND PEAK, Payette National Forest. This lightning-caused fire is 42
miles northeast of McCall, ID. Structure protection remains in effect.
DRY FORK II, Vernal Field Office, BLM. The fire is burning in pinyon pine,
juniper, aspen, fir and lodgepole pine 20 miles northwest of Vernal, UT.
Minimal torching has occurred in Black Canyon today.
SCF WILDERNESS, Salmon-Challis National Forest. Eleven wildland fires are
currently burning within the Salmon Challis Wilderness Complex: Little
Pistol, Indian Creek, Filly, Butts, Papoose, Parker, Packer Meadow, Shell
Rock, Wilson Creek, Jackass and Jack Creek. One commercial building and two
outbuilding were confirmed destroyed on 8/19.
FLOSSIE COMPLEX, Payette National Forest. These fires are 50 miles northeast
of McCall, ID. Five smokejumpers have been assigned to Root Ranch for
structure protection. Fire behavior has been calm due to higher humidities
and a light rain.
NORTH SHELLROCK, Payette National Forest. The fire is 55 miles east of
McCall, ID. No new information was reported.
SOUTH SHELLROCK, Payette National Forest. The fire is burning in the Frank
Church River of No Return Wilderness Area 55 miles east of McCall, ID. No
new information was reported.
TANK HOLLOW, Cedar City Field Office, BLM. This lightning ignited wildland
fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning
in sagebrush 42 miles southeast of Escalante, UT.
NORTHWEST AREA LARGE FIRES:
HASH ROCK, Ochoco National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Jackson) has been ordered. This fire is nine miles north of Prineville, OR.
The fire is moving toward the Mill Creek Wilderness. Thinning and logging
slash are impeding containment efforts.
EASTSIDE COMPLEX, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Gardner) has been ordered. This is a group of about 30
lightning-caused fires between Joseph and Halfway, OR on the national forest
lands.
INCIDENT 312, Oregon Department of Forestry. A Type II Incident Management
Team (Gilpin) has been ordered. The fire is on state lands east of Joseph,
OR and is moving toward the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
MULE DRY, Yakima Agency, BIA. This fire is northeast of Goldendale, WA. The
fire is moving east in grass and sagebrush. It has gone off BIA lands and is
now burning on Washington state lands. There is a potential threat to
structures.
WILDHORSE SPRING, Vale District, BLM. This lightning-caused fire is burning
in sagebrush and grass ten miles west of Vale, OR. Gusty, shifting winds are
causing challenges to containment efforts.
RESERVOIR BUTTE, Vale District, BLM. The fire is 15 miles southwest of
Durkee, OR in heavy grass and sagebrush. Rocky terrain is making access
difficult. Strong winds are pushing the fire.
LONG HOUSE 2, Southeast Washington State. This fire is 22 miles east of
Goldendale, WA. The fire was caused by lightning.
HARMONY, Prineville District, BLM. This fire is 15 miles northeast of Grass
Valley, OR. Fuel types are sagebrush and grass.
ROSE BRIAR, Prineville District, BLM. The fire is 15 miles northwest of
Condon, OR. The cause of the fire was lightning.
WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
Priorities are being established by the Great Basin Multi-Agency
Coordinating Group based on information submitted via Wildfire Situation
Analysis reports and Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) forms.
BLUE MOUNTAIN, Winnemucca Field Office, BLM. This fire is located 12 miles
west of Winnemucca, NV. The fire has been making uphill runs through grass,
sagebrush, pinyon pine and juniper with 25 to 35 foot flame lengths, as well
as spotting up to 1/4 mile. Steep terrain and limited engine access is
hampering suppression efforts. Current threats are to wildlife habitat and
rangeland.
WILLOW, Ely Field Office, BLM. This fire is smoldering and creeping in
sagebrush, pinyon pine and juniper fuels 60 miles north, northwest of Ely,
NV. No new information was received.
PARSNIP, Ely Field Office, BLM. This fire is burning in sagebrush, dense
pinyon pine and juniper 30 miles northeast of Caliente, NV, in a wilderness
study area. No new information was received.
PHILLIPS RANCH, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Great Basin National
Park. The fire is 50 miles southeast of Ely, NV and is being monitored by
Park Service personnel. No active burning has been observed.
CHERRY, Ely Field Office, BLM. This fire is 30 miles northwest of Ely, NV.
Wildlife habitat and the Goshute Wilderness Study Area remain threatened. No
new information was received.
LITTLE WATER, Humboldt National Forest. This fire is 60 miles southeast of
Elko, NV, burning in white fir, isolated pinyon pine and mahogany. No new
information was received.
MAMMOTH, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The fire is burning in white fir
and pinyon pine 75 miles southwest of Ely, NV, within the Grant Range
Wilderness Area.
No new information was received.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
JASPER, Black Hills National Forest. This fire is 15 miles east of
Newcastle, WY.
Due to rapid fire expansion the Jewel Cave National Monument and Highway 16
have been closed. Fire behavior includes crowning, spotting and running in
rough broken canyons. The fire has spread quickly and containment efforts
are being deterred despite the use of airtankers, bucket drops and engine
operations.
ST. LAWRENCE, Wind River Agency, BIA. This fire is burning in the Wind River
Roadless Area ten miles northwest of Fort Washakie. Constructed fireline
supported by retardant drops.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA LARGE FIRES:
STORRIE, Plumas National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team (Vail) is
assigned. The fire is 20 miles west of Quincy, CA in the Feather River
Canyon. Strong winds have caused the fire's activity to increase. Spotting
is occurring continually at the fire's head. Burnout operations on three
divisions are progressing successfully. Crews are constructing fireline and
burning out to contain a large spot fire in the Bucks Lake Wilderness.
SOUTHWEST AREA LARGE FIRES:
PEAK, Tonto National Forest. The fire is burning in dense brush and steep
terrain six miles south of Globe, AZ. Heavy lightning and light moisture
have been received on the mountain. Flood damage to roads is limiting access
to the fire.
NORTH, Tonto National Forest. This fire is burning in ponderosa pine in the
Mazatzal Wilderness, six miles southwest of Payson, AZ. The fire is being
monitored by U.S. Forest Service personnel.
CRAZY, Gila National Forest. This fire is in Catron County. It was started
by lightning on 8/8. Fuels involved are ponderosa pine and scattered logging
slash. The fire has received some moisture. The U.S. Forest Service is
monitoring the fire by air and ground as needed.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
CHICKEN COMPLEX, Texas State Forest Service. This fire is burning 20 miles
east of Nacogdoches, TX. The northern perimeter of the fire is secure and
the rest of the fire is still experiencing intense fire behavior.
POSSOM, Florida Division of Forestry. The fire is near Orlando, FL. Highways
50 and 520 were closed again due to zero visibility. The Orlando metro area
is being impacted by smoke.
PARKER SPRINGS, National Forest in Alabama. This fire is burning 13 miles
southeast of Brewton, AL. The fire did not grow significantly due to high
relative humidity. Control concerns are extreme heat, drought, spotting and
torching inside the line.
BROADDUS, Texas State Forest Service. The fire is located 100 miles
northeast of Houston, TX. The fire is burning in a mature pine plantation.
ROCKY POINT, National Forests in Florida. This fire is burning in Marion
County. No new information was received.
OUTLOOK:
*** A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED ON THE EAST SLOPES OF THE NORTHERN ROCKY
MOUNTAINS FOR STRONG WEST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES ***
A disturbance pushing through the Northern Rockies will bring some strong
west winds to the east slopes. Drier and more stable air will move into
Washington, Oregon and Idaho behind yesterday's weather system. Further
south, monsoon moisture moving northward will bring scattered wet
thunderstorms to Wyoming, Nevada, and the four corners states.
Winds will generally be upslope or southwest at speeds under 20 mph, with
stronger gusts near thunderstorms.
Temperatures will be in the 70's to mid 80's in the mountains, and the mid
80's to 90's at lower elevations. Desert areas will see temperatures from
100 to 110. Minimum relative humidities will be in the teens and 20's, with
some single digit readings occurring in the driest areas.
=> USA Earthquake Report
Not available
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
Time F-Scale Location County State Lat Lon Comments
2240 UNK SARASOTA SARASOTA FL 2733 8253 F0 TORNADO MADE A BRIEF TOUCHDOWN
ALONG U.S. 41. TREES WERE DOWNED AND AWNINGS DAMAGED AT THE RINGLING SCHOOL
OF ART AND DESIGN AND A GAS STATION HAD DAMAGE TO THE GAS (TBW)
Hail Reports
Time Size Location County State Lat Lon Comments
2000 100 CALHOUN GORDON GA 3448 8493 DIME TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL. (ATL)
2015 88 CALHOUN GORDON GA 3448 8493 (ATL)
2020 175 5 N CLERMONT HALL GA 3456 8376 (ATL)
2020 75 1 SW SHOALS BANKS GA 3434 8348 (ATL)
2300 75 GRANGE LENOIR NC 3523 8263 (MHX)
2330 100 5 SW COOLIN BONNER ID 4842 11692 (SPC)
2353 100 HOOKERTON GREENE NC 3543 7758 (MHX)
0125 88 8 W GREENSBORO GREENE GA 3356 8334 NICKEL SIZE HAIL AND ONE TREE
DOWN IN YARD AT SWORDS LANDING ON THE SOUTH END OF LAKE OCONEE. (ATL)
0300 75 2 NE GIFFORD NEZ PERCE ID 4647 11651 (GEG)
Wind Reports
Time Speed Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1550 UNK IDAHO COUNTY IDAHO ID 4590 11563 WINDS ESTIMATED AT GREATER THAN 50
MPH DOWNED TREES WHICH KILLED A MULE NEAR THE SALMON RIVER (MSO)
2015 UNK COLUMBUS POLK NC 3525 8219 SD REPORTED TREES AND POWER LINES BLOWN
DOWN...FIRST REPORT 410 PM...LAST REPORT 420 PM (GSP)
2032 UNK STARR ANDERSON SC 3438 8269 RESIDENT REPORTED MINI BUILDING BLOWN
AWAY. REPORTED AS POSSIBLE TORNADO. (GSP)
2100 UNK COWPENS SPARTANBURG SC 3501 8181 SPARTANBURG COMMUNIATIONS RELAYED
REPORTS OF TREES/LINES DOWN COWPENS AREA. (GSP)
2105 UNK 4 E COWPENS CHEROKEE SC 3501 8173 SPOTTER REPORTED 2 OAK TREES DOWN
(GSP)
2115 UNK AMITE TANGIPAHOA LA 3071 9050 SEVERAL TREES DOWNED ACROSS HIGHWAY
1054 AND STATE HIGHWAY. REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (NEW)
2155 UNK CROSS ABBEVILLE SC 3331 8016 EOC REPORTED MULTIPLE TREES DOWN
ACROSS COUNTY (GSP)
2200 UNK LOWRYS CHESTER SC 3479 8123 HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED TREES DOWN
(GSP)
2200 UNK 20 SE CLEVELAND BRADLEY TN 3493 8459 TREES DOWN IN THE SOUTHEAST
PART OF THE COUNTY NEAR VALLEY VIEW REPORTED BY EMA (MRX)
2205 UNK ROCK HILL YORK SC 3496 8116 EOC REPORTED TREE ON POWER LINES (GSP)
2215 UNK DUDLEY WAYNE NC 3526 7804 SEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR DUDLEY--REPORTED
BY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (RDU)
2220 UNK 2 N CHESTER CHESTER SC 3473 8119 HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED A R WAS
BLOWN OFF OF A STORE ONTO A VEHICLE (GSP)
2228 UNK CROSS YORK SC 3331 8016 EOC REPORTED TREES DOWN ACROSS COUNTY.
(GSP)
2235 UNK CHESTER CHESTER SC 3469 8119 HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED NUM TREES AND
LINES DOWN IN AND CHESTER. FROM 625 PM TO 64 (GSP)
2245 UNK CHAPIN LEXINGTON SC 3416 8134 ON AMICKS FERRY ROAD. TREES DOWN AND
TREES ON POWER LINES AND HOUSE. LEXINGTON SHERIFF OFFICE. (CAE)
2245 UNK CLEVELAND WHITE GA 3459 8374 TREES DOWN ON WEBSTER LAKE ROAD AND
DUNCAN BRIDGE ROAD (ATL)
2245 UNK MARIETTA COBB GA 3394 8455 TWO TREES DOWN AND SEVERAL TREES DAMAGED
AT ROOF LEVEL (ATL)
2257 UNK SANDY SPRINGS FULTON GA 3391 8438 TREES DOWN ON POWER LINES. (ATL)
2300 UNK 5 E ELGIN LANCASTER SC 3476 8064 TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
LANCASTER COUNTY SHERIFF. (CAE)
2300 UNK FORDOCHE POINTE COUPEE LA 3058 9161 SEVERAL TREES DOWNED. REPORTED
BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (NEW)
2315 UNK DUDLEY WAYNE NC 3526 7804 TREES DOWN WITH SECOND STORM IN
DUDLEY--REPORTED BY GOLF COURSE MNGR (RDU)
2315 UNK ATLANTA FULTON GA 3376 8439 TREES BLOCKING MIDTOWN ROAD AT TECHWOOD
AND ALSO ON WIL STREET AT THE FORUM. (ATL)
2319 UNK ROSWELL FULTON GA 3401 8436 TREES REPORTED DOWN ON JOHN FERRY ROAD.
(ATL)
2325 UNK 4 N COLUMBIA RICHLAND SC 3406 8101 TREES DOWN ON BROAD RIVER ROAD.
RICHLAND COUNTY SHERIFF. (CAE)
1507 63 IDAHO COUNTY IDAHO ID 4590 11563 REPORT FROM RAWS STATION (MSO)
1540 60 IDAHO COUNTY IDAHO ID 4590 11563 THUNDERSTORM WINDS SNAPPED TREE
BRANCHES AND BLEW DOWN TENTS AT FIRE CAMP NEAR WHITEBIRD (MSO)
0025 UNK FARMINGTON OCONEE GA 3378 8341 ONE LARGE TREE DOWN AND A STORAGE
SHED BLOWN OVER. (ATL)
0035 UNK ZIONVILLE WATAUGA NC 3625 8169 TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED POWER LINES
DOWNED. (ILM)
0105 UNK FLORENCE COUNTY FLORENCE SC 3404 7971 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED
TREES DOWN ON A RESIDENCE. TREES ALSO REPORTED DOWN ON WILLIAMSBURG ROAD.
(ILM)
0108 UNK GRESHAMVILLE GREENE GA 3363 8331 TREES DOWN. (ATL)
0115 UNK APALACHEE MORGAN GA 3368 8343 LARGE TREE FELL ON A MOBILE HOME.
(ATL)
0245 UNK 4 N LAPWAI NEZ PERCE ID 4646 11680 LARGE TREE BRANCHES BLOWN DOWN
ALONG HWY 12 (GEG)
0410 UNK WHITEFISH FLATHEAD MT 4841 11433 TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN (MSO)
0440 UNK BIGFORK FLATHEAD MT 4806 11406 TREES DOWN (MSO)
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
=> Guest Column
No Column Today
=> Two Flame-N-Go's Killed By Lightning
August 24 -- Salt Lake City, Utah: Two members of the Utah-based Flame-N-Go
crew were killed yesterday afternoon when they were struck by lightning on
the North Stansbury Fire. Four other crewmembers were injured. Michael
Bishop, 27, and Rodgie Braithwaite, 26, were members of Utah State Prison's
well-known and respected Flame-N-Go inmate crew. Today's Salt Lake Tribune
reported that in 22 years of service, the Flame-N-Go program has never lost
a firefighter. Jack Ford with the Utah Department of Corrections told the
paper that Bishop and Braithwaite were scheduled for parole within two
years; they and four other crewmembers were hit by lightning shortly after
noon during a lightning storm on Stansbury Mountain.
They were helicoptered to the University of Utah's burn center in Salt Lake
City. Three injured crewmembers were treated and released; the fourth is
expected to be released from the hospital today.
The crewmembers were working mop-up on the North Stansbury Fire, which was
ignited by lightning on Saturday. Contained at 250 acres, the fire had
threatened six structures west of Grantsville, Utah. All crews were brought
down off the mountain yesterday after the incident, and the district halted
all aerial fire suppression for the remainder of the day. A Critical
Incident Stress Debriefing Team and a Serious Accident Investigation Team
were ordered, and field officers and fire managers held briefings at the
Utah University Hospital, Muskrat Station, and the Salt Lake Interagency
Fire Center.
THE FLAME-N-GO PROGRAM:
In 1978 the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and the Utah State
Prison signed a cooperative agreement establishing Utah's first volunteer
inmate wildland fire handcrew. The inmates named themselves the Flame-N-Go's
(pronounced "flamingos") and designed a logo that has become well known in
the wildland firefighting community. Ford said the program accepts only the
best inmate candidates.
"It means they had actually been model citizens, that they were trying to
turn their lives around," he told the paper. "We only take the best of the
best."
The Flame-N-Go's began with one 20-man crew, but the early success of the
program encouraged further development in training and equipment. Inmates
gained new skills and experience as their time of service increased. After
12 years of success and improvements, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire
and State Lands requested approval to sponsor a Type I hotshot crew.
Following the requirements in the Interagency Hotshot Operations Guide, a
group of experienced inmates, forestry supervisors, and correctional
officers were organized as a crew.
In 1991 the Great Basin Coordinating Group, including representatives from
the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and state fire managers approved the crew as a
Type I resource within the Great Basin. In July 1998, after 8 years of
service, the crew was recognized as a national resource and added to the
National Interagency Mobilization Guide.
All Flame-N-Go's are carefully screened for the program. They must complete
rigorous training and sign a yearly contract committing themselves to
preserving natural resources and building responsible lives.
The Flame-N-Go's are divided into three crews, each of which can respond to
fires anywhere in the United States. A 20-man Type II handline crew is the
backbone of the group, and has earned a reputation as a reliable,
hardworking, and well-trained crew. It's primarily from this crew that
firefighters are selected to become hotshots or engine foremen.
The Flame-N-Go's spend most of their season fighting fire or doing project
work. The crews average 18,000 hours on fires and 25,000 hours on project
work; they average 170 days each year camped out on fire or project sites.
The engine strike team, handline crew, and hotshots are on 24-hour call to
respond within one hour during peak fire season.
Each year the Flame-N-Go's receive a minimum of 80 hours of training,
including classroom work and practical field exercises. Safety, individual
and team skills, and professionalism are stressed. Supplemental training for
the crews includes:
First Aid and CPR
Fire Shelter Deployment
Physical Fitness
Helicopter Operations
Chainsaw Operations
Wildland/Urban Interface
S-290 Fire Behavior & Fire Weather
Radio Usage & Communications
Firefighting Methods & Tactics
Public Relations
S-200 Initial Attack IC
Safety
Engine Pump Operations
S-131 Advanced Firefighting
Conservation work is a big part of the program; when not fighting fires,
Flame-N-Go crews spend thousands of hours working on natural resource
conservation projects. They've planted trees, worked on wildlife habitat and
reforestation, hazard tree removal, riparian restoration, trail
construction, and timber stand and range improvement.
=> Ninety Years Ago This Week -- A Massive Firestorm Raged Across Idaho,
Washington, And Montana.
August 24 -- Boise, Idaho: It was 90 years ago this week that a massive
firestorm raged across Idaho, Washington, and Montana. In the Bitterroots,
according to CNN, 3 million acres exploded. Towns were leveled, 85 people
were killed, and smoke darkened the skies all the way to New York. The "time
when the mountains roared," as it was called, was not one fire but a series
of more than 1700 fires.
"Then it came about noon on August 20, 1910. The wind freshened, became a
gale, and in the words of W. G. Weigle, Supervisor of the Coeur d'Alene
Forest, "assumed hurricane proportions." All over the St. Joe and Coeur
d'Alene forests smoldering snags and rubbish heaps quickened to new life.
Sparks were whirled in the dry needles of the tree tops, and a crown fire
began to sweep for miles through the dense stands of timber along the St.
Joe River. No human power could stop, or even check, this onslaught. " ...
Idaho Historical Society, 18th Biennial Report, 1942.
Winds of 70 mph pushed the fires 50 miles in just 36 hours. The firestorm
came to be called the Big Blowup -- and it prompted Congress for the first
time to spend federal money to fight wildfires.
The Idaho Statesman reported last Sunday that a line of active fires 20
miles apart now runs from the Sawtooth Range all the way to the Canadian
border. Dave Bunnell, national fuels specialist at NIFC, said that dozens of
communities are within just one burning period of a major fire. "We've never
been more exposed at any time since 1910 than we are now," he said. "We have
more fire on the landscape than existed in the 1910 fire, and we have more
uncontrolled fireline and more perimeter exposed." The only thing missing
has been a major wind event, like those that occurred in both 1910 and 1988.
Bunnell says if that happens, nothing will stop the fires.
In 1825, 3 million acres burned in New Brunswick and Maine, and 44 years
later the 3.7-million-acre Peshtigo Fires in Wisconsin and Michigan killed
more than 1500 people. The Laguna, Sycamore, and Panorama Fires in
California (1970, 1977, and 1980) burned more than 940 homes.
More than 5 million acres have burned already this year, in the nation's
worst fire season in decades. Not since the fires of 1910, when an area the
size of Connecticut burned, has this country seen a fire season like this
one. And the comparisons abound, made by reporters and news anchors, fire
managers, and historians across the country.
The fires of 1910 spawned a legacy of firefighting in this country, and made
generations of fire managers determined to suppress all fires. An aggressive
suppression program, driven by the determination to not suffer the
catastrophe wrought by the Big Blowup, along with financial incentives to
protect timber and watershed values, helped create the wildland firefighting
structure this country's known around the world for. But that system is not
without its limits, and the agencies that handle fire suppression have
brought in backup from the military, Canada, and Australia this year. The
decades of aggressive suppression have also contributed to the unprecedented
buildup of fuels on public lands across the West, causing fires that burn
hotter, longer, and faster than "normal" fires of the past. This combination
of factors has caused the fire management agencies to attempt a major shift
away from all-out fire suppression toward a program focused more on fire
management -- including the use of prescribed fire and other fuels reduction
methods. It's taken years to recognize both the value of using fire as a
management tool and also the dangers of eliminating fire from the landscape.
Even environmental groups are coming around. "People have been trained to
hate fire," Mark Petersen of the Lands Council recently told CNN. "But fire
is to our ecosystem what rain is to a tropical rainforest."
Rex Wahl is the executive director of Forest Guardians, an environmental
group based in New Mexico. Wahl, quoted in an NBC report last week, has
changed his mind about fuels reduction on public lands. "Wildfires are
getting bigger, burning hotter, and the effects are more devastating," he
said. "It's clear we'll have to take mechanical steps like thinning before
we can use fire to restore these forests to a more natural regime."
The Nature Conservancy, long an advocate of prescribed fire, has a section
of their website devoted to state success stories in prescribed fire.
Conservancy staff two years ago had identified more than 500 sites in 44
states where there was interest in applying prescribed fire as an ecological
management tool. The goal of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve
biodiversity, and the organization recognizes the role of fire in
maintaining populations of rare species and natural communities.
The Associated Press recently reported that fuel loadings of
smaller-diameter trees pose the greater fire danger in wildland/urban
interface areas. "Our single most important objective aside from protecting
lives is reducing unnaturally high levels of fuel," said Chris Wood, an aide
to Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck. Wood pointed out that a draft plan
last April recommended thinning, prescribed burns, and other fire prevention
efforts on 40 million acres of agency land. President Clinton has also asked
the USDA and the Department of Interior to recommend by mid-September a plan
for rehab of burned areas and fire risk reduction for rural areas.
=> More Military Troops Headed For Montana
August 24 -- Boise, Idaho: An interagency training cadre traveled yesterday
to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to train the fourth military battalion called up
for a 30-day firefighting assignment. The Army's 3rd Battalion, 327th
Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will head out tomorrow for
the Valley Complex on the Bitterroot National Forest in Montana.
The 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles stationed at Fort Campbell are members
of the only air assault division in the world. The designation indicates
that the helicopter is the primary means of transportation for the division.
Fort Campbell supports the third largest military population in the Army and
the seventh largest in the Department of Defense.
The U.S. Army's UH-60 Blackhawks are flying out of the helibase at Ninemile.
Army pilot Scott Traynor explained to the Missoulian that wildland fire
operations have a lot in common with military operations. "Even though this
is about fires," he said, "it still provides training operations for us.
It's the same kind of training we use to prepare to go to war."
Military practice includes providing commanders with an "aerial platform" to
monitor the movement of troops and combat terrain -- much like what he's
doing now on the fires. "We're moving supplies, moving personnel, giving
commanders an aerial view, and moving equipment around the battlefield," he
said. The two Army National Guard Blackhawks are medivac helicopters.
Troops from Fort Hood, Texas, are on the Burgdorf Fire in Idaho and are
assigned there till the end of the month. Marines from Camp Pendleton,
California, are assigned to the Clear Creek Fire on the Salmon-Challis
National Forest in Idaho. They reported for duty August 5 and will return to
their base early in September. The 20th Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry
Division from Fort Hood, Texas, are assigned to the Upper Ninemile on the
Lolo in Montana; they arrived August 13 and are assigned for 30 days. Troops
from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will be assigned to the Valley Complex in
Montana beginning tomorrow. The fifth military task force is a composite
artillery battalion from the 18th Airborne Corps from Fort Bragg in North
Carolina. They'll be sent to Montana on August 28. More information and
photos on the military fire assignments are available on NIFC's military
support page and the Department of Defense website. Stories are online from
the Missoulian.
=> Firefighters Injured On Crow Creek Fire
August 24 -- Cody, WY: Two firefighters were helicoptered to medical
treatment after they were injured on the Crow Creek Fire yesterday,
according to a report in the Billings Gazette. Peter Valenzuela, 22, with
the Silver City Hotshots, was struck by a falling branch while building line
in heavy timber east of Yellowstone National Park on the Shoshone National
Forest. The rest of the crew cleared a helispot, and a helicopter doing
bucket work was diverted to transport him to the hospital in Cody. Another
firefighter was later evacuated by helicopter after suffering a twisted
knee, and a third was treated for a sprain. These were the first injuries on
the Crow Creek Fire, which was ignited August 18 and has grown to nearly
1400 acres. The Billings Gazette story is online, and more fire information
is available from the Shoshone National Forest.
=> More Evacuations And Closures In Montana
August 24 -- Missoula, MT: Montana residents along the Skalkaho Highway
received mandatory evacuation notices yesterday afternoon, according to a
report by the Missoulian, after the Bear Fire jumped a dozer line along a
ridgetop south of the highway.
Though crews have tried repeatedly to reinforce dozer line on the fire,
increased fire activity has forced retreats of firefighters. The extreme
fire behavior, along with a forecast for more lightning storms, prompted
yesterday's evacuation orders.
Gov. Marc Racicot, who said this season's wildfires stand as the greatest
natural disaster in Montana history, yesterday ordered more public and
private land closed to the public because of fire danger.
"We have not had a catastrophe of this magnitude in our lifetimes," he said.
Nearly 20 million acres of public land have been closed, including 17.4
million acres of federal land and 2.1 million acres of state land. Stories
on the closures and evacuations are available from montanafires.com and the
Missoulian, and closure details with a map are online from montanafires.com,
and information on the Skalkaho Fire is online.
=> Volunteer Disaster Organizations To Hold Annual Conference
Washington, August 24, 2000 -- Leaders in disaster relief services from
volunteer organizations; business and industry; federal, state and local
government; and international delegations will gather this Fall as the
organization known as the National Voluntary Organizations Active in
Disaster (NVOAD) holds its annual national conference. This year's theme is
The Volunteer Mission - Touching Lives in Need and will focus on the roles
and responsibilities of volunteer organizations in disaster and how services
reflect meaningfully on the lives of disaster victims.
Dates & Location
October 29 - 31, 2000
Renaissance Atlanta Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
NVOAD Goals
· To offer best training for volunteer organizations engaged in disaster
services.
· To offer opportunities for disaster service organizations to share their
successes and concerns.
· To develop collaborative efforts between volunteer organizations, business
and industry and government agencies.
For more information on NVOAD and this conference, please visit the NVOAD
web site at
http://www.nvoad.org/
=> Weather Radios Recalled by Oregon Scientific
PRODUCT: Weather Radios - Oregon Scientific Inc., of Tualatin, Ore., is
recalling about 10,000 desktop weather radios. These All Hazards Weather
Radios use S.A.M.E. technology to receive local weather warnings broadcast
by the National Weather Service. The radios also function as AM/FM clock
radios and have model number WR-122 printed on the bottom.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml00/00169a.html
=>Statement Of Ntsb Chairman Jim Hall On Carlsbad, New Mexico Pipeline
Accident
National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Jim Hall today
released the following statement after his visit this afternoon to the site
of the El Paso Natural Gas Company pipeline rupture last weekend near
Carlsbad, New Mexico that killed 11 people. This is the deadliest pipeline
accident in the continental United States in nearly 25 years:
National Transportation Safety Board investigators thus far have
determined that the section of pipe that failed during this accident was
originally installed in 1952. It is unfortunate that this pipe had never
been inspected with an internal inspection tool or hydrostatically tested in
all that time.
There are no federal regulations requiring such tests. Although
this section of pipeline as configured could not accommodate an internal
inspection tool, it could have been pressure tested or examined by other
means. The NTSB has been urging mandatory testing requirements such as
internal inspections and pressure tests since 1987.
No American would want to use any transportation vehicle that would
not be properly inspected for 48 years, nor should we have pipelines
travelling though any of our communities in this condition.
The Safety Board's investigation continues. We hope to find out why
this pipeline failed and what additional steps might be recommended to
prevent such accidents in the future.
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=> Wide Area Augmentation System Signal Now Available
WASHINGTON - After a successful 21-day stability test of the
Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) signal in space, the
U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) declared that it is now available for some
aviation and all non-aviation uses. The test demonstrated required
system stability allowing immediate use of the WAAS signal by a
broad range of users.
WAAS augments the Global Positioning System (GPS) by
improving the GPS position signal. The test demonstrated that the
system can operate without interruption, providing a stable and
reliable signal to augment GPS. The system demonstrated one to
two meters horizontal accuracy and two to three meters vertical
accuracy throughout the contiguous United States. Raytheon will
operate the system for the FAA on a continuous basis,
interrupting it only as necessary to upgrade or test the system.
To provide users with information on these outages, the WAAS
broadcast schedule is available at
gps.faa.gov/Programs/NSTB/Provisions/sis.htm or
www.raytheontands.com/waas.
The current WAAS signal is available to aviation users for
increasing situational awareness during flight under visual flight
rules (VFR) and on the airport surface, among other uses. For
non-aviation users, the signal supports a variety of applications in
recreation, boating, agriculture and surveying.
WAAS continues to be developed to provide the necessary
integrity for the WAAS-required, safety-critical applications. Until
the system design is completed and initial operational capability is
declared, the WAAS is not an approved source of aircraft
navigation under instrument flight rules (IFR).
=> Links Area
August 25, 2000 ASCII text edition of the Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report is enclosed. View this week's MMWR as a web page at:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
and
ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Publications/mmwr/wk/mm4933.pdf
August 25, 2000/Vol. 49/No. 33(file size 206,419 bytes)
* National Cholesterol Education Month --- September 2000
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933a1.htm
* State-Specific Cholesterol Screening Trends --- United
States, 1991--1999
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933a2.htm
* Trends in Cigarette Smoking Among High School Students ---
United States, 1991--1999
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933a3.htm
* Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication --- Pakistan,
1999--June 2000
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933a4.htm
* Erratum: Vol. 47, No. 50
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933a5.htm
* Notifiable Diseases/Deaths in Selected Cities Weekly
Information
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4933md.htm
Arenal, Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano erupted yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 23, injuring two American
tourists and a Costan Rican tour guide hiking near the volcano. The tour
guide, Ignacio Protti, later died from second and third degree burns.
From:
http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/2000/agosto/24/pais1.html (in Spanish)
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