The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For February 18, 2001
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 Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or Significant
Icing Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column-
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article 2000 Fire Season Summary Report
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For February 18, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Sat...89 At Ft Pierce And Tamiami FL
Low Sun...22 Below Zero At St Cloud MN And Whitefield NH
=> Special Notes
Stratwarm Alert Exists Stratwarm Sunday
Comment: Major warming continues. A large warm area covers the
Polar region, Siberia, Europe and the Eastern Atlantic
leading to a reversed temperature gradient between 60N
and the Pole up to 3 HPa. A Polar anticyclone and a split,
southward displaced vortex lead to net easterly winds at
latitude 60N throughout the Stratosphere.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Sun Feb 18 10:38:44 2001
Flood
Alabama
FLOOD WARNING FOR THE TENNESSEE RIVER AT FLORENCE MINOR FLOODING
IS OCCURRING AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE.
A FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR POINTS ALONG THE TOMBIGBEE RIVER...
MINOR FLOODING
Arkansas
FOR THE PETIT JEAN RIVER AT DANVILLE, STAGE WAS 22.5 FEET AT 08 AM
SUNDAY. THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE EARLY
MONDAY MORNING.
Non Precipitation
Michigan
...VERY LOW WIND CHILLS CONTINUE ACROSS NORTHWEST UPPER MICHIGAN...
Winter Storm
California
SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
STARTING LATE TONIGHT...
THIS SYSTEM MAY PRODUCE PERIODS OF HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS.
Nevada
.A STRONG PACIFIC STORM WILL APPROACH THE WEST COAST MONDAY
BRINGING A THREAT OF HEAVY SNOW AND WINDY CONDITIONS TO THE
EASTERN SIERRA MOUNTAINS.
New York
VERY COLD AIR CROSSING LAKE ONTARIO WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE LAKE
EFFECT SNOWS ACROSS THE AREA TODAY.
Oregon
Washington
SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE FROM SKAMANIA EAST
THIS MORNING... SNOW SHOWERS WILL ACCUMULATE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW
IN THE COLUMBIA GORGE THIS MORNING FROM SKAMANIA EASTWARD.
=> 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.
Hail Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger.
Wind Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots.
Tomorrow's Risk -
There is less than a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for less than 1 inch of
precipitation over
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 2 inch over a
small portion of central east
California.
Over 1 inch of rainfall is forecast over central east, central north,
central west and over Santa
Barbara, California.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall is not expected to exceed flash flood values.
USA heavy snow and/or significant icing
>From noon to midnight today EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is less than 20%
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 12 inches or greater
of snow is low over
central east California and over a small portion of central northwest
California.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
The Flood Report is not available
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2001 - 1000 MST
NATIONAL PREPARDNESS LEVEL 1
CURRENT SITUATION:
The Southern Area reported eight new large fires this past week, with
eight large fires reaching containment. Eastern and Southwest Areas also
reported one large fire each. Initial attack activity was reported on a
daily basis in the Southern Area with a slow decline later in the week in
response to the cold front moving across the Area. High pressure is
expected to move in behind this front later in the weekend bringing warmer
temperatures and drier air.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
STATION, Florida Division of Forestry. No additional information was
reported.
BIG BEND, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is in monitor status.
COBB MARSH, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is in monitor status.
TORY ISLAND, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is near Homestead, FL
and is in monitor status.
CANAL COMMAND, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is near Highlands,
FL and engines are currently working the fire.
SOUTHWEST AREA LARGE FIRES:
MACBRIDE #1, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This fire is six
miles south of the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and is
burning primarily in brush and mesquite.
OUTLOOK:
The current storm system in the region will make its way to Georgia by
this afternoon, with showers tapering off to the west. Most of the
Carolinas and Florida will be under mostly cloudy skies, with the
possibility of precipitation late tonight, early tomorrow. Daytime high
temperatures will reach into the 60's and 70's by the afternoon, and winds
will be gusty throughout the day coming out of the southwest.
A stationary frontal system will begin to move in southward and eastward,
bringing precipitation all the way down the coast to Central California by
late this afternoon. Snow showers can be expected across Montana, Wyoming
and over the Nebraska Panhandle. A high pressure over the Great Basin will
remain for most of the day, and will begin to weaken by late afternoon.
The Southwest will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies throughout the
day. Daytime high temperatures will be in the 40's in the Pacific
Northwest, with 20's to 30's farther inland, while the Desert Southwest
will see high temperatures in the 50's to 60's.
Cold arctic air will make its way southward through the Midwest and arrive
over much of Kansas by this afternoon. The skies across the Northern
Midwest will be partly to mostly cloudy as the cold air moves its way
south. Rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow will fall over the Eastern
Midwestern states. The Ohio Valley will see precipitation throughout the
entire day. High temperatures will reach into the teen's and 20's. Winds
will be strong out of the North. Texas will finally get a break from the
rain as the storm system in the Southern Midwest moves farther north and
eastward. High temperatures will be in the 30's and 40's before the front
passes through. Most of Texas will reach high temperatures in the 50's and
60's, with 70's farther south.
As the system in the Northern Midwest moves eastward, the storm to the
south will meet with it in the Northeast. Many areas will receive rain,
freezing rain and snow by early afternoon. By evening the precipitation
will change to snow. Temperatures will drop dramatically by noon today.
The winds will be extremely variable throughout the day, first from the
south then from the southeast, finally shifting to an east-to-southeast
pattern. Daytime high temperatures will be in the 30's to 40's just
before the cold front moves in, with a dramatic cool-down.
=> USA Earthquake Report
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER
GOLDEN, COLORADO
LISTS OF U.S. EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 30 HOURS
EARTHQUAKES IN WEST CENTRAL UNITED STATES
(35.8 TO 40.3 N, 102.0 TO 125.0 W)
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2001 FEB 17 22:54:18.97 38.3 N 118.3 W 10 km 3.8
25 miles SE of Hawthorne, Nevada
EARTHQUAKES IN STATE OF ALASKA
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2001 FEB 17 21:19:05.32 54.0 N 133.7 W 10 km 4.5
105 miles SSW of Craig, Alaska
2001 FEB 17 20:11:28.50 54.2 N 133.8 W 10 km 5.9
90 miles SSW of Craig, Alaska
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2001 FEB 18 at 00:15 UTC
01/02/17 20:11:28.50
6.2 Mag. QUEEN CHARLOTTE ISLANDS
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
No reports received
Wind Reports
No reports received
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
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**** ARTICLES ****
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=> 2000 Fire Season Summary Report
The fire season of 2000 was historic in acres burned, number of large fires
burning, international fire fighter participation, military involvement and
national interest. Public reaction to the heroic efforts of the fire
fighters and renewed enlightenment to the plight of our nation's forests
brought people together as no national event had in recent years.
The winter of 1999-2000 was dominated by the La Nina weather pattern. It
caused drought in the southern half of the country and produced a wet winter
in the northwestern United States. The combination of hot weather, dry fuels
and little rainfall produced one of the most severe wildland fire seasons in
U.S. history.
Mid-February - March
Fire activity began with large grass fires in New Mexico. Fire activity
moved eastward and northward into Virginia. By the end of February, fires
were reported in Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. March saw several fires
burning in Oklahoma and the year's first Type 1 team was assigned to a fire
on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. Other large fires were
reported in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missouri, Ohio, Minnesota and
Indiana.
April
Type 1 Incident Management Teams managed the wind-driven Cabbage fire on the
Mendocino National Forest, California and the Coon Creek fire on the Tonto
National Forest, Arizona. There were large fires burning in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Mississippi, New Mexico, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, Colorado,
North Carolina and North Dakota.
May
The season began in earnest with an escaped prescribed fire on the Bandelier
National Monument near Los Alamos, New Mexico. Attempting to reduce thick
brush, fire personnel ignited a fire on May 4 that was driven by erratic
winds across control lines. By the time the fire was controlled several
weeks later, 235 homes in the town of Los Alamos had been destroyed and
47,650 acres of land had been burned. Hundreds of firefighters helped
suppress the fire and rehabilitate the burned hillsides.
June
The western United States from Canada to Mexico continued to experience warm
and dry weather. Throughout the month the trend continued and temperatures
rose. Fuel moisture in the vegetation dropped to unusually low levels.
Drought conditions were reported in several states including Arizona, New
Mexico, southern California, and portions of Nevada, Idaho, Utah, western
Wyoming and Montana. Very high to extreme fire danger indices were reported
in nearly every western state. The national preparedness level was set at
Level II for wildfire suppression.
July
Conditions were extreme. Lightning caused fires erupted in Nevada, Idaho,
Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Weather systems spun off winds generated by
the fires, starting new fires. On July 15th, the national preparedness level
was raised to Level III in response to the large wildland fires burning in
the West.
On July 24th, all 11 western states and Texas, were managing many large
fires. They were competing for crews of firefighters, aircraft, equipment,
supplies, and overhead personnel. Dozens of new fires were being reported
every day, while crews were struggling to contain those underway. Long-term
weather forecasts showed no relief. The national preparedness level was
raised to Level IV. All eight C-130 Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems
aircraft were activated on July 26th to help suppress fires.
After four days, the National Interagency Fire Center declared preparedness
Level V, the highest possible, on July 28th. NIFC began implementing
strategies to address this serious situation. More than 20,000 firefighters
were working to contain large fires or extinguish new starts with initial
attack. Federal fire resources, from crews to aircraft to overhead
personnel, were stretched to the limit. Military assistance was requested in
late July.
August
Every day dozens of new or holdover large wildland fires were being
reported. Initial attack forces were trying to respond to hundreds of new
fires sparked by dry lightning storms. Most of the new starts were unstaffed
as managers struggled to protect entire communities and hundreds of homes
threatened by fires in Montana, Idaho, and in other western states. Because
of the very dry fuels, hot weather and gusty winds many of the fires were
very difficult to fight. The situation had become extreme. Firefighting
resources were stretched to the limit and no relief was in sight from the
weather. As a result, fire directors adopted a change in wildland fire
management policy. The strategy for fighting the fires would be modified and
adapted to fit the situation for the 2000 season.
The first priority of protecting human life remained a paramount concern and
top priority. There would be no compromise on human lives. The second
priority had been protection of property. This was changed to emphasis on
initial attack. New fire starts required immediate suppression. As long as
fires could be put out or controlled quickly, resources could be more
effectively used. Fire fighters could be moved from existing large fires to
insure that new fires were extinguished rapidly.
The third priority became protection of communities, critical natural
resources, such as water supplies, and utilities. Since there were so many
fires, managers had to make difficult choices regarding the allocation of
limited resources. They looked carefully at the consequences of different
choices and made decisions based on the best interest of the entire
community. This meant that all structures could not be protected.
Multi-Agency Coordinating groups were establishing protection and
suppression priorities in the Great Basin and Northern Rockies for fires in
Idaho, Utah, Nevada and Montana. Four Area Command Teams were set up in
Montana to help manage the state's many large fires. All 16 Type 1 Incident
Command Teams were assigned to fires. All 70 of the Type 1 crews were
committed as well as most of the 409 smokejumpers. Of the 428 Type 2 crews,
about 15 would become available each day only to be reassigned to high
priority fires. Also, many states were supporting efforts with military
reserve and National Guard personnel.
Military involvement fighting the fires was substantial. Within a week of
the late July request military troops were on the fire lines assisting
civilian fire fighters. A total of 3,000 troops participated. The following
is a listing of battalions and fires.
U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, Fort Hood, TX, Burgdorf
Junction, Payette National Forest, ID.
3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA, Clear Creek Complex,
Salmon-Challis National Forest, ID.
U.S. Army, 20th Engineers, Ft. Hood, TX, Upper Ninemile Complex, Lolo
National Forest, MT.
3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Camp LeJeune, NC, replaced the 5th Marines on
the Clear Creek Complex.
U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry, Ft. Campbell, KY, Valley Complex,
Bitterroot National Forest, MT.
U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery, Ft. Bragg, NC, Troy South
Fire, Kootenai National Forest, MT.
Fire managers requested assistance from international partners, including
Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. Canada quickly responded by
sending three air tankers that were assigned to fires in Montana. More than
900 Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Mexicans supported US fire
fighters in the form of smoke jumpers, hand crews, incident management team
members, fire behavior specialists and ground support.
All told, more than 30,000 people, including civilian firefighters, state
personnel, National Guard, Army, Marines, rural fire department personnel,
and people from countries outside the United States were on fire lines or
filling overhead positions.
September
As the season moved into September, three things happened: 1) the number of
active fires peaked and began to decline; 2) fire activity increased in the
southern area, especially Oklahoma and Texas; 3) the hot, dry weather eased
in the northwest bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Light to
moderate rain showers began to fall in the central mountains of Idaho and in
Montana.
The change in weather helped firefighters gain ground. They were able to
contain more blazes than were being reported. Threats to communities from
the fires diminished. Fire crews and support personnel were available for
reassignment. Foreign support and military battalions began demobilizing. On
September 6, after 40 days at preparedness Level V, national fire managers
dropped the preparedness level to Level IV.
October - November
Firefighters continued to put out hot spots on the two largest fires of the
season, the Valley Complex, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana and the
Clear Creek Complex, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho. Both fires were
declared contained on October 4th and October 10th respectively. In Idaho
and Montana, the emphasis had turned to rehabilitation of the charred land
and protection of watersheds.
Southern and Southwestern states were still receiving new starts. These
areas had not received any relief from the hot and dry weather. Most of the
fires have been contained within two or three days. On November 4th a number
of fires were started. The origin of the fires continue to be under
investigation. The fires are concentrated in eastern Tennessee, southwestern
North Carolina and southeastern Kentucky. Additional fires are located in
the Shenandoah National Park. By November 6th, there were 16 fires in four
states being reported on the national incident situation report.
As of November 6th, a total of 89,740 wildland fires have burned 7,208,642
acres across the United States. This is the second highest number of acres
burned in the last 40 years. The ten-year fire season average, from 1990 to
1999, for numbers of fires is 106,393 and for acres burned is 3,786,411.
Estimated fire suppression costs to October 12 have exceeded $1.065 billion.
Fires claimed 852 structures during the fire season.
Rehabilitation costs spent on fires through October 18th, is $37.3 million.
Rehabilitation Plans have been developed for 85 fires, over 78,000 acres
have been seeded, 85 miles of stream beds have been protected, 25,498 acres
have been weed treated and over 19,000 acres have intensive erosion control
put in place. Rehabilitation will continue for several years depending on
the severity of the burn and how well recovery has taken place.
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=> Links Area
Police foil terror plot to use sarin gas in London
By Chris Hastings and David Bamber
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/et?ac=000140326706927&rtmo=VDMk6JJK&atmo=VDMk6JJK
%20&pg=/et/01/2/18/nsar18.html
U.S. still unprepared for bioterrorism
Saturday, 17 February 2001 23:32 (ET)
http://www.vny.com/cf/News/upidetail.cfm?QID=161021
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