The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For February 23, 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 Interior Department Funds to Aid Rural Fire Departments
=> Article 2001 Wildland Fires Season Outlook
=> Article Drought Conditions Keeping Firefighters Busy in Florida
=> Article Reno, NV to host National Interagency Hotshot Workshop
=> Article The United States Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism
Concept of
Operations Plan
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by the The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
http://www.disastercenter.com/Rothstein/
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For February 23, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Thu...85 At Leesburg FL
Low Fri...17 Below Zero At International Falls MN
=> Special Notes
Severe weather forecast for far northeast Texas, extreme southeast Oklahoma,
northern Louisiana,
Arkansas, south southeast Missouri, far southern Illinois, western Kentucky
and western Tennessee,
Tomorrow!
Stratwarm Alert Exists Stratwarm Friday
Comment: Major warming decaying, but disturbed circulation
expected to continue.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Fri Feb 23 10:36:20 2001
Flood
Oklahoma
FOR THE LITTLE RIVER NEAR TECUMSEH, FLOOD STAGE IS 11 FEET.
THE LATEST STAGE WAS 7.9 FEET AT 4 AM FRIDAY. THE RIVER WILL RISE ABOVE
FLOOD STAGE AROUND 12 PM FRIDAY. THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO CREST NEAR
16.4 FEET AROUND 6 AM SATURDAY.
Non Precipitation
New Mexico
Texas
WEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY ACROSS THE
MOUNTAINS SATURDAY AS A POWERFUL UPPER LEVEL TROUGH PASSES TO THE
EAST. STRONG WIND GUSTS WILL BE COMMON...ESPECIALLY IN THE FAVORED
AREAS OF THE GUADALUPE AND DAVIS MOUNTAINS.
ISOLATED WIND GUSTS OF NEAR 50 MILES AN HOUR ARE ALSO EXPECTED
ALONG THE EASTERN SLOPES OF AREA MOUNTAINS AND IN THE VICINITY OF
THUNDERSTORMS.
Severe Thunderstorm
Oklahoma
Texas
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...
EASTERN BEAVER COUNTY IN THE OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE
* UNTIL 930 AM CST
Winter Storm
California
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES CONTINUE FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO...SANTA BARBARA...VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...
EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE...
BAND OF HEAVY SHOWERS IS APPROACHING MOUNT BALDY AND THE ORANGE
COUNTY COAST AT THIS TIME. HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW IS LIKELY
TO BEGIN ABOVE 3500 FEET BEFORE 7 AM IN THESE MOUNTAINS.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE TEHACHAPI
MOUNTAINS AND THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS WEST OF INTERSTATE 5 IN KERN
COUNTY THROUGH 1200 PM...
Colorado
APPROACHING WINTER STORM TO BRING SNOW TO THE COLORADO
MOUNTAINS... POTENTIAL FOR ACCUMULATING SNOWS ACROSS THE EASTERN
SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS FROM THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY SATURDAY
MORNING.
HEAVY SNOW WARNING CONTINUES TODAY AND TONIGHT FOR THE
SOUTHWEST SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS AND THE GRAND MESA...
...VARIOUS SNOW ADVISORIES IN EFFECT TODAY AND TONIGHT FOR THE
MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN UTAH AND WESTERN COLORADO...
Iowa
THE POSSIBILITY OF SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN OVER FAR SOUTHEAST SOUTH
DAKOTA...INTO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA...NORTHWEST IOWA AND EXTREME
NORTHEAST NEBRASKA FOR TONIGHT.
WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
NIGHT...
Illinois
THE GREATEST THREAT FOR SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATION IS NORTH
OF A LINE FROM MARENGO IOWA TO HAZELHURST ILLINOIS. AREAS ALONG THE
INTERSTATE 80 CORRIDOR CAN EXPECT A MIXTURE OF SNOW...SLEET...AND
FREEZING RAIN WITH LESSER AMOUNTS OF SNOW AND ICE.
Kansas
A LARGE AREA OF PRECIPITATION OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN KANSAS IS
FORECAST TO OVERSPREAD THE ADVISORY AREA LATER THIS MORNING...INTO
THE AFTERNOON. WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW FREEZING...THE THREAT
EXISTS FOR FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET. BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON...
A FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY IS POSTED FOR THE MORNING HOURS FOR
MUCH OF NORTH CENTRAL...NORTHEAST AND EAST CENTRAL KANSAS.
Minnesota
POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR THE NORTHLAND THIS
WEEKEND... WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
SATURDAY NIGHT...
TOTAL SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF 8 INCHES OR MORE ARE POSSIBLE BY SUNDAY
MORNING ACROSS NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.
THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS WITH THIS
SYSTEM...ESPECIALLY OVER FAR SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA INTO WEST
CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
North Dakota
THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS WITH THIS
SYSTEM...ESPECIALLY OVER FAR SOUTHEAST NORTH DAKOTA INTO WEST
CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
Nebraska
THE POSSIBILITY OF SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN OVER EXTREME NORTHEAST
NEBRASKA FOR TONIGHT.
A STORM SYSTEM DEVELOPING IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES WILL
MOVE THROUGH KANSAS AND NEBRASKA THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT.
New Mexico
...WINTER STORM WATCH FOR NORTHWEST AND NORTHCENTRAL NEW MEXICO
FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY...
South Dakota
HEAVY SNOW TO PORTIONS OF CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA
LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY. FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE TONIGHT
ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA.
Utah
VARIOUS SNOW ADVISORIES IN EFFECT TODAY AND TONIGHT FOR THE
MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN UTAH AND WESTERN COLORADO...
Wisconsin
POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM FOR THE NORTHLAND THIS
WEEKEND...
WARMER AIR SPREADING NORTHWARD ON SATURDAY MAY
RESULT IN A MIXTURE OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN BY LATE
SATURDAY FOR NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN.
=> 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 - Slightly Moderate
There is a 2% probability of a tornado over the central and western portion
of Texas's panhandle
and over point to the south, extreme east northeast New Mexico, far
southeast Colorado, southeast
Texas, and far southwest Louisiana.
The 5% probability area covers west central Texas from the south to the
north central area and over
southeast Texas.
Hail Risk - Moderate
There is a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger over Texas except the
far western, far
northeastern, and far southern areas, east northeast New Mexico,
southeastern Colorado, the
southwest 1/3 of Kansas, the western 2/3 of Oklahoma, and far southwest
Louisiana.
The 15% probability area covers Texas except the far southwestern,
northeastern, and far southern
areas, extreme east New Mexico, far southeast Colorado far southwest Kansas,
the southwest 1/3
of Oklahoma, and extreme southwest Louisiana.
The 25% probability area covers the central west portion of Texas.
Wind Risk - Slightly Moderate
There is a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots over extreme
eastern New Mexico, far
southeast Colorado, Texas except the northeast 1/2 of the Texas panhandle,
the far east northeast
and the far southern areas and far southeast Louisiana.
Tomorrow's Risk - Severe
Severe weather forecast for far northeast Texas, extreme southeast Oklahoma,
northern Louisiana,
Arkansas, south southeast Missouri, far southern Illinois, western Kentucky
and western Tennessee
There is a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow over the northeast
1/3 of Texas, the
eastern 3/4 of Oklahoma, the southeast 1/2 of Kansas, far south southeast
Iowa, Illinois except the
far northern area, Indiana except the extreme north northeastern area, the
southeast 2/3 of Ohio,
extreme western West Virginia, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama, northwest Georgia, extreme western North Carolina, and extreme
western Virginia.
The 15% probability area covers eastern Texas, the eastern 1/2 of Oklahoma,
the southeast 1/4 of
Kansas, Missouri except the far northern area, central and southern
Illinois, central and southern
Indiana, far southeast Ohio, Kentucky except the eastern area, Tennessee
except the far eastern
area, far northeastern Georgia, Alabama except the far southeastern area,
Mississippi, Arkansas
and Louisiana.
The 25% probability area covers far eastern Texas, extreme east southeast
Oklahoma, the south
southeast 1/3 of Missouri, far southern Illinois, extreme southwestern
Indiana, western Kentucky,
western Tennessee, extreme northeastern Alabama, the west northwest 2/3 of
Mississippi, and
Louisiana except the extreme southern and southeastern areas.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 2 inches of
precipitation over a portion of east
central Oklahoma.
Over 1 inch of precipitation is forecast over northeast central north Texas,
the east southeast 2/3 of
Oklahoma, southeast Kansas, and central west Missouri.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for 1 inch of
precipitation over east central through
northeast Nebraska, far east southeast South Dakota, far northwest Iowa, far
southwest Minnesota,
the eastern 1/2 of Iowa, east southeast Minnesota, northwest Illinois,
Wisconsin, the northwest 1/2
of Michigan, southeast Missouri, extreme southwest Illinois, extreme western
Kentucky, western
Tennessee, far western Alabama, Mississippi, northeastern Louisiana, and far
eastern Arkansas.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall may exceed flash flood values in isolate areas of north northeast
Texas, the southeast 1/2 of
Oklahoma, far southeast Kansas, and far west southwest Missouri.
USA heavy snow and/or significant icing
>From noon to midnight today EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over central
east South Dakota, far north northwest Iowa, southern Minnesota, and extreme
central west
Minnesota.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is low over east
northeast Nebraska,
extreme southeast South Dakota, and Iowa.
The moderate probability area is over central Iowa west to east.
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over
central east Colorado, northwest Nebraska, the southwest 1/3 of South
Dakota, the southwest
portion of Michigan's northern peninsula and far northwest Michigan, and the
northern 1/2 of
Wisconsin.
The moderate probability area is over far southwest South Dakota, and north
central through
northeast Wisconsin
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is low over north
northeast Iowa, south
southeast Minnesota, the southern 1/3 of Wisconsin, and northern Illinois.
The moderate probability area is over far southeast Minnesota, far northeast
Iowa and southern
Wisconsin.
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
08:30 AM EST FRI FEB 23 2001
FLOOD SUMMARY
FLOODING CONTINUES ACROSS CENTRAL US
RIVERS ACROSS THE CENTRAL US CONTINUE FALLING, WITH MINOR TO SOME
MODERATE FLOODING REPORTED. A FEW RIVERS INCLUDING THE LOWER OHIO
RIVER CONTINUE TO RISE IN RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK'S HEAVY RAIN.
FLASH FLOODING:
FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORIES
WERE ISSUED DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS FOR LOCATIONS INCLUDING:
TEXAS: ZAPATA COUNTY
RIVER FLOODING:
RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE OR
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: A MINOR FLOOD CREST IS PROCEEDING DOWN THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER, WITH A CREST JUST AT FLOOD STAGE EXPECTED AT
RED RIVER LANDING BY MARCH 5TH.
THE LOWER OHIO RIVER CONTINUES TO RISE SLOWLY THROUGH MIDWEEK,
WITH FLOODING FROM SHAWNEETOWN TO CAIRO, IL
ALABAMA: THE TOMBIGBEE RIVER
ARKANSAS: THE SALINE, OUACHITA, WHITE, ST FRANCIS AND CACHE
RIVERS
ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS AND KASKASKIA RIVERS
LOUISIANA: THE RED, ATCHAFALAYA, OUACHITA AND BOEUF RIVERS;
CADDO LAKE, LAKES BISTINEAU AND D'ARBONNE; BAYOUS BODCAU AND
DORCHEAT, RED CHUTE BAYOU
MISSISSIPPI: THE TALLAHATCHIE, BIG SUNFLOWER, UPPER AND
LOWER BIG BLACK RIVERS
TENNESSEE: THE HATCHIE AND SOUTH FORK FORKED DEER RIVERS
TEXAS: THE SULPHUR, SABINE, ANGELINA, NECHES AND TRINITY
RIVERS; BLACK CYPRESS AND ATTOYAC BAYOUS; LITTLE CYPRESS,
WHITE OAK AND LAKE FORK CREEKS
WISCONSIN: THE FOX RIVER
=> 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 SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2001 FEB 23 at 00:15 UTC
NO EVENTS
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
Time Size Location County State Lat Lon Comments
2146 100 RED BLUFF MUNI ARPT TEHAMA CA 4015 12225 (SPC)
2330 100 OROVILLE BUTTE CA 3951 12156 (SPC)
2335 100 LOS MOLINOS TEHAMA CA 4001 12209 (SPC)
0030 100 CHICO BUTTE CA 3973 12183 (SPC)
0045 100 OROVILLE BUTTE CA 3951 12156 (SPC)
0100 100 BRUSH CREEK BUTTE CA 3968 12133 (SPC)
Wind Reports
Time Speed Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1405 UNK RICHMOND CONTRA COSTA CA 3793 12234 TO BE TORN OFF OF 3
STORY BUILDING. FIRE STARTS FROM DOWNED ELECTRICAL WIRES. (SFO)
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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=> Interior Department Funds to Aid Rural Fire Departments
FEBRUARY 22 -- BOISE, IDAHO: Four agencies of the Department of the Interior
(DOI) soon
will distribute $10 million to rural fire departments.
The money was allocated by Congress to the DOI fire agencies -- Bureau of
Land Management,
National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Fish and Wildlife
Service -- in the 2001
Appropriations Bill and is intended "to enhance the fire protection
capability of rural fire districts."
"The money from Congress will be divided among the agencies, and the
agencies will distribute the
money to their local offices," said Bill Casey, the Bureau of Land
Management lead for rural
firefighting assistance. "The field offices, working with local partners,
will develop a process to
disburse the money."
Rod Bloms, of the Fish and Wildlife Service, said that rural fire
departments interested in obtaining a
share of the funds should get in touch with the closest office of the four
DOI agencies involved in the
program. Funding priorities will be developed by the local office, in
consultation with cooperators
and local departments.
The funds will be used for training, equipment and fire prevention work.
"The money will help the rural fire departments to enhance their capability
for the kind of work they
do everyday," Bloms said.
To participate in the program, rural fire departments must meet several
eligibility requirements:
They must have a statewide agreement with the state forester who maintains
cooperative agreements
with the rural fire departments or volunteer fire departments; or, absent
that, a cooperative fire
agreement with an agency in the DOI.
The rural fire department must serve a community with a population of less
than 10,000.
Funding can only be used for training, equipment and prevention activities.
The local department must have the capability to share a minimum of 10
percent of the total cost.
In-kind services may be included as part of the cost sharing.
The local department must serve a community in the "wildland-urban
interface," which is where
development occurs near federal land that is vulnerable to wildfire.
A ceiling of $20,000 in assistance per rural fire department has been set by
Interior Department
agencies.
The Forest Service, in the Department of Agriculture, has a long-standing,
similar program to assist
rural fire departments.
"If a community is close to land managed by the Forest Service, but not DOI
land, the rural fire
district may be able to receive assistance from the Forest Service,"said
Paul Broyles of the National
Park Service, who was on the team that developed the assistance guidelines.
Information on the
Forest Service program is online at http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/planning/vfa/
The assistance to rural fire departments is part of a larger national fire
plan to reduce wildfire risks in
communities in the wildland urban interface. This is a pilot program, and
Congress left open the
option to allocate additional funding to rural fire departments in the
future.
For additional information, contact Jack Sept in the NIFC External Affairs
Office, 208-387-5458.
=> 2001 Wildland Fires Season Outlook
FEBRUARY 21 -- BOISE, IDAHO: It's been said that only newcomers and fools
predict fire
seasons, and the earlier a fire season is forecast, the more unknowns there
are. For example, how
much or how often rain will fall in the spring may mean the difference
between few small fires or
many large ones. Still, according to Rick Ochoa, National Weather Service
staff meteorologist at the
National Interagency Fire Center, the weather patterns and fuel conditions
can be important
indicators of the potential for a busy, or slow, fire season. Here are some
of the factors he's looking
at now to help forecast the fire potential for this year:
Following its dissipation last fall, "La Niņa," a weather pattern
characterized by cooler than normal
waters in the tropical Pacific has established itself once again. La Niņa
tends to hold the North
American storm track farther north into western Canada and then dipping
southward into the Great
Lakes and the Northeast. Thus, western and southeastern states have missed
out on much-needed
precipitation this past fall and winter.
Winter snow packs and precipitation in many of the country's areas have been
below normal so far.
For example, in the West, except for New Mexico, the snowpack has been well
below normal with
many locations reporting just 50 to 70 percent of normal.
Dry conditions in the Southeast extend from the Gulf Coast northward into
the Appalachians.
Florida, still reeling from the drought conditions of the past couple of
years, is experiencing yet
another year of below-normal precipitation. The state is actually more dry
right now than it was in
1998 when 2,214 wildland fires burned nearly 500,000 acres of land. Some
areas of Florida have
received only 25 percent of the normal rainfall. Fire season in this state
is already well underway, and
some of these fires are growing very large.
An above-average fire season in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina
and Virginia, and
especially Florida, is expected. This is due to the dry, and in many places,
extreme drought
conditions, continued below-normal precipitation, and the fact that these
areas have yet to recover
from the previous years of drought conditions.
As in the Southeast, the West has been suffering from generally drier than
normal conditions since
1998. Given the meager snowpack and an expected warmer than normal spring,
the snowmelt will
be well ahead of schedule. Depending upon the number, timing and intensity
of the spring rains, and
the June rains in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, the West may
experience a near- to
above-average fire season.
Though the spring months and June could bring much-needed rain, indicators
and weather patterns
currently in place suggest that another busy fire season may be ahead.
Given the effect of the La Nina weather pattern and dry fuel conditions that
have carried over for
more than a year, the potential for a long and widespread wildland fire
season is very real. Still, the
unknowns - snow pack, spring rains, and June rain - may yet bring the
moisture needed to ease the
dry conditions, and the concerns of fire managers and meteorologists for the
upcoming wildland fire
season.
=> Drought Conditions Keeping Firefighters Busy in Florida
FEBRUARY 21 -- BOISE, IDAHO: As of 1000 on February 21, 2001, the Southern
Area
Coordination Center reported major fire activity in Florida.
The major fire of concern is called the Stagecoach Fire, which started near
Polk City, Florida.
Although there was an extensive burn ban in place in Florida, this fire is
believed to have started from
an escaped trash burn on Thursday, February 18, 2001.
The fire is also referred to as the Lakeland Complex and is burning in
Hillsborough, Pinellas and
Polk counties. The Lakeland Complex increased 2,500 acres on February 19 and
is now 11,500
acres and 50% contained. A ten mile portion of Interstate 4, a heavily
traveled route connecting
Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach, was closed Monday night (2/19) and remains
closed due to
fallen trees, burned cattle fences and smoke, affecting up to 66,000 cars
and trucks daily. Smoke
has reached as far as St. Petersburg, Florida. Twenty homes were evacuated
near Polk City, and 40
inmates of the Polk County Correctional Institution with respiratory
problems were moved to
neighboring jails.
The Forest Service is supporting the efforts of the Florida Division of
Forestry through two severiy
funding authorizations to the National Forests of Florida. The National
Interagency Fire Center
assigned one national resource Type I helicopter, two airtankers and support
aircraft, and authorized
the continued use of fire prevention teams, and mobilized other Southern
Area ground and air
resources to assist in the firefighting effort.
In addition to extensive firefighting resources already mobilized, the
Florida State Division of
Forestry has activated National Guard Blackhawk helicopters, through their
state emergency
response authorities, and one contract Type I helicopter and one single
engine airtanker.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a request for
federal fire
suppression aid through the Presidents Disaster Relief Fund. Under the
authorization, FEMA will
pay 70% of the state's eligible firefighting costs above 1.5 million
dollars. Costs to be covered
include expenses for field camps, equipment use, tools, materials and
supplies and costs association
with mobilization and demobilization of resources.
On February 20, the Florida Division of Forestry reported that a total of
1325 fires have burned
89,748 acres in Florida since January 1, 2001. The Southern Area
Coordination Center has
reported an average of about 74 new fires, about 4000 acres, daily since
Friday, February 16.
Dry conditions in the Southeast extend from the Gulf Coast northward into
the Appalachians.
Florida, still reeling from the drought conditions of the past couple of
years, is experiencing yet
another year of below-normal precipitation. The state is actually more dry
right now than it was in
1998 when 2,214 wildland fires burned nearly 500,000 acres of land. Some
areas of Florida have
received only 25 percent of the normal rainfall. The state's current weather
forecast calls for
temperatures in the 80s with no precipitation.
Additional fire information and stories online:
Southern Area Coordination Center Intelligence
(http://www.r8web.com/sacc/intelligence.htm)
Florida Division of Forestry Fire & Forest Protection
(http://flame.fl-dof.com/)
Florida's Division of Emergency Management (http://www.floridadisaster.org)
CNN.com/US (http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/02/21/florida.wildfire/index.html)
The Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/)
The Tampa Tribune (http://www.tampatrib.com/)
=> Reno, NV to host National Interagency Hotshot Workshop
FEBRUARY 21 -- BOISE, IDAHO: Wildland firefighters from across the country
will be meeting in
Reno, Nevada, from February 27 to March 1 for the National Interagency
Hotshot Crew (IHC)
Workshop. This workshop is held every four years, and the 350-400
participants will include
hotshot crew superintendents and their leadership teams, as well as state,
regional and national
leaders from various agencies involved in wildland fire. The theme for this
year's workshop is "2001:
An Odyssey to the Future." Important topics for discussion will focus on the
national fire plan and its
impacts on the IHC program, the addition by various agencies of 20 new
hotshot crews, and
revisions to the National Interagency Hotshot Crew Operations Guide.
Conference registration is still open and the complete workshop agenda is
online at
www.fs.fed.us/fire/operations/crews/natIHCagenda.html. For more information,
call (406)
329-3752. Rooms are still available at the host hotel. Contact the Nugget at
1-800-648-1177 for
reservations.
=> The United States Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism Concept of
Operations Plan
The United States Government Interagency Domestic Terrorism Concept of
Operations Plan,
hereafter referred to as the CONPLAN, is designed to provide overall
guidance to Federal, State
and local agencies concerning how the Federal government would respond to a
potential or actual
terrorist threat or incident that occurs in the United States, particularly
one involving WMD.
The following departments and agencies agree to support the overall concept
of
operations of the CONPLAN in order to carry out their assigned
responsibilities under PDD-39 and
PDD-62. The departments and agencies also agree to implement national and
regional planning
efforts and exercise activities in order to maintain the overall Federal
response capability.
Specifically:
.= The Attorney General is responsible for ensuring the development and
implementation of policies directed at preventing terrorist attacks
domestically, and will undertake the criminal prosecution of these acts of
terrorism that violate U.S. law. The Department of Justice has charged the
Federal Bureau of Investigation with execution of its LFA responsibilities
for
the management of a Federal response to terrorist incidents. As the lead
agency for crisis management, the FBI will implement a Federal crisis
management response. As LFA, the FBI will designate a Federal on-scene
commander (OSC) to ensure appropriate coordination of the overall United
States Government response with Federal, State and local authorities until
such time as the Attorney General transfers the LFA role to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
.= As the lead agency for consequence management, FEMA will implement the
Federal Response Plan (FRP) to manage and coordinate the Federal
consequence management response in support of State and local authorities.
.= The Department of Defense will provide military assistance to the LFA
and/or
the CONPLAN primary agencies during all aspects of a terrorist incident upon
request by the appropriate authority and approval by the Secretary of
Defense.
.= The Department of Energy will provide scientific-technical personnel and
equipment in support of the LFA during all aspects of a nuclear/radiological
WMD terrorist incident.
.= The Environmental Protection Agency will provide technical personnel and
supporting equipment to the LFA during all aspects of a WMD terrorist
incident.
.= The Department of Health and Human Services is the primary agency to plan
and to prepare for a national response to medical emergencies arising from
the
terrorist use of WMD. HHS provides technical personnel and supporting
equipment to the LFA during all aspects of a terrorist incident.
FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/r-n-r/conplan/
The Plan
http://www.fema.gov/r-n-r/conplan/conplan.pdf
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FREE 30 days of StormWarn by Email, Pager, PCS/GSM Phone, Business Fax at no
cost*
Sign up today and you'll receive no obligation, no commitment StormWarn . If
you find it helpful, you can then decide to continue service at very low
rates. Your account is held in strictest confidence and you won't keep
hearing from us if you decide not to keep the service. We believe in the
value of StormWarn, and we think you will too.
*Direct pages and faxes are limited to 50 bulletins during the trial period.
http://www.stormwarn.com/index.asp?a=10296
=> Links Area
Apocalypse Then -- Mass Extinction 250 Million Years Ago
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast23feb_1.htm?list66492
WINTER STORM SYSTEM OVER MID-ATLANTIC STATES
Mid-Atlantic States
This GOES-8 image shows a winter storm system over the Mid-Atlantic states
that dumped
moderate to heavy snow
across the region on Thursday causing poor traveling conditions. Several
multi-vehicle wrecks in the
Washington D.C.
Metropolitan area were reported. (Click anywhere in the image to start the
loop. To view using
QuickTime, first open
the QuickTime Player, select open URL, copy and paste the movie's URL (ie
http...) into the white
selection box.).
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Storms/US_East/STMusE053_G8.avi
TROPICAL CYCLONE 11P (OMA)
South Pacific
Tropical Cyclone 11P (Oma) was located in the South Pacific Ocean near 32.6S
and 150.2W at
06:00 UTC.
Oma has been moving southeastward at 35 knots with maximum sustained winds
estimated at 40
knots,
gusts to 55 knots
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Tropical/S_Pacific/TRComa053_G10.jpg
DUST BLOWING OFF THE COAST OF AFRICA
West Coast of Africa
Airborne dust (light brown) is visible blowing off the western coast of
Africa.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Dust/Africa_W/DSTafr053_MT.jpg
FIRES IN AFRICA
Sudan and Ethiopia
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue) are visible from fires burning
in Sudan and
Ethiopia.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/Africa_E/FSMHSsudan053_N4.jpg
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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