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Wildland Fire Update June 21, 2002
Initial attack was moderate in the Southwest, Western Great Basin and Rocky Mountain Areas and light elsewhere. Nationally, 157 new fires were reported. Two became large fires, one in California and one in Utah. Crews were successful at containing three large fires, one in New Mexico, one in South Carolina, one in Virginia. Eighteen large fires are burning in 8 states. Acreage burned for this time of year is more than double the 10-year average at 1,992,759 acres. To stay ahead of current demand for resources and future wildland fire potential, the National Multiagency Coordination (MAC) Group is declaring national preparedness to level 5.
- Several western states are facing critical situations with large fires needing more personnel.
- Weather forecasts showing little chance of relief in the short-term.
- In many cases fuel conditions in areas of the nation are drier than historic records.
Many wildland fire resources are still available for fire assignment. Moving into national preparedness level 5 is a proactive measure freeing up more federal personnel qualified to support wildland firefighting efforts. Nationally, we are not at the point of having to bring in additional help from other sources such as the military. A red flag warning has been posted in northern Arizona and northwest New Mexico for strong southwest winds, very low relative humidity and extreme fire danger. Fire weather watches has been issued:
- in the west and south-central Colorado for dry lightning strong southwest winds, very low relative humidity and high Haines Index*
- in southern Utah and the Arizona strip for strong winds, low relative humidity and Haines Index.
Lingering unstable air over the Rocky Mountain area will bring isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms with dry thunderstorms forecasted for western Colorado. The Southwest can expect sunny skies in Arizona and partly cloudy skies in New Mexico and west Texas. Isolated dry thunderstorms are predicted in western New Mexico with a chance of wet thunderstorms to the east. Southern California will be sunny. Northern and central Nevada may experience afternoon thunderstorms. Most of Utah will be sunny with a chance of dry thunderstorms over northwestern Utah. Southern Idaho and northwestern Wyoming are forecasted to receive scattered showers and thunderstorms.. Fire conditions remain very high to extreme in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah and Washington and Wyoming. Statistics
| Daily Statistics 6/21/02 |
Year-to-Date Statistics 1/1/02 - 6/21/02
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| Number of New Large Fires |
2
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Number of Fires |
41,688
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| Number of Active Large Fires |
18
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10-Year Average
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41,565
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| Acres from Active Fires |
559,419
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Number of Acres |
1,992,759
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| Fires Contained Yesterday |
3
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10-Year Average
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905,059
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States Currently Reporting Active Large Fires
(see State-by-State Summaries for details)
- Arizona (3)
- California (5)
- Colorado (4)
- Georgia (1)
- Nevada (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- Utah (2)
- Wyoming (1)
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2001 Number of Fires (1/1/01 - 6/21/01) |
38,463
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| 2001 Number of Acres (1/1/01 - 6/21/01) |
844,773
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| 2000 Number of Fires (1/1/0 - 6/21/00) |
46,827
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| 2000 Number of Acres (1/1/00 - 6/21/00) |
1,276,912
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YTD Large Fire Containment |
268 |
State-by-State Summaries
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Arizona |
Number of Fires: 3 |
Acres: 101,469 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| Big (Kaibab National Forest): 100 acres at 60 percent contained. This fire is 35 miles southeast of Fredonia. Crews are constructing fireline around spot fires, mopping up and patrolling. |
| Rodeo (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Apache Agency): 85,000 acres at 0 percent contained. This fire is three miles north of Cibecue. Extreme fire behavior with flame lengths of 200 to 300 feet and long range spotting were observed as the fire advanced north crossing Highway 260. The communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, and Linden remain evacuated. Show Low, Lakeside, Pinetop, Hon Dah and a major power line are threatened. Evacuation centers are open in Holbrook and Winslow. Highway 260 is closed. |
| Walker (Coronado National Forest): 16,369 acres at 95 percent contained. The fire is in Walker Canyon northwest of Nogales. The fire is burning on both sides of the border. Interior islands are burning out. U.S. crews are mopping up in Potrero and Alamo Canyons, and rehabilitating fireline. Mexican crews are constructing fireline along the west flank with the support of aerial resources. |
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California |
Number of Fires: 5 |
Acres: 9,591 |
New Fires: 1 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| Cannon fire information can be found under the Nevada summary. The jurisdiction of this fire is currently under the Western Great Basin Coordination Center, which is based out of Nevada. |
| NEW Wildwood (Angeles National Forest): 150 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is in Big Tujunga Canyon, four miles north of La Crescentia. Extreme fire behavior was observed in heavy brush as the fire moved east-northeast. Approximately 50 residences in the canyon are threatened. |
| Piney (Los Padres National Forest): 308 acres at 85 percent contained. This fire is 13 miles southwest of Soledad. Crews are constructing fireline and mopping up. Structure protection is in place for several improvements along Carmel Valley Road. |
| Troy (Cleveland National Forest): 1050 acres at 40 percent contained. This fire is one-half mile southwest of the Cuyapaipe Indian Reservation. Aggressive ground and air attack limited fire spread. The treat to residences has been significantly reduced. |
| Copco (Angeles National Forest): 1,460 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is seven miles southeast of Lebec. Minimal fire activity was observed. Crews and engines are patrolling, mopping up and rehabilitating fireline. One additional outbuilding was confirmed lost. |
| Bluecut (San Bernardino National Forest): 6,758 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is one mile north of the Interstate 15 and Interstate 215 junction near the community of Oak Hills. Backing and creeping was observed in heavy chaparral. Crews are building direct attack fireline and have completed contingency line along the south and southeast flanks. Reduction in acreage is due to better mapping. |
| Colorado |
Number of Fires: 4 |
Acres: 214,185 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| Million (Rio Grande National Forest): 6,000 acres at 0 percent contained. This fire is two miles south of South Fork. Moderate fire activity was observed. Four subdivisions near South Fork remain evacuated and an evacuation center is open in Del Norte. Highway 160 has been reopened. Information: Call 800-377-3994 or visit the Million fire web site |
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Coal Seam (Grand Junction Dispatch Area Counties): 12,209 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is four miles west of Glenwood Springs. Torching was observed on the northeast perimeter. A confinement strategy will be used on the north flank of the fire where the terrain is steep and dangerous. Crews have completed fireline construction on the east and west flanks, forcing the fire north into areas with low spread potential. Mop up is underway Information: Call 970-947-1292 or visit the Coal Seam web site |
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Hayman (Pike-San Isabel National Forest): 137,000 acres at 45 percent contained. Fire is six miles northwest of Lake George. Precipitation moderated fire behavior with isolated torching, short crown runs and limited spotting observed. Crews are constructing direct attack handline with the support of aerial resources and burning out where possible. A revised estimate of evacuated residents is 5,350; no new evacuations occurred yesterday. Residents in El Paso County were allowed to return to their homes. Fifty-four residences and 400 outbuildings were confirmed lost; the majority of those structures reported were in Teller County. Four other counties continue to evaluate structure loss. Evacuation centers are open in park, Douglas, Teller and Jefferson Counties. Highway 67 remains closed. Information: Call 719-748-0004 or 719-748-0005 or visit the Hayman fire web site |
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Missionary Ridge (San Juan National Forest): 58,976 acres at 25 percent contained. The fire is 15 miles northeast of Durango. Sustained crowning runs with 100 to 200 foot flame lengths, torching and spotting up to one mile ahead of the front was observed on the southeast, southwest and east flanks. The fire has spotted across State Route 250 to the west. Crews are building indirect attack fireline along the southeast and southwest perimeters in preparation for a burn out. Eighteen subdivisions south of Lemon, and Vallecito Reservoirs, and along State Route 250 remain evacuated. Additional scattered residences were evacuated yesterday. An evacuation alert has been issued to residents of Durango Hills, Florida Pines and Baby Bear subdivisions. An evacuation center is open in Bayfield. Twenty-three residences and 20 outbuildings have been confirmed lost. Information: Call 970-247-2180 or 970-247-2336 or visit the Missionary Ridge web site |
| Georgia |
Number of Fires: 1 |
Acres: 124,104 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| Blackjack Bay Complex (Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge): 124,104 acres at 6 percent contained. This complex consists of three fires 10 miles northeast of Fargo and is being managed to benefit resources, which continues to be monitored. A Unified Command between the interagency Fire Use Management Team, the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Florida Davison of Forestry is in place. Cloud cover and higher relative humidity contributed to moderate fire activity. A ten-mile preexisting permanent fuel break surrounding the Refuge is successfully holding the fire. Crews are mopping up and patrolling the fuel break. |
| Nevada |
Number of Fires: 1 |
Acres: 21,760 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| Cannon (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest): 21,760 acres at 30 percent contained. This fire is 25 miles northwest of Bridgeport. Running and torching was observed as the fire moved south and east. Up canyon winds pushed the south flank through Tollhouse Canyon and into Bootleg Creek. Crews are constructing fireline on the south and east flanks. Highway 395 remains closed. Information: Call 530-495-1191 or 530-495-1187 or visit the Cannon Fire web site |
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New Mexico |
Number of Fires: 1 |
Acres: 5,400 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 1 |
| Roybal/Trampas (Santa Fe National Forest): 5,400 acres at 5 percent contained. The Roybal fire is four miles northeast of Pecos and the Trampas fire is in the Pecos Wilderness Area eight miles west of Rociada. Precipitation moderated fire behavior on Trampas. Crews are improving fireline along the south flank and are building handline on the southeast flank. Protection is in place around threatened structures. Residences in Maestas and Daily Canyons were allowed to return to there homes. An evacuation center is open in Las Vegas. |
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Utah |
Number of Fires: 2 |
Acres: 72,187 |
New Fires: 1 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
| NEW Wildhorse Complex (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Uintah and Ouray Agency): 150 acres at 5 percent contained. This complex comprised of the Wildhorse and Pappoose fires, is 54 miles south of Fort Duchesne. Running and torching were observed. Crews are constructing handline on the west flank. Steep, rough terrain, limited access and erratic winds are impeding containment efforts. |
| Sanford (Dixie National Forest): 72,037 acres at 45 percent contained. The fire is 20 miles northeast of Panguitch. A Fire Use Management Team** is managing the fire. Priorities are for firefighter and public safety, economics of suppression and ecosystem health. Torching and short runs were observed on the north and east flanks. Crews are constructing handline east from Dutton Peak in preparation for a potential burnout. Structure protection is in place for Sanford Ranch. Increase in acreage occurred on 6/18. Information: Call 435-865-3700 or visit the Dixie National Forest web site |
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Wyoming |
Number of Fires: 1 |
Acres: 10,588 |
New Fires: 0 |
Fires Contained: 0 |
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Hensel (Medicine Bow National Forests): 10,588 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is burning 20 miles northwest of Wheatland. Precipitation contributed to moderate fire activity. A burn out operation between Harris Park and Cottonwood Park was successful. Residents from the northern portion of Cottonwood Park remain evacuated and structure protection is in place. Information: Call 307-358-0522 or visit the Hensel Fire web site |
* Haines Index - Another tool for evaluating fire danger by combining two atmospheric factors that are known to have an effect on wildfires: Stability and Dryness.
** Team whose primary mission is to assist with the management of Wildland Fire Use fires.
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