Denver wildfire forces evacuation of 10,000 homes
Posted by feww on March 25, 2011
New fire rapidly scorches large area SE of Denver, Colorado
The latest fire, which erupted as firefighters struggled to contain a separate blaze (Indian Gulch in Jefferson County), has scorched about [2,000] acres on the wooded cliffs near Franktown, Colorado, according to Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
“We’re not aware of any structures lost, but the high winds are pushing it close to heavily populated neighborhoods, so we called for mandatory evacuations.”
Fire at Miami International Airport
“A spectacular fire that led to cancellations of 179 flights and delayed dozens more at Miami International Airport may have been caused by an electrical failure in a complex grid of underground pipes that pumps fuel to hundreds of planes each day.” Said a report.
Large fires are currently reported in the following states:
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- Colorado (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Missouri (3)
- Oklahoma (7)
- Texas (1)
Year-to-date statistics 2011 (1/1/11 – 3/24/11)
- Fires: 15,906
- Acres: 616,427
9-year average [2002 to 2010]
- Acres: 396,282
- Record: 1,792,721 (2006)
Red Flag Warnings
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Fire Weather Red Flag Warnings for
- SE Colorado
- Northern Central and Southern New Mexico
- Western Texas
- Wakulla and Leon Counties, Fl
Click image to enter NWS Portal.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EL PASO TX/SANTA TERESA NM — 9:57 PM MDT THU MAR 24 2011
…A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EARLY FRIDAY EVENING FOR ALL OF SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL NEW MEXICO AND FAR WEST TEXAS DUE TO WINDS GREATER THAN 20 MPH… RELATIVE HUMIDITY BELOW 15 PERCENT AND VERY HIGH OR EXTREME FIRE DANGER RATINGS…
…A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE SOUTHWEST…SOUTH-CENTRAL NEW MEXICO LOWLANDS AND FAR WEST TEXAS FOR WINDS GREATER THAN 20 MPH…RELATIVE HUMIDITIES 15 PERCENT OR LOWER AND VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER RATINGS…
All Warnings List available at NWS website.
Today and tonight: A Pacific storm system and associated cold front will move across the area this evening. Snow will develop across the mountains by
this evening, continuing overnight. Snow accumulations of up to 2 inches can be expected over the higher mountains by Friday morning. Gusty south to southwest winds will continue to develop across the foothills and plains this afternoon, shifting to the west this evening with gusts to 40 mph possible behind the front. From Boulder to Denver to Limon and areas south, relative humidities are expected to fall below 15%. The combination of low humidities and
strong winds will produce a high fire danger. Strong winds will continue tonight along and near the foothills with gusts to 60 mph possible. [Source: NWS]
Related Links
- Wildfires Wreaking Havoc Across the U.S.
- US Wildfires: 50-percent more fires than the 10 year average
- U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
- Climate Forcing: Positive Feedback Mega Loop
- Global Climate Extremes INTENSIFYING
- 2011 Disaster Calendar
- FEWW DISASTER FORECAST 2011
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- 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
- Megadisasters Loom
- The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
Fire Information
Fire Earth 
SN said
[Not sure, we’re following the drift. Care to elucidate? Moderator]