Large Wildfires Burn 2 Million Acres in Western U.S.

Dozens of active wildfires burn across 8 states

Some 65 large fires have burned nearly 2 million acres across Western United States, with three new large fires sparked on Tuesday, reported NIFC.

States currently reporting large fires include Alaska (1), Arizona (1), California (8), Idaho (16), Montana (14), Oregon (8), Texas (1) and Washington (16).

The deadly Okanogan Complex fire, raging across north-central Washington, had burned at least 305,000 acres, destroying hundreds of homes and outbuilding as of August 30. The fire has since been subdivided into its component blazes.  The fire killed three fire crews and injured four others last month.

Okanogan was one 16 active wildfire/fire complexes in Washington state that have consumed more than 921,249 acres as of September 1, said NIFC.

Fire Stats (9/1/15)
Acres from active fires: 1,990,649
Number of new large fires: 3
Number of active large fires: 65

Year-to-date statistics
2015 (1/1/15 – 9/1/15)     Fires: 43,819 –  Acres: 8,202,557 or 33,195 km² [NEW Record]

Annual average prior 10 years
2005-2014     Fires: 53,432 – Acres: 5,569,996

Latest Fire Management Assistance Declarations

• Idaho Tepee Springs Fire (FM-5110)
• Washington Goodell Fire (FM-5109)
• Washington Renner Fire (FM-5108)

Earthquake Rattles Grand Coulee Dam, Washington

M4.3 quake strikes north of Coulee Dam, Washington

Centered at 48.307°N, 119.019°W the quake occurred at a depth of 9.7km north of Coulee Dam, Washington, reported USGS/EHP.

The quake was felt over a large area, prompting authorities to inspect the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest hydroelectric facility in the U.S.

The facility supplies electricity to about a dozen states in the U.S. West.

EQ Details

Magnitude: 4.3Mw
Location: 48.307°N, 119.019°W
Depth: 9.7km
Time: 2015-09-01 16:42:45 UTC

Nearby Cities:

• 38km (24mi) N of Coulee Dam, Washington
• 132km (82mi) N of Moses Lake, Washington
• 136km (85mi) SSE of Penticton, Canada
• 137km (85mi) NE of Wenatchee, Washington

Grand Coulee Dam on Columbia River, Washigton. More images posted at http://www.usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/news/gallery/index.html

Other Significant Quakes

• M6.0, 271km SE of Hachijo-jima, Japan 2015-09-01 at 15:25:10 UTC depth= 11.3km
• M5.6, 270km SE of Hachijo-jima, Japan 2015-09-01 at 15:24:09 UTC depth= 10.0km
• M5.0, 12km SW of Hualian, Taiwan 2015-09-01 at 13:24:45 UTC depth= 20.8km
• M4.4, 250km E of Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland 2015-09-01 at 13:26:29 UTC depth= 10.0km