Colorado Wildfires Burn Dozens of Homes, Force Thousands to Flee

Major wildfires fueled by record temperatures, strong winds and low humidity threaten thousands of homes in Colorado

Four major wildfires burning across Colorado have destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands to flee, including 900 inmates from a state prison.

Black Forest Fire, a wildfire which has consumed about 10,000 acres in a heavily wooded residential area northeast of Colorado Springs, forced the authorities to issue evacuations orders for more than 2,300 homes, forcing about 6,400 people to flee the area, according to El Paso County Sheriff. The blaze is currently at “zero  percent containment.”

As of Tuesday night, “between 40 and 60 homes” had been destroyed,” said Sheriff Maketa. “You can easily assume that [the number] is higher than that.”

“Right now, the firefighters are more focused on fighting fires, drawing lines. And law enforcement, to be very honest, is scrambling to get people out of there as well as do searches,” said Maketa, adding that firefighters had shifted from evacuation phase to search-and-rescue mode.

“Weather is not working with us right now, but our guys are giving it a heck of a shot,” he said.

The fire is burning in an area close to last summer’s devastating Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed 346 homes and killed several people.

“It’s very, very reminiscent of what we experienced in Waldo Canyon,” Maketa said.

Royal Gorge Fire
In southern Colorado, a 4,000-acre fire dubbed Royal Gorge Fire has destroyed at least three structures  near the Royal Gorge Bridge and forced evacuation of “Old Max,” the Territorial Prison in Cañon City. Authorities have since evacuated Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. [Cause under investigation.]

Klikus Fire
Burning also in southern Colorado,  the Klikus Fire has consumed about 200 acres west of La Veta in Huerfano County, prompting mandatory evacuation of more than 200 residences. [Cause unknown.]

Rocky Mountain National Park Fire
A fourth wildfire has been burning in Rocky Mountain National Park since Monday. The fast moving blaze had grown to about 500 acres by Tuesday night, but it wasn’t threatening any structures, authorities said. [Sparked by lightning.]

Red Flag Warnings

Red Flag Warning are in effects for parts of Colorado, Utah, California and Arizona, as well as most of Nevada, NWS said.

Excessive Heat Warning

Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect  for portions of south-central Arizona that include NW and north-central Pinal County, and Maricopa County including the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

The afternoon temperatures in the region are forecast to climb to 112 degrees, warned NWS.

Related Links

• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado June 28, 2012
• Waldo Canyon fire the most destructive in Colorado history: Officials
• Drought 2013
• World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year FIRE-EARTH Forecast – June 5, 2013

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DISASTER CALENDAR – June 12, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,004 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,004 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

The Big Smoke

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,270 Days Left

[September 23, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. 

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,270 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

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Global Disasters/ Significant Events

U.S. Wildfires Prompt Air Quality Alerts

Hundreds of wildfires across the Midwest, Northwestern and Southern U.S. prompt Red Flag Warnings, air quality alerts and more evacuation orders.

Current Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Analysis – NOAA/NESDIS

Map of Analyzed Fires from Satellite Data – NESDIS

See also Washington state health provides thousands of respirators as Wildfire smoke worsens

Other Disasters

• Alabama, USA. The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Alabama following the damage caused by Hurricane Isaac during the period of August 26 to September 5, 2012.

Related Links

• Massive Wildfires Raging in Washington Threaten to Merge into ‘Monster Blaze’ Posted September 22, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!

State Of Disaster Declared in Michigan Counties

Fast-moving wildfire consumes 23,000 acres in Michigan

Luce and Schoolcraft counties in Upper Peninsula were declared disaster areas, while an outdoor burning ban was issued for 49 Michigan counties.

Many homes and several tourist destinations in Lake Superior State Forest have been evacuated in the region, as a fast moving wildfire called Duck Lake Fire consumes about 23,000 acres in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, destroying scores of structures including vacation homes.

“The whole sky is just smoke,” said Beverly Holmes, Newberry village manager, who was driving on a highway east of town, AP reported. “It’s like a heavy fog.”

The fire is threatening a resort in Pike Lake area.

A second blaze at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge in neighboring Schoolcraft County, which was also sparked by lightning, had consumed about 4,000 acres of forest and wetland, as of posting.

Other Wildfires

• Florida, USA.   “A wildfire that is burning in Orlando blew heavy smoke near the busy hotel and attractions district of Walt Disney world at the start of the busy Memorial Day weekend,” a report said.
• New Mexico, USA.  The massive Whitewater-Baldy blaze ( Gila Wilderness blaze), which has destroyed more than 2 dozen cabins and outbuilding in the Willow Creek Subdivision, Gila National forest, has grown to about 90,000 acres.
  • The nearby town of Mogollon is under a voluntary evacuation.
  • The two blazes, which merged forming the giant Gila Wilderness fire, were ignited buy lightning
• Utah, USA.  Lightning also sparked a  large blaze near Great Salt Lake, Utah, which has consumed about 4,000 acres.
• Nevada, USA.  Fire is still raging south of Carson City. The Topaz Ranch Estates wildfire has so far consumed about 35km²  of brush, destroying two dozen homes and outbuildings.
• Arizona, USA.  The so-called Gladiator Fire, currently Arizona’s largest wildfire, is still raging in the Grand Canyon. The massive blaze has so far consumed about 70km²  of ponderosa pine and brush some 65km north of Phoenix. The fire prompted evacuations last week.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

Wildfire Attacks Reno

Reno Fire Declared a Major Disaster by FEMA

A fast-moving 2,000-acre blaze whipped by 100 kph (60 mph) destroys at least 20 Reno homes, forces 10,000 people to evacuate and prompts Nevada Gov to declare a state of emergency in the state’s largest city (pop: 700,000 metro area)

Disaster Calendar 2011 – November 19

[November 19, 2011]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,579 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Nevada, USA. A fast-moving massive blaze has destroyed at least 20 Reno homes, forcing 10,000 people to evacuate.
• At least one person was reported dead as a result of a heart attack, and dozens were injured, mostly from smoke inhalation, respiratory or cardiac conditions.
• “‘The whole mountain was on fire,’ said a Mountain Springs Road resident who escaped with his wife first to a shopping center and later to Reno High School after waking to the smell of intense smoke about 1:30 a.m.” AP reported.
• The authorities ordered 90 schools to close.

Fire Report Summary by InciWeb:

The Caughlin fire is currently burning near homes on the southwest side of Reno, NV. The fire is scattered throughout a 2,000 acre area burning in a south to southwesterly direction.

Evacuation areas are from southwest of McCarran and S. Virginia Street and the entire area between Skyline Blvd, S. McCarran and Plumas.

Other Global Disasters

• Virginia, USA. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of Virginia because of the damage caused by the Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee during the period of September 8-9, 2011
• The worst affected counties are Caroline, Essex, Fairfax, King and Queen, King George, Prince William, and Westmoreland and the independent City of Alexandria.
• Connecticut, USA. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Connecticut  in the area affected by the deadly pre-Halloween storm during the period of October 29-30, 2011.
• The worst affected areas are in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland, and Windham Counties. Also affected were tribal lands of the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations.

• Southeast Asia. At least 20 million people in SEA have been affected by flooding since June 2011. The worst affected countries are Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
• See Disaster Calendar 2011 and earlier blog entries for specific details of flooding damage in each country.

• Massachusetts, USA.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 7 counties in Massachusetts as agricultural disaster areas due to losses caused by excessive rain and high winds associated with Tropical Storm Irene that occurred Aug. 28-31, 2011.
• The counties declared as Primary disaster areas are Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket and Plymouth.
• The counties declared as Contiguous disaster areas are Bristol, Norfolk and Suffolk.
• Maryland, USA. USDA has designated 22 counties in Maryland as agricultural disaster areas due to losses caused by the combined effects of drought, excessive heat and damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee that occurred April 1 – Oct. 31, 2011.

List of Maryland counties designated as Primary Disaster Areas. Source: USDA

List of Maryland counties designated as Contiguous Disaster Areas. Source: USDA

• The District of Columbia and following counties in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia were also added to the disaster declaration because the areas are contiguous.
• Delaware: Kent, New Castle and Sussex counties.
• District of Columbia.
• Pennsylvania: Adams, Chester, Franklin, Fulton and Lancaster counties.
• Virginia: Accomack, Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties.
• West Virginia: Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties.

Related Links

• Deadly Tornadoes Strike Southeastern U.S.
• Dozens of Counties in 15 States Declared Agri Disaster Areas

• WARNING: Many parts of the United States could become ‘unrecognizable’ due to extreme climatic, geophysical and geological episodes over the next 18 months: FIRE-EARTH Forecast

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities  (EDRO Forecast)
• 2011 Much More Disastrous: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
• Global Disasters in 2011 Could Impact 1/3 to 1/2 of the Human Population  (FIRE-EARTH Forecast)
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs  (FIRE-EARTH Forecast)

• 2010 Disaster Calendar 
• 2011 Disaster Calendar

Los Alamos Fire Grows by 20 percent in 2 Days

Las Conchas blaze has now consumed at least 121,248 acres

Las Conchas fire continues to grow despite higher relative humidity in the fire area

Las Conchas Fire Map, July 2-3, 2011. Click image to enlarge. Full Size.

Las Conchas Fire Summary of Details

• Size: 121,248 acres
• Percent Contained: 11%
• Fuels Involved: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
• Date Started: 06/26/2011
• Location: On Santa Fe National Forest in Sandoval, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba Counties; Santa Clara Reservation; Bandelier National Monument; Valles Caldera National Preserve and private in-holdings.
• Cause: Human – under investigation [The fire was reportedly ignited by a fallen power line] 
• Resources: 1,995 Personnel; 18 Helicopters; 72 Engines; 26 Water Tenders; 8 Dozers
• Residences: 450 threatened; 63 destroyed
• Outbuildings: 140 threatened; 32 destroyed
• Injuries to Date: 4

Photos:

Las Conchas Fire. Looking toward the caldera from fire camp. Credit: B. Stalter

Las Conchas Fire. A pyrocumulus cloud is visible from the Valles Caldera. Credit: J. Coil

Related Sites

• Santa Fe National Forest
• InciWeb
• Fire Photos

Related Links

• Los Alamos Fire Breaks NM Record
• Los Alamos fire explodes to nearly 100,000 acres

Los Alamos Fire Breaks NM Record

US Wildfires Consume 7.7 Million Acres in 6 Months

Massive Las Conchas Blaze Raging Near Los Alamos Now the Largest in New Mexico History

As of July 1, 2011 at 4:00 am MDT, Las Conchas Blaze had consumed at least 103,993 acres of Conifer and Ponderosa Pines in  Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico.

Las Conchas Fire Map for July 1. Map Created 06/30/2011 11:35:06. Click image to enlarge. Click HERE for PDF version

Fire Summary [details as of July 1, 2011, 4:00 am MDT]

• National Preparedness Level: 3
• Southern Area Preparedness Level: 5

• Name: Las Conchas Fire
  
• Date Started: 1 pm on  6/26/2011
• Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35
• Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
• Cause: Unknown – under investigation [The fire was reportedly ignited by a fallen power line]
• Size: at least 103,993 acres   [FIRE-EARTH estimate: 112,000 acres]
• Percent Contained: 5%
• Residences: [Estimated dozens destroyed or damaged. Recent official data unavailable, as of posting.]
• Commercial Property : [About a dozen destroyed or damaged. Recent official data unavailable. ]
• Other structures: [About a dozen destroyed or damaged. Recent official data unavailable.]
• Humidity:  1%
• Weather: Critical fire weather conditions associated with strong winds of 25 to 40 mph and low relative humidity below 12 percent will develop across much of Colorado, northern New Mexico, west  Texas and southwestern Kansas. Isolated thunderstorms will form in southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico in the afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move across the northern Rockies into the northern Plains and the western Great Lakes. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop across Florida and south Texas.
• Fire Info. The Las Conchas and Donaldson fires in New Mexico were extremely active yesterday. Thousands of people who live near these fires remain evacuated. Fire managers are prepared for another day of critical fire weather conditions in several western states. Firefighters were able to reach containment goals on seven large fires yesterday.

The Dry Lakes Fire, which consumed about 94,000 acres of the Gila National Forest in 2003, was previously New Mexico’s largest recorded blaze.

US Wildfires by State [YTD]

• Alabama: 120,000 [Source: NIFC]
• Alaska: 262,621 acres [Source: Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Situation Report]
• Arizona: At least 1,000,000 acres [Source: InciWeb, others, some data may be missing]
• Arkansas: 155,000 acres [Source: NIFC]
• California: 37,000 acres [Source: InciWeb, others]
• Colorado: 150,000 acres [Source: InciWeb, others]
• Florida: About 400,000 [Source: fl-dof and others]
• Georgia: 409,207 acres [Source: Georgia Forestry Commission]
• Kansas: 112, 000 [Source: NIFC]
• Kentucky: 30,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• Louisiana: 160,000 acres [Source: NIFC]
• Minnesota: 90,000 acres [Source: NIFC]
• Mississippi: 55,000 acres [Source: NIFC]
• Missouri: 50,000 acres [Source: NIFC]
• Nebraska: 30,000  [Source: NIFC]
• New Mexico: 1,000,000 [Source: Various]
• North Carolina: 220,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• Oregon: 12,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• South Carolina: 75,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• South Dakota: 23,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• Tennessee: 22,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• Texas: 3,215,168 acres [Source: Texas Forest Service]
• Wisconsin: 25,000 acres  [Source: NIFC]
• Others: 70,000 [Source: Various]
• National Total: ~ 7.7 million acres

Texas: The Worst Hit State

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated the entire state of Texas a disaster area with 213 of the states 254 counties declared as primary natural disaster areas following one of the worst droughts ever recorded. Since January 1, 2011, the drought, wildfires and other natural disasters have destroyed at least a third of the  corn, oats, wheat, pasture and forage crops in the Lone Star State.  The back-to-back disasters have also destroyed tens of thousands of cattle, horses and other farm animals, so far this year. Source: 2011 Disaster Calendar – June

A view of the Rock House wildfire seen from the McDonald Observatory in the Davis Mountains. Photo Source: InciWeb

Texas Fires

Since fire season began on Nov. 15, 2010, Texas Forest Service and local firefighters have responded to 13,467 fires that have burned a record-setting 3,292,070 acres. The largest fire burned 314,444 acres in Presidio county in West Texas in April. Six of the state’s largest wildfires occurred in a 19-day period during that month.

Currently 237 of 254 Texas counties have burn bans. More than two-thirds of Texas counties have experienced wildfire this season. More than 2,000 structures, including 554 homes, have been lost. Source: InciWeb

Related Links

• Los Alamos fire explodes to nearly 100,000 acres

Los Alamos fire explodes to nearly 100,000 acres

‘Unusual Fire’

Extreme fire behavior: Las Conchas Fire consumes Santa Clara Pueblo watershed

The Las Conchas Fire has consumed at least 6,000 acres of forest at the  Santa Clara Pueblo watershed.

Las Conchas Fire map for June 30, 2011. Click image to enlarge. Original Map (PDF)

It’s Like a Sad Déjà vu

Las Conchas Fire is burning areas that were previously consumed by the Cerro Grande in May 2000.

“We’re seeing fire behavior we’ve never seen down here, and it’s really aggressive,” Los Alamos County Fire Chief Doug Tucker said.

“The burn scars are burning, and that is unusual. The dead and downs are less than 3 percent [in moisture content.]

“It doesn’t get drier than that. If there is any fire they are torching off on us, that is unusual fire behavior.”

Carnage in Santa Clara’s forest

“[The fire] continues to destroy cultural sites, forest resources, plants and animals that the people of Santa Clara depend upon for their livelihood and culture,” said a report.

“Wildfires have burned two-thirds of Santa Clara’s forest over the past 13 years, including 8,300 acres burned by the 1998 Oso Complex Fire and the 2000 Cerro Grande Fire. In response, Santa Clara Pueblo Governor Walter Dasheno has issued a Declaration of Emergency.”

“We are devastated to witness the destruction of our precious homeland,” said Governor Dasheno. “From time immemorial to this day our community has been stewards of this land, have fought to regain portions taken from us and have invested millions of dollars in restoring the forest and resources.”

“Our canyon is the source of our Santa Clara Creek that we rely upon for irrigation but, more than that, it was a beautiful place of abundance in wildlife, clean water, culturally-significant trees and medicinal plants. […] This is the fourth fire that has impacted our homelands and all of them have begun outside our reservation. Santa Clara alone cannot bear the extreme costs to help Mother Nature restore herself.”

Fire Summary [details as of June 30, 2011, 8:30 am local time]

• Name: Las Conchas Fire
  
• Date Started: 1 pm on  6/26/2011
• Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35
• Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
• Cause: Unknown – under investigation [The fire was reportedly ignited by a fallen power line]
• Size: at least 92,735 acres acres
• Percent Contained: 3%
• Residences: 13 destroyed and 3 damaged
• Commercial Property : 3 damaged
• Other structures: 2 destroyed

Pacheco Fire

Pacheco Fire. The 10,000+ acre fire is burning 2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin.

Donaldson Complex Fire

Donaldson Complex Fire, located about 150 miles to the south of Los Alamos, is also raging out of control. The fire, which was started by lightning, is burning in and around the Mescalero Apache Reservation about 10 miles South of Hondo, NM.

As of yesterday evening the fire had consumed about 73,000 acres, about 10 percent of it on tribal land. The humidity in the area is about 1%. (Source: Inciweb.)

Currently about 760,000 acres of New Mexico are on fire. (Figure includes a section of Wallow Fire in Catron County.)

New Mexico’s largest recorded fire was the Dry Lakes Fire, which consumed about 94,000 acres of the Gila National Forest in 2003.

Related Sites

• http://www.inciweb.org/
• Las Conchas Fire Information
• Pacheco Fire Information
• http://www.nmfireinfo.com/
• http://www.twitter.com/T1SWIMT

Related Links:

• Fire Surrounds Los Alamos Nuke Lab
• Las Conchas Fire Approaching Plutonium Dump Site
• Los Alamos Fire Explodes to 50,000 acres
• Fire Near Los Alamos Grows to 6,000 Acres
• U.S. Drought Getting Deadlier
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify

Las Conchas Fire Approaching Plutonium Dump Site

Massive Los Alamos blaze has consumed at least 61,000 acres, threatening plutonium waste storage

The blaze may have already reached the grounds of the LANL complex, and could reach a toxic dump site where 30,000 drums (6.25 million liters) of plutonium-contaminated waste are stored.

“Carl Beard, director of operations for the lab, said there has been no release of radioactive or hazardous materials into the environment and there was no immediate threat to public safety, ‘even in these extreme conditions.'” Said a report.

“The concern is that these drums will get so hot that they’ll burst,” Joni Arends, executive director of the Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety, told the AP news agency.

“That would put this toxic material into the plume,” she added.

Looking northwest from southern edge of municpal airport in Los Alamos. June 27, 2011. Photo by LANL phot-stream on Flickr

Volcanic-like plumes of smoke have blackened the sky over the Los Alamos forcing the evacuation of the entire city of about 12,000.

The communities of Cochiti Mesa, and Las Conchas have been evacuated.

On June 27, the fire breached the grounds of Los Alamos National Laboratory and a one-acre spot fire reportedly burned on the lab complex before firefighters extinguished it.

Las Conchas Fire Map

Las Conchas Fire map June 28, 2011. Click image to enlarge.

What People Have Said:

“I seriously believe it could go to 100,000 acres … We have fire all around the lab. It’s a road away.” Doug Tucker, Los Alamos fire chief said.

“We’re doing our best to keep it off the lab,” He added.

“We are throwing absolutely everything at this that we got,” Sen. Tom Udall of N.M. said.

Fire Summary:

• Name: Las Conchas Fire
  
• Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011
• Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35
• Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
• Cause: Unknown – under investigation [The fire was reportedly ignited by a fallen power line]
• Size: 60,741 acres based on infrared data [as of latest available data posted on the Internet on June 28, 2011, 11:30 am local time]
• Percent Contained: 0%

Fire Update: [from InciWeb]

East – Crews are working to protect structures near Bandelier, as well as working to contain the fire along the Frijole Canyon.

West – Crews are building direct lines to prevent fire movement to the west.

Northeast – Crews are working to contain the fire using burnout methods to prevent the fire from spreading north of Pajarito Road and east of Highway 501.

South – North of Cochiti fire progression is being slowed by lighter fuel types. Firefighters are evaluating methods to stop the fire from spreading south.

Current Evacuations:

City of Los Alamos – The acting Los Alamos County Administrator issued an evacuation order for the city of Los Alamos. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque is offering shelter services for evacuating residents of Los Alamos. Los Alamos evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. White Rock is currently under a voluntary evacuation.The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk. The Cities of Gold hotel in Pojoaque offers shelter services for evacuating residents of the Los Alamos townsite. Cities of Gold also accepts pets. Many residents remain in White Rock following voluntary evacuations which began Sunday. Los Alamos townsite evacuees are advised against sheltering in White Rock, although White Rock is not at risk.

Pre-Evacuation Alert

If you live near the fire or near the Forest, you should always be ready for emergencies including evacuations, the three-step process is easy to remember and implement:

· Ready – Take personal responsibility and prepare before the threat of a wildland fire so your home is ready in case of a fire. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home. Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden your home with fire-safe construction measures. Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe spot. Plan escapes routes. Make sure all those residing within the home know the plan of action.

· Set – Act immediately. Pack your vehicle with your emergency items. Remember your six P’s: people, personal computers, pets, pills, papers and pictures. Stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media and your local fire department.

· Go – Leave early! Follow your personal action plan. Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire.

Closures

NM 4 is closed at Jemez Falls Campground and at NM 501. NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.NM 502 westbound into Los Alamos is now closed to all motorists. Access is controlled and limited to official traffic until further notification.

Bandelier National Monument: The Bandelier National Monument will be closed indefinitely.

Los Alamos National Labs: The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities, and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees that are considered nonessential should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline (505) 667-6622 and the LANL web page http://www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.

Safety Message

The wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke. Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates. Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

Related Sites

• http://www.inciweb.org/
• http://www.nmfireinfo.com/
• http://www.twitter.com/T1SWIMT

Related Links

• Los Alamos Fire Explodes to 50,000 acres
• Fire Near Los Alamos Grows to 6,000 Acres
• U.S. Drought Getting Deadlier
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify

Los Alamos Fire Explodes to 50,000 acres

Las Conchas wildfire burning near Los Alamos grows by a whopping 850 percent

The fire briefly entered the grounds of Los Alamos National Laboratory, but was reportedly beaten back by firefighters.

Fire near Los Alamos National Laboratory

The flames have not yet reached buildings on 28,000-acre lab complex, and authorities said there was little threat to plutonium facility on the northeast side of the complex, according to reports.

“The facility is very well protected from any kind of wildland fire threat,” said a lab spokesman.

In May 2000 a wildfire destroyed several buildings within the complex causing at least $1 billion in damage, he said.

Cerro Grande fire consumed nearly 50,000 acres destroying several hundred homes and about 100 buildings within LANL complex 11 years ago.

Las Conchas wildfire. Freeze frame from a video clip.

The fire started about 1:00 pm on Sunday, June 26, 2011 and is currently zero percent contained.

“The fire burned actively all day to the north/northeast. Running, crowning, and spotting up to a half a mile of the head of the fire was observed.” Said a fire report.

Fire Location

Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest; approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35.

Las Conchas Fire map. Click image to enlarge.

Evacuations

The city of Los Alamos is under MANDATORY evacuation as of 1:45 pm (June 26). White Rock remains under VOLUNTARY evacuation. Cochiti Mesa, Las Conchas, Bandelier National Monument, and campgrounds near the fire were evacuated yesterday. There were approximately 100 residents evacuated from Cochiti Mesa and Las Conchas, and no evacuees reported to the evacuation center at La Cueva Fire Station.

Los Alamos National Labs

The Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to the fire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities, and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees that are considered nonessential should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline (505.667.6622) and the LANL web page http://www.lanl.gov fo updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response.

Threats to Structures and powerlines

• Power and phone lines are down in the area.
• All aircraft in the are have been grounded due to the smoke and other hazards.

Pacheco Fire: 2 miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin

Source: InciWeb

Related Links

• Fire Near Los Alamos Grows to 6,000 Acres
• U.S. Drought Getting Deadlier
• WARNING: Global Disasters to Intensify

Fire Near Los Alamos Grows to 6,000 Acres

Las Conchas wildfire forces closure of Los Alamos National Laboratory; County under voluntary evacuation

The raging blaze had consumed its way to within 1 km  of the lab’s SW boundary, forcing the authorities to activate its Emergency Operations Center and shut down the complex.

Las Conchas wildfire is actively burning near Frijoles Canyon in Jemez Springs with zero percent containment, as of posting.

The blaze is currently about 10 miles away from residential areas of Los Alamos and White Rock counties, where the officials have asked residents to consider a voluntary evacuation.

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is one of two laboratories in the United States where nuclear weapons are designed.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Getting Deadlier
• State of Emergency Declared in 29 North Carolina Counties
• State of Emergency Declared for 33 Oklahoma Counties
• Disaster Declared in 25 More Kansas Counties

• Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals
• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• WARNING: Global Disasters – June 21, 2011

• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update
• U-S Drought: Mega Disaster Unfolding

• VEGETATION
• Weather
• Wildfires
• World Now

Mega Disasters:

• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• FEWW DISASTER FORECAST 2011
• 2011 Much More Disastrous
• 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• Megadisasters Loom

• 2010 Disasters
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• 2010 Disaster Calendar
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs

State of Emergency Declared in 29 North Carolina Counties

N.C. Gov. declares a state of emergency in 29 counties due to drought conditions, wildfires

Several major fires are raging in Pender, Dare, Brunswick, New Hanover, Columbus, Onslow and Bladen counties.

The fires, covering about 80,000 acres, were started by lightning and have been burning for more than a week.

North Carolina Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow. Source: USGS. Click images to enlarge

State of Emergency Declaration

Gov. Beverly Perdue signed the declaration “due to the extreme fire hazard created by dry conditions and the current wildfires/forest fires in several of these counties.”

Perdue said in a statement:

“I want to assure residents of North Carolina that the state Division of Forest Resources and its partnering agencies are working hard to contain the fires in Eastern North Carolina. They will continue to focus on the top priorities of protecting lives and property nearest the fires.”

Details of property damage and evacuation orders were not known as of posting. However, many communities across the region have been alerted for possible evacuation.

Up to 15 counties are currently under an air quality alert due to particulate matter (PM-2.5) traveling in the wind.

Code Purple Alert

The N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources has issued a Code Purple alert (“very unhealthy”)  for coastal communities due to the smoke from the blazes this weekend.

“Some of the highest particle pollution levels that [the state Division of Air Quality] has ever measured were in smoke plumes from wildfires … Fine particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and be absorbed into the bloodstream, causing or aggravating heart and lung diseases.” The agency said in a statement.

NOTE: EPA seems to have two Code Purple Alerts!!

The First Code Purple refers to “very unhealthy” air quality, or AQI of 201 to 300.

The Second Code Purple seems to refer to “hazardous” air quality, or AQI of 301 to 500.

AQI color chart – air pollution hazard by EPA. Click to enlarge.

AQI Ratings

• An AQI of 100 for ozone corresponds to an ozone level of 0.075 parts per million (averaged over 8 hours) [EPA data.]
• An AQI of 100 for carbon monoxide corresponds to a level of 9 parts per million (averaged over 8 hours) [EPA data.]
• An AQI of 100 for sulfur dioxide corresponds to a level of 0.14 parts per million (averaged over 24 hours) [EPA data.]
• An AQI of 300 for PM-2.5 corresponds to a level of 250 micrograms of the particulate per cubic meter (averaged over 24 hours) [FIRE-EARTH calc.]

Related Links

• State of Emergency Declared for 33 Oklahoma Counties
• Disaster Declared in 25 More Kansas Counties

• Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals
• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• WARNING: Global Disasters – June 21, 2011

• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

State of Emergency Declared for 33 Oklahoma Counties

Drought conditions and raging wildfires prompt Oklahoma Lt Gov to declare a state of emergency for 33 counties

At least 10 blazes have been reported in Oklahoma, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their homes in western and southern Oklahoma.

“These counties have struggled to see relief from our current drought and with Oklahoma’s high winds, conditions have unfortunately been ideal for devastating wildfires,” Lt. Gov. Lamb said.

A large fire near Lawton has reportedly destroyed up to 20 homes (an unknown number of homes have been damaged), and consumed about 6,000 acres.

Oklahoma Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow. Source: USGS. Click images to enlarge

Fires burning in A Comanche County. At least one injury reported. Frame grab from a news video clip. Watch video here.

The State of Emergency

The State of Emergency declaration  covers  Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Love, Major, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward counties.

Additional counties may be added, if conditions deteriorate.

Current HMS Fire and Smoke Analysis

Analyzed Fires and Smoke from Satellite on NESDIS ArcIMS server. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH. Click images to enlarge.

Related Links

• Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals
• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals

Devastating Wildfire in Holly Shelter Game Land, NC, Grows to about 19,000

Pender Fire was started by lightning on Sunday afternoon and has since consumed about 19,000 acres with unknown containment.

The fast-moving wildfire is burning Holly Shelter Game Land has killed  many types of animals, according to reports.

Also known as the Juniper Road Fire,  the blaze is reportedly moving  toward NC 53 and NC 50 in the Maple Hill area. The raging blaze  continues to threaten about 2,000 homes in Pender and Onslow counties.

Pender Fire is one of three major wildfires currently burning in North Carolina.

Fire Summary

• Cause: Lightning
• Date of Origin Sunday June 19th, 2011 approx. 03:33 PM
• Location: Holly Shelter Game Land, Juniper Road and County Line Road, 8 miles North of Topsail
• Total Personnel: 101
• Size: ~ 19,000 acres (Local reports)
• Fire Behavior: Sustained burning along uncontained fireline, short range spotting, torching along the flanks and intense smoldering of organic soils within the fire interior.
• Growth Potential: High
• Terrain Difficulty: High
• Smoke Announcement: NO SUPER-FOG IS EXPECTED BUT VERY DENSE SMOKE CAN BE EXPECTED BY THE PENDER COUNTY FIRE (JUNIPER ROAD) AND ON ROANOKE ISLAND AND OUTER BANKS AS THE SMOKES FROM THE FIRES CONVERGE.

“There’s no doubt the wildfire is sending out massive amounts of smoke and that’s impacting a lot of areas near and far from the fire location.” Said a report.

“It’s a real thick smoke. You can see the fire from everywhere. It’s through North Carolina, so a lot of the tourists have been complaining,” said a Surf City resident.

Analyzed Fires and Smoke from Satellite on NESDIS ArcIMS server. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH. Click images to enlarge.

An image from Pains Bay Fire, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Dare County Range(Dept. of Defense, ASAF) in Dare County, NC.

The Pains Bay Fire was reported on the afternoon of Thursday, May 5, 2011 and was caused by lightning. It is burning on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Dare County Range (Dept. of Defense, ASAF) in Dare County, NC. Fuels are chaparral pocosin growing on organic peat soil up to 8 feet deep. Early, fast spread of the fire was caused by low relative humidity and high winds. For several days, the perimeter of the fire has been stationary. Ground fire burning in deep peat continues to hamper containment efforts. Source: Inciweb. Click image to enlarge.

A possible threat still exists to the Stumpy Point community. Conditions are being monitored and the need for evacuation is being assessed on a continuous basis. US 264, between Stumpy Point and Engelhard, has been closed intermittently since the fire began due to smoke and firefighter activity. Heavy smoke from smoldering peat continues to effect surrounding communities and areas as far as Raleigh, NC and Norfolk, VA.

Pains Bay Fire Announcement

Convergent Smoke Plumes Drift& heavily impact Northeastern NC.

Image of the Day

States Currently Reporting Large Fires

• Alaska (1 fire, ~ 23,000 acres)
• Arkansas (1)
• Arizona (5 fires >800,000 acres)
• Colorado (1)
• Florida (11 fires, ~50,000)
• Georgia (3 fires, ~ 320,000 acres)
• Mississippi (1)
• New Mexico (2 fires, ~35,000 acres)
• North Carolina (3, ~ 70,000 acres)
• Oklahoma (3 fires )
• Texas (17 fires, ~ 200,000 acres)

• Acres currently burning in active fires: ~1,500,000
• Largest fire burning in the country: Wallow Fire (Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona); 529,825 acres burned [official stats] at 61 percent contained.

Preparedness Levels

• National Preparedness Level 3
• Southern Area Preparedness Level: 5
• Texas Fire Service Preparedness Level: 5

Year-to-date statistics

• 2011 (1/1/11 – 6/23/11) Fires: 34,673 Acres: 4,585,583 [Official stats]
• Total acres burned: 8+ million acres [FIRE-EARTH estimate]
• Worst hit State: Texas with 10,825 fires burning 3,189,457  acres [TFS stats,] and about 1,800 building destroyed [FIRE-EARTH estimate]

Red Flag Warnings

Red Flag Warnings are currently issued in parts of six states: Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. (Click map below to enter NWS interactive portal for details of Red Flag Warnings.)

U.S. Hazards Map. Click map to enter NWS interactive portal.

The “Mexican” Drought

According to the Drought Monitor report 70 percent of Texas experienced “exceptional drought,” the worst level of drought, over the last week.

Also 91 percent of the sate is stricken by either exceptional or “extreme” drought, the second-worst category.

Arizona is experiencing exceptional or extreme drought in 70 percent of its land up by 3 percent from the previous period.

Louisiana saw exceptional drought rising to 65 percent of the state, a near three-fold increase, and Oklahoma 35 percent, up from about 8 percent previously.

Related Links

• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games

Was it climate change, drought, soaring temperatures, low humidity and lightning, or Gen McCain and his illegal immigrants?

In reply to a comment posted on June 14, 2011, FIRE-EARTH said: “… when the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake struck Tokyo Region, the authorities blamed it on the Korean immigrants. Mobs of vicious locals rounded up thousands of the Koreans and massacred them. http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=320400&rel_no=1“

The Incorrigible McPain

“There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally [… ] the answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border,” McCain said at a press conference in Arizona on Saturday. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters. Image may be subject to copyright.

That said, if any of the devastating fires in Arizona were found to have been started deliberately, the readers ought to ask: “Is John McCain pathologically capable of paying someone to start a fire so that he could blame it on the Mexicans?”

WILDFIRE NEWS HEADLINES

• John McCain’s wildfire accusations
• Az. sheriff also blames wildfire on Mexicans
• 2 forest rangers killed battling Florida wildfire
• Wildfire smoke blankets Jacksonville, Northeast Florida
• Wildfire smoke blankets Jacksonville, Northeast Florida
• Arizona wildfire burns horses as well as pasture and homes
• Wildfire comes close to neighborhoods in Katy
• Raw: Ground video of Katy wildfire
• Fires leave wildlife with injuries, burns, scorched habitat
• TX, AZ residents nervous about wildfire paths

Related Links

• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

Monument Fire: AZ  Governor Deploys National Guard in Sierra Vista

(Posted June 20, 2011, at 4:33 pm MST on AZEIN)

• Beginning Tuesday, June 21, the service members will provide area security for locations evacuated due to the fire…
• “The Monument Fire continues to draw a massive response from federal, state and local authorities,” said Governor Brewer. “I’ve deployed these National Guard members to assist with the effort, and won’t hesitate to authorize additional manpower if necessary.”

Ozone Health Watch Issued for June 20; High Pollution Advisory Issued for June 21 

• Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Fire Details (NO recent bulletin available)

• Size: 26,980 acres
• Containment: 27%
• Fire Reported: June 12, 2011 at 1 p.m.
• Location: Palominas Fire District, in the Huachuca Mountains
• Jurisdiction: Coronado National Memorial/Coronado National Forest
• Resources on Fire: There are 1,097 people assigned to the fire, including 22 crews, 108 engines, 9 helicopters, 10 Air Tankers and 4 Dozers.
• Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior with sustained runs,medium spotting, and flame lengths in excess of 20 feet.
• Growth Potential: Extreme
  Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
• Remarks: The fire has burned a total of 1,526 acres within Mexico which are not included in the acres reported in block 15. Over 130 Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement officers are conducting evacuation and re-entry operations.
• Pre-Evacuation Areas
  • High Knoll Area
  • West of Highway 92: Yaqui north to Buffalo Soldier Trail and west to Fort Huachuca
  • East of Highway 92: Camino Prinicpal north to Buffalo Soldier Trail and east to Aquaduct Road

• For more Information Click HERE

Monument and Horseshoe Two Fires Satellite Image

Monument and Horseshoe Two Fires were burning fiercely in southern Arizona on June 19, 2011 when  MODIS on the Aqua satellite took this image at 1:05 pm MST. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Horseshoe Two Fire summary:

The fire moved through Marble, Emigrant and Woods canyons on June 19, 2011.

• Size: 213,511 acres
  
• Percent Contained: 80%

• Date started: May 8, 2011
• Number of Personnel: 1,230
• Location: Portal, Ariz.
• Total structures destroyed: 23
• Cost to Date: $45,631,443

 

Wallow Fire

• Size: 519,319 acres
• Percent Contained: 51%
• Residences: 2,714 threatened; 32 destroyed; 5 damaged
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged
• Vehicles: 1 destroyed

• Date of Origin: Sunday May 29th, 2011 approx. 01:30 PM
• Location: Eastern AZ near Alpine, Nutrioso, and Springerville
• Total Personnel: 3,531
• Growth Potential: Extreme
• Terrain Difficulty: High
• Current Weather
• Temperature: 72-88 degrees
• Humidity: 8-9%

Honey Prairie Complex Fire, Georgia Satellite Image

• Size: 261,663 acres
• Percent Contained: 60%
• Cause: Lightning
• Date of Origin: Saturday April 30th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
• Location: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 5 mi NE of Fargo, GA
• Total Personnel 629
• Fire Behavior: Numerous hot spots around the fire perimeter. Active fire spread in Divisions Z toward the Northeast.
• Growth Potential: High
• Terrain Difficulty: High
• Current Weather
• Wind Conditions: 19 mph W
• Temperature: 100 degrees
• Humidity: 31%

Honey Prairie Complex Fire Map

Click image to enlarge.

MODIS Active Fire Detection Map SGA – SE. Click image to enlarge.

The Honey Prairie Fire, largest of nine separate fires dubbed the Honey Prairie Complex Fire were burning in and around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge when MODIS on the Aqua satellite took this image. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Texas Wildfires [Source Texas Forest Service]

• TFS reported 43 new fires for 23,965 acres, including 12 new large fires.
• National Preparedness Level: 3
• Southern Area Preparedness Level: 3
• TFS Preparedness Level: 4
• Due to the shortage of aviation resources, four National Guard Blackhawk helicopters were activated in Austin.
• Since June 14, 2011 TFS has responded to 148 fires for 72,707 acres.

New Fires

• DYER Mill FIRE, Grimes County. This fast-moving fire three miles east of Whitehall has burned at least 4,000 acres. NO containment reported.
• MIDWAY (COWBOY CHURCH) FIRE, Walker County. 1,000 acres, 5 percent contained. The fire is burning near Huntsville. One hundred sixty-three homes were evacuated near Midway. The fire is burning on both sides of Interstate 45 with crowning in the timber.
• LONGFELLOW FIRE, Pecos County. 1,700 acres, 5 percent contained. The fire is burning in heavy brush 40 miles southeast of Ft. Stockton.
• COWBOY FIRE, Jasper County. 322 acres, contained. The fire is a rekindle from a fire earlier in the month. It is burning in pine plantation.
• McDONALD II FIRE, Clay County. 5,000 acres, unknown containment. The fire was threatening the town of Henrietta. Evacuations of numerous homes and businesses took place last night (June 19).
• MASTERSON FIRE, Moore County. 5,000 acres, contained. The fire is burning 12 miles west of Lake Meredith. Gas and oil infrastructure and cattle are threatened.
• ROCK CREEK FIRE, Stonewall County. 2,000 acres, 50 percent contained. The fire is burning seven miles northeast of Aspermont in tall grass.
• PATILLO FIRE, Erath County. 300 acres, 60 percent contained. Evacuations occurred but no structures were lost.
• SCHAFFNER FIRE, Clay County. 400 acres, unknown containment. The fire is eight miles northwest of Henrietta.
• RIDDLE FIRE, Stonewall County. 600 acres, contained. The fire is burning seven miles southeast of Aspermont.
• JRM FIRE, Throckmorton County. 2,500 acres, unknown containment. This fire is a complex of four lightning fires near Throckmorton. Twelve homes are threatened.
• NANCE RANCHFIRE , Randall County. 350 acres, 90 percent contained. Two SEATs and a TFS task force worked the fire burning in grass six miles east of Canyon.

Uncontained Fires from June 19

• BEARING BEARING FIRE, Polk and Trinity Counties. 14,000 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire is burning near Carmona. Two homes were destroyed and dozens have been evacuated.
• POWER LINE FIRE, Jasper County. 2,500 acres, 25 percent contained. The fire is burning just south of Lake Sam Rayburn Dam. Five hundred homes are threatened.
• SMAC FIRE, Brooks County. 20,000 acres, 40 percent contained. Extreme fire behavior was observed again yesterday on this fire 13 miles southwest of Falfurrias.
• DHI FIRE, Pecos County. 8,000 acres, 80 percent contained. The fire is burning 35 miles southeast of Ft. Stockton.
• HUDSON COMPLEX FIRE, Sterling County. 3,160 acres, 95 percent contained. The fire is burning 34 miles northwest of San Angelo.
• FAULKNER FIRE, Crockett County. 2,200 acres, 95 percent contained. 900 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire is burning southwest of Big Lake.
• FATHER’S DAY FIRE, Cochran County. 3,000 acres, 30 percent contained. One hundred homes were threatened in Whiteface.
• 4097 FIRE, Newton County. 410 acres, unknown containment., Polk and Trinity Counties. 14,000 acres, 40 percent contained. The fire is burning near Carmona.Two homes were destroyed and dozens have been evacuated.

Other Stats for Texas Fires

Year-To-Date Totals (Source: Texas Forest Service)

• Fires: 10,331
• Acres burned: 3,018,008
• Structures Destroyed: 1,325 units [More likely as many as 1,750 structures have been lost]
• Six of the 10 largest recorded fires in Texas history have occurred in 2011, so far.

Related Links

• Texas Dynamic Dyer Mill Fire Devours 50 Buildings
• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Arizona Wildfires Update – June 19
• Brace for the Worst Ever

Texas Dynamic Dyer Mill Fire Devours 50 Buildings

The ferocious Dyer Mill Fire destroys dozens of homes, buildings in Grimes County northwest of Houston

The Dyer Mill Fire has destroyed 30 homes and 20 other building, scorching 3,600 acres in Grimes County about 80 miles northwest of Houston, reports said.

Frightening Fire Stats

• Since the start of fire on November 15, 2010, some 12,189 fires have burned 3,012,876 acres in the state of Texas (Source: Texas Forest Service.)
• Six of the 10 largest recorded fires in Texas history have occurred in 2011 (Source: TFS).
• Texas wildfires have destroyed about 1,700 homes and structures [FIRE-Earth estimate] so far this year [TFS figure: 1,273 structures lost.]

Texas: Daily Fire Danger Map

Other Fires

Another large fire is raging in Trinity and Polk counties. The massive 14,000-acre blaze is said to be one of the largest in East Texas history.

The Bearing Fire has been burning since Friday, forcing many evacuations and causing loss of property.

NUGENT, Jones County. 450 acres, unknown containment. One home was destroyed on this fire burning in tall grass 10 miles northeast of Hawley.

FORTUNE 2, Palo Pinto County. 200 acres, 25 percent contained.

Uncontained fires from previous days (more than 100 acres in timber, 300 acres in lighter fuels):

BIRD RANCH 2, Cottle County. 29,976 acres, 90 percent contained. The fire is burning in rough terrain 13 miles west of Paducah. .

BOLT, Jim Hogg County. 1,300 acres, 90 percent contained.

SUTTON CEMETERY, Hardin County. 170 acres, 80 percent contained. The fire is burning in 12-year-old plantation 15 miles west of Kountze.

CAMP BOOTHE OAKS, Nolan County. 1,116 acres, 80 percent contained. The fire is 7 miles southwest of Sweetwater in tall grass.

• TFS currently is responding to six fires that have burned 33,212 acres.
• 217 of the 254 Texas counties are reporting burn bans.
• Detailed fire information can be found at inciweb.org.
• The Texas Forecast Fire Danger Map: Texas Interagency Coordination Center website under Fire Danger.

Drought information:

• Since January 2011 only five counties in Texas (Bowie, Red River, Lamar, Fannin, Grayson) have received normal rainfall.
• Over the last 60 days, around 70 percent of the state has rainfall deficits running 50 percent or less of normal rainfall.
• Over the last 30 days, around 90 percent of the state has rainfall deficits running 50 percent or less of normal rainfall.

Related Links

• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20

North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20

Fire and Smoke Hazards Maps for June 20, 2011

Smoke from more than 400 wildfires across 11 states, including 37 large fires, is contributing to the poor air quality.

Fire Stats

• Wildfires are burning across the states of Alaska (2), Arizona (3), Colorado (2) , Florida (11), Georgia (4), Mississippi (2), New Mexico (3), North Carolina (1), Tennessee (1) Texas (8) and Virginia (1).
• Nationwide, about 8 million acres [FIRE-EARTH estimate] have  been consumed since the beginning of 2011 (official figure: 4,299,810 acres as of June 17, 2011)
• The 2001 – 2010 ten-year average: 1,387,760 acres burned
• Wildfires in 2011 have so far consumed more than 6 times the ten-year average, and rising.
• National Preparedness Level is currently 3 (On a scale from 1 to 5)
• State of Texas has the 2011 record with 2,950,969 acres burned so far (TFS data as of June 17, 2011; state preparedness Level: 4)
• State of Arizona is in second place with at least 840,000 acres burned (data: InciWeb)
• RED FLAG and Excessive Heat Warnings are currently operating in at least 10 states. (See hazards map below.)
• Critical fire conditions are worsening due to the low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures across most of the southern United States.

Current HMS Fire and Smoke Analysis

Analyzed Fires and Smoke from Satellite on NESDIS ArcIMS server. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH. Click images to enlarge.

US Weather Hazards Map – June 20

Click image to enlarge. Click HERE to enter NWS interactive portal.

• MISSOURI: URGENT- Dangerous Heat Expected Through Monday
• TEXAS: Heat Advisory Is In Effect For Portions Of South Central Texas

US weather forecast Map – June 19 – 20

Related Links

• Arizona Wildfires Update – June 19
• Brace for the Worst Ever
• U.S. Wildfire Update – June 17
• Tornado, Flood and Red Flag Warnings
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• U.S. Wildfires – June 16 Update

Arizona Wildfires Update – June 19

Wallow Fire Crosses US 180, Burns Toward Luna, NM 

(Posted June 18, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.) Strong southwest winds have caused the Wallow Fire to breach containment lines along US 180, on the east side of the fire. The fire is burning toward Luna, New Mexico which, as of 3:15 p.m., is being evacuated.

• High winds have also caused very active fire behavior in the Blue River area.
• A Red Flag Warning to continue Sunday because of strong winds and low relative humidity.
• Southwest winds are expected to increase to 20-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph.
• Humidity is in the single digits.
• Strong winds and low relative humidity could create extreme fire behavior.

The Landsat 5 satellite captured this image of Wallow Fire, consuming a large section of eastern Arizona forests on June 15 at 3:54 pm EDT. In this false-colored image burn scars appear in red and ongoing fire in bright red. Vegetation is colored green, smoke is colored blue and bare ground is tan-colored. Source: USGS.

Wallow Fire Summary:

• Size: 500,409 acres total
• Percent Contained: 38%
• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee counties; White Mountain Apache Reservation; San Carlos Apache Reservation, Ariz.; Catron County, N.M.
• Injuries to Date: 11
• Total Personnel: 4,152, including 19 hotshot crews; 64 handcrews
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged
• Vehicles: 1 destroyed

Wallow Fire Evacuations

Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ photostream

Public Safety Issues

• Smoke from the ongoing wildfires in AZ will continue to impact southwestern NM.
• Apache County is in contact with local Fire Departments to begin the process of staging sandbag locations in anticipation of the monsoon season. Burned areas can produce significantly more run-off resulting in flooding, mud and debris flows. More information will be provided as locations are confirmed.

Current Evacuations

• Luna, NM was evacuated as of 3:15 p.m. today.
• Evacuations remain in effect in Sunrise, Greer and Blue River.

Evacuee Information

• An evacuation center is open at the High School in Reserve, NM for Luna residents.
• 10 a.m. daily evacuee meetings will be held at the former Evacuation Center at Blue Ridge High School.
• Arizona evacuees whose Post Office is closed may pick up their mail at the Eagar Post Office.

Pre-Evacuation Alert

• A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and surrounding areas.
• Residents in these communities are asked to remain prepared for evacuation.

Horseshoe Two Fire
(Posted on June 18, 2011, at 9:15 p.m.) The Horseshoe Two fire is 210,331 acres and is estimated to be 75 percent contained.

Fire Summary

• Size: 210,331 acres
• Percent Contained: 75%
• Location: Portal, Arizona
• Total structures destroyed: 23
• Cost to Date: $44,412,804
• Source: Great Basin 2 Incident Management Team

Monument Fire Update

Location: Coronado National Memorial/Coronado National Forest

New Evacuations Announced as of 5:15 pm, 6/18/2011

Hard (Mandatory) Evacuation: All areas north of Hereford Rd, east of Y Lightning Rd, South of Ramsey Rd, East to San Pedro River.

Pre-Evacuation: All areas north of Ramsey Road, east of Y Lightning Rd. south of Buffalo Soldier Trail/Lower Ranch Road to the San Pedro River.

Pre-Evacuation Areas:
Most Current Alert: Cochise County Sheriff’s Office Information Alert

Fire Summary

• Size: 20,956 acres
• Percent Contained: 27%
• Location: 4 Miles east of Hereford, Az
• Current Weather
• Temperature: 96 degrees
• Humidity: 7%

Track Fire, NM

• Date of Origin: Monday June 27th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
• Location: 1 Mile North of Raton, NM
• Size: 27,140 acres
• Percent Contained: 45%
• Current Weather
• Wind Conditions: 20 G/35 mph SW
• Temperature: 84 degrees
• Humidity: 14%

New Mexico:

• MillerFire
• Loop Fire

Alaska

• Coal Creek Fire
• Hastings

North Carolina: Pains Bay Fire
Texas: Dos Amigos FIRE

Honey Prairie Complex

• Size; 231,018 Acres
• Contained: 54%
• Click HERE for additional info
  

Texas Initial Attack 2011

• West Texas total: 251 fires for 24,073 acres. New: 10. New acres: 385.
• East Texas total: 776 fires for 10,846 acres. New: 13. New acres: 175.

Florida: Bicy Oil Pad Fire Complex

• Cause: Lightning
• Location: Big Cypress National Preserve (FL)
• Size: 9,500 acres

A new start – the Corral Fire – occurred on Thursday, June 16, 2011 increasing the number of active fires within the complex to five. A map of approximate locations of active fires posted at http://www.nps.gov/bicy/naturescience/oil-pad-fire-complex.htm

Related Links

• Brace for the Worst Ever
• U.S. Wildfire Update – June 17
• Tornado, Flood and Red Flag Warnings
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• U.S. Wildfires – June 16 Update

U.S. Wildfire Update – June 17

Wallow Fire prompts pre-evacuation alert due to high winds,  active fire behavior

Fire Summary:

• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee
• Injuries to Date: 8
• Counties, San Carlos Apache Tribal Lands and White Mountain Apache Indian Reservations, Arizona; Catron County, New Mexico;
• Total Personnel: 4,571
• Date Started: 05/29/2011
• Residences: 2,714 threatened; 32 destroyed; 5 damaged
• Size: 495,016 acres total
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Percent Contained: 33%
• Resources: 4,571 personnel; 15 Helicopters, 5 Air Tankers available; 312 Engines; 75 Water Tenders; 22 Dozers
• Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed;1 damaged;
• Vehicles: 1 destroyed.

Wallow Fire Map – June 16, 2011

Click image to enlarge (1.91 MB)

Fire Update

A pre-evacuation alert has been issued for the south side of Eagar due to high winds and active fire behavior. Fire fighters are currently attacking at least one spot fire caused by high winds. US 180/191 between Alpine and Springerville has been re-closed as of 2:40PM today, although Nutrioso residents are being escorted on HWY 180 to their homes.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 8 PM MST due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Winds will be from the southwest from 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Conditions will be dry with relative humidities of 5% to 12%. Critical fire weather conditions can be expected today through Sunday.

• Air quality in parts of Cochise County could be considered hazardous because of heavy smoke from the Monument Fire burning south of Sierra Vista.

• State, Feds Meet to Assess Post-Fire Flooding Threats in AZ

Air Quality Monitor Maps – June 16, 2011

Hourly Ozone AQI Map (Animation). Source: AIRNow

Hourly PM2.5 AQI Map (Animation). Source: AIRNow

AQI color chart – air pollution hazard by EPA. Click to enlarge.

Horseshoe 2 Fire
Date Started: Sunday May 08th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location: T28S R31E Sect 32, Near Portal, AZ
Total Personnel: 1,335
Size: 184,198 acres
Percent Contained: 65%
Estimated Containment Date: Wednesday June 22nd, 2011 approx. 06:00 PM
Temperature: 95 degrees
Humidity: 6%

Pains Bay Fire – Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, NC
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin: Thursday May 05th, 2011 approx. 02:30 PM
Location: Dare County, NC
Size: 45,294 acres

Track Fire, NM
Date of Origin: Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
Location: 1 Mile North of Raton, NM
Size: 26,533 acres
Percent Contained: 25%

Hastings Fire Alaska
Date of Origin: Monday May 30th, 2011 approx. 03:15 PM
Location: Chatanika RIver; 15 miles NW of Fairbanks
Size: 23,110 acres
Percent Contained: 41%

Canyon Fire, TX
Date of Origin: Tuesday May 24th, 2011 approx. 07:15 PM
Location: 4 miles SE of Canyon, TX
Size: 16,803 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Dos Amigos Fire, TX
Date of Origin: Wednesday June 08th, 2011 approx. 12:30 PM
Location: 15 miles W. of Robert Lee, TX
Size:19,391 acres
Percent Contained: 95%

Bird Ranch 2 Fire, TX
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin Saturday June 11th, 2011 approx. 03:30 PM
Location: 13 miles W. of Paducah, TX
Size: 29,976 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Texas Initial Attack 2011, TX
Date of Origin: Tuesday February 22nd, 2011 approx. 06:00 AM
Location: Merkel, TX
Size: 34,268 acres
Temperature: 100-110 degrees
Humidity: 15-30%

East Volkmar Fire, Alaska
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin: Thursday May 26th, 2011 approx. 11:05 AM
Location: 25 miles northeast of Delta Junction.
Size: 58,050 acres
Percent Contained: 26%

Honey Prairie Complex Fire, GA
Cause: Lightning; Racepond: Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Thursday April 28th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Location: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, 5 mi NE of Fargo, GA
Size: 196,369 acres
Percent Contained: 49%

Loop Fire, NM
Date of Origin: Monday June 13th, 2011 approx. 02:15 PM
Location: Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Size: 30,438 acres
Percent Contained: 70%

Coal Creek Fire, Alaska
Date of Origin Saturday May 21st, 2011 approx. 02:00 PM
Location Near Healy, AK
Size: 23,930 acres
Percent Contained: 80%

Miller Fire, Gila National Forest
Date of Origin: Thursday April 28th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Location: 25 miles North of Silver City
Size: 88,835 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Tunner Fire, Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Colorado
Date of Origin: Sunday May 08th, 2011 approx. 12:00 AM
Location: USFS
Size: 17,482 acres
Percent Contained: 95%

Crooked Creek Complex Fire, NM
Cause Lighting
Date of Origi:n Friday May 06th, 2011 approx. 12:30 PM
Location: 15 miles northwest of Hope, NM
Size: 18,196 acres
Details of containment unclear.

Last Chance Fire, NM
Size: 53,342 acres
Details of containment unclear.

[Source: InciWeb ]

Related Links

• Tornado, Flood and Red Flag Warnings
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• U.S. Wildfires – June 16 Update

U.S. Wildfires – June 16 Update

Wallow Fire Continues to Grow

Wallow Fire Progression Map – June 15, 2011

Map prepared on June 14, 2011 @ 23:44 (?) and is said to be based on IR heat perimeter. Source: InciWeb. Click image to enlarge (1.8MB)

Wallow Fire – Basic Information [from InciWeb]

• Date of Origin: Sunday May 29th, 2011 approx. 01:30 PM
• Location:  Eastern AZ near Alpine, Nutrioso, and Springerville
• Current Situation
• Total Personnel: 4,656
• Size: 478,452 acres
• Percent Contained: 29%
• Fuels Involved:10 Timber (litter and understory)

• Fire Behavior: Active backing fire with isolated interior torching and short uphill runs where topography and winds align.
• Growth Potential: high
• Terrain Difficulty: high

• Current Weather
• Wind Conditions: 5-16 G25 mph SW
• Temperature:  76-87 degrees
• Humidity: 6-8%

• Fort Apache Reservation Fire restrictions remain in effect. See http://www.wmat.nsn.us/

Current Evacuations

• Evacuations remain in effect in Sunrise, Greer, Blue River and Alpine.
• The communities of Greer, and Alpine remain evacuated due to continued active fire behavior in unburned islands within and around these communities. Hazardous burned-out trees, unstable slopes and rockfall, as well as burned out power poles are being evaluated and mitigated.

Evacuee Information

• Today’s 10 A.M. meeting for evacuees only will be held at the Blue Ridge H. S. in Pinetop/Lakeside.
• Evacuees whose Post Office is closed may pick up their mail at the Eagar Post Office.
• The evacuation center is located at Blue Ridge High School, 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop/Lakeside. The phone number for the Red Cross operated evacuation center is (602) 336-6660.
•  Residents with livestock or animals that need care should contact the Apache County Sheriff’s Office (928) 337-4321 or the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office (928) 865-4149.

Pre-Evacuation Alert

• A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and surrounding areas.
• A pre-evacuation alert by the Catron County Sheriff’s Office continues for Luna, New Mexico.
• Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared for evacuation.
• Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov

Horse Shoe Two Fire

Fire Summary

• Bulletin released on June 15, 2011 9:00 pm (MST)
• Date of Origin: Sunday May 08th, 2011 approx. 11:00 AM
• Location: T28S R31E Sect 32, Near Portal, AZ
• Total Personnel: 1,379
• Size: 184,198 acres
• Percent Contained: 60%
• Estimated Containment Date: Wednesday June 22nd, 2011 approx. 06:00 PM
• Fuels Involved: Mixed conifer, oak brush, pinyon,juniper, ponderosa pine and grasses.
• Growth Potential: Extreme
• Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
• Current Weather
• Temperature: 98 degrees
• Humidity: 4%

Horseshoe Two Fire Satellite Image

Arizona’s Horseshoe Two fire was burning in two separate areas on June 14, when MODIS on the Terra satellite captured this photo-like image. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. NOTE: The largest image of this event show both the Wallow Fire, Arizona’s largest ever, and a major fire in Mexico.

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (southern Georgia)

Honey Prairie Complex :180,998 acres burned 75% Contained (consists of Honey Prairie and Paxton Road Fire)

The Honey Prairie Complex fire in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Georgia was reportedly started by lightning on April 28, 2011. This image was taken by MODIS on the Terra satellite on June 13, 2011.  Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.  

Related Links

• Wildfire Forces Evacuation of White City, NM
• Wallow Mega Fire – June 14 Update
• Red Flag Warnings, Missouri River flooding, Severe T-storms
• Wallow Fire – June 13 Update [more links can be found on the page.]

Wildfire Forces Evacuation of White City, NM

Raging wildfire closes Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Air pollution from human enhanced natural events and anthropogenic causes could kill/seriously harm tens of millions of people: FIRE-EARTH

A wildfire described as “very active” by local officials has closed Carlsbad Caverns National Park in SE New Mexico, and forced evacuation of nearby White City community.

By early afternoon (MS) on June 14, the so-called Loop Fire had burned about 16,000 acres and was only 10 percent contained, according to the area incident management team.

Loop Fire was burning in Carlsbad Caverns National Park when MODIS on the Terra satellite captured this image at 12:10 p.m. MST, on June 14, 2011. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Summary: The fire is burning in steep and rugged terrain along State Highway 7 going into Carlsbad Caverns National Park off of US Highway 62/180.

• Fire Behavior: Very active fire behavior
• Growth Potential: High
• Terrain Difficulty: Steep, rugged and rocky terrian
• Current Weather: Wind Conditions 20 mph SW
• Temperature : 100 degrees
• Humidity: 5%

Special Notices: A temporary evacuation of White City, NM has been issued and Carlsbad Caverns National Park is still CLOSED for the next couple of day due to extreme fire activity.

Wallow Mega Fire – June 14 Update

Wallow Fire: Now Officially Arizona’s Largest Wildfire

Wallow Fire Progression Map – June 14, 2011

Click image to enlarge. Click here for the Largest Size 

Notes about this Map:
1. Map was prepared on June 13, 2011 at 22:38 MST (UTC -7 hours)
2. It’s incomplete.
3. It doesn’t show the extent of fire in areas marked ‘Private.’

Fire Update – June 14, 2011 8:00 AM MST

• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, San Carlos and Fort Apache Reservations, Arizona; Carton County, New Mexico
• Injuries to Date: 7
• Total Personnel: 4,734
• Includes 24 hotshot crews; 77 hand crews
• Date Started: 05/29/2011
• Cause: Human – under investigation
• Residences: 2,714 threatened; 32 destroyed; 5 damaged
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Resources: 20 Helicopters, 5 Air Tankers available; 333 Engines; 73 Water Tenders; 20 Dozers
• Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged
• Vehicles: 1 destroyed

• Percent Contained: 18%
• Size: 469,407 acres total
• Source: InciWeb
  

[FIRE-EARTH size estimate for Wallow Fire: ~ 535,000 acres burned as of posting.]

Current Situation and Outlook

• Current Weather: Wind Conditions 10-15 GUSTS OF 25 mph SW
• Temperature: 75-87 degrees
• Humidity: 6%
• Growth Potential: High
• Terrain Difficulty: High

• Fire Behavior: Increased winds resulted in increased fire activity including interior crown runs with moderate-range spotting where winds and topography were aligned.
• Significant Events: Active fire north of Alpine. Spotting picked up near Turner Peak and Big Lake Campground.

Wallow Fire, now also officially the largest wildfire in Arizona history, was burning across the border into New Mexico when MODIS on the Aqua satellite acquired this image on June 13 at 1:45 pm MST. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Fire Update [Source: Inciweb]

Firefighters have achieved 18% containment of the 469,407-acre Wallow Fire. While the Wallow Fire is now the largest wildfire in Arizona’s history, significant progress has been made towards containment. A previously destroyed structure at Pool Corral, in the Greer area, was confirmed yesterday. Mop up of backing fire continues in the Alpine and Tal Wi Wi communities. Burnout operations continue from FR 220 south to US 180. Structure protection activities continue in Nutrioso and Alpine. Mop up and widening of containment lines continues in the Greer and South Fork areas. Electricity has been restored to Greer and South Fork.

There was poor humidity recovery overnight and humidity will remain low today. Firefighters continued with structure protection, line improvement and mop-up on the eastern flank. Roads, dozer lines and natural barriers are being improved for use as containment lines. Crews worked to strengthen these lines along FR 281. The fire remains active in unburned areas of the fire. Good progress has been made on the fire’s southeast flank, where crews are working to slow the spread of fire and continue to build and improve containment lines and mop-up. There was minimal movement last night. On the west flank, the fire is backing to the south and further southern spread is expected.

Pre-Evacuation Alert

A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and surrounding areas.

• A pre-evacuation alert by the Catron County Sheriff’s Office continues for Luna, New Mexico.
• Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared for evacuate.

Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov

• SR 260 will open at noon today from the Hawley Lake turnoff to the South Fork junction (mileposts 369-390).
• US 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (milepost 176-253).
• SRs 261 (mileposts 395-413) and 273 (mileposts 378-394), the main access roads to Big Lake and Crescent Lake in the White Mountains, are closed.
• SR 373 that connects the town of Greer with SR 260 west of Eagar is closed (mileposts 386-391).
• US 180 is closed between SR 260 junction near Eagar and New Mexico state line (mileposts 403-433).
• In southern Arizona, SR 366 is closed at milepost 118 leading up to Mount Graham (milepost 143) near Safford after the U.S. Forest Service determined the risk of wildfire is too extreme to allow access.
• Partial area closures are in effect for the eastside of the Fort Apache Reservation.

Current Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Analysis – June 14

NESDIS Map of Analyzed Fires from Satellite Data

Click images to enlarge.

Ozone High Pollution Advisory issued for Wednesday, June 15
(Posted June 14, 2011 at 1:05 p.m.) The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for areas within and bordering Maricopa County for the remainder of today.

ADEQ issues an Ozone Health Watch when the highest concentration of ozone levels may exceed the federal health standard.

People with respiratory or other health problems that make them more sensitive to air pollution are advised to limit their outdoor activity.

Horseshoe Two Fire

(Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:05 p.m.) The Horseshoe Two Fire is burning on the Coronado National Forest near Portal, Ariz. It is 171,333 acres and is 60 percent contained.

Horse Shoe 2 Fire Progression Map

Click image to enlarge.

Horseshoe Two Fire, Arizona – Satellite Image

Horseshoe Two Fire is burning about 15okm to the south of Wallow Fire. This image was taken by MODIS on the Aqua satellite on June 13, 2011. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge

Official Fire Summary:

• Date started: May 8, 2011
• Estimated Containment: June 22, 2011
• Cause: Human
• Number of Personnel: 1,400
• Crews: 9 Type 1 and 30 Type 2
• Engines: 76
• Dozers: 3
• Water Tenders: 41
• Helicopters: 4 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 3 Type 3
• Total structures destroyed: 23
• Cost to Date: $40,630,698
• Size: 171,333  acres
  
• Percent Contained: 60%
• Source: Rocky Basin 2 Incident Management Team

Special Notices
The Coronado National Forest and Chiricahua National Monument are closed due to extreme fire danger.

Resources

• Effects of Common Air Pollutants
• Ozone Fact Sheet
• Particulate Matter Fact Sheet
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ozone brochure
• Source: Arizona Department of Environmental Quality

Wallow Fire – June 13 Update

Wallow Fire is 10 percent contained: Official report

Wallow Fire official summary:

• Date/Time: June 13, 2011, at 1:18 p.m.
• Source: Area Command 3
• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee counties; San Carlos and White Mountain Apache Reservations, Ariz.; Catron County, N.M.  
• Injuries to Date: 7
• Total Personnel: 4,349, including 23 hotshot crews and 78 hand crews
• Date Started: 05/29/2011
• Cause: Human – under investigation
• Residences: 2,714 threatened; 31 destroyed; 5 damaged
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Resources: 20 Helicopters, 5 Air Tankers available; 347 Engines; 70 Water Tenders; 22 Dozers
• Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged;
• Vehicles: 1 destroyed.
• Size:  452,155 acres total
• Percent Contained: 10%

[ FIRE-EARTH size estimate for Wallow Fire: ~ 520,000 acres burned as of posting.]

Wallow Fire Map – June 13, 2011.

Progression of the Wallow Fire as of June 13, 2011 [Based on data obtained on June 12, 2011.]  Click image to enlarge. All rights reserved by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

The Volcano-like Wallow Fire

Photo by Dean Fernandez with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team. Credit: US Forest Service, Apache Sitgreaves National Forest

Wallow Fire  as Seen by MODIS on the Terra Satellite

Wallow Fire as seen by MODIS on the Terra satellite on June 9 at 10:55 am MST. Active fire areas are outlined in red. The fire was more intense, producing less smoke than the previous day. Click image to enlarge.

Arizona Burn Scars Seen From Space

Imagery from the Landsat-7 satellite shows two glimpses of the same area: one taken on May 5, 2011 and the other on June 7, 2011. In the image from May 5, green areas indicate healthy vegetation and grasslands, light pink areas are naturally occurring rock or bare land. In the image from June 7, the red color indicates burned areas. In some cases, “hot” pink colors can also be seen along with smoke – these are active fire areas. Data from Landsat, a NASA-USGS partnership that was formerly managed by NOAA, is frequently used by NOAA for assessing land cover changes, especially in coastal and wetland ares. Copyright: NOAA [NOTE: FIRE-EARTH cannot confirm copyright validity.]  View High Resolution Version

 

Related Links

• Who needs volcanoes in Arizona

• Wallow Mega Fire – June 11 Update
• Wallow Fire Now Largest in Arizona History
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• Wallow Fire Set to Become Largest in Arizona History
• Wallow Fire Now Arizona’s 2nd Largest, and Growing
• Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June 4

Who needs volcanoes in Arizona

Wallow Mega Fire – June 12

Smoke from Wallow Fire more like a volcanic eruption

Air pollution from human enhanced natural events and anthropogenic causes could kill/seriously harm tens of millions of people: FIRE-EARTH

Mega Fire Burns Near Hannagan Meadow

Show Low Fire Engine 311 Stands by as the Wallow Fire burns near Hannagan Meadow. Photo by Firefighter Chris Francis. Credit US Forest Service.

Wallow Fire Progression Map June 11, 2011

Progression of the Wallow Fire as of Saturday, June 11, 2011 [Based on data obtained on June 10, 2011.]  Click image to enlarge.

Hazard Mapping System for Fire and Smoke [June 11-12, 2011]

Current HMS Analysis, Source: NOAA

Map Analyzed Fires from Satellites – June 12, 2011

Source: NOAA. Click images to enlarge.

Closeup Map of Analyzed Fires from Satellites

Map of the Critical Fire Weather Area – June 12, 2011.

Public Safety
State of Arizona says air quality in the Springerville-Eagar area is currently considered extremely hazardous. Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until air quality improves. Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.

On Friday the PM2.5 concentration over eastern Arizona was more than 40 times higher than the federal health standard. By Saturday although the winds had swept most of the particulate pollution, the PM2.5 pollution was still 20 times the limit.

The outlook for Sunday was grim, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality said.

Entering the Twilight Zone

Eager, AZ just after evacuations. Wallow Fire, Arizona, 2011. Photo taken by Kari Greer for NIFC. Credit: US Forest Service. Click image to enlarge.

Wallow Fire Official Update (Source:  Area Command 3 Team)

• Posted:  June 11, 2011, at 8:50 p.m.
• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, Arizona
• Date Started: 05/29/2011
• Cause: Human – under investigation
• Aviation Resources: 15 Helicopters, 5 Air Tankers available, plus a DC-10
• Injuries to Date: 6
• Total Personnel: 3,208 (Includes 20 hotshot crews; 45 hand crews)
• Residences: 2,714 threatened; 29 destroyed;5 damaged
• Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Outbuildings: 34 destroyed; 1 damaged
• Other: 1 vehicle
• Size: 430,171 acres  [Bulletin issued on June 11, 2011, at 11:13 a.m.]
• Percent Contained: 5%

[NOTE: FIRE-EARTH estimate for Wallow Fire: ~ 510,000 acres burned as of posting.]

Current Evacuations
Full evacuation of Eagar and Springerville continues due to fire activity and health risks associated with air quality.

Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, and the following subdivisions along highways 180/191:

• Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mtn. Acres, and the H-V Ranch.
• This area includes County Road (CR) 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225.
• There have been no new evacuations in New Mexico.

Smoke and Fire Warnings

• Red Flag Warning [NWS]

Latest Radar And Satellite Images

• Tucson AZ Base Reflectivity Radar

Goes West IR satellite image – 12 June 2011 at 04:30UTC

The Smoke Track

Projected surface Smoke Concentration, NM

Source: NWS. Click images to enlarge.

Weather hazard Forecast

US Weather hazard Forecast Map (June 12, 2011)

Wallow Fire  as Seen by MODIS on the Terra Satellite

Wallow Fire as seen by MODIS on the Terra satellite on June 9 at 10:55 am MST. Active fire areas are outlined in red. The fire was more intense, producing less smoke than the previous day. Click image to enlarge.

Arizona Burn Scars Seen From Space

Imagery from the Landsat-7 satellite shows two glimpses of the same area: one taken on May 5, 2011 and the other on June 7, 2011. In the image from May 5, green areas indicate healthy vegetation and grasslands, light pink areas are naturally occurring rock or bare land. In the image from June 7, the red color indicates burned areas. In some cases, “hot” pink colors can also be seen along with smoke – these are active fire areas. Data from Landsat, a NASA-USGS partnership that was formerly managed by NOAA, is frequently used by NOAA for assessing land cover changes, especially in coastal and wetland ares. Copyright: NOAA [NOTE: FIRE-EARTH cannot confirm copyright validity.]  View High Resolution Version

Murphy Complex Update (Source:  Northern Arizona Incident Management Team)

• Time/Date Started: 3:28 pm, May 30, 2011 
• Location: Nogales Ranger District in the Coronado National Forest, Five miles east of Arivaca, Arizona and four miles west of Tubac, Arizona
• Cause: Human-caused. Under investigation.
• Fuels: Grass, shrub, oak, mesquite
• Size: 68,078 acres
• Percent Contained: 90%
  
• Estimated Cost to Date: $4,800,000 Resources Threatened: Areas surrounding Ruby Road.
• Structures Lost: Historic Atascosa Lookout in the Atascosa Mountains and an outhouse at Pena Blanca Lake.

The Coronado National Forest and Chiricahua National Monument are closed due to extreme fire danger and concern for public safety.

Horseshoe Two Fire summary (Posted June 11, 2011, at 9:35 am MST)

The Coronado National Forest and Chiricahua National Monument are closed due to extreme fire danger and concern for public safety.

• Date started: May 8, 2011
• Number of Personnel: 1,153
• Location: Portal, Ariz.
• Crews: 9 Type 1 and 19 Type 2
• Size: 134,615 acres
• Engines: 52
• Percent Contained: 45%
• Dozers: 3
• Cause: Human
• Water Tenders: 34
• Estimated Containment: June 22, 2011
• Helicopters: 4 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 2 Type 3
• Total structures destroyed: 23
• Cost to Date: $34,475,754
• Source: Rocky Basin Type-2 Incident Management Team

Related Links

• Wallow Mega Fire – June 11 Update
• Wallow Fire Now Largest in Arizona History
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• Wallow Fire Set to Become Largest in Arizona History
• Wallow Fire Now Arizona’s 2nd Largest, and Growing
• Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June 4

Wallow Mega Fire – June 11 Update

Arizona’s Mega Fire Still Raging

Wallow Fire official map for June 10

The above map is said to be based on data collected on June 9, 2011. Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Original size: (3,203 x 4,930)

Satellite Imagery of Massive Wildfire Smoke Plumes

The Wallow Fire in Arizona was causing widespread evacuations as it approached the New Mexico border. “Smoke and poor air quality conditions are affecting populations throughout the Southwest. This image from the GOES-East satellite was taken just before evening fell on the area on June 9, 2011 [June 10 at 01:15UTC.] The massive smoke plumes can be seen emanating from the fires in Arizona and Mexico, traveling east-northeast. Though usually displayed using and underlying layer of land cover data from the NASA MODIS satellite sensors, GOES actually acquires grey-scale imagery. The native imagery is shown here to highlight the features of the smoke plumes. Additionally, major thunderstorms can also be seen in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center received one tornado report in Kansas at this time.” Copyright: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click image to enlarge. View High Resolution Version

Wallow Fire: Closeup. Click image to enlarge.

U.S. Weather Forecast Map – June 11, 2011

Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI)

The Alabama Forestry Commission currently reports that there is now a ban on all outdoor burning across the entire state.

News Bulletins From AZEIN

(Posted on June 10, 2011, at 8:45 p.m.)  The Wallow Fire is 6% contained on the northeast side of the fire. Today’s activities included burnout operations, structure protection, patrolling for spot fires, and mop up. Today’s weather allowed firefighters to complete several because heavy smoke and has precluded us of helicopters for this operation.

Wallow Fire Official Details:

• Date Started: 5/29/2011
• Number of Personnel: Approximately 4,422 – Including 26 hotshot crews and 76 hand crews
• Equipment: 28 dozers, 263 engines, 69 watertenders
  
• Size: 408,887ac based on last night’s [June 9, 2011]  infrared data

[NOTE: FIRE-EARTH estimate for acres burned as of posting >500,000 acres]

• Aircraft: 15helicopters
• Percent Contained: 6%
• Injuries to Date: 3
• Residences: 2714 threatened; 29 destroyed 5 damaged
• Structures: 35 destroyed
• Other: 1 truck destroyed
• Cause: Human – under investigation (Source:  Area Command)

Horseshoe Two Fire

(Posted on June 10, 2011, at 10:40 p.m.)  The Horseshoe Two fire burning near Portal Arizona is approximately 134,615 acres and estimated at 45 percent containment.

The Murphy Complex Fire

(Posted on June 10, 2011, at 10:15 p.m.)  The Murphy Complex Fire is approximately 90 percent contained and is estimated to be 68,078 acres. 

Related Links

• Wallow Fire Now Largest in Arizona History
• Who’s Afraid of Wildfires
• Wallow Fire Set to Become Largest in Arizona History
• Wallow Fire Now Arizona’s 2nd Largest, and Growing
• Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June 4