“Life-threatening” Heat Wave Developing in SW U.S.

Potentially deadly heat wave forecast for SE California, S Nevada and Most of Arizona

An extended period of Excessive Heat is forecast for Friday through Monday as a significant heat wave develops across much of the Southwest U.S. with record-setting and life-threatening heat forecast into next week, NWS reported.

An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect from 11 am PDT (11 am MST)  Friday to 8 pm PDT (8pm MST) Monday for portions of southern Nevada, southeast California and northwest Arizona for elevations below 6000 feet, said NWS.

• Excessive Heat Warnings are also in effect in eastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.

• Excessive Heat Watches and Heat Advisories have been issued for other areas. See below.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map – June 27, 2013. Dangerously Hot Temperatures are expected across much of the region resulting from a strong area of high pressure across the western United States Friday through Monday. Source: NWS

Expected High Temperatures

• Las Vegas (Mccarran International Airport):  114 to 117 degrees
• Mesquite And The Colorado River Valley:  118 to 125 degrees
• Pahrump:  111 to 114
• Barstow:  114 to 118
• Morongo Basin:  110 to 115
• Kingman:  108 to 112
• Bishop:  106 to 108
• Caliente:  105 to 108
• Death Valley:  126 to 129  (52.2ºC to 53.9ºC)

Excessive Heat Warnings

Excessive Heat Warnings have been issued for the following areas:

Northwest Plateau-Lake Havasu And Fort Mohave-Northwest Deserts- Lake Mead National Recreation Area-Eastern Sierra Slopes- Owens Valley-White Mountains Of Inyo County- Death Valley National Park-Western Mojave Desert- Eastern Mojave Desert-Morongo Basin-Cadiz Basin- San Bernardino County-Upper Colorado River Valley- Esmeralda And Central Nye County-Lincoln County-Northeast Clark County-Western Clark And Southern Nye County- Sheep Range-Spring Mountains-Red Rock Canyon-Las Vegas Valley- Southern Clark County- Including Colorado City, Pipe Spring National Monument, Tuweep, Mt Trumbull, Lake Havasu, Desert Hills, Topock, Kingman, Golden Valley, Dolan Springs, Valentine, Wikieup, Yucca, Bullhead City, Mohave Valley, Aspendell, Whitney Portal, Bishop,  Independence, Lone Pine, Olancha, Furnace Creek, Shoshone, Barstow,  Daggett, Fort Irwin, Baker, Mountain Pass, Mitchell Caverns, Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Vidal Junction, Needles, Beatty, Goldfield, Silver Peak, Dyer, Caliente, Pioche, Panaca, Hiko, Alamo, Rachel, Mesquite, Overton, Moapa, Pahrump, Indian Springs, Desert Rock,  Amargosa Valley, The Town Of Mt Charleston, Red Rock, Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Summerlin, Nellis, Mountains Edge, Seven Hills, Blue Diamond, Hoover Dam, Laughlin, Primm, Searchlight, and Cal-Nev-Ari.

Related Links

• FIRE-EARTH FORECAST: World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year June 5, 2013

Cardboard Kingdoms Spooked by a Piece of Plastic

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – June 9, 2013

Saudi Arabia becomes the third Arab dictatorship to Ban Guy Fawkes Masks

The Saudi newspaper al-Medina reported that the country’s Ministry of the Interior has banned the import and sale of the Guy Fawkes masks.

The ban includes the immediate confiscation and destruction of all masks and related symbols already in Saudi Arabian markets and toy stores, the report said.

The United Arab Emirates banned the masks in November 2012, followed by the mini kingdom of Bahrain, which prohibited the masks in February.

The Guy Fawkes Mask: A stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), a member of a group that planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, who attempted to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605.

The mask, designed by illustrator David Lloyd, was used as a major plot element in V for Vendetta, a comic book published in 1982, and its 2005 film adaptation, and has now become  a symbol of united opposition to undemocratic governments.

-oOo-

New Round of Deadly Flooding in South, Central and East China

Severe flooding and landslides triggered by extreme rain events have affected millions of people in south and east China.

Heavy rains have been pounding ten provincial regions in southern, central and eastern China, since Wednesday, including the provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

• The floods have left dozens dead or missing.
• At least 62,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
• More than 2,500 homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of buildings damaged.
•  Some 21,400 hectares of crops have also been destroyed by floodwaters.

-oOo-

River Danube to Peak at Record High Levels in Budapest

The Danube in Budapest is forecast to peak later today (Sunday evening) at 8.95 meters (30 feet), more than double its usual level, and 0.35 meters above the record set in 2006 floods.

• The authorities have already declared a state of emergency, and evacuated thousands of people (1,200 – 4,000) from dozens of towns and villages. The authorities have also closed dozens of roads, according to local news.

-oOo-

Torrential rain, hail and floods affect about 100,000 in NW China

Widespread flooding has affected about 100,000 people in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

“The rainstorm has damaged over 12,300 hectares of crops and killed 2,340 head of livestock, while 303 houses have been toppled or damaged, forcing the evacuation of 939 people,” said a report.

-oOo-

State of emergency declared in Kiev following landslides

The Kiev municipal government has declared a state of emergency in the Ukrainian capital following multiple landslides on the banks of Dnieper River.

• “There were a total of 11 possible disaster sites in Kiev,” said a report citing city officials.
  

-oOo-

Another Day of Record Breaking Heat in Western US

Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect in the Desert Southwest as daytime temperatures again soar into triple digits, said NWS.

-oOo-

Wildfires Consume 120,000 Acres in Nebraska

Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect from Kansas and Nebraska to Indiana

Another round of triple digit temperatures affect the central Plains, as National Weather Service warns  about the extreme conditions.

Temperatures are forecast to be 10-15 degrees above average in the central Plains and the Mid-Atlantic, as three wildfires consume at least 120,000 acres in Nebraska, destroying a dozen homes.

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 24, 2012

Source: National Climatic Data Center

• Excess Heat Warnings are in effect for all or parts of 7 states Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
• Heat Advisories are in effect for 14 states:  South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
• Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Montana, Nebraska and Kansas.

At least 24 high temperature records were broken and 34 tied in a dozen states Monday: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, NCDC reported.

“The highest temperature readings of the day were reported at 109 degrees in Minneapolis, Kan., and Hebronville, Texas, tying previous records set in 2001 and 2009, respectively,” said NWS.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Greenland. Greenland’s massive ice sheet has thawed over an unusually large area, NASA has said.
  • The thawed area jumped from 40% of the ice sheet to 97% between   July 8 -11.
  • NASA scientists say they are ‘surprised‘ by the speed and scale of  this month’s thaw,  describing the phenomenon as ‘extraordinary.’
  • See also: Thought for the Day: A 2009 Forecast

• Missouri. Gov. Nixon has declared a state of emergency due to the impact of continued severe heat and drought on agriculture and public health.
  • “Our farmers are suffering tremendous losses in crops and livestock, and we’re seeing more heat-related deaths and emergency room visits, particularly among seniors.” Nixon said. “In addition, we continue to see a high risk of fire from tinderbox conditions, and we are monitoring how the drought is affecting public water supplies and distribution.”
  • The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported 25 heat-related deaths between May 1 and July 22, with about 830 heat-related emergency visits to hospitals, reports said.

• Assam, India.  “The death toll from ethnic violence in northeast India rose to 38 Wednesday after four days of clashes. At least 170,000 villagers have fled from their homes in the remote state of Assam,” said a report.

• China. “Tens of thousands of people have been summoned to stand guard  protecting dikes in Jingzhou city (Pop: ~ 6.45 million), which lies downstream of the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province. Authorities declared more than 620 kms of river banks as risky along the Yangtze and its tributaries in the city.” Said a report.

Original Caption: Armed police patrol at the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze River, in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province, July 24, 2012. Due to the downpours in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China’s longest, the Three Gorges Dam experienced its largest flood peak this year on Tuesday, with a peak flow of 70,000 cubic meters of water per second. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Related Links

• Deadly Drought Worsens Corn, Soybean, Pasture and Range Conditions Posted July 24, 2012
• Watching Events Unfold, Frame by Frame, Exactly as Forecast Posted July 20, 2012
• Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops Posted July 19, 2012

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S. Posted July 17, 2012
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012
• Drought and deluge 

Deadly Heat Continues to Devour U.S. Crops

‘If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance …’ —Vilsack

U.S. drought intensifies as deadly heat plagues regions from Dakotas to Ohio Valley

‘Dangerous and deadly heat has entrenched itself in the central Plains and Midwest with no prospects of relief in the near future,’ said NOAA forecasters.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map, July 19, 2012. Source: NWS

• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for parts of 10 states and into the weekend for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

• Heat Advisories have been issued for parts of 19 states:  South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, NWS reported.

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records (July 17, 2012)

Highest Max Temp Reported

BURLINGTON 2S,  DES MOINES, IA.  New record: 107.0°F set on 2012-07-17; old record at 98.0°F dated 2006-07-17

Drought 2012

“If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”

USDA has now declared as primary disaster areas a total of about 1,300 counties [many other counties are designated as contiguous disaster areas ] across 29 states, as grain prices shoot through the roof due to deadly heat and unrelenting drought.

“I get on my knees everyday and I’m saying an extra prayer right now,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after briefing with the Disaster President  Obama. “If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”

Among nature’s extreme dislikes is the fact that more than 40 percent of the U.S. corn is used to produce ethanol.

Weekly drought statistics to be released by U.S. Drought Monitor later today could show more than two-thirds of Continental U.S. in drought condition.

By early July 2012, more than 60% of the contiguous United States was experiencing drought conditions, nearly double the area from early January. This NOAA animation shows monthly composites of D1 to D4 categories of drought in the contiguous U.S. over the time frame January 2012 to July 2012 using data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor summary map identifies general drought areas, labeling droughts by intensity, with D1 (lightest color) being the least intense and D4 (darkest color) being the most intense.

State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin

Governor Walker has declared a state of emergency in all 72 Wisconsin counties due to drought and abnormally dry conditions extending across most of the state.

“Wisconsin families, businesses and farmers are hurting as a result of this drought,” said Gov. Walker. “The increase in wildfires due to the combined lack of rain and high temperatures is adding to the risk of major economic losses, especially in agriculture. This is a time of crisis for many people, and we will utilize whatever resources are necessary to help.”

On July 10, Walker declared a state of emergency in 42 southern and central counties.

Latest Disaster Declarations by USDA

USDA has issued Disaster Declarations due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began in April 1, 2012, and continues in

• Missouri: A total of 105 counties declared as agricultural disaster areas.
• Arkansas:  5 counties
• Illinois: 9 counties
  
• Iowa: 10 counties
• Kansas: 10 counties
• Nebraska: 3 counties
• Oklahoma: 2 counties

USDA designated ten  Counties in Wyoming as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• All other Wyoming counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster counties.

USDA designated 16 Counties in Utah as agricultural disaster areas  due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Arizona.  The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arizona.

USDA Designates 5  Counties in Tennessee agricultural disaster areas  due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Arkansas.  The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arkansas.
  
• Mississippi.  Extends also to 2 counties in Mississippi.

USDA has designated 32  counties in Arkansas as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Mississippi. No. of counties are contiguous disaster areas: 4
• Tennessee.  Counties declared contiguous disaster areas: 2

USDA has designated 5 counties  in Georgia as  agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

USDA has designated 30 counties in Indiana as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

USDA has designated 10 counties in Mississippi as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• All other Mississippi counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster areas.
• Arkansas. Counties declared contiguous disaster areas: 3
  

USDA has designated 7 counties in New Mexico as  agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Arizona. Counties declared as contiguous disaster areas: 1

Latest Available Maps of Agricultural Disaster Areas in the U.S.

Map of U.S. counties declared as agricultural disaster areas under ‘Streamlined Disaster Designation Process,’ as of July 12, 2012

PRIMARY & CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES designated for 2012 crop disaster losses – As of 07/10/2012 – through Designation No. S3260 (Approved 07/03/2012)

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). A massive wildfire has consumed/affected about 2,000 hectares on the  volcanic island of Tenerife forcing the authorities to evacuate 1,800 inhabitants of the small town of Vilaflor, as well as the residents of another village nearby, reports said.
  • Another large fire burned more than 500 hectares on the neighboring island of La Palma before it was  brought under control on Tuesday, officials said.

Global Carbon Dioxide  Emissions

Global CO2 emissions rose 3 percent to 34 billion tons, said  a new EU report today.

• China emits 29 percent of global total (9.7 billion tons), while the U.S. is responsible for 16 percent (5.42 billion tons), the EU11 percent, India 6 percent, Russia 5 percent and Japan 4 percent, according to the report.
• Australia has the world’s largest per capita emissions at 19 tons, followed by the U.S. at 17.3 tons and Saudi Arabia at 16.5 tons per year.
• The report was released by EC’s Joint Research Center (JRC) and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.

Links to Recent Related Entries

• Another Heat Wave Grips America’s Heartland Posted July 18, 2012
• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S.
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012

• Disaster Declared in More Counties Across 11 States Posted  July 13, 2012
• U.S. Drought Expands, Intensifies Posted July 12, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in 26 States Posted July 12, 2012

• Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition Posted on July 11, 2012
• Continental US Experienced Warmest 12 Months in 117 Years Posted  on July 10, 2012
• Drought: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Posted on July 10, 2012
• U.S. Corn Belt Hit by Drought, Heat Wave Posted on July 9, 2012

• Record Heatwave Kills Dozens in U.S. Posted on July 8, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in Montana Posted on July 5, 2012
• Colorado Declared Agri Disaster Area Posted on July 4, 2012

• Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States Posted on July 3, 2012
• Deadly Heat Blankets Eastern U.S. Posted on July 2, 2012
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States and DC as Storm Death Toll Rises Posted  on July 1, 2012
• Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population Posted on June 30, 2012
• The record-setting heat wave continues to expand Posted on June 30, 2012
• Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S. Posted on June 29, 2012
• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado Posted on June 28, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012

Another Heat Wave Grips America’s Heartland

Dangerous heat warnings issued for 17 states from eastern Iowa to southern New England

Record-setting triple digit temperatures return to America’s Heartland, forcing National Weather Service (NWS) to issue another round of Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings across 17 states, with NO precipitation predicted for the central and southern Plains, the southern Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map. Source: NWS

Daytime high temperatures reached record levels at 8 locations, Tuesday, and tied records at 6 other sites, NWS reported. (The reporting locations were in Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Wisconsin).

• Excessive Heat Warnings were issued for southeastern Michigan, northwest Ohio, and areas along the Pennsylvania-New Jersey state line.

• Heat Advisories were in effect for parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Jersey, NWS said.

• New York issued an Air Quality Alert for about 2 dozen counties in central, southern and eastern parts of the state.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• USA.  USDA has designated an additional 39 counties in 8 states as Primary Natural Disaster areas due to worsening drought, making up a total of 1,297 counties in 29 states.  Additionally,  several hundred other counties have been declared as contiguous disaster areas.
• Missouri, USA.  All 114 counties in the state of Missouri have been declared disaster areas due to the drought, Governor Jay Nixon said in a statement.

• Oregon, USA.   A state of emergency has been declared in Oregon following the damage caused by wildfires that have burned about 800.000 acres (1,250 square miles) in SE  Oregon, reports said.

U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records (July 2012)

TNO moved to the east!!? U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set in July 2012. Source: NCDC. 

• U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 17, 2012:
  • Broken: 43 records (11 of the new records set were 3-digit temperatures)
  • Tied: 16
  • Total: 59

• U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records Set Between July 1 – 17, 2012
  

  • Broken: 2,245 records
  • Tied: 803
  • Total: 3,048

Highest temperature records for July 16 – 17

• WESSINGTON SPRINGS JERAULD,  SD. New record: 105.0°F set on 2012-07-17; previous record 104.0°F set on 2006-07-17

• SPRINGVIEW KEYA PAHA, NE.  New record: 107.0°F set on 2012-07-16; old record 106.0°F dated 2006-07-16

Global Temperatures

• For the second consecutive month, the global land temperature was highest on record in June, NCDC reported.
• June global land temperature was 1.93°F (1.07°C) above the 20^th century average of 55.9°F (13.3°C). [ Error margin of is ±0.23°F (0.13°C).]
• Global land and ocean surfaces average temperature for June was fourth highest on record for June, at 61.03°F (16.13°C) or 1.13°F (0.63°C) above the 20^th century average. [Error margin:  ±0.13°F (0.07°C).]

Wildfire

• Patras, Greece. The authorities have declared a state of emergency in Patras, Greece’s third largest city, after a wildfire threatened homes in nearby villages, prompting the evacuation of three communities and Patras University campus.

Links to Recent Related Entries

• Drought Continues to Plague Two-Thirds of Continental U.S.
• Largest Ever U.S. Disaster Continues Unfolding July 14, 2012

• Disaster Declared in More Counties Across 11 States Posted  July 13, 2012
• U.S. Drought Expands, Intensifies Posted July 12, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in 26 States Posted July 12, 2012

• Third of U.S. Corn in Poor or V. Poor Condition Posted on July 11, 2012
• Continental US Experienced Warmest 12 Months in 117 Years Posted  on July 10, 2012
• Drought: State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin Posted on July 10, 2012
• U.S. Corn Belt Hit by Drought, Heat Wave Posted on July 9, 2012

• Record Heatwave Kills Dozens in U.S. Posted on July 8, 2012
• Drought Disaster Declared in Montana Posted on July 5, 2012
• Colorado Declared Agri Disaster Area Posted on July 4, 2012

• Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States Posted on July 3, 2012
• Deadly Heat Blankets Eastern U.S. Posted on July 2, 2012
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States and DC as Storm Death Toll Rises Posted  on July 1, 2012
• Deadly Heat Wave Affects Third of U.S. Population Posted on June 30, 2012
• The record-setting heat wave continues to expand Posted on June 30, 2012
• Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S. Posted on June 29, 2012
• Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado Posted on June 28, 2012
• Drought 2012 Posted on January 8, 2012

String of Tornadoes Cause Major Destruction in NW Poland

Powerful tornadoes flatten large swaths of forest, destroy more than 100 homes in Poland

A string of tornadoes with winds of up to 200kph slammed northwestern Poland, leaving at least one person dead and a dozen others injured.

The twisters, described as ‘freak tornadoes with unprecedented scale and ferocity,’ left vast swaths of forest flattened, downing power lines and destroying at least 100 homes, mostly in Kujawy and Wielkpolska provinces, reports said.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• USA. Excessive heat is returning to Central and Eastern U.S., NOAA forecasters said.
  • Near record temperatures ranging from 95 to 105 degrees will prevail across the central portions of the U.S. on Monday. “The above normal temperatures will expand into the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic for Tuesday and Wednesday. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are already in effect for portions of the aforementioned areas.”

• China. Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) infected more than 381,000 people in China in June, killing at least 112 people, AFP reported the health authorities as saying.
  • More than 460,000 people were infected by HFMD in May, of whom 132 died from the disease, according to China’s Ministry of Health.

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

Explosive Wildfires Continue Erupting Across the U.S.

Waldo Canyon fire the most destructive in Colorado history: Officials

The Disaster President [Obama] has declared the state of Colorado a major disaster area due to the damage and losses caused by deadly wildfires in  El Paso County [Colorado Springs’ Waldo Canyon fire] and Larimer County [High Park Fire] which began on June 9, 2012, and continuing.

More counties may be designated subject to ongoing damage surveys, FEMA said.

The 5-day old Waldo Canyon fire in Pike National Forest, El Paso County, has now consumed an estimated 20,000 acres, destroying at least 346 homes [preliminary damage report,] forcing tens of thousands of people out of their homes, and threatening 20,085 residences and 160 commercial structures.

Until yesterday, the High Park fire, still burning near Fort Collins north of Denver, was officially the most destructive Colorado fire on record having consumed 257  homes and 87,284 acres of forest and grassland.

Waldo Canyon Fire Map (June 27).

Map of Waldo Canyon Fire Mandatory Evacuation Line – as of June 28, PM.

Pine Ridge Fire

The Pine Ridge Fire is very active wildfire ignited by lightning 10 miles NE of Grand Junction, Mesa County, CO, on Wednesday June 27th, and has since grown to more than 1,500 acres.

• Fire Behavior: Fire behavior remains extreme and is now threatening Northern Mesa County including the community of De Beque. The Mesa County Sheriff’s department has ordered immediate evacuation of all areas south of S ½ road, west of 45.5 Rd and east of I 70.

Utah Fire Explodes to 20,300 acres in 2 Days

Seeley Fire wildfire, ignited by dry lightning in Huntington Canyon and Gentry Mountain, 15 miles NW of Huntington, Utah, on June 26, has exploded to 20,300 acres threatening an unknown number of structures and forcing evacuations in the area. Road closures are in effect.

• Growth Potential:  Extreme
• Terrain Difficulty:  Extreme
• Wind Conditions: 16-28 mph SW
• Temperature: 75-77 degrees
• Humidity: 10-12%

Idaho Wildfire

Charlotte Fire, a blaze ignited in the Charlotte Road area of Mink Creek early afternoon on Thursday, has quickly spread, engulfing about 500 acres in just 5 hours, destroying or damaging at least a dozen homes.

• Bannock County Commissioners issued a disaster declaration for the County and immediately evacuated the residents in the Gibson Jack, Johnny Creek and Mink Creek area down to Portneuf Road. The evacuations have since expanded toward Pocatello past Juniper Hills Country Club, said a report .

• An emergency shelter has been set up in the Idaho State University Holt Arena for evacuees of the Gibson Jack and Mink Creek areas that have been affected by wildfire on Thursday, June 28, announced Stephen Chatterton, director of ISU Public Safety.

• “Multiple fire agencies are battling the grass fire that is burning dangerously close to homes. The fire sparked just after 2:30 p.m., Thursday, near Charlotte Road. Bannock County is handling evacuations,” said a report.

Montana Wildfires:

A dozen wildfires in Montana have destroyed more than 100 structures and forced up to a 1,000 people to flee their homes.

Dahl Fire. Fueled by dead and dying timber, high temperatures, low relative humidities and gusty winds, the Dahl Fire in Musselshell County, Montana, has grown to an estimated 20,000 acres and is currently uncontained.

• Montana Governor has signed an emergency declaration for Musselshell, Rosebud, Custer, Treasure, Yellowstone and Big Horn Counties and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
• An unknown number of residents have been evacuated.
• Road closures are in effect.
• A second fire in Musselshell County has been reported and located.

Ash Creek Complex Fire. The Ash Creek Complex fire, burning 10 miles east of Lame Deer in Custer National Forest, has exploded to 110,700 acres since it began Monday June 25th, 2012.

• Significant Events:  Residences remain threatened, and portions of Highway 212 remain closed due to fire activity and smoke.
• Fire behavior: Active on the northeast flank in the Cook Mountain hiking and riding area.
• Containment: 5%
• Growth Potential: Extreme

Utah Wildfires

• The Wood Hollow Fire, a blaze about 1 mile south of Fountain Green in Utah State Division of Forestry Fire & State Lands has now grown to 46,190 acres, claiming at least one life and destroying a reported 56 structures  and scores of farm animals, mostly sheep.
  • The communities of Indian Ridge, Elk Ridge, Big Hollow, and Oaker Hills communities are under mandatory evacuation.
  • About 2,000 have been evacuated from surrounding communities.

Other fires are listed at Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado (Posted on June 28, 2012) and the previous posts.

Some 4 dozen active wildfires are currently burning across a dozen states:  Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Idaho, South Dakota, Arizona, Alaska, Nevada, California and Hawaii.

U.S. Weather Hazards

US Weather Hazards Map, June 29, 2012 – Update

Excessive Heat Warnings: Excessive Heat Warnings are currently in effect in parts of at least 8 states.

Heat wave. The core of the heat wave currently broiling the central U.S. could shift to the east late this weekend, however critical wildfire conditions and debilitating heat will continue into next week, NOAA forecast.

Fire Weather. Critical Fire Weather conditions prevail in parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Red Flag Warnings. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming,  Colorado, Indiana and Kentucky, NWS said.

Heat Advisories and Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect until Saturday evening in many areas and record high temperatures are expected to continue into and through the weekend. Excessive Heat Warnings cover the eastern half of Kansas, western Missouri and parts of Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Heat Advisories cover parts of western Kansas, all of Oklahoma but the Panhandle, southern and eastern Iowa, northern and eastern Missouri, southern Wisconsin, most of Illinois, west-central and northeast Arkansas, the western half of Tennessee, northern Mississippi and all but the southern third of Alabama.

Record Heat. SE Colorado and SW Kansas locations have set numerous high temperature records in the recent days:

• Dodge City, KS – 111 degrees Wed. – the all-time record for the city since record keeping began in 1874; also broke high for the day by 4 degrees (107 degrees in 1980).
• Garden City, KS – 109 degrees broke old record of 106 set in 1979
• Medicine Lodge, KS – record 109 degrees broke old record of 107 set in 1980
• Colorado Springs, CO – broke all-time maximum temperature record Tuesday, hitting 101, tied 101 on Wed.
• Pueblo, CO – record high 106 degrees reached Tue, hit 106 again Wed; Pueblo airport recorded 105 degrees or higher for six consecutive days .
• Source: NWS

U.S. River Conditions

Some 24 locations are currently under flood conditions, with 7  river gauge sites at Major Flood level, 3 at Moderate Flood and 14 at Minor Flood; 22 sites were Near Flood, Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service reported.

U.S. Drought

The drought in the U.S. has intensified since last week  with 72.01 of the lower 48 in D0-D4 (Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought) conditions.

• No reported change in Hawaii since last week, with 78.89 of the state in D0-D4 conditions.
• Alaska has reported an increase in dry conditions since last week, climbing from 18.35% to 42.00% in D0.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Arizona Drought. Moderate to Severe Drought Conditions (D1-D3) currently prevail throughout the state of Arizona.

Colorado Drought. The entire state of Colorado is currently experiencing Moderate to Severe Drought Conditions (D1-D3).

Arkansas Drought. Moderate to Severe Drought Conditions (D1-D3) reported in 98.55% of Arkansas, with the entire states experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

Illinois.  The entire state of Illinois reporting Abnormally Dry to  Extreme Drought Conditions (D0 – D3).

Kentucky. Abnormally Dry to Extreme Drought Conditions (D0 – D3) reported in 96.59% of Kentucky.

Georgia.   Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought Conditions (D0 – D4) reported in 86.09% of Georgia.

Indiana Drought. Drought conditions for Indiana have deteriorated during the past week.  Severe to extreme drought conditions cover two thirds of the state. Abnormally dry conditions cover 99.86% of the state.

Indiana Drought Map  – released June 28, 2012.

• At least 83 counties reporting active burn bans, as of posting.
• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect throughout half of the state.

Kansas Drought. Drought has returned to Kansas with 100.00% of the state reporting abnormally dry or drought conditions (D0 0D4).

• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect throughout about two-thirds of the state.

Nevada.  The entire state of Nevada reporting Abnormally Dry to Extreme Drought Conditions (D0 – D3).

New Mexico.  D0 – D3 Drought Conditions reported throughout New Mexico.

Oklahoma.   D0 – D3 Drought Conditions reported in 99.68% of Oklahoma.

South Carolina.  Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought Conditions (D0 – D4) prevail in 86.34% of S. C.

Tennessee. D0 – D3 Drought Conditions reported in 96.03% of Tennessee.

Texas.  Abnormally Dry to Extreme Drought Conditions (D0 – D3) prevail in 95.92% of Texas.

Utah.  D0 – D3 Drought Conditions prevail throughout Utah.

Wyoming. D0 – D3 Drought Conditions exist in 93.50% of Wyoming.

Missouri Drought.  Severe Drought conditions persist in Missouri and the drought is likely to worsen, said NWS.

• Currently 98.70% of the state is reporting drought conditions.
• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect in about 40% of the state, as of posting

Percent of Normal Precipitation – Last 7 days

Air Quality

NESDIS Map of Analyzed Fires from Satellite Data – June 29, 2012 – Time: See inset. 

Current Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Analysis – NOAA/NESDIS – June 29, 2012 – Time: See inset.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Assam, India. Floods of epic proportion caused by extreme monsoon rainfall have left at least 30 people dead, many injured and about a million displaced in the Indian state of Assam, reports said.

• Bangladesh.  Death toll in Bangladesh flooding and landslides has climbed to at least 112, injured hundreds of others, with more than a quarter of a million people displaced.
  • Widespread damage to crops, farmland, homes and business reported throughout affected areas.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

• Mega Disasters
• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar
• Mass Die-offs