Shallow Earthquakes Strike CA, ID, IL, UT

BTT-291D

Significant earthquakes rattle Westwood, CA and Albion, IL —USGS

Earthquake Strikes 5km NW of Westwood, California

Magnitude: 3.6 ml  [USGS]
Location: 34.087°N 118.476°W
Depth: 10.5 km
Time: 2017-09-19 06:20:44 (UTC)
Felt Reports: 8,422 Responses

Earthquake Strikes 12km ENE of Albion, Illinois

Magnitude: 3.8 mw
Location: 38.424°N 87.910°W
Depth: 11.7 km
Time: 2017-09-19 11:47:28 (UTC)
Felt Reports: 1,096 Responses

Earthquakes Strike near Summit Park and Soda Springs, Idaho

Magnitude 3.3 ml
Location: 40.701°N 111.609°W [4km S of Summit Park, Utah]
Depth: 11.0 km
Time: 2017-09-18 17:21:18 (UTC)
Felt Reports: 621 Responses

M 3.5 ml
Location: 42.614°N 111.443°W [14km ESE of Soda Springs, Idaho]
Depth: 8.3 km
Time: 2017-09-19 15:27:13 (UTC)
Felt Reports: 17 Responses

Idaho Seismic Swarm Spreads Over 400 Km²

GPSC-209W

M4.5 Strikes SE of Soda Springs

A swarm of at least 155 earthquakes have now struck near Soda Springs, Idaho, spreading over an area of about 400 km²  (~ 155 squared miles) since September 2, 2017.

The largest event measured 4.5 mwr, striking  42.612°N, 111.523°W at a depth of 5.8 km, USGS reported.

Idaho earthquake swarm map -USGS.

Related Links:

• EARTHQUAKE SWARM IN IDAHO CONSISTENT WITH SIGNIFICANT MAGMA MOVEMENT

EARTHQUAKE SWARM IN IDAHO CONSISTENT WITH SIGNIFICANT MAGMA MOVEMENT

GPSC-113B

Strong Seismic Cluster Striking Soda Springs, Idaho; M5.3 Event Largest Shock

A cluster of at least 34 earthquakes including shocks measuring magnitudes 5.3, 4.3 and 4.2 have struck the State of Idaho. The seismicity appears ongoing, and the pattern is consistent with large-scale magma movement.

EQ Details:
Magnitude: 5.3mww
Location: 42.624°N, 111.391°W; 9.2 km depth  [17km E of Soda Springs, Idaho]
Date-Time: 2017-09-02, 23:56:52 UTC

Felt reports: 1,691  (as of posting)

Idaho Earthquake Swarm Location Map. USGS

…

Disaster Declared in Idaho

Multiple Idaho Counties Declared Disaster Areas

At least eight counties across the state have declared a disaster due to severe weather and extensive flooding, with more snow forecast.

• Additional details: The Official Website of the State of Idaho.

 

Crop Disasters Declared for Counties in 3 U.S. States

Drought destroys crops in 13 counties across three U.S. states

Drought Disaster Emergency Designations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 13 counties across three states—Idaho, Nevada and Oregon—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought. Those areas are:

• Idaho.  Ada, Adams, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls and Washington counties.

• Nevada. Elko and Humboldt counties.

• Oregon. Baker and Malheur counties.

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on one or more crops.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

Crop Disaster Designations – 2016

• Drought Disaster Declared for Counties in Arizona, California May 23, 2016
• Drought Disasters Declared for Counties in Oregon, California, Nevada, Hawaii May 13, 2016
• Drought Disaster Declared for Counties in Arizona, California May 7, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Nevada and Hawaii April 22, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in Montana; Wildfire Emergencies in Kansas, Oklahoma
• Crop Disasters Declared in North Carolina March 31, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Puerto Rico March 26, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in Florida, Georgia  March 18, 2016
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Nine U.S. States March 4, 2016

• Multiple Crop Disasters Hit Eight U.S. States February 29, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in Montana February 25, 2016
• Crop Disasters Declared in the U.S. States of North Carolina and Virginia February 11, 2016

• Crop Disasters Declared in Two U.S. States February 5, 2016
• Extreme Weather Events Destroy Crops in Georgia & the Carolinas January 24, 2016
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Three U.S. States January 9, 2016
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

 

Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Idaho

Federal Disaster Declared in Idaho due to Severe Winter Storms (DR-4252)

• Incident period: December 16-27, 2015
• Major Disaster Declaration declared on February 01, 2016

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Idaho in the areas affected by Severe Winter Storms during the period of December 16-27, 2015. 

The areas that were hardest hit by the destructive storms include Benewah, Bonner, and Kootenai counties.

Federal Disaster Declarations (2015)

The federal government proclaimed 43 Major Disaster Declaration [DR 4205-4247] for a U.S. state/tribal area/territory in 2015, two Emergency Declarations, EM-3372 and EM-3373 and 34 Fire Management Assistance Declarations [FM-5084 to FM-5117.]

Major Disaster Declarations (2016)

• Major Disaster Declared for Alabama [DR-4251] January 23, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Missouri [DR-4250] January 22, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration for Washington [DR-4249] January 16, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Mississippi [DR-4248] January 5, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Missouri [EM-3374] January 3, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Major Disaster Declared for Idaho

Idaho Declared Federal Disaster Area

Idaho Severe Storm and Straight-line Winds (DR-4246)

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Idaho in the area affected by a severe storm and straight-line winds on November 17, 2015.

The hardest hit areas include the counties of Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, and Kootenai and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, federal officials said.

Federal Disaster Declarations (2015)

The federal government has proclaimed 42 Major Disaster Declaration [DR 4205-4246] for a U.S. state/tribal area/territory so far this year. Additionally, the government has issued two Emergency Declarations, EM-3372 and EM-3373, and 34 Fire Management Assistance Declarations, [FM-5084 to FM-5117] for the year to date.

Major Disaster Declarations Since October 2015

• Major Disaster Declared for Texas [DR-4245] November 26, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared in Alaska [DR-4244] October 31, 2015
• 2ND Major Disaster Declaration for Washington [DR-4243] October 22, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for Washington [DR-4242] October 16, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared in South Carolina [DR-4241] October 6, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Wounded Planet Can’t/ Won’t Take any Prisoners

Wildfires destroy dozens of buildings, force hundreds of evacuations in Wyoming, Idaho

Ferocious blazes, fueled by unseasonably warm temperatures and driven by strong winds, have destroyed dozens of homes and outbuilding in the US states of Wyoming and Idaho, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes.

Drought, unusually warm temperatures and strong winds continue to prolong the fire season in the US West.

One of the blazes that started near Wyoming’s second largest city of Casper Saturday night had consumed a bout 10,000 acres of grassland and buildings by late Monday, said a report.

At least 12 families have lost their homes, and hundreds of others have been forced to abandon their properties due to the Cole Creek Fire that started at a landfill in Evansville on Saturday.

Walker Fire burning near Idaho City

In Idaho, the Walker Fire had burned an estimated 3,400 acres, destroying several structures and forcing up to a hundreds people from their homes, according to local reports.

“The northwest flank of the fire saw the most significant growth today, growing toward Rattlesnake Creek and into Wild Horse Creek. It burned further into heavy timber, causing columns of smoke visible from miles away,” said Idaho Fire Info.

U.S. Wildfires: Year-to-date statistics

• Dates: 2015 (1/1/15 – 10/8/15)
• No. of Fires: 51,110
• Acres Burned: 11,245,536

Annual Average prior 10 years (2005-2014)

• No. of Fires: 60,506
• Acres Burned: 6,371,381

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

Dozens of active wildfires burn across 8 states

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Latest Fire Management Assistance Declarations

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

Major Wildfires Burn 2 Million Acres in 7 U.S. States

70 Large fires or complexes char nearly 8,000 km² across 7 U.S. states

Currently, 70 large wildfires or complexes have burned nearly 2 million acres (~ 8,000 km²) across seven U.S. states, NIFC reported.

The fires are burning in Alaska (1), California (10), Idaho (17), Montana (16), Oregon (10), Texas (4) and Washington (12).

Two hundred soldiers based out of Fort Lewis, Washington have been deployed in Washington state to assist the civilian fie crews,

Dozens of crews and fire management personnel from Canada, Australia and elsewhere have also been deployed.

Preparedness: Level 5

[Geographic Areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources. Eighty percent (80%) of Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams and crews are committed, as well as the majority of other National Resources.]

Acres from active fires: 1,954,138
Number of new large fires: 9
Number of active large fires: 70 (individual fires in complexes not included)

Year-to-date statistics 2015 (1/1/15 – 8/29/15)
Fires: 43,396 – Acres: 7,825,559 (an area nearly the size of state of Maryland)

Annual average prior 10 years (2005-2014)
Fires: 52,884 – Acres: 5,467,292

Warnings

Red Flag Warnings, Air Quality Alerts or Dense Smoke Advisories due to wildfires are currently in effect across vast swathes of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Deadly Wildfires Burning in Pacific Northwest

Washington Gov. requests Major Disaster Declaration as wildfires kill 3 fire crews, injure 4

Gov. Inslee has requested a Federal Disaster Declaration for the State of Washington as 44 lightning-sparked wildfires that are raging uncontrollably kill 3 fire crews and injure at least 4 others.

“Currently 11 counties and 4 tribes are affected or threatened by fires with 39 confirmed residences and 60 other structures destroyed [and] over 235,000 acres burned,” said Inslee in his official request. “Over 3,600 homes remain threatened, and these numbers are increasing each day as the largest fires remain uncontained.”

“Washington State had a major disaster declaration on August 11, 2014 for Washington Wildfires (DR-4188) in Okanogan County from the Carlton Complex Fire. The impacts of this current event are likely to exacerbate the ongoing housing and economic recovery efforts from the declared disaster last year.”

On June 26, 2015, I issued a State of Emergency for the State of Washington for all 39 counties due to extraordinary heat and drought conditions across the state. These conditions have continue to worsen and exacerbated the threats posed by high fire danger weather conditions.

On August 13, 2015 a low pressure settled over central and eastern Washington that generated several hundred lightning strikes in a 6 hour period setting off numerous fires. This weather system remained in effect thru Saturday August 15, 2015. Gusty winds continue to effect these regions. Another similar system is moving into the region in the next 2 days with extreme high fire danger weather predicted.

There have been five Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations in the span of 36 hours with two additional approved Washington State Fire Mobilizations for Black Canyon/McFarland Creek Fires in Okanogan County and Renner Lake Fire in Stevens and Ferry Counties.

Thousands of people are under mandatory evacuation orders across the Pacific Northwest as more than 90 major wildfires rage across the region. At least a dozen wildfires are also burning across the South.

In Washington, several towns and communities have been evacuated including Omak, Riverside, Twisp, Winthrop and Conconully.

“It is really bad out there. The fires have just exploded,” a spokeswoman for the Okanogan County Department of Emergency Management, told the AP. “We’re just directing everybody to head south.”

In California, more than 2,500 people were forced to flee Christian camps near Fresno after Rough Fire crossed Highway 180, officials said.

Mandatory evacuations are also in effect in the states of Idaho and Oregon.

States currently reporting major wildfire include Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Active fires are currently burning an estimated 1.5 million acres, and have consumed hundreds of homes and other structures so far this month.

Some 42,000 wildfires have consumed at least 7.2 million acres across the United States, so far this year.

Governors in California, Idaho, Montana and Oregon have declared States of Emergency due to the wildfires, so far this month.

The U.S. military is sending hundreds of personnel to the fire lines, as fire managers call in help from other countries.

Ten U.S. States Reporting Major Wildfires

Wildfires Plaguing Western and Southern United States

States of Emergency have been declared in Idaho and Montana due to the destructive wildfires.

At least 80 active large fires are currently burning more than 1.1 million acres across ten States: California (14), Colorado (1), Idaho (14), Louisiana (1), Montana (11), North Carolina (2), Nevada (1), Oregon (11), Texas (5) and Washington (20), reported NIFC.

“Residents in many western states have been evacuated from their homes as hot, dry, and windy conditions have caused several large fires to burn actively. Currently, more than 25,000 people are supporting wildfires, including 41 Incident Management Teams and 2 Area Command Teams.”

Year-to-date statistics [NIFC]

2015 (1/1/15 – 8/17/15) Fires: 40,509 – Acres: 6,969,074 [breaks 11-year record]

Annual average prior 10 years

(2005-2014) Fires: 49,400 – Acres: 4,809,886

[Caution: The stats provided by NIFC have previously proved to be incomplete, erroneous and unreliable. See related blog entries since 2007.]

The Federal government has proclaimed 8 additional Fire Management Assistance Declarations, as follows:

• Idaho Municipal Fire (FM-5105)
• Washington Okanogan County Fire Complex (FM-5104)
• Washington Stevens County Fire Complex (FM-5103)
• Oregon Canyon Creek Fire Complex (FM-5102)
• Washington Stickpin Fire (FM-5101)
• Washington Reach Fire Complex (FM-5100)
• Idaho Clearwater Lawyer Branch Fire Complex (FM-5099)
• Washington Nine Mile Fire (FM-5098)

Excessive Heat Warning

An excessive heat warning remains in effect throughout Wednesday for Southern Nevada, Southeastern California and Northwestern Arizona. Expected Temperatures: 109-112 in the Las Vegas Valley, 112-117 in the Colorado River Valley, and 120-125 in Death Valley, reported NWS.

Related Links

• Fierce Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Idaho Homes August 16, 2015

‘Montana is facing extreme fire conditions’

State of Emergency Declared in Big Sky Country

“Firefighting resources in the state, geographic region, and across Western United States have reached critical shortage levels,” said Montana Governor.

Governor Bullock has issued an executive order declaring a fire emergency in the state of Montana, proclaiming that “Montana is facing extreme fire conditions.”

“Montana is facing extreme fire conditions. This declaration will provide additional resources to the brave men and women fighting these fires,” Bullock said. “As firefighters continue to battle blazes across the state, I encourage Montanans to be aware of fires in their area, obey any evacuation orders that may be issued, and ensure they’re not taking actions that might spark new fires.”

Wildfires are actively burning and extreme fire danger exists across the state of Montana, including the counties of Lincoln, Flathead, Lake, Sanders, Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, Granite, POwell, Butte-Silver Bow, Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Broadwater, Jefferson, Meagher, Lewis and Clark, Teton, Pondera, Glacier, Cascade, Choteau, Judith Basin, Fergus, Petroleum, Wheatland, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Big Horn, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Powder River, Carter, Fallon and Garfield (42 of the state’s 56 counties), according to the governor’s executive order.

The fires have led to evacuations and road and campground closures.

“Firefighting resources in the state, geographic region, and across Western United States have reached critical shortage levels,” said the governor, “these critical shortages have already necessitated the deployment of international firefighting resources to the State of Montana to assist in fire suppression.”

Bullock has also deployed the Montana National Guard to assists in the emergency.

The fires include the following+

The Moose Meadows Fire (southwest of Philipsburg): 900ha  (~ 2,200 acres)
The Firestone Flats Fire (ENE of Arlee)+ 700ha
Gold Pan Fire Complex (SW of Sula on the Montana-Idaho border): 5,600ha
The Red Shale Fire (Bob Marshall Wilderness): 3,200ha

More information is listed at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/27/0/

Meanwhile, residents of Greer, Idaho, are on standby to evacuate, said the sheriff’s office.

Hundreds of wildfires, mostly sparked by lightning storms, are currently burning hundreds of thousands of hectares (acres) across the Western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Related Links

• Fierce Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Idaho Homes August 16, 2015

Fierce Wildfires Destroy Dozens of Idaho Homes

Idaho blaze grows to 53,000 acres, puts town on evacuation notice

The so-called Clearwater Complex Wildfire in Idaho consisting of multiple lightning-caused fires—Lawyer 2 Fire, Lolo 2 Fire, Fisher Fire, Syringa Fires and Pilot Knob—has grown to about 53,000 acres destroying at least 125 homes and outbuildings, and putting entire communities on evacuation notice, said Inciweb.

Mandatory Evacuations remain in place on the west, north and east sides of Kamiah outside of the city limits. U.S. Highway 12 is still open but may periodically have a pilot car moving traffic through the fire area north of Kamiah.

An estimated total of 50 primary structures and 75 outbuildings were lost due to wind driven fire activity. Early this morning, the Idaho County Sheriff and his deputies began working with firefighters within the fire area to identify and assess the condition of these structures prior to notifying affected property owners. Structure protection remained a high priority throughout the fire area.

Most of the Complex is adjacent to Kamiah, ID. Other fire locations are in the vicinity of Kooskia, Craigmont, Ruebens, Greer, Woodland, and Harrisburg. The fire was 15% contained, as of posting.

Meanwhile the federal government has issued two additional Fire Management Assistance Declarations:

• Idaho Clearwater Lawyer Branch Fire Complex (FM-5099)
• Washington Nine Mile Fire (FM-5098)

National Preparedness Level 5 (August 13, 2015 at 5:30am MDT) (On a scale from 1 to 5)

[Preparedness Level 5 – Description: Geographic Areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources. Eighty percent (80%) of Type 1 and Type 2 Incident Management Teams and  crews are committed, as well as the majority of other National Resources.]

On August 14, the National Preparedness Level was increased to five. “A significant amount of initial and extended attack and large fire activity has occurred over the past several days as a result of lightning storms that have intensified local and geographic response,” said NIFC.

Number of active large fires: 51
Acres from active fires: 736,794
States currently reporting large fires:
Alaska (1), Arizona (1), California (14), Hawaii (2), Idaho (4), Montana (5), North Carolina (2), Oregon (12), Texas (3), Washington (6), Wyoming (1)

Year-to-date statistics
2015 (1/1/15 – 8/14/15) Fires: 39,830 Acres: 6,509,392

Annual average prior 10 years
(2005-2014)  Fires: 49,403 – Acres: 4,649,565

[Caution: The stats provided by NIFC have previously proved to be incomplete, erroneous and therefore unreliable. See related blog entries since 2007.]

Latest Disasters, States of Emergency Declarations

Disaster declared for Idaho counties affected by wildfire

The Cape Horn Fire wildfire near Bayview, Idaho, has been declared a federal disaster.

Federal officials have authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Cape Horn Fire, burning in Bonner County and Kootenai County, northern Idaho.

The blaze had already consumed about 2,000 acres of mostly pine forests, as of Tuesday, destroying at least six upscale homes and forcing more than 650 people from Lake Pend Oreille resort area.

Idaho Gov. Otter on Monday declared the two counties affected by the uncontained fire a disaster emergency area.

States of Emergency Declared in two BC Camid Raging Wildfire

Authorities in the District of Port Hardy, British Columbia, declared a state of emergency due to the immediate threat of life and safety caused by a fast moving wildfire, said a report.

The fire forced the evacuations of more than 100 residences.

More than 170 wildfires raged across the province. “The Squamish Lillooet Regional District also issued a state of emergency due to a 500-hectare fire northwest of Pemberton,” said a report.

State of Emergency Declared in Venezuela amid ERE, Flooding

Major Disaster Declared for Wyoming

Drought Destroys More Crops in Idaho, Oregon, Utah

Drought Crop Disasters Declared for 15  Counties across Three States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 15 additional counties in three  states—Idaho, Oregon and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought.

The disaster designations are for the following areas:

• Idaho:  Adams, Gem, Idaho, Valley and Washington counties.
• Oregon: Baker and Wallowa counties.
• Utah: Piute, Sevier, Beaver, Emery, Garfield, Millard, Sanpete and Wayne counties.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,224 counties across 16 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

About 99 percent of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on June 3, 2015 and posted on their website in two separate declarations.

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Nevada, Utah May 28, 2015
• Crop Disasters Declared in 4 States  May 21, 2015
• Drought Destroys More Crops in CO, ID, OR, TX, UT May 14, 2015
• Drought Destroys more Crops in ID, NV, OR, UT May 7, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Drought Destroys More Crops in CO, ID, OR, TX, UT

Drought Disaster Declared for 34 Additional Counties in Five States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 34 additional counties across five states—Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the drought.

The drought disaster designations are for the following areas

• Colorado: Garfield, Moffat and Rio Blanco counties.
• Idaho: Ada, Blaine, Boise, Camas, Custer, Elmore, Gooding, Owyhee and Twin Falls counties.
• Oregon:  Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Morrow,Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Texas: Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas and McLennan counties.
• Utah: Carbon, Daggett, Duchesne, Emery, Grand, Summit, Uintah, Utah and Wasatch counties.

US Crops Experiencing Drought (as of last week)
Approximate Percentage of Corn Located in Drought: 26%
Approximate Percentage of Soybeans Located in Drought: 22%
Approximate Percentage of Hay Acreage Located in Drought: 28%
Approximate Percentage of Cattle Inventory Located in Drought: 37%
Approximate Percentage of Winter Wheat Production Located in Drought: 43%
[Source: USDA Agricultural Weather Assessments World Agricultural Outlook Board]

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least an 1,169 counties across 20  states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Majority of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on May 13, 2015 and posted on their website in four separate declarations.

Related Links

• Drought Destroys more Crops in ID, NV, OR, UT May 7, 2015
• Crop Disasters Declared in AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT April 23, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Drought Destroys more Crops in ID, NV, OR, UT

Crop disasters declared for 37 counties in four states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 37 additional counties across four  states—Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the drought.

The drought disaster designations are for the following areas:

• Idaho. Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Boise, Butte, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clark, Custer, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Valley and Washington counties.
• Nevada. Pine, Elko, Eureka, Lincoln and Nye counties.
• Oregon. Malheur County.
• Utah. Juab (multiple designations), Millard (multiple designations), Tooele, Carbon, Emery, Sanpete, Sevier and Utah counties.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least an 1,135 counties across 20  states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Majority of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on May 6, 2015 and posted on their website as three separate declarations.

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT April 23, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Significant Earthquakes Strike CA, ID, NZ

M5.5 quake strikes 253km W of Ferndale, California

Centered at 40.403°N, 127.245°W the quake occurred at a depth of 10.0 km (6.2 mi), reported USGS/EHP.

Date/ Time: 2015-04-24 01:34:55 (UTC)

At least one aftershock, measuring 3.0Mw, had occurred as of posting.

M 4.1 strikes 22km SE of Sandpoint, Idaho
Location: 48.110°N 116.386°W
Depth: 5.0 km
Date/ Time: 2015-04-24 at 02:32:19 UTC
[Source: USGS/EHP]

M 5.9 strikes 66km NW of Kaikoura, New Zealand
Location: 42.075°S 173.016°E
Depth: 55.2 km
Date/ Time: 2015-04-24 03:36:43 UTC
[Source: USGS/EHP]

The earthquake was registered locally (geonet) as follows :

Intensity: Severe
Universal Time: April 24 2015, 3:36:42
Depth: 52 km
Magnitude: 6.2
Location: 35 km south-east of St Arnaud
Coordinates:  -42.09, 173.07

Crop Disasters Declared in AZ, ID, NV, OR, UT

Drought destroys more crops in Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 37 additional counties across five states—Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the drought.

The drought disaster designations are for the following areas:

• Arizona. Mohave County
• Idaho. Adams and Washington counties
• Nevada. Clark, Humboldt, Lincoln, Nye Washoe and White Pine counties.
• Oregon. Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Linn, Malheur, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler counties.
• Utah. Box, Carbon, Davis, Duchesne, Elder, Juab, Morgan Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele (multiple designations), Sanpete, Utah, and Wasatch counties.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least an 1,098 counties across 20  states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Majority of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on April 22, 2015 and posted on their website as three separate declarations.

Related Links

• Crop Drought Disaster Continues to Spread in U.S. South, Midwest  April 16, 2015
• Drought Crop Disaster Declared in Texas April 12, 2015
• Drought Destroys Crops in CA, OR, ID, UT, AZ and NV April 9, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Thousands of Snow Geese Fall Out of Sky in Idaho

Suspected avian cholera outbreak kills  thousands  of migrating snow geese

About 2,000 migrating snow geese appeared to have succumbed to avian cholera and died at Mud Lake and Market Lake Wildlife Management Areas, on their way back north to their nesting grounds in Northern Alaska, reported the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG).

“The carcasses of a small number of snow geese were first reported at Camas National Wildlife Refuge near Dubois, Idaho. Closer inspection on Friday found higher numbers of dead birds at the Mud Lake WMA Area near Terreton, Idaho and a lesser amount at Market Lake WMA near Roberts, Idaho. The migratory birds were on the return leg of their migration from the southwestern United States and Mexico to their breeding grounds on the northern coast of Alaska. It is unknown at this time where the geese may have picked up the suspected bacteria. ‘Outbreaks of avian cholera have occurred sporadically in the region over the past few decades,’ said Upper Snake Regional Supervisor Steve Schmidt.”

“Basically, they just fell out of the sky,” media reported an IDFG spokesperson as saying.

“More than 10,000 migrating birds died of avian cholera in southern Oregon and northern California in the first three months of 2012 because of low water levels in wetlands at a popular bird rest area,” said a report.

Drought Crop Disasters Declared in 10 U.S. States

Crop Disasters Declared for 69  Counties in 10 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 69 additional counties in 10 states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 863 counties across 16 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

All of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on February 25, 2015.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared in AZ, CA, NV, TX, UT February 26, 2015
• Drought destroys or damages crops in 15 counties across two states February 24, 2015
• Drought Disaster Declared for VA, WV Counties January 30, 2015
• Crop Disasters Declared for 220 Counties in 3 States January 8, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Significant Quakes Strike California, Idaho

SEISMIC HAZARD
HEIGHTENED SEISMICITY IN U.S.
SCENARIOS 700, [500,] 08, 07, 02
.

Earthquakes strike near Castaic, CA and Challis, ID

M4.9 quake strikes  7km E of Challis, Idaho

Centered at 44.50°N, 114.13°W, the quake occured at a  depth of 8.2km (5.1mi), said USGS/EHP.

EQ Details:
Magnitude: 4.9Mw
Event Time: 2015-01-03 @ 17:44:03UTC
Location: 44.504°N 114.136°W depth=8.2km (5.1mi)
Nearby Cities

• 7km (4mi) E of Challis, Idaho
• 192km (119mi) ENE of Boise, Idaho
• 194km (121mi) ENE of Garden City, Idaho

M 4.3 strikes 14km N of Castaic, California

EQ Details:
Magnitude: 4.3Mw
Event Time: 2015-01-04 @ 03:18:09UTC
Location: 34.620°N 118.630°W depth=8.9km (5.5mi)
Nearby Cities

• 14km (9mi) N of Castaic, California
• 26km (16mi) NNW of Santa Clarita, California
• 37km (23mi) W of Quartz Hill, California

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH EQ Forecast

For detailed FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts tune into Fire-Earth Reports  daily @ 06:32UTC.

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FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts for California

FIRE-EARTH Science Team has suspended its research on California seismicity to protest Internet censorship, Google’s manipulation of information, theft of FIRE-EARTH intellectual property and additional reasons, as stated earlier on the blog.

The Team has suspended its research also on Japan seismicity due to the resurgence of militarism in that country and additional reasons that have also been stated previously.

Drought Destroys Crops in Five States

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
DROUGHT
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS  560, 444, 111, 100, 03, 02
.

Crop Disasters Declared for 20 Counties across Five States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared crop disasters in 20 counties across five states—Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington and Wyoming—due to the losses and damage caused by the debilitating drought.

The disaster designations are for the following counties:

• Idaho: Bear Lake, Boundary, Fremont, Madison,  Bonner, Caribou, Franklin, Teton, Bonneville, Clark and  Jefferson counties.

• Montana: Beaverhead, Gallatin, Lincoln and Madison counties.

• Utah: Cache and Rich counties.

• Washington: Pend Oreille County.

• Wyoming: Lincoln and Teton counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 2,727 counties across 41 states. Most of those designations are due to  drought.

Those states are

• Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on November 19, 2014.

Latest/ Recent Crop Disaster Declarations

• Drought, Freeze Destroy More Crops in U.S. West, Southeast  November 14, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States October 23, 2014
• Drought Destroys Crops in Georgia, Florida October 17, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States October 10, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in New England October 4, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Occur in 11 States October 3, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in 10 States September 25, 2014
• Drought Crop Disasters Declared in U.S. West  September 18, 2014
• FREEZE Destroys Crops in Ohio, Pennsylvania  September 18, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States September 12, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States Posted on September 5, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Drought, Freeze Destroy More Crops in U.S. West, Southeast

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
DROUGHT
FREEZING TEMPERATURES
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS  560, 444, 187, 177, 157, 111, 100, 03, 02
.

Crop Disasters Declared for 25 Counties across Four States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared crop disasters in multiple counties across four states—Idaho, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington—due to the losses and damage caused by recent drought, and freezing temperatures.

Designation #1 : Crop damage and losses caused by drought

USDA has declared crop disasters for the following counties in Idaho and Oregon due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

•  Idaho: Adams, Gem, Idaho, Valley and Washington counties.
• Oregon: Baker and Wallowa counties.

Designation #2 : Crop damage and losses caused also by drought

(USDA) has designated Wallowa County in Oregon as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought.

• Oregon: Baker, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties.
• Idaho: Adams, Idaho and Nez Perce counties.
• Washington: Asotin, Columbia and Garfield counties.

Designation #3 : Crop damage and losses caused by Freezing Temperatures

USDA has designated eight counties in Tennessee as crop disaster areas due to damages and loses caused by freezing temperatures that occurred on March 26 and 27, 2014.

The disaster designations are as follows:

• Bedford, Coffee, Marshall, Wilson, Cannon, Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 2,707 counties across 41 states. Most of those designations are due to  drought.

Those states are

• Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on November 12, 2014.

Latest/ Recent Crop Disaster Declarations

• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States October 23, 2014
• Drought Destroys Crops in Georgia, Florida October 17, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States October 10, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in New England October 4, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Occur in 11 States October 3, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in 10 States September 25, 2014
• Drought Crop Disasters Declared in U.S. West  September 18, 2014
• FREEZE Destroys Crops in Ohio, Pennsylvania  September 18, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States September 12, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States Posted on September 5, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index