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.]

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

Wallow Fire Now Largest in Arizona History

Wallow Fire grows to more than ½ million acres [Fire-Earth estimate]

Wallow Fire Progression Map – June 9, 2011

Click image to enlarge. Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Other Sizes: Large (665 x 1024)   Original size (3203 x 4930)

Hazard Mapping System for Fire and Smoke [June 9-10, 2011]

Current HMS Analysis, Source: NOAA

Analyzed Fires from Satellites – June 10, 2011

Source: NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Official Stats (Posted on June 9, 2011, at 7:52 p.m) This is an official update on the structure assessment for Greer:

The Wallow Fire Structure Assessment Team has completed its work in Greer. The team reports that 22 homes were destroyed, 5 homes damaged and 24 outbuildings and 1 truck destroyed. The Apache County Sheriff is still in the process of tracking and notifying the property owne[rs]

Current Evacuations

• Full evacuations for Eagar, Springerville, 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 Roads 4000, 4001, and 4225.
• The evacuation center is located at Blue Ridge High School, 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop-Lakeside.

Wallow Fire summary

• Date Started: 5/29/2011
• Location: south and west of Alpine, Arizona
• Number of Personnel: Approximately 3,012, Including 24 hotshot crews and 79 handcrews
• Equipment: 18 dozers, 197 engines, 61 tenders
• Size: 386,690 acres based on last night’s [June 8 MST] infrared flight
• Aircraft: 16 helicopters
• Percent Contained: 5%
• Cause: Human – under investigation
• Injuries to Date: 3 minor injuries
• Residences: 5,242 threatened, 29 destroyed, 5 damaged
• Structures: 24 destroyed
• Other: 1 truck destroyed

Wallow Fire summary (Posted on June 8, 2011, at 11:43 p.m.)

• Size:  389,000 acres
• Structures:  588 threatened; 1 damaged; 11 lost

“Fire Information Officer Kelly Wood said Thursday’s count is the acreage actually burned within the fire’s perimeter and does not include unburned stands or islands of vegetation that could reignite later,” a report said.

Wallow Fire: A major contributor of carbon monoxide pollution over North America

“This map, made with data from the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) sensor on the Terra satellite, shows carbon monoxide concentrations over the United States and southern Canada between May 25 and June 8. Dark red pixels reveal high concentrations.” Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Smoke from Wallow Fire, as well as other wildfires in Arizona, New Mxico, Texas and elsewhere, continued traveling toward the northeast on June 8, 2011, when MODIS on the Terra satellite captured this photo-like image at 12:10 CDT. A thick band of smoke covered a large area stretching from New Mexico and Texas to Illinois.  Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download largest image (12 MB, JPEG).\

Air pollutants from wildfires and human activities could harm tens of millions of people.

Hourly Ozone Map (June 9, 2011 animation)

Hourly Ozone and PM2.5 Map (June 9, 2011 animation)

IMG_0159. Night burnout operations help strengthen fireline.
Credit: US Forest Service, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Other Major Fires in Arizona

(Posted June 9, 2011,at 10:03 p.m.)  The Horseshoe 2 Fire is approximated 128,652 acres and is estimated 40 percent contained. Extreme fire behavior and steep canyon terrain continued to cause erratic winds and difficult conditions on the fire.

 Fire Facts:

• Date started: May 8, 2011
• Location: Portal, Arizona
• Estimated Containment: June 22, 2011
• Number of Personnel: 1,054
• Crews: 9 Type 1 and 19 Type 2
• Engines: 46
• Dozers: 3
• Cause: Human
• Water Tenders: 34
• Helicopters: 4 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 2 Type 3
• Total structures destroyed:  23
• Cost to Date: $33,518,673

(Source:  Rocky Basin 2 Incident Management Team)

Murphy Complex (Includes the Murphy Fire and Pajarita Fire) summary (Posted June 9, 2011, at 9:58 a.m.)

• Time/Date Started: 3:28 pm, May 30, 2011
• Location:Nogales Ranger District in the Coronado National Forest 5 miles east of Arivaca, Ariz., and four miles west of Tubac, Arizona
• Cause: Human-caused. Under investigation.
• Fuels: Grass, shrub, oak, mesquite
• Size: 67,525 acres
• Percent Contained: 75%
• Estimated Cost to Date: $4,077,000
• Resources Threatened: Areas surrounding Ruby Road.
• Structures Lost: Historic Atascosa Lookout Tower in the Atascosa Mountains and an outhouse at Pena Blanca Lake.
• Resources Committed: 348 fire personnel, Two Type 1 crews, four Type 2 crews, seven helicopters, 10 engines, five water tenders.
• Cooperating Agencies: USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Arizona State Forestry Division, Arivaca Fire District, Elephant Head Volunteer Fire Department, Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department, Rio Rico Fire District, Tubac Fire District, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

(Source: Northern Arizona Incident Management Team)

This image from NASA’s Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument on the Terra spacecraft show the Wallow and Horseshoe 2 Fires currently burning in Arizona. The data were acquired mid-morning June 7, 2011. www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/fires/main/usa/index.html

The Wallow Fire is consuming large sections of the Apache National Forest. This image shows the northern edge of the fire as seen by Landsat-7 satellite on June 7, 2011.   “The image was made with infrared light. Bright red spots are actively burning areas, and darker red areas are freshly burned ground. Unburned forest and grassland is green, while sparsely planted earth or bare ground is pale pink. In many places, the fire has burned right to the edge of the forest.” Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.  Download largest image (2 MB, JPEG)  

Related Links

• 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

Post updated at 07:20UTC on June 10, 2011

Wallow Fire Now Arizona’s 2nd Largest, and Growing

Arizona’s Wallow Fire became the state’s 2nd largest ever, as forecast

FIRE-EARTH yesterday forecast the mega blaze in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (eastern Arizona) would grow by about 40 percent to 326,000 acres.

By 3:00pm local time on June 7 Wallow Fire had grown to 311,322 acres and was still raging uncontrolled.

FIRE-EARTH forecast: Wallow Fire could become Arizona’s largest ever recorded wildfire with a probability of ≥0.6 [P= 62% estimated at the time of posting on June 8, 2011 UTC]

Wallow Fire Progression History May 31 – June 7, 2011. Data: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests – Format: FIRE-EARTH

Wallow Fire Map for June 7, 2011. Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. For other sizes and copyright info click on links below:

• Large (666 x 1024)
• Original (3205 x 4930)

Fires and Smoke Satellite Analysis: North America

Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product: Current HMS Analysis. Click to enlarge.

Source: NOAA. Click images to enlarge.

Photo taken by Wayne Clement, Guadalupe Fire Department, off Hwy180/US191 near Nutrioso, AZ. Credit: US Forest Service, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Temp Forecast Map

Source: NWS. Click image to enlarge.

Fire Details

• About 5,800 residents in Eagar and other communities were forced to leave as flames got too close to the population centers. The remaining residents in Eagar and in neighboring Springerville are on standby to evacuate at short notice.
• Some 7,500 people have been ordered to prepare for evacuation since last week.
• Having consumed nearly 500 square miles of ponderosa pine forest since May 29, the Wallow Fire became the second-largest in Arizona history Tuesday afternoon.
• The blaze has also consumed a dozen structures, with another 343 threatened.
• As of 11:39UTC, June 8, the fire had grown to more than 400,000 acres according to an update received by FIRE-EARTH.
• Wallow Fire is now threatening New Mexico territory.
• The blaze is rapidly approaching a major power line located in Springerville, Arizona, which supplies electricity to large  parts of the borderland, the El Paso Electric company said.

Current Evacuations [IncidentWeb]

Effective Immediately: Further evacuations have been ordered by the Apache County Sheriff’s Office for all the areas south of Hwy 260 and east of Greer, including South Fork and portions of Eagar. Hwy 260 will remain open for the evacuation and will be closed immediately after the evacuation.

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 CR 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225

The evacuation site is located at; Blue Ridge High School located at 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop/Lakeside

Pre-Evacuation Alert

• Pre-evacuation alert issued by Apache County Sheriff’s Office for Springerville.

• Pre-evacuation alert issued by Catron County Sheriff’s Office for Luna, New Mexico.

• Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared in the event an order is needed.

Residents with livestock or animals that need care, please contact the Apache County Sheriff’s Office (928) 337-4321or the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office (928) 865-4149.

Fire Update

Today, we continue to experience extreme fire behavior due to the forecast high winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area. Firefighters are conducting burn out operations today as part of the strategy to build fire line for protection. Spot fires are occurring up to 3 miles ahead of the fire. Firefighter activities include: burnout operations, building fire line, perimeter control, structure protection, and patrolling for spot fires.

Closures:

Due to extreme fire conditions, the Apache National Forest is closed to all public entry. See website for closure order details. Please see the Forest website for more information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Fire Restrictions: A Temporary Emergency Closure Order for the Apache National Forest was issued effective June 3 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). For more information, please call the Arizona fire restrictions hotline 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://www.wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Related Links

• Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June 4

Update at 12:00UTC on June 8, 2011