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Posts Tagged ‘Wallow Fire’

Arizona Attacked by Wildfires

Posted by feww on May 17, 2012

At least 4 major blazes consume 90 km² of central and eastern AZ forest, brush and chaparral

The Sunflower Fire, the largest of AZ blazes, has consumed 70km² in the Tonto National Forest, about 65km north of Phoenix, fire officials reported.

Up to 350 residents of Crown King in central Arizona remain under evacuation orders after a large blaze, the Gladiator Fire, consumed about 25 sq km of Prescott National Forest and destroyed a dozen structures.

See also:

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

  • Colorado. A wildfire northwest of Fort Collins, northern Colorado, has consumed about 1,200  acres and is fast growing. The fire was less than 5 percent contained, as of posting.
    • “Two groups of residents have received notices to be prepared for possible evacuations, but no one has had to leave. The fire is within a quarter mile of some homes,” a report said.
  • The Rocky Mountains, USA. The white-nose bat syndrome, a disease that has killed at least 5.5 million hibernating bats in hundreds of colonies across 19 U.S. states is now spreading westward, the U.S. Forest Service reported.
    • The deadly disease was first detected in New York in 2006, the USGS reported.
  • The Midwest, U.S.  The number of extreme rain events, rainstorms that dump at least 3 inches of rain in 24hrs, have doubled in the U.S. Midwest between 1961 and 2011, a report said.
  • Manitoba, Canada. A large wildfire in Sandilands Provincial Park has consumed about 5,300 hectares of pine forest since the weekend and prompted the authorities in the RM of Piney to issue an evacuation order.
  • South Carolina, USA.The second reported victim of necrotizing fasciitis bacteria, commonly known as the flesh-eating disease, is a 36-year-old mother from South Carolina.
    • Lana Kuykendall noticed a dark spot on the back of her left leg soon after giving birth to twins last week, AP reported.
    • Two weeks, a Georgia woman, was diagnosed with the same type of infection.
      • “Aimee Copeland, 24, of Gwinnett County was injured May 1 when she fell from a zip line into the Little Tallapoosa River. The fall onto rocks caused a deep gash in her leg,” a report said.
      • Miss Copeland lost a leg and could lose all her fingers from the infection which has since spread, doctors have said.


Necrotizing Fasciitis.  Much more commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, necrotizing fasciitis is the bacterial infection of the underlying connective tissue, or fascia. It can be caused by streptococcous A, vibrio vulnificus, clostridium perfringens, and bacteroides fragilis, with strep A being the most common by far. These bacteria will often penetrate a deep wound, and can occur due to animal bites or swimming in unclean water. The symptoms will begin with itchiness that will proceed to discoloration, swelling and pain as the underlying tissue dies. Eventually the skin will blister out and ooze significant blood and pus. The infection spreads very rapidly. Source: Brown University.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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Arizona Wildfires Update – June 19

Posted by feww on June 19, 2011

Wallow Fire Crosses US 180, Burns Toward Luna, NM 

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

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


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

Wallow Fire Summary:

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

Wallow Fire Evacuations


Source: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ photostream

Public Safety Issues

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

Current Evacuations

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

Evacuee Information

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

Pre-Evacuation Alert

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

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

Fire Summary

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

Monument Fire Update

Location: Coronado National Memorial/Coronado National Forest

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

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

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

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

Fire Summary

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

Track Fire, NM

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

New Mexico:

Alaska

North Carolina: Pains Bay Fire
Texas: Dos Amigos FIRE

Honey Prairie Complex

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

Texas Initial Attack 2011

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

Florida: Bicy Oil Pad Fire Complex

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

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

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Monument Fire Explodes

Posted by feww on June 18, 2011

Monument Fire grows by 100% in 10 hrs;  Gov Brewer declares emergency

Current size: 19,335 acres [17, 2011 at 1:45 pm MST]
Containment: 15% (dropped from 17%)

About 2,000 families have so far been evacuated as the fire forces closure of Highway 92, reports said.

(Posted June 17, 2011 at 1:45 pm MST) All residents in the area of the Monument Fire are encouraged to make advanced arrangements for livestock and large animals to be moved, which will allow an evacuation process to run more smoothly if necessary.

  • Date of Origin: Sunday June 12th, 2011 approx. 01:16 PM
  • Location: Palominas Fire District
  • Size: 19,335 acres
  • Percent Contained: 15%
  • Fuels Involved: Short grass, drought stressed mixed conifer, chaparral, and brush.
  • Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior with sustained runs,medium spotting, and flame lengths in excess of 20 to 30 feet.
  • Growth Potential: Extreme
  • Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
  • Temperature: 92 degrees
  • Humidity: 12%
  • State of Emergency exists in Cochise County

Other Details

Pre-Evacuation Areas: East of Highway 92: Ramsey Road north to Camino Principal and east to Campobello

Fire Location: Now coming down Miller Canyon closing in on Highway 92/ potentially crossing at that location

Closures/Evacuations

  • Ash Canyon, Hunter Canyon, Stump Canyon (both upper and lower), Turkey Track, will remain closed until further notice.
  • Highway 92 closed at Ramsey Road on the north and Palominas Road on the south. All traffic coming from Bisbee to Sierra Vista DO NOT USE Highway 92. All traffic going to Bisbee from Sierra Vista DO NOT USE Highway 92.
  • Ramsey Road is closed at Moson Road
  • Ramsey Road is closed at Hargis Ranch Road

Evacuation

As of 2:30  PM (MST) on June 17  evacuations are underway at the following:

  • West side of Highway 92 on Yaqui west to Calle Matate / north to Choctaw Drive / east to Highway 92. Assisting with the evacuations today are members of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Graham County Sheriff’s Office, and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.  (Source: Northern Rockies Incident Management Team)

Damage

“Officials said the update on the fire’s toll is 47 burned homes and 14 out-buildings destroyed in the Coronado National Forest near Sierra Vista.” Source

Wallow Fire Update

  • Size: 495,016 acres total [official estimate]
  • Containment: 38%
  • Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee
  • Injuries to Date: 10
  • White Mountain Apache Reservation, San Carlos Apache Reservation, Arizona; Catron County, New Mexico
  • Total Personnel: 4,418
  • Residences: 2,714 threatened; 32 destroyed;
  • 5 damaged
  • Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
  • Outbuildings: 1,216 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged
  • Vehicles: 1 destroyed.


Wallow Fire false-color image taken on June 15, 2011 by the Landsat 5 satellite. “The slightly blue blur is smoke, and dots of bright orange-red on the south side of the burn are active fires. Unburned forest is green, and sparsely vegetated land is pink.” Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download largest image (3 MB, JPEG)

Horseshoe Two  Fire – The Expensive Blaze

(Posted June 17, 2011 at 9:40 pm MST) The Horseshoe Two Fire is burning on the Coronado National Forest near Portal, Ariz.

  • Size: 206,314 acres
  • Containment: 70%
  • Date started: May 8, 2011
  • Number of Personnel: 1,284
  • Total structures destroyed: 23
  • Cost to Date: $43,271,795
  • Source: Great Basin 2 Incident Management Team

 

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U.S. Wildfire Update – June 17

Posted by feww on June 17, 2011

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

Fire Summary:

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

Wallow Fire Map – June 16, 2011


Click image to enlarge (1.91 MB)

Fire Update

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

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

Air Quality Monitor MapsJune 16, 2011


Hourly Ozone AQI Map (Animation). Source: AIRNow


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Source: InciWeb ]

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U.S. Wildfires – June 16 Update

Posted by feww on June 16, 2011

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%

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.  

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Wallow Mega Fire – June 14 Update

Posted by feww on June 14, 2011

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

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Wallow Fire – June 13 Update

Posted by feww on June 13, 2011

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

 

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Who needs volcanoes in Arizona

Posted by feww on June 12, 2011

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

Latest Radar And Satellite Images


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

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Wallow Mega Fire – June 11 Update

Posted by feww on June 11, 2011

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. 

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Wallow Fire Now Largest in Arizona History

Posted by feww on June 10, 2011

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)  

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

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Wallow Fire Set to Become Largest in Arizona History

Posted by feww on June 8, 2011

RECORD-BREAKING WILDFIRE 

Wallow Fire could grow to about 470,000 acres by late Wednesday June 8 MST [FIRE-EARTH forecast]

By 1 PM Wednesday June 8, 2011 the fire had consumed at least 400,000 acres, mostly in the Apache National Forest.

The largest fire in Arizona history was the 2001 Rodeo-Chediski Fire which consumed 469,000 acres.

Wallow Fire Map (June 8, 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 8-9, 2011]


Current HMS Analysis, Source: NOAA

Analyzed Fires from Satellites – June 9, 2011


Source: NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

A Burning Forest


Wallow Fire consuming Apache National Forest. All rights reserved by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Wallow Fire, Arizona Satellite Image 


This image was taken by MODIS on the Aqua satellite at 1:25 pm MST (UTC -7 hrs) on June 8, 2011. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge.

Smoke Hazard

Smoke from the Wallow Fire has been affecting the air quality through much of the U.S. and has become a major health issue over a vast region. Photo:  All rights reserved by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Original Size (5184 x 3456)

Midwest Blanketed by Smoke from Wallow Fire  


A dense band of smoke extended from Texas to Nebraska when MODIS on the Terra satellite took this image at 11:05 am MST on June 7, 2011.  Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge

Air Quality Monitor


Springerville PM10 Concentration. The Department of Environmental Quality has placed Particulate Matter-2.5 air quality monitors in Springerville and St. Johns. The latest data and smoke health effects of hourly readings can accessed for Springerville at http://tinyurl.com/3znq24z and for St. Johns at http://tinyurl.com/3vzz59a.

Latest Bulletin Issued by Arizona State
(Posted June 8, 2011, at 12:08 pm MST) Last night, the lower winds, higher humidity, and cooler temperatures enabled firefighters to conduct burnout operations to reinforce fire line on the Wallow Fire.

To the north and east, crews constructed 10 miles of line using bulldozers and burnout operations outside of Eagar and Springerville.

Extreme fire behavior is predicted again today due to the forecast high winds and low humidity. Red Flag Warnings are still in effect for the area. Spot fires are occurring up to 3 miles ahead of the fire.

Today’s firefighter activities include: burnout operations, building fire line, perimeter control, structure protection, and patrolling for spot fires.

Current Evacuations

  • 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 Alerts

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

A community meeting is being held at the Round Valley High School Auditorium Wednesday at 6:00p.m.

Public Information Centers are located at:

Arizona

  • Springerville Post Office
  • Springerville Forest Ranger District Office
  • Springerville Primary School
  • Springerville Middle School
  • Wallow Fire Incident Command Post

New Mexico

  • Quemado
  • Luna

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/

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/.

Wallow Fire summary:

  • Date Started: 5/29/2011
    Number of Personnel:
      Approximately 1,943, including 23 hotshot crews and 27 handcrews
  • Location: south and west of Alpine, Arizona
  • Cause: Human – under investigation
  • Equipment: 9 dozers, 119 engines, 26 watertenders
  • Size:  389,000 acres
  • Aircraft:  14 helicopters
  • Percent Contained: 0%
  • Injuries to Date: none
  • Structures:  588 threatened; 1 damaged; 11 lost 

(Source: Southwest Incident Type-1 Incident Management Team)
UPDATES hopefully Available at Emergency Bulletins 

Arizona Forests and Govt Websites

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

Posted by feww on June 8, 2011

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:

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

Update at 12:00UTC on June 8, 2011

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Arizona’s Wallow Fire Grew by 61 pct

Posted by feww on June 7, 2011

Arizona’s Wallow Fire May Become the State’s 2nd Largest Today

The mega blaze in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (eastern Arizona) has grown from just under 144,000 acres to about  233,000 acres, a rise of more than 61 percent in less than 24 hours, forcing thousands of people from their homes and casting a thick smoky haze over a large region as far away as Iowa.

Arizona Gov. (Jan Brewer) declared a state of emergency retroactive to May 29 in Apache and Greenlee Counties in response to the out-of-control Wallow Fire, which had  grown to 233,522 acres in size as of Monday afternoon June 6, 2011.

FIRE-EARTH estimates that under the current conditions the mega blaze could grow by about 40 percent to 326,000 acres today.

Fires and Smoke Satellite Analysis: North America


Source: NOAA. Click images to enlarge.


Click image to enlarge closeup view.


HMS Fire and Smoke Analysis released June 7, 2011. Click images to enlarge. Source: NESDIS


Wallow Fire.
Photo by Tam Altaha/@TamAltaha


Map of Wallow Fire. Click image to enlarge. [Full Size]

Other Details

  • NO serious injuries reported, as of posting.
  • Up to a dozen structure, mostly cabins, have been destroyed.
  • Evacuations have been ordered in mountain town of Greer.
  • The towns of Blue and Luna in New Mexico are being  evacuated(?)
  • At least 2,515 firefighters are deployed (the number of personnel has doubled since 4 days ago).
  • About 3,000 residents of the towns of Alpine and Nutrioso have been evacuated.
  • The fire has forced the closure of the Apache National Forest.
  • Other towns and communities near the New Mexico border which have been evacuated include Bonita, Dog Patch, Escudilla Bonita, White Mountain Acres, H Bar Ranch and Bar Flying Ranch.
  • The Wallow Fire, currently Arizona’s third largest wildfire, started on May 29. It has grown rapidly since and could become the state’s 2nd largest by this afternoon.
  • The largest fire in Arizona history  was the 2001 Rodeo-Chediski Fire which consumed 469,000 acres.
  • The 2nd largest blaze, the 2005  Cave Creek fire near Phoenix, burned 248,000 acres.

Other Major Wildfires in Arizona

  • The Horseshoe Two fire. The blaze started May 8 and has burned at least 100,000 acres, currently 55 percent contained at a cost of about $30 million.
  •  Murphy fire. The blaze has burned about 37,566 acres near Tubac, and is less than 15 percent contained.
  • Arlene fire. The large fire in Coronado National Forest has burned 10,610 acres.

Wallow Fire Satellite Images (NASA/MODIS)


 June 6, 2011


June 5, 2011


The Wallow Fire (lower left corner of the image) – Natural color/MODIS/ NASA/Terra/ June 5, 2011. “Smoke from an Arizona wildfire spanned multiple states in early June 2011. … the Wallow Fire pushed air quality to unhealthy levels as far east as Alabama and Georgia. Closer to the source of the fire, thick smoke traveled across Colorado and into Nebraska.” Source: NASA-EO 

United States Wildfire MAP

GEOMAC Wildfire Viewer

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Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …

Posted by feww on June 6, 2011

RED FLAG Warnings Issued for parts of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Florida

Some 770,000 acres are ablaze nationwide, with the worst hit state currently being Arizona where 3 major fires cover about 300,000 acres:

  • Wallow Fire: 144,000 233,000 acres [as of 3:00 PM MST, 22:00UTC]
  • Horseshoe Two Fire: 100,000 acres
  • Murphy Fire: 40,000 acres

Wallow fire, which is consuming at least 144,000 acres near the New Mexico-Arizona state line is said to be the third largest in the state’s history.

Arizona fires have forced hundreds of residents to abandon their homes in several mountain towns.

Dry lightning is blamed for the Arizona wildfires, in line with FIRE-EARTH forecast posted on April 29, 2011.

The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history

Forecast: Large-scale lightning outbreaks

Unfortunately, the worst may NOT be over yet.  In addition to more tornadoes and violent storms this year and the next, FIRE-EARTH forecasts phenomenally large-scale outbreaks of potentially deadly lightning clusters throughout the United States.

Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product


Current HMS Fire and Smoke Analysis. Click image to enlarge. Source: NESDIS

Fires and Smoke Satellite Analysis: North America


Source: NOAA


Click image to enlarge critical area.

National Weather Hazards Map


Click Map to enter NWS portal.

Other Major Fires:

Alaska: 6 fires,  84,000 acres
California: 3 fires, 2,000 acres
Colorado: 3 fires, 25,000
Florida: 1 fire
Georgia: 1 fire, 166,000
New Mexico: 3 fires, 110,000 acres
North Carolina: 1 fire, 45,000
Texas: 10 fires, 40,000

Other Wildfire Stats

Year-to-date statistics

  • Date: 2011 (1/1/11 – 6/6/11)
  • No of Fires:  27,250 [FIRE-EARTH Estimate]
  • Acres Burned: 7,000,000 [FIRE-EARTH Estimate]

Previous Record [National Interagency Fire Center]

  • Date: (1/1/06 – 5/23/06)
  • No of Fires:  40,214
  • Acres Burned: 2,478,309

Annual Average [Based on figures provided by National Interagency Fire Center]

  • Date: 9-year average
  • No of Fires:  27,020
  • Acres Burned: 937,610

Conclusion: The U.S. wildfires 2011 have so far consumed 8 times as many acres as the YTD annual average for the previous 9-year period, while the average number of fires has remained almost unchanged.

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post updated at 23:31UTC on June 6, 2011

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