Fires Still Scorching Western States

USA: Fires Still Scorching Western States

Source: Environmental News Service, 20 September 2001


WASHINGTON, DC – More than 150 new fires were reported yesterday throughout the country, with two new large fires in Washington and California.
Fire conditions remain extreme in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington, says the U.S. Forest Service.
In Washington state, 5,000 acres are ablaze about four miles east of Waitsburg.
The blaze, named the North Coppei fire, is about 10 percent contained. In Okanogan National Forest, the new Boundary fire has burned 120 acres and is 0 percent contained.
In California, the Happy Camp Complex fire on Klamath National Forest has burned 600 acres, and is just 10 percent contained. The fire remains active, with snags and rolling material posing safety concerns.
The new Gasquet Complex fire in the Smith River National Recreation Area in California has burned 150 acres and is 40 percent contained. This complex of fires is located 14 miles north of Gasquet, where steep, rugged terrain and limited access hamper containment efforts.
In Utah, the Keigly West Mountain fire has burned 400 acres west of Springdale, and is about 50 percent contained.
So far this year, 61,802 fires have burned more than three million acres nationwide.
Three incident management teams from the National Interagency Coordination Center continue to assist with relief efforts after last week’s attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The first team is at the incident command post located at Jacob Javits Convention Center in lower Manhattan, and is supporting rescue efforts.
The second team is managing the Edison Mobilization and Distribution Center and the Mobilization Center at McGuire Air Force Base, both in New Jersey. The third team is supporting rescue operations at the Pentagon and is working at the incident command post located at Anacostia Naval Station Mobilization Center in Arlington, Virginia.


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