Forest Fires and Prescribed Burning in the Southern United States
3 March 1999
Several active fire signals and smoke plumes are recorded by OSEI with the NOAA AVHRR Sensor on 2 March 1999.
Fig.1. NOAA image of the vegetation fires in the
Southern United States 2 March 1999
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
See also remarks at the end of this daily update: The fire signatures in the Southeast represent mainly prescribed burning operations.
LAST NATIONAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATION CENTER SITUATION REPORT (26 January
1999)
http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.htm
CURRENT SITUATION:
Large fire activity occurred in Southern California, the Southwest Area and Southern Area.
OUTLOOK:
Conditions will remain dry in the western portions of Texas and Oklahoma, including the
panhandles. Eastern Oklahoma, southeastern Texas and southern Mississippi will have
showers at times. Areas of Arkansas and northern Mississippi will be rainy with 1-2 inches
(25 mm-50 mm) possible. High temperatures will be in the mid 60's (15°C) to lower 80's
(26°C) except mid 50's (10°C) through mid 70's (21°C) Saturday and Sunday. South Texas
will have highs in the mid 80's (26°C).
The Southwest U.S. will be dry through next week, except for a chance of showers in the Sierra Nevadas. There will be windy periods as several fronts will move through the area. High temperatures will generally range from the 40's (4°C) and 50's (10°C) in the mountains to the mid 70's (21°C) and 80's (26°C) in the lower deserts.
An excellent Wildfire Season Forecast for Florida can be seen under this link: 1998-1999 Florida Wildfire Season Forecast
Remarks on Prescribed Burning:
The high-temperature events depicted by the NOAA AVHRR satellite in the Southeast are not
all wildfires. At this time of the year prescribed burning operations are conducted
routinely. A set of photographic documents on prescribed burning techniques and objectives
can be visited in our photo archive.
For more information on the extent of prescribed burning in the U.S.A. please visit the
last issue of International Forest
Fire News.