Wildfires in Florida: 19 April 1999

Floridas fires are still going on. The fires outbreak had been considered out late Wednesday of last week and increased on this weekend. Drought-like conditions over months and wind-driven fires were responsible for the flare up of these vegetation fires. The fires can be classified now as wildfires. They are not prescribed burnings as mentioned before.

The loss of several homes in Florida, especially in St. Lucie County, was mourned. Associated Press reported, that fires aided by winds and drought conditions also forced the evacuations of some residents in Osceola and Polk counties in central Florida, and Collier County in the southwest. An unspecified number of people were evacuated. Fortunately, no deaths or serious injuries were reported till now.

Fire officials say that without any significant rain these serious conditions will go on and might result in a repeat of last year´s summer wildfires, which lasted into mid-July. Floridas Governor Jeb Bush has declared a state of emergency and firefighters will be assisted by the National Guard.

Probably on-going fires have burned thousands of hectares. Over 50,000 (20,000 ha) acres already have burned this year in Florida as Associated Press mentioned.

Florida Interagency Coordination Center (FL-FIC): Fire activity continued in Central Florida yesterday. Tanker drops were made in Lakeland and Bunnell Counties.
State of Florida (FL-FLS): 91 fires for 6,233.5 acres (2522 ha). There were 24 structures lost by yesterday evening. The Red team is on alert to be called out.
NFs in Florida (FL-FNF): 1 fire for 1 acre, 04/15. Fire danger high. The Prevention Team visited communities near Ocala NF. Team is working with Lake, Marion and Alachua County fire departments.
Big Cypress N. Preserve (FL-BCP): 3 fires for 1,702 acres (688 ha), 04/15. Fire danger high. Arson is suspected on all fires. Assisted FLS with suppression on 3 fires west of the boundry. KBDI is 637 at BCP.
Everglades NP (FL-EVP): Fire danger high.
Florida Panther NWR (FL-FPR): Fire danger high.
Merritt Island NWR (FL-MIR): Fire danger high.
Okefenokee NWR (GA-OKR): Fire danger high. Hickory Island is 12% contained for 3,038 acres and is located in Folkston, GA. Fire activity yesterday even with strong southwest winds was light.
St. Marks NWR (FL-SMR): Fire danger high.

As there are for the moment no current and new satallite images available, the GLOBAL FIRE MONITORING CENTER (GFMC) shows here the sequence of NOAA images of the last week. These figures were already recorded by OSEI and the GFMC between the 13-16 April 1999.

12 April 1999

13 April 1999

14 April 1999

15 April 1999

Fig.1., 2., 3. and 4. NOAA images of vegetation fires in Florida between 12 and 15 April 1999
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)

GFMC Correspondent John Anderson (Calgary) submitted the following Environmental News Service (ENS) report (dated 13 April 1999):
FIREFIGHTERS ON ALERT ACROSS THE COUNTRY
About 1,218 wildfire outbreaks have scorched 33,525 acres (13567.09 ha) across Florida, prompting Governor Jeb Bush to declare a state of emergency for the entire state. The state's rainfall is well below normal for this time of year. Drought conditions are high in central areas with a rating of between 680 and 694 on the Ketch-Byram Drought Index in which 800 is the highest. In Connecticut, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today raised the forest fire danger level to "extreme" due to continuing sunny, dry and very windy weather conditions. "Forest fire danger ratings of 'extreme' are uncommon in Connecticut. The last 'extreme' danger level was issued in September, 1995. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho reports the potential for wildfires remains above normal in all or parts of 16 U.S. states between now and 5 May 1999, particularly in the southwest and southeast. The largest area threatened includes western Texas, the southern half of New Mexico, the southern half of Arizona, Southern California, and the southern areas of Nevada and Utah. Conditions are so severe in Texas the governor recently submitted a request to FEMA for an Emergency Disaster Declaration to preposition resources in anticipation of the need for fire fighting later this year.

The Florida Forest Protection Bureau reports for 17 April 1999, 25 Fires for 50,302 acres (20356 ha). The Year-to-Date statistics shows 2,478 fires which have burned 108,971 acres (44099 ha). For a detailed report on the fire activities in Florida, refer to the last days Narrative Report on the Florida fire situation provided by the Florida Forest Protection Bureau.

ALABAMA
Alabama Interagency Coordination Center (AL-AIC): Received rain across the state yesterday morning, as much as 2 inches in the northwest corner and as little as .02 inches in the southeast corner. Southeast Alabama is 7" below normal rainfall year to date. Winds are currently 20-25 mph. RH predicted for today at 25-30 mph with wind out of the west at 15-20 mph.
State of Alabama (AL-ALS): 22 fires for 1,392 acres, 04/11-14.
NFs in Alabama (AL-ALF): 5 fires for 50 acres, 04/15. Shoal Creek RD had 5 arson fires for a total of 50 acres - then received rain. KBDI on the Conecuh Ranger RD is fast approaching 500.
Little River Canyon NRA (AL-LRP): Accomplished 1 Rx burn for 25 acres.
Bon Secour NWR (AL-BOR): Fire danger high.
Choctaw NWR (AL-CHR): Fire danger high.
Efaula NWR (AL-EFR): Fire danger high.

ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA
State of Arkansas (AR-ARS): 13 fires for 173 acres, 04/13-14. No fires reported yesterday. No report from Oklahoma State.

GEORGIA
Georgia Interagency Coordination Center (GA-GIC): High winds in behind will dry fuels very quickly.
State of Georgia (GA-GAS): 86 fires for 782 acres, 04/15.
Chattahoochee-Oconee NFs (GA-CHF): Some rain over parts of the Forest, ranging from .003 to .51.
Cumberland Island NP (GA-CIP): Fire danger high.

KENTUCKY
Kentucky Interagency Coordination Center (KY-KIC): Received between .50-1.00 inches of rain over the last 24 hours. We are expecting low RHs and gusty winds today.
State of Kentucky (KY-KYS): Fire danger high.
Daniel Boone NF (KY-DBF): Mayberry Kid Fire contained at 100% for 150 acres located in Peabody, KY. Fire was monitored yesterday and was controlled at 1200.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHS (KY-ALP): Fire danger high.
Cumberland Gap NHP (KY-CGP): Fire danger high.
Mammoth Cave NP (KY-MCP): Fire danger high.

MISSISSIPPI
Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center (MS-MIC): Today mostly cloudy and breezy with highs in the 60-65. With gusty northwest winds at 15-25 mph.
State of Mississippi (MS-MSS): 16 fires for 281 acres, 04/14.
NFs in Mississippi (MS-MNF): 2 fires for 3 acres, 04/14.

NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Interagency Coordination Center (NC-NCC): The rain received yesterday was helpful but with the predicted winds for the next few days we are not out of danger.
State of North Carolina (NC-NCS): Fire danger high.
NFs in North Carolina (NC-NCF): Fire danger high.

SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Interagency Coordination Center (SC-SCC): Scattered showers received in the mountains and piedmont. No precip received on the coast.
State of South Carolina (SC-SCS): Fires on this report occurred Wednesday.
Francis-Marion & Sumter NFs (SC-FMF): 1 fire for 1 acre, 04/14. Asheville Hotshots took initial action fire was contained at 1 acre.

TENNESSEE
Tennessee Interagency Coordination Center (TN-TIC): Slight change of showers through the weekend. Helicopter 15B will move to Oke today. Tanker #06 will move to TLH along with Lead 67.
Cherokee NF (TN-CNF): Near .5" rain over Forest today will keep danger low to moderate.
Big South Fork NRRA (TN-BSP): Fire danger high.
Obed Wild and Scenic River (TN-OWP): Fire danger high.

VIRGINIA
Virginia Interagency Coordination Center (VA-VIC): Received light rain across most of the state preventing new starts.
State of Virginia (VA-VAS): 9 fires for 146 acres, 04/14.
George Washington and Jefferson NFs (VA-VAF): South end of Forest received 0.6 inches and north end received from 0.05 inches to 0.10 inches. Fire danger is low.

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.