Forest Fires in Northern and Eastern United States
6 May 1999
Several active fire signals and smoke plumes are recorded by OSEI on 5 May 1999.
Fig.1. NOAA image of the fires extending over the
United States to Ontario/Canada on 5 May 1999
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
Several wildfires were reported in Northern United States over the last days. The image is showing severe thunderstorms developing in the southeastern United States and smoke plumes from fires in Ontario.
In Southern United States the wildfire danger remains high. Florida continues to suffer the consequences of a long running drought that has affected the entire state. Rainfall was a little in the last few days throughout the state. The dry conditions continue for the next few days associated with lower humidities, higher temperatures and increased winds. The DAILY FLORIDA WILDFIRE STATUS SYNOPSIS of Wednesday, 5 May 1999, prepared by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry in conjunction with the National Forests in Florida is stating, that 22 wildfires burned 106 acres (42 ha) on Tuesday. The year-to-date statistic increased meanwhile to 2,966 wildfires, which burned 250,097 acres (101,210 ha). For information regarding this report please refer to the detailed synopsis, which can be accessed under http://flame.doacs.state.fl.us/Suppress/dfu/May5.html.
The INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT (http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html)
from 5 May 1999 can be quoted as follows:
"...
CURRENT SITUATION:
Increased initial attack and large fire activity continues in the Eastern and Southern
Areas and in the Canadian Province of Ontario. The Southwest experienced minimal initial
attack activity. Mobilization at the National Interagency Coordination Center was focused
on crews for Canada and radio equipment, overhead and aircraft for the Southern and
Eastern Areas. Conditions remain favorable for severe weather throughout the southern
plains, and for continued fire activity in Canada, the Upper Great Lakes, the Southwest
and New England states. Very high and extreme fire indices were reported in California,
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Michigan, Maine and
Wisconsin.
OUTLOOK
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO FOR STRONG WINDS AND
LOW HUMIDITIES. New Mexico will be partly cloudy, except for southwest where conditions
will be sunny. A slight chance of thunderstorms are possible in the northeast. The
northern mountains will receive a few showers. Winds will be from the west at 15-30 MPH
and gusty. High temperatures will be in the upper 40's to mid 60's in the mountains, and
60's to lower 80's in the valleys.
A RED FLAG WARNING IS POSTED FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND WARM AND DRY
CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN LOWER AND UPPER MICHIGAN. Michigan will see increasing clouds.
Minimum humidities will be 25-35 percent. Winds will be from the southeast at 10-20 MPH,
High temperatures will be in the 70's.
Minnesota and Wisconsin will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Winds will be out of the southeast at 10-20 MPH. High temperatures will be in the mid 60's
to mid 70's.
Virginia will be partly cloudy. Winds will be light and variable from the southeast. High
temperatures will be in the 70's.
Maine and New Hampshire will be partly cloudy and warm in the north and mostly cloudy with
a chance of rain showers and thunderstorms in the central and south. High temperatures
will be in the 80's in the central and southern portions and the 70's in the north.
Massachusetts and Connecticut will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers. High
temperatures will be 65-75 for the coastal regions, with mid 70's inland.
Florida will be mostly cloudy in the north with scattered showers and thunderstorms. The
southern part of the state will be sunny and warm. Winds will be out of the southeast at
10-20 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 80's. ..."