Forest Fires in United States: 21 May 1999
Forest Fires in Southern Oregon and Northern California
21 May 1999
Several active fire signals are recorded by OSEI on 19 May 1999.
Fig.1. The NOAA AVHRR image shows heat signatures and smoke plumes of fires burning near the border of Oregon and California on 19 May 1999
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
The DAILY FLORIDA WILDFIRE STATUS SYNOPSIS of Thursday, 20 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, 56 wildfires burned 9,069 acres (3,670 ha) yesterday. The year-to-date statistic increased meanwhile to 3,468 wildfires, which burned 270,875 acres (109,619 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 20 May 1999 can be quoted as follows:
“…
CURRENT SITUATION:
Initial attack and large fire activity was reported in the Southern Area and Alaska, with minimal initial attack activity reported elsewhere. Very high and extreme fire indices were reported in Maine, New Hampshire, Georgia, southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, West Texas, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and New Brunswick.
ALASKA AREA LARGE FIRES:
Clark Wolverine, State of Alaska, Mat-Su Area Forestry. This fire is located near Wheezily in the Mat-Su valley. Multiple structures were threatened and areas of Clark Wolverine road were evacuated.
Eklutna, State of Alaska, Mat-Su Area Forestry. This fire is located approximately 20 miles northeast of Anchorage. A Type II Incident Management Team (McKnight) is assigned. Additional crews and overhead are being mobilized.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
Max Fish Camp Fire, Everglades National Park. This fire is located one mile west of U.S. Highway 27. Several trailer parks and fishing
camps were threatened. No structures were lost as a result of quick suppression efforts and burn out operations.
OUTLOOK
Alaska will be sunny and dry in the interior, with partly cloudy conditions along the coastal sections. Minimum humidities will be 20-25 percent. Winds will be north to east at 10-15 MPH. High temperatures will be in the mid 50’s to mid 60’s.
The Florida panhandle and northwestern portions of the state will be sunny, with partly cloudy conditions elsewhere. Winds will be easterly at 5-10 MPH. Minimum humidities will be 45-55 percent. High temperatures will be in the 80’s and 90’s.
New Mexico will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the eastern portion of the state. Minimum humidities will be 10-20 percent. High temperatures will be in the upper 70’s in the mountains and northern portion of the state, with 80’s to 90’s in the southern lowlands.
West Texas will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the eastern half of the state. Minimum humidities will be 10-20 percent. High temperatures will be in the lower 80’s and lower 90’s, to near 100 along the Rio Grande.
Arizona will be mostly sunny and breezy. Minimum humidities will be 5-10 percent. Winds will be southwest at 15-25 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 60’s in the mountains, with 80’s to upper 90’s elsewhere, and near 100 for the lowlands.
Southern California will be partly cloudy, except for low clouds and fog along the coast. Minimum humidities will be 15-35 percent for the interior portions of the state with 50-65 percent along the coast. High temperatures will be in the 50’s to 60’s near the mountains, and upper 60’s to 70’s
in the interior of the state.
