Forest Fires in the United States
29 October 1999
The National Interagency Fire Center reported on 27 October 1999 that while some rain fell on the Big Bar Complex in northern California, the southern part of the state remains hot and dry. In addition, nearly 250 mostly small fires were reported from almost every region of the country yesterday. There are currently six large fires that remain uncontained from California, Idaho, Minnesota, and Utah. As of today, more than two million hectares have been affected by wildland fires throughout the country. In comparison, the 1996 season was a record wildland fire season when about 2.5 million hectares had been affected by the end of October. What is interesting about this year's figures is that nearly half of the acres burned so far are from just two states: Alaska reports 412,000 ha and Nevada reports 650,000.
Fire Weather Outlook
A strong storm will move inland over the Northwest states this afternoon bringing
rain and winds to Oregon, Washington, northern and central Idaho, and northern California.
Temperatures will be in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Northern Nevada will be partly cloudy with
high temperatures in the 60s and a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Southern
California, southern Nevada, and Utah will be mostly sunny. Temperatures will range from
the 70s to the lower 80s with highs in the lower 90s in the California deserts.
Fig. 1. Large Wildland Fires in the United States, 27
October 1999
(National Interagency Fire
Center)
For more information please refer to the website of National Interagency Fire Center.
According the INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT the current situation for 28 October 1999 can be quoted as follows:
"...
CURRENT SITUATION
Initial attack activity was minimal in all Geographic Areas. No new large fires were
reported. The National Interagency Coordination Center mobilized a caterer, a shower, and
miscellaneous overhead. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Utah, Idaho,
Wyoming, California, Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
OUTLOOK:
A strong Pacific storm system will move across the western states today, bringing valley
rain and mountain snow. The storm will be accompanied by strong gusty winds and much
cooler temperatures. Most precipitation will fall north of a line from San Francisco to
Salt Lake City. Snow level will be 4000 to 5000 feet in Washington, Oregon, and northern
California. Snow level will be 6000 to 7000 feet in northern Nevada, northern Utah, and
eastern Idaho.
High temperatures will be in the 30's and 40's in the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and
northern California. In the mountains of southern Nevada, Utah, and California,
temperatures will be in the 40's and 50's. Valley temperatures will be in the mid 40's to
mid 50's in the northern states. The lower elevations of central California, southern
Nevada, and southern Utah will have temperatures ranging from the 50's to the high 60's.
Southern California temperatures will be in the 70's.
... ."
Following basic fire data describe the fire situation in the United States:
| Number of FIRES in the last 24 hours | HECTARES burning in the last 24 hours | FIRES YEAR-TO-DATE |
HECTARES YEAR-TO-DATE |
| 123 | 1,080 | 81,929 | 2,097,546 |
For detailed information regarding specified regions, please refer to the whole report.