Forest Fires in the United States: 5 November 1999

Forest Fires in the United States

5 November 1999


The National Interagency Fire Center reported on 4 November 1999 that after nearly 11 weeks of firefighting efforts, the Big Bar Complex was contained yesterday. This lightning-ignited complex of fires was first detected on August 23 about 28 miles northwest of Weaverville, California. Several fires burned together creating two separate fires being managed by two incident management teams. Firefighters worked diligently to contain these fires and constructed 159 miles of fireline on the Megram fire and 35 miles on the Onion fire. For more information about the Big Bar Complex, visit the Shasta-Trinity National Forest web site. Two wildland fires continue to burn in Montana and North Dakota. The wind-driven Frontier fire near Wolf Point, Montana, destroyed six homes and 18 outbuildings yesterday, but is expected to be contained today. Fire conditions remain extreme in Montana where a red flag weather warning is posted for strong winds in the eastern portion of the state.

Fire Weather Outlook
Winds will range from 35 to 50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph in central Montana as a storm system moves across southern Canada.
A cold front will push clouds across eastern Oregon and southern Idaho today bringing scattered rain showers to the states.
High pressure will persist across the southwestern U.S. with continuing dry conditions across California.

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Fig. 1. Large Wildland Fires in the United States, 4 November 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 4 November 1999 can be quoted as follows:

“…
CURRENT SITUATION
Minimal initial attack activity occurred in most of the Areas. Containment objectives were met on large fires in Northern California, the Northern Rockies and Eastern Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in California, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Missouri. A bus driver assigned to the Big Bar Complex in Northern California died while on duty last week. An investigation is underway. The firefighting community extends condolences to family and friends.

OUTLOOK:
A red flag warning is posted for strong winds for eastern Montana.
A low pressure system will move across southern Canada which will result in strong southwest winds over central Montana. Winds will be 35 to 50 MPH with gusts to 70 MPH, but should gradually diminish late Thursday. Relative humidities will range from 15 to 30 percent. A weak cold front will spread clouds across eastern Oregon and southern Idaho with scattered rain showers. Temperatures will range from the upper 30’s to 40’s in the mountains and 50’s and 60’s in the valleys . Relative humidities are forecasted to be from 30 to 60 percent. High pressure will persist across the southwestern U.S. with continuing dry conditions across California. Nevada and Utah will be warm with temperatures ranging from the 60’s and 70’s in the north and 70’s and 80’s in the south. Winds will be light with relative humidities of less than 15 percent. A low pressure trough will move across the Dakotas and into southwestern Minnesota. Temperatures will be in the mid 40’s and 50’s in the north to the lower 60’s in the south. Southwesterly winds of 10 to 20 MPH with gusts to 25 MPH are expected in the afternoon. Relative humidities will range from 35 to 50 percent.
… .”

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 101 1,298 84,394 2,073,972

For detailed information regarding specified regions, please refer to the whole report.


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