Forest Fires in the United States

13 March 2000


The Wildland Fire Assessment System is a contribution of "The Fire Behavior Research Work Unit", Missoula (Montana USA). The broad area component of the Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) generates maps of selected fire weather and fire danger components. Fire Danger (Potential) is a normalized adjective rating class across different fuel models and station locations. It is based on information provided by local station managers about the primary fuel model, fire danger index selected to reflect staffing level, and climatological class breakpoints. Low danger (class 1) is green and extreme potential (class 5) is red.

 

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Fig. 1. & 2. Fire Danger Forecast Maps of the United States for 12 March (observation time) and 13 March (forecast) 2000
(Source: Fire Behavior Research Work Unit, Missoula)

 

Wildland Fire Update (9 March 2000)
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) provides new data of the current wildland fire season in the United States. These data were analysed after different geographic regions. Further, a  five-year wildland fire comparison statistic shows the number and the area of wildland fires from 1996 to 2000.

The national response level increased today (9 March 2000) as large wildland fires burn in eight states. Numerous large and small fires were reported from southern states ranging from Louisiana to Florida to Virginia. Southwest states are also reporting increased fire activity due to a warm and dry winter contributing to current drought conditions. The National Interagency Coordination Center at NIFC has processed orders for firefighting resources to assist with fire suppression efforts in Southern and Southwestern states.
Extreme fire conditions are being reported from Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, as the La Nina weather pattern continues to affect storm systems throughout the country.
Long-range, 30-day weather forecasts are predicting above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for the southern tier of states from southern California to Florida and throughout the Midwest (see 30 and 90-day forecast maps from the National Weather Service below).

Tab.1. Five-Year Wildland Fire Comparison Statistics Year-to-Date for the United States
(source: National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC))

As of 03/09/00 Number of Wildland Fires Area burnt
Acres ha
2000 14,151 422,980 171,173
1999 18,805 114,093 46,171
1998 2,320 29,822 12,068
1997 4,557 97,149 39,314
1996 16,397 276,602 111,936

 

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Fig.3. 30 and 90-day temperature and precipitation forecast maps (March and March to May 2000)
(source: National Weather Service, Boise, Idaho)

 

The Florida Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System currently offers no updated maps, the last available maps are dated 7 March 2000.

Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) by Florida's Division of Forestry / Forest Protection Bureau
John Keetch and George Byram developed the K/B index at the Southern Forest Fire Laboratory to evaluate the effects of long-term drying on litter and duff and subsequently, on fire activity (1968). The index is based on a measurement of 8 inches (0.2m) of available moisture in the upper soil layers that can be used by vegetation for evapotranspiration. The index measure is in hundredths (0.01) of an inch of water and has a range of 0 through 800, with 0 being saturated and 800 representing the worst drought condition. The index indicates deficit inches of available water in the soil. A K/B reading of 250 means there is a deficit of 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) of ground water available to the vegetation. As drought progresses, there is more available fuel that can contribute to fire intensity.
For further information on the KBDI please refer to http://flame.fl-dof.com/Env/RX/kbdi.html

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Fig.4. Keetch-Byram Drought Index Map of Florida, 12 March
(source: Florida Division of Forestry)

 

The Southern Area Coordination Center Morning Report (12 March 2000) is a narrative summary of fire activity within the Southern Area including number of fires, wildfires as well as prescribed burns, and area. (For detailed numbers of wildfires and prescribed burns, please refer to the original website of the report.)

SOUTHERN AREA:
Southern Area Coordination Center (GA-SAC): Rain was fairly widespread across the Southern Area yesterday and helped cool things down in most places. However, rainfall amounts varied with little to no rainfall along the Gulf Coastal areas and up to 4 inches in Birmingham, AL. South Carolina is experiencing very high fire danger and did not receive any significant rainfall. Windy and cooler conditions today will quickly dry out the area. A few miscellaneous orders were filled at SACC.
Today’s weather is calling for windy conditions in the Carolinas, Virginia, and portions of Georgia. There is a slight chance of showers in South Florida. Tomorrow’s forecast is calling for a chance of showers in south Florida and southeast Texas. However, most of the area will be clear with cooler temperatures. Highs will be mostly in the 50’s and 60’s (10-20°C). Portions of Texas and Florida will see high temperatures in the 70s (21-26°C). The next frontal system may begin to move into Texas on Tuesday bringing some additional rain.

Alabama Interagency Coordination Center (AL-AIC): No report received.
ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA:
Arkansas/Oklahoma Interagency Coordination Center (AR-AOC): A high pressure system moved in to Arkansas and Oklahoma on Saturday evening and will remain through Sunday bring clear skies and low relative humidity.
FLORIDA:
Florida Division of Forestry (FL-FLS): The Benton Tower Fire is currently at 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) and is 95% contained. Acreage was separated from a combined acreage figure with the Benton Grade Fire to individual acreage figures. In addition acreage figures are more reflective of the actual due to computer mapping and software. Mop up is going well. The Benton Grade Fire is 2,200 acres (890 ha). The fire is two miles from the Benton Tower fire and is being managed by the state Incident Management Team.
KENTUCKY:
Kentucky Interagency Coordination Center (KY-KIC): Fire danger decreased due to the passage of a low pressure system which brought widespread
rain over the state.
Daniel Boone National Forest (KY-DBF): Only 1 new fire was reported on the London Ranger District for 27 acres (11 ha). No containment information was available.
LOUISIANA:
Kisatchie National Forest (LA-KIF): The Kisatchie Wilderness Fire is at 100% containment. The Red Team will begin demobilization on 3/13, turning the fire over to the Forest.
MISSISSIPPI:
Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center (MS-MIC): The temporary suspension of the burn ban has been cancelled and the burn ban is back in place.
NORTH CAROLINA:
North Carolina Interagency Coordination Center (NC-NCC): The western part of the state received rain on Saturday, however, the eastern part of the state remains hot and dry.
National Forest in North Carolina (NC-NCF): Two new fires were reported. One on the Uwharrie Ranger District for 2 acres (0.8 ha)  and one on the Croatan ranger District for 3 acres (1.2 ha).
SOUTH CAROLINA:
Francis Marion-Sumter National Forest (SC-FMF): The Forest had four new starts. The Sampson Fire, 30 acres (12 ha); the Ball Park Fire, 40 acres (16 ha); the Simons Hill Fire, 5 acres (2 ha); and the Valentine Fire, 40 acres (16 ha) are all 100% contained. Fires from yesterday include; the Good Bye Fire which is 90 acres (36 ha) and is 100% contained; the Tank Fire is 10 acres (4 ha) and is 100% contained and the Macky Fire is 35 acres (14 ha) and it is also 100% contained.
TENNESSEE:
Tennessee Interagency Coordination Center (TN-TNC): No fire activity to report. Heavy rain, 1.20 to 2.86 inches (30-72 mm), fell overnight.
VIRGINIA:
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest (VA-VAF): The Leap Fire is at 250 acres (101 ha) and is 50% contained. The fire received approximately 0.2 inches (5 mm) of rain. Crews will complete line and mop up and rehabilitation is scheduled to begin Sunday. The Virginia Department of Forestry and the Clover Hill Volunteer Fire Department are assisting on this fire. There is concern about the windy conditions today. The fire is in an area with lots of dead snags.

 

According to the Incident Management Situation Report three categories of fires are distinguished, such as:
1. Fires*
2. Prescribed Fires
3. Wildland Fire Use Fires**

*  This classification corresponds to the category "wildland fires" as defined by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
** A brief excursion to wildland fire terminology:

Wildland Fires: Fires occurring on any tpye of vegetation, regardless of ignition sources, damages or benefits.

Wildfire: Any uncontrolled wildland fire which (1) may require suppression response, or (2) any uncontrolled wildland fire which meets management objectives and is declared as a Wildland Fire Use Fire (see below) or syn. Prescribed Natural Fire or Prescribed Fire.

Prescribed Fire: Occasionally also called management-ignited fire, or prescribed burning, is a controlled application of fire to vegetation in either their natural or modified state, under specified environmental conditions which allow the fire to be confined to a predetermined area and at the same time to produce the intensity of heat and rate of spread required to attain planned resource management objectives.

Wildland Fire Use Fire: Naturally ignited fire which is managed to achieve resource benefits under close supervision (syn. Prescribed Natural Fire)

 

Incident Management Situation Report (10 March 2000):

Current situation:
Large fire activity continued in the Southern and Eastern Areas. Containment was reached on several large fires in the Southern Area. The National Interagency Coordination Center processed orders for crews, helicopters, a lead plane, an air tanker, radio equipment, and miscellaneous overhead. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Outlook:
Louisiana will be mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be south at 5 to 15 MPH (8-24km/h). High temperatures will be in the 70's (21-26°C).
Kentucky and Tennessee will be partly cloudy in the west and mostly sunny in the eastern portions. There will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the southern and western areas in the late afternoon. Winds will be light and variable. High temperatures will range from the lower 50's (10-12°C) in the north to about 70 (21°C) in the southeast.
Florida and Georgia will be partly cloudy after areas of morning fog. There will be a slight chance of showers in Georgia and the eastern Florida panhandle. Winds will be southeast to southwest at 6 to 12 MPH (10-19km/h). High temperatures will range from the upper 60's (18-20°C) in northern Georgia to the lower 80's (26-29°C) in southern Florida.
Missouri will be mostly cloudy with a chance of snow in the northwest. Rain is likely in the southeast, while the eastern part of the state will have afternoon showers. Winds will be northeast at 5 to 15 MPH (8-24km/h). Temperatures will be in the upper 30's (1-4°C) in the northwest to the mid 50's (12-14°C)  in the southeast. Humidity will be lowest in the southeast portion of the state.

 

Tab.2. Fires and area burnt year-to-date (10 March 2000)
(Source: Incident Management Situation Report)

Geographic Area Number of Fires Area Burnt
acre ha
Alaska 0 0 0
Northwest 1 0 0
California 209 91 37
Northern Rockies 0 0 0
Eastern Great Basin 2 53 21
Western Great Basin 1 1 0,4
Southwest 379 156,140 63,187
Rocky Mountain 7 2,615 1,058
Eastern 397 10,564 4,275
Southern 13,843 274,594 111,124

Total United States

14,839 444,058 179,703

 

Tab.3.  Prescribed fires and area burnt year-to-date (10 March 2000)
(Source: Incident Management Situation Report)

Geographic Area Number of Prescribed Fires Area Burnt
acre ha
Alaska 0 0 0
Northwest 20 2,618 1,059
California 65 2,433 984
Northern Rockies 0 0 0
Eastern Great Basin 4 49 20
Western Great Basin 0 0 0
Southwest 353 26,679 10,796
Rocky Mountain 0 0 0
Eastern 23 3,625 1,467
Southern 582 303,873 122,973

Total United States

1,047 339,277 137,300

 

Tab.4.  Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fires area burnt year-to-date (10 March 2000)
(Source: Incident Management Situation Report)

Geographic Area Number of WFU Fires Area Burnt
acre ha
Alaska 0 0 0
Northwest 0 0 0
California 1 0 0
Northern Rockies 0 0 0
Eastern Great Basin 0 0 0
Western Great Basin 0 0 0
Southwest 1 300 121
Rocky Mountain 0 0 0
Eastern 0 0 0
Southern 0 0 0

Total United States

2 300 121


Remarks on Prescribed Burning

At this time of the year prescribed burning operations are conducted routinely.

Fire is an important natural tool for ecosystem management. It can reduce dense vegetation improving wildlife habitat and lessening the potential for large, wildfire disasters. Land managers are directed to prepare a prescribed fire/burn plan for every area of public land that can burn. Some areas require total suppression while others will benefit from a wildland fire. Those areas that will benefit from a fire can be treated by a prescribed fire.

Especially, for the moment, in the southern and southeastern regions of the United States prescribed fire activities will be carried out in the following weeks and months. In this case, fire signals on satellite images can be traced back to this kind of land management activities.

In the Prescribed Fire Position Paper of the Forest Protection Bureau by the Division of Forestry in Florida, prescribed fire activity is described as a land management application that is essential to the practice of forestry, management of wildlife, preservation of endangered plant and animal species, improvement of range conditions and reduction of wildfire damage in the wildland/urban interface areas. While there is general public and landowner concern with increased smoke, reduced air quality, and liability; the general public and landowners benefit significantly from the reduction of devastating wildfire, improved wildlife habitat and forage, preservation of endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and improved management of forest resources. The prospect of severe reductions in the utilization of this management tool is of major concern to Florida's natural resource managers and conservationists due to the subsequent loss of derived public and private benefits. They suggest the need for legislative attention.

Another report on nation-wide prescribed burning in the U.S.A. was published in  International Forest Fire News No.19 (September 1998).

A set of photographic documents on prescribed burning techniques and objectives in the Southeast can be visited in our photo archive.


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