Forest Fires in the United States: 17 March 2000

The Wildland Fire Assessment System (WFAS) 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.

Fig. 1. & 2. Fire Danger Forecast Maps of the United States for 16 March (observation time) and 17 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).

As of 03/09/00	Number of Wildland Fires	Area burnt
As of 03/09/00	Number of Wildland Fires	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

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 (20 cm) 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 (64 mm) 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

The Florida Forest Fire Weather Index (FWI) System consists of six components that account for the effects of fuel moisture and wind on fire behavior. The first three components are fuel moisture codes that follow daily changes in the moisture contents of three classes of forest fuel with different drying rates. The last three components are fire behavior indexes, representing rate of spread, amount of available fuel, and fire intensity; their values increase as fire weather severity increases. For detailed information on the Florida Fire Management Information System (FFMIS) the GFMC would like to refer to the original website.
According to the FFMIS for 16 March these parameters show various fire weather conditions for Florida.


Fine Fuel Moisture Code	Duff Moisture Code	Drought Code

Initial Spread Index	Buildup Index	Fire Weather Index

The Southern Area Coordination Center Morning Report (16 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): Some aircraft overhead were reassigned yesterday and three Arkansas crews were released to their home units. A conference call is scheduled for 1000 hrs today to access current fire status and resource needs. Today’s weather for the Southeastern Area calls for rain and sleet in east Texas, light to moderate rain for most of the areas, except the Carolina’s, Virginia and Florida with the front moving eastward on Friday.
Southeastern and South Central Compact: No new fire activity reported.
ALABAMA:
Alabama Interagency Coordination Center (AL-AIC): State had light fire activity. Today there is an 80%-100% chance of thunderstorms.
ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA:
Arkansas/Oklahoma Interagency Coordination Center (AR-AOC): No initial attack activity. Yesterday, Arkansas and Oklahoma received quite a bit of rain. Rain is expected to continue through today.
FLORIDA:
Florida Interagency Coordination Center (FL-FIC): Light initial attack statewide. Rising temperatures with a chance of rain.
National Forests in Florida (FL-FNF): The Talladega Ranger District contained a fire of 6 acres (2.4 ha) which started from debris burning from an adjoining landowner.
Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (PR-PRS): Caribbean National Forest: (PR-CAF): The Miricao Fire increased to 50 acres (20 ha).
GEORGIA:
Georgia Interagency Coordination Center (GA-GIC): Expect rain to move into the area.
KENTUCKY:
Kentucky Interagency Coordination Center (KY-KIC): Fire danger is expected to decrease due to the chance of rain. Helicopter 62CA is on duty at Big Swag Helibase. Fire danger is expected to decrease due to rainfall.
Kentucky Division of Forestry (KY-KYS): Twenty wildfires of 234 acres (95 ha) was reported.
Daniel Boone National Forest (KY-DBF): The Stanton Ranger District accomplished a prescribed burn.
LOUISIANA:
Louisiana Interagency Coordination Center (LA-LIC): They received 2” (50 mm) of rain yesterday.
MISSISSIPPI:
Mississippi Interagency Coordination Center (MS-MIC): County burn ban is in effect for Jackson, Harrison and Hancock.
NORTH CAROLINA:
North Carolina Interagency Coordination Center (NC-NCC): The east side of the state is in high fire danger and initial attack activity is high. Asheville Hotshots are available. Rain is expected in the mountain area.
National Forest’s in North Carolina (NC-NCF): Two prescribed burns were completed.
SOUTH CAROLINA:
South Carolina Interagency Coordination Center (SC-SCC): Fire danger is high, but a good chance of precipitation is expected to pass through the state. Initial attack activity is expected to decrease due to the rain.
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests (SC-FMF): The Goodbye Fire used a helicopter to complete water drops along the west flank of the fire where snags and heavy fuels were burning. Initial attack contained two new starts. The Andrew Pickens Ranger District completed an 450 acre (182 ha) prescribed burn. The Enoree Ranger District completed a 1,240 acre (502 ha) prescribed burn.
TENNESSEE:
Tennessee Interagency Coordination Center (TN-TNC): Rainfall is expected to average between one to two inches.
TEXAS:
Texas Interagency Coordination Center (TX-TIC): Far west Texas and the Panhandle are concerned about the very dry conditions in those areas. East Texas received rain.
Cherokee National Forest (TN-CNF): Two wildland fires on the southern portion of the Forest and one on the northern portion.
VIRGINIA:
Virginia Interagency Coordination Center (VA-VIC): The state was receiving some activity, but the National Forest received none.
Virginia Department of Forestry (VA-VAS): Work continues on the 40 acre (16 ha) Henry County Fire.

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)

Current situation:
All large fires are contained and new fire activity has moderated in the Southern and Eastern Areas. Demobilization of resources from the Southern Area is underway. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in New Mexico, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Outlook:
*** A RED FLAG WARNING IS POSTED IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY THIS AFTERNOON ***
*** A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED IN NORTHWEST AND CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY THIS AFTERNOON ***
Florida will be mostly sunny today with light winds and afternoon humidity at 15 to 25 percent. High temperatures will range from the mid 60's (15�C) to mid 70's (24�C). Tomorrow Florida will have variable cloudiness with aslight chance of showers in the south and temperatures in the 70's (21-26�C). Wednesday and Thursday will be variably cloudy with scattered showers or thunderstorms. Temperatures will be in the mid 70's (24�C) to lower 80's (26-29�C).
Georgia will be sunny today with highs in the 50's and 60's (10-20�C). Tomorrow and Wednesday will be partly cloudy and a little warmer. Thursday will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will range from the 50's and 60's (10-20�C) in the north to the 70's (21-26�C) in the southern part of the state.
South Carolina will be sunny today and tomorrow with highs of 55 to 65 (13-18�C). Wednesday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 60's (15�C) to mid 70's (24�C). There will be a chance of showers by Thursday.
North Carolina and Virginia will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 40's and 50's (7-15�C) today. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be partly cloudy with warmer temperatures. Thursday will be variably cloudy with a chance of showers or thunderstorms. Temperatures will range from the high 50's (14�C) through the 60's (15-20�C).
New Mexico will be partly cloudy today. There will be a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms tomorrow in the eastern part of the state. Wednesday the chance of thunderstorms will continue. Wednesday and Thursday will be breezy to windy in the east and southeast. High temperatures will range from the 40's in the north to the lower 70's (21-24�C) in the southern part of the state.
Arizona will be mostly sunny in the south and partly cloudy in the north today and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will be partly cloudy with highs ranging from the upper 40's (7-9�C) to the mid 70's (24�C).

Geographic Area	Number of Fires	Area Burnt
Geographic Area	Number of Fires	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	390	156,375	63,283
Rocky Mountain	7	2,615	1,058
Eastern	642	15,549	6,292
Southern	14,809	287,809	116,472
Total United States	15,861	462,493	187,164

Geographic Area	Number of Prescribed Fires	Area Burnt
Geographic Area	Number of Prescribed Fires	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	357	28,257	11,435
Rocky Mountain	0	0	0
Eastern	29	4,919	1,991
Southern	586	305,733	123,726
Total United States	1,061	344,009	139,215

Geographic Area	Number of WFU Fires	Area Burnt
Geographic Area	Number of WFU Fires	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

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.

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