Forest Fires in the United States: 4 June 1999
Forest Fires in the Southern United States
4 June 1999
On the Florida-Georgia line a 64,000-acre (25,899 ha) fire coveried parts of the Okefenokee Swamp, the Osceola National Forest and private land. Since lightning set the fire off on May 21, more than 600 firefighters try to contain the fire. So far, no one has been hurt and no structures have been threatened.
Also wildfires in Nevada and Arizona were burning almost 30,000 acres (12,140 ha). Three wildfires activated by lightning Friday in eastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona were either contained or on their way to being contained. The fire quickly spread through vegetation by lack in winter moisture and rising temperatures.
Several active fire signals are recorded by OSEI on 3 June 1999 in Florida and Georgia.
Fig.1. The NOAA AVHRR image show heat signatures and smoke from the large area of fire along the border of Florida and Georgia.
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
The FLORIDA WILDFIRE STATUS SYNOPSIS prepared by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services/Division of Forestry in conjunction with the National Forests in Florida of 3 June 1999 reports 27 wildfires which burned 205 acres (82 ha) over the Memorial Day Weekend. The year-to-date statistic summarizes 3,822 wildfires with an burned over area of 282,240 acres (114,218 ha).
The INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT (http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html) from 3 June 1999 can be quoted as follows:
“…
CURRENT SITUATION:
Moderate initial attack fire activity was reported in the Southwest Area, while minor activity was reported elsewhere. Large fire activity continued in the Southern, Southwest, and Eastern Areas. Demobilization of crews, aircraft, caterers, showers, miscellaneous overhead, and radio equipment from the Great Basin and Southwest Areas is underway. Four crews will be demobilized within the Southern Area via the NIFC contract jet today. Very high or extreme fire indices were reported in New Mexico, Arizona, west Texas, and Georgia.
OUTLOOK:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED IN NEW MEXICO THIS AFTERNOON FOR STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY.
New Mexico will be partly cloudy and windy with widely scattered afternoon thunderstorms in the east. Winds will be southwest at 15 to 30 MPH. Temperatures will range from the mid 60s to lower 70s in the mountains and northern part of the state to the mid 80s and mid 90s elsewhere.
Arizona will be fair to partly cloudy and windy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the north and central regions. Winds will be south at 20 to 30 MPH with gusts to 40 MPH. Highs will range from 50 to 65 in the north, 75 to 85 in the lower northern valleys and canyons, and from 85 to 95 in the southern deserts.
Florida will be mostly clear in the northern part of the state and mostly cloudy in the south, with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Winds will be 5 to 15 MPH and variable. Highs statewide will be 86 to 91.
Minnesota will be partly clouded with isolated to scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Winds will be southwest at 10 to 20 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 70’s.
Nevada will be mostly cloudy with showers and scattered thunderstorms in the north and central regions. Snow level will be at 5,500 feet in the west, and near 7,000 feet in the east. Southern Nevada will be partly cloudy and breezy. Winds in the northern part of the state will be 5 to 20 MPH in the valleys and 20 to 30 MPH on ridgetops. In the south, winds will be southwest at 15 to 25 MPH in the valleys and 20 to 30 MPH on ridgetops. Temperatures will be 28 to 50 in the northern mountains, 52 to 65 in the northern valleys, and 68 to 82 in the southern valleys.
…”
For detailed information regarding specified regions, please refer to the whole report.
