Forest Fires in the United States: 18 June 1999
Forest Fires in the United States
18 June 1999
Several vegetation fires were detected by OSEI with the NOAA-14 AVHRR satellite on 16 June 1999.
Fig.1. Heat signatures and smoke from large areas of fire burning in western Alaska and in the Yukon Territory of Canada on 16 June 1999.
(source: http://www.osei.noaa.gov/.
Vegetation fires ins Alaska and Arizona have consumed thousands of acres. Large fire activity continued in the Northwest, Western Great Basin, Southwest and Alaska areas. New fire activity was also reported in California, Eastern and Western Great Basins and Southwest Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices are reported in New Mexico, Arizona, West Texas, Colorado, Southern California, Georgia and Nevada.
In Alaska the Donnelly Flats fire at the Fort Greely Army Base is burning over 14,500 acres (~ 5,800 ha). Firefighters are currently in action to stop the spread of this fire. In Minto, Alaska, a 3,000 acre (~1,200 ha) fire that started in a dumpsite is now spreading southward toward the Tolovana River.
In Arizona, the Mt. Emma fire in Grand Canyon National Park ignited by lightning has now spread over 678 acres (~ 270 ha). Another 300 acre (~ 120 ha) fire is burning grass, Pinyon pine and Ponderosa pine in the Coronado National Forest, Arizona.
The INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT from 17 June 1999 can be quoted as follows:
“…
CURRENT SITUATION:
Large fire activity continued in Alaska, Southwest, Western Great Basin, and Northwest Areas. Moderate to heavy initial attack activity occurred in California, Eastern and Western Great Basin, and the Southwest. A caterer, miscellaneous overhead, one crew, radio equipment, and one helicopter were mobilized by the National Interagency Coordination Center to Alaska, Western Great Basin, and the Southwest Areas.
ALASKA LARGE FIRES:
DONNELLY FLATS, Fort Greely Army Base. A Type I Incident Management Team (Stam) is assigned. This fire is ten miles south of Ft. Greely, AK. The fire continues to threaten the Alcan Highway, residences east of Delta Junction, and the city of Delta Junction. Crews and dozers suppressed spot fires and contained a slopover on the west flank. The fire is spreading to the south and west, with intermittent and continuous crowning and spotting up to 200 feet.
MINTO, Upper Yukon Zone BLM. A Type II Incident Management Team (Cowin) is assigned. This fire is near Minto, AK. Crews worked the northeast flank closest to Minto Village yesterday. Fire spread was southwest toward the lakes and east toward the Tolovana River. Some native allotments have been affected by the fire spread, and others continue to be threatened.
OUTLOOK:
Alaska’s interior region will be cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be southwest, 10 to 15 MPH and gusty near thunderstorms in the Upper Yukon Zone. In Tanana winds will be west, 5 to 10 MPH with higher gusts. Winds in the Delta Junction area will be south, 20 to 35 MPH. High temperatures will be around 75.
Arizona will be partly cloudy with scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be south, 15 to 25 MPH with gusts up to 40 MPH near thunderstorms. Temperatures will be in the lower 70’s to upper 80’s in the mountains, and 90 to 114 in the valleys.
New Mexico will be variably cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. High temperatures will be in the 60’s and 70’s in the mountains and northeast, and 75 to the lower 90’s elsewhere.
Nevada will be partly cloudy. Winds will be southwest at 15 to 25 MPH. Highs will be in the 70’s and 80’s in the mountains, and 90 to 100 in the valleys.
…”
For detailed information regarding specified regions, please refer to the whole report.
