Forest Fires and Prescribed Burning in Southern United States: 24 March 1999
Forest Fires and Prescribed Burning in the Southern United States
24 March 1999
Several active fire signals and smoke plumes are recorded by OSEI with the NOAA AVHRR Sensor on 23 March 1999.
Fig.1. NOAA image of the vegetation fires in the Southern United States 23 March 1999
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
Several wildfires were reported in Southern United States over the last days. The Florida Forest Protection Bureau reports on for the 22 March 1999 that the fires are still active in the State of Florida. As of 22 March 1999 30 fires were burning on a total area of 76 ha.
For a detailed report on the fire activities in Florida, refer to the last days Narrative Report on the Florida fire situation provided by the Florida Forest Protection Bureau.
SOUTHERN AREA COORDINATION CENTER MORNING REPORT
(this report can be accessed at: http://state.vipnet.org/dof/firesitr.html)
DATE: March 23, 1999
TODAY’S TOTAL FIRES: 491 TODAY’S TOTAL ACRES: 3,437 (1390 ha)
REMARKS SOUTHERN AREA
Light rain is expected over parts of Oklahoma this morning, moving west into Arkansas, Kentucky and west Tennessee by afternoon and stretching south into east Texas by early evening. System is expected to drop between .1″ and .5″ of rain. Highs today will be in the 40’s in northern Kentucky to 80’s in parts of Florida and Texas.
ALABAMA
No fire activity reported.
ARKANSAS/OKLAHOMA
Arkansas/Oklahoma Interagency Coordination Center (AR-AOC): A cold front is expected to pass across Oklahoma and Arkansas today. Increased chances of precip are forecasted for today. Native American crews will return home today.
State of Arkansas (AR-ARS): 22 fires for 167 acres (67 ha), 03/20-22.
Ouachita NF (AR-OUF): 20 fires for 50 acres (20 ha), 03/21-22. The Tiak RD had 1 for 30 acres (12 ha) and was assisted by the State of Oklahoma. The Granite Mill Complex has been controlled at 50 acres (20 ha) and all resources have been released. Helicopter 4HC will be at Mena and helicopter 85BH at Clarksville.
Ozark-St. Francis NFs (AR-OZF): Accomplished 4 Rx burns for 413 acres (167 ha), 03/22.
FLORIDA
No fire activity reported.
GEORGIA
No fire activity reported.
KENTUCKY
Daniel Boone NF (KY-DBF): Helicopter 46Z flew .9 hours and dropped 1,152 gallons (4400 l) on the Holly Bay fire on the London RD. The 2 Native American crews will be released today. Rainfall is forecasted for today. Fire activity is expected to decrease.
LOUISIANA
No fire activity reported.
MISSISSIPPI
State of Mississippi (MS-MSS): 113 fires for 1,329 acres (532 ha), 03/18-21.
NFs in Mississippi (MS-MNF): 1 fire for 3 acres (1.2 ha) on the Chickasawhay RD, 03/22. Accomplished 5 Rx burns for 4,057 acres (1641 ha). Today’s forecast is increasing clouds with a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, a high of 70-75 (21-23°C) and south winds at 5-10 mph (8-10 km/h).
Grand Bay NWR (MS-GBR): 8 fires for 112 acres (45 ha), 03/22.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR (MS-MSR): 1 fire for 1 acre, 03/22. Accomplished 4 Rx burns for 953 acres (385 ha).
NORTH CAROLINA
State of North Carolina (NC-NCS): 226 fires for 976 acres (395 ha), 03/19-21.
NFs in North Carolina (NC-NCF): Accomplished 1 Rx burn for 20 acres (8 ha).
SOUTH CAROLINA
Francis Marion-Sumter NFs (SC-FMF): Zion fire is controlled at 90 acres (36 ha) and is in a mop-up stage. There was no fire activity on any units in SC yesterday. Temps today will be in the 70’s (21°C) with RH’s in the low 30’s. Expecting a frontal passage with moisture on Thursday.
TENNESSEE
State of Tennessee (TN-TNS): 77 fires for 605 acres (244 ha), 03/19-21.
Cherokee NF (TN-CNF): Moderate fire danger. Chance of showers late today and into Wednesday. T-25 is at Knoxville, T-06 at Ft. Smith, T-05 at Brooksville. T-12 is expected to be back up today.
TEXAS
No fire activity reported.
VIRGINIA
State of Virginia (VA-VAS): 23 fires for 194 acres (78 ha), 03/20-22.
Remarks on Prescribed Burning:
The high-temperature events depicted by the NOAA AVHRR satellite in the Southeast are not all wildfires. At this time of the year prescribed burning operations are conducted routinely. A set of photographic documents on prescribed burning techniques and objectives can be visited in our photo archive. For more information on the extent of prescribed burning in the U.S.A. please visit the last issue of International Forest Fire News.
