Forest Fires in the United States: 31 May 1999
Forest Fires in the United States
31 May 1999
Several active fire signals are recorded by OSEI on 28 May 1999 in Florida.
Fig.1., 2. and 3. The NOAA AVHRR images shows heat signatures from areas of fire in Florida. County overlays have been included for reference.
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
The largest area of fire is in the southern part of the state. In the north, hot spots from another fire in Baker County are obscured by cloud cover but a smoke plume can be seen extending northwestward over southern Georgia.
Fig.4. The NOAA AVHRR image shows heat signatures and smoke plumes from areas of fire burning in central and southeastern Oregon
(Source: NOAA http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)
The DAILY FLORIDA WILDFIRE STATUS SYNOPSIS of Thursday, 28 May 1999, prepared by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry in conjunction with the National Forests in Florida is stating, 23 wildfires burned 285 acres (115 ha) on Wednesday. The year-to-date statistic increased meanwhile to 3,707 wildfires, which burned 276,125 acres (111,743 ha). For information regarding this report please refer to the detailed synopsis, which can be accessed under http://flame.doacs.state.fl.us/Suppress/dfu/May28.html.
The INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT (http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.html) from 30 May 1999 can be quoted as follows:
“…
CURRENT SITUATION:
Moderate fire activity was reported in the Great Basin, Southern California, Southern and Southwest Areas. Mobilization of resources through the National Interagency Coordination Center included a shower, caterer, engines, airtankers, helicopters, radio equipment, Type I crews and miscellaneous overhead. Very high and extreme fire indices were reported in Georgia, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
FRIENDLY, Osceola National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team (Melton) is assigned. This team is also managing the Hickory Island fire. A burnout operation was successful two nights ago and additional burnouts are planned. Contingency plans for structural protection are being developed because the fire is now three miles from the community of Baxter, FL and eight miles from Council, GA.
WOLF CREEK, Florida State Division of Forestry. This fire is located in Osceola County. Crews continue to mop-up. No new information was received.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LARGE FIRE:
JUNIPER COMPLEX, Joshua Tree National Park. A Type II Incident Management Team (Conrad) is assigned. This complex is located two miles east of Desert Hot Springs and consists of four fires. The largest is Fire #3 at 7500 acres. Strong winds, flashy fuels and difficult terrain are hampering containment efforts. Significant cultural resource sites are threatened.
EASTERN GREAT BASIN LARGE FIRE:
JUMP COMPLEX, Arizona Strip Field Office. A Type II Incident Management Team (Suwyn) is assigned. This fire is located 30 miles south southwest of St. George, UT. The Jump Springs fire burned into the Hobble fire with very active spread, crowning and spotting up to a quarter mile. Outbuildings are currently threatened.
SOUTHWEST LARGE FIRE:
TANK CREEK, Arizona State. This fire is located forty miles southwest of Prescott, AZ. Current threats are to homes one mile northwest of the fire.
WESTERN GREAT BASIN LARGE FIRES:
RAINBOW RANCH, Ely Field Office. This fire is located near Caliente, NV. The fire made significant runs all day due to sustained 30 to 40 MPH winds. Access is very limited.
BLUE GARDEN, Ely Field Office. This fire is located near Caliente, NV. The fire displayed extreme fire behavior and is threatening Desert Tortoise habitat.
NORTHWEST LARGE FIRE:
ROCK CREEK, Washington State DNR. This fire is located ten miles northwest of Stevenson, WA. No new information was received.
OUTLOOK:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED IN ARIZONA FOR STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND LOW FUEL MOISTURE.
Arizona will be mostly sunny in the north and partly cloudy in the south. Winds will be southwest at 20 to 30 MPH in the lower elevations, 25 to 35 MPH on the ridge tops with gusts to 40 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 60’s to 70’s in the mountains and plateaus and 80’s to mid 90’s in the valleys and deserts.
New Mexico will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy with widely scattered afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains. Winds will be west at 10 to 20 MPH. High temperatures will be in the upper 60’s to mid 80’s in the mountains and north, with upper 80’s to mid 90’s in the east central plains and southern lowlands.
West Texas will be mostly sunny in the west and partly cloudy in the east with isolated to scattered afternoon thunderstorms. High temperatures will be 85 to 95, and around 105 along the Rio Grande. Winds will be southeast to southwest at 10 to 20 MPH.
Florida will be mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered afternoon thunderstorms. Winds will be easterly at 10 to 15 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 80’s and 90’s.
Virginia will be sunny with easterly winds at 5 to 10 MPH. High temperatures will be in the 80’s to lower 90’s.
California will be mostly sunny to partly cloudy, except for isolated afternoon mountain thunderstorms in the north. Winds will be variable at 5 to 15 MPH in the lower elevations, with 15 to 30 MPH in the deserts and ridge tops. High temperatures will be in the 60’s to 70’s in the mountains and coast, 80’s in the inland valleys and 90’s to around 100 in the deserts.
