GFMC: Bush and Forest Fires, USA
Forest Fires in the US
01 November 2003
Fires in Southern California
Latest OSEI images:
In this NOAA-16 image, heat signatures (red) are visible despite cloud cover over the area from wildfires raging in California. Officials estimated the damage so far at $2 billion and said more than 100,000 people have been displaced as a result of the fires. The blaze have charred nearly 729,000 acres.
Large Fire Locations:
Source: NIFC
ECPC Forecasts:
Fire weather index /FWI/
Wind Speed and directions
Source: ECPC
Current Information about the California area large fires /NIFC, pdf file/
Wildland Fire Update
October 31, 2003
Large fires in California have now burned more than 747,000 acres. Nearly 15, 000 firefighters and support personnel are battling the huge blazes. The number of structures reported lost has risen to 3,523, including 2,746 residential structures, 30 commercial structures, and 747 miscellaneous outbuildings.
Nationally, one new large fire was reported yesterday in northern California. Five large fires were contained, one in the Rocky Mountain area, and two each in the Southwest and northern California.
A cold trough continuing to descend from the north is bringing cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity and the potential for rain over the next few days. Although breezy conditions will continue, particularly over the higher elevation ridges, the cooler temperatures and moisture will have a positive impact on suppression efforts over the next several days. Up to a quarter-inch of rain is expected in the San Bernardino Mountains Saturday, with smaller amounts across the general area. Winds on the higher ridges are forecast to be around 30 mph, with generally breezy conditions across the fire area. Although winds will continue to be a factor, the more moderate and improving temperature and humidity is expected to aid fire control efforts.
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Statistics
Daily Statistics 10/31/03
Year-to-Date Statistics 1/1/03 – 10/31/03
Number of New Large Fires
1
Year-to-date Large Fires Contained
6,431
Number of Active Large Fires
12
Fires Contained Yesterday
5
Acres from Active Fires
705,990
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fires
3
Acres from WFU Fires
8,348
States Currently Reporting Active Large Fires includes WFU:
- Arizona (1)
- California (9)
- Colorado (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- Oklahoma (1)
- Utah (2)
Year-to-date Statistics
2003 (1/1/03 – 10/29/03)
Fires: 56,036
Acres: 3,511,752
2002 (1/1/02 – 10/29/02)
Fires: 69,413
Acres: 6,684,556
2001 (1/1/01 – 10/29/01)
Fires: 67,604
Acres: 3,129,916
2000 (1/1/00 – 10/29/00)
Fires: 87,809
Acres: 7,048,206
10-Year Average
1993 – 2003
Fires: 75,319
Acres: 4,320,285
State-by-State Summaries
Arizona
Number of Fires: 0
Acres: 0
New Fires:
Fires Contained: 0
Number of WFU Fires: 1
WFU acres: 3,694
Rose (Grand Canyon National Park): 3,694 acres at unknown percent contained. This fire is burning 15 miles northeast of North Rim Developed Area. This will be the last report unless significant activity occurs.
California
Number of Fires: 8
Acres: 697,640
New Fires:
Fires Contained:2
Number of WFU Fires: 1
WFU acres: 4,333
Padua (Angeles National Forest): 10,466 acres at 95 percent contained. The fire is located six miles northeast of Claremont. Minimal fire activity was observed. All evacuation orders have been lifted. All road closures will remain in effect through today.
Information: For more information about the Padua fire, call 626-821-6700 or visit the Padua web site.
Cedar (Cleveland National Forest): 272,318 acres at 42 percent contained. This fire is burning 10 miles east of Ramona. Minimal fire activity was due to highter relative humidity and cooler temperatures. Threatened residences and commercial properties have been evacuated and structure protection is a priority.
Information: For more information about the Cedar fire, call 619-590-3160 or visit the Cedar fire web site.
Simi Incident (Ventura County): 107,240 acres at 60 percent contained. This fire is in chaparral and grass, five miles north of Simi Valley. Fire growth was limited to areas where burn out operations were conducted. Structure protection is a priority.
Information: For more information about the Simi Incident, call 805-388-4276.
Old (San Bernardino National Forest): 95,395 acres at 15 percent containment. The fire is located on the north side of San Bernardino. Higher relative humidity and cooler temperatures moderated fire behavior. Structure protection is a priority.
Information: For more information about the Old fire, call 909-383-5688 or visit the Pacific Southwest Region web site.
Piru (Los Padres National Forest) 63,716 acres at 30 percent contained. The fire is located 14 miles northwest of Santa Clarita. Fire acreage growth was due to a significant run on the northeast perimeter. Structure protection is a priority.
Information: For more information about the Piru fire, visit the Piru Fire incident web site or call 805-961-5770.
Grand Prix (San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 91,207 acres at 75 percent contained. The fire is located two miles west of Mira Loma. Active backing fire with some torching and spotting was observed. The evacuation order for the Baldy Mesa and Oak Hills areas has been lifted. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for Silverwood Lake and Summit Valley. Structure protection is a priority.
Information: For more information about the Grand Prix, call 909-383-5688 or visit the Pacific Southwest Region web site.
Paradise 2 (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park): 1,298 acres at 98 percent contained. This fire is located seven miles northeast of Three Rivers. The fire was previously reported as part of the Kaweah – Kern Complex. No new information was reported.
Information: For more information about the Paradise 2 fire, visit the National Park Service’s Fire News web site
Paradise (Monte Vista Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 56,000 acres at 30 percent contained. This fire is located six miles northeast of Escondido. Fire activity was limited to runs along ridge tops caused by strong gusty winds and low fuel moistures. Structure protection is in place for numerours residences.
Information: For more information about the Paradise, call 619-590-3160 or visit the Paradise fire web site.
Albanita/Hooker (Sequoia National Forest): This 4,333 acre lightning Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is located ten miles north-northwest of Kennedy Meadows.
Colorado
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 1,200
New Fires:
Fires Contained: 1
Cherokee Ranch (Pike and San isabel National Forest): 1,200 acres at 80 percent contained. This fires is in an urban interface area with ponderosa pine, oak and grass, two miles east of Kellytown. Light snow fell over the fire area.
New Mexico
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 250
New Fires: 0
Fires Contained: 0
Ski Run (Lincoln National Forest): 250 acres at 30 percent contained. The fire is six miles northwest of Ruidoso. Strong gusty winds caused extreme fire activity and spotting. Voluntary evacuations of the Eagle Creek summer homes are in effect.
Oklahoma
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 1,000
New Fires: 1
Fires Contained: 0
Phinneyhill (Osage Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 1,000 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is in grass and timber, eight miles west of Wynona. Moderate fire activity with short funs and some torching was reported.
Utah
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 4,500
New Fires: 1
Fires Contained: 0
Number of WFU Fires: 1
Acres: 321
Cherry Creek 2 (Uinta National Forest): 5,900 acres at 90 percent contained. The fire is ten miles east/northeast of Springville. Minimal fire activity and growth was due to precipitation over the fire area.
Swift Creek (Ashley National Forest): This 321-acre lightning-caused fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This will be the last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Source: NIFC
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