GFMC: Bush and Forest Fires, USA
Forest Fires in the US
29 October 2003
Fires in Southern California
Latest BIRD satellite scene:
The latest BIRD data take (Wed Oct 29 06:51:15> 2003 UTC) over Los Angeles. The red collared areas are the fire fronts. A detailed analysis follows later.
The corners of the image have the following coordinates:
- -122.024361min_longitude
- -117.741137max_longitude
- 33.248610min_latitude
- 38.677192max_latitude
600.000000Map-Resolution in [Pixel per Degree
Due to the sun activities we have had today more difficulties with the pointing. Therefore the image comes today later and the map seems to be skewed. But clearly are seen the changes in the fire front north-west of LA.
Source: DLR
Latest Earth Observatory image:
Fires in Southern California
Large plumes of smoke rising from devastating wildfires burning near Los Angeles and San Diego on Sunday, October 26, 2003, are highlighted in this set of images from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR). These images include a natural color view from MISRs nadir camera (left) and an automated stereo height retrieval (right). The tops of the smoke plumes range in altitude from 5003000 meters, and the stereo retrieval clearly differentiates the smoke from patches of high-altitude cirrus. Plumes are apparent from fires burning near the California-Mexico border, San Diego, Camp Pendleton, the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains, and in and around Simi Valley. The majority of the smoke is coming from the fires near San Diego and the San Bernardino Mountains.
Source: EO
Latest OSEI images:
In this NOAA-16 image, heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue haze) are visible from wildfires raging in California. Smoke (indicated by the yellow arrows) is visible extending out over the Pacific Ocean.Source: OSEI
In this NOAA-16 image, heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue haze) are visible from wildfires raging in California. Officials say at least 16 people have been killed since Saturday with nearly 2,000 homes consumed by the fires. At last count, 13 wildfires, spread over five counties in Southern California, have charred more than 600,000 acres. Source: OSEI
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue haze) are visible from the fires burning in California in this false-color MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) image from the Terra satellite. In this MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) true-color image from the Terra satellite, thick smoke (tan/gray) is visible from fires burning in California.
Source: OSEI
Thick smoke (indicated by the yellow arrows) is visible from fires burning in California in this GOES-10 movie loop.
Source: OSEI
These two NOAA-17 Channel 3 images offer a side-by-side comparison (October 27th to October 28th) of the hot spots (white) from wildfires raging in California. (Image courtesy of the Satellite Analysis Branch)
Source: OSEI
Latest MODIS satellite images:
This Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) image from theTerra satellite shows active fires marked with red dots. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at MODIS maximum spatial resolution of 250meters.
Satellite Terra,
28 Oktober 2003 1825 UTC
Bannds 721, 1km pixel size, 1,8MB Satellite Terra,
28 Oktober 2003 1825 UTC
True color, 1km pixel size, 0,5MB
Source: MODIS
Large Fire Locations, 27 October 2003:
Source: NIFC
ECPC Forecasts:
Wind Directions, note the drifting winds in the Sierra Nevada north of LosAngeles.
Wind Speed
Source: ECPC
The Today’s Aerosol Conditions from Earth Probe provides daily updated global TOMS Aerosol Index maps.
(Source: NASAGSFC)
Latest 3 day composite image of TOMS Aerosol Index.
(Source: NASA GSFC)
WildlandFire Update
October 28, 2003
Firefighters continue to battle 13 large wind-driven fires in southernCalifornia. More than 40,000 residents near San Bernardino have been evacuatedfrom their homes as firefighters try to get the upper hand on this criticalsituation. To date, more than 1,100 structures have been destroyed by thesefires.
Four new large fires were reported yesterday, one in New Mexico and threein California. Firefighter were able to contain one fire in northern Californiaand one in Utah.
A red flag warning was posted for most of northern California, west ofthe Sierra/Cascade crest, for low relative humidity and moderate easterly winds.The Santa Ana winds should diminish today as high pressure moves away from thewest coast. A strong cold front will drop into the Pacific Northwest andnorthern Great Basin today. Winds ahead of the system will switch to the westand increase, especially across northern California and northern Great Basin.The onshore winds will push into southern California on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Statistics
Daily Statistics 10/28/03
Year-to-Date Statistics 1/1/03 – 10/28/03
Number of New Large Fires
4
Year-to-Date Large Fires Contained
6,421
Number of Active Large Fires
15
Fires Contained Yesterday
2
Acres from Active Fires
498,188
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fires
3
Acres from WFU Fires
17,507
States Currently Reporting Active Large Fires includes WFU:
- Arizona (1)
- California (15)
- New Mexico (1)
- Utah (1)
Year-to-Date Statistics
2003 (1/1/03 – 10/28/03)
Fires: 55,747
Acres: 3,466,571
2002 (1/1/02 – 10/28/02)
Fires: 69,294
Acres: 6,707,560
2001 (1/1/01 – 10/28/01)
Fires: 66,461
Acres: 3,331,943
2000 (1/1/00 – 10/28/00)
Fires: 86,418
Acres: 7,025,680
10-Year Average
1993 – 2003
Fires: 74,879
Acres: 4,340,661
State-by-State Summaries
Arizona
Number of Fires: 0
Acres: 0
New Fires: 1
Fires Contained: 0
Number of WFU Fires: 1
WFU acres: 1,800
NEW Rose (Grand Canyon National Park): 1,800 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: 13
Acres: 496,288
New Fires: 2
Fires Contained: 1
Number of WFU Fires: 2
WFU acres: 15,707
For general information concerning wildland fires in California, call 909-381-3151.
NEW Padua (Angeles National Forest): 8,000 acres at 15 percent contained. The fire is located six miles northeast of Claremont. Extreme fire behavior with sustained runs and spotting was reported.
Information: For more information about the Padua fire, call 626-821-6700.
NEW Cuesta (San Luis Obispo Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 160 acres at 30 percent contained. The fire is five miles northeast of San Luis Obispo. Steep, difficult terrain and hot temperatures hampered suppression efforts.
Information: For more information about the Cuesta fire, call 805-543-9642.
Cedar (Cleveland National Forest): 180,000 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is burning 10 miles east of Ramona. Flame-lengths of more than 200 feet and long range spotting caused problems for firefighters yesterday. Structure protection is a priority. Interstate 8 is closed between Los Coches and Crestline, Highway 67 is closed, and Interstate 5 has been closed intermittently.
Information: For more information about the Cedar fire, call 619-590-3160.
Otay (Monte Vista Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 45,291 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is burning five miles south of Dulzura. Strong winds caused significant acreage gains yesterday.Information: For more information about the Otay fire, call 619-590-3160.
Simi Incident (Ventura County): 92,000 acres at five percent contained. This fire is burning five miles north of Simi Valley. Winds lessened yesterday, however, the fire still burned actively. Structure protection is in place in the Simi Valley area.
Information: For more information about the Simi Incident, call 805-388-4276.
Old (San Bernardino National Forest): 26,000 acres at five percent containment. The fire is located on the north side of San Bernardino. Winds continue to push this fire at a rapid rate. Structure protection is in place for numerous residences and commercial properties.
Information: For more information about the Old fire, call 909-383-5688 or visit the Pacific Southwest Region web site.
Verdale (Los Angeles County): 8,680 acres at 95 percent contained. The fire is located four miles west of Santa Clarita. Minor interior flare-ups were reported.
Information: For more information about the Verdale fire, call 323-881-2411.
Piru (Los Padres National Forest) 29,324 acres at 10 percent contained. The fire is located 14 miles northwest of Santa Clarita. Firefighters are challenged by red flag conditions, strong winds, difficult terrain, and intense fire behavior. Structure protection is in place for 300 residences and two commercial properties.
Information: For more information about the Piru fire, visit the Piru Fire incident website or call 805-961-5770.
Roblar 2 (Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base): 8,592 acres at 85 percent contained. The fire is burning six miles west of Fallbrook. Fire activity was limited to the west flank.
Information: For more information about the Roblar 2 fire, call 760-390-2676.
Grand Prix (San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 57,232 acres at 35 percent contained. The fire is located two miles west of Mira Loma. The fire continues to move quickly through dense fuels. Evacuation orders were lifted for the southern perimeter, but are still in effect for Lytle Creek and Mt. Baldy Village.
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): 1,297 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. Fire activity continues in well developed thermal belts and roll-out spotting along ridge tops and in drainages within containment lines.
Information: For more information about the Paradise 2 fire, visit the National Park Service’s Fire News website.
Paradise (Monte Vista Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 30,000 acres at 15 percent contained. This fire is located six miles northeast of Escondido. Extreme fire behavior was observed due to Santa Ana winds. Structure protection remains in place for several residences.
Information: For more information about the Paradise, call 619-590-3160.
Mountain (Riverside Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection): 9,742 acres at 55 percent contained. This fire is located 13 miles northeast of Temecula. Strong winds continue to influence fire behavior.
Information: For more information about the Mountain fire, call 909-940-6985.
Kaweah – Kern Complex (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park): This 11,643-acre lightning Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire was previously reported, began on July 28, and is located 15 miles east of Grant Cove in Kings Canyon National Park.
Information: For more information, visit the National Park Service’s Fire News website.
Albanita/Hooker (Sequoia National Forest): This 4,064 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.
New Mexico
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 400
New Fires: 1
Fires Contained: 0
Ski Run (Lincoln National Forest): 400 acres at 10 percent contained. The fire is six miles northwest of Ruidoso. The fire burned actively and residences were evacuated.
Utah
Number of Fires: 1
Acres: 1,500
New Fires: 0
Fires Contained: 1
Cherry Creek 2 (Uinta National Forest): 1,500 acres at 15 percent contained. The fire is ten miles east/northeast of Springville. An active flame front and occasional uphill runs were observed.
Source: NIFC
Current News:
LOS ANGELES – An army of 10,000 firefighters struggled yesterday to contain the worst wildfires in California in years, keeping a wary eye on unpredictable winds that could change course at any moment and whip the flames toward suburbanneighborhoods.
Ten active fires burned from Los Angeles County to the Mexican border, blackening nearly 500,000 acres, killing 14 people, injuring dozens of others and destroying more than 1,000 homes.
Gov. Gray Davis said the wildfires would cost California billions of dollars amid the dire financial woes that prompted voters to recall him from office, and officials said the cost to the state would be unprecedented.
“This will be the most expensive fire in California history, both in loss of property and in cost of fighting it,” Dallas Jones, director of the state’s Office of Emergency Services, said. More than 10,000 firefighters were battling the fires, aided by crews from Nevada and Arizona.
President Bush has declared a state of emergency and California officials defended themselves against criticism that they had not acted fast enough when the first of 10 wildfires erupted last week.
More than 40,000 people have been forced from their homes and at least 30,000 more homes stood in the path of erratically shifting fires feeding on bone-dry scrub brush and timber.
“The fire forces in California have aggressively pursued every fire in the state as soon as possible with everything we could bring to bear,” Jones said. “You have to understand, though, that with this number of wind-driven fires you ultimately run out of resources.
Officials blame the hot, dry Santa Ana winds that blow through southern California each autumn for the ferocity of the fires, and firefighters hoped that calmer conditions would prevail long enough for them to contain the worst blazes.
Of great concern to fire officials was a huge blaze just north of Los Angeles, which threatened two small foothill communities and was burning in areas which were nearly impossible for fire trucks to reach.
MALIBU IN THE CROSS-HAIRS
“The worst case scenario is that this fire could spread to the west across L.A. County through Rocky Peak into Malibu,” Tom Foley, California Department of Forestry Battalion chief. Malibu, a beach enclave, has been plagued in recent years by fires in its canyons and hillsides.
Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger was traveling yesterday to Washington, D.C. to meet congressional leaders and ensure that California gets the federal funds triggered by Bush’s declaration of a state of emergency.
Schwarzenegger said he intended to “make sure that we get federal money for people who have had their homes and businesses destroyed.”
Fire crews got an unexpected break this week when the Santa Ana winds began to weaken and forecasts showed cooler temperatures and lighter winds by mid-week.
The most destructive fires, in San Bernardino County about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, destroyed more than 500 homes. Police believe the twin blazes, which merged into one mammoth fire on Sunday, were set by arsonists.
In San Diego County, three fires – one set by a hunter trying to signal his partner – ringed the area and threatened to merge into one enormous fire of 150,000 acres.
Police said San Diego-area fires killed 11 people, many of whom died trying to run from the flames, and were believed a factor in the deaths of about two dozen others.
The wildfires rained ash across a 500-square-mile area, forcing residents indoors and shutting schools, businesses and, in San Diego, the county courthouses.
“We have basically shut down the county,” San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy said. “We have asked employers to keep employees at home. Schools are closed; several of the freeways are shut down; everything is at a dead stop. The air quality is horrible. … It is not even healthy to be outside.”
Residents were warned to stay indoors to avoid “extremely unhealthy” air, to conserve water and electricity and to keep roads clear for emergency crews. San Diego Gas & Electric officials said 50,000 customers lost power after fires destroyed transmission lines and transformers, and they may not regain it for severaldays.
Story by Dan Whitcomb
Source: Planet Ark
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