Wildfire season picking up across US
by Pinedale Online!
June 25, 2007
(Pinedale) - Monday, June 25, Noon Update: Wildland fire activity continues to increase throughout the West, according to the National Daily Fire Report from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Nationally, fires and acres burned remain well above the 10-year average. Large fires are burning in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina and Wyoming. California and Alaska have the most active fires.
Nationally, the National Preparedness status is at Level II, meaning “one region of the country is experiencing high fire danger. Wildland fire activity is occurring, and there is a potential for escapes to larger fires.” There were 138 fires burning across the United States as of Sunday, four of them new.
The five Preparedness Levels range from I to V (1-5), with V being the highest level. The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group (MAC) establishes Preparedness Levels throughout the calendar year to help assure that firefighting resources are ready to respond to new incidents. Preparedness Levels are dictated by burning conditions, fire activity, and especially resource availability.
FIRE OVERVIEW
In California The Angora wildfire is burning two miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, in northern California. it has destroyed 165 residences and 75 outbuildings as of Sunday. Some 500 more homes are threatened in the fire’s path. Voluntary evacuations are in effect. The fire is approximately 1,800 acres in size and is less than 5% contained. This fire is burning in grass and timber. High winds are hampering efforts to combat that blaze. Cause of that fire remains unknown. More info on this fire
In Alaska The 52,000-acre Caribou Hills fire in the Kenai Peninsula has destroyed dozens of homes and cabins in the Caribou Hills. As of Sunday, 40 structures were lost. This fire is burning in grass and timber. This is a popular hunting and snowmobiling area approximately 80 miles south of Anchorage.
In Utah Nearer to us here in Wyoming, the Craner Fire in Utah is burning 45 miles West of Salt Lake City. It is reported at 1,466 acres, 75% contained. More on this fire
In Wyoming The Horse Creek Fire burning in the Wyoming Range (south of Jackson, west of Daniel & Pinedale, southeast of Alpine) is at 961 acres as of Noon on Monday, June 25th. There are over 200 firefighters on the scene. That blaze is being called “very active” by the Forest Service and is putting up a large column of smoke Monday morning. This fire started on Thursday, June 21st. The cause is still under investigation. The Forest Service has closed the Horse Creek Road to everyone except authorized fire personnel. It is closed beyond the snowmobile parking lot near the forest boundary. More on this fire
A new fire started on Saturday, June 23, a couple of drainages south of the Horse Creek Fire, called the Nylander Fire. It is burning in the North Cottonwood Creek area near McDougal Gap, in the vicinity of the pass road over into the Greys River drainage (25 miles West of Daniel on the east side of the Wyoming Range). That fire had slow growth over the weekend, and remains at 4 acres on Monday. The Forest Service expects to call that fire Controlled today. No smoke column was visible Monday morning from this fire. A fire engine will remain to monitor this fire until it is extinguished.
Fire Danger is rated HIGH on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. There are no fire restrictions in effect at this time here on National Forest or Bureau of Land Management lands. Fireworks are prohibited year-round on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and everywhere in Sublette County. For more information, see the links below, or call 307-739-5080 for Bridger-Teton National Forest fire info.
FIRE WEATHER FORECAST
A Red Flag Warning has been posted Monday for potions of Eastern Idaho for strong winds with the passage of a cold front. Winds will be tapering off over most of the West today with the same dry, gusty winds continuing over Wyoming, southern Utah and northwest Colorado. In Alaska, south central portions will be cloudy today with a chance of showers, while the interior will see scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. The Southeast will be generally hot and dry today with a few thunderstorms.
Related Links:
Morning Interagency Fire Report
National Large Fire Map (Updated daily)
Eastern Great Basin Coordination Center
Teton Fires Bridger-Teton and Grand Teton National Park wildfire news
Horse Creek Fire Photo Gallery Pinedale Online! Pictures from Saturday, June 23rd.
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