Fire Information - National Fire News - July 20, 2008

"Observing his crew"
Butte Lighting Complex
- Concow fire near Rag Dump Town on July 5th -
Credit: Ice Cream pictures courtesy of - California Fire News
Butte lightning complex-dozer/fire break hose lay containment line-07-05-08

National Preparedness Level 5

(On a scale from 1 to 5)

Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report will be updated daily.

July 19, 2008

Firefighters continue to make good progress on the large fires in California, a few are expected to be contained over the weekend. Yesterday, 163 new fires were reported, but thanks to the initial attack efforts of firefighters, all of them remained small. Fire managers have prepositioned crews, engines, and aircraft in anticipation of the lightning storms that could hit the western states this weekend.

Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are providing 59 fire specialists and managers to assist with fire suppression operations in California. Canada is also providing two crews to California.

Six MAFFS C-130 air tankers are supporting the State of California. All aircraft are based at McClellan Airport in Sacramento, California. The Mission Commander is LTC Mike Barkdull, 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming. One aircraft is provided by the 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina, three from the 302nd Airlift Wing,
Colorado Springs, Colorado and two from the 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The following table lists the number of personnel assigned to the wildland fires in California. This information was provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region and CalFire.

July 19, 2008
Resource	Federal	State	Other	Total
Total Personnel	6,205	4,976	6,462	17,463
Helicopters	57	1	44	102
Hand Crews	175	124	129	428
Engines	239	374	412	1,025
Dozers	7	16	144	167
Water Tenders	8	7	291	306
Overhead	1,423	892	1,035	3,350
NOTE: Total personnel includes all personnel assigned to California. Individuals assigned to resources such as engines, dozers, overhead, etc. are included in the "total personnel" category. The "other" category includes contractors, military, and local government.

Weather Discussion: Chance of a few thunderstorms over northern California, southern Oregon and the Great Basin today. Otherwise, hot and dry over much of the West. Gusty winds are expected in Montana, Wyoming and parts of the Great Basin.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 7/19/08
Number of new large fires	0	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	23 fires and complexes 36 total fires	California (16) Colorado (1) Louisiana (1) North Carolina (1) Utah (1) Virginia (1) Washington (3)
Acres from active fires	687,582
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	1
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	668
Fires contained since 7/18/08	0
Year-to-date large fires contained	526
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 7/19/08)	Fires: 52,040	Acres: 3,325,508
2007 (1/1/07 - 7/19/07)	Fires: 53,334	Acres: 3,398,655
2006 (1/1/06 - 7/19/06)	Fires: 65,359	Acres: 4,461,396
2005 (1/1/05 - 7/19/05)	Fires: 35,060	Acres: 3,766,004
2004 (1/1/04 - 7/19/04)	Fires: 43,095	Acres: 4,391,202
2003 (1/1/03 - 7/19/03)	Fires: 31,515	Acres: 1,193,227
2002 (1/1/02 - 7/19/02)	Fires: 49,672	Acres: 3,546,965
2001 (1/1/01 - 7/19/01)	Fires: 47,621	Acres: 1,440,435
2000 (1/1/00 - 7/19/00)	Fires: 54,760	Acres: 2,685,659
5-year average
2003 - 2008	Fires: 49,778	Acres: 3,868,555
10-year average
1998 - 2008	Fires: 48,593	Acres: 3,044,257

Current Wildland Fires
California	Fires: 16	Acres: 625,226	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Northern California Joint Information Center - Call 530-226-2749.
American River Complex (Tahoe National Forest): 19,992 acres at 65 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 11 miles northeast of Foresthill. Residences are threatened and road closures are in effect. Two hundred members of the California National Guard will begin a three-day training exercise today in fire suppression techniques on the fire's southern flank. Information: Call (530) 367-6223 or visit the web site.
Basin Complex (Los Padres National Forest): 129,840 acres at 70 percent contained. This complex is five miles southeast of Big Sur. Mandatory evacuation for cabins in the Santa Lucia Tract remains in effect. Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the web site.
Bear Wallow Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 2,320 acres at zero percent contained. This complex of two fires is 13 miles southeast of Happy Camp. Minimal fire behavior was reported. Information: Call (707) 457-3879 or visit the web site.
Blue 2 (Six Rivers National Forest): 4,465 acres at 22 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Klamath. Cultural resources are threatened. Information: Call (707) 457-3879 or visit the web site.
BTU Lightning Complex (Butte Unit, Cal Fire): 55,240 acres at 85 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 27 miles north of Yuba City. Fire activity increased yesterday. Information: Call (530) 538-7826 or visit the web site.
Canyon Complex (Plumas National Forest): 34,139 acres at 64 percent contained. This complex of six fires is 16 miles northeast of Paradise. Communities and archeological sites are threatened. Information: Call (530) 283-7882 or visit the web site.
Cub Complex (Lassen National Forest): 19,718 acres at 90 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 16 miles southwest of Chester. Traffic flow is restricted on Highway 32. Information: Call (530) 258-3932 or visit the web site.
Gap (Los Padres National Forest): 9,443 acres at 97 percent contained. This fire is located six miles northwest of Santa Barbara. Structures are threatened. Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the web site.
Hell's Half Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 10,917 acres at 50 percent contained. This complex of two fires is eight miles southwest of Burnt Ranch. Communities are threatened. Evacuation orders are in effect for the Big Slide and Hyampom West areas. Information: Call (530) 629-2184 or visit the web site.
Iron and Alps Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 52,161 acres at 45 percent contained. This complex of seven fires is one mile north of Junction City. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Corral Bottom, Red Hill,Cooper's Bar, Dutch Creek, Evan's Bar, and Soldier Creek. Information: Call (530) 623-6415 or visit the web site.
Lime Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 86,964 acres at 65 percent contained. This complex of 11 fires is 14 miles west of Hayfork. Communities, ranches, and youth camps are threatened. Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2 or visit the web site.
Piute (Sequoia National Forest): 37,026 acres at 97 percent contained. This fire is 17 miles northeast of Caliente. This will be the last report unless significant activity occurs. Information: Call (760) 549-0213 or the web site .
SHU Lightning Complex (Shasta-Trinity Unit, Cal Fire): 84,988 acres at 65 percent contained. This complex of two fires is in Shasta and Trinity counties. Residences are threatened and road closures are in effect. Information: Call (530) 225-2510 or visit the web site.
Siskiyou Complex (Klamath National Forest): 45,100 acres at 20 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 18 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Residences and cultural sites are threatened. Forest road, campground and trail closures in effect. Information: Call (530) 493-1518 or visit the web site.
Soda Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 8,360 acres at 79 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 15 miles northwest of Upper Lake. Active fire behavior was reported. Residences are threatened. Information: Call (707) 275-2017 or visit the web site.
Ukonom Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 24,593 acres at 22 percent contained. This complex is 10 miles east of Orleans. Structures are threatened and road closures are in effect. Information: Call (530) 627-3291 or visit the web site.

Source: http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm