National Fire News Report ~ 8/16/08

National Preparedness Level 4

(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.

August 16, 2008

High fire potential due to hot, dry, and unstable conditions, is predicted for northern California, Oregon, eastern Washington, and northern Idaho.

On August 5, a Carson Helicopters Sikorsky S-61 helicopter assigned to the Iron Complex in California crashed while shuttling a fire crew. Seven Grayback Forestry Inc firefighters were fatally injured. A Carson Helicopters pilot and a US Forest Service pilot were also fatally injured. The firefighting community extends condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.

Weather Discussion: California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana will remain hot and dry today. Dry thunderstorms are predicted over the Sierras, northern California, and parts of Oregon and Washington.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 8/16/08
Number of new large fires	6	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	21	Arizona (1) California (7) Idaho (2) Montana (2) New Mexico (1) North Carolina (1) Oregon (4) Texas (1) Wyoming (1)
Acres from active fires	402,199
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	5
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	44,460
Fires contained since 8/15/08	3
Year-to-date large fires contained	637
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 8/16/08)	Fires: 58,067	Acres: 4,075,061
2007 (1/1/07 - 8/16/07)	Fires: 61,017	Acres: 6,049,497
2006 (1/1/06 - 8/16/06)	Fires: 76,089	Acres: 6,305,082
2005 (1/1/05 - 8/16/05)	Fires: 42,454	Acres: 6,153,151
2004 (1/1/04 - 8/16/04)	Fires: 52,306	Acres: 6,049,670
2003 (1/1/03 - 8/16/03)	Fires: 41,289	Acres: 2,206,107
2002 (1/1/02 - 8/16/02)	Fires: 57,913	Acres: 5,712,046
2001 (1/1/01 - 8/16/01)	Fires: 55,017	Acres: 2,359,195
2000 (1/1/00 - 8/16/00)	Fires: 67,083	Acres: 4,970,120
5-year average
2004 - 2008	Fires: 57,987	Acres: 5,726,492
10-year average
1999 - 2008	Fires: 57,694	Acres: 4,737,446

Current Wildland Fires
Arizona	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 1,352	New WFU: 0
Marteen (Kaibab National Forest): 310 acres. This fire is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
California	Fires: 7	Acres: 389,164	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Bear Wallow Complex (Klamath National Forest): 14,591 acres at 49 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 13 miles southeast of Happy Camp. Moderate fire activity was reported. Information: Call 707-467-1512 or visit the web site.
Canyon Complex (Plumas National Forest): 37,831 acres at 97 percent contained. This complex of three fires is 16 miles northeast of Paradise. Information: Call 530-283-7882 or visit the web site.
Iron and Alps Complexes (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 100,114 acres at 79 percent contained. This complex of three fires is one mile north of Junction City. Residences and power lines remain threatened. Information: Call 530-623-6415 or visit the web site.
Panther (Klamath National Forest): 23,214 acres at 60 percent contained. This fire is 14 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Recreation sites are currently closed. Moderate fire behavior was reported. Information: Call 530-841-4406.
Siskiyou/ Blue 2 Complex (Klamath National Forest): 74,410 acres at 72 percent contained. This complex consists of both the Siskiyou and Blue 2 complexes. The complex is 18 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Cultural sites remain threatened. Information: Call 530-627-3532 or visit the web site.
Yolla Bolly Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 87,987 acres at 90 percent contained. This complex of three fires is 47 miles southwest of Redding. Active fire behavior was reported. Information: Call 530-833-0357 or visit the web site.
Ukonom Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 51,017 acres at 89 percent contained. This complex is 10 miles east of Orleans. Structures and cultural sites remain threatened. Information: Call 530-627-3532 or visit the web site.
Idaho	Fires: 1	Acres: 2,900	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 2,391	New WFU: 0
Snow Hole (Craig Mountain Area Office, Idaho Department of Lands): 2,900 acres at 75 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles southeast of Cottonwood.
South Barker (Sawtooth National Forest): 2,391 acres. This fire is five miles northwest of Rocky Bar. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Kentucky	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 1
NEW Johnson Bottom (Kentucky Division of Forestry): The fire was contained at 180 acres.
Montana	Fires: 3	Acres: 2,789	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 2,200	New WFU: 0
Deep Draw (Flathead Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 1,726 acres at 65 percent contained. This fire is eight miles west of Elmo. Structures and cultural sites are threatened. Information: Visit the web site.
NEW Hays Assist (Southern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources): 320 acres at 75 percent contained. This fire is 35 miles northwest of Hysham.
Russian Flats (Lewis and Clark National Forest): 743 acres at 94 percent contained. This fire is 27 miles southwest of Stanford. Information: Call 406-366-5900 or visit the web site.
Wood Hump (Bitterroot National Forest): 2,200 acres. This previously reported fire is 30 miles southwest of Darby. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
New Mexico	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 350	New WFU: 0
Alta (Sante Fe National Forest): 350 acres. This fire is four miles northwest of Youngsville. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
North Carolina	Fires: 1	Acres: 210	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Pine Stand Ridge (National Forests in North Carolina): 210 acres at 65 percent contained. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Murphy. Structures are threatened. Minimal fire activity was reported.
Oregon	Fires: 2	Acres: 6,9700	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Silvies River (Burns District, Bureau of Land Management): The fire was contained at 4,040 acres. Information: Call 541-573-7600 or visit the web site.
North Pole Ridge (Prineville District, Bureau of Land Management): 6,700 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles north of Clarno. Information: Visit the web site.
Gnarl (Mount Hood National Forest): 270 acres at 37 percent contained. This fire is 24 miles south of Hood River. Area closures are in effect near the fire. Information: Call 541-352-6002 ext. 628 or visit the web site.
Texas	Fires: 1	Acres: 617	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Sharpeye (Texas Forest Service): 617 acres at 95 percent contaned. This fire is 16 miles west of Palo Pinto.
Florence (Texas Forest Service): The fire was contained at 3,700 acres.
Washington	Fires: 1	Acres: 22,106	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Columbia River Road (Colville Agency, Bureau of Indians): 22,106 acres at 60 percent contained. This fire is located nine miles west of Nespelem. Structures and cultural sites are threatened. Information: Visit the web site.
Wyoming	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 41,066	New WFU: 0
Gunbarrel (Shoshone National Forest): 41,066 acres. This fire is 40 miles west of Cody. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. Information: Call 307-578-5199 or visit the web site.