National Fire News Report ~ 8/17/08

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 17, 2008

High fire potential due to hot, dry, and unstable conditions, is predicted for the western states.

Light wildland fire activity was reported nationally. Twenty large fires have burned a total of 409,723 acres. One new large fire was reported in Idaho. Two large fires were contained: one each in Montana and North Carolina.

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: Dry thunderstorms are predicted over northern California, Oregon, Washington, and western Nevada. Hot and dry weather will continue throughout the rest of the western states.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 8/17/08
Number of new large fires	1	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	20	California (7) Idaho (3) Montana (1) New Mexico (1) Oregon (4) Texas (1) Washington (2) Wyoming (1)
Acres from active fires	409,723
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	5
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	45,809
Fires contained since 8/16/08	2
Year-to-date large fires contained	639
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 8/17/08)	Fires: 58,188	Acres: 4,077,829
2007 (1/1/07 - 8/17/07)	Fires: 61,539	Acres: 6,119,987
2006 (1/1/06 - 8/17/06)	Fires: 76,407	Acres: 6,384,604
2005 (1/1/05 - 8/17/05)	Fires: 42,584	Acres: 6,379,193
2004 (1/1/04 - 8/17/04)	Fires: 52,306	Acres: 6,049,670
2003 (1/1/03 - 8/17/03)	Fires: 41,527	Acres: 2,279,815
2002 (1/1/02 - 8/17/02)	Fires: 58,197	Acres: 5,766,158
2001 (1/1/01 - 8/17/01)	Fires: 55,017	Acres: 2,359,195
2000 (1/1/00 - 8/17/00)	Fires: 67,513	Acres: 5,131,179
5-year average
2004 - 2008	Fires: 58,205	Acres: 5,802,257
10-year average
1999 - 2008	Fires: 58,261	Acres: 4,868,548

Current Wildland Fires
California	Fires: 7	Acres: 395,602	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: 2	Acres: 2,592	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Deep Draw (Flathead Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 2,022 acres at 75 percent contained. This fire is eight miles west of Elmo. Structures and cultural sites are threatened. Information: Visit the web site.
Lazy Eye (Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge): 570 acres at 70 percent contained. This fire is 33 miles northwest of Sand Springs. Information: Visit the web site.
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: 225	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Pine Stand Ridge (National Forests in North Carolina): 225 acres at 95 percent contained. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Murphy. Structures are threatened.
Oregon	Fires: 3	Acres: 6,818	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 81	New WFU: 1
North Pole Ridge (Prineville District, Bureau of Land Management): 6,319 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles north of Clarno. Information: Visit the web site.
Gnarl (Mount Hood National Forest): 299 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is 24 miles south of Hood River. Information: Call 541-352-6002 ext. 628 or visit the web site.
NEW North Fork (Umpqua National Forest): 200 acres at two percent contained. This fire is 26 miles northeast of Glide. Moderate fire activity was reported. Information: Visit the web site.
NEW Ochoco Fire Use (Ochoco National Forest): 81 acres. This fire is 10 miles southwest of Dayville. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Texas	Fires: 1	Acres: 500	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Everett (Texas Forest Service): 500 acres at 25 percent contaned. This fire is 11 miles southwest of Throckmorton.
Washington	Fires: 2	Acres: 785	New fires: 3	Fires contained: 2
NEW Jack Creek (Okanogan/Wenatchee National Forest): 335 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is located 13 miles southwest of Leavenworth. Cultural sites are threatened. Areas and trails near the fire are closed. Information: Visit the web site.
NEW Malott (Northeast Region, Washington Department of Natural Resources): 450 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is two miles northwest of Malott. Information: Visit the web site.
Columbia River Road (Colville Agency, Bureau of Indians): The fire was contained at 22,155 acres. Information: Visit the web site.
NEW Jump Off Joe (Rural Districts, Washington Department of Natural Resources.): The fire was contained at 1,000 acres.
Wyoming	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 41,328	New WFU: 0
Gunbarrel (Shoshone National Forest): 41,328 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.