National Fire News Report ~ 8/2/08

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 2, 2008

Fire activity increased in a few of the western states including Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. California remains the most active with 11 large fires and complexes burning a total of 422,010 acres.

A total of 39 large fires burning 496,773 acres was reported nation-wide. Ten new large fires were reported: two each in Texas, Idaho, Utah, and Washington; and one each in Colorado and Wyuoming. Four large fires were contained: one each in Florida, Montana, Washington, and Nevada.

On July 25, on the Eagle Fire, a portion of the Iron Complex near Junction City, California, Olympic National Park firefighter, Andrew Palmer was fatally injured. On July 26, a firefighter was fatally injured on the Panther Fire near Happy Camp, California. The firefighting community extends condolences to the families and friends of these fallen firefighters.

Australia and New Zealand are providing 44 fire specialists and managers to assist with fire suppression operations in California.

Two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina are supporting the State of California at McClellan Airpark in Sacramento, California. The Mission Commander is LTC Charles Davis, 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Weather Discussion: Windy conditions will continue across Montana, Wyoming, and the Northern Plains. Thunderstorms may occur over parts of Montana, Colorado, Utah, and eastern Oregon. Texas and Oklahoma will be hot and dry.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 8/2/08
Number of new large fires	10	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	28 fires and complexes 39 total fires	Arizona (2) California (11) Colorado (2) Idaho (3) Montana (2) North Carolina (2) Oklahoma (1) Texas (3) Utah (2) Washington (2) Wyoming (3)
Acres from active fires	496,773
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	5
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	10,612
Fires contained since 8/1/08	4
Year-to-date large fires contained	577
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 8/2/08)	Fires: 56,3115	Acres: 3,703,651
2007 (1/1/07 - 8/2/07)	Fires: 57,415	Acres: 5,074,089
2006 (1/1/06 - 8/2/06)	Fires: 71,460	Acres: 5,645,074
2005 (1/1/05 - 8/2/05)	Fires: 38,666	Acres: 4,699,074
2004 (1/1/04 - 8/2/04)	Fires: 47,880	Acres: 5,498,760
2003 (1/1/03 - 8/2/03)	Fires: 36,533	Acres: 1,823,713
2002 (1/1/02 - 8/2/02)	Fires: 53,308	Acres: 4,317,476
2001 (1/1/01 - 8/2/01)	Fires: 50,195	Acres: 1,545,421
2000 (1/1/00 - 8/2/00)	Fires: 61,4001	Acres: 3,596,854
5-year average
2003 - 2008	Fires: 54,347	Acres: 4,924,130
10-year average
1998 - 2008	Fires: 52,581	Acres: 3,813,236

Current Wildland Fires
Arizona	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 2		Acres: 510	New WFU: 1
Oak (Kaibab National Forest): 200 acres. This fire is 110 miles south of Williams. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Newt (Kaibab National Forest): 310 acres. This fire is 15 miles southeast of Grand Canyon Village. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
California	Fires: 11	Acres: 422,010	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Bear Wallow Complex (Klamath National Forest): 11,475 acres at 17 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 13 miles southeast of Happy Camp. Residences are threatened and voluntary evacuations are in effect. Information: Call (707) 467-1512 or visit the web site.
Blue 2 (Six Rivers National Forest): 6,510 acres at 52 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Klamath. Cultural and communication sites are threatened. Trails and roads are closed. Information: Call (707) 457-3974 or visit the web site.
Canyon Complex (Plumas National Forest): 37,276 acres at 92 percent contained. This complex of six fires is 16 miles northeast of Paradise. Moderate fire behavior was reported. Information: Call (530) 283-7882 or visit the web site.
Iron and Alps Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 83,135 acres at 87 percent contained. This complex of three fires is one mile north of Junction City. Some residences remain threatened. Information: Call (530) 623-6415 or visit the web site.
Lime Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 62,473 acres at 80 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 14 miles west of Hayfork. Residences, ranches, and youth camps remain threatened. Evacuations remain in effect. Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2 or visit the web site.
Panther (Klamath National Forest): 6,232 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 14 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Structures and cultural resources are threatened. Information: Call 530-841-4406.
Rich (Plumas National Forest): 5,198 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is 20 miles west of Quincy. Residences, communication sites, and power lines are threatened. Information: Call 530-283-7882 or visit the web site.
Siskiyou Complex (Klamath National Forest): 58,657 acres at 52 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 18 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Cultural sites are threatened. Information: Call (530) 627-3532 or visit the web site.
Telegraph (Merced-Mariposa Unit, Cal Fire): 34,034 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is five miles north of Mariposa. Power lines and water supply systems remain threatened. Evacuation orders were lifted. Information: Call (209) 966-4784 or (209) 966-4785 or visit the web site. Evacuation Hotline: (209) 966-1133 (recorded)
Yolla Bolly Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 75,648 acres at 45 percent contained. This complex of three fires is 47 miles southwest of Redding. Cultural sites are threatened. Information: Call (530) 934-1278 or visit the web site.
Ukonom Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 41,372 acres at 63 percent contained. This complex is 10 miles east of Orleans. Moderate fire activity was reported. Structures, cultural sites, and a telecommunication facility are threatened. Information: Call (530) 627-3532 or visit the web site.
Colorado	Fires: 1	Acres: 227	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 300	New WFU: 0
NEW Maverick (Ute Mountain Ute Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 227 acres at 25 percent contained. This fire is burning 11 miles west of Red Mesa. Structures and cultural resources are currently threatened.
Albin Draw (Grand Mesa/Uncompahgre/Gunnisom National Forest): 300 acres. This fire is 15 miles southeast of Nucla. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Florida	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Ratner Bridge West (Florida Division of Forestry): The fire was contained at 335 acres.
Idaho	Fires: 2	Acres: 4,400	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 242	New WFU: 1
Cabin Creek (Payette National Forest): 900 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 35 miles west of Cobalt. Residences are threatened. Information: Call 208-634-0700.
NEW Sand Shed (Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): 3,500 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is five miles west of Richfield. Wind driven fire behavior resulted in rapid fire spread. Residences are threatened and evacuated.
NEW Willow (Caribou-Targhee National Forest): 242 acres. This fire is 11 miles west of Macks Inn. This wildland fire use is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives.
Montana	Fires: 2	Acres: 9,868	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Harley (Lewis and clark National Forest): 167 acres at 81 percent contained. This fire is three miles west of Neihart. Evacuation orders and road closures were lifted. Information: Visit the web site.
Cascade (Custer National Forest): 9,701 acres at 31 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles west of Red Lodge. Communities are threatened and evacuations are in place. Information: Call (406) 446-2103 or visit the web site.
Duck (Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge): The fire was contained at 457 acres. Information: Visit the web site.
Nevada	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Little One (Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management): The fire was contained at 1,000 acres.
North Carolina	Fires: 2	Acres: 40,954	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Evans Road (North Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 40,704 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is located seven miles south of Creswell. Residences are threatened. Precipitation fell on the fire yesterday. Information: Call 919-218-3179.
Double H (North Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 250 acres at 40 percent contained. This fire is 20 miles southeast of Asheville. Residences are threatened. Information: Call 919-218-3179.
Oklahoma	Fires: 1	Acres: 4,120	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
McMillen (Central and Western Office, Oklahoma Department of Forestry): 4,120 acres at 98 percent contained. The fire is located six miles northwest of Tishomingo.
Texas	Fires: 3	Acres: 3,844	New fires: 2	Fires contained: 0
Parks Complex (Texas Forest Service): 1,920 acres at 85 percent contained. This complex is 20 miles southwest of Sweetwater.
NEW Menard (Texas Forest Service): 1,024 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is located nine miles northeast of Menard. Wind driven fire activity was reported. Structures are threatened.
NEW Taylor (Texas Forest Service): 900 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is nine miles north of Rocksprings.
Utah	Fires: 2	Acres: 1,000	New fires: 2	Fires contained: 0
NEW Little Bald Mountain (Wasatch-Cache National Forest): 600 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is 11 miles southwest of Grantsville. Moderate fire activity was reported. Residences are threatened and evacuated and roads are closed.
NEW Wagstaff (Northeast Area, Utah Department of Forestry): 400 acres at five percent contained. This fire is eight miles east of Tabiona. Extreme fire behavior was reported.
Washington	Fires: 2	Acres: 3,500	New fires: 2	Fires contained: 1
NEW Green Lake (Northeast District, Washington Department of Natural Resources): 2,000 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is four miles northwest of Omak. Winds caused the fire to spread rapidly. Residences are threatened and evacuated and roads are closed.
NEW Smith Lake (Washington Department of Natural Resources): 1,500 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is four miles northwest of Grand Coulee. Wind driven fire activity was reported. Structures are threatened and evacuations are in order.
Cold Springs (Gifford Pinchot National Forest): The fire was contained at 7,729 acres. Information: Call (509) 395-2670 or visit the web site.
Wyoming	Fires: 2	Acres: 6,850	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		Acres: 9,560	New WFU: 0
New Fork (Bridger-Teton National Forest): 6,200 acres at five percent contained. This fire is 15 miles north of Pinedale. Structures are threatened. Information: Call 866-651-4234.
NEW Le Hardy (Yellowstone National Park): 650 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is 65 miles west of Cody. Active fire behavior was reported. Residences and power lines are threatened and roads are closed.
Gunbarrel (Shoshone National Forest): 9,560 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.