National Fire News Report ~ 9/23/08

National Preparedness Level 2

(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 Monday - Friday.

September 23, 2008

Initial attack activity was light across the nation. Firefighters are working toward containment goals on large fires in California, Oregon, and Nevada.

Firefighters are positioned to help support the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Teams are stationed in Galveston Island, Texas; Beaumont, Texas; and Jackson, Mississippi.

Weather Discussion: Warmer and drier weather is on tap from Texas westward across the Southwest as high pressure starts to build across the Four-Corners region. The Northern Rockies will see drying conditions and warmer temperatures. A cold front will approach the Pacific Northwest and northern California, bringing a cool westerly onshore flow, along with increasing high clouds. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue again across Florida. And seasonably early Fall conditions will prevail elsewhere.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 9/23/08
Number of new large fires	0	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	6	California (2) Nevada (1) Oregon (3)
Acres from active fires	231,477
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	0
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	0
Fires contained since 9/22/08	1
Year-to-date large fires contained	696
Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 9/23/08)	Fires: 67,248	Acres: 4,648,904
2007 (1/1/07 - 9/23/07)	Fires: 71,164	Acres: 8,106075
2006 (1/1/06 - 9/23/06)	Fires: 82,872	Acres: 8,956,835
2005 (1/1/05 - 9/23/05)	Fires: 52,162	Acres: 8,146,280
2004 (1/1/04 - 9/23/04)	Fires: 60,238	Acres: 7,735,786
2003 (1/1/03 - 9/23/03)	Fires: 48,645	Acres: 3,136,145
2002 (1/1/02 - 9/23/02)	Fires: 66,808	Acres: 6,526,896
2001 (1/1/01 - 9/23/01)	Fires: 62,103	Acres: 3,031,201
2000 (1/1/00 - 9/23/00)	Fires: 79,590	Acres: 6,841,421
5-year average
2003 - 2007	Fires: 63,016	Acres: 7,518,776
10-year average
1999 - 2008	Fires: 66,826	Acres: 6,191,742

Current Wildland Fires
California	Fires: 2	Acres: 192,496	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Hidden (Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park): 1,851 acres at 68 percent contained. Information: Call (559) 565-3703 or visit the web site.
Klamath Complex (Klamath National Forest): 190,645 acres at 75 percent contained. The complex is 14 miles west of Etna. Moderate fire activity was reported.
Nevada	Fires: 1	Acres: 382	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Vinegar (Cedar City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management): 382 acres at 85 percent contained. This fire is 35 miles north of Reno.
Oregon	Fires: 3	Acres: 38,599	New fires:	Fires contained: 1
Double Day (Medford Unit, Oregon Department of Forestry): This fire was contained at 1,275 acres.
Gnarl Ridge (Mt Hood National Forest): 3,316 acres at 17 percent contained. This previously reported incident is 10 miles south of Parkdale. Structures are threatened. The fire received some rain yesterday. Information: Call (541) 352-6002 ext. 628 or visit the web site.
Rattle (Umpqua National Forest): 17,145 acres at 48 percent contained. This fire is 30 miles east of Glide. Structures are threatened. Area closures and evacuations are in effect. Information: Visit the web site.
Lonesome Complex (Rogue River National Forest): 18,238 acres at 30 percent contained. This complex of three fires is 20 miles northeast of Prospect. Historical structures are threatened. Information: Visit the web site.