Fewer Fires? Wow!

I found good news this morning! At least it looks like good news.. The Cal Fire page is either reporting good news or they've done a boo boo... Look at the stats on the fires below and take special note of the "active fires" statistic under the Cal Fire statistics. 16 active fires! Yesterday it was much higher. Either a lot of fires have merged, or they've managed to get a lot of them contained. I suppose we'll find out later, when the next update comes out.

Statewide Fire Overview - Lightning Series

Current Situation: Over fourteen hundred fires have been contained due to the endless efforts of firefighters from California, as well as from throughout the nation. Additional firefighting resources from Australia, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand are in transit to assist California in the effort. The potential exists for isolated thunderstorm activity in northern California this afternoon. The long standing closure of State Highway 1 in Big Sur, associated with the Basin Complex Fire, was rescinded effective 8:00 a.m. this morning. The priority of firefighting is for the protection of life, property and natural resources.
Download the latest fact sheet. (Updated 7/13 at 9 a.m.)
Download the latest statewide map.

Statewide Fire Statistics

• Total Fires at Peak: 1,781
• Total Fires Contained: 1,493
• Total Active Fires: 288
• Total Acres Burned: 825,418

These numbers are total fires and acres that have occurred from state, local and federal firefighting agencies beginning June 20, 2008.

CAL FIRE Statistics

• Total Fires at Peak: 1,005
• Fires Contained: 849
• Active Fires: 16
• Acres Burned: 255,519

These numbers are total fires and acres that have occurred ONLY in CAL FIRE jurisdiction since June 20, 2008.
The number of contained and active fires will not equal the total due to some fires merging together.

Statewide Resources Committed

• Personnel Committed: 21,447
• Fire Engines: 1,593
• Hand Crews: 473
• Dozers: 293
• Water Tenders: 406
• Helicopters: 126

Highway closures: State highways, county and local roads are closed throughout California due to wildfire activities. Closures and delays remain in place for State Highways 32, 70, 96, 199 (delays) and 299 (delays). Travelers are advised to seek current information from local law enforcement. Click here for detailed road closures.

Evacuations: Areas of Butte, Kern, Monterey, Shasta and Trinity counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders currently exist in areas in Butte, Kern, Mendocino, Monterey, Plumas, Shasta and Trinity counties. Residents are advised to monitor their local fire situation, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary. Click here for detailed evacuation information.

Structures:
Threatened : 8,190 residences, 140 commercial, 2,508 outbuildings.
Destroyed : 100 residences, 1 commercial, 127 outbuildings.

CAL FIRE Summary of Fires by County

Butte: The Butte Lightning Complex has burned 53,000 acres and is 65% contained. The Butte Fire Information Number is (530) 538-7826. Click Here for more information.

Mendocino: The Mendocino Lightning Complex has burned 53,200 acres and is 85% contained. The Mendocino Fire Information Number is (707)-467-6426. Click Here for more information.

Shasta & Trinity: The Shasta and Trinity Lightning has burned 75,901 acres and is 50% contained. The Shasta-Trinity Unit Information Number is (530) 225-2510. Click Here for more information.

Humboldt: The Humboldt Complex has burned 1,325 acres and is 90% contained. The fires are burning throughout Humboldt County, with the largest fire, the Paradise Fire, north of Shelter Cove, which is 950 acres and 90% contained. The Humboldt-Del Norte Fire Information Number is (707) 726-1225.

Lassen, Modoc: The Corral Fire burned 12,434 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Mariposa: The Oliver Fire burned 2,789 acres and now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Lake: The Walker Fire burned 14,500 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Napa & Solano: The Wild Fire burned 40,000 acres and is now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Santa Clara: The Whitehurst and Hummingbird Fires burned a combined 994 acres and are both now 100% contained. Click Here for more information.

Tehama & Glenn: The Tehama-Glenn Lightning Complex burned 22,907 acres and is now 100% contained.

Major Federal and Local Incidents
For information on major federal incidents click here.

Kern County: The Piute Fire has burned 37,026 acres and is 46% contained. Click Here for more information.

The weather seems to be improving, but I heard on the news last night that thunderstorms are predicted for the Sierras this afternoon. Hopefully they won't be dry thunderstorms. The ones last night in the Southern Sierras were not the dry type, apparently. There was a flash flood alert for the area near the Piute fire! At least evacuation orders have been lifted from a lot of the fires, not just the ones in Butte County.

The "newest" satellite image from the Modis Rapid Response System is dated July 11th.
There is also another image dated July 10th. When you look at the two together, you can really see the differences in the wind patterns. The North end of the Sacramento Valley is still socked in with smoke, but the distances the smoke traveled is quite different. I'll have to watch the Modis site to see what additional satellite images get added to the gallery.

I'll be back later on with more information, if I can find more....