Thursday, July 17, 2008

Slow Updates

I had been putting off putting the update up for the fires until the Cal Fire site got this morning's stats up, but for some reason, they're still not there. The only information on the site is from 9PM last night (as of 1:20pm today.) I'll add those, but the National Interagency Fire Center has some updated stats... So.. Both will be on here.. Sort of.. lol..

Here's the Cal Fire stats from last night:
Statewide Fire Overview - Lightning Series

Current Situation: Over two thousand fires have been contained due to the endless firefighting efforts of state, local and federal personnel and equipment from California, as well as from the rest of the nation and several foreign countries. Generally favorable weather conditions have resulted in continuing good progress on the fire lines. The southern Sierra Nevada again experienced thundershower activity, with numerous lightning strikes, this afternoon. The priority of firefighting is for the protection of life, property and natural resources.
Download the latest fact sheet. (Updated 7/16 at 9 p.m.)
Download the latest statewide map.

Statewide Fire Statistics
  • Total Fires at Peak: 2,093
  • Total Fires Contained: 2,050
  • Total Active Fires: 43
  • Total Acres Burned: 887,315
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: 994
  • Active Fires: 11
  • Acres Burned: 262,133
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: 18,571
  • Fire Engines: 1,104
  • Hand Crews: 447
  • Dozers: 196
  • Water Tenders: 326
  • Helicopters: 110
Highway closures: Travel on state highways, county and local roads remains restricted throughout California due to wildfire and flood activities. All major roads are now open with delays on State Highways 32 and 70 . Travelers are advised to seek current information on secondary road closures from local law enforcement. Click here for detailed road closures.

Evacuations:Areas of Monterey, Shasta and Trinity counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders currently exist in areas in Butte, Kern (flash flooding) 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 : 5,360 residences, 97 commercial, 1,970 outbuildings.
Destroyed : 101 residences, 1 commercial, 138 outbuildings.
Only 43 active fires statewide as of last night. It's good to see the numbers decreasing so steadily. Here's the information from the National Interagency Fire Center:

July 17, 2008

Firefighters continue to make progress on the large fires in California, where 18 large fires or complexes are still burning. Three large fires were contained yesterday, one each in Idaho Texas, and Washington. Fire managers are preparing for dry lightning storms expected to hit parts of the northern California and southern Oregon by Saturday.

Eight MAFFS C-130 airtankers are supporting California. The aircraft are based at McClellan Airport in Sacramento, California. The Mission Commander is LTC Roger Williams, 145th Air Wing Air National Guard, North Carolina. Aircraft are provided by the 145th Airlift Wing, Charlotte North Carolina, the 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the 153rd Airlift Wing from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The following table lists the number of personnel assigned to the wildland fires in California. This information was provided by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region and CalFire.

July 17, 2008
Resource Federal State Other Total
Total Personnel 6,139 5,510 6,914 18,563
Helicopters 52 2 53 207
Hand Crews 171 133 143 447
Engines 229 276 578 1,083
Dozers 10 27 159 196
Water Tenders 7 18 300 325
Overhead 1,519 953 1,063 3,535

NOTE: Total personnel includes all personnel assigned to California. Individuals assigned to resources such as engines, dozers, overhead, etc. are included in the "total personnel" category. The "other" category includes contractors, military, and local government.

Weather Discussion: Mixed wet and dry thunderstorms will continue in central Idaho and western Montana, with wet thunderstorms east of the Continental Divide and through the Four-Corner states. Southern California may still see thunderstorms in eastern sections of the area through Friday.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

American River Complex (Tahoe National Forest): 19,322 acres at 55 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 11 miles northeast of Foresthill. Residences are threatened and evacuations are in place.
Information: Call (530) 367-6223 or visit the web site.

Basin Complex (Los Padres National Forest): 122,980 acres at 61 percent contained. This complex is five miles southeast of Big Sur. Residences are threatened and evacuations are in place.
Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the web site.

Bear Wallow Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 2,037 acres at zero percent contained. This complex of two fires is 13 miles southeast of Happy Camp. Moderate fire behavior was reported.
Information: Call (707) 457-3879 or visit the web site.

Blue 2 (Six Rivers National Forest): 3,950 acres at 16 percent contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Klamath. Cultural resources are threatened.
Information: Call (707) 457-3879 or visit the web site.

BTU Lightning Complex (Butte Unit, Cal Fire): 54,300 acres at 80 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 27 miles north of Yuba City. Fire activity was minimal yesterday.
Information: Call (530) 538-7826 or visit the web site.

Canyon Complex (Plumas National Forest): 32,352 acres at 66 percent contained. This complex of six fires is 16 miles northeast of Paradise. Communities and archeological sites are threatened. Area closures are in effect.
Information: Call (530) 283-7882 or visit the web site.

Cub Complex (Lassen National Forest): 19,000 acres at 78 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 16 miles southwest of Chester. A precautionary threat evacuation notice for Butte Meadows and Jonesville is still in effect. Highway 32 is closed.
Information: Call (530) 258-3932 or visit the web site.

Gap (Los Padres National Forest): 9,443 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is located six miles northwest of Santa Barbara. Structures are threatened.
Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the web site.

Hell's Half Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 10,192 acres at 35 percent contained. This complex of two fires is eight miles southwest of Burnt Ranch. Communities are threatened. Evacuation orders are in effect for the Big Slide and Hyampom West areas.
Information: Call (530) 629-2184 or visit the web site.

Iron and Alps Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 47,066 acres at 46 percent contained. This complex of seven fires is one mile north of Junction City. Advisory evacuations are in effect for several communities.
Information: Call (530) 623-6415 or visit the web site.

Lime Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 82,726 acres at 62 percent contained. This complex of 11 fires is 14 miles west of Hayfork. Communities, ranches, and youth camps are threatened.
Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2 or visit the web site.

MEU Lightning Complex (Mendocino Unit, Cal Fire): 53,300 acres at 95 percent contained. This complex of three fires is in Mendocino county. Minimal fire activity was reported.
Information: Call 707-467-6426 or visit the web site.

Piute (Sequoia National Forest): 37,026 acres at 95 percent contained. This fire is 17 miles northeast of Caliente. Flash flood evacuations and area closures in effect. Fire activity was minimal.
Information: Call (760) 549-0213 or the web site .

SHU Lightning Complex (Shasta-Trinity Unit, Cal Fire): 82,536 acres at 60 percent contained. This complex of two fires is in Shasta and Trinity counties. Several evacuations orders are in place. Visit the web site for the most current information.
Information: Call (530) 225-2510 or visit the web site.

Siskiyou Complex (Klamath National Forest): 39,750 acres at 18 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 18 miles southwest of Happy Camp. Residences and cultural sites are threatened. Area and road closures are in effect.
Information: Call (530) 493-1518 or visit the web site.

Soda Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 8,317 acres at 69 percent contained. This complex of two fires is 15 miles northwest of Upper Lake. Crews made excellent progress on line construction. Residences are threatened.
Information: Call (707) 275-2017 or visit the web site.

Ukonom Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 22,926 acres at 22 percent contained. This complex is 10 miles east of Orleans. Structures are threatened and road closures are in effect.
Information: Call (530) 627-3291 or visit the web site.
What is really good to see is the list of fires that have been contained.
Humboldt: The Humboldt Complex burned 1,325 acres and is now 100% contained.

Lassen, Modoc:
The Corral Fire burned 12,434 acres and is now 100% contained.

Mariposa:
The Oliver Fire burned 2,789 acres and now 100% contained.

Lake:
The Walker Fire burned 14,500 acres and is now 100% contained.

Napa & Solano:
The Wild Fire burned 40,000 acres and is now 100% contained.

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

Tehama & Glenn: The Tehama-Glenn Lightning Complex burned 22,907 acres and is now 100% contained.
I have a hunch that the delay with Cal Fire getting this morning's updates onto their website has something to do with the fact that President Bush is supposed to be visiting the state and viewing the fires and fire damage. I've seen a number of news articles about his visit and from what I gather, he and the governor will be in the Redding area today. I'll try to update the blog if and when the Cal Fire site updates the statistics. Meanwhile, I need to go close up windows and turn on my air conditioners because it's getting hot in this house... lol

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