National Situation Update: Sunday, July 16, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Significant National Weather
Midwest:
Hot and dry Sunday is predicted in most areas of the Midwest, with many areas setting record or near-record triple digit temperatures. A few strong thunderstorms may rumble near the front from Minnesota to Upper Michigan Sunday and again on Monday.
Northeast:
Uncomfortable heat and humidity is forecasted for the region beginning Sunday. Thunderstorms on Tuesday could be strong in some areas.
West:
An intense heat wave will persist through the weekend with more one hundred plus temperatures over sections of the West. The heat will bring enhanced threat of afternoon thunderstorms across the Four Corners. Some of these storms may produce hail and microburst winds, which may lead to areas of reduced visibility in blowing dust.
Unfortunately, some of these thundershowers may produce little rainfall, only shifting winds and frequent lightning. All this is bad news for the fire-fighting effort near Yucca Valley, California. Widely scattered, mainly dry thundershowers are possible both in Southern California and the Sierra Sunday and Monday.
South:
To the north, triple-digit heat should continue in Oklahoma and much of Texas. Nearer to the Gulf Coast, the heat won't be as intense, but will set the stage for scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms from south Georgia and Florida to Louisiana. These slow-moving storms may deposit 1-2 inches of rain in an hour, but are not expected to produce hail, high winds, or tornadoes. (NWS, Media Sources)
California Wildfire Update
The Sawtooth Complex Fire has merged with the Millard Complex Fire. Located on the north side of Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County, the combined fire/complex has consumed 71,000 acres. Containment is reported at 40% on the Sawtooth portion and 5% on the Millard portion. The combined personnel on the incident now total 3,781.
1,500 residences, 1,500 outbuildings and/or other structures, and 50 commercial properties remain threatened.
56 homes, 8 mobile homes, 191 cars/trucks, and 150 outbuildings have been destroyed.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for the Burns Canyon and Rimrock areas.
FEMA will continue to monitor. No request for Federal assistance has been made. (National Interagency Fire Center, Region IX, California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection, media sources)
Tropical Activity
Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Sunday (July 16).
No significant systems or tropical waves
Eastern Pacific:
As of 11:00 pm EDT Friday July 15, Tropical Depression Bud is dissipating. This advisory is the last to be issued by the National Hurricane Center.
Tropical Storm Carlotta continues its downward trend and expected to dissipate in 36 to 48 hours.
These tropical cyclones do not pose a threat to the U.S. or its territories.
Western Pacific:
Nothing significant to report. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
Wildfire activity nationally was moderate with 201 new fires reported. Nine new large fires were reported, three in the Northern Rockies Area, two in the Rocky Mountain Area and one each in the Southern California, Eastern Great Basin, Western Great Basin and Southern Areas.
Four large fires were contained, two in the Rocky Mountain Area and one each in the Northern Rockies and Eastern Great Basin Areas.
Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Red Flag Warning: For northeast Wyoming and much of South Dakota for increasing winds, low relative humidity and hot temperatures (National Interagency Fire Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 17-Jul-2006 08:30:50 EDT