National Situation Update: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather
West
High heat is forecast for the Pacific Northwest again tomorrow, with more record highs likely.
Isolated thunderstorms, mainly of the afternoon and evening variety, will rise up over the higher terrain of the Interior West from Wyoming southward.
Dry lightning storms, a concern for the wildfires, will affect portions of northern California, Nevada and southern Oregon.
High temperatures of over 110 degrees are forecast along the lower Colorado River Valley and southwest Arizona. Highs exceeding 100 will reach as far north as eastern Washington with readings well up in the 90s expected around the Puget Sound. Maxima near 90 will extend westward all the way to the northwest Washington coast. Much of the Great Basin will top out in the 90s.
Northeast
Some severe thunderstorms and downpours will move through the Northeast today as an incoming weather system brings cooler temperatures to the entire region by late Thursday.
South
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are predicted east of the Mississippi, especially in parts of the Southeast where scattered heavy rains are anticipated. Some severe thunderstorms are likely in the Carolinas and parts of Georgia.
West of the Mississippi, a few severe storms could generate over northwest Texas.
Midwest
Early storms in Ohio and eastern Kentucky, scattered afternoon showers or storms in parts of the central Plains, and a few light afternoon showers or isolated storms from North Dakota to the U. P. of Michigan. A few severe storms could develop over southwest Nebraska and far northwest Kansas. (NWS, Media Sources)
Wildfires Continue in the West
Dozens of wildfires continued to burn in at least 13 western states on Tuesday as firefighters fought to contain them before the threat of thunderstorms and dry lightning moved into the region which could spark new blazes.
Fire crews hoped for small breaks from the weather to help fight blazes fueled by high temperatures, tinder-dry conditions and gusty winds across the Western region on Monday
The National Interagency Fire Center reported 44 major active fires burning from Alaska to New Mexico. The fires have consumed more than 833,000 acres. The following large fires have Type 1 Incident Management Teams (IMT). Type 1 IMT's are assigned to manage large-scale, complex incidents. These incidents usually involve large wildfires, but may also include hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as other national emergencies
Milford Flat Fire: Utah State Division of Forestry. Type 1 IMT. Three miles north of Milford, Utah. Natural gas pipeline and geo-thermal power plant remain threatened. Periodic closure of Interstate 15. Much of this incident is also on BLM protection. 311,102 acres burned (gain of 28,815) with 10% containment. There are nine other fires in this area that resources are making good progress and currently it is felt they should be contained soon.
Highway 93 Complex (two fires): Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Type 1 IMT. Five miles southeast of Jackpot, Nevada. Structures remain threatened. 63,000 acres with 45% containment.
Egley Complex (six fires): Malheur NF. Type 2 IMT with potential to replace with a Type 1 IMT. Ten miles north of Riley, Oregon. Numerous structures threatened. Evacuations and road closures in effect. 18,000 acres with 3% containment reported.
Birdie Fire: Type 2 IMT. Potential Type 1 IMT. Twelve fires south of Flag Staff Arizona. Structures remain threatened. 1,800 acres with 10% containment reported.
Alabaugh Fire: Type 2 IMT. Three miles southwest of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Numerous structures and power lines remain threatened. Evacuations remain in effect. 8,912 acres with 20% containment.
Zaca Fire: Type 1 IMT. Fifteen miles northeast of Buellton, California. This fire has escaped on to federal protection responsibility into the San Rafael Wilderness Area making this a potential long duration incident. Residences remain threatened. 9,500 acres with 30% containment reported.
Antelope Complex (eight fires): Type 1 IMT. Twenty miles northeast of Quincy, California. Residences remain threatened. Mandatory evacuations of several communities remain in effect. 22,366 acres 21% containment. (National Incident Information Center, Media Reports)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Region X Alaska Area Office Opens
FEMA officially opened their Alaska Area Office in the Anchorage Federal Building Annex (222 W. 8th Avenue) Monday, 9 July 2007. FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison announced that the new office will serve as a work station for agency pre-disaster preparedness initiatives, and as an initial operating facility for federally declared disasters.
The FEMA Alaska Area Office will also serve as a forward field office for pre-disaster preparedness and planning, as well as a staging and work area for Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams. FEMA staff will be joined by uniformed Defense Coordinating Element (DCE) personnel. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific:
The national hurricane center has issued its last advisory on dissipating tropical depression Four-E located about 850 miles West-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
Typhoon (TY) 04W is located approximately 705 nm south-southeast of Naha, Okinawa. The typhoon has tracked northwestward at 18 mph over the past 6 hours. Max sustained winds are 103 mph, gusting to 126 mph. On it present tract, the typhoon poses no threat to US interests.
(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
No significant activity to report. (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level: 4
States Most Affected: California, Utah
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, July 10, 2007:
- Initial attack activity: Heavy (277 new fires)
- New large fires: 9
- Large fires contained: 6
- Uncontained large fires: 44
Structure Loss 2007 Season year to date: Primary 578, Commercial 29, Outbuildings 795
Critical resources: There is competition for most resources to include both Type 1 and Type 2 crew's, Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters; Air Tankers are being sifted daily based on highest priority and Initial attack fires.
Weather Discussion: Hot temperatures will continue across the West with widespread dry thunderstorms this week. Thunderstorms will develop today in California, western Nevada and southern Oregon along a band of moisture moving up from the south. Isolated storms will still be possible in Utah and northern Arizona. Wet thunderstorms will continue along the Rockies into southeast Arizona. Offshore winds will continue today into tonight west of the Cascades in Washington and Oregon. Gusty winds will develop in eastern portions of Wyoming and Montana into the northern Plains. Alaska will trend cooler this week with increasing showers and decreasing thunderstorms. While conditions in Alaska are improving they have many active fires and a large commitment of resources. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, InciWeb, FEMA Region X, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
Lampasas, and Tarrant Counties for Public Assistance Category B (emergency protective measures), limited to direct Federal assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance.)
FEMA-1709-DR-Texas: Amendment No. 3. Amended to include Archer, Bell, Burnet, Eastland, Hood, Parker, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Wichita, and Williamson Counties for Individual Assistance(FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Jul-2007 07:47:43 EDT