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National Situation Update: Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West:
An upper level low over the Northern Rockies will produce showers and isolated thunderstorms in Montana and Wyoming. Temperatures will remain quite hot over the inland areas of Southern California with highs into the 90s. Low humidity and gusty winds will keep the fire danger high.
Midwest:
The low over the Northern Rockies will move into the Plains tonight. Combined with moist southerly wind flow from the high over the Great Lakes will produce precipitation from the Dakotas to Oklahoma. The remainder of the region will be generally dry under a cold dome of high pressure. Temperatures this morning may reach the 30s and a frost advisory is in effect for northern Michigan.
South:
A stalled frontal boundary will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms from the Carolinas back to southern Alabama. There will be a few scattered thunderstorms over South Texas.
Northeast:
High pressure over the region will mean a dry day after a cool morning. Low temperatures will be generally in the 40s and 50s. Scattered locations in northern New York and New England will see lows in the 30s and frost advisories are in place. (NOAA, National Weather Service, media sources)

Region VIII, Utah Wildfire

Mill Flat Fire (FEMA-2831-FM-UT)
The Mill Flat Fire is located near New Harmony, Washington County, Utah and started on July 25, 2009 as a result of lightning. The fire has burned 8,150 acres and is 5% contained. Three residences and eight outbuildings have been destroyed. 550 residences and 58 commercial buildings are threatened. Evacuations have been lifted.  One shelter has been opened with 0 occupants.

Region IX, Wildfires

Arizona Wildfire
Water Wheel Fire (FEMA-2835-FM-AZ)
The Water Wheel Fire is located 3 miles north of Payson in Gila County, Arizona. The fire has burned 773 acres with 0% containment. The communities of Beaver Valley, Whispering Pines, Cold Springs Ranch, Bonita Creek, Verde Glen, Rim Trail and Washington Park (total population threatened is 1460) are threatened. A mandatory evacuation for 700 people is in effect and 768 residences are threatened. One shelter has been opened with a population of 38. FEMA-2835-FM-AZ was approved on August 31, 2009.
California Wildfires
The Governor has proclaimed a State of Emergency for Los Angeles, Monterey, Placer and Mariposa Counties.
Station Fire (FEMA-2830-FM-CA)
The Station Fire is located 4 miles north of La Canada in Los Angeles County, CA. The fire has burned 105,296 acres and is 5% contained. The estimated date of containment is September 8, 2009. 18 residences have been destroyed and over 10,000 residences, 500 commercial buildings, 2,000 other buildings and the Mount Wilson Communications Facilities and Observatory are threatened and the fire is approaching from two directions; loss of the facility will have minimal impact due to back-up plans that are in place. Mt. Disappointment communications facilities are also at risk. There are two fatalities and three injuries. Five residents who refused to evacuate are trapped in the area. Mandatory evacuations are in place for 2,350 residences and 5 shelters are open with 166 occupants. Three people have been injured and three residences have been destroyed. The Governor has declared a State of Emergency for Los Angeles County. 1,804 fire fighting personnel have been committed.
Pendleton Fire
FEMA-2836-FM-CA was requested and approved for the Pendleton Fire in Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, CA. The fire started August 31, 2009 and has burned over 100 acres with unknown containment. 400-450 residences and the community of Yucaipa (estimated population 50,000) are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for 1,500 residents and voluntary evacuations for 250 residents. The fire is within one mile of dense urban cluster and is burning 100 yards of structures. The Pendleton Fire is one mile from the Oak Glen Fire (currently burning 1,012 acres and 25% contained) and firefighters are trying to prevent the two fires from merging
Oak Glen III Fire
FMAG FEMA-2833-FM-CA was requested and approved on August 31, 2009 for the Oak Glen III Fire located south of Oak Glen and Potato Canyon in San Bernardino County. The fire started August 30, 2009 and has burned 1,012 acres and is 25% contained. The communities of Oak Glen and Cherry Valley (combined population of 31,500) are threatened. 2,000 residences and 75 businesses are immediately threatened. A mandatory evacuation is in place for 1,500 along with voluntary evacuations. One shelter was opened with 4 occupants. The fire is less than 1/8 mile from structures.
Big Meadow Fire
The Big Meadow Fire is located in Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County. The fire has burned 5,175 acres and is 55% contained. Two firefighters have been injured. 50 residences, 1 commercial property and 25 outbuildings are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Crane Flat Campground, Foresta Community, Park Line Yosemite View Lodge Complex and Old El Portal Community. The main access to Yosemite National Park is closed. An evacuation shelter was opened at Mariposa Elementary School with a population of 1. There is no threat to the power grid. 906 firefighting personnel have been assigned. The Lt. Governor declared a State of Emergency for Mariposa County. Estimated date of containment is September 10.
Hawaii Wildfire
Kaunakakai Fire (FEMA-2834-FM-HI)
The Kaunakakai Fire is located 1 mile north of Kaunakakai Town, Maui County, Island of Molokai, Hawaii.The fire has burned 7,800 acres and is 30% contained. The fire is threatening 400 residences, 80 businesses, infrastructure and utilities. Mandatory evacuations are in place for 60 residents and there is 1 injury. Two shelters were opened with two occupants. An FMAG was requested and approved on August 31, 2009.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA-2834-FM-HI was approved for the Kaunakakai Fire in Maui County, HI.  The fire has burned 7,000 acres and is 0% contained. The fire is threatening 400 residences, 80 businesses, infrastructure and utilities. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for 60 residents.

FEMA-2835-FM-AZ was approved for the Water Wheel Fire in Gila County, AZ. The fire has burned 773 acres with 0% containment. The communities of Beaver Valley, Whispering Pines, Cold Springs Ranch, Bonita Creek, Verde Glen, Rim Trail and Washington Park (total population threatened is 1460) are threatened. A mandatory evacuation for 700 people is in effect and 768 residences are threatened.

FEMA-2836-FM-CA was approved for the Pendleton Fire in Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, CA. The fire started August 31, 2009 and has burned over 100 acres with unknown containment. 400-450 residences and the community of Yucaipa (estimated population 50,000) are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for 1,500 residents and voluntary evacuations for 250 residents. The fire is within one mile of dense urban cluster and is burning 100 yards of structures. The Pendleton Fire is one mile from the Oak Glen Fire (currently burning 1,012 acres and 25% contained) and firefighters are trying to prevent the two fires from merging.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic:
 Invest 94
A broad area of low pressure located about 350 miles east of the Leeward Islands continues to show signs of organization but it still does not appear to have a well-defined surface circulation center.  However, satellite data indicate that the system is producing winds to near gale force in the associated shower and thunderstorm activity.  This system could become a tropical depression or tropical storm at any time over the next couple of
days as it moves west-northwestward at around 10 mph.  There is a high chance (greater than 50 percent) of tropical cyclone formation in this area during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Jimena
At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of hurricane Jimena was about 185 miles south of Cabo san Lucas Mexico and about 345 miles south-southeast of Cabo san Lazar Mexico.
Jimena is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph and this general motion is expected to continue during the next day or two.  On the forecast track Jimena will be approaching the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula later today and tonight.
Maximum sustained winds are near 155 mph with higher gusts. Jimena is a category four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale and very near the threshold of category five status.  Some fluctuations in strength are likely today and gradual weakening is forecast on Wednesday.  However, Jimena is expected to remain a major hurricane until landfall.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Jimena is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches over the southern half of the Baja California peninsula and portions of western Mexico during the next couple of days with possible isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches. A dangerous storm surge along with battering waves will produce significant coastal flooding along the Baja California peninsula.

Tropical Depression Kevin
At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Kevin was about 830 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Kevin is moving toward the north near 5 mph. A turn toward the north-northeast with a decrease in forward speed is expected over the next day or two and Kevin could become nearly stationary on Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts.  Weakening is expected over the next couple of days and Kevin is expected to degenerate into a remnant low later today or tonight.

Central Pacific
No Activity.

Western Pacific
No activity affecting US territories. (NOAA, HPC, 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

National Preparedness Level 3
National Fire Activity as of Monday, August 31, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (158 new fires)
New large fires:  6
Large fires contained:  3
Uncontained large fires:  16
States affected:  CA, OR, WA, UT, TX, CO, & AZ(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 01-Sep-2009 08:08:22 EDT