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National Situation Update: Saturday, September 5, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West:
A strong cold front will move into the Pacific Northwest today. Expect precipitation from the coastal areas of Northern California to Washington and inland to the Cascade Range. Tomorrow, the front will produce scattered thunderstorms across the northern Rockies. Snow levels could drop to 6,000 feet in the Washington Cascades.  The Intermountain West will have scattered afternoon thunderstorms through the weekend.  Red Flag Warnings for gusty winds and low humidity are in effect from 4 pm to 11 pm EDT from Northern California to southwest Idaho.  In Southern California, winds are forecast to be northwesterly, bringing cooler air and higher humidity which will assist fire fighting efforts.
Midwest:
An upper level trough will continue to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms from Kansas and Missouri into the Ohio Valley through the weekend.
South:
An upper level trough will produce scattered thunderstorms across parts of Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, western Tennessee and Mississippi.  Look for widely scattered afternoon thunderstorms over Alabama, southern Georgia, coastal South Carolina, Florida and the southern Appalachians.
Northeast:
Under a cool and dry high pressure system most of the region will enjoy excellent weather for the weekend. High temperatures will range from the upper 60s in New England to the 80s in Virginia.
Showers and a few thunderstorms will move into western parts of the region on Labor Day.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, media sources)

Region VIII Utah Wildfire

Mill Flat Fire (FEMA-2831-FM-UT)
New Harmony, Washington County, Utah
The fire has burned 12,607 acres with 62% contained.  There have been 3 residences and 8 outbuildings destroyed and 2 residences damaged. Currently 550 residences and 58 commercial buildings are threatened (Region VIII, NIFC)

Eagle Mount Fire (FEMA-2837-FM-MT)
Columbus, Stillwater County, Montana
The fire that started on September 3, 2009 has burned approximately 1,000 acres and is 15% contained.  An evacuation order has been issued for approximately 100 homes in the Eagle Mountain Landowners' Assn. and the Columbus Ranch subdivisions. Stillwater County DES is coordinating evacuations with local law enforcement officials. (INCIWEB NIFC)

Region IX Wildfires

California Wildfires:
The Governor has proclaimed a State of Emergency for Los Angeles, Monterey, Placer and Mariposa Counties

Station Fire - 1.5 mi north of Los Angeles River Ranger District (Angeles National Forest)
FMAG-2830-FM-CA approved August 28, 2009 154,655 acres burned; 42% contained as of 7:00 p.m. PDT Friday, September 4 There are 2 (firefighters) deaths and 5 (firefighters) / 8 (civilians) injuries.  Property destroyed: 76 residences, 2 commercial properties, 86 outbuildings.  Property damaged:  13 residences and 18 outbuildings.  There are 5,000 (-5000) residences; 200 (-300) commercial; 2,000 outbuildings threatened.  3 shelters are opened with a population of 22.  The LA County EOC has been deactivated.  Infrastructure at risk: Mt Wilson Communications facility.  No mandatory evacuations are in effect.  The Dukmejian Wilderness Park and Angeles National Forest remain closed. Currently 4 highways and 3 roads remain closed.  Estimated containment date is September 15, 2009 (Region IX, NIFC)

Big Meadow Fire - Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County
7,485 acres have burned with 85% contained.   (Region IX, NIFC)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Invest 95
An area of low pressure associated with a tropical wave is located about 275 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cape Verde islands. This system is showing some signs of organization and has the potential for slow development during the next day or two as it moves west or west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph. There is a medium chance (30 to 50 percent) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
Invest 96
Disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 750 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California has changed little during the past several hours.  Upper-level winds appear for some slow development of this system during the next few days as it moves west-northwestward at about 10 mph. there is a low chance (less than 30 percent) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Sunday evening.
Western Pacific
No systems affecting U.S. 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 Friday, September 4, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (171 new fires)
New large fires:  3
Large fires contained:  5
Uncontained large fires:  10
States affected:  AZ, CA, UT, OR, HI, MT, WA and CO (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1857-DR-New York; Amendment #1:  Effective September 4, 2009, the Major Disaster Declaration was amended to add the Counties of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie for Individual Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Sep-2009 08:15:36 EDT