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Northern California
Wildfires Rage On
And Relief Agencies
Need Our Help!
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Slideshow
of the Humboldt Fire that was contained just days before the Lightning
Fires started!
7/11/2008
Governor
Orders 2,000 Additional CA National Guard Ground Forces to Fight
California Wildfires
Announces
International Support to Fight Unprecedented Number of Wildfire
Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger today ordered an additional 2,000 California National
Guard (CNG) personnel to complete firefighter training, boosting the
state's firefighting forces to battle the state's ongoing fires and to
prepare for the threat of additional fires over the next several months.
These personnel will be trained in phases to stand ready for deployment
as requested by the state's California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CAL FIRE). Yesterday, the federal government committed to
sending out-of-state firefighters to train these additional CNG
personnel on critical firefighting techniques. Since July 1, the
Governor has directed more than 400 CNG soldiers to be trained and
deployed to fires across the state.
"I am ordering 2,000 additional California National Guard personnel
to boost our firefighting forces," Governor Schwarzenegger said.
"We already have 400 guard members on the front lines, and once
these new troops are trained and certified, they will be ready to pitch
in at a moment's notice throughout the fire season."
The CNG, with support from neighboring states' National Guard and
reserve forces, currently has the following resources allocated to the
state's firefighting efforts:
- The CNG has to date mobilized more than 1,000
personnel to provide support to the ongoing firefighting effort,
including more than 400 personnel assigned to hand crews working
alongside other firefighters.
-
- There are currently 22 rotary-wing aircraft
supporting the firefighting effort, including 14 CNG helicopters and
eight helicopters from Utah, Nebraska, Washington, Arizona and
Oregon. To date, these rotary-wing aircraft have dropped nearly 3
million gallons of water.
-
- CNG is also providing the following fixed-wing
aircraft in support of the wildfires: one C-130J support aircraft
for personnel and equipment transport and one RC-26 providing aerial
imagery support.
-
- In addition to California aircraft, there are
currently eight C-130H cargo aircraft equipped with the Modular
Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) that are assisting from other
states. These MAFFS equipped aircraft-three from the North Carolina
Air National Guard, three from the Colorado Air Force Reserve and
two from the Wyoming Air National Guard-are capable of dropping up
to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant per mission. To date, they
have dropped nearly one million gallons of retardant.
In addition to CNG personnel,
more firefighting resources are responding to California from outside
the United States to assist in the unified fight against this
unprecedented wildfire siege. More relief is on the way from Mexico,
Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
"Everyone is working together. Local, state and federal officials,
and we are even getting international help," Governor
Schwarzenegger said.
The Mexican government is sending 90 firefighters, five fire crews
and five fire engines to aid in California's firefighting
efforts. Canada is sending four more air tankers and two lead planes to
bolster support from the air, and ground troops will get aid in the form
of 40 additional firefighters from New Zealand and Australia.
Earlier this week, Governor Schwarzenegger sent a letter
to President Bush requesting additional federal resources that
California urgently needs to fight the ongoing wildfires and prepare for
more expected lightning strikes. Following up to his letter, the
Governor yesterday spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff who promised to provide additional federal resources as soon as
possible.
This multi-national effort is being coordinated through each country's
government, the U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, Governor's Office of Emergency Services and CAL FIRE. The
resources will be deployed throughout the state based on the ongoing
needs of the more than 300 active fires still burning throughout the
state and in preparation for future fires.
July
11, 2008
Fire managers are still
concerned about the large fires in California, where 24 fires/complexes
are still burning. Several communities throughout the state have been
evacuated.
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.
| July 11, 2008 |
| Resource |
Federal |
State |
Other |
Total |
| Total Personnel |
5,373 |
6,699 |
7,828 |
19,900 |
| Helicopters |
58 |
2 |
58 |
118 |
| Hand Crews |
133 |
165 |
161 |
459 |
| Engines |
212 |
325 |
961 |
1,498 |
| Dozers |
17 |
36 |
229 |
282 |
| Water Tenders |
10 |
18 |
389 |
417 |
| Overhead |
1,704 |
1,012 |
1,230 |
3,946 |
|
NOTE: Total personnel includes all personnel
assigned. 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:
Very hot and dry weather will continue over most of northern and central
California today with a chance of mostly dry thunderstorms over the
Sierras. Onshore flow is expected from southwest Oregon down to the
mid-California coast. Southern California will see increased humidity
along with widely scattered wet thunderstorms. The southern Great Basin
will have a mixture of wet and dry thunderstorms with thundershowers for
the Southwest, Southeast and Alaska. Winds should decrease over the
Northwest and western Montana.
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center
|
|
|
Daily
statistics 7/11/08
|
|
Number of new large fires
|
7 |
States currently reporting
large fires:
|
|
Number of active large
fires
|
34
fires and complexes
69 total fires |
Alaska (1)
Arizona (1)
California (24)
Colorado (1)
Montana (1)
North Carolina (2)
Oregon (1)
Virginia (1)
Washington (3)
|
|
Acres from active fires
|
604,759 |
|
Number of Wildland Fire
Use (WFU) fires
|
1 |
|
Number of Wildland Fire
Use (WFU) acres
|
566 |
|
Fires contained since
7/10/08
|
8 |
|
Year-to-date large fires
contained
|
504
|
|
Year-to-date
statistics
|
|
2008
(1/1/08 - 7/11/08)
|
Fires:
46,850
|
Acres:
2,971,121
|
|
2007
(1/1/07 - 7/11/07)
|
Fires:
50,239
|
Acres:
2,358,442
|
|
2006
(1/1/06 - 7/11/06)
|
Fires:
62,448
|
Acres:
4,019,847
|
|
2005
(1/1/05 - 7/11/05)
|
Fires:
33,951
|
Acres:
3,058,007
|
|
2004
(1/1/04 - 7/11/04)
|
Fires:
41,105
|
Acres:
3,198,649
|
|
2003
(1/1/03 - 7/11/03)
|
Fires:
29,634
|
Acres:
1,025,870
|
|
2002
(1/1/02 - 7/11/02)
|
Fires:
46,343
|
Acres:
3,169,781
|
|
2001
(1/1/01 - 7/11/01)
|
Fires:
44,434
|
Acres:
1,245,415
|
|
2000
(1/1/00 - 7/10/00)
|
Fires:
52,014
|
Acres:
2,245,415
|
|
5-year
average
|
|
2003
- 2008
|
Fires:
42,731
|
Acres:
2,147,144
|
|
10-year
average
|
|
1998
- 2008
|
Fires:
45,841
|
Acres:
2,529,766
|
|
Current
Wildland Fires
|
|
Alaska
|
Fires:
1
|
Acres:
1,300
|
New
fires:
1
|
Fires
contained:
1
|
| NEW
Goose Slough (Tanana Zone, Bureau of Land Management):
1,300 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is seven miles
north of Bettles. |
| Porcupine
Ridge (Southwest Area, Alaska Department of Forestry):
This fire was contained at 116 acres. |
|
Arizona
|
Fires:
1
|
Acres:
9,629
|
New
fires:
0
|
Fires
contained:
1
|
Lane
2 (Prescott National Forest): 9,629 acres at 95 percent
contained. This fire is 14 miles northwest of Black Canyon City.
Fire activity was minimal.
Information: Call 928-443-8130. |
| Whiskey
(San Carlos Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): This fire
was contained at 1,133 acres. |
|
California
|
Fires:
24
|
Acres:
539,117
|
New
fires:
1
|
Fires
contained: 1
|
| Northern
California Joint Information Center - Call 530-226-2749. |
Alps
Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 903 acres at 80
percent contained. This complex of 12 fires is 20 miles northwest
of Junction City.
Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2. Visit
this website
for podcasts. |
American
River Complex (Tahoe National Forest): 16,184 acres at 20
percent contained. This complex of two fires is 11 miles northeast
of Foresthill. Power lines, watershed, and residences remain
threatened.
Information: Call (530) 367-6223. |
Basin
Complex (Los Padres National Forest): 99,021 acres at 41
percent contained. This complex is five miles southeast of Big Sur.
Big Sur remains threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect
fore: Tassajara Road from the forest boundary south of Tassajara
Hot Springs, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park south to Lucia, and
cabins in the Santa Lucia Tract. Highway 1 is closed. Extreme fire
activity continued.
Information: Call (831) 796-1990 or visit the web
site (click on Current Conditions). |
| NEW
Bear Wallow Complex (Klamath National Forest): 350 at
zero percent contained. This fire is 13 miles southeast of Happy
Camp. |
Blue
2 (Six Rivers National Forest): 2,767 acres at 10 percent
contained. This fire is 12 miles east of Klamath. Cultural and
heritage resources are threatened.
Information: Call (707) 441-3623 or visit the web
site. |
BTU
Lightning Complex (Butte Unit, Cal Fire): 47,700 acres at
45 percent contained. This complex of 14 fires is 27 miles north
of Yuba City. An “Immediate Threat Evacuation” was issued for
residents living near or in then communities of Jarbo Gap, Yankee
Hill, and Big Bend. The Immediate Evacuation encompass Hwy. 70
from Deadwood to the west branch of the Feather River and all
areas East of Hwy. 70 the Lake Oroville. Highway 70 is closed.
Information: Call (530) 538-7826 or visit the web
site. |
Canyon
Complex (Plumas National Forest): 25,019 acres at 57
percent contained. This complex of eight fires is 16 miles
northeast of Paradise. Residences and archeological sites are
threatened. Evacuations for Belden are in effect. Highway 70 is
closed.
Information: Call (530) 283-7882. |
Clover
(Sequoia National Forest): 15,300 acres at 70 percent contained.
This fire is 32 miles north of Weldon.
Information:
Call (760) 376-3781 ext. 625
. |
Cub
Complex (Lassen National Forest): 13,982 acres at 62
percent contained. This complex of two fires is 16 miles southwest
of Chester. Highway 32 has been closed due to falling rocks and
debris. This is the primary link between Chico and Chester. Due to
current weather, a significant increase in fire behavior has been
reported for this fire. Smoke continues to impact communities in
the Lake Almanor area. An evacuation order has been issued for
Jonesville, Butte Meadows, and the Lassen Boy Scout Camp.
Information: Call (530) 258-3932 or visit the web
site. |
Gap
(Los Padres National Forest): 9,443 acres at 70 percent
contained. This fire is located six miles northwest of Santa
Barbara. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect for West Camino
Cielo west of the Windermere Ranch to the actual fire area.
Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the web
site (click on Current Conditions). |
Hell's
Half Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 6,087 acres at
45 percent contained. This complex of two fires is eight miles
southwest of Burnt Ranch. Communities are threatened. Evacuations
are in place for five residences in Big Slide and 50 residences in
the West Hyampom area.
Information: Call (707) 441-3673, 530-629-2184 or
visit the web
site. |
Humboldt
Complex (Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, Cal Fire): 1,310 acres
at 90 percent contained. This complex is in Humboldt county.
Residences are threatened.
Information: Call (707) 726-1225 or visit the web
site. |
Iron
Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 30,745 acres at
48 percent contained. This complex of six fires is one mile north
of Junction City. Advisory evacuations are in effect for Trinity
Village, Hawkins Bar, and Fisher Ranch community on Fisher Road
east of the Colony.
Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2. |
Lime
Complex (Shasta-Trinity National Forest): 53,418 acres at
64 percent contained. This complex of 36 fires is 14 miles west of
Hayfork. Communities, ranches, and youth camps are threatened.
Information: Call (530) 226-2500 ext. 2. |
Mad
Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 3,705 acres at 95
percent contained. This complex of three fires is 23 miles east of
Redcrest. Moderate fire activity was reported.
Information: Call (707) 441-3623 or visit the web
site. |
MEU
Lightning Complex (Mendocino Unit, Cal Fire): 52,200
acres at 65 percent contained. This complex of 37 fires is in
Mendocino county. Rockport, Cummings, Leggett are threatened.
Evacuation warnings were also issued for Red Mountain Road, De
Haven Creek, and Howard Creek drainage.
Information: Call 707-467-6426 or visit the web
site. |
Piute
(Sequoia National Forest): 34,852 acres at 32 percent
contained. This fire is 17 miles northeast of Caliente. Numerous
communities are threatened. Evacuations are in effect.
Information:
Call (760) 376-3781 ext. 625
. |
SHU
Lightning Complex (Shasta-Trinity Unit, Cal Fire): 66,115
acres at 45 percent contained. This complex of three fires is in
Shasta and Trinity counties. Residences, infrastructure and
recreation sites are threatened. The evacuation of Ono is in
progress.
Information: Call (530) 225-2510 or visit the web
site. |
Siskiyou
Complex (Klamath National Forest): 24,000 acres at 34
percent contained. This complex of two fires is 18 miles southwest
of Happy Camp. Historic and cultural resources are threatened.
Active fire behavior was reported.
Information: Call (530) 493-1518. |
Soda
Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 6,325 acres at 82
percent contained. This complex of two fires is 15 miles northwest
of Upper Lake. Evacuations are in place for the area east and
south of Lake Madrone, both north and south of Bald Rock Road. A
road closure is in place for Bald Rock Road east of Hwy 119.
Information: Call (530) 934-3316 or visit the web
site. |
Ukonom
Complex (Six Rivers National Forest): 13,747 acres at 14
percent contained. This complex of two fires is 10 miles east of
Orleans. Structures are threatened and area closures near the fire
were issued.
Information: Call (707) 441-3673, 530-627-3291 or
visit the web
site. |
Whiskeytown
Complex (Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, National
Park Service): 5,500 acres at 50 percent contained. This complex
is 12 miles west of Redding. Structures remain threatened. Active
fire behavior was reported.
Information: Call 530-242-3438 or visit the web
site. |
Yolla
Bolly Complex (Mendocino National Forest): 6,625 acres at
an unknown percent contained. This complex of three fires is 24
miles southwest of Chico. This complex will be added to the Lime
Complex.
Information: Call (530) 934-3316 or visit the web
site. |
Yuba
River Complex (Tahoe National Forest): 3,819 acres at 95
percent contained. This complex is 13 miles northeast of Nevada
City. Several communities, hydroelectric facilities, and
recreation sites are threatened.
Information: Call (530) 478-6101. |
| Indians
(Los Padres National Forest): This fire was contained at 81,378
acres. |
|
Colorado
|
Fires:
0
|
Acres:
0
|
New
fires: 0
|
Fires
contained: 0
|
|
Wildland Fire Use
|
Fires:
1
|
Acres:
566
|
New
fires:
0
|
|
| Coal
Creek (Grand Mesa National Forest): 422 acres. This fire
is 15 miles southeast of Clifton. This fire is being managed to
accomplish natural resource objectives. |
|
Idaho
|
Fires:
0
|
Acres:
0
|
New
fires:
0
|
Fires
contained:
1
|
| Highway
20 (Idaho National Laboratory, Department of Energy):
This fire was contained at 1,419 acres. |
|
Montana
|
Fires:
1
|
Acres:
390
|
New
fires:
1
|
Fires
contained:
0
|
| NEW
Mt. Sentinel (Southwestern Land Office, Montana
Department of Natural Resources): 390 acres at 85 percent
contained. The fire is located two miles southeast of Missoula.
Fire activity was moderate. |
|
Nevada
|
Fires:
0
|
Acres:
0
|
New
fires:
0
|
Fires
contained:
1
|
| Gopher
(Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management): This fire
was contained at 321 acres. |
|
North
Carolina
|
Fires:
2
|
Acres:
42,264
|
New
fires: 0
|
Fires
contained: 0
|
|
Evans
Road (North
Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 41,534 acres at 75 percent
contained. This fire is located seven miles south of Creswell.
Some residences are threatened. The fire received some rain
yesterday.
Information:
Call 919-218-3179.
|
|
Tussock Bay (North
Carolina Division of Forest Resources): 730 acres at 80 percent
contained. This fire is located eight miles southeast of White
Lake.
Information:
Call 919-218-3179.
|
|
Oklahoma
|
Fires:
0
|
Acres:
0
|
New
fires:
0
|
Fires
contained:
1
|
| Wing
Gate (Wichita Mountain National Wildlife Refuge): This
fire was contained at 339 acres. |
|
Oregon
|
Fires:
1
|
Acres:
1,695
|
New
fires:
1
|
Fires
contained:
0
|
| NEW
Mill (Warm Springs Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs):
1,695 acres at 75 percent contained. This fire is one mile east of
Warm Springs. a water treatment plant, residential and commercial
structures are threatened. |
|
Texas
|
| |