FIRE SUMMARY

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 36 new large Wildfires were reported this week alone sparking no debate that the Fire Season has officially begun. Fires were reportedly primarily 5 States: Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Florida.

Located in the Southern area, 315 new fires were reported.  Additionally, 30 new large incidents were reported along with 8 of them being not contained fires.  28 Fires were contained by U.S. Firefighters.

Approximately 34,688 combined acres have been scorched.  States are currently still reporting fire info even at the time of this post.

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Grand Bature Wildfire. Credit: USFWS

ACTIVE U.S. WILDFIRES

ARKANSAS

5 Mile

12 miles NE of Broken Arrow. Agency:  Ozark &  St. Francis NF [Forest Service]. 6 Personnel.  3 Engines.  692 acres. 60% contained.  Timber and hardwood litter. Moderate fire behavior with backing, creeping and flanking.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $200,000.

MISSISSIPPI

Grand Bature

Grand Bay Wildlife Refuge [Fish & Wildland Services], 4 East of Pascagoula.  12 Personnel.  1 Engine. 1 Helo.  4349 acres. 90% contained.  Tall grass, southern rough and timber.  Minimal fire behavior with smoldering.  Structures threatened.  Trail closures in effect. Estimated Cost-to-Date $235,000.

OKLAHOMA

Big Bluestem  

10 miles W of Pawhuska. Osage Field Office [BIA].  10 Personnel.  3 Engines.  989 acres. 80% contained.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $11,000.

Buffalo

8 miles W of Buffalo.   Oklahoma DOF.  18,000 acres. 30% contained.  107 personnel. 40 Engines. Extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs and spotting. Structures threatened.   Tall grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $50,000.

Fife  

3 miles W of Hanna.  Okmulgee Field Office [BIA].  19 Personnel.  2 Crews.  3 Engines. 462 acres.  70% contained.  Tall grass, hardwood litter and short grass. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $10,000.

Gap  

30 miles SE of McAlester.  E Central Area, Dept. of Forestry [ST].  6 personnel. 900 acres.  75% contained.  Hardwood litter and short grass. Moderate fire behavior with backing, creeping and smoldering.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $5,000.

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Grand Bature Fire. Credit: USFWS

Pawnee Cove

10 miles W of  Terlton.  Osage Agency [BIA].  128 Personnel. 50 Engines. 2500 acres.  20% contained.   Tall grass and hardwood litter.  Extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs.  Numerous structures threatened.  Evacuations and road closures in effect. 50 Structures lost. Estimated Cost-to-Date $75,000.

Sand Creek

6 miles SW of Henryetta.  Dept. of Forestry [ST]. 18 Personnel.  9 Engines. 4950 acres.  15% contained.   Hardwood litter and tall grass.  Extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs and spotting.  Numerous structures threatened. Estimated Cost-to-Date $25,000.

Southfork

7 miles NE of Clayton.  SE area, Dept. of Forestry [ST].  12 Personnel.  5 Engines. 820 acres.  50% contained. Hardwood litter. Active fire behavior with running.  Estimated Cost-to-Date $20,000.

Tree Farm

8 miles W of Sapulpa.  Okmulgee Field Office [BIA].  23 Personnel.  2 Crew. 3 Engines. 1126 acres.  40% contained. Hardwood litter. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened.  Estimated Cost-To-Date $5,000.

Grand Bature Fire. Credit: USFWS
Grand Bature Fire. Credit: USFWS

YEAR TO DATE STATS [from January 1st – February 19th]

  • 2016:  2395 Fires.  78,962 acres.
  • 2015:  2871 Fires.   26,847 acres.
  • 2014:  3095 Fires.   42,558 acres.
  • 2013:  1569 Fires.   10,961 acres.
  • 2012: 2889 Fires.   62,533 acres.
  • 2011:  2996 Fires.   52,391 acres.
  • 2010: 1407 Fires.   21,461 acres.

Since 2006 – 2015, the average of fires have been around 3900+ and scorching over 110,000 acres.

WEATHER FORECAST

A relatively progressive flow across the U.S. this week will provide an active weather pattern with a series of storms progressing from West to East.

This will include the northwest quarter of the Nation as well as northern California and the Great Basin. The exception will be across the southwest and Plains regions this weekend where dry weather will continue.

This prolonged dry period will transition on Sunday with showers and thunderstorms developing over the central and southern Plains.

Showers and thunderstorms will expand along a frontal boundary through the southeast and Mid-Atlantic by the middle of next week before spreading north along the east coast.

Late next week, a ridge of high pressure will attempt to strengthen along the Pacific coast with an overall drier and warmer pattern developing. [NIFC]

PREPAREDNESS LEVEL

Level 1.

 

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