Today It's TEXAS

A couple of very interesting facts from TFS PIO's this morning.

To many times we focus on the negatives, look at these numbers for structures SAVED. A BIG THANKS goes out to all those firefighters no matter what logo they have on their uniform for the hard work and dedication it took and takes. You all are amazing!

# of homes saved: 14,011

# of other structures saved: 8,936

Total # saved: 22,947

# of homes lost: 474

# of other structures lost: 1,368

Total # lost: 1,842

# of aviation drops to date: 18,755

# of gallons of water dropped: 8,632,406

# of gallons of fire retardant dropped: 2,725,960

(note: all air operation figures are from Dec. 21, 2011, when record-keeping began)

LOTS of water to bad mother nature is not helping add to the numbers. So just how much is 11.3 million gallons.

Do you remember watching Michael Fred Phelps (bet you didn't know his middle name was Fred) win all those gold medals? Well the olympic size swimming pools hold about 600,000 gallons so that means that so far TFS has dropped a tad over 19 olympic size swimming pools worth of water and retardant.

 

Virginia has several what is referred to as single resources in Texas. A single resource (usually people) is individuals with expertise in specific areas that supports either directly or indirectly the suppression efforts.

There is also a Wildfire Prevention and Education Team being deployed to East Texas this weekend. No Virginia folks are assigned to this team, but some assistance may be provided remotely.  Some might say it’s a bit late for prevention with all the wildfires currently burning. However now is a very good time for this important work! Any wildfire that can be prevented will only reduce the stress and pressure on resources assigned to current wildfires. Also that one fire prevented just might have been that killer fire or one that burned up numerous homes, businesses, other properties and changed the lives of many Texans. http://www.southernwildfireprevention.sref.info/

Below is a list of the more notable wildfires currently burning in Texas.
Additional information can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/

Name of Fire and Acres
Springer Ranch1,200

Rhoades Ranch 2,010

Two County 176

Encinitos 3,200

Gruhlkey 350

Mackentire 935

S Curve 2,000

Bird Ranch 2 29,976

Camp Boothe Oaks 1,116

Burdett 1,502

Honey Island 1,274

Dos Amigos 19,391 

Canyon 16,803

Mcclarty 716

Sutton Cemetery 170

Lamar 250

Bolt 1,300

Russ Complex 550

Tejano Canyon  12,311

A few quotes from local papers out of TX this morning ...

It's adding up to a potential nightmare scenario, fire experts say.
"It's scary for us what the late-summer conditions could look like," Spencer said. "Our winter-spring fire season has basically merged with our late-summer season.
"2011 as it stands is a record year, and it stands to be even more so. There's no relief in sight -- it's only going to get worse."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/06/14/3152612/texas-unprecedented-wildfire-season.html#ixzz1PRNPrRrY

Wildfire potential will be very high or extreme in areas where very dry or partially dormant vegetation exists due to the drought. A red flag warning is in effect today for far western Oklahoma and adjacent parts of north Texas.

PALO PINTO, Texas - The drought and the heat have fires burning in Palo Pinto County again. Residents there are still recovering from the catastrophic wildfires that scorched much of the county less than two months ago.

The TFS said the largest fire was started by a campfire. It has burned about 1,900 acres and destroyed two vacant homes. The second fire ignited by lightening has burned at least 200 acres.

Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/061511-wildfires-burning-again-in-palo-pinto#ixzz1PROXRA1J

Everything is big in TX even the snags. OK you guys/gals out west they might not be as big as yours!!

Lighting it from one hand and fighting it with the other.

Who said rock wont burn! Sure looks that way, I guess its so dry the rocks will burn in TX.

Man o man look how dry the fuels are!!!!

 Fire behavior , a bit extream wouldn't you say!

 Where there is moke there is usually some sort of aircraft trying to slow down the fire.

Big aircraft and little aircraft. Thanks RR

Virginia Wildland Fire Academy Day 4

Today was a beautiful day in Farmville on the campus of Longwood University.  All the classes that were stuck inside were wishing they had a field trip or some other exercise that would get them outside.

Below Phil reviews the exercise from yesterday. Learning how to use the belt weather kits and we got to see just how variable the readings were just by altering where it was we took the readings, in the shade, on the tennis courts, in the fountain etc...

 Fuels and weather we learned were 2 of the big 3 (fuels, weather and topography) that were the most variable and difficult to deal with while trying to predict a fires behavior.

 Working through the FLAME exercise "ALMOST" got the better of us but we overcame and hopefully by the end we all at least knew the process and had a basic understanding of what Claiborne was trying to teach us.

The tractor class held its night time field exercise last night, hopefully it went well and I hope to have some pictures to share with you soon, along with some from our distinguished guests that showed up.

Thanks for "looking in"

Wildfires continue, Easter is comming lets hope some rain is as well

Just a quick post...chores to do and the Easter Bunny is comming you know.
Cooler temps and higher humidity has helped Tx but extream fire conditions are being called for Monday. Lets hope that the firefighters and all Texans can catch a break today and tomorrow.
texas is NOT the only "show in town" FL,CO,NM and others are having fires as well just not to the extend Texas is. Below are 4 of the TX fires.

Possum Kingdom Fire

 Rock House Fire

Wildcat Fire

Swenson Fire

Can't end the blog with out a friendly reminder from Smokey ...
Firefighters STAY SAFE
Homeowners Take time NOW to make your home as firewise as possible, PLAN to evacuate if your in an area that is having wildfires. GET your "stuff" together, plan where your going DON'T forget your pets and other animals.
COMMUNITY LEADERS Do all you can to prepare and support citizens and emergency responders.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION works even in these extreame conditions. No were not going to stop or prevent all wildfires but if we prevent even one helps.
Remember what Smokey has always said...Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.

THANKS as always for reading the blog and passing it on to others and Smokey and I hope you have a wonderful Easter.

Fires in the west and rain in the east at least for now!

Officials say destructive New Mexico fire was caused by hot auto parts

CNN) -- A wildfire in New Mexico that consumed hundreds of acres east of the capital was started by pieces of a hot catalytic converter from a vehicle, according to the state's forestry division.

Video: Silver City neighborhood destroyed KOBTV4

SILVER CITY, N.M. — Fire crews in New Mexico are mopping up a wildfire that raced across nearly 1,800 acres and burned 13 houses and 47 other buildings.

About 100 people forced out by the wind-driven flames were escorted into their neighborhoods Tuesday evening to survey damage left from the fire that started Monday afternoon south of Silver City.

Here is a link to news of the recent NM wildfire. Watch the video to see a professional rather than an emotional job of reporting!

http://wildfiretoday.com/

Eventhough folks in the west are talking about fire season getting off to an early start those of us in the East and SE already know this all to well. The recent rains have helped calm things down BUT it wont take the March winds to get us quickly back into "fire season"

Here is a news release set to go out later today and hopefully make the news over the weekend or monday after the present storm event has passed.

News Release

For Immediate Release                                                             March 10, 2011
Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 or 434.989.0665                      VDOF 11009

Rain ‘Dampens’ Spring Wildfire Season

On the heels of a significant week of wildfire activity in Virginia (Feb 14^th - Feb 21^st), the recent rains could create a false sense that wildfires are no longer a threat.  But they still are, according to a state wildfire mitigation specialist.
“Weather conditions of the same type that led to the 293 wildfires that burned 8,436 acres that week will continue throughout the remainder of Virginia’s spring wildfire season, which runs through the end of April,” said Fred Turck, wildfire prevention and education specialist with the Virginia Department of Forestry.  “Around the 1^st of May, grasses and other vegetation will have greened up and the high winds and low humidity that are typical of springtime in the Commonwealth will begin to moderate. December through February was particularly dry for much of Virginia; the recent rain, while welcome and much-needed, was not enough to lift the region completely out of the wildfire danger,” he said.
John Miller, VDOF’s director of resource protection, said, “We’re in the heart of the wildfire time-frame.  From February to May, there is significant wildfire activity in Virginia that doesn’t let up until the green vegetation and rains come.  And even then, the ground has to get good and saturated for the wildfire threat to subside.”
Turck said, “A nice, steady rain every five days or so is just what Smokey would order if he could control that.”

State Forester of Virginia Carl Garrison said, “Wildfire suppression forces with the Virginia Department of Forestry along with county, city and volunteer fire departments across the Commonwealth earned a well-deserved respite with today’s rain.  But they know all to well that they are not ‘out of the woods’ just yet.  They remain vigilant and prepared to protect people, their property and Virginia’s precious natural resources from the ravages of wildfire.”
Sam Roberts, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the rain systems moving through the area will help firefighter’s combat flames. But, it doesn’t mean the area is out of fire danger. “Just because it rains doesn’t mean you’re clear,” he said. “All it takes is a few days of drier conditions and winds….  Right now, all this rain is good, but that doesn’t mean it [drier conditions] can’t pick back up.”
Virginians should protect their lives and property by clearing brush near their home; keeping pine needles off their roofs and out of their gutters, and do their part and not let a wildfire start.  Also, obey the statewide 4 PM Law (no open-air burning between midnight and 4 p.m. each day) and all local restrictions.
Turck said, “More than 95 percent of Virginia’s wildfires are caused by human activity.  So, listen to those you admire -- like Smokey Bear – and don’t play with fire.  When it’s raining, wildfire isn’t probably on your mind.  But, please, take a moment to learn what you can do to prevent a wildfire from starting.  It takes just a few minutes to learn when and how you can safely burn, as well as how you can protect your life and your property from the threat of a wildfire.”
The following websites can help:
https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/
https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/firewise-index.htm
https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.smokeybear.com/
https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.firewise.org/
https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fireprevention/

-end-

Be Safe my friends in Florida

Rains when/if they come will be welcomed by many!

Sometimes weather events that occurred several weeks ago impact wildfire activity today. That’s one of the factors that are happening in Florida right now. A warmer than normal spring, a drier than normal spring, an earlier start to "fire season" in FL all on top of the severe cold FL had several weeks ago and the record freeze that killed lots of crops also killed off much of the vegetation that was just dormant waiting to green up in the spring. Well there is no greening up to totally dead vegetation and that dead vegetation “fuels the fires” of this spring in Florida.

Here are but a few of the headlines comming out of FL this morning.

Walton County Brush Fire Threatens, Evacuates Homes 

Families in South Walton County can safely return to their homes after a 10-acre brush fire forced them to evacuate Friday afternoon. Officials do not know the cause of the fire but say dry conditions and high winds didn’t help. A cloud of smoke hovered over multiple fire crews battling a blaze in the Point Washington Community in South Walton County. Officials say the fire started just after 2 p.m. on Friday, when resident Chris Harp was at work.

“My wife called pretty frantically and said the place was about to go up on fire. So, I raced up and looked at the bayou and saw a wall of flames coming,” Harp said.

MIAMI-DADE, Fla.- Two massive wildfires are burning in separate parts of our state.
 Smoke from a massive brush fire in Southwest Miami-Dade County is shutting down parts of US 41. The Central Florida fire burning since Monday, will take at least a week to contain

Wildfires Rage Across Florida in What Could be Epic Year

Photos by Andrew Knapp, FLORIDA TODAY

The following raw video is from the AP and shows very vividly the challanges and dangers of wildfire fighting and whats going on in FL now.

Wildfires continue ... How Can You Help?

Fire starts are up with the 4th day without rain here in VA. Conditions are NOT anywhere near where they were on 2/19 but firefighters and citizens should remain vigilant. Another shot of rain is hopefully on its way by Sunday.

Wildfires in TX and FL continue and now Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina are very active.

 

Ga. wildfire blamed on arsonist

Morris News Service

Thursday, March 3, 2011 6:14 AM

NAHUNTA, Ga.  - A reward up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the conviction of whoever set a wildfire that has burned about 2,250 acres in Brantley County since Monday.
State forest rangers expected to have the fire, which spread quickly after being started near Georgia 121 south of Hoboken, fully contained by Wednesday evening, said Frank Sorrells, district manager for the Georgia Forestry Commission regional office in Waycross.


Wildfire activity increases in Alabama

The Alabama Forestry Commission says lower humidity, warm temeratures and gusty winds are combining to increase wildfire danger.

Warnings against outdoor burning continue in SC

State forestry officials have lifted a red flag alert for 14 counties in South Carolina’s northeastern corner but are still warning against outdoor burning while high winds and low humidity persist.



Debris burning remains one of the top causes of wildfires in Virginia, below are 2 mini posters that bring the attention to this and also provide safety tips and alternatives. PLEASE remember the state's 4 PM Law which is in effect. You can NOT have any outdoor fire within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass BEFORE  4 PM. Also you MUST check with your locality as many local restrictions are also in place.
And please JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN LEAGELY BURN DON"T especially when the winds are up and the air is so dry.

THANKS

“The facts ma’am just the facts!”

And ever since we put out that the 2/19 fire run was the second single worst fire day in DOF modern history we have been asked numerous times today what was the worst and what were the numbers. So here are the official numbers you should refer to if asked

The single worst day as far as fires and numbers go was Feb 10, 2008 when we had  354 fires that burned 16,112 acres. On these fires there were 30 homes/other structures damaged and 248 were protected.

For us Protected = If it was not for the suppression actions of Forestry and Fire Departments these structures would have been a statistic in the other column.

The Feb 14^th  Valentine’s Day Fires we had 103 fires for 828 acres with 18 homes/structures Damages and 218 Protected

The Feb 19^th fires by number are as follows (This is the best facts we currently have)  143 fires burned 4,581 acres with 51 homes/structures and 718 protected.

A BIG fact is that if we include the Feb 14^th and Feb 19^th fires togther we can say that we have had more homes/people evacuated-impacted by wildfires during these 2 weeks than we have had in ANY single year previously. This goes  to further the challenge we have in Virgina with the increasing population and growth in the Wildland Urban Interface.  FIREWISE is more and needs to be more than a catchy phrase. We need to promote it and homeowners and community leaders need to know what they can do to help mitigate their impact from wildfires.   www.firewisevirginia.orq and www.firewise.org are 2 very good websites to go to for information.

Other good “facts” are  that we have han NO serious injuries or fatalities. There have been a few fireline injuries but everyone as far as we know were either treated on scend or in the emergency room and have returned home or to work.

The George Washington and Jefferson NF USFS and Shenandoah NP have orderd up the Southern Red Team to manage the 4 major fires they have currently in Virginia.

The total acres burning currently on those 4 fires are slightly over 5,000 acres.

Hopefully the cooler damper weather will hold down any fire activity for at least a while.

Safety First Time Every Time, First Fire Every Fire

ONLY 2 weeks into Fire season and its been BUSY !!

This is as close as it can get and NOT burn any homes. Wildfire burned right up to homes in Chesterfield  and firefighters had to “backfire” using the sidewalk as a fire break.

Virginia’s Spring Wildfire Season is barely 2 weeks old and we have already had 2 significant weather drived wildfire events. The first occurring February 14^th and 15^th during which more than 200 fires burned more than 1200 acres. In addition 17 homes or other structures were damaged and over 150 were protected and would have burned if not for direct actions of the firefighters.

The numbers are still coming in on this last rash of wildfires but currently we are reporting more than 150 fires for nearly 2,000 acres. With an additional 17 homes and other structures burned and 138 protected.

4 of Virginia’s Governor McDonnell’s staff tour several of the wildfires that have ravaged Virginia recently.

Carl Garrison (State Forester), Todd Haymore (Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry), Marla Decker (Secretary of Public Safety), and Martin Kent (Chief of Staff) took a helicopter flight yesterday to view first hand some of the devastation and visit with many of the firefighters, home owners, community leaders and those folks who came to the support of the response efforts.

Carl Garrison, State Forester climbs aboard the State Police helicopter that will take him and others on their flight.

Major fire activity

§  Rockingham County and George Washington Jefferson National Forest; North River Ranger District (Coffman Fire): roughly 100 acres on private lands, 2000+ acres on National Forest; many structures located south of the fire, some evacuations were completed

§  Warren County, Bentonville area, and Shenandoah National Park near Chester Gap (Smith Run Fire): 1000+ acre fire burned up and over the

Shenandoah Drive

and is also now threatening the Rappahannock County side of the park and continues to threaten structures.

§  Louisa County: (Chopping Road Fire), Estimated at 1300 acres; 2 structures destroyed and 7 structures minor damage. Fire is now contained, mop-up will continue tomorrow.

§  Albemarle County: (Ragged Mountain Fire); 100 acres

§  Shenandoah County Crooked Run Rd 80 acres

§  Goochland County: 264 acres

§  Gloucester County: 570 acres

§  Middlesex County: 524 acres

§  Brunswick County: 79 acres

§  New Kent County: 55 acres; closed I-64 for a short time.

§  Bedford County: 35 acres, 60% contained

§  Scott County: (Midol Fire) on Powell Mountain, 550 + acres; 90% contained

§  Fort Pickett Fire: estimated 2000 acres burned since 14 February in live fire impact areas; fire is contained and did not threaten neighbors off post

§  Fort A.P. Hill: estimated 900+ acres; contained on post

§  National Forests report two other large fires (Pickle Branch and Chestnut Fires) both fires are now several hundred acres and have no resources assigned until 02/21/11.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART .. DONT LET A WILDFIRE START