Wildfires: Budget woes to affect fuels treatments, post-fire rehab

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
dfg

A wildfire burns in Keystone Gulch, near the base of Keystone Ski Area, in June, 2011.

Fewer firefighers, less wildfire fuels treatments and less post-fire rehab

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The federal budget crunch means firefighters will have to do more with less this summer, federal officials said this week. Because of the sequester, the Forest Service will not fill 500 firefighting positions and will make do with 50 less engines on the ground.

“We are facing another dangerous wildfire season. We are prepared; we’re not as funded as we might be about 5 years from now, so teamwork is really critical to what we have to do,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, speaking Monday at a briefing at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise Idaho.

In particular, parts of the West are facing another challenging fire season, with greatest potential threats in the Pacific Coast states and into the interior northwest, including Idaho and southwest Montana, according to the center’s predictive services team. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, forest fires, Forest health, pine beetles and wildfires, public lands, US Forest Service, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Wildfires: Repeat of 2012 not likely in Colorado

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Wildfire season off to slowest start in past 10 years, but parts of the far West are at high risk for early season activity

sdfg

April brought above average precipitation to the northern Rockies, but much of the far West, as well as the Southern Plains, remained very dry, setting the stage for wildfire danger.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The western wildfire season has started slowly, but patchy winter snowfall means some areas will be more at-risk than other, especially California, where parts of the state reported record- or near-record low snowpack for this past winter.

In Colorado, a repeat of the early and deadly Colorado wildfire season is not likely, federal wildfire experts said in their May update, explaining that a wetter and cooler spring will help delay the onset of the season, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

But a dry winter in parts of the Colorado San Juans means some of the higher-elevation forests in the southwestern part of the state may be at higher risk of fires this spring and summer, the center’s monthly report said. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Drought, Environment, forest fires, forests, wildfires | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Wildfire activity surges past 10-year average

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Fire risk expected to continue in northern Rockies

Monthly outlook

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Wildfire activity across the U.S. has surged past the 10-year rolling average in the past few weeks, with major fires still burning in the northern Rockies, as well as the potential for big fires in the far West, as California hits the peak of the dry season.

Nationally, wildfires have now burned across about 7.6 million acres, more than last year’s total of 6.9 million acres, when massive fires scorched Texas and part of the Southwest.

This year’s total is the highest since 2006 (7.6 million acres) and nearly 2 million acres more than the 10-year rolling average of 5.9 million acres. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Drought, El Niño, Environment, forest fires, forests, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Wildfires shutting down gas fields in Wyoming, Utah

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

52 major wildfires burning on about 900,000 acres across the West

A hillside explodes into flames on the Arapaho Fire in Wyoming. Photo courtesy USFS.

A smoke plume rises from the fast-growing Arapaho Fire in Wyoming. Photo courtesy T. Moxham/USFS.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Even as firefighters gain control of the large and destructive fires in Colorado, large wildfires continue to burn around the West, including Wyoming, where the Arapaho Fire, on the Medicine Bow National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland, blew up to 75,000 acres Sunday.

The fire, between Casper and Laramie, has destroyed an undetermined number of structures and burned so fiercely Sunday that it created its own weather. Firefighters focused on structure protection in the Harris Park subdivision to try prevent additional damage to residential areas.

Driven by winds and fueled by the same dry conditions that contributed to the recent Colorado infernos, the Arapaho Fire showed extreme behavior Sunday, at times growing at the rate of 1 mph. Firefighters are concerned that it could become a monster fire if it becomes established in the Friend Creek Drainage.

More than 500 firefighters are already trying to contain the fire, with an incoming Type 1 management team slated to take over command. The Arapaho Fire is burning in dense, dry forest, with plenty of beetle-killed timber and down, dead fuels.

Also in Wyoming, the 45,000-acre Fontenelle Fire has been growing about 4,000 acres per day. According to the latest update, large fire growth continues to place substantial strain on helium plant construction (delaying contributions to the nation’s critical helium supply and employment of 300-plus construction workers), as well as oil and gas production.

More on Wyoming wildfires here. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Drought, forest fires, public lands, Travel, West, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

U.S. Wildfires well below average for year to-date

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A P3 air tanker drops flame retardant on the Las Conchas fire in New Mexico, July 2011. PHOTO COURTESY USFS/KARI GREER.

U.S. Senate fast-tracks bill to help Forest Service lease more large air tankers if the season heats up

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —In what could be one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent memory, the U.S. Senate this week fast-tracked a bill that would authorized the U.S. Forest Service to sign contracts for at least seven large air tankers for emergency wildfire suppression operations.

Sen. Mark Udall, a Colorado Democrat who has been at the forefront of addressing wildfire issues, said he was pleased with bipartisan support for the measure.

“This effort underlines that the federal government can act quickly in emergencies. I hope the House follows suit and gets this legislation to the president’s desk. Western firefighters who are working in the midst of a severe regional drought do not have the luxury of waiting long for the federal government to work.” (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, La Niña | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Wildfire danger eases slightly

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Summer outlook still calling for above-normal chances for wildfire in western Colorado, south-central Wyoming and parts of Great Basin

Seasonal outlook from the National Interagency Fire Center.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The fire danger in the high country has eased slightly in the past couple weeks, as timely spring rains and the greening up of potential fuels have combined to reduce the potential for rapidly spreading blazes. That doesn’t mean there couldn’t be a fire, but the likelihood of a fire starting and growing quickly is somewhat less than just a few weeks ago, fire experts said.

So far this year, wildfires nationally are well down from last year’s record-setting early season pace and well below the 10-year average for acres burned. For information on current fires go to Inciweb.org.

But those conditions could change again quickly depending on conditions in the next few weeks, said Ross Wilmore, the federal fire management officer for the east zone of the White River National Forest. This year’s early snowmelt is still a key factor in the fire equation, as ground fuels like last year’s grasses and downed trees dried out more quickly than usual. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forests, public lands, Summit County news, US Forest Service, White River National Forest, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

U.S. Wildfire season on near-record pace

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

An aerial photo shows the Pagami Fire in Minnesota burning among lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe area. PHOTO COURTESY SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST. Click on the image to see more from the Pagami Creek Fire.

Large fires burning in Minnesota, Idaho, Montana and Texas

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Several large new fires burning California, Idaho and Minnesota have pushed the total acreage during this year’s wildfire season to 7.7 million acres nationwide, about 1.5 million acres above the 10-year average and close to the record season of 2006, when 8.8 million acres had burned by this time of year.

By comparison, last year’s total at this point in the fire season was 2.7 million acres; in 2009, it was 5.5 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Currently, large fires are burning in eight states: California (3), Idaho (11), Minnesota (1), Montana (8), Oklahoma (3), Oregon (6), Texas (11) and Washington (2). Visit Inciweb for updates on all fires burning currently.

The biggest single fire in the country is burning on the Superior National Forest in Minnesota, where the Pagami Creek Fire has burned across a footprint of about 94,000 acres since it started about a month ago. The fire was started by lightning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 14 miles east of Ely. It’s about 11 percent contained with 565 firefighters on scene.

Parts of the Boundary Waters area remains closed and officials are focusing on protecting structures and developing evacuation procedures on the fire’s southeastern boundary.

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires, forests | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

California wildfire closes popular Buttermilks climbing area

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

An aerial view of the smoke from the Moose Mountain Fire in Alaska. PHOTO COURTESY ALASKA FIRE SERVICE.

Nationally, wildfires have burned nearly 3 million acres for the year-to-date, the most in the past 10 years and double the average

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A grass and brush fire in the eastern Sierra Nevada near Bishop has closed a popular bouldering area.

The Buttermilk fire started May 25 and the cause is under investigation. As of May 26, the fire had burned about 250 acres and is 50 percent contained. Campgrounds in the area have been evacuated. Strong and erratic winds pushed the fire quickly through the dry brush, but firefighters don’t expect the fire to grow much larger.

Nationally, wildfires so far this year have burned across almost 3 million acres, double the average acreage for this time of year and the most in the past 10 years. By comparison, the total acreage affected at this date last year was 420,000 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires, forests, seasons, US Forest Service, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Big wildfires continue in Arizona, Georgia and New Mexico

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Firefighters conduct burnout operations at the Horseshoe 2 Fire. PHOTO BY JAY LUSHER VIA INCIWEB. Click on the image to see the latest photos from the Horseshoe 2 fire.

Dry and hot conditions persist in the south-central states and the Southeast

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Horseshoe 2 Fire continues to burn between Portal, Arizona and Rodeo, New Mexico, but fire crews have achieved 25 percent containment, according to the latest update from the National Interagency Fire Center.

The human-started wildfire has burned across 37,500 acres since May 8. Fire officials are still investigating the cause. Current firefighting efforts are focused on burnouts along roads in the area to secure the community of Paradise. Fire behavior is moderate, as the flames make small runs in dry forest, brush and grasses.

Though fire crews have made some progress, there is still high potential for the fire to grow in extremely difficult and rugged terrain, temperatures in upper 70s and relative humidities in the low teens.

The fire is being monitored with some of the latest web-based geo-mapping tools, including Google Earth, which enables users to see the area where the fire is burning from the ground level up, in 3-D perspective. Go to the Inciweb page on the Horseshoe Fire to find all the links. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires, forests, global warming | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

U.S. Wildfires have scorched 2.5 million acres this year

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

The Horseshoe Two Fire in Arizona. PHOTO BY MICHELLE FIDLER.

The average for this time of year is 857,000 acres; extreme fire conditions continue across Texas, Southwest

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Fire officials say they’ve achieved 95 percent containment of the 17,500-acre Tunner Fire that burned on the border of Colorado and Kansas in the Cimarron National Grasslands, about four miles north of Elkhart, Kansas.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire burned in short grass and is still creeping and smoldering within the perimeter but crews will demobilize some resources and start rehabilitation in the next few days.

Across the country, the National Interagency Fire Center is reporting seven new large fires in the past 24 hours. Major fires are burning in Texas (9), New Mexico (7), Arizona (5), Florida (3), and one each in Georgia, California, Kansas and North Carolina.

This year to-date more than 25,000 fires have burned across 2.55 million acres, the most in the past 10 years and four times the average. The only year that came close was 2006, with 2.33 million acres burned through the first week of May. By comparison, last year the total was 335,000 acres. The 10-year average is 857,000 acres. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, La Niña, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 5,561 other followers