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The West had below normal precipitation in June

Bill GabbertJuly 8, 2019Uncategorizedweather1 Comment

Precipitation during June in the West, compared to normal.

Most of the Western United States, in this case west of the 100th meridian, had below normal precipitation in the month of June. And, the area was cooler than normal, except for California, Oregon, Northern Idaho, and Washington.

Temperature during June in the West, compared to normal.

Below are more details from the Western Regional Climate Center:

“June in the West
“June, 2019
“Precipitation was below normal across much of the West; however, June is typically one of the driest months of the year for some parts of the region. Temperatures were above normal in coastal states and near to slightly below normal elsewhere in the region.

“Scattered areas of the West observed above normal June precipitation, generally associated with isolated thunderstorm events for locations west of the Rockies. Owyhee Dam in eastern Oregon logged 2.38 in (60 mm) in June, 259% of normal. Nearly all of this precipitation (2.27 in/58 mm) fell in one day on June 13. Some areas east of the Rocky Mountains saw persistent precipitation throughout the month. Fort Collins, Colorado, reported 2.59 in (66 mm) for June, 119% of normal and saw at least trace amounts of precipitation on 22 days of the month. Wolf Point, Montana reported 4.49 in (114 mm), 165% of normal, the 3rd wettest in a relatively short record beginning in 1998 and had at least trace precipitation on 17 days in June.

“Much of the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West observed drier than normal conditions this month. Missoula, Montana recorded 0.66 in (17 mm), 32% of normal and the 6th driest June since records began in 1948. Portland, Oregon, observed 0.45 in (11 mm) of precipitation, 26% of normal and the 10th driest June in an 82-year record. In the US Drought Monitor, some areas of improvement were seen along the northern border of New Mexico and Arizona. Western Oregon, western Washington, and several areas along the northern border of the western states saw expansion of drought conditions this month.

“California saw the greatest departures above normal temperature for June. In northern California, Ukiah reported an average temperature of 72 °F (22.2 °C), 4.4 °F (2.4 °C) above normal and the third warmest June since records began in 1949. In the southern Central Valley, Bakersfield logged an average temperature of 81.9 °F (27.7 °C), also 4.4 °F (2.4 °C) above normal and the 10th warmest June in a record that began in 1937. Some areas of Oregon and Washington also saw temperatures several degrees above normal. Temperatures in Roseburg, southern Oregon, averaged to 67.7 °F (19.8 °C), 3.8 °F (2.1 °C) above normal. Elsewhere, temperatures were near to slightly below normal. For example, in eastern Nevada, Ely reported an average temperature of 58.6 °F (14.8 °C), 1.4 °F (0.8 °C) below normal. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, temperatures averaged to 73.8 °F (23.2 °C), 1.1 °F (0.6 °C) below normal. Phoenix, Arizona, reported a June average temperature of 91.1 °F (32.8 °C), 0.3 °F (0.2 °C) above normal.

“Much of Alaska experienced warmer and drier than normal conditions during June. Anchorage reported its all-time warmest and driest June in a 68-year record. Temperatures averaged to 60.5 °F (15.8 °C), 5.2 °F (2.9 °C) above normal. Precipitation totaled 0.06 in (2 mm), 6% of normal. In the northwestern part of the state, Kotzebue reported an average temperature of 56.8 °F (13.8 °C), 11.1 °F (6.2 °C) above normal and set the record for warmest June by 3.4 °F (1.9 °C). Records for Kotzebue began in 1897. Although a few southeastern Alaska stations reported above normal precipitation this month (e.g., Ketchikan reported 7.97 in/202 mm, 120% of normal), moderate to extreme drought conditions persist in this region. Roughly 3% of the state is experiencing drought conditions, all in the Panhandle. Ketchikan anticipates needing backup generators through at least October as reservoirs remain too low to generate hydropower.

“Above normal temperatures dominated in Hawaii, driven primarily by above normal sea surface temperatures in the Central Pacific. Kahului, Maui, logged an average temperature of 80.9 °F (27.2 °C), 2.9 °F (1.6 °C) above normal and the warmest June since records began in 1954. Many areas of the state observed above normal precipitation. Honolulu recorded 5.68 in (144 mm), more than 2000% of normal. A large portion of this, 4.2 in (107 mm) fell during intense thunderstorms associated with an upper-level low-pressure system that drew moist air into the region on June 25. The storm also caused downed trees, flooding, and several injuries due to lightning strikes on Oahu. In contrast, the windward side of the Big Island reported well below normal precipitation, Hilo observed 3.90 in (99 mm), 53% of normal. Drought improvement occurred on the windward sides of the islands in Hawaii and Maui Counties, with more island-wide improvement for Oahu and Kauai. Moderate to extreme drought conditions remain to some degree on the leeward sides of all islands.”

Village in Ontario with no road access being evacuated

Bill GabbertJuly 8, 2019July 8, 2019UncategorizedCanada, Ontario

The military is flying them out from a small airport nearby

Ontario firefighting aircraft — Water-scooping air tankers and helicopters are being used across the province of Ontario. Photo by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

(UPDATED at 2:56 p.m. CDT July 8, 2019)

The Chief and Council in Pikangikum, Ontario have ordered a full evacuation for the community due to a wildfire that has spread to within three kilometers of the town. All residents must register at the Pikangikum High School starting Tuesday at 7:00 am. .

The EOC is organizing flights, boats and a variety of evacuation methods. Residents will be evacuated to Red Lake initially and then marshalled to communities from there. Self-evacuees must also register in order to be put on the manifest and be supported.

Until Monday afternoon, evacuation was only recommended for elders, pregnant women, and anyone with respiratory issues.

The full evacuation will include thousands of residents.

(Originally published at 9:53 a.m. CDT July 8, 2019)

For the second time in just over a month a village in Northwest Ontario is being evacuated due to smoke from wildfires.

Pikangikum First Nation, with a population of several thousand, is in a remote area 87 k (54 miles) north of Red Lake with no road access except in the winter. Around the first of June residents vulnerable to smoke, including elders, pregnant women, and anyone with respiratory issues were flown out. The military landed a C-130 on the nearby 3,700-foot dirt runway north of the village to evacuate about 300 people.

Wildfires northwest Ontario — Map showing wildfires in northwest Ontario detected by a satellite as late as 3:32 a.m. CDT July 8, 2019.

With some of the residents having been back home for only a few weeks another fire, just 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of the community is forcing a repeat of the same scenario. For now, a lake separates the villagers from the fire, but not from the smoke. Officials are discouraging residents from self-evacuating by boat, saying it is not safe to do so.

The fire threatening Pikangikum is named Red Lake 39 and so far has burned over 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres). The fire is being managed by an incident management team as part of a larger cluster of fires. The team is looking for aerial ignition opportunities to tie the fire into natural boundaries. Sprinklers are being set up to protect structures.

That fire and several others in the area were very active Sunday and Sunday night, all of them running about 11 kilometers (7 miles) to the northeast (the red areas on the map above).

The Red Lake 23 Fire south of the community of Keewaywin has burned 71,993 (178,000 acres).

The Red Lake 40 Fire near Nungesser Lake has been mapped at 23,737 hectares (59,000 acres). It is 37 k (23 miles) northeast of Red Lake.

Video honors the 14 memorial sites on Storm King Mountain

Bill GabbertJuly 6, 2019July 6, 2019UncategorizedColorado, South Canyon Fire4 Comments

25 years ago 14 firefighters were killed on the South Canyon Fire in Colorado

Storm King Mountain — Screengrab from the video below by Outside Adventure Media.

Today, July 6, is the 25th anniversary of the fatalities on the South Canyon Fire near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. In 1994, 14 firefighters were overrun by the fire on Storm King Mountain.

A trail leads to the spots where each of them were found. Granite markers, 14 of them, have the firefighters’ names and their years of birth — and death.

People who complete the strenuous hike to the 14 sites often leave something that to them, and perhaps to the deceased, had a special meaning.

During several trips to the mountain over the last couple of years Barry Stevenson of Outside Adventure Media shot video of the memorial sites. There is no narration or musical sound track. You will hear only the sounds of nature — birds, insects, and an occasional breeze.

The Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail honors the 14 hotshots, smoke jumpers, and helitack personnel who perished in the fire:

Kathi Beck, Tami Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Robert Browning, Doug Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso, Don Mackey, Roger Roth, Jim Thrash, and Richard Tyler.

For more information about the South Canyon Fire visit southcanyonfire.com.

Hallowed Ground. Storm King Mountain Memorial Trail from Outside Adventure Media.

statue south canyon fire glenwood springs colorado — A statue at Two Rivers Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, honors the 14 firefighters. Photo by Bill Gabbert.

In the next video you will see the fire from the perspective of 11 firefighters that were there that day.

To learn more about the South Canyon Fire:

Wildfires force evacuations in Greece

Bill GabbertJuly 5, 2019July 5, 2019UncategorizedGreece1 Comment

At least four fires are burning on the island of Evia

3-D map two wildfires Greek Island Evia — 3-D map of two wildfires on the Greek Island of Evia. Data via Copernicus.

(UPDATED at 3:43 p.m. MDT July 5, 2019)

Multiple wildfires are burning on the Greek island of Evia, requiring the evacuation of Makrichori, Neochori, Dafni, Gavalas, and Lofiskos. (See the map above)

Two additional fires were reported late Thursday night, officials said, and another Friday afternoon, to bring the total to four.

According to the Fire Service, resources assigned to the fires include 330 personnel with 100 vehicles, 8 water-dropping airplanes, and40 helicopters.

Officials said a 64-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of starting the first fire by using a naked flame to burn dried weeds near his house. The man will appear before a prosecutor in court Friday.

The fires are burning approximately 55 k (34 miles) north-northeast of Athens.

Greece Fires Map — The red dots represent heat on the Greek island of Evia detected by a satellite, July 5, 2019.

In July, 2018 a 1,276-Ha (3,153-acre) fire burned from Kallitechnoulopis, Greece through Neos Voutzas and Rafina, reaching Mati where it finally stopped at the coast.The fire killed at least 91 people and destroyed 1,220 structures.

Smoke advisory and Red Flag Warnings, July 4, 2019

Bill GabbertJuly 4, 2019UncategorizedRed Flag Warning, smoke

Dense smoke advisory for the Kenai Peninsula and areas east of Anchorage, Alaska expiring at 1 p.m. AKDT July 4, 2019, (or 4 p.m. CDT).

A Dense Smoke Advisory has been issued for the Kenai Peninsula and areas west of Anchorage, Alaska for dense smoke from the Swan Lake Fire that could reduce visibility to one-quarter mile or less.

Red Flag Warnings have been issued for areas in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah until 9 p.m. CDT Thursday. Forecasters expect 10 to 20 mph southwest winds gusting to 35, and relative humidity of 9 to 14 percent.

Red Flag Warning July 4, 2019 — Red Flag Warnings July 4, 2019.

Wildfire smoke map updated at 12:33 CDT July 4, 2019.

(Red Flag Warnings can be modified throughout the day as NWS offices around the country update and revise their weather forecasts.)

U.S. Government files suit against company alleging their coal burning train engine started the “416 Fire” in Colorado

Bill GabbertJuly 4, 2019Uncategorized416 Fire, Colorado1 Comment

The government is seeking to recover $25 million in costs for the 54,000-acre fire

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against a railroad company for starting what became the 54,129-acre “426 Fire” north of Durango, Colorado. The government is seeking to recover $25 million in suppression, damages, and rehab costs for the fire that started June 1, 2018 and burned actively for about 61 days. (See the map below.)

An investigation by the U.S. Forest Service determined that the fire was ignited by burning particles emitted from the exhaust on a coal-burning steam engine locomotive owned and operated by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company and its owner and operator, American Heritage Railways, Inc.

map 416 fire Colorado — 3-D map showing the perimeter of the 416 Fire north of Durango, Colorado, July 4, 2018. Looking northwest. Wildfire Today.

The United States asserts that because the fire was caused by the railroad company they should be held liable under federal and Colorado law for all the damages incurred by the United States as a result of the fire.

For years the company has been hauling tourists on a train pulled by the coal-burning engines on a 42-mile route between Durango and Silverton in southwest Colorado. Numerous fires have been attributed to the train. The Durango Herald studied seven of the fires that burned between 1994 and 2013 that investigators determined were started by the train. In these cases the railroad offered to pay much less than the amount billed by the Forest Service. The agency settled with the company, agreeing to allow payments of between 20 and 88 percent for the seven fires, averaging 53 percent of the billed amounts.

We assembled the data from the article and created the table below.

D&SNG payments for wildfires steam engine train — USFS data collected by the Durango Herald, collated by Wildfire Today.

If the Forest Service continues their trend of allowing the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company to pay 53 percent of the suppression costs, they may settle for about $13 million.

In September, 2018 at least six local residents and business owners in the Durango, Colorado area filed a lawsuit against the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company claiming the 416 Fire adversely affected tourism, causing a 5.6 percent drop in sales tax and a 13.2 percent drop in lodgers tax over the same period in 2017.

The video below is an interview with Cres Fleming who was the second person on scene at the 416 Fire June 1, 2018.

The next video was filmed by pilot Jim Watson of GB Aerial Applications showing Air Tanker 850 on the 416 Fire June 13, 2018, working with John Ponts, Lead 51 trainee. Jim said, “The Heavies did the long runs while the Single Engine Air Tankers offered close air support by reinforcing weak areas such as this drop in the bottom of a drainage.”