Author: Bill

The fire in eastern North Carolina continues to spread to the north and east. It is now 35,691 acres and has moved into the “Hollow Ground Swamp” in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. But just judging from the heat detected by satellites, the swamp must be fairly dry, since the fire has burned quite a few acres within it.

The temperature at the fire today should be in the mid 90’s, the RH in the low 40’s, with the wind 7-11 out of the south and southwest.

The map below shows heat detected by satellites last night. Click on the images to see larger versions.

The map below is provided by the Incident Management Team and shows the fire progression.

In the photo below, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Manager Howard Phillips (far right) looks over high-volume pumping operation while George Constantino (back to camera) discusses the Water Handling Operations with the Rowan County Assistant District Forester.

In Florida yesterday, in Sarasota county, a sheriff’s department helicopter helped keep an entrapped Division of Forestry tractor from being burned over in a fire. The operator made it to safety while the helicopter saved the $100,000 tractor by dropping four bucket-loads of water on it. The fire was contained at 480 acres.

Here are some photos of the fire in eastern North Carolina supplied by the Incident Management team.

From the Missoulian:

MISSOULA – Gov. Brian Schweitzer says that creating healthier forests, possibly by having the state take over management of some federal timberland, is the best way to combat the infestation of bark beetles in the West.

In a speech, Schweitzer suggested that instead of spending $50 million to $200 million annually to fight wildfires, the state should budget $75 million each year for treating its forests before they’re burned or killed by beetles. The governor made the comments at the University of Montana during a conference to discuss the beetle infestation.

“We propose the federal government manage like we do after a fire n complete timber sales in six to eight months after a fire,” he said. “When we have dead or dying trees, we harvest them, but our neighbor doesn’t do a dang thing, in their checkerboard fashion.”

Schweitzer said leaders could propose a plan to manage 10 percent of federal timberland.

Here is an update on the Evans Road fire in North Carolina from InciWeb:

As of Saturday afternoon, the Evans Road Fire had grown to 30,809 acres in size. The fire continues to progress farther east and southeast into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Field observers noted the fire making short runs and also observed torching and short-range spotting. The fire is now 40% contained; however, 25 miles of containment lines still need to be constructed or improved. Firefighters are constructing containment lines and conducting burn out operations. Local fire departments and volunteer fire departments continue to support structure protection. The Phelps Lake water pumping operation to extinguish smoldering ground fires is well underway and will soon be a 24/7 operation. With 210 personnel now assigned to the incident, firefighting suppression costs are estimated to be $673,686.

 

A State of Emergency was declared yesterday for Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. Additionally, a state-implemented burn ban is now in effect for Hyde, Tyrrell, Beaufort and Washington Counties.

The map shows heat detected by satellites last night.

Update:
The size of the fire is now at 32,556 acres, according to the Incident Management Team.

The fire in eastern North Carolina continues to grow, but due to light winds yesterday did not spread as much as it had in previous days. It is reported to be about 29,970 acres, but the smoke prevents aircraft from mapping the fire accurately. The fire continues to burn in Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties

The rising heat, smoke, and moisture in the convection column has created lighting and rain downwind of the fire. The thunder can be heard as far away as Washington and the smoke column has risen to 45,000 feet.

The fire is being managed by Reid Hildreth’s Type 2 Incident Management Team.

The temperature in the area was 96 degrees yesterday, but today, Saturday, it is predicted to reach 102 degrees with 42% relative humidity. The winds should be relatively light at 2-5 mph, increasing to 8 mph tonight. The wind direction will switch 180 degrees today, from northwest to southeast, which is always a challenge for firefighters. So far they have suffered two heat-related injuries.

The Planned Actions include:

“Hold containment lines to the north, east and south of the fire perimeter; continue water pumping operations to irrigate ground fire smoldering in peat soils; assess structure protection needs; deliver latest fire information at Roper community meeting.”

Update:
Here are two maps that show heat detected by satellites last night. Click on it to see a larger version.

On the map above the red color indicates active burning, the orange is heat from the last 12 hours, and black is the last 24 hours.

On the map above the red color indicates heat within the last 0 to 12 hours, orange is the last 12 to 24 hours, and yellow is 6 days previous to the last 24 hours.