Tanker overturns: Natural gas condensate liquid

ENLARGE

A tanker spilled its load of natural gas condensate liquid after it overturned Thursday morning, March 5 in north Rifle. The liquid ran down Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street interchange before crews could contain it.

BONNIE STRONG/Citizen Telegram

RIFLE, COLO. - Traffic was expected to be allowed to use the Colorado Highway 13 bypass and Railroad Avenue in Rifle Thursday evening (March 5), after it was closed that morning due to an overturned tanker that leaked natural gas condensate liquid, Rifle police said.

Police released more details about the accident at 4:30 p.m. It was reported at 10:12 a.m. and caused apparently minor injuries to the unnamed male driver. He was taken to Grand River Medical Center for treatment, police said in a written statement.

While traffic was blocked from the area, motorists used Whiteriver Avenue to get north and south through Rifle.

Police said a northbound tractor-trailer rolled over onto its side at the Railroad Avenue and Highway 13 bypass intersection, where several other tankers have overturned in recent years. The trailer ruptured and released an estimated 5,000 gallons of condensate, police said.

Emergency crews with at least one bulldozer built an earthen dam around one large spill and used dirt and other materials to absorb more condensate. It appeared some of the condensate liquid ran down the gutters of Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street light.

Police said in the statement that a small amount of the liquid did reach a storm drain, which was closed shortly after.

Authorities advised residents and businesses to evacuate the scene between 21st to 24th Streets, and Reverse 911 phone calls were made to residents in the Deerfield Park subdivision to advise them to seek shelter to avoid exposure to potentially harmful fumes from the condensate.

Condensate is a combination of petroleum-based compounds that give off possibly harmful fumes, especially if they gather in enclosed places.

Along with Rifle police and Rifle Fire Protection District crews, the Grand Junction Police Department’s Hazardous Materials Team, Burning Mountains and Glenwood Springs Fire Protection Districts and Garfield County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident.

Previous article:

RIFLE, COLO. - Traffic is closed in all directions this morning (Thursday, March 5) on the Colorado Highway 13 bypass and Railroad Avenue after a tanker carrying natural gas condensate liquid overturned around mid-morning, Rifle police said.

Spokeswoman Val Shanahan said no injuries or fire occurred, but officials planned to ask people in the immediate vicinity to evacuate as a precaution. Condensate includes petroleum-based compounds that give off possibly harmful fumes, especially if they gather in enclosed places.

Police believe traffic could be closed through the area until early afternoon, Shanahan said.

The condensate liquid ran down the gutters of Railroad Avenue to the 16th Street light before fire and hazardous materials crews could arrive to divert and contain the spilled liquid.

The accident apparently occurred in mid-morning as the tanker was headed north on Highway 13 and entered the curve where traffic turns onto Railroad Avenue. Previous tanker accidents occurred at the same location.
Source: http://www.citizentelegram.com - Link

Heads up! Trench Rescue: Trench collapse kills worker

Trench collapse kills worker

By Cindy Watson
Record Gazette

Photograph for the Record Gazette by James Vowell TRENCH COLLAPSE — The electrician died under the construction project about 7 feet under Ramsey.

Tragedy struck Tuesday morning, at approximately 10:35 a.m., when 37-year-old Martin Samaniego of Hesperia, a Pouk and Steinle Construction Company employee was working in a trench in the 4500 block of West Ramsey, in front of the Diamond Auto Mall when the trench collapsed, trapping him.

An emergency call went in and, at 10:44 a.m., emergency response teams arrived. After attempting to revive the buried individual with only a shoulder exposed the man was pronounced dead on the scene.

The continuing collapse of an unstable area caused dirt to fall on rescue workers, requiring attempts to be withdrawn and additional assessments and equipment to be brought in.

The trench remained unstable, requiring extended commitment time of rescue personnel and resources for the shoring and recovery effort. Recovery was completed at 9:25 p.m. The trench is for the City of Banning's $20 million Substation Project and was the last leg of the underground electrical being laid on W. Ramsey Street.

The initial attempts of rescue by Co-workers were not successful as the trench continued to collapse around them. The victim was located approximately six-feet below the north side of Ramsey's street level where according to Hutchinson only the shoulder of the trapped victim was visible.

The emergency response attempted a rescue the victim upon arriving by attaching rescue worker to a rope and crane system and lowing them into the trench. Finding no pulse an attempt to revive the victim applying defliberlation paddles. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene at 11:50 and response teams then went into recovery mode.

The trench appeared to have collapsed northward, under the street. The plywood sidings were propped from side to side with steel pipes in the trench. It appeared that the support might have broken through the dirt wall of the trench under the street where the roadway was undermined. Riverside County Fire Department's Fire Captain Julie Hutchinson, confirmed this possibility and pointed out that the investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Hutchinson said, “It is very fortunate that we did not have more trapped workers as a result of their attempts ... the area continued to collapse around rescue workers.” There were 3 additional collapses during the recovery efforts, this last was after the recovery when an approximately 20' section of curb and a portion of the street caved in.

The victim was recovered at 9:25 p.m. a total of 59 Cal Fire, Cal Fire's Hazardous Materials personnel, Banning Police department personnel, O.S.H.A. the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration A Chaplin and the American Medical Reponse ambulance team and Public Utilities director Jim Earhart and Duane Burk from the City of Banning, were all on scene.

A special Fire truck was brought in from Moreno Valley and a prisoner hand crew from Oak Glen.

The Riverside Coroner's office lists the cause of death as traumatic asphyxia due to an industrial accident.

Source: Recordgazette.net

FAA issues alert notice for falling Satellite Debris

NOTAM on Falling Satellite Debris - Warns pilots of possible falling debris from SATELLITE USA-193 and orders pilots to report sightings of falling space debris re-entering the atmosphere.

NOTAM: FDC 8/5536

!FDC 8/5536 FDC SPECIAL NOTICE .. THIS NOTAM REPLACES FDC 8/5501 DUE TO ADDITION OF CONTACT NUMBER. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL 0803092300 UTC. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED THAT A POTENTIAL HAZARD MAY OCCUR DUE TO REENTRY OF SATELLITE USA-193 DEBRIS INTO THE EARTHS ATMOSPHERE. FURTHER NOTAMS WILL BE ISSUED IF MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN THE INTEREST OF FLIGHT SAFETY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ALL PILOTS/FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS REPORT ANY OBSERVED FALLING SPACE DEBRIS TO THE APPROPRIATE ATC FACILITY TO INCLUDE POSITION, ALTITUDE, TIME, AND DIRECTION OF DEBRIS OBSERVED. FAA HEADQUARTERS, AIR TRAFFIC SYSTEMS OPERATIONS SECURITY, 202-493-5107, IS THE FAA COORDINATION FACILITY."

Bobonit News Blog - Bob's news blog:-FAA issues alert notice for falling Satellite Debris

Severe weather hits Midwest; rain keeps falling in flooded areas - CNN.com

CNN.com: Severe weather hits Midwest; rain keeps falling in flooded areas - The floods have been blamed for at least 17 deaths, according to an Associated Press count. Hundreds of homes have been damaged. The worst flooding in almost a century in some areas

More rain brought more grief to the already-drenched Midwest, pushing rivers and streams past their banks, while a new round of storms spawned possible twisters that left a trail of damage.

Two people take a boat down flooded Main Street in Ottawa, Ohio, on Friday.

Severe weather swept through Michigan on Friday, with a possible tornado touchdown in the town of Fenton, according to affiliate WNEM. The area was under a curfew after the storm, which destroyed several homes and knocked down trees, the station reported.

But it's the flooding -- the worst in almost a century in some areas -- that's causing the most misery.

In Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared five counties state disaster areas Friday after seeing the extent of the flooding, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"Everything you have, everything you worked for is gone right now," Vicky Metzger, a resident of St. Charles, Illinois, told CNN affiliate CLTV.

"It's out of our control. Mother Nature overtook us, there's not a thing we can do now," she said.

The floods have been blamed for at least 17 deaths, according to an Associated Press count. Hundreds of homes have been damaged.

Meanwhile, about 200,000 customers remained without power in the Chicago area Friday after severe storms moved through the region Thursday evening, a ComEd spokesman told affiliate WGN.

Thousands of passengers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport were significantly delayed early Friday as 90 percent of departures were running late or very late overnight.

The weather also cut power to parts of the O'Hare complex, witnesses said Friday.

In flooded Ottawa, Ohio, emergency crews patrolled by boat looking for anyone in need of help as many of the city streets remained submerged.

But people weren't the only ones in need of assistance.

The Coast Guard helped to rescue about 70 pure-bred cats from a flooded home Friday, CNN's David Mattingly reported.

Their owners refused to leave the animals behind as the waters rose. After three days, the couple finally got the help they needed to move the cats to higher ground.

At 9 p.m. ET Friday, flood warnings were in effect for parts of Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota.

Earlier, bad weather played havoc with travel in the Midwest and Southeast.

An Air France flight from Paris to Chicago was diverted to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where passengers became restive while being forced to wait on the plane for seven hours, CNN affiliate WISN reported.

"Forcing us to sit seven hours on a plane and not even let us sit in here [the airport terminal] while they sort it out; leaving us on a non-air-conditioned plane for seven hours until they got customs people here was unforgivable," a passenger told WISN.

Passengers also got stuck on a plane for hours in Georgia.

In Atlanta, a major hub for Delta Air Lines, thunderstorms tied up air traffic, forcing authorities to divert more than 30 planes to nearby airports, a company spokeswoman said.

"The weather has been a nightmare with diversions," Delta spokeswoman Susan West said.

Scores of passengers on a flight from the Dominican Republic to Atlanta were kept on board a Delta MD-88 for more than five hours after being rerouted to Columbus, Georgia.

Bryan Pettigrew, a passenger on Flight 242, said that after his plane landed, refueled and was taxiing to the gate, its wing clipped a nearby Boeing 757.

"There were a lot of [planes] in a small area ... and, as the plane was being positioned, the wing of Flight 242 grazed the nose of a 757," West said.

No one was injured, and the larger 757 was undamaged, West said. Delta eventually sent another plane to ferry the passengers to Atlanta.

Nashville International Airport in Tennessee also had weather problems overnight, with up to 80 percent of its flights running late or very late.

Meanwhile, a heat wave continues to add to the misery.

A 7-month-old baby in St. Louis, Missouri, and a 2-year-old toddler near Cincinnati, Ohio, died Thursday after being left in hot cars, CNN affiliate WLWT reported.

Cincinnati public schools canceled classes Friday as temperatures flirted with 100 degrees, WLWT reported.

After touring flood-stricken Findlay and other towns Thursday in northwest Ohio, Gov. Ted Strickland said, "Mother Nature was not kind to us."

Bucyrus, Ohio, endured 9 inches of rain in about a 24-hour period, he said.

Strickland has declared an emergency in nine counties and promised to ask the federal government for assistance.

"The major problem was a decision of Mother Nature to pour large amounts of water on this region and other regions across our country in a very short period of time," Strickland said.

The Des Moines River rose after 5½ inches of rain pounded central Iowa. Streets flooded in Lehigh, Iowa, leaving several homes isolated, CNN affiliate KCCI reported.

"You want it to stop, but I guess we're pretty good-natured about the whole deal, but, you know, what do you do? You can't control it," Lehigh homeowner Mark Johnson told KCCI as his dog swam around.

Mary Lovejoy of Omaha, Nebraska, ended up sleeping with her grandchildren in a park after storms ripped the roof off her house, CNN affiliate KETV reported. Rain pouring through the roof ruined most of the family's possessions, including their clothes, and their food spoiled during a power outage, Lovejoy told the station.

A local church gave her $20 to buy groceries, but it didn't go very far.

"That's what I'm worried about, is getting them food and getting them their school clothes and stuff and trying to get back some of the stuff we lost," a tearful Lovejoy told KETV.

President Bush declared a major disaster in three Minnesota counties Thursday, making federal funding available to flood victims.

Thousands Ordered to Flee Idaho Fire

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS:

Out of State News: Thousands Ordered to Flee Idaho Fire - Forbes.com

Forbes.com: BOISE, Idaho -
A mandatory evacuation was ordered Saturday for residents of more than 1,000 homes south of Ketchum, where a massive wildfire raged and high winds grounded firefighting air tankers.

After three days of relative calm, the 39-square-mile fire was 38 percent contained, but embers blew ahead of the blaze and increased the threat of spot fires, fire spokesman Bob Beanblossom said.

"At this point in the mandatory evacuation, we're giving people the opportunity to get out during the daylight and to keep the highways clear for emergency response vehicles," said Kim Rogers, public information officer with the city of Ketchum.

Another 100 homes remained under a mandatory evacuation order from last weekend, including some worth millions of dollars in the resort area of central Idaho. A shelter was set up at a former high school in the town of Hailey, said Dick Rush, CEO of the American Red Cross for Idaho.

No structures had been reported lost to the lightning-sparked blaze, although winds were gusting to 25 mph, Beanblossom said.

Inciweb: - IDAHO : Castle Rock Wildland Fire - 25,960 acres - 38%

Castle Rock Wildland Fire
MANDATORY EVACUATION

• Incident Information
• Announcements
• News
• Pictures
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INCIDENT UPDATED 3 HRS. AGO

ANNOUNCEMENT

MANDATORY EVACUATION

Mandatory Evacuation Press Release

- August 25, 2007 at 7:20pm

• Incident Information
• Announcements
• News
• Pictures
• Maps

Incident: Castle Rock
Released: 6 hrs. ago

Castle Rock Fire Status Update -

MANDATORY EVACUATION -

Due to the heavy wind conditions and high possibilities for spot fires later this evening, County officials, in conjunction with the Forest Service, are issuing a mandatory evacuation order for all residents north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital - both east and west sides of Highway 75. This is a mandatory evacuation because this is the prudent thing to do under current weather conditions. Residents will see fire apparatus in their neighborhoods to provide structure protection. This mandatory evacuation area includes the following neighborhoods:

• Heatherlands
• Sundance
• All of East Fork
• Greenhorn Gulch
• Golden Eagle
• Gimlet
• Starweather
• Meadows Mobile Home Park
• Clear Creek Canyon
• Clear Creek Light Industrial
• Cold Springs
• McHanville
• Broadway Run
• Timber Gulch
• River's Edge
• Audubon Road
• Gypsy Trailer Park
• Sun Hollow

Residents in these neighborhoods are required to evacuate as soon as possible. Please drive south to Hailey. The Red Cross is operating a shelter at the Community Campus (the location of the old high school at 1050 Fox Acres Road).

This is a very fluid situation. All Blaine County residents should check the website frequently tonight for updates on evacuations and the fire status.

For complete fire information check out the Forest Service web site at www.inciweb.org/incident/952/.

Current information is available at:

• Message and Notice board located at Ketchum City Hall
• Fire updates- www.blainecounty.org and www.inciweb.org/incident/952/.
• Health updates- www.stlukesonline.org
• Fire prevention information- www.bcfirewise.com
• General information-208-726-7811

Castle Rock Color Perimeter Map - August 25, 2007

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Todays observed fire behavior
Fire activity increased significantly with crown runs and spotting. The fire pushed to the southeast up towards Mahoney Butte. Fire on the northwest corner was pushing to the west of Fox Peak and backing to the west. Several interior pockets of fuel burned.

Significant events today
A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all residences north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital, both east and west sides of Highway 75. A spot fire established on Mahoney Butte along with multiple spot fires in Cow Creek Drainage and Limekiln Gulch. Strong west winds pushed the southerly portion of the fire toward the west. Spotting occurred up to 2 miles ahead of the main fire. Crews patrolled, held line and mopped up on the northeast perimeter along Big Wood River.

Actions planned for the night of August 25
Crews to continue direct and indirect line construction, burnout where necessary in small pockets and scout for potential line to the east. Crews to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets, and scout for holding fire from moving to the north. North along Big Wood River, and across the north perimeter crews to continue to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets and mop-up.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	08/16/2007 at 1612 hrs.
Location	3 miles West of Ketchum, Idaho
Incident Commander	Jeanne Pincha - Tulley

Current Situation

Total Personnel	1,401
Size	25,960 acres
Percent Contained	38%
Fuels Involved	Heavy timber with a lot of dead standing and down, brush, grass and aspen stands. Sagebrush and grass on south-facing slopes. Douglas fir and subalpine fir on north facing slopes. Rolling terrain with discontinous timber on both north and south slopes.
Fire Behavior	Fire activity increased significantly with crown runs and spotting. The fire pushed to the southeast up towards Mahoney Butte. Fire on the northwest corner was pushing to the west of Fox Peak and backing to the west. Several interior pockets of fuel burned.
Significant Events	A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all residences north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital, both east and west sides of Highway 75. A spot fire established on Mahoney Butte along with multiple spot fires in Cow Creek Drainage and Limekiln Gulch. Strong west winds pushed the southerly portion of the fire toward the west. Spotting occurred up to 2 miles ahead of the main fire. Crews patrolled, held line and mopped up on the northeast perimeter along Big Wood River.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Crews to continue direct and indirect line construction, burnout where necessary in small pockets and scout for potential line to the east. Crews to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets, and scout for holding fire from moving to the north. North along Big Wood River, and across the north perimeter crews to continue to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets and mop-up.
Projected Movement	Evening of August 25: Up to 1.5 miles to the northeast towards Bald Mountain and 1.5 miles to the east towards Greenhorn Gulch.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Remarks	Increase in structures threatened is due to mandatory evacuations of Greenhorn Gulch, Golden Eagle, Clear Creek, Heatherlands, Sundance, East Fork, Gimlet, Starweather, Meadows Mobile Home Park, Clear Creek Light Industrial, Cold Springs, McHanville, Broadway Run, Timber Gulch, River's edge, Audubon Road, Gypsy Trailer Park and Sun Hollow. Tomorrow morning another significant wind event is expected. Resources responded to a possible new start on the forest north of Ketchum; Crews were unable to locate.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	Not available
Current Humidity	Not available

Posted by Bob Blogger at 8/26/2007 12:48:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - National Daily Report

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS:

National Daily Report -National Fire Information Center

National Preparedness Level 5

(On a scale from 1 to 5)

Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report will be updated daily.

August 25, 2007

Favorable weather conditions have helped firefighters in the West as they work toward containment goals. Fire activity continues to increase in the Southeastern United States with one new large fire reported in Kentucky.

Fire managers are prepared for dry, gusty winds expected this weekend in Idaho and Montana.

Weather Discussion: A dry cold front will bring gusty winds and low humidity to Idaho and Montana today and tomorrow. Wyoming will also see dry, windy weather on Sunday. Moisture surging up from the south will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to southern California and parts of the southern Great Basin. Scattered thundershowers are expected over the Southeast.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

Daily statistics 8/25/07
Number of new large fires	1	States currently reporting large fires:
Number of active large fires	44	Alabama (1) Arizona (1) California (2) Florida (1) Idaho (9) Michigan (1) Montana (16) Nevada (1) North Carolina (1) Oregon (3) Utah (2) Virginia (1) Washington (1) Wyoming (3)
Acres from active fires	1,791,433
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires	3
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres	62,960
Fires contained on 8/24/07	3
Year-to-date large fires contained	709
Year-to-date statistics
2007 (1/1/07 - 8/25/07)	Fires: 64,010	Acres: 6,865,382
2006 (1/1/06 - 8/25/06)	Fires: 78,204	Acres: 7,382,221
2005 (1/1/05 - 8/25/05)	Fires: 44,412	Acres: 6,935,727
2004 (1/1/04 - 8/25/04)	Fires: 54,424	Acres: 6,681,835
2003 (1/1/03 - 8/25/03)	Fires: 43,603	Acres: 2,584,542
2002 (1/1/02 - 8/25/02)	Fires: 60,335	Acres: 6,177,698
2001 (1/1/01 - 8/25/01)	Fires: 56,582	Acres: 2,854,337
2000 (1/1/00 - 8/25/00)	Fires: 71,124	Acres: 5,961,707
5-year average
2003 - 2007	Fires: 56,931	Acres: 6,082,741
10-year average
1997- 2006	Fires: 60,270	Acres: 5,200,881

Current Wildland Fires
Arizona	Fires: 0	Acres: 0	New Fires: 0	Fires Contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		WFU Acres: 1,700	New WFU fires: 0
Roosevelt (Grand Canyon National Park): 1,700 acres. This Wildland Fire Use (WFU) is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. It is located 13 miles northeast of Grand Canyon Village.
Alabama	Fires: 1	Acres: 594	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
High Falls (National Forests in Alabama): 594 acres at 80 percent contained. The fire is burning 17 miles southeast of Talladega. Moderate fire was reported and structures are threatened.
California	Fires: 2	Acres: 236,556	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 1
Zaca (Los Padres National Forest): 236,236 acres at 83 percent contained. This fire is 15 miles northeast of Bulleton. Structures, roads and power transmission lines are threatened. Evacuations are in effect. Active fire behavior was reported. Road closures and evacuations are in effect. Information: Call (805) 961-5770 or visit the CAL Fire info website.
Vista (Sequoia National Forest): 320 acres at 45 percent contained. This fire is 39 miles east of Porterville and is burning in timber. Moderate fire in heavy fuels was reported.
Snow (San Bernardino National Forest): This fire was contained at 100 acres.
Florida	Fires: 1	Acres: 22,096	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
MSC South (Florida Division of Forestry): 22,096 acres at 25 percent contained. The fire is located 20 miles west of North Miami Beach. Active fire behavior was reported.
Idaho	Fires: 8	Acres: 748,870	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 2
WFU Fires: 1		WFU Acres: 59,410	New WFU fires: 0
The Idaho Transportation Department provides information about road closures on-line at 511.idaho.gov or dialing 5-1-1.
Visit the Boise National Forest website for fire restriction information.
Visit the Payette National Forest website for fire restriction information.
Castle Rock (Sawtooth National Forest): 22,822 acres at 14 percent contained. This fire is eight miles west of Ketchum. Short uphill crown runs, torching and short-range spotting was reported. The community of Ketchum is threatened. Evacuations are in effect. Information: Call (208) 726-7811.
Bridge (Clearwater National Forest): 36,300 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 45 miles southwest of Missoula. Creeping and smoldering was reported. Information: Call (208) 942-3113 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website.
Poe Cabin (Craig Mountain Area Office, Idaho Department of Lands): 58,520 acres at 97 percent contained. This fire is 23 miles southwest of Grangeville. Smoldering was reported. Information: Call (406) 203-4954 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website.
Cascade Complex (Boise National Forest): 211,353 acres at 23 percent contained. The previously reported Landmark Complex has been added to this complex. This complex is 16 miles northeast of Cascade. Creeping and smoldering with isolated group torching was reported. Structures are threatened. Information: Call (208) 632-2810. For information on road closures, contact the Valley County Sheriff at (208) 382-7150
East Zone Complex (Payette National Forest): 204,258 acres at 10 percent contained. This complex is made up of three fires. This fire is 25 miles northeast of McCall. The Secesh, Warren, and South Fork communities remain threatened and evacuations are in order. Moderate fire behavior with creeping and smoldering was reported. Information: Call (208) 634-1890 or visit the Payette National Forest website.
Rattlesnake (Nez Perce National Forest): 101,014 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is 25 miles south of Elk City. Community of Concord, ranches, and recreation sites are threatened. Backing fire with occasional single and group torching was reported. Information: Call (208) 842-9225 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website.
Shower Bath Complex (Salmon-Challis National Forest): 111,515 acres at zero percent contained. The fire is located 18 miles northwest of Challis. Structures, historic cabins, and cultural sites remain threatened. Backing fire with torching and creeping was reported. Information: Call (208) 861-1568 or visit the Salmon-Challis National Forest website.
Boundary Junction (Clearwater National Forest): 5,088 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 15 miles southeast of Pierce. Smoldering was reported. Information: Call (208) 926-4274.
Krassel Complex (Payette National Forest): 59,410 acres. This Wildland Fire Use (WFU) complex is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. It is located four fires is 44 miles northeast of Yellow Pine. Active surface fire was reported. Information: Call (208) 634-0983 or visit the Payette National Forest website.
Ross Fork (Fort Hall Agency, BIA): This fire was contained at 1,134 acres.
Mitchell (Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): This fire was contained at 9,730 acres.
Kentucky	Fires: 1	Acres: 450	New fires: 1	Fires contained: 0
NEW 2 Leg (Kentucky Division of Forestry): 450 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire started on private land four miles southeast of Rockport. Active fire behavior was observed.
Michigan	Fires: 1	Acres: 18,185	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Sleeper Lake (Michigan Department of Natural Resources): 18,185 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire is 61 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie. Minimal fire activity was reported. Structures are threatened.
Montana	Fires: 16	Acres: 501,995	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		WFU Acres: 16,737	New WFU fires: 0
The Montana Transportation Department provides information about road closures on-line at www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/ or call 800-226-7623.
Skyland (Flathead National Forest): 45,760 acres at 70 percent contained. This fire is 45 miles east of Whitefish. The fire received some rain yesterday. Creeping and smoldering with isolated torching was reported. Information: Call (406) 226-4333 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Sawmill Complex (Lolo National Forest): 55,000 acres at 15 percent contained. This complex consists of three fires and is located 22 miles southeast of Missoula. Structures remain threatened. Active ground fire with short crown runs, single and group tree torching was reported. Information: Call (406) 859-6003 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Meriwether (Central Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources): 43,296 acres at 85 percent contained. This fire is 37 miles northwest of Helena. Structures are threatened. Information: Call (406) 495-3747 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Ahorn (Lewis and Clark National Forest): 47,000 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is 30 miles west of Augusta. Structures are threatened. The fire received some rain yesterday. Reduction in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Information: Call (406) 562-3922 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Pattengail Creek (Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest): 11,869 acres at 15 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles northeast of Wisdom. Active fire behavior was reported. Residences are threatened. Information: Call (406) 832-3178 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Jocko Lakes (Flathead Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 34,940 acres at 37 percent contained. This fire is 26 miles northeast of Missoula. Active fire with single tree torching was reported. Numerous structures are threatened. Information: Call (406) 244-9967 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Conger Creek (Lolo National Forest): 20,050 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 20 miles north of Ovando. Smoldering was reported. Information: Call (406) 677-2233 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
WH Complex (Gallatin National Forest): 28,550 acres at 65 percent contained. The complex is located 27 miles south of Livingston. Creeping and smoldering fire behavior was reported. Information: Call (406) 677-3909 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Brush Creek (Flathead National Forest): 29,921 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is 25 miles west of Whitefish. Structures remain threatened. Smoldering and creeping was reported. Information: Call (406) 758-0900 or 406-758-2100 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Chippy Creek (Northwestern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources): 97,942 acres at 70 percent contained. This fire is 42 miles southwest of Kalispell. Surface fire with torching was reported. Residents remain evacuated. Information: Call (406) 826-9009 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Rombo Mountain (Bitterroot National Forest): 20,534 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 18 miles south of Darby. Isolated torching was reported. Structures are threatened. Information: Call (406) 821-0082 or visit the Northern Rockies Coordination Center website.
Fool Creek (Lewis and Clark and Flathead National Forests): 60,000 acres at 15 percent contained. The fire is 30 miles northwest of Choteau. Light rain fell over the fire yesterday. Information: Call (406) 466-3560 or visit the website.
Rat Creek (Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest): 19,300 acres at 15 percent contained. This fire is 25 miles west of Wisdom. Moderate fire activity was reported. Structures, historic and cultural sites are threatened. Information: Call (406) 689-3243 or visit the Beaverhead/Deerlodge website.
Black Cat (Southwestern land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources): 11,515 acres at 40 percent contained. This fires is four miles east of Frenchtown. Evaro and Highway 93 are threatened. Moderate fire activity was reported. Information: Call (406) 543-6639.
Corporal (Flathead National Forest): 2,100 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 47 miles southeast of Kalispell. Surface fire with isolated torching was reported. Structures are threatened.
BH (Bitterroot National Forest): 653 acres at unknown percent contained. This fire is 36 miles southwest of Darby and is burning in timber. Smoldering was reported.
Bitterroot Fire Use Complex (Bitterroot National Forest): 16,821 acres. This previously reported Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. It is located 15 miles west of Darby. Creeping, smoldering, and backing fire was reported. Reduction in acreage due to separation of the BH fire. Information: Call (406) 821-1213.
Nevada	Fires: 1	Acres: 96,370	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Wildhorse Zone (Elko Field Office, Bureau of Land Management): 96,370 acres at 99 percent contained. The fire is 10 miles northwest of Elko. Minimal fire behavior was reported.
North Carolina	Fires: 1	Acres: 2,895	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Longbranch/Robeson Complex (North Carolina Department of Natural Resources): 2,895 acres at 19 percent contained. This fire is four miles south of Lumberton. Smoldering was reported.
Oregon	Fires: 3	Acres: 130,191	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
For current information about fire precautions and restrictions, please visit the Pacific Northwest Fire Prevention website.
Battle Creek Complex (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest): 79,299 acres at 90 percent contained. This fire is 27 miles northeast of Joseph. Creeping and smoldering were reported. Information: Call (541) 426-4978 or visit the Northwest Coordination Center fire info website.
Irish Spring (Vale District, Bureau of Land Management): 47,860 acres at 70 percent contained. This fire is located 21 miles southwest of Ironside. Structures remain threatened. Creeping, isolated torching and spotting fire activity was reported. Information: Visit the Northwest Coordination Center fire info website.
Otter Creek (Umatilla National Forest): 3,032 acres at 65 percent contained. This fire is 13 miles southeast of Ukiah. Creeping and smoldering fire behavior was reported.
Utah	Fires: 1	Acres: 2,830	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
WFU Fires: 1		WFU Acres: 1,850	New WFU fires: 0
Lowrys (Richfield Field Office, Bureau of Land Management): 2,830 acres at 40 percent contained. This fire is five miles southeast of Scipio. Minimal fire activity was reported. Information: Visit the Utah Fire Info website.
Dixie Complex (Dixie National Forest): 1,850 acres. Includes previously reported Toad WFU incident. This complex is 34 miles east of Hatch and is burning in ponderosa pine and grass. Active burning with isolated torching and short-range spotting was observed yesterday.
Virginia	Fires: 1	Acres: 383	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Wait Mountain (George Washington and Jefferson National Forest): 383 acres at 95 percent contained. This fire is two miles west of Clifton Forge. Minimal fire behavior was reported.
Washington	Fires: 1	Acres: 6,885	New Fires: 0	Fires Contained: 0
For current information about fire precautions and restrictions, please visit the Pacific Northwest Fire Prevention website.
Domke Lake Complex (Okanogan/Wenatchee National Forest): 6,885 acres at 25 percent contained. This complex is 36 miles northwest of Chelan. Lucerne and Holden Village remain threatened and evacuated. Backing fire with torching and short range spotting was reported. Information: Call (509) 687-1904 or visit the Northwest Coordination Center fire info website.
Wyoming	Fires: 3	Acres: 23,133	New fires: 0	Fires contained: 0
Columbine 1 (Yellowstone National Park): 18,255 acres at 10 percent contained. This fire is 53 miles southwest of Cody. Minimal fire behavior was reported. Information: Call 307-344-2580. Road updates are available 24-hours a day by calling 307-344-2117.
Bone Creek (Bighorn National Forest): 4,027 acres at 40 percent contained. Previously reported at Little Goose/Bone Creek Fire. This fire is 33 miles northeast of Greybull and is burning in timber. Minimal fire activity was reported. Precipitation occurred over the fire are yesterday.
Bear Creek (Worland Field Office, BLM): 851 acres at 30 percent contained. This fire is 20 miles northeast of Greybull and is burning in timber. Creeping and smoldering was reported.

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Posted by Bob Blogger at 8/25/2007 09:50:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post

Greece declares nationwide emergency after fires kill 46 | Reuters

A cameraman walks on a road amidst smoke in the village of Zacharo in south Peloponnese
About 350km (217 miles) from Athens August 25, 2007. Greece's worst forest fires in decades have killed 41 people in the past 24 hours and more are feared dead in villages still cut off by flames sweeping parts of the Peloponnese peninsula, officials said on Saturday.
redit: REUTERS/John Kolesidis

Reuters:

By Vassilis Triandafyllou

ZACHARO, Greece (Reuters) - The Greek government declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday after raging forest fires killed at least 46 people and trapped many more in villages surrounded by flames.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said the rash of forest fires "can't be a coincidence". He vowed the culprits, an apparent reference to arsonists, would be found and punished.

"All regions of the country are declared in a state of emergency in order to mobilize all means and forces to face this disaster," he said in a televised address to the nation.

The worst fires in Greece in decades broke out on Friday on the southern Peloponnese peninsula and have spread to new fronts, fanned by strong winds and soaring temperatures which have hampered rescue efforts.

Forest fires also broke out near Athens on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of homes and a monastery and closing the motorway linking the capital to the main airport for several hours.

Thick smoke darkened the sky above Athens and ashes fell on city centre streets as the blaze advanced to the outskirts before it was brought under control.

"Help, we need help. We have children and elderly who need assistance. The fire is 50 meters (yards) away from us," a resident from the village of Styra on the island of Evia told Greek TV by phone.

The fire department said the death toll had risen to 46, including several children, but more are feared dead as many villages remain cut off by towering walls of flame.

Rescuers said they had found bodies on the side of the road, in burnt homes and in cars, including a mother still clutching her children.