Wildfire potential extreme

Wildfire potential extreme

Officials say conditions are the worst in 23 years
Published on Monday, April 28, 2008

The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Wildland fire officials are warning of a potential disaster in southeastern Arizona.
Fire behavior analysts with the Eastern Arizona Incident Management Team say the potential for extreme wildfire conditions are the worst they have been in southeastern Arizona for this time of year and higher than the average fire danger normally experienced in June.As of Sunday the potential for extreme wildfire behavior is the highest it’s been in April in the past 23 years of scientific records.Fire officials urge caution while in the wildlands, since extreme fire potential exists.Officials say these conditions could easily last for a few more months with no relief expected until mid-July when monsoon rains arrive.The Eastern Arizona Incident Management Team, which has been in the Rio Rico area during the past two weeks managing wildfires, said it would hand full responsibility back to the Coronado National Forest, Nogales Ranger District, at 8 p.m. Sunday.During the previous five days, the team managed the Beehive Fire. It also dealt with an international fire incident, the Alamo Fire, with fellow firefighters from the Republic of Mexico.The Beehive Fire was 14 miles northwest of Nogales, Ariz. Fire crews worked the edge of the fire to meet the objectives of containing the wildfire to less than 500 acres. The fire was in a very remote, steep and rugged part of the national forest. Firefighters were shuttled into the fire with helicopters.
http://www.svherald.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/doc481578722b69e370356896.txt

Hot days, low precipitation combine for wildfire danger
By Bill Hess, Sierra Vista Herald/Review
Published on Tuesday, April 29, 2008

TUCSON — The hazardous combination of high temperatures and low precipitation that came together last year will continue this year and make wildfires more dangerous, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service said.“Temperatures will be above average through September and precipitation will be below average through the summer,” Heidi Schewel said, concerning weather forecasts.
She spoke to media representatives Friday afternoon, noting the wildfire season, which normally is from May through June has already started.The amount of fuel is high. As the drought persists, there will be additional drying-out, creating even heavier fuels, she said.“Although conditions look bleak, no one can say how bad this year’s wildfire season will be,” Schewel said.It was noted that the Forest Service will have 24 heavy air tankers available in Arizona to combat wildfires.The Forest Service operates an air tanker base out of Fort Huachuca’s Libby Army Airfield.Late last year and early this year, the Forest Service and other federal and state agencies have done a number of prescribed burns in Cochise County to reduce the potential fuels.Besides the Forest Service, a number of other federal agencies have property in the country for which they are responsible, such as the Bureau of Land Management, the Department of Defense and the National Park Service. Additionally there is a large number of State Trust Lands located in the county.Schewel said people should always be aware of their surroundings when it comes to wildfires and people need to ensure that brush and other flammable material are reduced around homes and other structures.The American Red Cross recommends people have kits ready in case they have to evacuate an area because of a fire.The kits need to include sufficient supplies for each member of a family to last three days to include prescription medicines, food and water, along with other emergency materials such as battery-operated radios, flashlights and first-aid items.There are a number of Web sites individuals can use to track weather conditions and fires.They include azfireinfo.com for fire prevention and restrictions information, azsf.az.gov for wildfire information, az211.gov for emergency and disaster information and inciweb.org for information on large, ongoing wildfires.

http://www.svherald.com/articles/2008/04/29/news/doc4816c5ac58d7d104608737.txt