Wildfire Update - Western U.S.

Link : Nifc.gov - 7/2/13

Wildfire in Eastern Oregon

July 2, 2013

Due to hot temperatures, dry conditions and thunderstorms, fire activity picked up in the West. Nine new large fires were reported: two in Idaho, three in Nevada and four in Oregon. Firefighters contained the Mill Fire in California at 534 acres as well as the West Hollister Fire in Idaho and the Moores Fire in Utah.

Four MAFFS C-130 aircraft and support personnel from the 302nd Airlift Wing, Colorado Springs (U.S. Air Force Reserve), and the 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands (California Air National Guard) are supporting wildland fire suppression operations out of Colorado Springs, CO.

Weather: Temperatures around the West will continue to be very high with readings in the mid-90s to 115 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms will develop over higher terrain in the Great Basin and the Sierras with scattered thunderstorms over the southern Rockies and the eastern plains of New Mexico. Most storms will produce less that .10" of rain, while storms east of the Continental Divide could produce over .25". In Alaska, scattered showers and thunderstorms will move through the west and central parts of the state while isolated thunderstorms move across the eastern Interior. Temperatures will cool statewide but the eastern Interior will remain warm.