|
 |
U.S. wildfires update
More than 6.1 million acres burned this year so far
(CNN) -- Here is a look at wildfires in the United States, from the National Fire Information Center.
Nationally, as of Thursday morning, there were 20 large wildfires (each 500 acres or more) burning in 10 states: Oregon, Washington, South Dakota, California, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho and Utah.
More than 6.1 million acres have burned in 2002. The 10-year average for same time period is 2.9 million acres.
There have been 60,151 wildfires this year, with a 10-year average for same time period being 61,117 fires.
Some 511 large wildfires have been contained so far this year.
Here are some highlights of wildfires active this week.
Alaska
The Reindeer fire comprises 227,500 acres 29 miles northeast of Holycross. Firefighters have not yet contained any part of it. Some 66 people are fighting it. No structures have been lost to it. The cost of battling the fire so far is $770,000. The fire was started July 17 by lightning. Lower temperatures, increased humidity and rain are helping. Assigned crews are working structure protection at Reindeer Lake, conducting aerial surveillance.
California
The McNalley fire comprises 147,227 acres in Sequoia and Inyo National Forests. It's 87-percent contained, with some 1,674 people fighting it. Fourteen structures, three of them homes, have been lost. The cost of fighting the fire so far is $38.8 million. It was started July 21 as an escaped campground fire. The giant sequoia trees are considered safe from the fire.
Colorado
The Mount Zirkel Complex fire burns on 36,533 acres in Routt National Forest; 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs. A total 378 firefighters have it 5 percent contained, with no structures lost and at a cost of $710,000. This fire started August 12 and was previously referred to as the Burn Ridge and Hinman fires.
Oregon
The Biscuit fire -- the site of which has been visited Thursday by President Bush (full story) -- burns on 490,383 acres in the Siskiyou and Six Rivers National Forests, 26 miles west of Grants Pass, burning on both sides of California-Oregon state line. It has been 60-percent contained by some 5,786 people, with 13 structures lost (three of them homes) at a cost of $94 million. It was started July 13 by lightning.
South Dakota
The Battle Creek fire comprises 11,500 acres in Black Hills National Forest, 10 miles southwest of Rapid City. It has been 45-percent contained by 1,250 people at a cost of $23.9 million, with four structures lost (three of them homes). The fire started August 16. The cause is under investigation.
Washington
The Deer Point fire has burned 42,665 acres in the Wenatchee National Forest, 27 miles north of Chelan. It is 80-percent contained, with 36 people working it. Nine structures (five of them homes) have been lost. The cost to date is $17.1 million. The blaze was started July 15 by an unattended campfire.
|
|
|
