U.S. acres burned in wildfires during Jan 1st - Sep 4th season, 2005-2015. Data are from NIFC. Graphic: James Galasyn

[cf. 2015 is on track to be the worst U.S. wildfire season on record] 5 September 2015 (NIFC) – Favorable weather conditions in the Northwestern states have helped firefighters make progress on many large fires. Despite the changes in the weather, there is still a lot of work to be done, and firefighters will continue to work toward containment goals as safely and quickly as they can.

Northern Rockies resources:

  • 1 CL-415 scooper group from Ontario, Canada
  • 1 Convair 580 airtanker group from Saskatchewan, Canada
  • 58 fireline management personnel from Alberta and Ontario, Canada

Northwest resources:

  • 68 fireline management personnel from Australia and New Zealand
  • 200 soldiers from 17th Field Artillery Brigade based out of Fort Lewis

Great Basin resources:

  • 1 CL-415 scooper group from Ontario, Canada

Four MAFFS C-130 Airtankers are assigned to Channel Islands, California in support of wildland fire operations. Weather: Widespread wetting precipitation is expected over the northwest U.S. as a cold, upper level low pressure trough digs into central Idaho. Over half an inch of rain is expected across the region as it spreads east toward the northern Rockies and Plains. Several inches of snowfall are anticipated in the mountains as well. Further south much drier conditions will prevail over California and Nevada, as strong winds round the base of the trough. Flash flooding may result over the Four Corners region as tropical moisture pushes into the region. East of the Rockies, high pressure will dominate the weather with warm conditions persisting. Showers and thunderstorms will focus over the Dakotas along a cold front, while the Tennessee Valley will see showers in conjunction with an area of low pressure aloft. Afternoon storms are also expected to develop over Florida. Having trouble understanding the numbers between the Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR), National Fire News and the Current Large Incidents map? Click here. [more]

National Preparedness Level 5