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SPC Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook
Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1135 AM CDT Wed Oct 26 2022 Valid 261700Z - 271200Z ...NO CRITICAL AREAS... No changes to the ongoing forecast. ..Wendt.. 10/26/2022 .PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 0158 AM CDT Wed Oct 26 2022/ ...Synopsis... Surface low development will take place across the central and southern High Plains as a mid-level trough amplifies across the Rockies today. While breezy conditions will develop across the western portions of the Plains states, the surface airmass will be marginally dry at best, with fuels relatively poorly receptive to wildfire spread. While sparse Elevated conditions may occur across western Kansas by afternoon peak heating, significant wildfire-spread potential appears too low to warrant fire weather highlights. ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov/fire for graphic product... Read more

SPC 1630Z Day 1 Outlook
Day 1 Convective Outlook NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 1130 AM CDT Wed Oct 26 2022 Valid 261630Z - 271200Z ...NO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AREAS FORECAST... ...SUMMARY... Severe thunderstorms are not expected today or tonight. ...Discussion... A northeastward-ejecting shortwave trough moving toward the Northeast States/New England and a warm advection regime will influence the potential for isolated thunderstorms, mostly for coastal New England. Poor lapse rates will limit CAPE and any potential for severe storms. Isolated thunderstorms will also be possible today across north Florida/south Georgia along a cold front. A narrow corridor of upper 60s to lower 70s F dewpoints will contribute to weak-moderate buoyancy, but forcing for ascent will continue to weaken with time, so storm coverage should remain isolated. Otherwise, a midlevel trough over Washington/Oregon will dig southeastward toward UT through tonight. Cold midlevel temperatures and steep lapse rates within the left-exit region of the mid-upper jet will contribute to weak buoyancy, mainly this afternoon/evening from southeast Idaho to northwest Colorado. Isolated lightning flashes will be possible, but relatively cold temperature profiles suggest that most of the convective precipitation will be snow. ..Guyer/Karstens.. 10/26/2022 Read more

The Cedar Creek Fire began August 1, 2022 when a lightning storm caused 20 to 30 new fires on the Willamette National Forest.  The incident is currently being managed by the Eastern Area Silver Incident Management Team. The fire location includes steep, rugged terrain which has posed a challenge for access. The fire does cover land that includes wilderness and roadless areas. Firefighters will engage directly on the fire's edge where it is safe to do so. Indirect line may be built in areas where access is not possible and/or unsafe. Aircraft is being utilized as weather conditions allow to support firefighters on the ground. Suppression repair work is occurring around the area as well as hazard mitigations taking place.   Smoke: For current conditions, see Fire.airnow.gov, oakridgeair.org and Smoke Outlooks.Evacuations: Notices are in place in Lane County. View the Interactive Evacuation Map.Closures: An area closure is in effect for parts of the Willamette National...

As of 5 pm PDT, on September 2, 2022, the Eneas Peak, Katka, Russell Mountain, Scotch Creek, and Trout Fires were officially grouped into the Kootenai River Complex. The Eneas Peak Fire, confirmed on August 13th, was started by lightning and is visible from the Kootenai River Valley and most of the Bonners Ferry area.  The fire is located approximately 15 miles north-northwest of Bonners Ferry, on the south aspect below Eneas Peak and above Fisher Creek. The terrain is steep and inaccessible (60%-80% slopes), with numerous dead and downed trees. These conditions prevent the use of firefighter direct attack tactics where fireline is built directly next to the fire. Fire managers assessed the area by air and ground for potential confinement lines. In the afternoon of August 21, 2022, the Trout Fire was detected during district fire patrol. The Trout Fire is located within the Selkirk Mountain Range on the Bonners Ferry Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It is...

The lightning caused Woodtick Fire started as two separate fires on July 14, 2022, in a rugged and remote area on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Firefighters made multiple attempts to directly engage with the fire. Due to the risk to responders in the remote, steep, and rugged terrain, fire managers decided to shift from a direct attack strategy to a combination of a point protection and confine and contain strategy.  This strategy has focused operations on protecting highly valued resources such as structures, natural resources, cultural resources, and other property.  Additionally, firefighters are working to safely connect natural barriers in the area (such as rocky outcrops and creeks) through actions including fireline construction, burn-out operations , and bucket drops. Since mid-July, the area has experienced multiple red flag warnings for gusty winds, high temperatures, low humidity, and thunderstorms. On July 30 and 31,...

The Moose Fire has been turned back to the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  The Moose Fire started on the Salmon River bank near Little Moose Creek on Sunday, July 17th, 2022. The fire spread from the river bank from grass and shrubs at low elevations to mixed conifer forests at high elevations. Fire managers are working to: - Protect private property and natural resources - Provide public and responder safety - Strengthen relationships with community and partners Firefighters are patrolling the fire and posting lookouts in strategic locations for the areas of the fire where heat remains. 

The lightning caused Norton Fire started on August 1, 2022, approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon Creek on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Initial attack included 25 firefighters and two Type 1 helicopters in an attempt to catch the fire small under direct attack. Ultimately due to firefighter safety, fire behavior, and access to the fire, the direct attack strategy was changed to point protection. Fire managers utilized air resources determine management action points and assess values in the vicinity.  Fire managers continue to assess the fire using remote cameras and aircraft.Norton Lookout and outbuildings have been covered with structure wrap, which reflects radiant heat and diverts embers from settling directly on the building.

A relic collector found Civil War-era bullets and a union U.S. cartridge box plate in the rocks exposed by the low waters of the Mississippi River under the Interstate 55 bridge in Memphis, Tennessee. ABC News (New York), Oct 25, 2022

Burn permits were not being issued in the Kearney area, due to dry conditions. On Oct. 25, the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department issued a burn ban that will remain in effect until the city receives measurable moisture. The fire chief also discouraged people from burning in burn barrels during the ban. The wind, warmth and low humidity allowed the vegetation to dry quickly, contributing to a rash of wildfires across Nebraska on Oct. 23. News Channel Nebraska (Norfolk, Neb.), Oct 25, 2022

Update, October 25, 2022, 6:30 p.m.The Mosquito Fire is 100% contained. A weak system will move through the fire area overnight, bringing high clouds and increased relative humidity, but precipitation will stay well north. Work along roads is ongoing, including removing hazard trees, repairing damaged roads and infrastructure, and stabilizing slopes in burned areas. Unfortunately, some roads within the burned area are in danger of flooding and rockfall even after the work is completed. Roads will be assessed and opened as possible to maintain worker and public safety.  Other Resources:Mosquito Fire meeting and briefing videos: YouTubeTahoe National Forest: Closure Orders & Maps | Fire Restrictions | Facebook | TwitterEldorado National Forest: Closure Orders & Maps | Fire Restrictions | Facebook | Twitter Placer County: Mosquito Fire Information | Facebook | Twitter | Post-Fire Recovery El Dorado County: Mosquito Fire...

Fire activity on the Loch Katrine, Suiattle River, and Boulder Lake fires has been limited by the recent rain showers, cooler temperatures, and high-elevation snowfall. As of 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 25, the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest assumed management of the Loch Katrine Fire. As of 6:00 am Sunday, October 23, 2022, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest assumed management of the Suiattle River Fire and the Boulder Lake Fire, because no further significant activity is anticipated on these fires based on current and expected weather forecasts.  If you have questions or need addition information, please contact the Darrington Ranger Station during normal business hours at

Private drinking water wells in Woodbury County were running dry amid drought, according to the Siouxland District Health Department. Local well drillers were hard pressed to keep up with the demand to drill new wells. Residents relying on wells would be wise to conserve water. Siouxland Proud (Sioux City, Iowa), Oct 25, 2022

A wind-driven wildfire in Harrison County in southwest Iowa burned 3,000 acres. Twelve community fire departments supported by local farmers and county emergency management people strove nearly five hours to extinguish the large fire. Local farmers played a major role in suppressing the Oct. 23 fire outbreak, bringing tractors and discs to create fire breaks. Large blazes also burned in Fremont and Montgomery counties. To limit the spread of any other fires that may occur, Loess Hills Land stewardship director urged all farmers to till the perimeter of their fields. Iowa Public Radio (Des Moines), Oct 24, 2022

 THREE PHASES OF WILDFIRE RECOVERY   There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands: -       Fire Suppression Repair -       Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) -       Long-Term Recovery and Restoration o   Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. o   Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest...

Missouri offered a special over-width hauling permit to help farmers and ranchers move hay due to severe drought conditions and began issuing special permits on July 21, allowing wider width hay loads up to 12 feet and 6 inches for blankets and up to 14 feet in width for single trip permits. Transport Topics (Washington, D.C.), Oct 25, 2022

A 30-day weight exemption for trucks carrying hay to farmers and ranchers was in effect in Oklahoma following an executive order by Gov. Kevin Stitt due to drought. Transport Topics (Washington, D.C.), Oct 25, 2022

The Stuttgart area has received only about 8 inches of rain since June, and creeks levels were down about 10 to 12 feet and decreasing. Fall crops do not have moisture to promote emergence. KARK (Little Rock, Ark.), Oct 24, 2022

THREE PHASES OF WILDFIRE RECOVERY There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands: -       Fire Suppression Repair -       Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) -       Long-Term Recovery and Restoration o   Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. o   Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System...

   Summary:  The Hermits Peak Fire began April 6 as a result of the Las Dispensas prescribed fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.   Although forecasted weather conditions were within parameters for the prescribed fire, unexpected erratic winds in the late afternoon caused multiple spot fires that spread outside the project boundary.  It was declared a wildfire at approximately 4:30 p.m. on April 6, 2022. Named the Hermits Peak Fire, the wildfire began approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM at the base of Hermits Peak in the Pecos Wilderness. The Hermits Peak Fire is in mixed conifer in steep, rugged terrain that poses challenges for firefighter access.  The Calf Canyon Fire was caused by a pile burn holdover from January that remained dormant under the surface through three winter snow events before reemerging in April. A holdover fire, also called a sleeper fire, is a fire that remains dormant for a considerable time. The...

  Summary:  The Hermits Peak Fire began April 6 as a result of the Las Dispensas prescribed fire on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.   Although forecasted weather conditions were within parameters for the prescribed fire, unexpected erratic winds in the late afternoon caused multiple spot fires that spread outside the project boundary.  It was declared a wildfire at approximately 4:30 p.m. on April 6, 2022. Named the Hermits Peak Fire, the wildfire began approximately 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas, NM at the base of Hermits Peak in the Pecos Wilderness. The Hermits Peak Fire is in mixed conifer in steep, rugged terrain that poses challenges for firefighter access. The Calf Canyon Fire was caused by a pile burn holdover from January that remained dormant under the surface through three winter snow events before reemerging in April. A holdover fire, also called a sleeper fire, is a fire that remains dormant for a considerable time.The Hermits...