Thursday, August 15, 2013

Over 40 wildfires between Alaska and Arizona

    August 15, 2013:    The National Weather Service issued a warning that any wildfires that break out can be expected to exhibit extreme fire behavior.

   This after Fire Emergency crews from Alaska to Arizona are spread thin over the 40+ wildfires now burning in the Western US.

   After all, Idaho is dealing with nine wildfires, followed by Alaska with eight and Oregon with six. California has 5, Washington and Utah each have four, Montana three, Wyoming two and Arizona, Colorado and Nevada each have one currently.

   The fire center said that 3,073,404 acres have been burned by fire from the start of 2013 through Wednesday, August 14, 2013.

   6,016,199 acres had been burned over the same period last year, according to their records.

   The massive Elk Complex Wildfire in Idaho has now burned 111,977 acres, the Forest Service announced today, an increase of 14% from Wednesday. It is now 25% contained.

   Started by lightning, it has destroyed 71 structures, including at least a dozen homes.

   Be careful with any fire, vehicles, motors, matches, etc. anything that could start a fire.

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