Pine Beetles Exhausting Food Source?

An interesting article, and some discussion about Pine Beetles and their possible depleting food source.

Pine beetles exhausting food source, foresters say
By Bruce Finley
The Denver Post

SILVERTHORNE — The mountain pine beetles that have ravaged about 3 million acres of Colorado and southern Wyoming forests may be exhausting their primary food source — raising the prospect that the beetle epidemic could end, state and federal foresters said this week.

Regeneration of decimated forests has begun as the U.S. Forest Service hires loggers to remove dead trees.

"I think we've seen the worst of it," said Sky Stephens, Colorado State Forest Service entomologist.

For most of the past 15 years, dense-packed lodgepole pine forests gave the rice-size black bugs ideal conditions, "and their populations went up like crazy," Stephens said.

Now as beetles scramble for fresh wood to chew and sugar to sustain them through cold snaps, "they don't find the same food quality and quantity. . . . That, ultimately, is going to drive populations back down."

But huge challenges remain in handling dead forests, where trees typically fall after about three years, presenting hazards to people, 550 miles of power lines and water supplies.

Biologists continue to study the extent to which mountain pine beetles may adapt and... ( http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14204151 for the rest)

Fire & Weather for 1/14 - 1/20

There are currently no large fires burning anywhere in the West.

Texas is expecting to have cloudy/rainy weather over the course of the next week. However, significant fire potential is still predicted, through much of Texas, until the first of May when green up occurs.

Southern California experienced gusty offshore winds and above average temperatures over the weekend. Even with higher temps and winds there is still little or no fire activity anticipated due to the extremely high fuel moistures. Cooler weather is expected to roll back in later this week.

Fire Potential 11/8 - 11/14

There are currently no large fires burning anywhere in the West.

Southern California may experience a brief off shore event this Thur-Sat. but
it would need to be fairly significant to produce a large fire. There have been a
few fires over the past three days but fuel moistures have not been conducive to
rapid rates of spread. Local resources have been able to handle these fires with
relative ease.

Long Term

South Zone:
Fuel moisture levels are generally above average for this time of year, due
primarily to moderate weather and wetting rains in October. Fire danger, over the
next 2-3 months should continue to moderate and except for a few brief periods,
wind driven fire behavior is not expected. La Nina conditions may cause some
areas of South Zone, to begin experiencing drought, later in the spring of 2011.

Texas:
The entire central and eastern areas of Texas are predicted to have above
average fire potential thru February 2011. Given the high winds normally
experienced during Jan-Feb., the Texas Fire Service is planning for the worst.

Colorado:
Eastern Colorado will experience above average wildfire potential through
December. These will be wind driven grass fires, with little hope of containment,
until the fire runs out of fuel.

The remainder of the West should remain dormant, with regards to wildfire, until
late spring.

Fall Wildfires in Colorado

Colorado's front range has experienced a number of wildfire events this fall including the most costly and destructive fire in Colorado's history, the 4 Mile Fire. The fire started in the morning of Sept. 6th quickly growing to over 3,000 acres within beetle kill forest a few miles west of downtown Boulder, Co. The fire raged out of control for the first 72hrs of the incident causing most of the damage to properties and forests during this time period. A total of 169 structures were lost before fire was contained on Sept 16th. During the week of Mop-up, fire weather persisted in Colorado enabling the ignition of two new fires north of Boulder – the Reservoir Fire near Loveland, and the Peewink Mountain Fire near Nederland, with several more starts through late September. This highlights the risk that Colorado currently faces and will continue to deal with as fires start in large swaths of wildland dominated by beetle killed timber yet containing residential developments.

Santa Anna Pays Thanksgiving Visit

Fire Weather warning and Red flags have been issued for Southern California for the Thanksgiving Weekend. Potentially a more significant weather event has been predicted for Next week. The potential for a post season fire event remains.

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS UNTIL
10 AM FOR LONG DURATION LOW HUMIDITY AND GUSTY WINDS...

...A STRONG OFFSHORE WIND EVENT POSSIBLE LATE SUNDAY AND MONDAY...

.DISCUSSION...CONTINUED DRY THIS MORNING. LOCALLY GUSTY NORTHEAST
WINDS WILL DECREASE TODAY AS THE FLOW BEGINS TO GO ONSHORE THIS
AFTERNOON. RELATIVE HUMIDITY CONTINUES TO BE QUITE LOW...
INCREASING TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY AS A TROUGH MOVES INTO THE
STATE. THE WEATHER SYSTEM ALONG WITH A RAPIDLY DEEPENING MARINE
LAYER FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY IS FORECAST TO BRING SOME
SHOWERS TO THE AREA. THE FLOW WILL GO OFFSHORE AGAIN SATURDAY
NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING WITH A WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW TUESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

The Station Fire

The Station Fire, located in the Angeles National Forest, has burned over 160,000 Acres and destroyed a number of homes and has been threatening Southern California Communication facility on Mt. Wilson.

Fire crews will attempt to burn vegetation Tuesday to reduce fuels in front of the fire east of Mt. Wilson to the western end of Cogswell Reservoir. This operation will occur at a safe distance from homes and structures, with air support. No evacuations are necessary or anticipated.

Fire breaks will be improved from Bear Creek toward Mt. Waterman, the San Gabriel drainage, and at strategic locations along Forest Highway 2. Crews will construct additional fireline from Chileno Canyon north to Twin Peaks drainage. Aggressive patrol and suppression of hot spots will continue. Crews and equipment have begun repairing fireline along the west side of the fire. The repairs will consist of a number of methods to prevent erosion on roads, trails, and fuel breaks. Dirt roads will be repaired and graded as well. The main focus of operations today will be to construct and improve fireline along the eastern perimeter of the fire. As always, firefighter and public safety remains the number one priority.

Fire Name: Station

Geographic Location: Hwy. 2 North of La Canada - Flintridge, CA

Acres Burned: 160,357

Start Date: August 26, 2009

Time: 3:20 p.m.

Percent Contained: 60

Estimated Containment Date: 9/15/09

Cause: Arson

Injuries: 10

Structures Threatened: 5,000

Commercial Bldgs. Threatened: 200

Outbuildings/Other Threatened: 2,000

Residences Destroyed: 78

Residences Damaged: 13

Commercial Prop. Destroyed: 2

Commercial Property Damaged: 1

Outbuildings/Other Destroyed: 86

Outbuildings/Other Damaged: 28

Resources:

Approximate Personnel Assigned: 4,687

Helicopters: 20

Air Tankers: available

Engines: 222

Hand Crews: 210

Dozers: 55

Cottonwood Fire, Hemet CA

The Cottonwood Fire, located 10 miles east of Hemet, has burned approximately 1,000 acres of grass and brush in the San Bernardino National Forest along Highway 74. It is burning in a north-northeeasterly direction in steep terrain. Presently there are over 320 firefighters battling the blaze. Highway 74 has been closed from Borco Street to State Route 243. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for homes on Willow Brook Road in Valle Vista. Containment is estimated at 5% Currently there is no threat to Idylwild.

Rancho Palos Verdes Fire

The Ranchos Palos Verdes fire in Los Angeles County that consumed over 100 acres was 70% contained as of this morning. the fire, located near Ocean Trails Dr. and Palos Verdes Dr. near Trump National Golf Club, had forced the evacuation of 1,500 residents. Most affected homes are in the area of Rolling Hills Estates. Six homes were damaged and two smaller structures, an outbuilding and gazebo, were destroyed. 400 personnel are currently working on the fire. Mandatory Evacuation Orders were lifted at 11:33 AM.

Southzone Fires

The Station Fire, located approximately 5 miles north of La Canada Flintridge, started at 1530 hrs on 8/26/09. The last report from inciweb @ 1700 hrs stated that 300 acres had burned and the containment was set at 10%. At that time, the fire was heading north, but due to the shifting winds, the fire has started to head back toward the LA basin. If the fire reaches the Angel Crest Ranger station, it will be less than a mile from homes. No evacuations have been ordered for any of the foothill communities. Temperatures in the forest reached 105 degrees with humidity at 10%

The Cottonwood Fire, which started at approximately 1700 hrs, has grown to over 400 acres in the last 5 hours. According to the inciweb update @ 2100 hrs, the containment is set at 5%. A voluntary Evacuation order has been placed for the community of Bee Canyon.

A red flag warning will remain in effect for most of Southern California until 9PM 8/28/09. The combination of single digit humidity,high temperatures, and 10 new starts today, might make for a busy weekend...

Lockheed Fire

The Lockheed wildfire which started on Wednesday August 12th @ 1916 hrs, has grown to 2,800 acres according to CAL fire as of 1400 hrs today. The fire is located in Santa Cruz County, in the Smith Drainage in the Bonny Doon area. With over 1,000 structures threatened, and 0% containment, over 2,000 people have been displaced by mandatory evacuations in Bonny Doon, and Swanton. An evacuation center has been established at the Vintage Church on Hwy 1 & Mission. An evacuation center for large animals has been set up at the Watsonville fairgrounds, and a center for small animals has been established at 7th & Rodriguez. Cal fire ICT #9 has been activated with more than two thousand firefighters, six air tankers and eight helicopters trying to help contain the blaze. Winds are pushing the fire S/SE currently, and are expected to pick up later this afternoon with gusts up to 2o+ MPH. 83 degrees is the expected high for this afternoon, before it is expected to drop down to 57 degrees overnight, with patchy fog. The forecast for Friday calls for partly cloudy skies, and a high in the mid to high 70's. Saturday's forecast calls for highs nearing the 90's with clear skies. The humidity as of 1459 hrs is 34%. Winds are expected to remain around 5-10 MPH with gusts over 20 MPH until Saturday, when they are predicted to calm down.

Bleeding Red

Red Flags dominate the west today. Smoke out of British Columbia covers the Northwestern half of the country. For now we remain in PL 3 nationally.

North Central Washington Action

Region Six, specifically North Central Washington, has seen and continues to see, significant fire activity. WDS dispatched engine resources to the Union Valley fire, in the vicinity of Lake Chelan, on July 29th. The fire is currently listed as 60% contained and over 600 acres in size. High temperatures and low humidity’s fueled extreme fire behavior and a rapid rate of spread. A total of 253 personnel were assigned to the incident. The fire burnt to within twenty feet, of some of the evacuated homes, in the area.

As of 0700 this morning (7.31.09) there were 52 new fires in Region Six, this is in addition to the 9 active fires, currently burning. A WDS partner, in Winthrop WA., reports significant lightning activity last night. There are Red Flag warnings posted, for most of Region six, through Saturday night.

Location map for significant Region Six wildfires 7.31.09

Seven day fire potential map.

National seven day fire potential map.

Active Fire Weekend

WDS monitored and mapped over thirty fires this weekend and responded to homes in Los Angeles California affected by the Marshall Fire. Nationally we have gone to PL 2 but local resources in many areas are already thin. Fire activity across the West continues to increase as drier summer conditions are replacing the wet spring weather we have been seeing.

WDS Respondes to Getty Fire in Los Angeles

WDS responded Wednesday night to the Getty Fire which started just west of the 405 freeway near the famous Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA. The fire burned North and West along the 405 and was held along dozer lines and fire breaks to the West and North. The approximate size of the fire was reported to be around 50 acres. Engine and hand crews established a hose lay along the fire perimeter and held the fire through the night.

Update 7/9/08 09:50 MST:

The Getty Fire was 90 percent contained as of 05:30 PST. The fire grew to approximately 80 acres, moving to the northeast of the Getty Center. The weather cooled and helped to control the fires spread. WDS dispatched an Alliance engine to the area Wed night at approximately 1900. The WDS Alliance engine made contact with evacuated homeowners and assessed the fire danger to the most threatened properties. No structures were reported lost during the fire. Fire officials also stated that the fire is under control and full containment is expected by this afternoon.

Black Butt II, First Big Wildfire for Oregon in 2009

The lightning caused Black Butte II fire, which started early monday morning, continues to burn in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. the size is currently estimated at 350 acres with a containment of 10%. Firefighters are continuing to reinforce the line around a 42-acre spot fire between Forest Road 11 and Forest Road 100 utilizing retardant and hand crews. Firefighters will also continue their work in containing multiple spots located between Forest Road 100 and Forest Road 700.The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Command Team-Type 2 (Rapp) has been mobilized to assume command of the Fire today around noon. No structures are threatend at this time and the weather looks like it will be cooling off with possible rain and T-storms this evening, the RH's are in the 40-55% range. Assigned resources on scene include four air tankers, seven twenty-person hand crews (four hotshot crews, two contract crews and a 20-person hand crew), five helicopters, one dozer, five engines, three water tenders and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 199 personnel.

July 06 Fire Potential Outlook

Firefighter Death in Colorado

The crew and staff at WDS want to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of firefighter Brett Stearns who was killed in a tree-falling accident this week in Colorado. Our community mourns the loss of a brother who died in the line of duty.