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National Situation Update: Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Forecast Summary

South
Temperatures from the 90s to the lower 100s expected this afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast to dot the region.

West
Thunderstorms in Montana and Wyoming and some light showers across western Washington and northwest Oregon. Scattered thunderstorms across southeastern Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. High temperatures from the 60s in some mountain and many maritime locations to over 100 in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.

Midwest
Scattered thunderstorms are forcasted across parts of the Midwest from Kansas to Michigan. A few thunderstorms will become severe with hail and strong winds.
Areas from the central Plains to the Ohio Valley will recieve intense and dangerous heat and humidity. Highs from the 90s to low 100s will be common in these areas with heat indices from 100 to 110 degrees.

Northeast
Isolated storms are possible from western New York down to West Virginia. High temperatures will range from the 70s in far northern New England to a little over 100 in south-central Virginia.

Earthquake/Mine Collapse

At 01:48:40 AM, MDT on August 06, 2007, a magnitude 3.8 earthquake (originally reported as magnitude 4.5) was reported by the USGS, sixteen miles northwest of Huntington Utah. Utah Department of Public Safety/Department of Homeland Security (UT DPS/DHS) reports that there are six workers missing and possibly trapped in the Crandall Canyon Coal Mine that has collapsed.  UT DPS/DHS reports that the rescue team is about 2,500 feet from the possible location of the miners.  UT DPS/DHS reports that the US Geological Survey is not sure if the earthquake reported is a result of the mine collapse. 

Local jurisdictions are responding to the incident, including search and rescue personnel.  UT DPS/DHS is monitoring the situation and is deploying a state liaison officer and a Public Information Officer for the incident. 

The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MHSA) is the lead agency for the incident.  The MHSA and county sheriff have established a command post in the vicinity of Milepost 33 on UT Highway 31.  UT DPS/DHS reports that there have been no requests by the State for any military or other Federal Assistance.  FEMA Region VIII is monitoring the situation. 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new information to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
Thunderstorm activity has again increased in association with the area of low pressure centered about 900 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. It is possible that this system could develop into a tropical depression with the next couple of days as it moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 Mph.
Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. 

Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm 07W has intensified and consolidated further over the past 12 hours and has been upgraded to Typhoon status named PABUK. The system continues to track quickly westward under  
a strong mid-level subtropical ridge is located approximately 255 NM South-Southeast of Naha,
Okinawa. The dynamic models have become more consistent and are in good agreement with a  westward track.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  5
National Fire Activity as of Monday, August 6, 2007:

Initial attack activity: light (159)
New large fires: 5
Large fires contained: 5
Uncontained large fires: 41
2007 acres burned to date: 5,376,733

Continued Significant Fire Activity: Structures remain threatened and evacuations remain in effect for fires in the Northern Rockies and Southern California.

California - Governor has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires. The Zaca Fire is located in Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County. 63,350 acres have burned to date and the fire is 68% contained. The estimated containment date is September 7, 2007.

Montana - Governor has declared a state of emergency due to wildfires. The Ahorn, Skyland, Novak, Mile Marker 124, and Sawmill Complex Fires continue to threaten structures and infrastructures. Evacuations are in effect. The Jocko Lakes Fires, located in Missoula County, MT, started by lighting Aug 3, 2007 and has consumed 8,000 acres of timber and grass. The fires are located 26 miles NE of the town of Missoula, and threatens the community of Seeley Lake, located about three miles from the main center of the fire. 400 homes are threatened and on the west side another 1,100 homes and business are threatened. An evacuation order affecting the Seeley Community has been issued. Power lines, commercial timber, and the lake area itself are also threatened. Weather conditions are extreme and the fire is currently 0% contained. The Montana governor has activated the National Guard. FMAG FEMA-2718-FM-MT was approved on August 4, 2007.

Idaho - The Rattlesnake and Echo Springs Fires currently threaten several communities, and evacuations are in effect.

Weather Discussion: Thunderstorms and winds continue over portions of the West.  Gusty winds over the Sierras to the Northern Rockies with threat of thunderstorms, some dry, over Nevada, Idaho and Montana.  Southern California will see a little cooler weather along with slightly higher humidity. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, InciWeb, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)