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National Situation Update: Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Forecast Summary

South
High temperatures from the 90s to the lower 100s. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast to dot the region.

West
Spotty showers or drizzle across western Washington and northwest Oregon. Isolated thundertsorms across the higher elevations of southern Colorado and New Mexico. High temperatures from the 60s in some mountain and many maritime locations to over 100 in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts.

Midwest
A few severe storms from southeastern South Dakota and eastern Nebraska eastward into northern Indiana along and north of a warm front. Scattered showers and thunderstorms over Iowa and northern Missouri into southern Michigan and Ohio. High temperatures will range from the 80s north of the front to over 100 from Kansas and Missouri into the Ohio Valley.

Northeast
Scattered or isolated storms are possible. High temperatures will range from the 60s and 70s in northern New England and eastern New York to over 100 in southeast 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 are trapped in the Crandall Canyon Coal Mine that has collapsed.UT DPS/DHS reports that the US Geological Survey is not sure if the earthquake reported is a result of the mine collapse.  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.  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:
The tropical and subtropical portion of the Atlantic Basin is has no significant formation. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. 

Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm 07W (PABUK), located 276 miles east of Hong Kong, has tracked westward at  19 mph over the past six hours.  (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: moderate (204)
New large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 5
Uncontained large fires: 38
2007 acres burned to date: 5,389,835

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. 69,365 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 Jocko Lakes Fires, located in Missoula County, MT, started by lighting Aug 3, 2007, has expanded to 18,000 acres with 10% containment. A12-24 hour pre-evac notice was issued for other areas to the south and east. FEMA-2718-FM-MT applies.

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

Weather Discussion: Windy conditions east of the Cascades and along the east slopes of the Montana Rockies.  Thunderstorms over portions of Idaho and Montana.  Southern California will see a deep marine layer along the coast with warm, dry weather over the mountains and inland valleys.(National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, InciWeb, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1709-DR-TX is amended effective August 7, 2007.  Amendment 8 and 9 adds six counties for Individual Assistance and eight counties for Public Assistance.
FEMA-1715-DR-VT is amended effective August 7, 2007.  Amendment 1 appoints Albert Lewis as FCO.(FEMA HQ)