National Situation Update: Monday, October 29, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Southern California Wildfires Update
The following information was reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) website at 11:38 p.m. EDT, October 28, 2007 on the wildfires in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties. There are currently six (6) active fires not 100% contained.
Grass Valley: 1,247 acres, 95% contained.
Slide: 12,789 acres, 85% contained.
Witch: 197,900 acres, 90% contained.
Poomacha: 49,150 acres, 50% contained.
Santiago: 28,012 acres, 65% contained.
Harris: 90,750 acres, 70% contained. (CAL FIRE)
12,625 structures are threatened and 3,202 structures have been destroyed or damaged.
11 Indian reservations affected in San Diego County with 133 tribal structures lost, eight (8) injuries and no fatalities.
Approximately 516,356 acres consumed.
Seven (7) confirmed deaths and 108 injuries.
2,690 evacuees.
1,451 persons are being housed in 28 shelters.
Registration intake: 7,195.
6,700 customers without electricity in San Diego, and 7,490 customers without electricity statewide; 150 customers are without natural gas service. (NICC)/(CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, NICC, FEMA HQ, DOE)
Southern California Weather Improving
Light onshore flow will continue to help the firefighting effort at least through Tuesday, October 30, 2007. This pattern will be of benefit, in that it is a more humid and light flow, in contrast to the much higher prior Santa Ana winds. (NWS)
Brush Fire in Hawaii
A 1,500 acre wild fire near Puako (Hawaii County) threatens 200 residences, two (2) resort hotels, and three (3) beach parks, from which 400 persons have been evacuated. The fire is within ¼ mile of their location. Primary electrical transmission lines are also threatened. FMAG approved October 28, 2007. (FEMA Region IX Incident Report)
Hundreds Ordered To Evacuate Because Of Puako Fires
About 400 people who fled a raging brush fire were allowed to return to their homes Sunday, October 28, 2007, on Hawaii's Big Island as firefighters sought to bring the blaze under control.
No homes were damaged and no one was injured by the fires, which appeared to be set by an arsonist along several miles of coastal highway, said a staff officer for Hawaii County Civil Defense.
Although the danger to seaside homes in the Puako community had passed, three fires continued to burn out of control Sunday night, October 28, 2007, over more than 2,000 acres of land, said a Hawaii County Fire Department Battalion Chief.
Nine fires were set in dry grasses within minutes of one another by one or more motorists, said the Hawaii County Fire Department Battalion Chief. "Just because of the nature of it and the amount of fires starting at the same time, it looks suspicious," he said. "But right now, we have no evidence."
Two shelters were opened at a school and community center, although one of them closed because no one was using it.
Several parks were closed, including Hapuna Beach, Wailea Bay and Spencer Beach Park. Campers staying there had to be evacuated, although no count was available.
Three of the original nine fires blew up and couldn't be contained after more than 15 hours of firefighting efforts.
"The fire is knocked down, but not contained or controlled," a Hawaii County Fire Department Battalion Chief said. "It's still actively burning."
Those fires were located outside Kamuela and north of Waikoloa Village along Akoni Pule Highway, Kawaihae Road and Old Puako Road.
Some of the beachfront homes in the Puako community were used for vacation rentals.
Police and firefighters went door to door evacuating the 400 people sleeping in the community when the fire broke out.
Another 130 guests were evacuated from Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows on Sunday morning, October 28, 2007, and told to spend the day away from the blaze, said the hotel's assistant front office manager.
"We basically did it out of smoke concerns," he said. "We were never in any danger of the fire coming on to the property."
Fire investigators haven't discovered exactly how the blazes were set. (Media Sources)
Freeze Warnings And Watches In Effect
As of 9:40 p.m. EDT, Sunday, October 28, 2007, a freeze warning remains in effect from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. EDT Monday, October 29, 2007.
Cold high pressure will bring clear skies and light winds, allowing for temperatures to drop to around 30 degrees Fahrenheit across most locations.
A freeze warning means sub-freezing temperatures are imminent or highly likely. These conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
As of 9:53 p.m. EDT, Sunday, October 28, 2007, a frost advisory remains in effect until 10:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007. A freeze watch remains in effect from late Monday night, October 29, 2007, through Tuesday morning, October 30, 2007.
Skies will clear tonight, October 28, 2007, and the wind will be light, allowing temperatures to fall into the lower and middle 30s by early Monday morning, October 29, 2007, allowing areas of frost to develop across the North Carolina foothills and much of the Piedmont.
High pressure continues to provide clear skies and light winds to the region Monday night, October 29, 2007. This will allow temperatures to fall into the upper 20s to lower 30s. Along with freezing temperatures, widespread frost is also likely Monday night, October 29, 2007, and early Tuesday morning, October 30, 2007.
A freeze watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible. These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.
A frost advisory means that frost is possible. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. (NWS)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
FMAG-2740-HI issued for the Puako Fire (Hawaii County) that began on October 28, 2007, and is continuing. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, Monday, October 29, 2007, the center of Tropical Storm Noel was 40 miles south of Port Au Prince, Haiti, and about 245 miles southeast of Guantanamo, Cuba.
Noel is moving toward the north-northwest near 6 mph, and this motion is expected to continue today, Monday, October 29, 2007, with a turn to the northwest expected within 24 hours. The center of Noel
is expected to reach the southern coast of Haiti, south of Port Au Prince, in the next couple of hours and move over, or near, the western coast of Haiti during the day today, Monday, October 29, 2007.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. Some weakening is expected later today, Monday, October 29, 2007, as Noel interacts with the rugged terrain of Hispaniola, but restrengthening is likely after the center emerges over Atlantic waters.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles, mainly to the east of the center.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 1,002 mb (29.59 inches).
Above normal tides are likely within the warning areas.
Noel is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches over Hispaniola, with possible isolated maximum totals of 30 inches. Total accumulations of eight-to-twelve inches, with possible maximum amounts of 20 inches, are possible over southeastern Cuba. Additional rainfall accumulations of three-to-five inches are expected over Puerto Rico through Tuesday morning, October 30, 2007. These rains, particularly in Hispaniola, are expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern and Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings affecting US interest currently in effect.(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)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 29-Oct-2007 08:15:40 EDT