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National Situation Update: Sunday, November 4, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Southern California Wildfires Update

California OES reports 23 fires with two fires less than 100% contained.  Over 500,000 acres have burned within 7 counties since October 21; 3,143 structures were destroyed and 492 structures damaged. 5,684 personnel are still involved in fire fighting efforts.  Fatalities remain at 7, with 133 fire victims injured and 114 firefighters injured.  The American Red Cross (ARC) reports that four ARC managed shelters remain open with a total population of 31.  In addition, as of November 3, 2007, 76 people were sheltered in 8 non-traditional shelters such as state parks and RV parks.(JFO Situation Status Summary, Pasadena, CA and the United States Forest Service)

Southern California Weather Status

Red flag warnings remain in effect for the mountains and valleys of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, including the Santa Monica Mountains, for gusty winds and prolonged low humidity until 2:00 pm PST today.  (JFO Situation Status Summary)

National Weather

South
The South will be rain free from the southern Plains to the Southeast coast.  High temperatures ranging from the 60s in the Southeast to 80s in south Florida and the southern Plains.

Northeast
Heavy snow over northern Maine could locally reach 6 to 12 inches.  Sunday will be quiet across the Northeast with rapidly diminishing winds.  High temperatures mostly near average, ranging from the 30s and 40s in northern Maine to the 60s in Virginia.

West
A cold front from Washington to Colorado and eastern New Mexico, touching off some rain and snow showers from Washington to Montana.  Temperatures will range from the 40s along the Canadian border to the 80s and lower 90s in the Desert Southwest.

Midwest
A strong and very windy cold front will move across the Plains and Midwest. Northwest winds behind the front could gust to between 40 and 50 mph at times.  Temperatures in the Plains will range from 50s North Dakota to 70s in Kansas.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
The low pressure area in the southwestern Caribbean Sea is moving westward and is centered about 100 miles east of Puerto Cabeza, Nicaragua.  Upper-level winds remain favorable for a tropical depression to form before the system moves inland over Nicaragua.
Elsewhere, 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 interests.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

At 3:54 p.m. EDT, Saturday, November 03, 2007, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred 245 miles northeast of Fairbanks, AK, at a depth of 0.9 miles.  No tsunami occurred due to this event.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)