According to the Georgia Forestry Commission's Wildfire Situation Report, the Sweat Farm Road Fire in Waycross is impinging on US Highway 1. Some embers crossed the highway yesterday, but as of 0200 last night, it was 100 yards east of the highway. The fire has burned 61,109 acres, has cost approximately $3.1 million, and is 50% contained. They still estimate it will be contained on 30 April 2007. 464 personnel are committed to fighting the fire along with a Bell 407 helicopter, a UH-1 helicopter, 2 CH-47 helicopters, and P-3 Orion tankers. Although structures were protected, evacuations in some areas, including Astoria were necessary (according to media reports). In particular danger, according to the National Incident Information Center, were the Incident Command Post, the city of Astoria, the Okefenokee Swamp Park, a State Park, and the Lions Camp for the Blind.
Additionally, the Kneeknocker Fire in Brantley County rekindled, forcing some evacuations.
Frequency-wise, I really don't have anything to offer because I am too far away from the area to be able to pull anything in. I can suggest 38.150, 139.400 (AM), and 242.400 for the CH-47 Chinooks involved in the firefighting efforts. I have heard these frequencies in use as they have departed from and arrived from Hunter AAF for fire duties.
The National Weather Service forecasts for the Waycross area show a slight chance of rain today and continued dry weather for the coming days. The fire danger rating for the Waycross area remains at Very High to Extreme.
I realize that this is a radio related blog and I usually don't bring religion into it, but if you are a religious person, please pray for the folks in the area of these fires. Keep them in your thoughts and pray for rain to help out all of the fire, forestry, law enforcement, and other emergency personnel that are putting in such long hours fighting these fires and trying to protect the communities around them.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
Showing posts with label Sweat Farm Road Fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sweat Farm Road Fire. Show all posts
27 April 2007
24 April 2007
Sweat Farm Road Fire News
According to the US Forestry Service National Incident Information Center, the Sweat Farm Road Fire is 45% contained as of Monday, April 23. 329 residences, FAA radio towers, and commercial radio towers are still endangered by the fire. 55,619 acres, 18 residences and 5 outbuildings have burned so far. 359 personnel are involved in firefighting efforts and the estimated date of containment is April 30.
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fire/mreport.shtml
The Georgia Forestry Commission estimates the cost of firefighting efforts so far at $1.7 million with an end cost of $10.7 million. Georgia Forestry reports that they made great progress on the fire yesterday, putting in miles of fire breaks on all sides of the fire. 23 miles of containment line are still needed, however and they also give an estimated containment date of April 30.
Source: http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/GFCNews/WildfireSituationReport.cfm
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fire/mreport.shtml
The Georgia Forestry Commission estimates the cost of firefighting efforts so far at $1.7 million with an end cost of $10.7 million. Georgia Forestry reports that they made great progress on the fire yesterday, putting in miles of fire breaks on all sides of the fire. 23 miles of containment line are still needed, however and they also give an estimated containment date of April 30.
Source: http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/GFCNews/WildfireSituationReport.cfm
23 April 2007
Sweat Farm Road Fire News
From the US Forestry National Incident Information Center from April 22:
"Sweat Farm Road is located 10 miles west of Waycross. Yesterday, the wind-driven fire spread to 55,619 acres. Most of the acreage increase was due to burnout operations. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Floyd) is assigned along with some members of the Atlanta-based National Incident Management Organization (NIMO). 18 residences and five outbuildings have been destroyed and there remains a threat to 320 residences. Good progress was made yesterday as winds were lighter slowing the rate of spread. Smoke continues to affect highway traffic."
"Big Turnaround is located 10 miles west of Waycross. Access to the area is limited. The fire is burning in southern rough and pine plantations. There is a low threat to Okfenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Some torching and crowning were observed."
From the Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Situation Report from April 22:
Acres: 55,619
Cost to Date: 1.4 million
Containment: 39%
Committed Resources: about 500 personnel (will know tomorrow from Plans)
Estimated Containment Date: 4/27/07
Today's Events:
Rangers improved firebreaks along northern and western portions of fire nearest to Waycross. Much head way was made in strengthening the breaks and mop up has begun in order to cool hot spots. Because of these efforts by the combined effort of the GFC Rangers and Local firefighters Waycross is much safer today.
Along the southern portion of the fire was another story all together. The morning provided much need relief due to subdued weather condition, but as afternoon drew closer fire conditions changed from great to horrible. Lower humidity and increase variable winds provided renewed energy to the sleeping giant. A couple of spot fires, along Davis and Glenmore Rd., provided extra work for crews today. Flame lengths were measured at 100ft. Nearby units were able to contain fire and are moping up. GFC Type 2 Team used air tankers from nearby Lake City, Florida to cool fire and contain it. Fire Operations Chief said, "The fire just want quit".
Tomorrow's Plans:
The team will continue to strengthen lines and continue mop up in contained areas. We will be shifting resources from Divisions A,B,C, and H to Divisions I, J, and K. The reason for shifting these resources, are to bring fresh new rangers and larger equipment to the hottest areas. Burn-out operations will continue tomorrow as well to continue creating black line between the Swamp Road and the head fire.
Weather is looking pretty consistent throughout the upcoming week with a very slight chance of rain on Friday.
"Sweat Farm Road is located 10 miles west of Waycross. Yesterday, the wind-driven fire spread to 55,619 acres. Most of the acreage increase was due to burnout operations. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Floyd) is assigned along with some members of the Atlanta-based National Incident Management Organization (NIMO). 18 residences and five outbuildings have been destroyed and there remains a threat to 320 residences. Good progress was made yesterday as winds were lighter slowing the rate of spread. Smoke continues to affect highway traffic."
"Big Turnaround is located 10 miles west of Waycross. Access to the area is limited. The fire is burning in southern rough and pine plantations. There is a low threat to Okfenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Some torching and crowning were observed."
From the Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Situation Report from April 22:
Acres: 55,619
Cost to Date: 1.4 million
Containment: 39%
Committed Resources: about 500 personnel (will know tomorrow from Plans)
Estimated Containment Date: 4/27/07
Today's Events:
Rangers improved firebreaks along northern and western portions of fire nearest to Waycross. Much head way was made in strengthening the breaks and mop up has begun in order to cool hot spots. Because of these efforts by the combined effort of the GFC Rangers and Local firefighters Waycross is much safer today.
Along the southern portion of the fire was another story all together. The morning provided much need relief due to subdued weather condition, but as afternoon drew closer fire conditions changed from great to horrible. Lower humidity and increase variable winds provided renewed energy to the sleeping giant. A couple of spot fires, along Davis and Glenmore Rd., provided extra work for crews today. Flame lengths were measured at 100ft. Nearby units were able to contain fire and are moping up. GFC Type 2 Team used air tankers from nearby Lake City, Florida to cool fire and contain it. Fire Operations Chief said, "The fire just want quit".
Tomorrow's Plans:
The team will continue to strengthen lines and continue mop up in contained areas. We will be shifting resources from Divisions A,B,C, and H to Divisions I, J, and K. The reason for shifting these resources, are to bring fresh new rangers and larger equipment to the hottest areas. Burn-out operations will continue tomorrow as well to continue creating black line between the Swamp Road and the head fire.
Weather is looking pretty consistent throughout the upcoming week with a very slight chance of rain on Friday.
22 April 2007
Frequencies for CH-47s Fighting the Sweat Farm Road Fire
I finally caught some of the CH-47s going to and from Waycross to assist in firefighting efforts. GUARD 262 and 249 were today's aircraft. Both aircraft are from B-169 AVN of the Georgia Air National Guard at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. Here are the frequencies they used today:
38.150 - HURRICANE OPS
139.400 - HURRICANE OPS
242.400 - Air to Air
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
38.150 - HURRICANE OPS
139.400 - HURRICANE OPS
242.400 - Air to Air
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
kf4lmt@comcast.net
Miscellaneous Sweat Farm Road Fire News
From the FEMA website:
A large wild fire south-southwest of Waycross, GA covers about 20,000 acres and is uncontained. There are 25 fire tractors, two National Guard Chinook helicopters, an air tanker from Lake City and two other helicopters from the Forestry Service. They are still unable to get control of the fire. This fire is threatening an unknown number of homes and businesses within the city limits of Waycross, GA. The Forestry Service is looking at various contingency plans. The Okefenokee Swamp Park has been closed and evacuated. All animals that could be evacuated have been sheltered.Other new fires have added to the threats. There is a separate fire northwest of Nahunta, GA which is a 2,000 acre fire; a fire near Nashville GA is over 300 acres; and another 500 acre fire in Fargo, which is near the Okefenokee Swamp, but from another direction. The Fargo fire is not far from the large fire by air miles.
Georgia is so dry that there is a fear that if the fire is not brought under control soon and the swamp begins to burn that it could affect 400,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp. (FEMA Region IV, US Forestry Service)
A large wild fire south-southwest of Waycross, GA covers about 20,000 acres and is uncontained. There are 25 fire tractors, two National Guard Chinook helicopters, an air tanker from Lake City and two other helicopters from the Forestry Service. They are still unable to get control of the fire. This fire is threatening an unknown number of homes and businesses within the city limits of Waycross, GA. The Forestry Service is looking at various contingency plans. The Okefenokee Swamp Park has been closed and evacuated. All animals that could be evacuated have been sheltered.Other new fires have added to the threats. There is a separate fire northwest of Nahunta, GA which is a 2,000 acre fire; a fire near Nashville GA is over 300 acres; and another 500 acre fire in Fargo, which is near the Okefenokee Swamp, but from another direction. The Fargo fire is not far from the large fire by air miles.
Georgia is so dry that there is a fear that if the fire is not brought under control soon and the swamp begins to burn that it could affect 400,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp. (FEMA Region IV, US Forestry Service)
***
According to the US Forestry Service's National Incident Information Center, as of yesterday 17 residences and five outbuildings have burned during the fire. 40,000 acres have burned and it is being called 15% contained. 399 personnel are involved in firefighting efforts. Additionally there are less threatening fires in North Fargo and Knee Knocker Swamp (near Nahunta).
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/fire/mreport.shtml
According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Sweat Farm Road Fire is 35% contained. They list 45,000 acres burned and 18 homes burned. The most progress is being made on the south side of the fire. Additionally, a 60-100 ft break has been cut near Manor, GA to protect homes. The lines are holding and there has been very little fire growth observed. As a result, they expect containment to go up. They list the North Fargo Fire as 90% contained and the Knee Knocker Swamp Fire as 95% contained. Both the Okefenokee Swamp Park and the Stephen F. Foster State Park are closed. Although there is no rain in the forecast, winds are expected to decrease and humidity is expected to increase, which should help firefighters make progress.
***
The images above are from NASA's earth obeservatory on April 17 and April 19 respectively. They show the smoke plume from the fires.
Below is the current fire danger rating map for the state.
Mac McCormick, KF4LMT
Firefighting Coalition Battles South Georgia Fires
The following news release is from the Georgia Forestry Commission website. Based on reports from radio hobbyists on several groups, including the ScanSavannah group, firefighters from Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, and Chatham Counties have responded to the Waycross area to assist in firefighting efforts. Additionally, Georgia Army National Guard CH-47Ds from Hunter AAF have been working the fire as well.
FIREFIGHTING COALITION BATTLES SOUTH GEORGIA WILDFIRES
More than 200 firefighting professionals from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and other emergency management agencies are battling fires in south Georgia that have blackened over 10,000 acres and destroyed several homes.
“This one will go into the history books of wildland fires in Georgia,” said Frank Sorrells, GFC Waycross District Ranger, of the Ware County-Sweat Farm Road fire. “We’re pulling equipment and personnel in from all over Georgia and more are on standby to put out this dangerous fire.” The fire has scorched an area measuring 11 miles long and one mile wide and is spreading into the Okefenokee Swamp. An estimated 1,000 homes in the southern part of Waycross were evacuated Tuesday afternoon. The Okefenokee Swamp Park has also been evacuated.
The Georgia Forestry Commission’s Incident Management Team is managing this fire and several others in southeast Georgia. Fires have burned some 3,000 acres in Brantley and Wayne counties. “Conditions have been extremely dry,” said Sorrells, “and the humidity remains very low. Winds are out of the northwest at about eight to ten miles an hour, so that’s pushing the fire further south.” Smoke from the wildfires is affecting areas as far away as Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida.
Sorrells is urging residents close to these fires to stay tuned to news reports and refrain from outdoor burning until further notice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
