Satellite photographs huge Northern California wildfires

June 30th, 2008, 6:47 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Gary Robbins, science writer-editor

NASA’s Terra satellite on Sunday produced this composite image of the wildfires burning in the Big Sur area of Northern California. Scores of firefighters — including many from Orange County — are battling fires that were started by one of the most intense series of thunderstorms that part of the state has seen in years. (Click images to enlarge.)

More images (below) were taken on Monday by the Aqua satellite, showing an even larger area of concern.

As The Register’s Doug Irving and Barbara Giasone have reported, O.C. firefighters were heavily engaged over the weekend in hiking “through smoky canyons near the tiny Northern California town of Concow, prepared to fight an approaching wildfire house by house if necessary.

The Statewide Fire Overview, issued earlier today, says:

Current Situation: State, local and federal firefighters continue to battle hundreds of wildfires throughout California. Although fires continue to burn, several hundreds of fires have been contained by the relentless work of firefighters from California and throughout the nation. Military assistance continues to increase in the form of helicopters and air tankers. The priority of firefighting is for the protection of life, property and natural resources.

Statistics:

Fires: 1,459
Acres: 423,244
Personnel Committed: 18,900
Resources Committed:

- Engines: 1,461
- Crews: 568
- Dozers: 341
- Water Tenders: 407
- Helicopters: 103

Items of Interest:

Highway closures: State highways and local roads are closed throughout California due to wildfire activities. Closures and delays are in place for State Highways 1 (Big Sur Area), 32, 70 and 299 (delays). Numerous county and local roads are closed as well. Travelers are advised to seek current information from local law enforcement.

Evacuations: Areas of Butte, Monterey and Shasta counties are under evacuation orders at this time. Precautionary evacuation orders are in place for areas in Butte, Kern, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey and Shasta counties. Residents are advised to monitor the fire situation in their areas, check with local law enforcement agencies for information, and be prepared to evacuate when necessary.

Structures:
Threatened: 8,628 residences, 154 commercial, 3,035 outbuildings.
Destroyed: 29 residences, 1 commercial, 20 outbuildings.

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