NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 21, 2006--Fire season is in full swing in several states in the Western US, and Amateur Radio volunteers have been helping to provide communication for the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Residents have been evacuated in several areas where wildfires threatened homes.
Brins Fire Prompts Evacuations in Arizona
ARRL Arizona Section Emergency Coordinator Rick Aldom,
W7STS, reports he's been staying in touch over the last several days with both
the Red Cross and The Salvation Army while monitoring the Brins Fire one mile
north of Sedona. On June 20, the Red Cross in Phoenix notified Aldom that it
planned to activate local Amateur Radio volunteers and move its communication van
to a shelter set up in the Village of Oak Creek, southeast of Sedona. The Red
Cross Grand Canyon Chapter is operating two
evacuation centers.
 The Brins Fire in Arizona, as it appeared June 18. [Northern Arizona Incident Management Team Photo] |
"As of our conversation, they didn't expect to be utilizing many ARES resources, but they were putting us on alert," Aldom told ARRL Headquarters. "I have also received word that the Coconino County Red Cross has requested ham radio resources in Flagstaff starting Wednesday morning." The Coconino ARES team will handle that assignment for now, he said.
While existing telecommunication systems appear to be adequately handling present requirements, Aldom says he's placed two portable repeaters on standby in case they're needed. "I don't believe we have issues with any mountain top repeaters at this point," he said. ARES has not been asked to assist with evacuations.
As of the evening of June 20, the Brins Fire had burned some 1770 acres in the Coconino National Forest and was approximately 5 percent contained. The Brins Fire has moved into Oak Creek Canyon, approaching US Route 89A and in some places was within some 600 feet of the highway, which has been closed through Oak Canyon. The fire also is generating considerable smoke in the region, causing a hazard to both health and visibility.
Fire managers have expressed concern about the safety of Oak Canyon residents who remained behind following the initial evacuation. Residents have been advised to evacuate the area immediately for their own safety. Power to the region has been cut, and authorities have been going door to door urging remaining residents to leave. Fire managers, law enforcement, relief organizations and others will meet with residents at a community meeting June 21 in Sedona.
As the fire danger increases across the US Southwest, the Coconino National Forest has announced plans to close to public access June 23 at 8 AM.
New Mexico Radio Amateurs Provide Shelter Communication
 The Bear Fire in New Mexico |
On June 19, the Bear Fire in the Bearwallow Mountain area of Catron County, New Mexico -- some 17 miles east of Alma -- caused authorities to evacuate residents and campers in the Willow Creek, Snow Lake and N-Bar Ranch areas to two Red Cross shelters. New Mexico ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator Rick Sohl, K5RIC, has been coordinating Amateur Radio volunteer assistance for both Grant and Catron counties.
As of June 21, the Bear Fire had spread over more than 24,300 acres and was being called "very active." Firefighting resources from the Gila National Forest have responded, and some 200 firefighters have been reassigned from the Skates Fire. Russell Stanley, KD5RWX Meyer were reported active on UHF to provide any needed communication support.
Over the weekend Residents were evacuated as a precaution after the Skates Fire erupted in the Lake Roberts area of the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. Grant County ARRL Emergency Coordinator Tom Meyer, N4CYV, says Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) volunteers provided communication for a shelter there over the weekend. New Mexico Fire Information reports seven new fires in the state in the past 24 hours.
"A Red Flag Warning is still in effect for most of northern New Mexico, for strong winds and low humidities," the announcement continued. The forecast is for very hot and dry weather throughout much of the rest of the state with dry lightning predicted for the southeast area. "Fire season is not over."
Jay Miller, WA5WHN, of Sandoval County ARES expressed it a bit more urgently. "We are now a prime target for a major forest fire," he said this week, citing 9 percent humidity, temperatures in excess of 95 degrees and winds of more than 20 MPH.
According to the National Fire Information Center, the Skates Fire has burned nearly 12,500 acres and was 50 percent contained as of June 21. State Highways 15 and 35 have been reopened but at reduced speed limits. A mandatory evacuation for the Lake Roberts area has been lifted, and residents have been allowed to return home. No homes were lost,
ARES volunteers assisted the Red Cross after two fires broke out within four days in the Bosque south of Albuquerque. Volunteers were deployed to the fire scene and a shelter as well as at a collection point and in the Bernalillo County emergency operations center. Sandoval County ARES provided emergency communication support after the second fire broke out June 18 in the Bosque in Corrales.
ARES Stands Down in Colorado Fire Response
Colorado SEC Rob Roller, N7LV, reports the Colorado Disaster Response Team (DRT) is standing after providing communication support for The Salvation Army in the wake of the Mato Vega fire near Fort Garland. The relief organization's canteen is pulling out, Roller says, and another food supplier is coming in to provide meals.
"ARES has received no other requests for support from any other agencies," Roller told ARRL Emergency Coordinators in Colorado.
DRT Emergency Coordinator Wes Wilson, K0HBZ, had been in Fort Garland to provide communication support for The Salvation Army back to its Denver Headquarters using Winlink for digital e-mail communication.
The Mato Vega Fire in Costilla County continues to grow, Roller reports. As of early this morning, it had burned closed to 9000 acres. The Mato Vega fire is reported 5 percent contained.
The fire, 12 miles northeast of Fort Garland,
has prompted the evacuation of the Wagon Creek, Paradise Acres and Old La Veta
Pass communities -- some 280 homes in all. US Route 160 remains closed to public
travel. Weather conditions improved somewhat today, however.
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