Detachment of Florida

Emergency / Disaster Situation Update

2008-09 Wildfire Season

Detachment Preparedness Committee Status - Monitoring

Situational Overview

Wildfire Season Forecast
October - December 2008

Current conditions around Florida:

In August, Tropical Storm Fay brought record levels of rainfall to a large area of the state and brought the KBDI down to near 0 in many areas. Since then, rainfall has dropped off and the Panhandle has entered into mild drought conditions. South Florida has seen some rainfall from stalled frontal systems and tropical waves, keeping moisture levels higher. The statewide KBDI is near 400 at this time compared to near 300 this time last year.
 

Long-range outlook:

Conditions in the Pacific Ocean are currently neutral and are expected to remain that way through the end of 2008. The atmospheric circulation patterns reflect a lingering La Niña signal which may help explain the dry conditions over September across the state.

Longer term climate models are predicting that ENSO neutral conditions will continue through the spring of 2009. Temperature and precipitation are expected to remain in the normal range through December. Spring months may see a return to warmer and drier conditions once again. This could mean another fire season with increased activity.

Summary:

Hurricane season ends November 30 and we still need to be prepared for any late season storms that may develop. The continuing neutral ENSO conditions should help keep conditions normal through December but may lead to increased dryness across the state in the spring, leading to high potential for another active fire season.

Current Situation Status

Several large fire have popped across the state.  All fires are being handled by local fire jurisdictions and are contained.  At the present time there are no fires that are reported to be threatening or endangering the public.

Emergency Management Reports

Federal Report

Date/Time

  • No Report at this time
  
State Report

Date/Time

  • The State Emergency Operations Center is currently at a Level-3 activation (Monitoring).
  • Florida Division of Forestry is working with local fire departments as requested.

 
County Reports Date/Time
  No County Reports at this time  

 

National Weather Service Office Reports

Office

Report

Date/Time

  No Reports at this time  

Area Reports

Area

Report

Date/Time

  Nothing to report at this time  

 

District Reports

District

Report

Date/Time

  Nothing to report at this time  

 

Detachment / Department Reports

Detachment

Report

Date/Time

  • The Detachment is monitoring the progress of the 2008-09 Wildfire Season

 
Department

Report

Date/Time

  • No report at this time
  

 

Wildfire Graphics

Florida Division of Forestry Graphics

(Update Automatically - Click to view larger image)

Drought Index Map

Florida Division of Forestry Reports

Daily Fire Reports

Detachment of Florida Contacts

Disaster Preparedness Committee Chairman Jim Roberts - E-mail: jim.robertsfl@gmail.com
Detachment Adjutant Ed Sheubrooks - E-mail: fladjutant@gmail.com

 

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Sons of The American Legion
Detachment of Florida

Last Updated: November 28, 2008