According to an Incident Management Situation Report published August 28, two 15-member incident management teams and 212 fireline personnel from Australia and New Zealand have been assigned to support large fires in the Northwest and Great Basin geographic areas.
The report, which notes a National Preparedness Level of 5, states that two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 302nd Airlift Wing have been deployed to Klamath Falls, Oregon, while one C-130 from the 152nd Airlift Wing has been deployed to Redding, California. Additionally, two MAFFS C-130 airtankers from the 146th Airlift Wing have been deployed to Redding to support national wildland fire operations.
In the Great Basin area, the report identifies several active fires. The Brushy Canyon fire in the Bear River Area of Utah is experiencing extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs and uphill runs. The Teddy Valley fire in the Southwest Area of Utah is exhibiting moderate fire behavior with wind-driven runs, spotting, and torching. Meanwhile, the Tom Creek fire in the West Desert District is showing active fire behavior with torching and backing.
Predictive services indicate that isolated to scattered mixed wet/dry thunderstorms are expected across portions of Nevada, Utah, Idaho, western Montana, and Wyoming. The report also notes that low relative humidity of 10–25% and gusty winds are expected across the Great Basin and into Wyoming and the West Slope, with wind gusts up to 45 mph possible in southern and western Wyoming.
