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National Situation Update: Monday, October 27, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Fire North of Cold Springs, NV Grows To 1,000 Acres

Fire officials reported that approximately 150 firefighters are battling a fast-moving 1,000-acre wildfire that is heading toward U.S. 395 north of Reno and that traffic on the interstate has not been affected.

No structures are immediately threatened, but fire engines have been placed around some homes, a business and a ranch as a precaution.

There is no reported containment of the fire, and several air tankers are attacking the blaze, which broke out early Sunday afternoon around Crystal Canyon near Cold Springs. (NICC & Media Sources)

Corpus Christi, TX

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for south-central Texas in advance of a cold front that will bring low humidity and erratic winds to the area.

The warning takes effect at 10:00 a.m. CDT today, with winds expected to diminish by afternoon, and plans to lift the warning prior to 4:00 p.m. CDT today.

Fire crews are preparing for the increase in fire danger associated with these weather conditions.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings.

Eastern Pacific:
Area 1:  As of 1:00 a.m. EDT, October 27, shower activity remains limited, in association with a broad area of low pressure, located about 1,275 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands and upper-level winds are expected to remain unfavorable for development during the next couple of days as this system moves west-northwestward.

Western Pacific:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity Report, Sunday, October 26, 2008
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial Attack Activity, Light 28 
States reporting large fires: Arizona, California, New Jersey and Utah
Number of Uncontained Large Fires  2 
Number of New Large Fires 0 
Number of Large Fires Contained 1 

Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 10/24/08) Fires: 73,402 Acres: 5,034,076
2007 (1/1/07 - 10/24/07) Fires: 76,285 Acres: 8,248,271

Fire Weather
Strong high pressure and light offshore flow will bring very warm temperatures and single digit humidity readings to southern California through Monday.  Warm dry weather will also continue in Northern California.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)