NFPA Journal - November/December 2013 - (Page 54)

2012 U.S. LARGE-LOSS life hazard. An inadequate water supply was reported. Damage estimates are $2 million to the structure and $14.6 million to the contents. Minnesota Date, time of alarm, Dollar Loss March, 3:24 p.m., $14.9 million Property Characteristics and operating status This was a one-story paper products manufacturing plant of protected noncombustible construction. The ground floor area was not reported. The mill was in operation at the time. Fire Protection systems There was no automatic detection equipment present. There was a wet-pipe sprinkler system present that operated and assisted in containing the fire. A flash fire above the system caused 700 sprinkler heads to open and flow. While the fire pump was unable to keep up with the demand to extinguish the fire, it was able to keep the fire in check as water was shuttled to the scene. Fire Development After a conveyor belt malfunctioned, lint and paper built up on a natural gas-fired furnace. The build-up was ignited after it was heated to approximately 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Fire spread to the ceiling, and a flash fire occurred that spread to a paper storage area. Contributing Factors Damage estimates were about $7 million to the structure and $7 million to the contents. One firefighter was injured during the fire. WiLDLanD CoLoraDo Date, time of alarm, Dollar Loss June 23, 12 p.m., $453.7 million. (This was listed by officials as the start date, although there were reports of smoke in the area on the evening of June 22.) setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire called the Waldo Canyon Fire. Climate On the day the fire started, the temperature was 94 degrees F (34 degrees C), winds 9 to 17 mph (14 to 27 kph) with gusts of 25 mph (40 kph), and the relative humidity was 28 percent. On several days during the fire, the National Weather Service issued "red flag warnings" indicating that conditions are ideal for wildfire ignition and rapid spread. During this time, the state of Colorado was facing one of its worst droughts due to an unusually 54 NFPA JOURNAL NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 warm and dry winter. origin and path The area of ignition for this fire was off a hiking trail on a ridge in the foothills near Colorado Springs. The cause is under investigation. The fire burned easterly for 17 days through canyons and valleys and into several residential areas. Contributing Factors and other Details The first community was affected after only three days, with numerous structures burning. As the fire progressed, many voluntary and mandatory evacuations were ordered. This was the most destructive wildfire in the state's history. The fire was fueled by brush, oak, grass mountain shrub, pinyon juniper, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce, and limber pine. By the time the fire was extinguished, 18,247 acres (7,384 hectares) were burned and 346 structures, including homes and outbuildings, were destroyed. There were two civilian deaths attributed to this fire. CoLoraDo Date, time of alarm, Dollar Loss June, 5:54 a.m., $113.7 million setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire called the High Park Fire. Climate At the time, the area had record low live fuel moisture, with high temperatures and low relative humidity. On the day of the fire, weather conditions in the area included a high temperature of 96 degrees F (36 degrees C), winds 8 to 20 mph (13 to 32 kph) with gusts of 28 mph (45 kph), and relative humidity of 38 percent. During this time, the state of Colorado was facing one of its worst droughts due to an unusually warm and dry winter. origin and path This fire was started by a lightning strike during a dry thunderstorm in a mountainous area. Contributing Factors and other Details This fire, along with the Waldo Canyon Fire, combined to make 2012 the costliest year for wildfires in Colorado history. By 10:30 p.m. on the day the fire started, it had already spread to 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares). The next day, several structures were confirmed as destroyed or damaged. The 87,284-acre (35,322-hectare) fire burned through grass, brush, and timber and claimed 371 structures, including 259 homes. One death was attributed to this fire. Many mandatory evacuations were ordered during this time. CaLiFornia Date, time of alarm, Dollar Loss August, 11:35 a.m., $15 million setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire called the Ponderosa Fire. Climate On the day of the fire, weather conditions in the area included a high temperature of 101 degrees F (38 degrees C), winds of 5 to 17 mph (8 to 27 kph), and gusts of 22 mph (35 kph). origin and path The fire began when lightning struck and ignited an area of heavy vegetation. Contributing Factors and other Details The fire destroyed 133 structures (including 52 homes and 81 outbuildings) and damaged six structures (1 home and 5 outbuildings). The fire also burned more than 27,676 acres (11,200 hectares). During the height of the fire, evacuations were ordered. More than 250 fire companies, 11 helicopters, 46 bulldozers, and 54 water tenders, with over 2,300 personnel, were involved in fire suppression activities over the course of the fire. Seven injuries were reported. CoLoraDo Date, time of alarm, Dollar Loss March, 1:50 p.m., $11.3 million setting This was a wildland/urban interface fire called the North Fork Fire. Climate On the day the fire started, the temperature was 80 degrees F (27 degrees C), winds were 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 kph) gusting to 55 mph (89 kph), and the relative humidity was 55 percent. Fire origin and Path A 50-acre (20-hectare) prescribed burn took place four days prior to this fire. The controlled burn was secured the next day and was patrolled and monitored the next two days. Strong winds carried ground-level embers across the prescribed burn fire control lines, however, and ignited three spot fires. Two of the spot fires were quickly contained, but the third became established and could not be controlled by ground crews already on scene. The fire spread rapidly and became a wildfire. Contributing Factors and Victim Locations The day before the controlled fire's escape, a red flag warning was issued for strong and gusty winds. Within three hours of the fire's

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NFPA Journal - November/December 2013