The US Forest Service Prepares for Santa Ana Winds

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The US Forest Service Prepares for Santa Ana Winds

Experts have forecast Santa Ana winds to begin as early as Tuesday morning

VALLEJO, Calif. November 16, 2007— In anticipation of forecasted Santa Ana winds expected Tuesday, the Forest Service is bringing in additional firefighters, fire engines, and aircraft that will be ready to respond to any new fire as soon as it starts.

In addition to the hundreds of Forest Service firefighters that are normally in place in southern California at this time of year, the agency is bringing in more than 75 additional fire engines, 15 hand crews, 13 helitankers, and eight fixed wing airtankers that will be available for any new fire starts during the Santa Ana wind event. Additionally, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve will pre-position four MAFFS equipped C-130 firefighting aircraft in southern California.

“By Monday afternoon all of our additional resources will be in place, and we feel confident that in conjunction with the preparedness efforts of our state and local partners that we have ample resources to quickly respond to any new fires as soon as they start,” said Pacific Southwest Region Director of Fire and Aviation Management Ed Hollenshead.

Experts have forecast Santa Ana winds to begin as early as Tuesday morning, and are expected to remain in the area through Saturday morning.

Fire Potential Discussion:

The potential for large fire will be low to very low across the region through Monday. The potential for large fire will become high over Southern California next Tuesday through Thursday as widespread very strong Santa Ana winds blow and humidity becomes very low. Winds will be north to east 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph and minimum humidity will be in the single digits and teens. The potential for large fire will increase over portions of Central California next Tuesday through Thursday due to locally gusty north to east winds and very low humidity. Winds will be 12 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph over the wind prone areas and minimum humidity will be in the single digits and teens. Expect initial attack to remain very light across the region through Monday then become moderate to heavy especially over Southern California Tuesday through Thursday.

U. S. Forest Service Readiness for Santa Ana wind event beginning 11-19-07.

11 air tankers (Type 1 & 2)…………………………………. 8 additional above normal staffing

14 helitankers…………………………..………………………… 13 additional above normal staffing

4 MAFFS……………………………………………..……………..... 4 additional above normal staffing

4 helicopters Type 2 & 3……………………………………… 2 additional above normal staffing

124 Type 3 engines…………………………………………..…. 78 additional above normal staffing

9 hot shot crews…………………………..…………………….… 3 additional above normal staffing

12 Type 2 hand crews…………………….……………………… 12 additional above normal staffing

One prepositioned Type 1 Incident Management Team

One prepositioned Type 2 Incident Management Team

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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Saturday, November 17, 2007