Friday, November 30, 2007

Inciweb: Jack Wildland Fire - YNP - 330 acres - 15%

Jack Wildland Fire
Yosemite National Park

Jack Fire behavior 11.14.07

South aspect, north of the community of Wawona
Credit: NPS

view pictures || view maps

Summary

The Jack Fire started on Oct. 29 from lightning associated with thunderstorms moving over the Park. Jack is located on the north and south sides of Turner Ridge north of Wawona. It was originally placed under wildland fire use management for resource benefits and public safety. On Nov. 8, the fire spread outside the fire use management zone causing a change in strategy. At this point, management actions were taken to slow fire spread south toward Wawona. Crews are constructing control line in areas that will inhibit future fire spread if necessary. At a public meeting held in Wawona Monday fire managers explained to community members that the prevailing conditions, shorter daylight hours, cooler nights and elevated moisture levels in the vegetation, are conducive to managing the fire until the weather puts it out. The fires this year in Lake Tahoe and Southern California are a reminder that is important to use fire as an ecological restoration tool as well as to create defensible space around fire prone communities.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 10/29/2007 at 1500 hrs.
Location 1.5 miles north of Wawona
Incident Commander Jeff Panetta

Current Situation

Total Personnel 46
Size 330 acres
Percent Contained 15%
Estimated Containment Date 12/15/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved

South half of the fire is in oak woodland, manzanita, and bear clover. This is the portion of the fire nearest Wawona. The North half of the fire is heavy ponderosa pine and mixed conifer.

Fire Behavior

Fire behavior today was moderate. Flame lengths were 1-3' in mixed conifer understory. Occasional single tree torching occured. Max rates of spread were 2 cns/hr.

Significant Events

Fire rolled out over the southern containment line and has become re-established near the community of Wawona. Fire is now within 0.5 miles of Wawona and additional resources have been ordered. Progress continues on the west flank where an indirect handline and blacklining operation are successfully securing the fire to the Wawona Road (Hwy 41).

Outlook

Planned Actions

If feasible, direct handline will begin on south (heel) of fire. If this tactic does not work, indirect handline with burnout will be deployed adjacent to the community of Wawona. Blacklining will continue on the west flank to bring fire to the Wawona road.

Projected Movement

12 hours: Fire should be heald to at least 0.25 miles north of Wawona. Fire will be within 0.1 miles of the Wawona Rd.

24 hours: Fire should be heald to at least 0.25 miles north of Wawona. Fire will be within 0.1 miles of the Wawona Rd.

48 hours: Fire should be heald to at least 0.25 miles north of Wawona. Fire will be within 0.1 miles of the Wawona Rd.

72 hours: Fire should be heald to at least 0.25 miles north of Wawona. Fire will be within 0.1 miles of the Wawona Rd.

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

High

Containment Target

By 12/3/07

Remarks

Not available

Weather

Current Wind Conditions Not available
Current Temperature 46 degrees
Current Humidity 26 %

Thursday, November 29, 2007

News: OT News: Hero Stops Runaway SUV On Golden Gate Bridge

Hero Stops Runaway SUV On Golden Gate Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―

A quick-thinking truck driver prevented a serious traffic hazard on the Golden Gate Bridge Tuesday morning when he towed a Jeep containing an unconscious driver to safety amid a busy morning commute, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 62-year-old Tiburon woman apparently passed out while driving her Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on bridge lanes at around 6:50 a.m., the CHP said.

Mill Valley resident John Beatty was driving behind the Jeep and noticed it was moving slower than the flow of traffic. He drove up to the right side of the vehicle and saw the woman slumped on her steering wheel.

Beatty took bold and immediate action. He drove his Ford F-350 Super Duty utility truck in front of the Jeep and allowed it to essentially crash into the back of his vehicle so it would latch on, according to bridge officials. He then "slowly and safely" guided the Jeep across the bridge's southbound lanes and brought it to rest in a safe area, away from the flow of traffic.

"He accomplished this while numerous other motorists, oblivious to the emergency, passed," the CHP said in a statement.

Officers said the woman had apparently suffered a medical condition that caused her to lose consciousness. Emergency crews transported her to California Pacific Medical Center, where she later died.

The cause of her death is unknown.

The CHP and bridge officials said if it wasn't for Beatty, this morning's traffic tragedy could have been much worse.

"Due to the action of this Good Samaritan, a potentially worse situation was averted and we are all thankful for that aspect of the traffic incident this morning," said bridge manager Kary Witt.

The bridge's southbound lanes were closed for about 15 minutes. Lanes of the highway were cleared at 7:15 a.m. and traffic began moving normally at about 8 a.m., the CHP said.

Article source: SF Gate
Video: CBS 5

CA-SCU- LeDeit - San Jose - Prescribed burn - 400 acres

Satellite Map of Ledeit Fire perimeter
Credit
: Cal Fire News / Geo Mac

Cal Fire is preparing to continue igniting a controlled burn in the hills above Morgan Hill / San Jose near Lick Observatory - Called the Ledeit Fire (Pronounced Lee Day) The Cal Fire teams are currently setting up radios and performing other preparations prior to the firing operation.
Cal Fire hopes to eventually burn 700 to 1000 acres,
Expect a large header this afternoon around 3:00 to 4:00 with operations slowing down later in the evening.
VMP - Ledeit
Location: Mount Hamilton South of Lick Observatory - NW of Lick Fire in Henry Coe State Park Area earlier this year
Current size: Approximately 400 acres
Prescribed size: 1000 acres

What is the CDF Vegetation Management Program (VMP)? The VMP was created in 1981 as a cost-sharing program between private landowners and CDF to reduce fire-prone vegetation. Through prescribed burns, as well as mechanical means of modifying vegetation, VMP projects strive to reduce the risk of large damaging wildfires and improve the growing conditions of native plant and wildlife species. A prescribed burn site can also act as a fire break, stopping a wildfire in its tracks; and firefighters use these previously burned areas as safe places to take a stand against a fire
.

Big Basin State Park - Prescribed burn

The haze drifting southwest from Big Basin State Park is the result of a slow-moving prescription burn started by State Parks and Cal Fire crews in a 500-acre plot of redwoods Nov. 9. The prescribed burn is designed to blacken 500 acres, but late Wednesday it had charred about 120 acres.

Forest Service Schedules Second Prescribed Burn For SNF

BJ Hansen

Sonora, Ca -- The Forest Service has announced that a second prescribed burn will begin Thursday within the Stanislaus National Forest.

Earlier this week, it was made public that beginning Thursday a 100 acre burn will occur two miles north of Arnold along Summit Level Rd.

Also starting tomorrow will be a 400 acre burn in the Wrights Creek area, four miles south of Long Barn. Smoke may be visible for many days along the Hwy 108 corridor.

The Forest Service notes that the benefits of a prescribed burn include promoting forest health, reducing flammable vegetation and protecting the public and firefighters.

Source: Article

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Firefighter breaks Firefighters fall through floor


Credit: Peter Brueggeman
SAN DIEGO – A fire that may have been ignited by a discarded cigarette Monday night caused $200,000 in damage to a La Jolla Village condominium, officials said.

The blaze broke out about 11:28 p.m. at the complex on Via Mallorca near Caminito Eastbluff and was knocked down by 11:50 p.m.

Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate injuries when a balcony floor collapsed. They were treated at a hospital and released.

Fire spokesman Maurice Luque said one firefighter fell when the floor collapsed and the second one on the balcony below was also hurt.

“He fell through the floor. As he fell to the (lower) level, a firefighter there was injured trying to break his fall,” Luque said.

Five units were damaged in the blaze, with one unit heavily damaged by fire, Luque said. At least ten people were displaced.

The fire caused $150,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 damage to the contents.

Luque said investigators believe the fire was started by smoking material, but it still remains under investigation. It also is unclear where exactly the fire started, he said.

Source: SignOnSanDiego

EDIS: RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL MIDNIGHT

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Updated: 18:17 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
A CHANGE TOWARDS UNSETTLED WEATHER IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK Actual/Future/Unknown/Possible
REDWOOD COAST-MENDOCINO COAST-NORTH COAST INTERIOR-UPPER TRINITY RIVER-MENDOCINO INTERIOR-
Alert sent at 15:28 PST on 2007-11-28

CA-SCU- Lick Observatory - Controlled Burn - 700 acres


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cal Fire is conducting a controlled burn Wednesday on Mt. Hamilton that has attracted the attention of thousands of South Bay residents.

Officials at Cal Fire stationed in Morgan Hill said the fire is being held to about 700 acres.
The plume of smoke could be seen by drivers along Highway 101 from Sunnyvale south.The burn is located near the Lick Observatory.

EDIS: SO CAL WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Updated: 09:43 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
OFFSHORE WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVER MUCH OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Likely
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28

Los Angeles - Red Flag Condition and restricted parking

Red Flag

A Red Flag Condition has been issued for Los Angeles City.

Red Flag Restricted Parking will be in effect from

From
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:00 AM
to
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:00 PM
or
until further notice.

News: Great article at LAFD Blog - Fire weather, Red Flags and Burn Index

The Science Behind LAFD Fire Weather

By Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department
Original article at: LAFD Blog -
The Science Behind LAFD Fire Weather

How are decisions made by the Los Angeles Fire Department to pre-deploy resources on days of high wildfire hazard?

The answer is science.

The LAFD utilizes a Burning Index (BI) as the basis to determine the Department’s commitment to pre-deploy resources. A number of procedures occur daily to determine the actual BI:

First, fuel moisture readings are taken at Fire Station 108 on Mulholland Drive and communicated to the Division 3 office located at Fire Station 88 in the San Fernando Valley.

These fuel moisture readings are matched with predicted fire weather information (i.e. high/low temperatures, humidity, wind speed and direction) provided by a group of federal meteorologists that specialize in fire weather predictions at the Fire Weather Center (FWC), in Riverside California. This inter-agency group composed of California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services provides the information to determine the LAFD Fire Rating and pre-deployment of resources.

LAFD Division 3 also conducts real time weather surveys throughout the San Fernando Valley to determine existing weather conditions. In addition, the National Weather Service web site is used to monitor fire weather conditions in and around the City of Los Angeles.

The National Weather Service information may be different from the weather information provided by the Fire Weather Center. National Weather Service information may indicate a Red Flag Warning, where weather information from FWC will indicate a lesser rating i.e. Extreme or Very High rating.

When the National Weather Service and FWC weather information do not match, the importance of real time weather surveys gain importance when considering pre-deployment of resources.

Real time weather surveys and long-term weather predictions are considered to be a better predictor of weather conditions for the City of Los Angeles. However, this does not preclude the possibility of Red Flag Warning conditions in other areas of Los Angeles County.

The BI-levels stated as a numerical value are as follows:

BI 0 to 37 = Low
BI 38 to 47 = Moderate
BI 48 to 110 = High
BI 111 to 161 = Very High
BI 162 to 211 = Extreme
BI 212 and above = Critical

Red Flag Alert days occur simply when the wind speed is 25 miles per hour or more and the relative humidity is 15% or less.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now... or will shortly. History has proven that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential.

On Extreme, Critical and Red Flag Alert days the Fire Department pre-deploys resources.

The pre-deployment of resources into selected Neighborhood Fire Stations serving brush areas is proactive to address the increased brush fire potential. The specific stations/locations selected for pre-deployment are based on fire experience, area access, and fire potential.




To determine current Red Flag Parking Restrictions within the City of Los Angeles, please call 3-1-1 or visit:

www.lafd.org/redflag

Inciweb: So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response

So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response

INCIDENT UPDATED 19 MIN. AGO
BAER Poster

BAER Poster
Credit: USFS BAER

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Forest Service and Department of Interior and California State Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are conducting ground and aerial reconnaissance on the recent southern California wildfires. The BAER teams consist of resource specialists such as Hydrologists, Soil Scientists, Geologists, Biologists and Engineers with experience working on BAER teams throughout California and the Western United States.

A Multi-Agency Support Group has also been established to provide overall coordination for federal and state BAER and damage assessment efforts by facilitating multi-agency coordination and communication, coordinating public information, and providing support to the individual BAER teams. Forest Service BAER teams, a Department of the Interior (DOI) Interagency BAER team, California State BAER teams,and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) damage assessment teams are working cooperatively to address emergency stabilization needs on a watershed basis across mutiple federal jurisdictions.

One of the first priorities for each BAER team is to finalize a Soil Burn Severity map to determine the pattern of the burn on the landscape. Hydrologists and Soil Scientists refine the initial map received from a satellite image of the fire produced from the Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC) and by the USGS Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center. Further modification and revision is expected as more field data is collected and observations are made. The Soil Burn Severity map is critical as it "sets the stage" to assess potential impacts to resources and downstream values at risk. Final Soil Burn Severity maps have been completed for the following recent southern California fires: Buckweed Fire, Grass Valley Fire; Harris Fire, Poomacha Fire, Ranch Fire, Santiago Fire, Slide Fire, and Witch Fire.

SoCal BAER teams are meeting with interagency cooperators to discuss initial issues and potential values and threats such as: Life, Property and Safety. Threats to: 1) people and property; 2) trails, roads and highways; 3) recreation sites; and 4) water systems; and Resources. Threats to: 1) water quality; 2) soil productivity; 3) cultural resources; 4) species of special concern; 5) OHV incursion into fire areas; and 6) noxious weeds. SoCal BAER teams continue to coordinate during the emergency assessment and implementation phases with affected agencies, cooperators and other interested parties.

Weather Forecasting and Flood Information is available from the following agencies:

American Red Cross Flood and Flash Flood News and Tips at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works at 626-458-5100 and at http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/Flood/index.cfm

Orange County Flood Control Division at 714-834-5618 and at http://www.ocflood.com/

San Bernardino County Flood Control District at 909-387-7995 and at http://www.sbcounty.gov/flood/

San Diego County Emergency Services at 858-694-3900 and at http://www.sdcountyrecovery.com/erosion_control.html

National Weather Service Forecast Office for Los Angeles Area at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/

National Weather Service Forest Office for SW California Area at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/

CALFIRE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR WORK TOGETHER TO RELEASE FIRST OF THE ASSESSMENT REPORTS ON OCTOBER WILDLAND FIRES:

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Interior have released the first Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment Reports designed to assist federal, state, and local officials in creating a comprehensive remediation plan and to guide restoration efforts.

BAER Assessment Reports are completed for each fire or group of fires. California State BAER reports being released are the Santiago Fire, Small Fires, and Rice Fire. The Forest Service released BAER reports on the Harris, Buckweed, Ranch, Grass Valley, Slide, Santiago Fires. The Department of Interior report released a report on the Harris, Witch and Poomacha fires. Additional BAER reports will be released as they become available.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior deploy BAER Teams to assess the restoration and remediation needs following wildland fires. Reports compiled by the State of California can be viewed by visiting http://www.oes.ca.gov/ . Forest Service BAER reports can be viewed by clicking on each of the fire name listed in the above paragraph or by visiting the U.S. Forest Service web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/ and selecting your Forest from the pull down menu. The Department of the Interior report can also be viewed at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html.

For additional information, please contact the following National Forests for questions regarding specific questions related to Southern California Forest Service BAER efforts: Angeles National Forest at 626-574-5200; Cleveland National Forest at 858-673-6180; Los Padres National Forest at 805-968-6640; and San Bernardino National Forest at 909-382-2600.

Additional Orange County Links:

http://www.ocgov.com/ (See Latest News Section)

http://www.ocgov.com/disasterasst.asp (Disaster Assistance)

http://.oc.gov.com/lac.pdf (Local Assistance Centers)

Resources & Development Management Department:

http://www.ocrdmd.com/ (See Top Left of Page for Link)

http://www.ocrdmd.com/services/FireInfoPropertyOwners.aspx

Basic Information

Incident Type Burned Area Emergency Response
Cause N/a
Date of Origin 10/27/2007 at 00 hrs.
Location Southern California National Forests
Incident Commander Not available

Current Situation

Total Personnel 100
Size 122,440 acres
Significant Events

As a result of the recent Southern California wildfires, President Bush declared a major disaster for the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facilitating the federal response with the California Office of Emergency Services (CA OES) to coordinate federal activities with those of the state, local, and tribal government agencies.

To ensure a comprehensive approach and coordinated effort, the state and federal agencies have established a Multi-Agency Support Group (MASG) to coordinate federal and state efforts to minimize the effects of the post-fire flooding, erosion, and debris flows -- and to maximize available resources.

Forest Service and Department of Interior interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are assessing post-fire conditions for eight (8) separate incidents: Ranch, Buckweed, Grass Valley, Slide, Witch, Poomacha, Harris, and Santiago fires.

The State of California - OES has mobilized and deployed additional resources to form five interagency state BAER teams. These state BAER teams will coordinate with the Forest Service and DOI BAER teams to assess burned areas not evaluated by the federal assessment teams.

The US Forest Service's Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC) and the USGS Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center is providing remotely sensed maps and initial Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) mapping for all the recent southern California wildfires. This tool assists the BAER teams and helps to prioritize where subsequent BAER teams may be deployed.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Interagency BAER teams of specialists survey and assess the burned areas and develop emergency treatment plans for the recent southern California wildfires.

After the assessment reports are completed, BAER implementation teams install emergency treatments before the onset of the winter storm season.

Projected Movement

Initial BAER team findings are: hazard trees, rock slides, OHV damage to native vegetation recovery, potential storm damage to existing roads, hiking trails, recreation cabins and campgrounds, reservoirs, water quality and supply, downstream values-at-risk, cultural resources, and the spread of noxious weeds.

Federal BAER team field assessments of values-at-risk are to be completed within seven days of when the wildfire is declared fully contained.

Final soil burn severity maps have been completed for the Buckweed, Grass Valley, Harris, Poomacha, Ranch, Santiago, Slide, and Witch fires.

Remarks

The Forest Service, Department of Interior, and California State BAER efforts for Southern California are a multi-agency, cooperative, and coordinated effort.

The SoCal BAER Coordination Team is co-located with the FEMA Multi-Agency Support Group (MASG) in Colton, California.

The MASG is composed of FEMA, US Forest Service, US Department of Interior, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, CAL FIRE, CA Department of Water Resources, CA Geologic Survey, CA State Parks, CA OES, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Orange County Flood Control District, Riverside County Flood Control District, Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego County Flood Control District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions Not available
Current Temperature Not available
Current Humidity Not available

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

CA-LAC-Corral - WUI Fire - 100% contained - 4,901 acres

Corral IC (Malibu) - - (As of 9am 11/27/07) - Final
  • Containment: 100% contained.
  • Acres: 4,901 burned.
  • Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 88 destroyed and 45 damaged
  • Cause: Human -Investigators have concluded that the Malibu fire started in the vicinity of a cave in Corral Canyon known for being a late-night party hangout.
  • Injuries: Eight firefighters were hurt; seven had minor injuries and one had moderate first- and second-degree burns to the cheek
List of fire damaged and destroyed structures are available here.

EDIS: So Cal Red Flags Wednesday

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST WEDNESDAY BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS FROM MALIBU TO HOLLYWOOD DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST WEDNESDAY DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST WEDNESDAY IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST WEDNESDAY DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 6 PM PST WEDNESDAY DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM WEDNESDAY UNTIL 6 PM WEDNESDAY FOR PORTIONS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES DUE TO STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Alert sent at 09:44 PST on 2007-11-27

Monday, November 26, 2007

News: A hot Thanksgiving feast is prepared for out of town CDF firefighters

The Del Norte Unit, a CDF/CalFire Strike Team from Humboldt County
Photo Credit: Chief Tom Nix

By: by Nick Smirnoff and Carin Enovijas

While the staff enjoyed a day off, a local quietly opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day to serve a real, home-cooked meal for a Cal Fire Strike Team stationed in Tehachapi, several hundred miles away from their homes in Humboldt County.

Surprised to learn that the Battalion Chief’s wife had called the Tehachapi News to boast of the kindness and warmth that was extended to the firemen, the owners politely declined to openly promote news coverage of what they perceived as a chance to share with their children, the circular nature of giving freely to others, with no expectation, no strings attached. They didn’t want to taint their special family experience, the community minded entrepreneurs said, stating, “They [the firefighters] were the wonderful ones.”

“It’s an experience we’ll never forget,” said Battalion Chief Tom Nix, adding, “It’s probably the best service we’ve ever had anywhere,” specifically describing the efforts of the local restaurateurs'’ young children, as they diligently helped to serve the meal.

“They were all so kind and they treated us just like family,” said Nix, “They made us feel right at home.”

After the meal, which included a birthday cake for one team member, Nix and his team then treated three very excited 10 and 8-year-old boys to a quick ride on a fire engine and a demonstration of the hoses and gadgets on board.

Although the family’s 3-year-old watched as older siblings interacted with the firemen, even the youngest had a big impact on the out of town crew.

Nix is the father of an infant and a toddler, who are waiting patiently for him back at home.

“It really hit home for me,” he said expressing his deep appreciation for the local family’s willingness to open their business and their hearts to those who couldn’t be home with their own families on Thanksgiving Day.

Christine Nix, the chief’s wife, said that being apart on the holiday made her even more thankful for the hospitality her husband and his team experienced while in Tehachapi.

The Del Norte Unit, from the California Division of Forestry, now known as CalFire, consists of 22 men and five engines, led by Battalion Chief Tom Nix and his strike team leader trainee, Captain Bret Murphey. The team is one of several that have been housed at the Holiday Inn Express recently during times of low humidity, Santa Ana winds and high fire risk.

In an effort to help local fire departments during times of high fire danger, currently due to Santa Ana wind conditions, the State of California Office of Emergency Services has deployed Strike Teams” to various parts of Southern California to assist local fire departments during wildland fires and period of high fire risk. The teams assists in structure protection and fire containment and participate in exercises to familiarize the team with the area’s terrain and conditions.

Source: tehachapinews.com

CA-LAC-Corral - WUI Fire - 4,900+ Acres 90%

Malibu Fire Update - All mandatory evacuations have been lifted. Canyon residents were allowed to return to their homes last night.

Acres: 4,900
Containment: 90% The fire is expected to be fully containedï¾ by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 26.
Operations: Interior islands and minor pockets of unburned fuels continued to burn out well within containment lines throughout the day. Last night fire activity was limited to smoldering and minor burning of unburned fuels within containment lines. Crews continue to patrol and mop-up. Structure protection is still in effect where necessary.
Evacuations: All mandatory evacuations have been rescinded. All areas are planned to be opened with no restrictions as 1200 hours tomorrow.

Damages: The Fire Department has confirmed thatï¾ 125 structuresï¾  have been damaged or destroyed:

  • 80 structures destroyed (53 single family dwellings, 27 outbuildings)
  • 45 structures damaged (34 singleï¾ family dwellings, 11 outbuildings)
  • 1ï¾ mobilehomeï¾ destroyed
  • 14 vehicles destroyedï¾ 
List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures

Injuries:

7 firefighters injured. 1 AEU Firefighter suffered moderate first-degree burns to his lips and cheeks when he took a hot blast of air to the face while fighting the fire., No serious injuries.

Road Closures: As of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 26, PCH is open in both directions.ï¾ 
The following roads are currently open to residents only: - Corral Canyon - Latigo Canyon east from Kanan Dume - Via Acero east from Kanan Dume - Newton Canyon Road east from Kanan Dume - Puerco Canyon Road north from PCH

Civic Center Way is closed between Webb Way and Cross Creek to allow emergency personnel to access their command post areas.ï¾ 

Kanan Roadï¾ and Malibu Canyon Road are both ï¾ open.

Map of Corral fire perimeter
Map source: http://www.malibu-ca.gov

Sunday, November 25, 2007

News article: Great stop! Homeowners fight fire on their own

Makeshift brigade makes a stand — and wins

Fire
Al Seib / Los Angeles Times
Matt Haines used his fire truck and water tender, both purchased at a Merced County Fire department auction, to help save homes in the El Nido neighborhood of Corral Canyon.
With an old firetruck one man had bought, plus hoses and a pump, neighbors save homes on their street.
By Bob Pool, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
November 25, 2007
The professional firefighters didn't roll up to Corral Canyon in time Saturday. So Matt Haines finally had his chance to rev up and roll out the private firetruck he bought at a public surplus auction.

Haines' 31-year-old pumper truck and his tanker truck of similar vintage -- purchased from the Merced County Fire Department -- helped a do-it-yourself fire brigade save a dozen homes when flames encircled their El Nido neighborhood.

As Haines sprayed water on homes on both sides of Sequit Drive, his neighbors used their own hoses to extinguish embers that rained from the sky and to douse shrubs, bushes and fencing as they caught fire. As it fought the blaze, the crew could see four homes fully engulfed on Sea Breeze Drive above.

In the end, the professional firefighters didn't reach the residents' stretch of Sequit, which is a narrow dirt road. But the amateurs were able to get the job done.

Bill Raffin, one of the neighborhood volunteers, pulled out his portable pump and started drawing water from a swimming pool. Ken Wherry unrolled a canvas fire hose and connected it to a hydrant up the street. Kai Chan stretched out smaller garden hoses and laid them in strategic places around houses.

And at the end of the block, Haines sprayed down Dave and Paula Levy's distinctive dome home to protect it from a cascade of embers. He did the same at his own nearby house.

When the burning cinders flew over the street and set a steep canyon south of Sequit ablaze and flames shot back up the hill, Haines sprayed down houses on the south side of the street, including one he is building that is sided in tar paper. His 750-gallon 1976 Ford fire engine performed flawlessly, he said, as did its companion truck, a 3,000-gallon tanker.

The white firetruck still has "Fire Dept." painted on its doors, although the name "Merced" has been scraped off.

"I hate to tell you what I paid for them. . . . The fire engine cost $2,500. The tanker $3,500," Haines said.

"And you know something? We saved millions of dollars' worth of property today with those."

Haines, 49, is a general contractor who has built several of the homes along Sequit. He said he bought the firefighting equipment to protect new houses that he's constructing. He taught himself how to operate the fire engine's pumps and replenish its water supply from the tanker -- which professional firefighters call a "water tender."

The Levys were not home when the fire struck. Most other residents along Sequit had evacuated when Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies drove through the area before dawn and warned that a fire was coming their way.

But those who formed Sequit's impromptu fire company stayed and fought. "If you stay, all you have to do is put out the embers when the fire goes through," said Wherry, a 71-year-old retired sales manager who has lived with his wife, Marguerite, on Sequit since 1991.

When flames hit Sea Breeze, above his street, Wherry said he climbed the hill and used a garden hose to save a yellow home that was about to catch fire from a nearby burning tree. "I saw a garden hose and used it to put out the tree fire," he said. "After that, the house was fine."

Back down on Sequit, there was disappointment when the stay-behind residents tried to use their own canvas fire hoses: They burst from the high pressure of the fire hydrants.

"You have to have them laid out straight, and these weren't. And they were old," Wherry said.

Some of those who used garden hoses managed to put out spot fires at neighbors' homes along Sequit before the structures were engulfed, said Chan, 51, a professional golf instructor. Good brush clearance and fire-resistant construction helped, he said.

"The hillside was lit up with 100-foot flames. . . . It was burning all around us. And I'm standing there, and all I've got is a garden hose," Chan said. "But it worked."

Those who stayed behind, said Marguerite Wherry, 57, a real estate agent, protected 11 houses on Sequit -- including one that nearly ignited two hours after the fire burned through the area.

"I called the Fire Department at 8:20 and said El Nido was burning and no firetrucks were here. They said they were trying to get up here," Marguerite Wherry said.

The only house on Sequit that burned was a home at the corner of Sequit and Sea Breeze that was out of range of Haines' fire hose.

After hours of work, Haines maneuvered his four-wheel-drive firetruck up a hill in hopes of protecting some storage containers he owns.

Unfortunately, his pumper truck ran dry, and his tanker truck was a quarter of a mile away. Soon, the containers' contents ignited.

"My mother's antique furniture and my tools are in there," he said. "I ran out of water. That's why I didn't get the fire out in time," he said.

"But you know something? I'm blessed. We all are. We didn't lose a house down here."

Source: latimes.com

Critical fire weather conditions continue in Ventura and Los Angeles mountains today

Updated: 09:56 PST on 2007-11-25
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF VERY DRY HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Update sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25
RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Cancel sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25
CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS MAINLY THE VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS TODAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Cancel sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25

Corral Fire Incident - Malibu - Update - 4,720 acres

Update Corral Fire; Kanan Dune and Malibu Canyon Roads are reported open.

Acres: 4,720
Containment: 40%
Damages:
51 structures destroyed (49 single family dwellings, 2 outbuildings)
27 structures damaged (24 single family dwellings, 3 outbuildings)
1 mobile home destroyed
8 vehicles destroyed

Injuries:
7 firefighters injured. 1 AEU Firefighter suffered moderate first-degree burns to his lips and cheeks when he took a hot blast of air to the face while fighting the fire., No serious injuries.

Mandatory Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the areas from the Coast to Mulholland Hwy. between Puerco Canyon Rd. and Latigo Canyon Rd.
Corral Canyon on the East, Kanan to the West,
Mulholland to the North, PCH to the South

Road Closures:
Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan
Road. All canyon roads between Malibu Canyon and Kanan are closed.
Kanan Road and Malibu Canyon Road are both open.
Fire map:Map of Corral fire perimeter
Map source: http://www.malibu-ca.gov

This is from South Ops "News & Notes"

Update Corral Fire; 4,720 acres and 40% contained. Moderate Santa Ana conditions continued throughout the night. Flanking and isolated head fire runs were observed. Interior islands continued to burn out. Crews continued direct line construction and perimeter control. Resources patrolled and mopped-up. Structure protection was provided as needed. Road closures remain in effect for PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) from Malibu Canyon Rd. to Paradise Cove; Kanan Dume Road from PCH to Mulholland Hwy. plus Latigo Canyon Rd. Via Acero Rd. Zumirez Dr. and Corral Canyon Rd. PCH from Zumirez Dr. to Kanan Dume Rd. is open to residents only. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the areas from the Coast to Mulholland Hwy. between Puerco Canyon Rd. and Latigo Canyon Rd.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Corral Fire Incident - Malibu - List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures

List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures

The attached list was provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Fire Department Disclaimer: The attached information regarding damaged and destroyed properties is a preliminary list of addresses based on our first damage assessment survey. We have strived to provide the most accurate information possible, but please note that this information is subject to change after subsequent, more detailed surveys can be completed. In the absence of a viable property address, we have listed the best possible description of the property that has been damaged/destroyed.

Malibu - Corral fire - Fire is burning into October burn area

[6:45 p.m.] Corral Canyon Fire - The Fire Department reports that the fire is approximately 5000 acres. There are over 1700 firefighters and 23 aircraft on scene. The cause is still under investigation.

The Fire Department has confirmed that 49 structures have been damaged or destroyed. It is not yet know how many of these affected structures are on the County area versus the City area.
Geo Mac Satellite map of Corral Fire in Malibu, California
Credit: Cal Fire News / Geo Mac
UPDATED: HMS 2007-11-24; Thermal MODIS: 2007-11-24 2000 (GMT); Fire Perimeters 2007-11-16; NIFC Sit Reports 2007-11-23

5000 acres 25% contained (Ocean?) as of 5:00 pm

Evacuations

Mandatory Evacuations: All areas from Corral Canyon west to Kanan Road. Residents of areas WEST of Kanan and residents of Point Dume are being allowed to return to their homes.

All residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate and to immediately follow instructions given by Fire Department and Sheriff's Department personnel.

An evacuation center has been set up by the Red Cross at Agoura High School, 28545 Driver Road. A second evacuation center has been set up at Channel Islands High School, 1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard, 805-385-2787

Road Closures

Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Road. All canyon roads between Malibu Canyon and Kanan are closed. Kanan Road and Malibu Canyon Road are both open.

Please stay out of closed areas to allow unimpeded access to evacuating residents and Fire and Sheriff personnel.

Animal Evacuations

Large animals: Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka, Woodland Hills

Small animals: Agoura Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 818-991-0071

Unified Command
-Los Angeles County Fire Department
-Los Angeles County Sheriff Department
-National Park Services
-Santa Monica Conservancy


Time of Alarm: 0330 hrs, November 24, 2007

Origin of Fire: Corral Canyon and Castro Peak Motor

Current acreage: 5000
25% Containment

Cause: Under Investigation

Injuries: 6 Firefighters- Minor Injuries

Road Closures:
" PCH- From Malibu Canyon to Trancas Canyon
" Kanan- PCH to Mulholland
" Latigo Canyon from PCH
" Corral Canyon from PCH

Mandatory Evacuations:
" Corral Canyon on the East
" Trancas Canyon to the West
" Mulholland to the North
" PCH to the South

Shelters:
" Agoura High School (28545 Driver) Facility can handle 200 evacuees; currently have 21 at this time.
" Channel Islands High School (1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard) can handle 300 evacuees.

Animal Issues:
" Contact Los Angeles Sheriffs Department
" Large animals can be taken to Pierce College in Woodland Hills ( 6201 Winnetka, 818 719-6401)
" Small animals can be taken to Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center in Calabasas ( 27040 Malibu Hills Road 818 880-2993)

Fire Information: 323 881-2411

Website: fire.lacounty.gov


Malibu Fire updates - 4,500 acres with 25 percent containment.

- An estimated 35 homes were destroyed and 10,000 to 14,000 people were evacuated, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman.

Fifteen helicopters and 15 airplanes including a retardant-dropping DC-10 jumbo jet attacked from the air while 1,700 firefighters battled flames on the ground. One firefighter suffered an unspecified moderate injury, and five others suffered minor injuries.

Google map of affected fire area released by Los Angeles County


View Larger Map
Malibu Fire - Corral Fire map
Credit: Map from the LAC fire dept website

[EDIS] Critical Fire weather conditions to continue - Ventura and Los Angeles counties

[EDIS] Critical Fire weather conditions to continue across most of Ventura and Los Angeles counties through Sunday

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24
CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS MOST OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES THROUGH SUNDAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24

CA-MVU-Haveford - Wildland fire - 30 acres 100%

Location: Ramona - 09:50 - , State Route 78 near Haverford Road,
Sizeup: Large header, 30+ acres, rapid ROS Northeast wind driven, About 100 homes were threatened, but none have burned.
Resources: 3 ST of engines on order for structure protection. The initial dispatch was double the normal. 200 firefighters, three air tankers and three helicopters initial attack. Aircraft called off about 11:30 a.m., according to Cal Fire. Nineteen engines and four fire crews remained on the scene shortly after noon.
IC says it is "One Big Finger".
Injuries: Two firefighters received minor injuries, including one who was inside a fire engine when a load of fire retardant landed on the engine and broke the windshield. No further information about the firefighters' conditions was available.
Weather: Winds six to 12 miles per hour
Cause: Started accidentally when sparks from a diamond saw being used by a homeowner ignited surrounding combustibles
Updates: It was 100 percent contained by 1:30 p.m
1330 hrs 30 acres 100%
1200 hrs 50 acres 50%
WebCam: http://archive.hpwren.ucsd.edu/camer...ren-iqeye2.jpg

LAFD Responds to Corral Canyon Fire in Malibu

Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned two Strike Teams of Firefighters, one LAFD Helicopter, one seasonally contracted Helitanker and one Assistant Chief Officer as an agency representative, to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department in their battle against a brush fire in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, California, twelve miles west of our City.

Source: http://lafd.blogspot.com/

CA-LAC-Corral - Vegetation Fire - Structure losses - 2200+ acres 0%

Immediate Structure threat - Evacuations
The evacuation zone included neighborhoods in Corral and Trancas canyons and Malibu Bowl. An evacuation center has been opened at Agoura High School.

Malibu Fire 2
Photo from KCRA video

Location: Corral Canyon Road X Las Virgenes Canyon North of the PCH - south of Malibu Lake on Malibu State park land.
GPS: Latitude and Longitude Lat: 34° 4´ 43" Long: 118° 45´ 19"
Sizeup: 03:30 Wildland Fire-100-acres with rapid rate of spread. Wind driven, Immediate structure threat, Evacutations ordered
Comms: 154.295 White 3
Resources: 1400hrs - 1,700 firefighters battled flames on the ground.
CALFIRE Team 9 en route along with numerous pre-staged CALFIRE strike teams. Tanker 910 ordered, 200 firefighters were on scene, 10 strike teams ordered immediate need, 5 OES Strike Teams enroute code 3 from San Bernardino Orange Show. Strike team 9226C moving from Orange Show Event center to Camarillo staging along with other teams
Fuels/Weather: Heavy brush, high winds 30 - 40 mph
Malibu Hills RAWS: 10:00 hrs Temperature - 70.0° F Relative Humidity - 5% Dew point - 4.0° F
Winds - 10 mph from NW gusting to 43 mph
Incident Number: CA-LAC-07258567
Cause: Point of origin off dirt road, Possibly set by persons attending house party.
Injuries: One firefighter suffered an unspecified moderate injury, and five others suffered minor injuries.
Updates:
1200 - 1 minor firefighter injury, 35 structures lost, all but 1 were homes 5 of 200 lost in Latigo Canyon, 15 of 100 lost in Sea Breeze, 15 of 100 lost in Corral Canyon - Newell Tract- Malibu Bowl area- perhaps 1 or 2 in Via Escondito near Pacific Coast Highway
1,700 firefighters from 41 engines and 68 strike teams
23 aircraft (including 15 helicopters, 3 fixed wing -- Quebec 1 & 2 Scoopers -- and the DC-10)
1030 - 2300 acres 5% - 750 Firefighters on line, 45 fire engines, 10 water-dropping helicopters and two Air attack planes and DC-10 - fire burning thru Latigo canyons area, driven by fierce 50-mph winds, engulfing homes along Newell Road in the Malibu Bowl area and Sycamore Road, and was burning west along Pacific Coast Highway toward Kanan Dume Road
1000 - Fire impacting PCH and beach
0930 - Head of Fire has burned to bottom (Reflected in reduced header on web cams)
0900 - Fire now reported to be over 1500 acres. 35 homes lost in Malibu Bowl and Newell Canyon areas, Immediate Structure threat continues, Tanker 910 over the fire, 500
firefighters on the line and 35 structures gone with potential for further major losses per LACFD. 5 OES Strike Teams enroute code 3 from San Bernardino Orange Show Event Center
0800 - At least a dozen homes burning, 300 Firefighters on scene
0730-
Wind driven fire is causing problematic spotting, Growth Potential - Extreme
Difficulty of Terrain - High
0700 - Multiple Structure losses being reported 0 percent containment as of 7 a.m. PST.
IC now has this at 400+ acres. Fire has jumped Latigo Canyon. Fire is burning toward the ocean.
This is about two canyons west of the Malibu fire perimeter.


Major problems and concerns: Difficult road access for firefighting apparatus, difficult egress for residents during evacuation due to incoming fire apparatus, same area as previous firefighter and civilian burnover in 1996, water distribution system easily overtaxed during firefighting operations.
Evacuations: 500 homes in three communities were evacuated in three separate communities
Fire is about 1 mile from homes in the Malibu bowl area.
Wx Forecast: Seasonal winds could gust as high as 75 mph up until Saturday night. Humidity levels are also very low.
Red flag warnings have been issued for Los Angeles county.

Satellite Picture of Malibu Fire
Credit:
NOAA/Cal Fire News
Satellite video: NOAA
live coverage: KABC TV, KNBC, KCRA
Webcams: http://www.watchthewater.org/beach_views.cfm

EDIS: RED FLAG WARNING - Napa County, Riverside County

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Updated: 06:06 PST on 2007-11-24
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
NAPA COUNTY-
Alert sent at 04:58 PST on 2007-11-24
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM MST /4 PM PST/ THIS AFTERNOON FOR THE LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY... EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY INCLUDING JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK... AND IMPERIAL COUNTY DUE TO STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES... AND HIGH FIRE DANGER Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 230JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 232IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY-
Update sent at 04:54 PST on 2007-11-24

Friday, November 23, 2007

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM PST SATURDAY.

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM PST SATURDAY.

GENERALLY THE WINDS DURING THIS EVENT WILL BE LESS WIDESPREAD... AND MAINLY IMPACT AREAS NEAR AND BELOW THE PASSES AND CANYONS. NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL STRENGTHEN TO 20 TO 30 MPH TONIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH THROUGH PASSES AND CANYONS. WINDS WILL SLOWLY DECREASE SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR NEAR AND BELOW THE PASSES AND CANYONS LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING... WITH LOCAL GUSTS 40 TO 50 MPH. HUMIDITIES WILL FALL TO 20 TO 0 PERCENT TONIGHT AND BELOW 10 PERCENT SATURDAY.

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH.

Area: ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-

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****REMINDER**** Every fire has the ability to be catastrophic. The wildland fire management environment has profoundly changed. Growing numbers of communities, across the nation, are experiencing longer fire seasons; more frequent, bigger, and more severe, fires are a real threat. Be careful with all campfires and equipment.

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." --Abraham Lincoln

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