Quick Look: California Major Incident Wildland Fires

California Major Incident Fires

California Major Incident Fire map

Credit: Cal Fire News - GeoMac

Freeway Complex: 28,889 ACRES 90% Contained
AKA: Triangle Complex

Triangle Complex / Freeway Complex - Name change info: The change in the name from "Triangle" back to "Freeway" was required due to a FMAG grant, which was approved using the name of "Freeway Fire". When the CALFIRE Team assumed the fire they renamed it, however since redoing the FMAG would have been problematic, the name was changed back.

Update: 11-18-08 1900hrs - Freeway Complex (CA-ORC-75221) fire is 90% contained. Only smoldering fire activity was observed today. 127 residences are damaged and 187 destroyed. 2 commercial properties are damaged and 2 destroyed.
The fire began in Riverside county at Green River, and spread quickly into Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties.

Damage assessment is ongoing. The current increases in residential structures are based on the totals from the following cities Anaheim, Brea, Corona and Yorba Linda. This also reflects multi-family residences. The reduction in the commercial properties damaged is due to a reclassification of some structures.

Update: 09:30hrs - Authorities released the preliminary cause of the fire this morning.
Fire authorities believe the Freeway fire might have been accidentally set by the exhaust equipment of a car, authorities announced today.
Investigators with Cal Fire, are still investigating the cause of the Freeway Complex Fire, which has burned for four days. Investigators are still going through evidence and witness statements.

Update: 08:30hrs -Freeway Complex (CA-ORC-75221) burned 28,889 acres and is 75% contained. Minimal fire growth is expected today. High RH and high temperatures could result moderate fire behavior. Continue to provide structure protection as required. Minimal fire growth is expected, No smoke showing, Burning of interior pockets well within control lines.

Update: 08:15hrs - Huge Demob is starting with about Single resource engines, 40 Local Government engine strike teams, Dozers going home. Mostly local gov and OES type 1 & 2 teams.

Update: 11-17-08 18:15hrs - Evacuation orders lifted
All evacuation orders were lifted in the Diamond Bar area, where some of the most intense battles against the blaze occurred, fire officials said.
All evacuation orders were lifted in Yorba Linda residents were also allowed to return to their homes Monday.
Boil Water advisory: Yorba Linda Water District advised those living in the Hidden Hills Estates neighborhood to boil tap water at least five minutes before it is consumed.

ICS 209 Info at 1800 hours yesterday:
Projected demobilization start date: 11/17/2008 1600
Size/Area Involved 28,889 ACRES % Contained 60 Percent
Expected Containment Date: 11/19/2008
Line to Build 9 Miles
Estimated Costs to Date $10,719,066
Projected incident movement/spread: Minimal fire growth is expected.
Significant events today:Demobilization of Overhead, Single Resource Engines, Type I Engines Strike Teams and Dozer Strike Teams began today.
Fuels/Materials Involved: 4 Chaparral (6 Feet)
Chaparral with annual grasses underneath.
Today's observed fire behavior:
Burning of interior pockets well within control lines.
Major problems and concerns: Low relative humidities and high temps could result in moderate fire behavior. Significant economic impacts to surrounding communities due to restricted access.

Values at Risk:
12 hours: The communities of Yorba Linda and Chino Valley are impacted by the fire. The impact to highway systems has diminished. Three high pressure natural gas lines within the fire perimimeter are being monitored.
24 hours: The communities of Yorba Linda and Chino Valley are impacted by the fire. The impact to highway systems has diminished. Three high pressure natural gas lines within the fire perimimeter are being monitored.
Actions planned for next operational period:
Continue to provide structure protection as required and perimeter containment/control. Support evacuations as necessary. Mop up and patrol on less active portions of the fire.

Growth Potential - Medium
Difficulty of Terrain - Medium

Given the current constraints, when will the chosen management strategy succeed?
With no change in current weather success in likely.

Observed Weather for Current Operational Period
Peak Gusts (mph): 6 G16 Max. Temperature: 88
Wind Direction: SW Min. Relative Humidity: 11
Forecasted Weather for next Operational Period
Wind Speed (mph): 6 G20 Temperature: 84
Wind Direction: SW Relative Humidity: 18
Previous posts: Freeway/Triangle Complex Fire

Sayre Fire: 11,234 ACRES - 85% Contained
Incident Number: CA-LFD-1460 - 11/17/2008 Time 1800

613 homes and 10 commercial buildings were destroyed in the first 12 hours of the Sayre Fire.

Update: 18:30 hrs - Sayre (CA-LFR-1460) The fire has burned 11,234 acres and is 85% contained with 3 miles of line left to build. No active fire behavior was observed today (only smoldering). Significant progress was made with direct line construction today on the North Flank of the fire. Resources continue to patrol and mop-up. Residents of the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park continued to be allowed limited access to their residences today. Damage to commercial properties has been adjusted upward from 3 to 4. The Little Tujunga Rd at the Wildlife Way Station is closed with K-rails. A 2 hour notice is required to re-open this road closure if needed. Sylmar High School evacuation center remains open. West Valley, East Valley and Mission animal shelters remain open.

Update: o8:30 hrs - Sayre (CA-LFR-1460) The fire has burned 11,213 acres and is 70% contained. Minimal fire spread is projected for today. Steep and extremely inaccessible terrain is delaying containment efforts. The Fire is in close proximity to populated areas and major transportation corridors.

Start Date: 11/14/2008 Time: 2249
Location: City of Sylmar-heavy populated Wildland Urban Interface area.
GPS: Latitude and Longitude Lat: 34° 18´ 57" Long: 118° 25´ 0"
Size/Area Involved: 11,207 ACRES
% Contained: 64 Percent
Line to Build: 10 Miles
Estimated Costs to Date: $8,200,000

Projected incident movement/spread 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour time frames:
12 hours: Due to successful suppression efforts and moderated weather, minimal fire spread is projected.
24 hours: Fire has potential to move into Coyote Canyon.
48 hours: Fire has potential to move into Coyote Canyon.

Values at Risk: include communities, critical infrastructure, natural and cultural resources in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hour time frames:
12 hours: Placerita Canyon and Sand Canyon. The 14 Fwy from the 5 Fwy to Placerita Canyon Rd. Major power transmission lines from the 5/210 Fwy north to the 14 Fwy.
24 hours: Little Tujunga Canyon.

Critical Resource Needs: 12 hours: (2) Agency Dozers, (1) DOZB.

Major problems and concerns: Extreme dry fuel moisture and low humidities will continue to persist. Steep and extremely inaccessible terrain is delaying containment efforts. Fire is in close proximity to populated areas and major transportation corridors.

Observed Weather: for Current Operational Period
Peak Gusts (mph): 10 Max. Temperature: 79
Wind Direction: NE Min. Relative Humidity: 13

Fuels/Materials Involved: 4 Chaparral (6 Feet) Fuel Models, 4 and 5.

Forecasted Weather for next Operational Period
Wind Speed (mph): 5-8G15 Temperature: 65
Wind Direction: NE Relative Humidity: 22

Actions planned for next operational period:
On the southwest perimeter, hold and improve established containment lines. Continue direct line construction on the northeast perimeter. Provide structure protection for Bear Divide residences. Patrol and mop-up as needed.

Growth Potential - High
Difficulty of Terrain - Extreme

Given the current constraints, when will the chosen management strategy succeed?
Success is dependent on continued favorable weather.

Remarks:
Sylmar High School evacuation center at remains open. West Valley, East Valley and Mission animal shelters remain open. Adjustment to residential and commercial structures damaged/destroyed was due to updated information from damage assessment teams. The Sayer Incident is managed by CIIMT-4 under Unified Command with Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, US Forest Service ANF and Los Angeles Police Department. ICP is at Hansen Dam.


Tea Fire - 1,940 acres 100% contained. - Final update
Update: 11-18-1900hrs - Tea Incident (CA-SBC-9981) (no acreage revision there were isolated hot spots along containment lines and the interior of the fire today. Loss of power to portions of Montecito and Santa Barbara County remains while power lines are being repaired. The Current count of destroyed houses is as follows: 130 in Santa Barbara City (LRA), 80 in the Montecito area (SRA). The count has not been finalized pending further verification efforts. Damaged homes are not included at this time. Investigation of fire has identified individuals responsible for causing the fire. Those identified are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Update: 11-18-0900hrs -Tea Incident (CA-SBC-9981) 1,940 acres and 100% contained. Kerschen will transition command today at 0600 hours. 9 residences are damaged and 210 are destroyed. Demob continues...

Cause: Unattended Bonfire - A bonfire was not extinguished properly and when winds came up Thirteen hours later, wildland fire was started. Investigation of fire has identified individuals responsible for causing the fire. Those identified are cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

Derived from ICS-209 and other sources: link