Forest Service: Human caused wildland fires

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Forest Service: Human caused wildland fires

By: Cindy Thill, Sequoia National Forest

Kernville, CA May 27, 2009 - Last week's "Mace" fire in the Sorrel Peak area of the Piute Mountains was caused by an abandoned campfire. The fire, just south of last year's 37,000 acre Piute Fire, grew to 1.5 acres before firefighters were able to control it. This fire is still under investigation.

During the past weekend two more fires broke out around Lake Isabella. The "South" fire was reported on May 24th at 10:06 a.m. Quick suppression action held the south fire to 1/10 of an acre.

The following day, May 25, the "Paradise" fire was reported at 1:52 p.m. in the Paradise Cove Campground. Fire suppression personnel arrived on scene and found the public had taken quick suppression action and the fire was contained to a small spot.

Rick Larson, District Ranger for the Kern River Ranger District would like to take this opportunity to remind the local communities and the visiting public to be "fire-wise when visiting National Forest lands." Larson further stated, "Dry forest conditions, coupled with camping and multiple recreational activities on the forest, can lead to wildland fires. Please make sure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving your campsite and be extra careful with stoves, bar-b-ques and smoking."

Forest officials also advise the public to use caution with combustible and motorized devices in and around the forest.

The Forest Service is requesting the public's assistance in locating persons of interest that were seen in or around the "Mace" fire vicinity, on Sunday, May 17th. To report any information please call (559) 294-4894.

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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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Wednesday, May 27, 2009