Thursday, September 3, 2009

California Fire Situation and Regional Outlook

Outlook:

The hot and dry conditions in Southern California are beginning to recede. By Saturday significantly cooler temperatures and increased humidity will build into the area including a deep marine layer in coastal areas and canyons. By Monday the area will begin warming again, although at this time it is not expected to get as hot as it has been during the past two weeks. In Northern California light rain is possible in some areas during the coming weekend before a dry and windy pattern sets up early in the week. At this time “high risk” days have been identified for the Sacramento valley and in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties early next week due to forecasted winds.

Forest Service Initial Attack Resources:

Availability of Forest Service initial attack resources fluctuates on a daily basis due to staffing schedules, vehicle maintenance, and firefighter commitment to ongoing incidents. The numbers reported below reflect a “snapshot” of Forest Service resource availability in California as of 10:00 am on the day this report is disseminated.

  • Engines: 158
  • Hotshot Crews: 4
  • Type 2 Initial Attack hand crews: 8
  • Type 2 hand crews: 7
  • Helicopters: 16

Out of Region Support:

During the past week, Region 5 has dispatched approximately 6 overhead/management firefighters to assist with wildfire management operations in Alaska, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. The majority of Region 5 fire management resources have remained in California to assist with ongoing large fires.

Current Significant Incidents:

Station Fire, Angeles National Forest

The Station Fire began late in the afternoon on August 26, 2009 in a rugged and inaccessible location north of La Cañada-Flintridge , California . By the following weekend the fire grew significantly forcing multiple evacuations. Currently firefighters are making good progress toward containment and evacuations have been lifted in the areas of Acton , La Crescenta and La Cañada-Flintridge . The fire is currently 144,743 acres and is 38% contained. Sixty-four homes and three commercial residences have been destroyed.

Resources Currently Assigned:
  • 73 Type 1 Hand Crews
  • 34 Type 2 Hand Crews
  • 13 Helicopters
  • 433 Engines
  • 60 Dozers
  • 57 Water Tenders
  • 4,735 Total Personnel

YTD fires and acres:

National Forest System lands:

  • Fires: 1,262
  • Acres: 271,449

All Jurisdictions:

  • Fires: 6,510
  • Acres: 343,005

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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.

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