NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC AIRCRAFT FORUM

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2011

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NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC AIRCRAFT FORUM

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The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a two-day

forum on safety issues related to the oversight of public

aircraft operations on November 30 and December 1, 2011, in

Washington, D.C.

The event, entitled "Public Aircraft Oversight Forum:

Ensuring Safety for Critical Missions," will be chaired by

NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman and all five Board

members will participate.

Public aircraft are operated by a federal, state, or local

government for the purpose of fulfilling governmental

functions such as national defense, intelligence missions,

firefighting, search and rescue, law enforcement,

aeronautical research, or biological or resource management.

Government organizations conducting public aircraft

operations supervise their own flight and maintenance

operations without oversight from the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA).

"Our accident investigations have demonstrated the risks of

inadequate safety oversight and identified persistent

confusion as to the role of the FAA when it comes to public

use aircraft," said Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "During

the forum, we will gather information on the roles and

responsibilities of the entities engaged in public aircraft

operations and hear about methods for ensuring effective

safety oversight."

Recent NTSB investigations of accidents involving public

aircraft include:

*     the August 5, 2008, accident near Weaverville,

California, involving a helicopter operated by the

U.S. Forest Service on a firefighter transport mission

*     the September 27, 2008, accident in District Heights,

Maryland, involving a helicopter operated by the

Maryland State Police as a medical evacuation flight

*     the June 9, 2009, accident near Santa Fe, New Mexico,

involving a helicopter operated by the New Mexico

State Police on a search and rescue mission

Panelists participating in the forum will represent federal,

state, and local government entities, aviation industry

trade associations, and civil operators contracting with

government entities. A detailed agenda and list of

participants will be released closer to the date of the

event.

The forum will be held in the NTSB Board Room and Conference

Center, located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington,

D.C. The public can view the forum in person or by webcast

at www.ntsb.gov.

# # #

NTSB Media Contact:

Bridget Serchak

202-314-6100

Bridget.serchak@ntsb.gov

California Fire News 2011 

YNP - Yosemite Fires - Update and Maps #CaFire

Yosemite National Park Tamarack Fire Perimeter Map

Yosemite National Park Smith Fire Perimeter Map

Yosemite Fires - Update #27 – September 30, 2011

The Tamarack fire is the most active of the lightning ignited fires. All others are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed.  Warmer weather has settled into the region, with smoke becoming more visible.  A cool weather front, with precipitation, is predicted for the weekend with possible thunderstorms.

Wilderness Fire Unit:  
Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It remains at approximately 23 acres.  It is smoldering in down and dead logs and duff.  Light smoke is visible in the afternoons.  All trails through this area are closed: Cottonwood Creek, Smith Meadow, Smith Peak, and the Aspen Valley trails.  

Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el., Mariposa Co. 9/13). This is fire is at 531.  Short range spotting and runs through vegetation was observed.  Seventy-five % of the perimeter is active. The fire has shifted to the east and northeast following the terrain.  It remains within .2 of a mile of the Tioga Rd. It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire.  Fire crews are removing brush along the Tioga Road and are blacklining (burning out excess fuels) for visitor and firefighter safety and to keep the fire south of the road.   Drivers are urged to use caution, and adhere to posted 25 mph speed limits, and traffic officer instructions when driving in the area of Gin Flat. The Tamarack Creek trail though the fire area is closed.  Smoke is visible from many locations throughout the park, including the Tioga and Wawona Roads, Olmsted and Glacier Points and Sentinel Dome.  

Frog (38 02.3 X 119 45.7; 7,000’ el., Tuolumne Co., 9/27).  This lightning caused ignition was spotted by Pilot Peak Fire Lookout on September 25.  Yosemite Crew 9 hiked into the area Monday and confirmed the fire.  It is at 1.7 acres, now smoldering in red fir timber and brush. Light smoke is visible.

Hoffman fire:  This fire has become more active with 3.6 acres having burned, and 30% of the perimeter is active.  It is within 400’ of the Tioga Rd and is visible.

The 14 other lightning caused ignition fires are either out or inactive.

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire:  This project has been postponed one day for crews to  continue preparing the project.  The primary objective of this prescribed fire is Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) protection. The project is 5,224 acres and is broken into five segments. The 1400 acre Segment A will be the first portion treated. More information about this project will be available on the separate Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire Information update.   

Additional Information:

• Fire Information and Education:   Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov; (209) 375-9574 or (209) 372-0480.
• Yosemite Fire Management Website:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.
• Air Quality:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm
• Park WEBCAMS:  Park   http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
• Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395
• Twitter:  http://twitter.com/YosemiteFire

California Fire News 2011 

Atascadero: Cal Fire 25-acre controlled burn today

Cal Fire plans a 25-acre controlled burn

When: Friday, Sept. 30

Where: Planned for the eastern end of Santa Clara Road in southeast Atascadero. 

Who: Three Cal Fire fire engines and one Cal Fire crew will be involved in the burn.

Why: This burn is a training exercise to give fire crews experience fighting wildfires. According to a Cal Fire news release, non-native grasses and invasive yellow star thistle will be torched.
Smoke: “In the unlikely event you smell smoke, county officials urge you to take precautions and use common sense to reduce harmful health effects by limiting outdoor activities,” according to the news release.
Air quality: The burn is being coordinated with the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District and the California Air Resources Board and area residents.
“The project is dependent on weather and will be carried out during favorable atmospheric conditions that provide adequate consumption and smoke dispersal,” according to Cal Fire. If conditions aren’t favorable, the burn will be rescheduled.

CA-YNP- Yosemite September lightning Fires 127+ acres #Maps

Yosemite Fires - Update #23 – September 26, 2011

The three most active lightning ignited fires have experienced moderate growth over the last few days.  All fires are being monitored, patrolled or are staffed.  Thunderstorm activity continued over the weekend, with measurable rain in some locations.  The T-Storms are predicted to moderate through the coming week, with drier and warmer conditions. However, as warmer weather settles into the region, more smoke may become visible. 

Yosemite September Tamarack Fire Perimeter Map

Yosemite September Smith lightning Fire Perimeter Map

 Wilderness Fire Unit:  
Smith (37 55.249 x 119 45.945; 6,300” el. Tuolumne Co. 9/14) It is at approximately 25 acres, with minimal growth over the last few days.  It continues to burn in down and dead logs and duff with moderate fire activity.  Smoke is visible in the afternoons with the southwest aspect drying of available fuels.  Crews are on scene.  The fire remains within the wilderness boundary.  All trails through this area are closed:  Cottonwood Creek, Smith Meadow, Smith Peak, and the Aspen Valley trails.  

Tamarack (37 45.982 x 119 44.436; 7,700’el. Mariposa Co. 9/13). Over 101 acres have burned and the fire perimeter is 50% active, with 1’ to 2’ foot flame lengths, burning in red fire duff and forest litter.  It is moving toward the north/northwest. The Tamarack Creek trail though the fire area is closed.  It is approximately 1 mile northeast of Tamarack campground, and near the footprint of the 1988 Walker fire.  Smoke is visible from many locations throughout the park, including the Tioga and Wawona Roads, Glacier Point and Sentinel Dome.  Smoke has the potential to impact the Tamarack Campground in the late evening and early morning hours.  Fire crews will be removing brush along the Tioga Road.  Drivers are urged to use caution, and adhere to posted 25 mph speed limits when driving in the area of Gin Flat.

Cascade (37 45.879 x 119 41.846; 7,700’ el. Mariposa Co. 9/12) This fire has become more active and a smoke column is visible in the afternoons. It remains less than 1 acre.  It is approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Tamarack Campground near Ribbon Meadow.   

The other 14 lightning caused ignition fires are either out or are not active.   Other fires may continue to be found during predicted drier weather this next week.

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire:  This proposed project is mostly in Wilderness and the primary objective is Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) protection.  The project will buffer the communities of Yosemite West, Wawona, Glacier Point Historic District and El Portal, from unwanted wildfire by reducing an over accumulation of fuels.  The project is 5,224 acres and is broken into five segments.  It will build off the recent 1,068 acre Avalanche fire, other prescribed fires and mechanical thinning treatments in Yosemite’s Suppression and Wilderness Fire Management Units.    Additionally, this project is another step in restoring fire dependent forest ecosystems in Yosemite’s lower mixed conifer pine forest.  More information about this project will be available on a separate Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire Information update.   The start date is to be determined, due to the number of naturally caused ignitions within the park.

For additional Information:

• Fire Information and Education:   Gary_Wuchner@nps.gov; (209) 375-9574 or (209) 372-0480.
• Yosemite Fire Management Website:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/current_fire.htm.
• Air Quality:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/aqmonitoring.htm
• Park WEBCAMS:  Park   http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

California Fire News 2011 

California Widfires Quick Look at the GACC's

Northern California:

CA-SRF Ruth Incident - 1500 acres, 25% contained. 


Southern California: 
TUU Sept. Lightning (CA-TUU_0397)390 acres, 75% contained. No movement is anticipated on the fires.

Quail Fire CA-CDD-13812, the incident is being managed under a single type 3 organization (D. Washington, IC), (60 acres) 85% contained. The Incident is in Jawbone Canyon in the Kelso Valley area Fuel types are juniper and bull pine. Poor access and a possible wind event is anticipated, partial hand line is around the fire. 271 personnel remained assigned. Kelso Valley is 88°, RH 19%, wind 16 mph from the West North West with gusts to 21 mph.

Windy Point (CA-BDF-13860) update: at 0800 hours 329 acres 16% contained. Highway 111 reported closed from Overture to Gateway. Moderate to Extreme fire behavior was reported overnight.

Notes:  Three Hotshot Crews were mobilized to an area below Reno Nevada

California Fire News 2011 

TULARE COUNTY #LIGHTNING FIRES 400 acres

Over 470 confirmed lighting strikes since Friday afternoon.

TULARE COUNTY LIGHTNING FIRES Tulare County Lightning Fires Incident Information: Last Updated: September 24, 2011 3:00 pm   Date/Time Started: September 23, 2011 9:45 pm   Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Tulare Unit  County: Tulare County   Location: Throughout the Tulare County foothills   Acres Burned: 400 acres   Containment 4 fires - 400 acres   Conditions: Over 470 confirmed lighting strikes since Friday afternoon. ​The largest of these fires was located northwest of Woodlake on Ave 376 and Road 197 known as the “Mud Springs Gap” area. As of noon Saturday over 150 fire fighting personnel continued to suppress the 350 acre fire which was 60% contained. ​A second fire in the same area (Ave 376 / Road 212) was limited to 40 acres and was 100% contained by 8 a.m. Saturday morning.  Both of these fires which were reported at 9:45 pm Friday were caused by lighting strikes. ​By Saturday morning another fire (Gordon Fire ) was located off Yokohl Dr east of Exeter.  Resources had stopped the forward progress of this fire by 10:00 am . This fire was held to just under 10 acres. Fire Fighting crews remained throughout the day to gain full containment.

California Fire News 2011 

RED FLAG WARNING / DRY LIGHTNING / CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING.  

* THUNDERSTORMS... WIDELY SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL PRODUCE DRY LIGHTNING LATER TODAY...AND CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING.
* OUTFLOW WINDS... ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT DEVELOP TODAY WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING WIND GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
* IMPACTS... WITH DRY FUELS...ANY LIGHTNING STRIKES WILL BE CAPABLE OF IGNITING A FIRE.
THE POTENTIAL FOR GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS COULD RESULT IN A RAPID FIRE SPREAD.
Instruction:
RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF DRY LIGHTNING...GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS...AND DRY FUELS COULD CREATE EXTREME FIRE DANGER AND/OR FIRE BEHAVIOR.  PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

Area: SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-CUYAMA VALLEY- ANTELOPE VALLEY
Counties:  Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles

California Fire News 2011 

Fremont Police and Fire Department Public Safety Twitter Broadcast

Press Release: Public Safety Social Media Live Broadcast

Spend 15 hours with Fremont’s Finest...

On Friday, September 23, 2011, the Fremont Police and Fire Department will feature a Public Safety Social Media Live Broadcast utilizing the @FremontPD Twitter account. The Fremont Police Department launched the Twitter account earlier in the year in the continued effort to expand and diversify our outreach efforts. The event Friday is intended to educate and spread awareness to our citizens on the daily efforts of the two public safety departments.

Beginning at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 23, 2011 through 2:00 AM Saturday, September 24, 2011, members of the two Departments will raise awareness by tweeting all public safety calls for service that come into the 9-1-1 center. The hours chosen, correlate with the peak service times. Members of the community are encouraged to follow @FremontPD. We encourage engagement and dialogue from the community during the event. City of Fremont employees will be on hand to respond to comments and questions during the 15 hour event.

During the 15 hour event, you can expect to receive in the range of 200-250 tweets. This is the average number of incidents generated in Fremont on any given day. Tweets will provide real time information including general call type and call dispositions. Fremont Police and Fire Staff will manage the event and be available to answer community questions on-line. The event will be staffed by Chief Craig Steckler, Captain Frank Grgurina, Captain Richard Lucero, Press Information Officer Detective Bill Veteran, Fire Operations Staff Captain Gerry Fogel, Lieutenant John Liu and Community Engagement Manager Geneva Bosques.

Please join us at @FremontPD by going to http://twitter.com/FremontPD. For additional information contact Det. Veteran at (510) 790-6972 or at wveteran@fremont.gov or Community Engagement Manager Geneva Bosques at (510) 790-6957 or at gbosques@fremont.gov.

Address/Location
Fremont Police Department (CA)
2000 Stevenson Blvd
Fremont, CA 94538

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 510-790-6800

California Fire News 2011 

Cal EMA News Blog

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Be Prepared! Tells Southern Californians to Get Ready for the Next Emergency Posted: 20 Sep 2011 06:16 PM PDT Emergency Preparedness Kit LOS ANGELES – September is National Preparedness Month and the first responder and disaster recovery communities were out in full strength today at the Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Emergencies never occur at a convenient time and studies show that most Californians are not adequately prepared for a significant disaster near their home or business. *CLICK HERE to view today’s press conference* Today, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) and American Red Cross Los Angeles Region co-hosted Be Prepared! on the South Lawn of the Exposition Park to remind the public that disasters can strike at any time and personal preparedness is priority to surviving and recovering from an emergency situation. Cal EMA Acting Secretary Dayton interviewed by media “Today’s event was a comprehensive approach to educating the public about how they can increase their personal preparedness,” said Cal EMA Acting Secretary Mike Dayton. “Our mission at Cal EMA is to help every Californian get an emergency preparedness kit and develop a thorough emergency plan for their home or business.” The American Red Cross and Target provided premade preparedness kits for attendees at today’s event along side 40 other educational booths sponsored by local first responder and disaster recovery organizations. “Here in Southern California, we are living in one of the most at-risk areas of the country. Yet few people are prepared for emergency situations, let alone a worst-case scenario,” said Paul Schulz, CEO of the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region. “Through events like these we hope to empower individuals to get a kit, make a plan and be informed for a major disaster.” The Salvation Army hands out info at the preparedness fair In partnership with the California Earthquake Authority and the California Seismic Safety Commission, Cal EMA also premiered “Totally Unprepared,” a unique view of just how unprepared the average Californian can be. The television and web series interviews unsuspecting citizens and quizzes them on how they and their homes are prepared for an earthquake. Following a Sacramento event held at the State Capitol on September 7, Southern California’s Be Prepared! event is the second of three major outreach efforts that Cal EMA is part of for National Preparedness Month 2011. The final event will be in San Francisco at Bayview/Hunters Point on September 24. For more information on this and other emergency preparedness efforts by Cal EMA or to watch the news conference via a live webcast, visit our National Preparedness Month web page. Arcadia Fire Dept. shows off a Cal EMA Mutual Aid fire engine Participants include, but not limited to: California Emergency Management Agency, Target, Grainger, American Red Cross, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps, Safely Out, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles Police Department, City of Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety, City of Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation, City of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Division, City of Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, The Salvation Army, California Geological Survey, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Navy. Related links: Cal EMA’s National Preparedness Month page Totally Unprepared homepage

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CA-ANF-MINT Wildland Fire 640 acres 80% - Map

Mint Fire headerCredit: Jeanine MilitelloTwidroyd

Incident Overview

Wildfire located off Highway 14/Sierra Highway/Mint Canyon.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	Saturday September 17th, 2011 approx. 08:00 AM
Location	Hwy 14/Sierra Hwy/ Mint Canyon
Incident Commander	John Lane, Div 3

Current Situation

Total Personnel	400
Size	640 acres
Percent Contained	80%
Estimated Containment Date	Sunday September 18th, 2011 approx. 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved	Grasses and medium brush.
Significant Events	1 minor firefighter injury

Outlook

Planned Actions	Firefighters will continue to work to complete hand and dozer line.
Terrain Difficulty	Rolling hills with limited accessibility.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	5-10 mph SW
Temperature	77 degrees
Humidity	30%

Angeles National Forest Mint Fire Perimeter location map

California Fire News 2011