FIRE WEATHER WATCH IMPERIAL COUNTY / EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE DANGER...

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
AFFECTED AREA: IN ARIZONA...YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ. IN CALIFORNIA... JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK...LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA AND IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.
WINDS: NORTH 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.
TIMING: NORTHWEST WINDS WILL BEGIN TO INCREASE OVERNIGHT TUESDAY. STRONGER NORTH WINDS WILL BEGIN WEDNESDAY MORNING AND LAST THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: AS LOW AS 8 PERCENT.
IMPACTS: FUELS ARE VERY DRY AND FIRE DANGER IS HIGH. THESE CONDITIONS... COMBINED WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
Instruction:
PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH.

Area: 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 232 - IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Affected Counties or parts of: Riverside, Imperial

California Fire News 2011 

RED FLAG WARNING - KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS

 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES IN THE KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS

HIGH FIRE DANGER.

  NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING.
WINDS/RH: ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL GENERALLY BE LESS THAN 10 MPH... FUELS ARE EXTREMELY DRY AND MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL BE IN THE SINGLE DIGITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN MANY LOCATIONS. POOR HUMIDITY RECOVERIES ARE ANTICIPATED AGAIN TONIGHT ESPECIALLY ABOVE 4000 FEET.
 LOCATIONS TEHACHAPI, FRAZIER PARK, PINE MOUNTAIN CLUB, BEAR VALLEY SPRINGS AND THE PIUTES.
 IMPACTS: HIGH FIRE DANGER.
Instruction: A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF LONG DURATION LOW HUMIDITIES AND VERY DRY FUELS WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.
Area: KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS-
Affected Counties or parts of: Tuolumne, Tulare, Mariposa, Merced, Kings, Kern, Fresno, Madera

California Fire News 2011 

FIRE WEATHER WATCH LOS ANGELES & VENTURA COUNTIES

FIRE WEATHER WATCH

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES FOR GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... 


SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE GREAT BASIN WITH A RIDGE ALOFT WILL CONTINUE TO BRING WIDESPREAD VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND AREAS OF GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS THROUGH AT LEAST THIS AFTERNOON.

HUMIDITIES OVER THE MOUNTAINS WILL REMAIN BELOW 15 PERCENT TODAY... WITH MANY AREAS UNDER 10 PERCENT. GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS WILL PEAK JUST BEFORE NOON TODAY...THEN SLOWLY WEAKEN AFTER EARLY THIS AFTERNOON. THE VERY DRY CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND...WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES IN THE MOUNTAINS. ALTHOUGH WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAKEN SOME TONIGHT...THE RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE MOUNTAINS MAY NEED TO BE EXTENDED THROUGH SATURDAY IF THE WINDS REMAIN STRONG ENOUGH...AND A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED TO ADDRESS THAT POSSIBILITY. 

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES FOR GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES FOR GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT THIS EVENING. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 

WINDS: AREAS OF NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MOST OF THIS AFTERNOON THEN WEAKEN SOME THROUGH THIS EVENING. ISOLATED GUSTS OVER 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE FAVORED CANYONS AND HILLS. AREAS OF NORTHEAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH ARE POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY. 

RELATIVE HUMIDITY: WIDESPREAD READINGS BELOW 10 PERCENT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND...WITH VERY POOR OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES UNDER 20 PERCENT. 

IMPACTS: IF FIRE IGNITION OCCURS... THERE COULD BE RAPID SPREAD OF WILDFIRE THAT WOULD LEAD TO A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND VERY LOW HUMIDITY...AS WELL AS DRY FUEL CONDITIONS... IS EXPECTED TO CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE...WHICH COULD RESULT IN EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST

Affected Counties or parts of: Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles

California Fire News 2011 

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

RED FLAG WARNING

 DRY NORTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP TONIGHT ACROSS THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS AND MARIN/SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES. THE AREA OF STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE THE HILLS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN NAPA COUNTY AS WELL AS AROUND MOUNT ST HELENA.

 
 STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH ABOUT MIDDAY WEDNESDAY. HOWEVER DRY OFFSHORE WINDS WITH VERY LOW HUMIDITY WILL CONTINUE AGAIN WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY, ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST BAY HILLS

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM PDT THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTH BAY HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN MARIN/SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES... 

AFFECTED AREA: HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN MARIN/SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES. THE AREA OF STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE THE HILLS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN NAPA COUNTY AS WELL AS AROUND MOUNT ST HELENA.

WINDS: NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS SUSTAINED 15 TO 25 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS 35 TO 40 MPH. STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR LATE TONIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY. 

RELATIVE HUMIDITY: DROPPING BELOW 30 PERCENT TONIGHT AND THEN STAYING BETWEEN 15 AND 25 PERCENT WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY WITH NO NIGHT TIME RECOVERY. 

IMPACTS: ANY IGNITIONS DURING THE PERIOD OF STRONGEST WINDS COULD LEAD TO NEW FIRE STARTS THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SUPPRESS WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD.

Instruction: A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.
Area: NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS-MARIN/SONOMA AND NORTHERN AND EASTERN NAPA COUNTY AS WELL AS AROUND MOUNT ST HELENA.
Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda

California Fire News 2011 

RED FLAG WARNING SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA

 RED FLAG WARNING Critical Fire weather

 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PHOENIX HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR STRONG WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND HIGH FIRE  DANGER
 IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM MST /2 PM PDT/ TO 9 PM MST /9 PM PDT/ WEDNESDAY.  * AFFECTED AREA... ARIZONA: YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ.
 CALIFORNIA: LOWER COLORADO RIVER  VALLEY CA. THE STRETCH BETWEEN PARKER AND BLYTHE IS MORE LIKELY TO REACH RED FLAG CRITERIA THAN THE SOUTHERNMOST STRETCH. 
WINDS: NORTH 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH.  
TIMING: STRONG WINDS WILL DEVELOP IN THE AFTERNOON WEDNESDAY WITH THE COMBINATION OF LOW HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS BEGINNING MID AFTERNOON. 
RELATIVE HUMIDITY: AS LOW AS 10 PERCENT. 
IMPACTS: FUELS ARE VERY DRY AND FIRE DANGER IS HIGH. THESE  CONDITIONS... COMBINED WITH LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND STRONG WINDS WILL LEAD TO WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
instruction:
PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.
Area:  ARIZONA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 131YUMA/MARTINEZ LAKE AND VICINITY/LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY AZ-CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 231LOWER COLORADO RIVER VALLEY CA-
Affected Counties or parts of: Riverside, Imperial

California Fire News 2011 

Red Flag Warning: Los Angeles & Ventura County Mountains

Red Flag Warning

 National Weather Service Has Issued Red Flag Warning in effect from late wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon over the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains for gusty offshore winds and very low relative humidity.


 HIGH PRESSURE WILL FORM OVER THE SURFACE OF THE GREAT BASIN ON WEDNESDAY... 


RESULTING IN GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS OVER THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS STARTING LATE WEDNESDAY  MORNING...


 WHICH WILL THEN SPREAD INTO THE VALLEYS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE WEAKENING. THESE WINDS WILL ALSO BRING A VERY DRY AIR MASS TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA...WHICH WILL RESULT IN WIDESPREAD HUMIDITIES BELOW 10 PERCENT BY LATE WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY LASTING THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. 


Timing: RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM WEDNESDAY TO 3 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...


 WHILE THIS WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ONLY THE MOUNTAINS...
 HEIGHTENED FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS WILL EXIST FOR THE VALLEYS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES AS WELL ESPECIALLY THE SANTA CLARITA AND EASTERN VENTURA VALLEYS WHICH MAY APPROACH RED FLAG CRITERIA


 WINDS: AREAS OF NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ARE EXPECTED LATE WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY AFTERNOON. ISOLATED GUSTS TO 50 MPH ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH FAVORED PASSES AND CANYONS. 


 RELATIVE HUMIDITY: EXPECTED TO FALL TO BELOW 10 PERCENT LATER WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THE WEEKEND. OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY POOR...WITH MOST HUMIDITIES STAYING UNDER 20 PERCENT.  * IMPACTS... IF FIRE IGNITION OCCURS... THERE COULD BE RAPID SPREAD OF WILDFIRE THAT WOULD LEAD TO A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... &&

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS AND VERY LOW HUMIDITY...AS WELL AS DRY FUEL CONDITIONS... IS EXPECTED TO CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR 6 HOURS OR MORE...WHICH COULD RESULT IN EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.

Area:  VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-

Affected Counties or parts of: Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles

California Fire News 2011 

Red Flag Warning: East Bay Hills / Diablo Range above 1000 feet

 Red Flag Warning in effect from 10 pm Tuesday to 6 am pdt thursday for wind and low relative humidity for the East Bay hills and Diablo range above 1000 feet in elevation

 RED FLAG WARNING

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM TUESDAY TO 6 AM PDT THURSDAY. 


THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. 


* AFFECTED AREA...THE EAST BAY HILLS OF ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY AS WELL AS THE DIABLO RANGE OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY ACROSS THE EAST BAY HILLS.  


* WINDS... NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 30 MPH FREQUENT GUSTS 35 TO 40 MPH.  * RELATIVE HUMIDITY... LESS THAN 30 PERCENT TUESDAY NIGHT LOWERING TO AROUND 15 PERCENT ON WEDNESDAY WITH NO HUMIDITY RECOVERY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY. 


* IMPACTS...ANY IGNITIONS DURING THE PERIOD OF STRONGEST WINDS COULD LEAD TO NEW FIRE STARTS THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SUPPRESS WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... &&

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF  STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

Area: EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda

Sent: 2011-10-24T20:17:02-07:00

California Fire News 2011 

LAFD: Fire UCLA Science Lab Significant Response AM

 LAFD Major Emergency Structure Fire Report
48 UCLA x Center for Health Sciences
UCLA
Monday, October 24, 2011
TIME: 11:05 AM
INCIDENT #: 0414

WESTWOOD - A laboratory at UCLA's Health and Sciences Center was significantly damaged by a fire this morning and at one point, brought nearly 150 Los Angeles Firefighters to the scene.

At 11:05 am on October 24, 2011, the LAFD responded to a reported "Structure Fire" in a seven-story, science building on the UCLA campus. A complete evacuation was already underway, as first arriving Firefighters made their ascent to the fifth floor of this facility. The Incident Commander noted the presence of hazardous materials clearly marked on exterior of the building, considered its size and type, as well as the time of day, and knew the potential existed for a very significant incident. Immediately, the request was made for additional resources, including the LAFD's Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Squad.

Firefighters quickly gained control and fully extinguish the blaze in 50 minutes, confining it to just one room. The incident then began to de-escalate and many of the on-scene resources were released.

With a full evacuation of the building in place, the HazMat Squad made entry and conducted precautionary testing. The facility was later deemed safe for students, faculty and employees, as they were allowed to re-populate all floors of the building, except the affected fire-floor.

We are pleased to report there were no injuries or illnesses, as a result of this incident. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the fire was determined "accidental" in nature. Dollar loss estimates were not yet available.

Dispatched Units:
E37 RA37 E71 RA71 E19 E288 T88 E269 T69 E81 T39 E239 H0C H0D H0F EM14 BC10 BC5 E60 SQ87 E88 H1 H2 H3 E87 T87 RA87 DC3 E237 T37 E292 T92 E94 E99 E109 E41 E51 E26 E278 T78 AR2 E295 T95 E226 T26 BC1 RA19 RA62 RA43 RA99 RA15 EM2 EM17 E59 BC9 EA1 BC4 EM9 UR88 CM3 RT59 RA63 EM11 RA59 LO1 RA58
For Updated Information Please Refer to http://www.lafd.org/blog.htmMatt Spence
Public Service Officer, "A" Platoon
Los Angeles Fire Department
200 N. Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 485-5162
Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center
"Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride"
Home Page: LAFD.org News & Info: LAFD.org/blog
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Red Flag Warning: San Francisco Bay Area East Bay Hills

RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL

 Red Flag Warning in effect San Francisco Bay Area, East Bay Hills, Napa County.  Tuesday night through early Thursday morning for the north and east bay hills due to gusty offshore winds and low relative humidity.   AFTER A WARM AND DRY WEEKEND TEMPERATURES WILL COOL DOWN TONIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY. HOWEVER BY TUESDAY NIGHT DRY NORTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP ACROSS THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS.   THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH ABOUT MIDDAY WEDNESDAY. HOWEVER DRY OFFSHORE WINDS WITH VERY LOW HUMIDITY WILL CONTINUE AGAIN WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNRISE THURSDAY... ESPECIALLY IN THE EAST BAY HILLS. ... RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO 6 AM PDT THURSDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTH BAY HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN MARIN/SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES...  THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM TUESDAY TO 6 AM PDT THURSDAY. HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN MARIN/SONOMA AND NAPA COUNTIES. THE AREA OF STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE THE HILLS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN NAPA COUNTY AS WELL AS AROUND MOUNT ST HELENA. * WINDS NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS SUSTAINED 15 TO 25 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS 35 TO 40 MPH. STRONGEST WINDS WILL OCCUR LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH MIDDAY WEDNESDAY. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY. LESS THAN 30 PERCENT TUESDAY NIGHT LOWERING TO 12 TO 18 PERCENT WEDNESDAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY WITH NO HUMIDITY RECOVERY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. * IMPACTS ANY IGNITIONS DURING THE PERIOD OF STRONGEST WINDS COULD LEAD TO NEW FIRE STARTS THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO SUPPRESS WITH RAPID RATES OF SPREAD. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS    Instruction: A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.    Area: NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS- Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda   California Fire News 2011 

LTBMU: Lake Tahoe Prescribed Fire Project

 South Shore prescribed fire operations resume

U.S. Forest Service fuels management crews are scheduled to resume prescribed fire operations near Meyers, on the south side of the intersection of Pioneer Trail and U.S.Highway 50, Monday October 24, 2011, weather permitting. In addition, operations may resume in the Angora fire area. Both operations may continue through the week.

Smoke and Air Quality: Residents and visitors can expect to see smoke from these prescribed fire project areas. Smoke may be visible on U.S. Highway 50 in Meyers, as well as near the Angora fire area. The Forest Service strives to minimize the impacts of smoke on local communities. Smoke-sensitive residents should consider staying indoors and keeping doors, windows and outside vents closed.

Closures: Forest Service staff will post road signs around areas affected by prescribed fire, and update the local fire information line at (530) 543-2600, #6. Other federal, state and local fire management agencies may also be conducting prescribed fire work during this period.

For more information, visit our website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/ltbmu. To learn more about the efforts to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks in the Tahoe Basin read the Lake Tahoe Basin Multi-jurisdictional Fuel Reduction Plan found athttp://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_045864.pdf 

Lake Tahoe Smoke Plume As Seen From Cave Rock Area
Credit: Jack Durst @FabulousTahoe

Take a few moments to visit an excellent web site and learn about Prescribed Fire vs. Wildfire at:http://www.smokeybear.com/prescribed-fires.asp.

Release Date: Oct 21, 2011 
Contact(s): Public Affairs, Cheva Heck (530) 543-2608, or Lisa Herron (530) 543-2815

California Fire News 2011 

YNP - Yosemite National Park Prescribed Fire Map

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire – To Begin October 24, 2011

The Rail Creek, Segment A, of the 5,224 acre Bishop Creek prescribed fire unit, is scheduled to begin Monday, October 24, 2011, dependent upon favorable weather and air quality. Segment A is 1,400 acres and one of five segments within the unit.  It is estimated to take firefighters four to five days to complete this project.

The primary objective is Wildland Urban Interface Protection.  The project will buffer the communities of Yosemite West, Wawona and El Portal, and the Glacier Point Historical District from unwanted wildfire by reducing an over accumulation of fuels.  The start of the project will begin with a blackline firing operation at the top of the unit.  

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. The Bishop Creek project is directly adjacent and east of the Wawona Road, and the Avalanche fire to the north.  The unit is bisected by the east/west oriented Rail, Strawberry and Bishop Creek drainages with a primarily west facing aspect.  

The vegetation consists of long needle ponderosa pine/mixed conifer on the lower slopes, and short needle white and red fir mixed conifer further upslope.  Pockets of chinquapin, whitethorn, and manzanita and bear clover exist. There is an accumulation of other dead and down vegetation, including logs, limbs and other surface fuels.

Since 1930, there have been over 50 suppressed lightning ignitions in the footprint of the Bishop Creek Project.  In 1981, there was a 2,100 acre prescribed fire.  In 1997 a 100’ to 200’ wide mechanical thinning project have occurred along the Wawona Road (Hwy 41).  There have been multiple prescribed fuel treatments near the community of Yosemite West (2005 and 2007).  Between 1910 and 1926, the area was logged for prized Sugar Pine trees.

Most of the proposed project is within designated wilderness.  In accordance with the wilderness Act of 1964, Minimum Impact Management Techniques will be employed to preserve the wilderness integrity.  A resource advisor will be assigned to the project to advise on cultural and natural resources. The fall season is the preferred implementation period for this project.  Fall benefits include fewer impacts to all wildlife, and more complete ground and surface fuel consumption and less resource damage due to post fire mop-up efforts. In all cases, mitigations will be taken to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources.

Smoke, which can affect health, is always a factor in the decision making process to conduct this and other prescribed fire projects.  A smoke management plan has been submitted to the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (APCD), and a burn plan has been issued.  The Tuolumne County, the San Joaquin and Great Basin APCDs have been advised of this project. Smoke monitors have been deployed in smoke sensitive areas.  

Bishop Creek Prescribed Fire Map

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
• Yosemite NP WEBCAMS:  http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
• Twitter:  http://twitter.com/YosemiteFire
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yosemite-Wildland-Fire/124632964255395

California Fire News 2011 

ICS/NIMS Ten Years After 9/11….What Have We Really Learned?

Source: @USABeReady
Posted on September 25, 2011 by Airplane1964

As of this writing, fourteen days ago, our country remembered 9/11 and those who died on that day. Those terrible events ushered in what we now referred to as NIMS (the National Incident Management System). As those of us in the business know, the foundation of NIMS is the Incident Command System (ICS). Over the past 10 years, billions (yes BILLIONS) of dollars have been spent through the use of grant funds to teach ICS and NIMS to communities from Indian Reservations to New York City, as well as equipping and training emergency personnel to respond to various types of emergencies. These funds have helped the smallest volunteer fire departments or “Mayberry” size police departments to the so-call big city career departments. But what have we really learned over these past ten years? Have departments truly embraced the ICS/NIMS concepts? The answer to that yes and no.


The basic principle of NIMS is to have a nationally accepted and adopted incident management system that all departments and agencies will abide by so when other agencies (on a mutual aid or EMAC, Emergency Management Assistance Compact, request) arrive to assist the stricken department, everyone will be speaking from the same sheet of music. The fourteen essential features of ICS includes: 1) Common Terminology, 2) Modular Organization, 3) Management by Objectives, 4) Reliance on an Incident Action Plan (IAP), 5) Chain of Command and Unity of Command, 6) Unified Command, 7) Manageable Span of Control, Pre-Designated Incident Locations and Facilities, 9) Resources Management, 10) Information and Intelligence Management, 11) Integrated Communications, 12) Transfer of Command, 13) Accountability, and 14) Deployment. Let’s be honest with ourselves….are departments truly adhering to these principles? Do you want the truth or a lie?


You may say, “Ken, where is your proof that ALL departments receiving federal grant funds are not following these principles?” I submit to you the NIOSH reports on firefighter deaths over the past ten years and you will see several recurring themes: 1) Accountability Issues, 2) Communication Issues, 3) Failure to establish or abide by ICS practices, and 4) Failure of Command to COMMAND.


“What else do you have Ken?!” Well, common terminology and cleared text (no ten codes) are both ICS principles. But I submit to you recorded radio communications on YouTube or other web sites. Many departments (including some “big city” departments) are still using ten codes.


“Okay Ken”, you say, “let’s not bad mouth departments who lost members.” If that is what you are thinking as you are reading this article, you are so wrong. I am merely pointing out that after years of training and billions of dollars, we are still losing or severely injuring people during emergency operations for the same reasons. Isn’t that enough to bring it to people’s attention?


Recently, I was at the scene of a large apartment building fire in the jurisdiction of a major Louisiana fire department. During that incident, the fire department never established a Rapid Intervention Team, never maintained accountability of the firefighters on the scene, never established and maintained an incident command post, numerous units on the scene used the word “Command” when communicating to the Incident Commander, and sides around the building were identified contrary to how all other departments in that particular parish (county) identified sides of a building. Again, this department has received training in ICS and NIMS (and grant funds) but yet they failed to adhere to the basic fundamentals of ICS during this major fire. I believe that this is not an isolated incident but a common occurrence around the country. And this is not only a fire department issue. If you listen to most police department or 911 EMS department radio communications you will most likely find the same problems exist or are worst.


“So why are you bringing this up? What is the point of this article?”, you are asking. Ten years after 9/11 and all the money that has been spent on training, can someone (anyone) explain to me why are we still losing people for the same contributing factors? Additionally, why during our country’s budget problems, are federal grant funds still being sent to departments that fail to adhere to ICS/NIMS principles? Is that not rewarding departments for their bad behavior?


It is time to make a change public safety departments. It is time to let go of historical operational practices (“this is the way we have always done it”) and adhere to the principles and practices of the Incident Command System and the National Incident Management System. If your department or agency has failed to do so, what will be your excuse if the next Line of Duty Death occurs in your department and it is faulted by NIOSH for some of the failures noted here? What are you going to say to the family members of the person who gave their life in the line of duty? If a contributing reason why this individual died was because of the lack of Accountability, Safety Officer, Communications, or Command, there is nothing that you can say. Nothing at all.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Attributed to different people.


Original Sorce: Link - http://usabeready.org/wordpress/?p=182
Reference:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/NIOSH-fire-fighter-face/state.asp Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation Report
http://www.training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/IS100CM/ICS0102summary.htm IS-100 Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100 Training Lesson 2 ICS Features and Principles

California Fire News 2011 

Alameda County Considers Offering Uninsured Health Care @ Fire Stations

 Alameda County (Calif.) Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert and Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Director Alex Briscoe presented a plan Thursday to the Newark City Council that would provide health care for the uninsured from local fire stations.

The Fire Station Health Care Portal pilot program would offer free primary and preventive care to the public at five fire stations. Those with health insurance will be served, but the program's target audience is those who are uninsured or underinsured.

If the plan goes forward, each of the five stations would be staffed with three full-time employees: a firefighter-paramedic, a care coordinator and a nurse practitioner.

The program also would respond to nonemergency 911 calls, provide follow-up care for residents 48 hours after an emergency-room visit and take direct referrals from 211 calls for medical advice.

From the Silicon Valley Mercury News

California Fire News 2011 

CA-BDF- MILL Wildland Fire 75-100 acres - 80% contained

MILL FIRE
Mill Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: October 22, 2011 8:00 am
Date/Time Started: October 21, 2011 2:27 pm
Administrative Unit: San Bernardino National Forest / CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit
County: San Bernardino County
Location: Hwy 38 east of Bryant St near the Mill Creek Bridge, north of Yucaipa (San Bernardino County).
Acres Burned: Containment 75-100 acres - 80% contained
Notes: Full containment expected tonight at 6pm.
Closures: Hwy 38 has reopened.

California Fire News 2011 

Redding: Smokey Bear not injured in Calif. collision

Fire truck and motorcycle collided; Smokey lay down to rest after 'assisting' in wreck investigation
REDDING, Calif. — A city of Redding firetruck and a motorcycle collided Tuesday in front of Fire Station 4 on South Bonnyview Road.
Some drivers passing the 10 a.m. accident may have seen the U.S. Forest Service's fire-safety mascot, Smokey Bear, sprawled on the ground next to the wrecked motorcycle.
But his partners assured the public he was just lying down to take a breather after "assisting" in the wreck investigation.
Smokey was with a group of firefighters from various agencies on their way to local schools to teach fire prevention and safety to youngsters when the rig pulled out of the station and collided with a motorcyclist.
Smokey is just fine, said Battalion Chief Howard Fincher, fire marshal for the Anderson Fire Protection District.
"Smokey and Sparky were assisting in an emergency," Fincher said about the fire agencies' two mascots.
It turns out Smokey wasn't even aboard the truck during the wreck.
Instead, Smokey was following behind the truck in a van. The woman in the suit quickly took it off and helped direct traffic, still wearing her fuzzy Smokey Bear feet.
It wasn't clear Tuesday who was at fault in the wreck.
The motorcyclist received minor injuries and was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, police said.
The fire prevention and safety contingent is made up of firefighters from the Redding and Anderson fire departments, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service.
They have visited 21 schools this year and taught fire-safety tips such as "stop, drop and roll" to more than 3,500 north state children, Fincher said.
Redding police said the California Highway Patrol would lead the crash investigation because a city of Redding vehicle was involved.
The identities of the motorcyclist and the person driving the firetruck weren't released Tuesday. A message left with the CHP wasn't returned Tuesday afternoon.
Original Source: By Ryan Sabalow The Record Searchlight

California Fire News 2011 

CA ENDANGERED MISSING - Santa Cruz County

 15 y/o KATHRYN BECK last seen in APTOS, CALIF on 10/16/2011. She may be in need of immediate medical attention & has possibly shaved her head &/or dyed her hair red.
 Kat may still be in the Santa Cruz County CA area, or is possibly travelling to Vegas, Dallas Texas, or Tampa Bay, FL.
 Anyone with info should call Santa Cruz County Sheriff (831)454-1440 or Child Quest International, Inc. (888)818-HOPE (anonymous calls accepted).

Photo: CA ENDANGERED MISSING15 y/o KATHRYN BECK 

California Fire News 2011 

Great ShakeOut: BART to stop trains for one minute Thursday

BART will stop all trains on the system for about one minute at 10:21 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, as we participate in the annual statewide earthquake preparedness event called “The Great California ShakeOut.” Organizers indicate that the ShakeOut is the largest earthquake drill in the world.

While BART workers regularly practice and refine their response to earthquakes and other emergencies, our participation Thursday will be more of an acknowledgement that the threat of an earthquake is ever present. The Hayward fault is of particular concern to BART because the fault line is close to much of the system.

"I’m proud to say that BART has been very proactive in preparing for earthquakes," BART Vice President John McPartland said. "We launched our Earthquake Safety Program in 2005, thanks to overwhelming public support for a bond measure to help fund the work, and we are on time and under budget."

The Earthquake Safety Program includes retrofitting 74 miles of track, 34 stations, and the Transbay Tube to withstand the maximum credible earthquake. Learn more about the Earthquake Safety Program by visiting www.bart.gov/earthquake.

California Fire News 2011 

FEMA Tips: Planning for Your Pet in the Event of Disaster

Planning for Your Pet in the Event of Disaster 

ALBANY, N.Y. – If you are one of the millions of New Yorkers with a cat, dog or other companion animal, now is a good time to start planning for what to do with your pet in the event of disaster.

“It is very important to have a disaster plan for your pets,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip E. Parr of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Being ready increases the likelihood of survival for you and your pets. It’s best to be prepared.”

FEMA has teamed with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Humane Society of the United States to develop these pet-preparedness guidelines.

Have a pet supply kit ready, including:

• Pet food for three days in an airtight, waterproof container and bowls;
• Water for three days;
• Pet medicines and first aid supplies;
• Collar (with ID tags firmly secured), harness or sturdy leash.
• Important documents such as registration, adoption papers, vaccination and medical records in a plastic bag or waterproof container;
• Travel crate or other pet carrier;
• Cat litter, litter box, paper towels, newspapers, plastic trash bags and cleaning supplies;
• Photos of you and your pet together for identification purposes;
• Familiar items such as toys, treats and blankets.

Plan ahead for your pet:

• The single most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to take them in the event that you must evacuate. Animals left behind in a disaster can easily be lost or injured.
• If evacuation is necessary, plan ahead where you will go. Consider friends or family outside the area who can take in you and your pet. Other options may include a pet-friendly hotel or motel. If your only evacuation option is a Red Cross or other publicly-run shelter, be aware that not all shelters are equipped or designed to accept non-service animals. Consider boarding your animals at a kennel or veterinary hospital before going to a public shelter.
• Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to evacuate your pet for you if you are unable to do so yourself. Talk with them about your evacuation plans and pet supply kit.
• Consult your veterinarian and consider “microchipping” your pet. These permanent implants may be invaluable if you and your pets are separated.
• Stay informed about what types of emergencies are likely to affect your region. Be ready to follow instructions from authorities on the scene.

After the disaster:

• Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells may have been changed by the disaster and your pet could become disoriented or lost.
• Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into normal routines as soon as possible and be ready for behavioral problems that may result from the stress of the situation. If behavioral or health problems persist, talk to your vet.

Preparedness can be a lifesaver for you and your pets. Plan ahead and leave no pets behind! For information on pet-friendly accommodations in your area and disaster planning, visit http://www.ready.gov/pets and click on the Pet Preparedness Toolkit link. More information is available at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prepare/animals.shtm.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 California Fire News 2011 

LACoFD GREAT SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE

LACFD NEWS RELEASE

LACoFD GREAT SHAKEOUT EARTHQUAKE EXERCISE AT
DEL VALLE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Who? Los Angeles County Fire Department
What? Los Angles County Fire Departments Urban Search and Rescue Team, CA-TF2, will conduct an all day exercise demonstrating a simulated response to a local earthquake catastrophe with a large number of collapsed structures and people who are trapped. LACoFD’s Urban Search and Rescue Team responded to the Haiti earthquake catastrophe (2010), the New Zealand earthquake (2011), and the Japan earthquake and tsunami catastrophe (2011).
When? Thursday, October 20, 2011.
8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where? Del Valle Regional Training Center
28101 Chiquito Canyon Road
Castaic, CA 91384-4640 (TB 4549-B2)
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is proud to be joining more than 8.3 million people throughout California and over 800,000 people in other Western states in the 2011 Great Shakeout earthquake drill on October 20, 2011 at 10:20 a.m. The drill involves people in schools, businesses, organizations, and homes who will simultaneously practice protecting themselves during an earthquake and thereby improve their preparedness plans. The 2011 Shakeout Exercise scenario simulates a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the San Andreas Fault.


MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: INSPECTOR MATT LEVESQUE
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE (323) 881-2413
Date: October 19, 2011
FIRE CHIEF DARYL L. OSBY
1320 N. Eastern Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90063 California Fire News 2011 

ALCO: Alameda buys 2nd rescue boat

Alameda buys 2nd rescue boat in wake of man's drowning while authorities watched

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Alameda officials have bought a second rescue boat, as they try to improve the island city's water rescue capabilities following the drowning of a suicidal man while authorities watched from the shore.

Interim Fire Chief Mike D'Orazi says his department bought the second boat — a 15-foot inflatable craft — on Monday for about $12,000.

The city has reinstated its water rescue program since 52-year-old Raymond Zack's death on Memorial Day.

D'Orazi has said firefighters were unable to help Zack when he waded into the waters off Crown Beach because the city's water rescue program had been defunded. Zack stood neck-deep in the frigid waters for about a half hour before his body was recovered by a bystander.

The department bought the first boat in June. It has also trained about 60 firefighters in either boat operation or rescue swimming.
California Fire News 2011 

BLM lifts fire restrictions in northwest California

BLM lifts fire restrictions

Updated: 10/12/2011 09:19:38 AM PDT

The first rains of fall and cooler temperatures have reduced fire dangers in northwest California, and the Bureau of Land Management has lifted fire restrictions on public lands.

Campfires can again be used outside of developed campgrounds. Fire permits are required in these areas. Restrictions on smoking and use of internal combustion engines off of roads and trails are also lifted.

Restrictions had been in place since mid-summer on BLM-managed lands managed by the Arcata and Redding field offices in Humboldt, Mendocino, Del Norte, Trinity, Siskiyou, Shasta, Butte and Tehama counties.

Even with reduced fire dangers, officials urge outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners to be careful with fire.

Campers must fully extinguish campfires when leaving camp, and burning should not be conducted on windy days. Wood cutters must have spark arresters on their chainsaws, and they should carry tools including shovels and fire 

California Fire News 2011 

CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE - National Fire Prevention Week

CAL FIRE Asks Public’s Help to “Protect Your Family From Fire”

National Fire Prevention Week October 9 - 15, 2011

Sacramento – Every year in California firefighters respond to residential structure fires that take lives and

inflict millions of dollars in damage. From Oct. 9-15, 2011 CAL FIRE is teaming with the National Fire

Prevention Association for Fire Prevention Week to educate Californians on the simple steps they can take

to help protect their family from fires.

“Too many lives are lost in home fires in California,” said CAL FIRE Director Chief Ken Pimlott..

“Everyone should take steps to help prevent home fires and ensure their family is protected.”

On average, seven people die in residential structure fires every day nationwide. So far in 2011, CAL FIRE

and fire departments across the state have responded to over 3,500 residential structure fires, which have

resulted in 191 injuries, 32 deaths and $184 million in property loss.

CAL FIRE is taking this opportunity during Fire Prevention Week to remind all Californians of the

importance of having working smoke alarms, the advantages of practicing family fire escape drills twice a

year, and the benefits of installing home fire sprinklers.

Below are some important fire prevention tips:

SMOKE ALARMS:

 Test smoke alarms once a month

 Replace batteries in all smoke alarms twice a year

 Replace smoke alarms every 10 years

 Smoke Alarm Fact Sheet

EXIT DRILLS:

 Develop a fire escape plan

 Practice family fire drills at least twice a year

 More on “Exit Drills In The Home”

HOME FIRE SPRINKLERS:

 Provides your family extra time to safely escape

 Helps to contain a fire to the room it started in

 Will often extinguish the fire before the fire department arrives

 NFPA Home Fire Sprinklers Fact Sheet

For more fire safety tips, visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.

# # #

California Fire News 2011 

#LAFD chief punishes self for racy photos #CaFire

He said he was disciplining himself to demonstrate that all members of the Los Angeles Fire Department are subject to the same rules

The Daily News of Los Angeles

Trouble viewing the video? Download Flash player here

LOS ANGELES — LAFD Chief Brian Cummings, who is investigating a 2008 film shoot involving several firefighters and a porn star, said Friday he is sentencing himself to 120 hours of unpaid community service for being photographed with a bikini-clad woman while on duty 13 years ago.

Cummings, who was promoted to fire chief only last month, said he was disciplining himself to demonstrate that all members of the Los Angeles Fire Department are subject to the same rules.

"I was the captain at the Venice fire station when a woman in a bikini walked by and we asked her if she wanted to take a picture," Cummings said in an interview.

"She was not a model and no money was exchanged. But it was wrong and an improper use of fire equipment," Cummings said. "To be honest, I had forgot about it until this investigation came up."

Cummings is investigating whether firefighters cooperated in a 2008 video shot by actress Charley Chase, who appeared topless as she posed on a fire engine parked at Venice Beach. Chase has blogged that her actions were spontaneous and that the firefighters filmed watching her were not actually involved in the shoot.

Cummings said the inquiry continues even though the statute of limitations for imposing discipline on the firefighters has passed.

"As part of the response to these videos, I will present in November a Code of Conduct to the Fire Commission for its approval," Cummings said. "In addition, I am developing a Code of Ethics and will present this by the end of the calendar year."

Once adopted, Cummings said he will personally lead training of firefighters on the new policies.

He said the new policies will complement the department's core values program - Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, Innovation and Trust - which has been in place for the past four years.

Cummings said he had told Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa about his involvement in the 1998 incident and also presented the photo and reported the information to the department's new Professional Standards Division.

Villaraigosa said he accepted Cummings' apology and endorsed his proposed codes of ethics and conduct.

"I support his proposed steps to rebuild the public's confidence in his professionalism," Villaraigosa said. "Despite his missteps some years ago, I strongly believe that Chief Cummings has the skills and expertise to be an innovative leader.

"While serious, this incident does not tarnish his entire career. Indeed, in recognizing his mistake and accepting the consequences of his actions, Chief Cummings has demonstrated his basic integrity and leadership."

The mayor said he also has talked with Cummings about the investigation into the porn movie and said it is imperative to determine whether the firefighters were knowingly involved. He also said the entire Fire Department needs to know such behavior will not be tolerated.

The mayor said he would support a change in the City Charter giving the fire chief wider latitude in discipline.

"The residents of this city place a profound level of trust in the Fire Department," Villaraigosa said. "They look to the men and women of the fire service to keep them safe and secure. They rightly demand a world-class department that upholds the highest ethical and professional standards."

California Fire News 2011