CA-SQF Prescribed Fire 800 acres Western Divide Ranger District Giant Sequoia National Monument. #CaFire

Prescribed Fire Sequoia National Forest Western Divide Ranger District Giant Sequoia National Monument. 

Basic Information: Sequoia National Forest fire personnel are planning to begin prescribed pile burning in the Western Divide Ranger District Giant Sequoia National Monument. 

When: Burning could start as early as the week of November 4th 2013. As soon as weather and smoke conditions are favorable for burning fire crews are prepared to conduct the burns. As weather conditions and smoke dispersal allows burning will continue through the winter and into spring.

Where: The areas that fire management staff has targeted burning are near the communities of Ponderosa at an elevation of 7 500 feet and Sugar Loaf Village at an elevation of 5000 feet. 

What: There are approximately 800 acres of hand piles of small limbs brush and trees that were created from a hazardous fuels reduction projects. The material removed posed a safety hazard to communities and forest visitors.

When the burning is completed the piles themselves may not be entirely consumed in the fire. Typically there are remnants of the pile left to protect the soil from erosion and promote growth of new vegetation. Some piles will be intentionally left unburned to benefit wildlife.

Air Quality:  Smoke from the prescribed burning operations will be visible in these communities. Forest personnel will be working closely with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to manage smoke production and reduce any local impacts.
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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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#LAFD Fire Rips Through Encino Mansion; Injures 2 LAFD Captains & 2 Firefighters. #CaFire #LAFire

 Over 100 Los Angeles Firefighters battled a huge blaze raging at an Encino home that injured two Captains and two Firefighters on October 30, 2013.

ENCINO - At 3:44 PM the LAFD received multiple 9-1-1 calls for a Structure Fire burning at 4440 Balboa Boulevard, south of Ventura Boulevard, in the hills northeast of the Encino Reservoir. As firefighters hurried up curvy narrow roads, a daunting plume of smoke could be seen in the distance, prompting responding firefighters to radio, "Loom Up", alerting the additional resources responding there was a working fire. They arrived to find a large three-story above ground Tudor style home at the end of a long steep private driveway with heavy fire on the third story. Additional resources were immediately requested as firefighters began a relentless aggressive interior fire attack.

Firefighter Injuries: Two fire Captains, one with a significant extremity injury and the other with dehydration, and two Firefighter/Paramedics, one with chest pain and the other with a moderate extremity injury were transported to local hospitals. Only one firefighter was released back to duty that day, the others required further evaluation and treatment. No civilians were injured. Two pet dogs were found beyond medical help on the third floor.

Some firefighters had to hike equipment a 1/4 mile uphill to the structure and utilize chainsaws to strategically cut several holes in the sturdy wood shake shingle roof to reduce heat, smoke, fire and gases inside the structure. Additional firefighters ensured no one was inside the burning structure by performing a rapid search and rescue of the 7,779 square-foot home. A group of firefighters formed a Rapid Intervention Company and stood by with Firefighter/Paramedics in the event any of their own needed immediate rescue. Additional companies ensured flames didn't spread to nearby structures or brush, while others protected and saved what the homeowner referred to as "important belongings" in his home office. Firefighters long and relentless attack forced them to utilized entire air bottles, then go outside the blaze to get new bottles so they could reenter the fight. 

Over 100 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Patrick Butler, fully extinguished the flames in two hours and 20 minutes. The Los Angeles Fire Department remained on scene through out the night.

The cause of the afternoon blaze is under active investigation and the estimated dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E83 RA83 E88 T88 E288 RA88 E109 EM9 BC17 BC10 E100 E293 T93 E39 E93 T39 E239 DC3 EM11 BC15 UR88 T27 E227 UR27 E3 BC5 RA827 E273 T73 E90 RA93 RA100 EM4 H0D H5 EM10 E87 E298 T98 AR2 EA1 RA99 RA39 RM3 E12 E289 T89 E98 E60 RA73 RT83 RA90 T37 E237 BC10 T5 E205

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman 

 "Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride"

Public Service Officer

Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center
Los Angeles Fire Department
500 East Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

213.576.8938

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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USFS News: Governator Becomes Honorary US Forest Service Ranger. #CaForests

Former California Governor Schwarzenegger Cited for Work on Climate Change, Named Honorary US Forest Service Ranger

(left to right) Chief Tom Tidwell, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Smokey Bear at today’s ceremony. (Photo by Bob Nichols, USDA)

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger received a U.S. Forest Service badge and jacket during a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., naming him an Honorary Forest Ranger for his work on climate change issues.

“I know you understand what we need to do as a nation to reduce the level of carbon in the atmosphere — after all, you have helped lead the way,” U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said to Schwarzenegger during the ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We look forward to having your help in educating communities on the devastating impacts of climate change on our forests and grasslands.”

Schwarzenegger said the honor “truly touches my heart” and expressed high praise for the agency and highlighted his respect for the thousands of Forest Service firefighters, especially as climate change effects have contributed to hotter, longer fire seasons.

“I have always known the kind of great work the U.S. Forest Service is doing. But when I became governor of California, (I saw) firsthand the kind of devastating fires we have in California,” he said. “I also have seen what climate change has done. We used to have a fire season, which was in the summer and the fall. Eventually this (included) spring and now there is fire all year long.”

He said that Forest Service firefighters are “without a doubt the best firefighters in the world.”

“And it was like a sport team,” he said. “When a mistake was made there was never any finger pointing. You just got together and figured out how to work even better together. And because of that they were better able to do their jobs… and this is why I became such a fan.”

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was named an Honorary Forest Ranger today during a ceremony at the USDA Whitten Building (Photo by Bob Nichols, USDA)

Since his birth in Austria, Schwarzenegger has transformed himself into a world-class body builder, an American citizen (1968), an actor and public servant. He also serves as chairman of the After School All-Stars, a nationwide after-school program, and has served as chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

What some people may not realize is that he has an established record of working to ensure the viability of natural resources worldwide.

As governor, he signed into law landmark legislation, the Global Warming Solutions Act, putting California at the forefront in the fight against climate change. He set the state on a course of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. California is well on its way to meetings its targets through a ground-breaking mix of measures, including a low carbon fuel standard, a renewable energy portfolio, and a cap-and-trade program. Schwarzenegger as governor also approved tough new vehicle fuel economy standards that have since been adopted at the national level.

Since leaving office in 2011, Schwarzenegger has continued to champion the need to address climate change. He cofounded the R20 — the Regions of Climate Action. The R20 is a global nonprofit dedicated to problem solving by sub national governments, like the states and counties here in the United States. The R20 helps governments develop projects to lower carbon emissions and to make forests and other ecosystems more resilient—more able to recover from the impacts of climate change.

Chief Tom Tidwell presents former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with a Forest Service jacket. Schwarzenegger was named an honorary forest ranger during a ceremony today at the USDA Whitten Building. (Photo by Bob Nichols, USDA)

He most recently met with the Prime Minister of Algeria to sign a 3-year agreement to establish an R20 office that will advise Algerian states on solar energy projects, waste reduction and waste energy projects. In August 2012, the Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy was launched by the University of Southern California. An upcoming Showtime documentary on climate change directed by James Cameron will feature Schwarzenegger in a segment on forests.

“For all of these reasons, we’ve chosen the ‘Austrian Oak’ as an honorary forest ranger with the Forest Service,” Tidwell said. “Not to diminish bodybuilding, acting, or governing, but we’re pretty sure that this will be the toughest post you will ever love.”

Schwarzenegger joins actress Betty White and keyboardist Chuck Leavell as honorary forest rangers. White has a long-standing dedication to protecting wilderness and wildlife. She said that in her heart, “I’ve been a forest ranger all of my life.” Leavell, keyboard player for the Rolling Stones, lives sustainability every day as a tree farm owner in Georgia.

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was named an Honorary Forest Ranger today during a ceremony at the USDA Whitten Building. Pictured are (right to left) Leo Kay, Director, Forest Service Office of Communication; Thomas Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service; Undersecretary Robert Bonnie; Deputy Undersecretary Arthur (Butch) Blazer, and former Governor Schwarzenegger (Photo by Bob Nichols, USDA)

Posted by Kathryn Sosbe, Office of Communication, U.S. Forest Service, on October 30, 2013 at 3:10 PM

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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US Forest Service 'Orange Slime' Debate Continues With No Scientific Studies, California Uses More Than Any Other State #CaFire

'Orange slime' used for fighting fires heats debate

During .wildfire season, the nightly news often shows images of tanker planes dropping orange liquid near the infernos

That's fire retardant, a substance designed to slow and, in some cases, halt a blaze.

On average, California uses more retardant than any other state, but some forest service employees argue the substance doesn't work when it matters most.

Orange slime

Up close, retardant looks like carrot juice and feels like slime. 

It's totally safe for people to touch, says Kevin Reed. He works for the state agency CalFire at Hemet Ryan Air Attack Baseand is in charge of preparing the retardant.

He says it's orange so firefighters can see it from the air. Retardant is mostly ammonium phosphate, a substance often used as fertilizer, says George Matousek with the company Phos-Chek, the only supplier of retardant in the U.S.

Phosphate does the magic

When ammonium phosphate-covered wood feels the heat of an oncoming flame a reaction occurs, Matousek says. The phosphate converts the woody material into an almost pure form of carbon. Think of diamond or graphite. Pure carbon does not burn.

When this reaction happens on a tree, he says, "it would be black on the outside, but alive on the inside."

Worth the risk?

The ammonium in retardant is poisonous to fish, says Andy Stahl with the watchdog group Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics.

"Dump a load of retardant in a creek, you can kill the fish for miles downstream," Stahl says.

That happened in 2009 when retardant was accidentally dropped in a sensitive area of Santa Barbara County, despite a rule saying firefighters can't drop within 300 feet of a waterway. Dozens of endangered steelhead trout died as a result.

The fertilizer-like quality of the substance can also help aggressive invasive plants grow, sometimes choking out sensitive local species. But Stahl says his biggest issue is that there is no statistical evidence the stuff reliably helps contain fires.

"We can find individual anecdotal examples where yes, it appears that in this one place we dropped the retardant and the fire stopped," he says. But he adds there are also plenty of examples where the retardant appears to have done nothing.

One tactic of many

Glen Stein studies retardant for the US Forest Service, and says the reason there are no studies showing the effectiveness of retardant in the field is because each fire happens amid a unique set of circumstances making it hard to compare cases.

"There are so many variables," says Stein.

But he points out that there are hundreds of lab tests showing that retardant slows fires in controlled settings. And he adds that the Forest Service is continually refining its rules on using the substance safely.

Stein says retardant isn't meant to stop a fire on its own. It's only one tactic firefighters use to protect forests and homes.

Nevada: Carson Ranger District Pile Burns - Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Controlled Burns Expect Heavy, Dense Smoke #NvFire

 

Pile Burns In The Snow
Credit: us.fed

What: Logs, stumps and limbs piled across 565 acres of public land in eight Carson Ranger District project areas of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will be burned in the coming weeks, the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday.

Why: “Pile burning is an efficient way of removing woody debris and forest litter, while providing ecosystem benefits, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire and risk to firefighters in the event of a large-scale fire,” said Steve Howell, Carson Ranger District fuels specialist 

Benefits of these burns will also improve forest health and wildlife habitat.

When: Fire personnel are currently monitoring weather conditions to identify optimal timeframes for effective prescribed burning conditions.  Prescribed burn notices have been posted near residences near the project area notifying them about the upcoming prescribed burn.  Visitors and residents can expect to see smoke when the burns are occurring.  

Where: Locations off planned pile burns

North Washoe: behind the Chocolate Nugget and off Mount Rose Highway to the south of the highway, 5,600 acres, elevation ranges from 5,400 to 7,000 feet, and around 82 acres.

Clear Creek: along the old Clear Creek Highway and Spooner Summit, 12,190 acres, elevation ranges from 5,400 to 7,000 feet, and around 88 acres.

Scotts Lake Fuels Reduction: 82 acres, elevation ranges from 7,100 to 8,000 feet, and around 79 acres.

Peavine Fuels Reduction: 42 acres, elevation ranges from 6,000 to 6,800 feet, and around 41 acres.

Dog Valley: 16,000 acres, elevation ranges from 5,200 to 7,000 feet, and around 38 acres.

Markleeville: 1,200 acres, elevation ranges from 5,500 to 6,500 feet, and around 40 acres.

Arrowhawk: Jones Creek, Whites Creek and Thomas Creek areas, 7,500 acres, elevation ranges from 5,900 to 7,200 feet, and around 187 acres.

Jobs Peak: behind Jobs Peak Ranch Estates, 500 acres, elevation ranges from 5,100 to 5,500 feet, and around 10 acres.

Who: Residents to the north, south, east and west of Carson City can expect heavy, dense smoke in the pile burn areas that will cause impacts, albeit short term, on air quality levels. Prescribed burn notices have been posted near homes and subdivisions, alerting occupants about the planned prescribed fire operations.

Visitors and residents are encouraged to stay out of the areas during the prescribed burning operations and to not go near equipment working near the burn. The eight Carson Ranger District project areas are

Air Quality: The Forest Service states that air quality levels will comply with state and federal air quality regulations and that the burning will be done when weather conditions would minimize the impact of smoke on communities.

This project may have some short-term impacts on air quality levels, but air quality levels will comply with all State and Federal air quality regulations.  Any burning activity will be accomplished during weather conditions that would minimize impacts of smoke on communities.  All burning is done within parameters set forth in an approved burn plan and conform to the location’s respective county’s and state’s Air Quality District.

More Info: Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - Lamoille Canyon-Talbot Creek Trail Tour Set

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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16 Yro Boy Ordered To Stand Trial On Murder Charge For Shooting Death Of Paramedic Quinn Boyer #CaEMS

16-Year-Old Boy Charged With Paramedic’s Murder

OAKLAND – A 16-year-old boy was ordered today to stand trial in adult court on a murder charge for the shooting death of off-duty paramedic Quinn Boyer in the Oakland hills in April.

In making his ruling against Christian Burton at the end of a preliminary hearing that only lasted an hour, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Paul Delucchi rejected Burton’s attorney’s contention that the charge against Burton should be dismissed because Burton’s confession to being the shooter is unreliable.

Ernie Castillo, Burton’s lawyer, argued that Oakland police used aggressive and “reckless” tactics to get Burton to admit that he shot Boyer and that Burton’s confession is “inconsistent” with other evidence in the case.

Castillo said Burton doesn't match the description of the shooter that was provided by a woman who witnessed the incident shortly before noon on April 2.

Instead, he said another youth who allegedly was at the scene that day more closely resembles the description the woman gave.

But Delucchi said the issue of whether Burton’s confession is credible should be left to a trial jury and he believes prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to have him stand trial.

Delucchi said he gives Burton’s confession “a lot” of weight because Burton began his interview with police on April 16 by denying that he was involved in the shooting but ended it by admitting he was the shooter after police revealed that they had incriminating evidence against him.

A large number of family members and friends of Boyer, 34, who grew up in Oakland and worked as a paramedic for five years, attended Burton’s hearing today.

Boyer was shot while driving in a Honda Civic on Keller Avenue just below Skyline Boulevard shortly before noon on April 2 and crashed his car down a ravine in the 5200 block of Keller Avenue. He died two days later.

Boyer, who was in Oakland on April 2 to take his father to a medical appointment, died from a single gunshot wound to his head, according to the evidence presented at the hearing.

In addition to Burton, who is being prosecuted as an adult, five other boys have been charged in juvenile court with multiple felonies, including murder, for their alleged roles in the crime.

Oakland police Sgt. Randolph Brandwood testified today that Burton admitted to police that he and five other youths had carjacked a gold Dodge Intrepid from outside the Island Market on High Street in East Oakland shortly before Boyer was shot and were in that car when they spotted Boyer on Keller Avenue.

Burton also told police that he and the other youths were planning to steal someone’s car and cellphone that day, Brandwood said.

Under cross-examination by Castillo, Brandwood said Burton told police that the shooting of Boyer was an accident and he didn’t realize that the gun he was carrying was loaded because his friends had told him it didn’t have any bullets.

But prosecutor Joseph Goethals said he believes the evidence in the case indicates that Burton was clearly aiming at Boyer’s head because it’s difficult to shoot someone in a moving vehicle.

Goethals said the evidence shows that the shooting “was willful” and Burton “knew what he was doing.”

Delucchi said he agrees that, “It’s very clear where Mr. Burton was aiming the gun and that this was a headshot during a carjacking that went wrong.”

More:

Rural California Counties Urge National Forest Management Reform

The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) announce  joint support for enactment of legislation to better manage California’s national forests.

Old Fire 2003 The Old Fire was a wildfire that started on October 25, 2003 near Old Waterman Canyon Road and California State Route 18 in the San Bernardino Mountain

 SACRAMENTO, CA – October 28, 2013 – “The growing bipartisan recognition that Congress must address proper management of our nation’s forests illustrates the need to enact healthy forest legislation in 2014,” said Kevin Cann, RCRC Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor.  “The recent wildfires on U.S. Forest Service lands clearly demonstrate the results if Congress fails to act.”

Two weeks ago, RCRC and CSAC authored a joint letter to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources urging the creation of bipartisan legislation related to forest management reform.  Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1526 to provide a mechanism for better management of our federal forests; however, most congressional observers believe that legislation will not be considered in the U.S. Senate.

“The health of our forests, the safety of our rural communities, and California’s natural resources are threatened by the current condition of our national forests,” said David Finigan, CSAC President and Del Norte County Supervisor.  “It is crucial that all of California’s forested counties experience a reform in the management of the forests to minimize fire threats, ensure a proper balance of animal life and vegetation, protect recreational opportunities, and help rural communities return to economic vitality.”

RCRC and CSAC argue that while components of the House of Representatives-approved legislation may not be acceptable to the majority of the Senate, reforms can be adopted to address active management, streamline environmental laws, and revise the U.S. Forest Service’s day-to-day approach to managing our forests.

The RCRC/CSAC joint letter to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources can be accessed here.

Source: http://goldrushcam.com/sierrasuntimes/index.php/news/mariposa-daily-news-2013/161-october/10637-california-counties-urge-national-forest-management-reform

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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CA-STF- VDTS Prescribed Underburn, Experimental Forest South of Pinecrest, Summit Ranger District #CaFire

Experimental Forest VDTS Prescribed Burn, Summit Ranger DistrictNote: This project is a planned prescribed fire. Please do not report as a wildland fire. 

When: Prescribed Burn will commence in late October 2013 or early November 2013. Burn days will vary slightly and are contingent on weather, fuel moisture, and air quality. All burning is monitored and conducted in accordance with state and county air quality guidelines and closely coordinated with local county air quality control districts

Where: South of Pinecrest and adjacent to Forest Service Roads 4N26 (Crabtree Road), 4N68Y (Sheering Creek Road), and 4N10. The underburn is divided into 4 units, ranging in size from 24 to 52 acres. 
Exact Locations: Township 4N Range 18E Sections 21, 22, 27, 28. 

Experimental Forest VDTS Prescribed Burn Project Map

What: Underburn of low intensity. A total of 141 acres are to be treated with low-intensity fire, with planned ignition on approximately 50 acres daily. The underburn is divided into 4 units, ranging in size from 24 to 52 acres. Number of acres completed may vary with weather and fuel moisture conditions, as well as permissible air quality burn days.

Why: Reduce the buildup of flammable forest fuels, both ground fuels and ladder fuels; reduce the threat of uncontrolled, large and damaging fires; Maintain vital fuel-breaks to slow or halt the spread of wildfire; Protect wildlife habitat; Complete treatments that are being conducted as part of the Variable Density Thinning Study;
Reintroduce fire into the ecosystem.
 Prescribed burning is an effective cost efficient method of reducing the surface fuel (vegetation) loading.
The resource benefit is a decrease in hazardous fuel and re-introducing fire into the ecosystem.

Who: The prescribed burn will be implemented in partnership with the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSWRS) and is being conducted as part of the PSWRS’s Variable Density Thinning Study (VDTS).


Air Quality: Smoke may be visible along the Highway 108 corridor, FS Roads 4N26, 4N68Y, and 4N10. There will be smoke in drainage's adjacent to and downriver of the prescribed burn during the night and early morning. 

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Oakland: 2 firefighters Injured During Urban Shield Bay Bridge Water Rescue Drill. #CaFire #UrbanShield

An Oakland firefighter and a Sacramento firefighter sustained minor injuries during a water rescue exercise on the San Francisco Bay Friday afternoon portions of the Urban Shield water rescue exercises using a helicopter were canceled pending an investigation into the incident

The injured firefighters were pulled from their rescue boat during a rescue hoist exercise.
Firefighters from multiple agencies were practicing a simulated water rescue when the two firefighters were injured.

An Oakland firefighter and a Sacramento firefighter were transported to a hospital with minor injuries, Oakland fire officials said.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LAFD apartment fire, woman found deceased three others injured, no functional smoke alarm #CaFire

LAFD Firefighters quickly extinguished an apartment fire, where a woman was found deceased and three others were injured, no evidence of a smoke alarm was found

PANORAMA CITY - The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was alerted of a Structure Fire at 8:39 AM with reports of a person possibly trapped inside. Firefighters quickly arrived to 8816 Tobias Avenue to find a seven unit, two-story apartment building with smoke pouring from second story and one unit fully involved in fire.

Due to an aggressive attack, a total of 39 firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Jack Wise, fully extinguished the fire in just 14 minutes. The bulk of flames were confined to the unit of origin.

Sadly, during the initial Search and Rescue of the unit on fire, a 42 year-old woman was found in the hallway beyond medical help, and was determined dead. Three people suffered non-life-threatening smoke inhalation and were transported to local hospitals in Fair condition; two were Police Officers assisting in evacuation and the third was a 14 year-old boy, son of the deceased.

In examining the fire's aftermath, there was no immediate evidence of a functional smoke alarm within the residence due to fire damage. There was a front security door but no window bars to impair egress of the 52-year old residence, which was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

The scene was preserved for LAFD Arson Investigators and LAPD to closely examine the cause of the deadly fire. The fire remains under active investigation and the monetary loss is still being tabulated.

A positive identification - to include the age and gender - of those who died, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of their deaths, will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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CA-SHF- Prescribed Fire near Lakehead - Shasta-Trinity National Forest - Shasta Lake Unit #CaFire #CaRxFire

Prescribed Fire near Lakehead Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Shasta Lake Unit

The Shasta-Trinity National Forest generally conducts prescribed fires between October 1 and June 1. Prescribed burning is usually started after the fall rainy season begins and extends until the beginning of the summer season.

Application Of Prescribed Fire
Credit:  Shasta-Trinity National Forest 

STF Lakehead Prescribed Fire Incident Map 

Incident Overview - Basic Information
Incident Type - Prescribed FireOutlook / Planned Actions - Between October 28-30 2013, the Shasta Lake Unit of the National Recreation Area on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest may be conducting a prescribed fire to remove understory fuels on National Forest System lands in the Sugarloaf area of Lakehead. The project site is located along the southern Sugarloaf access road between Charlie Creek and Doney Creek. 

Shasta Trinity National Forest Management Units And Battalions 

Visible Smoke/Air Quality - Smoke that will be visible from many areas of Lakehead community, Shasta Lake and along Interstate 5. Implementation is planned to take approximately 4-6 hours, but smoke may continue to be visible through the following few days.
More Information: U.S. Forest Service ● Shasta-Trinity National Forest Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area 14225 Holiday Road Redding CA 96003 ● Voice (530) 275-1587

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Rim Fire Post-Fire Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Measures

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) implementation team continues to assess needs and implement emergency stabilization measures.

 Within burned areas the recommended BAER treatments include:

• Improving road drainage and storm proofing roads at risk of failure from increased flooding.
• Stabilizing and repairing trails.
• Monitoring for and treating invasive weeds.
• Providing safety emergency signs.
• Mulching and chipping to protect fragile soils.

Fires result in loss of vegetation exposure of soil to erosion and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding increased sediment and debris flows.

The National Weather Service has been working with the the CA-NV River Forecast Center and the United States Geological Survey to develop precipitation thresholds that will likely trigger debris flows rock slides ash movement and flash floods on the Rim Fire burn scar.

These are the initial values we will be utilizing going into this winter.

• .2" in 15 minutes
• .3" in 30 minutes
• .5" in 1 hour
• .9" in 3 hours
• 1.4" in 6 hours

There are three phases of rehabilitation following wildfires on federal lands:

• Fire Suppression Repair
• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)
• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

 Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines roads trails staging areas safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety property and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms.

Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat reforestation planting replacing burned fences interpreting cultural sites treating noxious weed infestations and installing interpretive signs.

For public safety the Rim Fire closure is still in effect.

 Please abide by the closure signs. Crews and equipment are working in the area creating a hazardous situation. Burned trees continue to fall. For more information select the closure tab above.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Palo Alto Fire Department Sends Out Emergency Alert For Pancake Breakfast!. #AlertSCC #CaFire #CaAlert #Fail

Palo Alto Fire Chief Uses Emergency Alert System To Notify Everyone About Pancake Breakfast

 
(Photo credit: Yusuke Kawasaki)

Charity pancake breakfasts are a time-honored tradition at fire departments nationwide. And for good reason: who doesn't love charity and pancakes? Emergency alerts that go straight to your cellphone, on the other hand, are a relatively new thing that people are already scrambling to turn off.

 At the intersection of the two is Palo Alto Fire Chief Eric Nickel's invitation to last weekend's annual fundraiser in Rinconda Park.

Although the department has received a handful of complaints ("fewer than 10"), Chief Nickel says sending out the invite was justified, because it also alerted neighbors that a helicopter would be landing in the park. Which, if you're 10 and you love firetrucks and pancakes, sounds awesome:

This is a message from the Palo Alto Fire Department. Palo Alto firefighters will be hosting a community pancake breakfast benefiting Project Safety Net this Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include a simulated automobile rescue using the Jaws of Life and a live landing of Life Flight's helicopter. For additional information, please find us on Facebook and Twitter or visit Project Safety Net at www.psnpaloalto.com.

The message was sent to some 27,000 subscribers to the AlertSCC system, which covers all of Santa Clara County from Palo Alto to San Jose and Gilroy. 

As it turns out, the breakfast was a huge success — Palo Alto luminaries like local real estate kingpin Mark Zuckerberg and new mom Marissa Mayer came out to support Project Safety Net through syrup-doused carbs. No one even called to ask what that helicopter was all about.

Source: http://sfist.com/2013/10/15/palo_alto_fire_chief_uses_emergency_alert_system_to_notify_everyone_about_pancake_breakfast.php

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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