Wildfire Awareness Week 2018 - San Bernardino

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Wildfire Awareness Week 2018 - San Bernardino Event - Español

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CAL FIRE San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit Open Burning Ban

CAL FIRE is suspending all burn permits for outdoor burning within the State Responsibility Area and in CAL FIRE Contract area’s of the following 3 counties: San Francisco - San Mateo - Santa Cruz

Ban on Open Burning
Preparation for Red Flag Warning

Felton – In preparation for the forecasted wind event this weekend, CAL FIRE is pre-positioning extra Fire Equipment and Personnel in the San Mateo – Santa Cruz Unit. In addition, CAL FIRE is suspending all burn permits for outdoor burning within the State Responsibility Area and in CAL FIRE Contract area’s of the following 3 counties:

San Francisco - San Mateo - Santa Cruz

This suspension takes effect Friday, December 15, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. and bans all outdoor burning except for campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property with landowner permission. Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations and online at PreventWildfireCA.org. It is anticipated that the suspension will be lifted on Tuesday December 19th.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the higher elevations of the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. This will involve Gusty North and Northeast winds, Low Humidity and Increased Fire danger. This watch is for the period of 10 pm, Friday to 10 am Sunday.

Even after the significant rainfall accumulation the region received during November, the past two weeks has been dry, warm and windy. This weather has created conditions which have effectively negated the moisture received last month. CAL FIRE reminds residents that burning during this ban and under these conditions could result in a citation. In addition, a person burning during these and other conditions can be held both financially and criminally responsible for any fire that escapes their control.

Keep in mind, now is the time to start planning your defensible space around your home for next year’s fire season.

For more information visit: www.PreventWildfireCA.org or www.fire.ca.gov.

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NWS FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE - RED FLAG CONDITIONS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE 
North Bay Mountains - East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range - Santa Cruz Mountains - Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest - Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey CountyIncluding Pinnacles National Park  

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
 National Weather Service San Francisco CA
 200 AM PST Fri Dec 15 2017
 
 ...Gusty northerly winds will combine with very low humidity
 values Friday evening through Sunday morning...
 
 .A dry system moving in from the north late on Friday will
 produce a combination of gusty winds and low humidity values. Due
 to these factors and the recently long stretch of warm and dry
 conditions, a very elevated fire weather risk can be expected
 particularly for higher elevation locations.
 
 CAZ507-511-512-517-518-152200-
 /O.UPG.KMTR.FW.A.0005.171216T0600Z-171217T1800Z/
 /O.NEW.KMTR.FW.W.0009.171216T0600Z-171217T1800Z/
 North Bay Mountains-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-
 Santa Cruz Mountains-
 Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-
 Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County
 Including Pinnacles National Park-
 200 AM PST Fri Dec 15 2017
 
 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM
 PST SUNDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...
 
 The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Red
 Flag Warning, which is in effect from 10 PM this evening to 10 AM
 PST Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. 
 
 * WIND...Northerly winds of 15 to 30 mph with local gusts over 
   50 mph. Strongest gusts will be over the North Bay Mountains 
   and East Bay Hills. 
 
 * HUMIDITY...Minimum humidity readings of 10 to 20% during the
   day. Nighttime maximum humidity readings will likely recover
   early in the night then drop of 25 to 35%.
 
 * HIGHEST THREAT...Elevations above 1000 ft, especially the North
   Mountains and East Bay Hills.
 
 * IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. 
   Outdoor burning is not recommended.
 
 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
 
 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 can
 contribute to extreme fire behavior.

MORE INFO: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getprod.php?
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#LODD #ThomasFire, Claims Life of CAL FIRE San Diego Unit Firefighter in Fillmore Area. #CAfire

#LODD #ThomasFire, 4th Largest Blaze in State’s History, Claims Life of Firefighter in Fillmore Area.

A Cal Fire engineer from the agency's CAL FIRE San Diego Unit has died in the Thomas Fire, which has burned 249,500 acres — about 390 square miles — in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties on Thursday, officials said.

The blaze, which was 35 percent contained as of Thursday evening, has cost about $82 million so far, according to authorities.

"I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident," Chief Ken Pimlott said in a news release Thursday afternoon.

The engineer, 32-year-old Cory Iverson of Cal Fire's San Diego unit, was killed battling the fire's east flank alongside his strike team in Fillmore, officials said.

New evacuations were issued for the Fillmore area on Thursday afternoon, and a community meeting was planned in the small Ventura County community at 7:30 p.m. at Fillmore Middle School, 543 A St.

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CA-LACF-CREEK FIRE - 2500 acres 0% - EVACUATIONS #CAfire

#CreekFire 

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 10:38AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; #CreekFire All previously voluntary evacuations are now MANDATORY within the zone - North of the 210 Freeway from (eastern border) La Crescenta to (western border) Glenoaks Blvd off ramp / Sombrero Canyon. The LA Equestrian center is FULL to capacity and can't not receive any additional animals. Pierce College remains OPEN for large animals. If you are in the evacuation zone, please do NOT delay. Take critical items and safely depart the area. If you live in an area bordering the current evacuation zone, please ensure you are getting READY SET GO. This erratic fire will carry embers and create spot fires which we can not predict. Have your vehicle packed, animals secured and car facing out the driveway ready to depart. Follow www.lafd.org/alerts for the latest information. Both Sylmar Rec Center (13109 Borden Av) and Sunland Senior Center (8640 Fenwick St) remain open and can accept companion animals WITH owner. Small animal evacuation centers West Valley Animal Shelter (20655 Plummer Street, 91311) and East Valley Animal Shelter (14409 Vanowen St, 91405) remain open to receiving. ; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 9:31AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; 210 Freeway closed BOTH directions from Sunland on the East to the 5 Freeway on the West. The 118 FY interchange at the 210 also CLOSED. Motorists are advised to take alternate routes to the SOUTH only. The fire is located to the North.; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 8:50AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; #CREEKFIRE now at 4,000 acres. We have confirmed damage reports for an unknown number of homes with no report of civilian injuries. Red Flag Parking Restrictions are currently IN EFFECT until at least 8:00AM tomorrow when the conditions will be re-evaluated. Total of over 650 FFs from LAFD, LAcoFD and US Forest Service on scene working in Unified Command.; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 8:19AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; LAFD in midst of rescue operation for a Dozer operator in distress after a rollover. The firefighter is not trapped, is conscious, alert and talking with his rescuers. No Further Details. This dynamic brush fire is being driven by high winds and over 240 LAFD (alone plus all unified agencies) working relentlessly to battle both on ground and by air. Thus far, their dedicated efforts have prevented the loss of life. We have no reported injuries from any civilians. 105 patients are being voluntarily evacuated from Mountain View Convalescent Center on Fenton Ave in Sylmar. LAFD ambulances and MTA buses being used. Media Briefing at 8:30 in grass field across from Command Post at Hansen Dam. ; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 7:52AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; #CREEKFIRE MEDIA BRIEFING at 8:30 in grass field across from Command Post at Hansen Dam. Additional Large Animal Evacuation Center open at LA Equestrian Center 480 Riverside Dr, 91506 (https://goo.gl/maps/FBumXE2JM6k). ; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Update Brush Fire; 7:09AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; Tujunga / Sunland; #CREEKFIRE Acreage estimated at 2,500 acres. Large animal evacuation center is Pierce College 6201 Winnetka Ave, 91371 (https://goo.gl/maps/GbVJUvjJnX22) Small animal evacuation centers at West Valley Animal Shelter 20655 Plummer Street 91311 (https://goo.gl/maps/EU6GNdvnVMA2) East Valley Animal Shelter 14409 Vanowen St (https://goo.gl/maps/yp29A75uw892); FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; Margaret Stewart

BRUSH FIRE 12/05/2017
Brush Fire; 6:34AM; 11350 N Riverwood Dr; https://goo.gl/maps/wSPx32YTUp22; Tujunga / Sunland; LAFD is in Unified Command with LACoFD, US Forestry Service, DOT, LAPD and LASD battling the #CreekFire. LAFD alone has over 210 firefighters on scene. Acreage not yet available. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS (video provided on twitter) are Kagel Canyon, Trailer park in Lopez Canyon, Arroyo St north of 210, Mobile home park top of Maclay, Pacoma Wash west of Sayre St, Eldridge/Sayre north VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS: Edlridge/Hubbard North (this is expected to become mandatory shortly), East of Vetrans Park to Pacoima Canyon, Between Sayre and Polk North of the 210, Between Polk and Bledsoe, Between Bledsoe and Roxford, Between Roxford and Glenoaks, Between Glenoaks and Filbert, Between Filbert to 5/14 Freeway. EVACUATION CENTERS OPEN ARE: Sylmar Rec Center, 13109 Borden Av. Sunland Senior Center, 8640 Fenwick St. Command Post is at Hansen Dam. LAFD Inc#0137; FS 24; Batt 12; Valley Bureau; Council District 7; BC10 BC11 BC12 BC14 BC15 BC17 BC5 BC701 BC711 BC712 CL1 CM3 CM42 DT1 DT2 DZ11 DZ12 E102 E103 E105 E11 E112 E12 E18 E2 E24 E26 E274 E29 E298 E3 E33 E35 E37 E39 E414 E420 E443 E472 E474 E475 E49 E5 E60 E61 E63 E66 E76 E77 E81 E8136 E8137 E8138 E8139 E8140 E85 E86 E87 E9 E90 E91 E95 E98 EM14 EM15 EM18 FR91 H5 H735 HE1 PI1 PI2 PI3 RA60 RA74 RA75 RA77 RA89 RA98 T74 T98 TP1 TP2 WT77 ; CH5; 12,14; Margaret Stewart

UPDATE 0900: 4,000 acres with 2,500 homes in the Sylmar area under mandatory evacuations.

UPDATE 0600: Fire at 2500+ acres. 2500 homes evacuated, No containment.
Fire has jumped Lopez Canyon.
All #LACoFD Contract Aircraft (Super Scoopers QB1 and QB2 + HeliTanker 731) to be airborne at approximately 0630.

CREEK FIRE BRANCH MAP

#CreekFire Press Conference https://t.co/vn3eZzFLWY

— LACounty Fire PIO (@LACoFDPIO) December 5, 2017

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CA-VCFD-THOMAS FIRE - MANDATORY EVACUATION - FIRE MAP #CAFIRE

 Jim Bob Barnett took this photo last night from Ortega Hill in Summerland.

CA-VCFD-THOMAS FIRE  - MANDATORY EVACUATION #CAFIRE
Updated 13:00- 45,500 acres, 150 structures destroyed; 27,000 evacuated

Updated 10:00- Acreage is 45,500 with zero containment. 1000+ firefighters still battling the blaze. Erratic winds and fire behavior is expected throughout the day.

Updated acreage is now 31,000 acres
Updated acreage is now 10,000 acres

THOMAS FIRE - VENTURA COUNTY

Most up to date fire perimeter map of the #ThomasFire posted during the a.m. operational briefing happening now! @VCFD #VCFD pic.twitter.com/0lxxgvctX4

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

UPDATE: #ThomasFire is currently 31,000 acres with 150 structures destroyed. 1 firefighter injury. 27,000 people evacuated. #VCFD @VCFD

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

#ThomasFire - Incident Command expect this fire to impact East Ventura by 1 AM. Updated acreage is now 10,000 acres. #VCFD @VCFD

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

#ThomasFire updated acreage is 5000 acres. Incident commander expects this fire to impact the city of Ventura this evening. @VCFD #VCFD

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 5, 2017

EVACUATION SHELTERS

Ventura County Fairgrounds at Miners Building  – 10 W Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA 93001

Nordhoff High School -1401 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023

Start Date: 12/4/17 @ 9:45 PM
Special Hazards: Powerlines Down, Highway/Interstate, Poison Oak/Poison Ivy, Steep Terrain, Snakes, Evacuation Problems, Animals, Livestock

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) extends daily aerial smoke detection patrols #CAfires

PG&E Extends Aerial Smoke Patrols to Spot Wildfires, Speed Response and Keep Communities Safe

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) extended its daily aerial smoke detection patrols in portions of its service area an additional two weeks.

November 10, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) extended its daily aerial smoke detection patrols in portions of its service area an additional two weeks. PG&E launched the patrols in June to assist the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE and local fire agencies with early fire detection and response during the highest-fire risk months. Early detection of smoke or fire allows fire agencies to quickly respond to accurate locations.

PG&E will continue operating fixed-wing aircraft to spot smoke along two routes, from Auburn to Auberry in the Central Sierra, and Vacaville to Solvang through Nov. 15. PG&E extended flights in these areas that have not received significant rain and remain dry.

“PG&E is focused on public safety and reducing the wildfire risk in California. In addition to the work we do every day on the ground to ensure our infrastructure is operating safely, our aerial patrols will continue to help fire agencies identify and respond to potential fires where dry conditions still exist,” said Pat Hogan, senior vice president of electric operations at PG&E.

All flights were previously scheduled to conclude on Oct. 31. The company uses fixed-wing aircraft to fly four routes and contributed funding to the Mendocino County Aerial Patrol Co-Operative for a fifth route over Mendocino County.

This is the fourth year of the program. From mid-June when the flights began through October 31, the patrols spotted a total of 218 fires and, in 21 instances, were the first to report the fire to CAL FIRE or the U.S. Forest Service. In 2017, nearly 3,350 hours of flight time have been recorded through October. The patrols flew during the last five hours of daylight, roughly from 3 p.m. until dusk – the time of day when wildfires are most likely to ignite because hot, dry weather is at its peak. Last year, fire spotters identified a total of 142 fires.

Tree Mortality Response

In addition to its daily aerial smoke patrols, PG&E is committed to reducing the risk of wildfire caused by the historic drought, bark beetle infestation and other environmental impacts as part of its tree mortality emergency response, including:
Increased foot and aerial patrols along power lines in high fire-risk areas to twice a year, and up to four times a year in some locations.
Conducted secondary patrols along 61 percent of miles of power lines in 2016 and expects to patrol 65 percent of miles of line a second time in 2017.
Removed approximately 236,000 additional dead or dying trees in 2016 and expects to remove approximately 150,000 additional dead trees in 2017

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that more than 100 million trees have died in California since 2010. Homeowners can reduce risk by removing dead trees on their property and properly maintaining healthy trees by pruning and watering as necessary.

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CA-YNP Yosemite Fire Information

Yosemite Fire Fire Update Nov 3, 2017

Today Yosemite Fire began a prescription burn in the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias. As of 5pm the area treated consisted of 70 acres. This included 20 acres in unit 11 and the remaining 50 in unit 4. We are seeing a minor increase in fire behavior on the west hand line in unit 4 as it burns into the heavier dead and down fuels. There is currently moderate smoke production with smoke dispersal to the NE.

Tomorrow we are expecting the upcoming storm to bring significant rain and snow over Yosemite. This may be a "fire season ending event". With this, the Yosemite fires that are currently active may still smolder but will likely not produce much smoke. We expect to still see light, visible smoke on the Empire and Starr King fires.

Rain and snow will hamper prescribed fire efforts but will allow firefighters the ability to shift from wildfire management to prescribed fire management in the Mariposa Grove and to begin pile burning throughout the park. If conditions are too wet to do prescribed burning, fire crews will shift to thinning projects around developed and high risk areas.
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Local News: After the wine country fires, what happens to the crops?

In one week, more than 2 million gallons of retardant were dropped in California—a record, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency.

Memories are short. Despite claims to the contrary, wildland fires along California’s west coast and inland valleys have not changed much since the 1964 Hanley Fire, a blaze which burned nearly the same territory as the Tubbs Fire but was even larger. What has changed is human demography.

After the wine country fires, what happens to the crops?
By Julie Cart | Oct. 31, 2017

 The full extent of the damage from the northern California wildfires that killed 43 people and destroyed 8,400 homes is still being tallied. The devastation left an obvious scar, but not all the damage is visible.

Among the assessments still to be made is what impact millions of gallons of fire retardant—essentially a potent fertilizer—may have on carefully tended plants and soils.

Saved by timing, nearly 80 percent of the renowned wine region’s grapes had been harvested when the multiple fires started in early October. And for the most part, the blazes did not linger at the vineyards, which are kept free of grasses and other fire-devouring fuels.

But there was collateral damage: bright red slathers of fire retardant dropped from the state’s fleet of supertankers. In one week, more than 2 million gallons of retardant were dropped in California—a record, according to Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency.

“We are always mindful of where we are trying to drop aerial fire retardant,” said Chris Jurasek, the Cal Fire aviation supervisor who directed many of the drops. “It’s always in our mind to try and alleviate contacting anything other than fire.”

Cal Fire has the largest aerial firefighting fleet in the world. As planes become increasingly central to fighting fires in California, more and more retardant is served up.

On one day during the recent fires, Oct. 12, crews loaded nearly 700 gallons of retardant a minute from dawn to dusk to help slow the fire, according to Cal Fire. By way of comparison: The state’s largest aviation facility, near Sacramento, pumped 1.7 million gallons of retardant into firefighting tankers in 2016. The base has already used more than 4 million gallons so far this year.

The retardant, called Phos-Chek, contains ammonium phosphate, a fertilizer. It also includes chemicals to regulate how the slurry drops, emulsifiers that render it gooey so it sticks to targets, and a coloring agent so air crews can track what they’ve dropped. For the most part, the ingredients are disclosed to Cal Fire by the Phos-Chek manufacturer, ICL-Performance Products, LP. But the entire formula is not made public.

George Matousek, an ICL chemist who helped formulate the retardant, said the precise recipe is a trade secret but “all products in Phos-Chek are food-grade or better.”

The chemicals are mixed with water and are generally harmless to humans and most animals, according to the company. But retardants are known to be toxic to fish, so state and national fire-fighting agencies prohibit drops within 300 feet of water sources. But as Western wildfires increasingly move out of forests and into developed areas, firefighters have less wiggle room to target their drops.

When a converted 747 jetliner is lining up to release nearly 20,000 gallons of retardant, there’s no guarantee of precision. Pilots are often guided away from water sources and landscapes containing plants that are endangered or otherwise protected by law, using retardant avoidance maps published by the U.S. Forest Service.

It’s an issue that’s taken seriously by fire-fighting agencies. Biologists say that a sudden dump of nutrients in soils can encourage the growth of non-native or invasive plants.

“There is a precedent for concern about soil chemistry,” said Andy Stahl, executive director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, a watchdog group made up of Forest Service employees and others. Improving soil productivity “would allow invasive plants that are better able to utilize these nutrients (to) crowd out natives.”

How those interactions might play out in carefully curated vineyards is not known. Winemakers are famously fussy about soil: It’s what imparts the terroir that gives wines their unique characteristics. Some vintners choose not to use fertilizers of any kind.


Sonoma County: Vineyards are typically kept free of grasses and other fire fuels. Image via Wikipedia

“A lot of time and effort is put into that soil,” said Andrew Walker, a geneticist at the University of California, Davis’ Department of Viticulture and Enology, which is devoted to all things winemaking. Fertilizers may be altogether undesirable, he said. North Coast vintners “make expensive wines. They work on quality rather than quantity. They don’t necessarily want excessive vine growth.”

Walker said not much is known about potential effects of retardants on commercial crops. Previous blazes have raced out of wildlands and into agricultural lands, destroying fruit and nut orchards, hay fields and, increasingly, California’s highly lucrative cannabis plantations. Farmers of such crops have specific guidelines for fertilizing their plants.

Academics and researchers are beginning to study the issue—a good thing, Matousek said. “It’s something that’s going to come up more often.”

The Napa County Agricultural Commissioner did not return phone calls for comment. The Wine Institute, an advocacy group for 1,000 wineries and business in California, declined to comment. A representative of a regional cannabis-growing association did not respond to a request for comment.

But the Napa County Health and Human Services Agency posted an online warning earlier this month. It stated that although there is little danger in ingesting produce when retardant is present, it’s to be avoided.

“Individuals are advised against consuming fruits and vegetables from home gardens to which retardant may have been applied, or from areas in wildlands where residues are visible,” the agency said. “In addition to avoiding consuming food items with visible residues, the fertilizer component of the retardants may lead to temporary increases in the nitrate content of soils in areas of application.”

Walker said plants take in chemicals in soils, but they also can absorb some chemicals to no ill effect.

Still, Dennis Hulbert, a retired regional aviation manager for the U.S. Forest Service who oversaw firefighting action in California, said retardants are relied upon too much by overwhelmed fire managers.

Hulbert said he spent 39 years ordering retardant drops without knowing much about the potential long-term implications. “This is 50-year-old technology,” he said. “I’m not sure it’s a good thing.”

Cal Fire’s Jurasek, for his part, said the tankers and their loads of retardant were instrumental in quenching the recent fires. The wineries will recover, he said. As for the possibility of lingering problems in soils and plants, he said, “I do not have any concerns.”

Original publication; https://calmatters.org/articles/wine-country-fires-happens-crops/

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