SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco firefighters are set to receive a 24 percent salary pay raise over a four-year period, according to new contract terms.
The contract gives the 1,726 members of the San Francisco Fire Fighters Union — which includes such commanding ranks as captain — an increase similar to the 23 percent pay hike recently approved for San Francisco police officers. The contract for firefighters expired June 30.
The base pay for a firefighter ranges from $61,438 to $86,008, according to the Fire Department’s Web site. With the 25 percent increase, by 2011, salaries will have jumped an additional $15,359 to $21,502, pushing many firefighters’ wages over $100,000 — without overtime.
The Fire Department spends approximately $139 million on salaries — not including benefits — for firefighters. The new Memorandum of Understanding would increase that amount by $6.1 million this new fiscal year and — with an effective increase of about 6 percent each year — add $44 million to the department’s budget by fiscal year 2010-11, according to the City Controller’s Office.
Whole story here: New contract, big pay boost for S.F. firefighters - Examiner.com:
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
News: Two fires, one arsonist keep crews active
Amador Ledger Dispatch:
CAL FIRE Investigator Tom Oldag caught an arsonist in the act in Plymouth Friday afternoon on his way to an unrelated fire that burned 19 acres near Jackson earlier that day.
According to Oldag, the arsonist, Juan Antonio Cardona, had just started the grass fire on Highway 49 a half mile north of town when Oldag drove by in a marked truck. Calling in fire crews, Oldag turned around and, after a brief interview, took Cardona into custody.
"He seemed pretty unaware of the seriousness of what he had done," said Oldag. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Fortunately (the fire) didn't get big."
Members of the Plymouth fire department contained the fire in five minutes, according to Oldag.
Garrett Simmons, Oldag's partner, came in on his day off to investigate the wildland fire that torched the south side of Highway 88 four miles west of Jackson. Burn patterns on the ground led to hot products from a car that were determined to have started the fire, according to Simmons.
"People are always saying that cigarettes start these fires, but you need specific conditions for that to happen," said Simmons. "Chunks of catalytic converter (shot out the tail pipe) can reach 1,300 degrees. That's more than sufficient to start a grass fire."
Highway 88 was closed for half an hour while CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and wards from the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, among others, worked to put out the fire.
The fires are the latest in a series of relatively manageable ones in Amador County while other counties have been experiencing worse fires than normal, according to multiple fire officials.
"It's just been mellow," said John Fracchia, a fire captain at Sutter Hill. "We're still catching them and keeping them small."
The spike in fires elsewhere is due to historically low levels of moisture in the brush, caused by a short, dry winter, according to CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Brian Kirk. Amador County has been lucky this season, Kirk said, in having little wind and few fire starts, such as the catalytic converter fragments.
Cardona, 18, faces a sentence of two to six years in jail, unless he proves unusual circumstances, according to District Attorney Todd Riebe. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardona lives with his mother in downtown Jackson, according to his father Antonio Hernandez Cardona.
He was appointed a public defender on Monday and will remain in jail until a second hearing on Aug. 16
CAL FIRE Investigator Tom Oldag caught an arsonist in the act in Plymouth Friday afternoon on his way to an unrelated fire that burned 19 acres near Jackson earlier that day.
According to Oldag, the arsonist, Juan Antonio Cardona, had just started the grass fire on Highway 49 a half mile north of town when Oldag drove by in a marked truck. Calling in fire crews, Oldag turned around and, after a brief interview, took Cardona into custody.
"He seemed pretty unaware of the seriousness of what he had done," said Oldag. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Fortunately (the fire) didn't get big."
Members of the Plymouth fire department contained the fire in five minutes, according to Oldag.
Garrett Simmons, Oldag's partner, came in on his day off to investigate the wildland fire that torched the south side of Highway 88 four miles west of Jackson. Burn patterns on the ground led to hot products from a car that were determined to have started the fire, according to Simmons.
"People are always saying that cigarettes start these fires, but you need specific conditions for that to happen," said Simmons. "Chunks of catalytic converter (shot out the tail pipe) can reach 1,300 degrees. That's more than sufficient to start a grass fire."
Highway 88 was closed for half an hour while CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and wards from the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, among others, worked to put out the fire.
The fires are the latest in a series of relatively manageable ones in Amador County while other counties have been experiencing worse fires than normal, according to multiple fire officials.
"It's just been mellow," said John Fracchia, a fire captain at Sutter Hill. "We're still catching them and keeping them small."
The spike in fires elsewhere is due to historically low levels of moisture in the brush, caused by a short, dry winter, according to CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Brian Kirk. Amador County has been lucky this season, Kirk said, in having little wind and few fire starts, such as the catalytic converter fragments.
Cardona, 18, faces a sentence of two to six years in jail, unless he proves unusual circumstances, according to District Attorney Todd Riebe. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardona lives with his mother in downtown Jackson, according to his father Antonio Hernandez Cardona.
He was appointed a public defender on Monday and will remain in jail until a second hearing on Aug. 16
CA-AEU- Salmon IC - Vegetation Fire
Salmon IC - Vegetation Fire
Location: 290 Salmon Falls Rd, El Dorado Hills - located just east of Folsom
lake.
Sizeup: 2 acres Rapid ROS, high wildland response
Additional: Tac 9
Location: 290 Salmon Falls Rd, El Dorado Hills - located just east of Folsom
lake.
Sizeup: 2 acres Rapid ROS, high wildland response
Additional: Tac 9
InciWeb: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 15,149 acres - 79% containment.
Elk Complex Update 8/1/07
Incident: Elk Complex
Released: 10:00 hrs
Total Complex Acreage: 15,149 acres Incident Resources: 839 personnel
Total Complex Containment: 79% Cost to Date: $16,800,000 Injuries to Date (minor): 15 Fatalities to Date: 1
Expected Full Containment: 8/05/2007
Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, Stephan Perlman, M.D. advises residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in many areas due to severe smoke. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, residents are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. An incremental increase in fire behavior is occurring each day. Slow moving surface fire with short runs, isolated torching, creeping and rolling out of burning materials was observed yesterday.
Firefighters plan to use aerial ignition to burn portions of the interior of the fire on the King Creek 2/Wingate/Titus Fires. This involves releasing ping pong ball size incendiaries (PSD's) as the helicopter flies over the area to be burned. Crews continue to secure established fireline. Patrol and mop up the Little Grider Fire will continue.
Complex Fire Details
Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The contained fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as necessary. The remaining five fires are as follows:
- Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 Fires is 11,581 acres (increase in acreage due to limited burning of interior) and 66% contained. Firelines have been constructed and limited burning of interior areas will continue. A closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place.
- Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained and remains in aerial patrol.
- Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained. The fire remains in aerial patrol.
Sources of info include: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or the incident information office at (530) 841-4451. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/condition/ for information on fire restrictions and local closures.
The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District, has installed an air quality monitoring station in Happy Camp. Real-time data may be viewed online at http://www.satguard.com/usfs/Chart new.asp Get=4&UnitID=36&CustID=2&sDate=7/29/2007.
Elk Complex Wildland Fire
INCIDENT UPDATED
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | 07/10/2007 at 00 hrs. |
| Location | Happy Camp Ranger District |
| Incident Commander | Kent Swartzlander |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 839 |
|---|---|
| Size | 15,149 acres |
| Percent Contained | 79% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 08/05/2007 at hrs. |
| Fuels Involved | Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags. |
| Fire Behavior | Slow moving surface fire with short runs on aligned slopes with isolated torching, creeping and roll-out on steep slopes, during the night. |
| Significant Events | Continued to secure line burned on previous days. Patrolled and mop-up. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Assess opportunities to apply interior aerial ignitions on the Western portion of the fire. Evaluate further burn operations on the Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 fire. Secure the line burned on previous days. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | 12 hours: Continued spread expected due to further drying of fuels and potential burnout/backfire operations. 24 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. 48 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. 72 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. |
| Growth Potential | High |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Containment Target | Likely to meet objectives based on current weather projections. |
| Remarks | Expect an increase in containment as direct strategy and burnout continues. A total of seventy-seven miles of fireline has been constructed to date. This includes twenty-eight miles of dozer line and forty-nine miles of handline and brushed roads. A six mile portion of the Klamath River will be used as a west flank containment line for the Wingate/Titus/KingCreek2 fires. Fire acreage and containment: of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 fires are 100% contained. The remaining fires are as follows: King Creek 2/Wingate/ Titus 11,681 acres-66%(increase in acreage due to burn operations); Elk 1,144 acres-96%; Hummingbird 80 acres-0%. Elk fire and Hummingbird fire is in aerial patrol. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | Not available |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | Not available |
| Current Humidity | Not available |
InciWeb: Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting
InciWeb: Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting:
Summary
F L A S H !..........
There will be a Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting this evening at the Santa Barbara County Schools Administration Auditorium, located at 4400 Cathedral Oaks Road, in Santa Barbara. Below is an agenda for the meeting which will start at 6:00 p.m.
Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting
Incident: Zaca fire
Released: 1200 hrs
Zaca Fire Town Hall Meeting
County Schools Administration Auditorium
4400 Cathedral Oaks Road, Santa Barbara
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 @ 6:00 p.m.
Introductions
Captain Eli Iskow, Public Information Officer, Santa Barbara County Fire Dept.
Opening Comments From
Chief John Scherrei, Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Chief Joe Smith, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Current Fire Situation and Long-range Fire Outlook
Aaron Gelobter, Incident Commander, Boise Incident Management Team
Contingency Plan and Trigger / Evaluation Points
Deputy Chief Tom Franklin, Santa Barbara County Fire Department
Evacuation Plan
Notifications - Cmdr. Chuck Gerhart and Sgt. Tom Walton, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Routes - Cmdr. Chuck Gerhart and Sgt. Tom Walton, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office
Shelters - Janet Stanley, Red Cross Emergency Services
Animals - Jan Glick, Santa Barbara County Animal Services
Questions and Answers
Breaking News - Vegetation Fire San Luis Obispo area
Vegetation Fire San Luis Obispo area
more details to follow...
Air Tanker dropping retardant on fire today in San Luis Opisbo area
Credit: Reader GISFireguy
Current sizeup: 7 acres
Location: 2000 block of Johnson in San Luis Obispo this morning.
Additional: Full wildland response CAL FIRE, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo - Structures threatened at this time
No evacuation orders have been issued as of 11:15 this morning..
San Luis Obispo.com-Leslie Parrilla
Firefighters hope to contain a blaze that broke out in eastern San Luis Obispo this morning by 12:30 p.m.
The fire broke out around 10:52 a.m. at the top of Woodland Court, which is a few blocks east of Johnson Avenue, between San Luis Obispo High School and the old General Hospital.
The fire had burned about 20 acres by 11:50, according to fire officials. It got within about 50 feet of one home, but then started burning uphill, away from structures. The hill was covered in tall, dry brush.
No one had to be evacuated, according to fire officials. Smoke could be seen in the southern and eastern portions of the city.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
more details to follow...
Air Tanker dropping retardant on fire today in San Luis Opisbo areaCredit: Reader GISFireguy
Current sizeup: 7 acres
Location: 2000 block of Johnson in San Luis Obispo this morning.
Additional: Full wildland response CAL FIRE, Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo - Structures threatened at this time
No evacuation orders have been issued as of 11:15 this morning..
Update: 15 acres No structures have been damaged and no structures are threatened at this time
San Luis Obispo.com-Leslie Parrilla
Blaze breaks out in eastern SLO; firefighters hope to have it contained soon
Firefighters hope to contain a blaze that broke out in eastern San Luis Obispo this morning by 12:30 p.m.
The fire broke out around 10:52 a.m. at the top of Woodland Court, which is a few blocks east of Johnson Avenue, between San Luis Obispo High School and the old General Hospital.
The fire had burned about 20 acres by 11:50, according to fire officials. It got within about 50 feet of one home, but then started burning uphill, away from structures. The hill was covered in tall, dry brush.
No one had to be evacuated, according to fire officials. Smoke could be seen in the southern and eastern portions of the city.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
Late News - Fire near Livermore's Sandia lab almost out
San Jose Mercury News - :
Fire near Livermore's Sandia lab almost out
By Eric Kurhi and
Cindi Christie
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Article Launched: 07/31/2007 06:56:19 PM PDT
A three-alarm grass fire near Sandia/California National Laboratories was being mopped up about 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The fire on Livermore's southeast edge was reported around 4:45 p.m. in the vicinity of Vasco and Tesla roads. Initial California Highway Patrol reports stated that it was close to some homes in the area.
The fire jumped a break and spread east toward Greenville Road.
Engines from Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department responded. Air support was called in but it was not used.
Fire near Livermore's Sandia lab almost out
By Eric Kurhi and
Cindi Christie
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Article Launched: 07/31/2007 06:56:19 PM PDT
A three-alarm grass fire near Sandia/California National Laboratories was being mopped up about 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The fire on Livermore's southeast edge was reported around 4:45 p.m. in the vicinity of Vasco and Tesla roads. Initial California Highway Patrol reports stated that it was close to some homes in the area.
The fire jumped a break and spread east toward Greenville Road.
Engines from Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department responded. Air support was called in but it was not used.
InciWeb: Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest
Zaca Fire - InciWeb:
Zaca Fire Area Closure Map
Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit
Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest
Zaca Fire Perimeter map
Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit
Zaca Fire Area Closure MapCredit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit
Zaca Fire
Incident: Zaca Fire
Released: 10:42 hrs
CONTACT: Kathy Good (805) 961-5759
Zaca Fire Information Center (805) 961-5770
Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest
GOLETA, CA...Additional areas in Los Padres National Forest are now closed to the public due to the Zaca Fire emergency, the Forest Service announced today. Public entry is prohibited until further notice on all national forest lands between Highway 166 in northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County.
The closure prohibits all public entry to national forest lands, trails, roads and recreation sites within the designated area. It does not apply to private land inside or adjacent to the national forest. Public entry is still permitted in Matilija Canyon and areas south in Ventura County. National forest land above Santa Barbara area communities is open to East Camino Cielo. The forest remains open west of Highway 154, and campgrounds and developed day use areas along Paradise Road in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area. Paradise Road is open to the first river crossing.
The closure now affects approximately 649,000 acres. It is a precautionary measure because of the difficulty of evacuating forest visitors from remote areas should the fire spread. In addition, firefighters and heavy equipment are building contingency lines several miles from the active fire and this closure will allow them to work more safely, quickly and efficiently.
A detailed description and map of the closure are available at Forest Service offices and on-line at http://www.inciweb.org.
Fire Restrictions Reminder
Fire restrictions are in effect throughout Los Padres National Forest. These restrictions prohibit the use of wood or charcoal fires in all areas; limit the use of gas-type stoves to designated Campfire Use Sites with a California Campfire Permit; prohibit recreational target shooting except at the Winchester Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club; and limit smoking to buildings, enclosed vehicles and Campfire Use Sites.
The Zaca Fire started on July 4, and has burned approximately 37,350 acres. It is currently 60 percent contained with full containment expected by September 7.
News: Governor announces appointment of assistant state fire marshal
Tonya Hoover, 45, of Concord , has been appointed assistant state fire marshal for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
Since 1998, she has served as the fire marshal for the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. From 1990 to 1998, Hoover was a deputy fire marshal at California State University , Berkeley.
Previously, she served as a fire inspector for the Riverview Fire Protection District from 1989 to 1990 and held the same position for the Dublin San Ramon Services District from 1987 to 1988.
Hoover is a member of the National Fire Protection Association Standards Committee and the International Fire Service Training Association Validation Committee.
She is also past president of the California Fire Chiefs Association Fire Prevention Officers-Northern Section. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $110,280.
Hoover is a Republican
InciWeb: Zaca Wildland Fire - 37,350 acres - 60%
InciWeb: Zaca Wildland Fire:
Zaca Wildland Fire
INCIDENT UPDATED 11 MIN. AGO
ANNOUNCEMENT
Evacuation Ordered Issued for the Peachtree Community
An EVACUATION ORDER has been issued for the Peachtree Community. An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued for Happy Canyon Road up to Baseline Avenue. With the current warming and drying trend, active bu... more
Summary
Location: 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, Santa Barbara County
Incident Management Team: Los Padres National Forest
Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Acres: 37,350 Acres
Percent Containment: 60 percent
Estimated Containment: September 7, 2007
Resources: Hand Crews: 34; Dozers: 9; Engines: 28; Water Tenders: 27; Helicopters: 7-Type 1, 7-Type 2 and 2-Type 3; Air Tankers: 8 on order; Air Attack: 2; Total Personnel: 1,344; Injuries: 11; Structures Threatened: 14; Fireline-to-Build: 18.5 miles; Estimated Cost-to-Date: $40.4 million
Current Forest and Road Closures:
- Happy Canyon Road is open.
- Figueroa Mountain Road is open.
- For current road closures tune to 1040 AM.
- Los Padres National Forest Closure information and map are available at http://www.inciweb.org/.
- Los Padres National Forest Officials would like to remind forest visitors to be careful when traveling the Happy Canyon and Figueroa Mountain roads due to the continued use of fire equipment in the area.
Significant Events: An EVACUATION ORDER continues for the Peachtree Community. An EVACUATION WARNING remains in place for Happy Canyon Road north of Baseline Avenue, including the ranches between Lake Cachuma and McKinley Ridge. Burning continued throughout the night with the majority of the activity advancing in an easterly direction toward Coche Creek. Islands of unburned fuel continue to burn well within the fire perimeter. The daily inversion layer has increased burning at night and suppressed intense burning during the day. Hand line constructed at the head of Peachtree Canyon has been completed and is holding. Dozers will begin to construct contingency lines in the areas near Paradise Rd. Columns and drift smoke are likely to be seen throughout the Central Coast and drift smoke as far away as the San Joaquin Valley. While the fire burns in old and dense fuel, fire crews and air attack are continuing to work diligently to bring this fire to full containment.
Current Situation: The Forest is evaluating additional closure areas. Two historic cabins at Santa Cruz and Bluff Camp have been wrapped for fire protection.
Safety Message: Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel. In addition, with the re-opening of some areas of the forest, we want to remind forest visitors to watch for heavy equipment and crews working on the rehabilitation efforts.
Additional Information: In light of the current weather conditions and fire behavior, smoke from the Zaca Fire may be visible over a wide area with occasional drift smoke as far away as Santa Barbara, Goleta or other areas of the county.
Incident Commander:
AARON GELOBTER
Boise Incident Management Team
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Human Caused |
| Date of Origin | 07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs. |
| Location | 15 miles NE of Buellton |
| Incident Commander | Aaron Gelobter |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,344 |
|---|---|
| Size | 37,350 acres |
| Percent Contained | 60% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 09/07/2007 at hrs. |
| Fuels Involved | Chaparral, 6 foot high and oak woodlands. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, at levels normally seen in late summer. Division J on the SE side of the fire is burning in a mix of pine and chaparral. |
| Fire Behavior | The fire continued to be active through the night. Daily inversions have encouraged active burning during nightime hours and suppressed intense daytime burning. |
| Significant Events | Not available |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Direct line construction continues in the north (Divn. J) and in the southeast (Peachtree area). Indirect line construction continues in the Peachtree area , southeast and to the south of the southern most tip of the San Rafael Wilderness. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | There is a high probability of the fire significantly increasing in size. |
| Growth Potential | Extreme. |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme. |
| Containment Target | The remote access and rugged terrain require a long term strategy of both direct and indirect attack with contingency planning that is being implemented over a 5 to 6 week period. |
| Remarks | Not available |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | 3-5 mph NW |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | 75 degrees |
| Current Humidity | 22 % |
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