Cal Fire News - Pine Fire started by illegal immigrants

The 2,170 acre Pine Fire was caused by an Criminal migrant lighting a illegal campfire, investigators said.

Officials have said lightning strikes and campfires started by illegal immigrants are the two most common causes of fires in the forest south of Interstate 8.

The humidity doubled overnight to about 35 percent, helping calm the spread of the flames, said incident commander Ron Woychak, of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

“This is a fuel-driven fire,” Woychak said. “A lot of this area hasn't burned in 37 years, since the Laguna fire. It's like straw out there.”

Firefighters are anxious to keep the fire from moving into Pine Valley or jumping into the uninhabited area east of the community, which has heavy vegetation and virtually no roads.

“If it gets into there, it's going to be 'game on' for awhile,” said Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck.

Higher humidity levels and relatively light winds helped slow the spread of the fire yesterday, Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck said.

CA-RRU-Alta Mesa - Vegetation Fire - 63 acres and 60%

Location: Whitewater canyon approximately one mile north of I-10.
Resources: 15 engines, 1 AA, 2 AT, 1 helo, 1 dozer, and 5 crews.
Terrain: Extreme, limited access
Weather: 0945 temp 96 degrees, humidity in the mid teens, and winds at 8 gusting to 16mph

Updates:
1045 63 acres and 60% contained.
Whitewater Canyon Road closed to the public.
50 mph gusts on top of the ridges
09/14/2007 1255: Fire is 75% contained, no changed in acres burned. One inmate firefighter was transported with heat-related injuries to a local hospital.

RVC 209

Incident Name: Alta Mesa		Incident Number: CARRU-80431
Date Reported: 09/14/2007		Time Reported: 6:19 AM
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Incident Location: Whitewater Canyon			City: Whitewater
Size/Type of Fuel/etc.: 30-35 acres in light grasses		Cause: Under Investigation
Loss: $0	(STR): $0	(Contents): $0	Vehicle(s): $0
Save: $0	(STR): $0	(Contents): $0	Cost to Date: $0
Injuries:
Fatalities: 0	Critical: 0	Moderate: 0	Minor: 0	Non-Injury: 0
Transported Ground AMB: 0		Air AMB: 0
Containment Time:		Control Time:
Resources Assigned
Engines: 15		Breathing Supp.: 0		Helicopters: 1
Truck Co: 0		Squad: 0		Air Attack: 1
Firefighters: 125		RVC Medics: 0		Air Tankers: 2
Overhead Personnel: 7		AMB's: 0		Fire Crews: 5
Haz. Mat: No Co. Health: No County OES: No Fire Prev.: Yes Water Tenders: 1
Electrical Co: No Gas Co: No Water Co: No Bulldozers: 1
Red Cross: No	Chaplain: No	Displaced Persons: No	Adult: 0	Child: 0
Misc. Equip:	Sheriff's Office: Yes	CHP: Yes	Office: Indio
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE/Riverside, California Highway Patrol – Indio, Morongo Fire Department, Riverside County Fire Dept, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
Supplemental
Comments:	09/14/2007 1040 hrs: Fire is 63 acres and 60% contained. 09/14/2007 1000 hrs: Fire is 63 acres. Whitewater Canyon Road remains closed. No structures threatened, damaged or destroyed and no injuries have been reported. 09/14/2007 0930 hrs: Fire is 30-35 acres. Field PIO FC Fernando Herrera is at scene. He can be reached at 760-250-9881. Cell phone coverage is limited in this area. In the even FC Herrera cannot be reached, please contact the Fire Information Line at 951-940-6985. 09/14/2007 0830 hrs: Approximately 15 acres involved, burning in light grasses near the Whitewater radio repeater site in Whitewater Canyon.
Problems:	Access problems. Law enforcement assisting with the closure of Whitewater Canyon Road to the public.
Evacuations: No		Evacuation Comments:
Information Center: 951-940-6985		OR:
Prepared By: Jody Hagemann		Prepared Date/Time: 09/14/2007 1039

[EDIS] Red flag warning - LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS

[EDIS] Red flag warning now in effect until 10 am pdt saturday for areas southeast of highway 14 and above 4000 feet

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS EXTENDED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THIS WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PDT SATURDAY AND IS FOR AREAS SOUTHEAST OF HIGHWAY 14 AND ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET.
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AT LOCATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET REMAIN IN THE SINGLE DIGITS THIS MORNING...AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN VERY LOW THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. IN ADDITION...RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES WILL REMAIN POOR... WITH MOST LOCATIONS REMAINING AROUND 10 PERCENT. ISOLATED RECOVERIES AT MOST WILL BE 20 PERCENT. FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SHOULD MODERATE ON SATURDAY AS ONSHORE FLOW STRENGTHENS AND A WEAK DRY COLD FRONT OVER THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS FINALLY PUSHES SOUTH.

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW... OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

Area: LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-

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

Sent: 2007-09-14T10:01:03-07:00

Original Sender: KLOX@nwws.oes.ca.gov

From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA

Inciweb: Moonlight Wildland Fire - 65,000 acres - 90%

Moonlight Fire Perimeter Map

Ground To Crown Flame Spread
Credit: Unknown / Inciweb

Moonlight Wildland Fire

• Incident Information
• Announcements
• News
• Photographs
• Maps

INCIDENT UPDATED 1:13 HRS. AGO

ANNOUNCEMENT

North Arm Indian Valley Evacuation Order lifted
As of 6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 12 the mandatory evacuation for residents in North Arm Indian Valley is lifted. The voluntary evacuation order for residents of Taylorsville, Genesee Valley, and..... more

Summary

Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning. Winds were actually beneficial in reducing the risk to lines, aiding interior burning. Good mop-up efforts 100-500' in. 90% containment, 65,000 acres with no growth. Greenville, Taylorsville, and Indian Valley areas will be smokey in the morning for the next few days due to smoke funneling down drainages and an inversion. 9/17 is the projected full containment date. Humidity levels will rise through tonight and temperature will be cooler. Personnel and equipment will begin to demobilize today. The mandatory evacuation has been lifted for Franks Valley. The Murdock crossing fire camp will be closing today.

The Fire Information call center will reduce hours from 6 am to 6 pm beginning 9/14.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	09/03/2007 at 1424 hrs.
Location	Moonlight Valley T27N R10E Sec 3
Incident Commander	Single Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel	3,216
Size	65,000 acres
Percent Contained	90%
Estimated Containment Date	09/17/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Heavy timber & slash,
Fire Behavior	The fire was held within the containment lines on all divisions. Heavier fuels continued to burn throughout the night in the interior of the fire.
Significant Events	Line was completed and continues to hold in the SW, W, and NW portions of the fire. Line construction is nearing completion on the E portion of the fire. The North Arm, Indian Valley and Diamond Mountain roads remain open to residents only. The mandatory evacuation remains in effect for: Taylor Lake, Wilcox Valley, and Antelope Lake. The evacuation for Franks Valley has been lifted. A Forest closure is in place to ensure safety in the vicinity of the fire. All major highways remain open, however, most Forest roads are closed to access.

Outlook

Planned Actions	The W and NW continue to hold and mop up 500 feet from control lines. The S, SE and E perimeter will continue to construct direct line, improve and hold established lines, grid for heat & mop up 200' from control lines as well as provide for structure protection. On the SW perimeter crews will patrol & mop up 100' from control lines and provide structure protection in the Diamond Mountain, North Arm, Indian Valley and Wilcox areas.
Projected Movement	There is minimal potential for fire spread, if any, is predicted to be to the Northeast.
Growth Potential	Medium
Terrain Difficulty	80% slopes; extreme
Containment Target	The current lines held through the red flag weather event, therefore, an estimated containment date of 9/17/07 at 1800 hrs has been established.
Remarks	The red flag warning event tested the containment lines yesterday. All divisions were successful in holding the fire within the containment lines. Due to the deminished threat to the Cal Fire Protection area the decision was made to discontinue the Unified Command structure as of 0800 today. The incident will be managed by a single Incident Commander from CIIMT-2. Fire suppression repair/rehab and resource demobilization has been initiated. Four burned structures were found yesterday. The type of structures and historic value is being evaluated.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	5-10 mph SW
Current Temperature	70-75 degrees
Current Humidity	15-20 %

Inciweb: Pine Wildland Fire - 2,170 acres - 50%

Pine Wildland Fire

• Incident Information
• Announcements
• News
• Photographs
• Maps

INCIDENT UPDATED 1:34 HRS. AGO

Current condition
Credit: U.S. Forest Service

view pictures || view maps

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Illegal Campfire
Date of Origin	09/12/2007 at 1315 hrs.
Location	Pine Valley, CA
Incident Commander	Ron Woychak

Current Situation

Total Personnel	704
Size	2,170 acres
Percent Contained	50%
Estimated Containment Date	09/15/2007 at hrs.
Significant Events	Mt. Empire High School will reopen today. Good progress throughout the night and expect significant demobilization to begin 9-14-07.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Continue to construct and reinforce containmnet lines, mop up, and begin rehab of cold containment lines.
Growth Potential	Medium
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Remarks	Good progress today. Mt. Empire School was closed today for safety purposes, but will reopen 9-14-07.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	62 degrees
Current Humidity	Not available

Firefighter Injured on Pine Fire - Dozer

Incident: Pine
Released: 2 days ago

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

U.S. Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest

Firefighter Injured on Pine Fire

A short time ago a CAL FIRE employee received burn injuries while fighting the Pine Fire. The burns are not considered life threatening however as a precaution the firefighter was flown to the UCSD Burn Center. No further information will be forthcoming until family notifications can be made.

Updated: from San Digo news - A bulldozer operator suffered major burns to his arms and hands Wednesday as he worked near Corte Madera Road.

BLUE SHEET
PRELIMINARY SUMMARY
24 HOUR REPORT

(CALFIRE Shield) & (Forest Service Shield)

Pine Fire
Wildland Fire Entrapment
Minor Burn Injuries
Bulldozer Damage
September 12, 2007
Pine Fire
07-CNF-002463
CA-CSR-000087

This Preliminary Summary Report is intended as an aid in accident prevention, and to provide factual information from the first 24 hours of the accident review. To that end it is published and distributed within a short time frame. Information contained within may be subject to revision as further investigation is conducted, and other reports and documents are received.

Synopsis

The following information is a preliminary summary of a wildland fire entrapment and burn over of a CAL FIRE bulldozer. One CAL FIRE Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) received burns to his hands and face. One CAL FIRE D-6C bulldozer incurred moderate burn damages.

Narrative

On September 12, 2007, at approximately 1238 hours, a fire of undetermined cause started on Corte Madera Road in Oak Valley in south eastern San Diego County on the Cleveland National Forest. Weather observations from the nearby Descanso RAWS included Temperature 93ºF; Relative Humidity 15%; Winds W-NW 6 mph with gusts to 13 mph.

CAL FIRE Dozer 3346 was dispatched to the Pines Fire and assigned to Division “B”. At approximately 1620 hours, CAL FIRE Dozer and its HFEO were found by the Incident Safety Officer and assigned Dozer Boss approximately 200 feet within the burn. The HFEO received minor 2nd degree burns to both hands, and portions of his face, and was transported by air ambulance to a burn center for treatment where he was admitted for treatment.

An interagency United States Forest Service and CAL FIRE accident investigation team has been assigned.

Inciweb: Moonlight Wildland Fire - 64,997 acres - 89%

Moonlight Fire Satellite Image Of Smoke
Credit: NOAA GOES-11 Satellite Image Of Smoke

Night Torching
Credit: Inciweb, no Photographer credit

Moonlight Wildland Fire

• Incident Information
• Announcements
• News
• Photographs
• Maps

INCIDENT UPDATED

ANNOUNCEMENT

North Arm Indian Valley Evacuation Order lifted
As of 6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 12 the mandatory evacuation for residents in North Arm Indian Valley is lifted. The voluntary evacuation order for residents of Taylorsville, Genesee Valley, and..... more

Summary

Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning. Winds were actually beneficial in reducing the risk to lines, aiding interior burning. Good mop-up efforts 100-300' in. 89% containment, 64,997 acres with no growth. Greenville, Taylorsville, and Indian Valley areas will be smokey in the morning for the next few days due to smoke funneling down drainages and an inversion. With less wind, these areas will get smokey. 9/17 is the projected full containment date. Humidity levels will rise through tonight and temperature will be colder. Some crews will begin to demobilize as they reach their 14-day limit.

The Fire Information call center will reduce hours from 6 am to 6 pm beginning tomorrow, 9/14.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Under Investigation
Date of Origin	09/03/2007 at 1424 hrs.
Location	Moonlight Valley T27N R10E Sec 3
Incident Commander	Unified Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel	3,223
Size	64,997 acres
Percent Contained	89%
Estimated Containment Date	09/17/0 at hrs.
Fuels Involved	Heavy timber & slash, 80% slopes
Fire Behavior	The Red Flag warning event tested the containment lines today. The fire was held within the containment lines on all divisions. Heavier fuels continued to burn throughout the day in the interior of the fire.
Significant Events	All lines were successful in containing the fire through todays Red Flag warning event. Line was completed and continues to hold in the SW, W, and NW portions of the fire. Line construction is nearing completion on the E portion of the fire. The mandatory evactuation order for residents in North Arm Indian Valley was lifted. The North Arm Indian Valley and Diamond Mountain Roads remain open to residents only. The mandatory evacuation remains in effect for: Taylor Lake, Wilcox Valley, Franks Valley, and Antelope Lake. A Forest closure is in place to ensure safety in the vicinity of the fire. All major highways remain open, however, most Forest roads are closed to access.

Outlook

Planned Actions	The W and NW continue to hold and mop up 500 feet from control lines. The SE perimeter construct direct line, improve and hold established line, grid for heat & mop up 200' from control lines. Provide structure protection. The SW perimeter patrol & mop up 100' from control lines. Provide structure protection in the Diamond Mountain, North Arm, Indian Valley and Wilcox areas.
Projected Movement	Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning event, therefore, no spread is anticipated.
Growth Potential	Extreme
Terrain Difficulty	80% slopes; extreme
Containment Target	The current lines held through the red flag weather event, therefore, an estimated containment date of 9/17/07 at 1800 hrs. has been established.
Remarks	The red flag warning event tested the containment lines today. All divisions were successful in holding the fire within the containment lines. Fire suppression repair and resource demobilization has been initiated. Resource advisors are working with Operatiions to formulate the fire line suppression repair plan.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	15-25 mph S
Current Temperature	63 degrees
Current Humidity	15 %

Cal Fire News: City of Ontario launches Emergency Information - Disaster website

ONTARIO -(Cal Fire News) - Touted as the the new cutting edge website for cities, The City of Ontario Emergency disinformation Web site that gives the public immediate access to "Official" information about fires, earthquakes, road closures and other local emergencies debuted Tuesday. Based on a simple Google map API the cutting edge remains to be seen but it maybe somewhat effective combined with the e-mail notification list if both are updated and timely it will be helpful but certainly not cutting edge and official information tends to be diluted and dated.

It does have its supporters though considering it will reduce the phone answering workload for the PIO,
"This is a real strong tool for residents, businesses and the media,"
Ontario Fire Department spokesman Jacob Green said.

The home page of the Web site features a interactive map of the city. When a
significant emergency occurs, its location will be posted on the map,
along with links to other critical information, such as evacuation
plans or shelter.

Web site: http://www.disasterportal.org/Ontario/home.htm

CA-SCU-BRIONES Vegetation fire - 20 acres

Sizeup: 20 acres, 2 flanks. Controlled burn which jumped fire
lines.
Location: Briones Resevoir area of Orinda . Initial report from East Bay Regional Parks BC is 20 acres, heavy fuels, backing into drainages. Full ground and air attack response enroute.

Staging area: Briones staging

Comms:
CMD: SCU Local
TAC: White 2
CDF tac 2 151.160
EBRPFD 44.64
EBRPPD 44.76
Con West 159.735

Narrative: Briones Air Attack (AA140) reporting 15-20 acres in brush, slow rate of spread, should be able to handle with resources at scene and enroute.
Update: Fire contained. Extensive mop-up.

CA-RRU-Laguna - Wildland fire - 22 acres

Location: near the intersection of Laguna Avenue and Jamieson Street.
Update; 09/13/2007 0800 hrs.: Fire is 22 acres.
Full containment is expected sometime this morning. Full control is anticipated at 9/14/2007 at 0800 hrs.
Resources: 38 engines assigned, 5 hand crews, Aircraft ordered for this morning
Injuries:2 firefighters received minor heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene.
Road closures: All roads were re-opened around midnight last night.

Riverside Fire 209

Incident Name: Laguna		Incident Number: CARRU-80051
Date Reported: 09/12/2007		Time Reported: 6:33 PM
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Incident Location: Laguna Av. x Jamieson St.			City: Lake Elsinore
Size/Type of Fuel/etc.: 22 acres medium to heavy fuels		Cause: Under Investigation
Loss: $0	(STR): $0	(Contents): $0	Vehicle(s): $0
Save: $0	(STR): $0	(Contents): $0	Cost to Date: $0
Injuries:
Fatalities: 0	Critical: 0	Moderate: 0	Minor: 0	Non-Injury: 0
Transported Ground AMB: 0		Air AMB: 0
Containment Time:		Control Time:
Resources Assigned
Engines: 38		Breathing Supp.: 0		Helicopters: 0
Truck Co: 0		Squad: 1		Air Attack: 0
Firefighters: 115		RVC Medics: 0		Air Tankers: 0
Overhead Personnel: 15		AMB's: 0		Fire Crews: 5
Haz. Mat: No Co. Health: No County OES: Yes Fire Prev.: Yes Water Tenders: 1
Electrical Co: No Gas Co: No Water Co: No Bulldozers: 1
Red Cross: No	Chaplain: No	Displaced Persons: No	Adult: 0	Child: 0
Misc. Equip:	Sheriff's Office: No	CHP: Yes	Office: San Diego
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE/Riverside, California Highway Patrol – San Diego, Riverside County Fire Dept, Riverside County OES, USFS – Cleveland
Supplemental
Comments:	UPDATE 09/13/2007 0800 hrs.: Fire is 22 acres. Full containment is expected sometime this morning. Full control is anticipated at 9/14/2007 at 0800 hrs. 2 firefighters received minor heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene. All roads were re-opened around midnight last night. Wildland fire that started near the intersection of Laguna Avenue X Jamieson Street. The fire is currently 10-15 acres burning in medium to heavy brush. Potential structure threat to a few homes located in the hills between Laguna/Jamieson and the Ortega Highway. No evacuations have been ordered thus far. No injuries have been reported. Unified command of the incident has been established between CAL FIRE and the USFS. ROAD CLOSURES: Riverside Drive between Grand Avenue and Hughes St. and Ortega Highway (SR74) between Grand Avenue and El Cariso.
Problems:	Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain.
Evacuations: No		Evacuation Comments:
Information Center: 951-940-6985		OR:
Prepared By: Jody Hagemann		Prepared Date/Time: 09/13/2007 0825