MAFFS: 7 MAFFS aircraft- Aerial firefighting certification

Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules equipped with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System departs Peterson Air Force Base

Mobile Air Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) Deployment:
Seven MAFFS aircraft and personnel arrived at Channel Islands Air National Guard Base May 4.
This deployment will provide aerial firefighting certification for Federal Request for Assistance.

The 146 Airlift Wing California Air National Guard is hosting the certification exercise.
Personnel from the 145 Airlift Wing North Carolina Air National Guard, 153 Airlift Wing Wyoming Air National Guard, and the 302 Airlift Wing Peterson AFB Air Force Reserve Command are participating in the training.

The 302nd Airlift Wing has had this mission for roughly 16 years. For the Crew members certified on the MAFFS equipment the objective is not to put the fire out, but to follow the lead of aviators from the Forest Service to lay lines of containment.

The process for replenishing the aircraft can be performed in 8 to 12 minutes it is repeated as often as necessary to sustain firefighting operations throughout daylight hours.

The objective of the MAFFS program is to provide emergency capability to supplement the existing commercial airtanker support on wildland fires. By law, MAFFS only can be activated when all other resources have been exhausted.
The civilian air tanker fleet takes care of the initial and extended attacks first, If the fire commander still needs assistance these tankers are ready to fly.

If you see these planes taking off, you know the situation is pretty critical.

Sources: http://www.af.mil - National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB

CAL FIRE NEWS: Firefighters son improving

Boy Who Drank Lighter Fluid Awake, Responding to Treatment

Posted on: Sunday, 4 May 2008, 03:00 CDT
By Shellie Branco, The Bakersfield Californian -Link

May 4--A 1-year-old boy who drank lighter fluid at a family barbecue on April 27 remained in critical condition Saturday evening, but was awake and responding to treatment.

Aniken Roquemore drank the fluid after relatives stepped away for a moment at his home on Lynett Way near Stockdale Highway. The 20-month-old is suffering from chemical-induced pneumonia and is being treated at Children's Hospital Central California in Madera.

The family will continue a lemonade sale at their home, 13205 Lynett Way, on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. to raise money for Aniken's medical treatment. A second lemonade sale will take place Sunday at the Kern County Fairgrounds Swap Meet on Ming Avenue from 7 a.m. to close. More fundraisers are planned for the coming weeks.

Aniken's father, state Cal Fire firefighter Jermaine Roquemore Sr., said the boy's breathing improved when doctors pulled his chest tube on Thursday, releasing fluid from his lungs.

He was taken off the ventilator completely by noon Friday and was breathing on his own. He woke up two to three hours afterward.

Doctors will monitor him, but he is in recovery and eating a bit, Roquemore said. If he doesn't start playing or eating well and acting normal in the next few days, he'll remain in the hospital. Otherwise, he'll be released by the middle of next week. He will have long-term breathing problems, Roquemore said.

Roquemore added his son is depressed.

"He's just laying in bed watching cartoons and that's not something he does as a 20-month-old," he said. "He's trying to talk but he makes noises."

He's grateful for the community support, but wonders why his fellow Cal Fire firefighters haven't called to offer their emotional support. The Fresno Fire Department has been supportive, offering food and other living necessities as the family remains by the boy's side, he said.

News: Columbia Air Base - Tanker 83 Where are you?

Columbia Air Base Prepared For 2008 Fire Season

Columbia Air Base
Battalion Chief Frank Podesta

Columbia, CA -- With the official start of the 2008 fire season right around the corner, CAL Fire's Columbia Air Base Unit, with one exception, is at full strength.

According to Battalion Chief Frank Podesta Tanker 83 is missing. Podesta adds that the tanker has some maintenance issues. If it is not ready for delivery near the end of May or the first of June Tanker 100 will join the fleet.

CAL Fire Helicopter 404 stationed at Columbia Air Base, Columbia, CA

Already on base are Air Attack, Helicopter 404 and Tanker 82. The Helicopter 404 crew consists of two pilots, four captains, two engineers and 14 firefighters. The fixed wing aircraft unit (Air Attack and two tankers) consists of a battalion chief, three contract pilots, two captains, one engineer and eight firefighters.

Air Attack helped in spotting the three lightning caused fires (one in Arnold and two in the West Point area) Sunday evening. Air Attack returned to the scene of the fires to check on possible "sleepers" late this morning (hot spots that develop into fires), but none were discovered.
Story Source: motherlode.com-Link

Columbia Air Base - The base provides initial attack for the CDF Madera-Mariposa-Merced and Amador-El Dorado Units and the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park.
This area spans north to the town of Plymouth, south to the town of Mariposa, east over the Sierras and west to the Unit’s state responsibility area (SRA) boundary.
Staffing: At the base consists of one battalion chief, two fire captains, one fire apparatus engineer, and six firefighters.
Aircraft: One OV-10 Bronco (Air Attack) and two S-2T airtankers(Tanker 82 and 83) The air attack base is co-located with the Columbia Helitack Base.

Columbia Helitack Base responds to an average of 165 calls per year ranging from fires to rescues.
Staffing: At Columbia Helitack Base consists of two pilots, four fire captains, two seasonal fire apparatus engineers, and 10 firefighters.
Aircraft: One UH-1H helicopter (Copter 404) and one helitender, support vehicle for the copter.
The helitender contains 1,000 gallons of fuel, along with foam, backup tools, out-of-county bags, an extra bucket, Meals Ready to Eat (MRE’s) and many other items that are necessary to support the helitack crew.
Initial attack area of approximately 3.6 million acres.
The bases provide initial attack for the CDF Madera-Mariposa-Merced and Amador-El Dorado Units and the Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite Park.
This area spans north to the town of Plymouth, south to the town of Mariposa, east over the Sierras and west to the Unit’s state responsibility area (SRA) boundary. amounting to an initial attack area of approximately 3.6 million acres.

CA-BDF-Apache - Wildland Fire - 784 acres 100%

Final update: The Apache wildfire, which was reported last Tuesday, is 100 percent contained this morning.
With the containment lines completed Fire management continues to release crews who have worked tirelessly in extremely steep terrain to rapidly surround the area with fireline.
Some crews will remain in the wilderness to continue fire suppression rehabilitation and to restore the land as near as possible to natural conditions.
Beginning Tuesday May 6, the Southern California management team will hand over management of the incident to local fire officials from the San Bernardino National Forest.

Resources: 8 handcrews, 6 helicopters, 1 engine, and 3 water tenders.
Closures: As of noon Saturday, May 3, 2008, the San Jacinto Wilderness is OPEN from Devil’s Slide Trail northward, including the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT and the San Jacinto Wilderness are CLOSED from Saddle Junction south to SH-74 due to the Apache Fire.

The Southridge Trail, the Spitler Peak Trail, the Fobes Ranch Trail, the Cedar Springs Trail, and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail remain closed.

Trail closures continue, due to danger from burned snags, trail and slope restoration efforts, and crews working in the area. The fire is contained but may be still smoldering in some areas. A primary focus of burn area restoration is to minimize erosion, maintain soil productivity, and maintain wilderness values in the affected area and along all trail corridors.

The Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness is open. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is open. No campfires are allowed in either wilderness area.

Fore more information on trails you may call the Idyllwild Forest Service Office at 909-382-2922 or the California State Park Office in Idyllwild at 951-659-2607

CA-BDF-Apache - Wildland Fire - 784 acres 87%

Apache Wildland Fire - Incident Information

Apache fire Perimeter Map
Credit: USDA Forest Service/Cal Fire news

STATUS OF FIRE
Apache Fire - Caused by human(Smoking) - Full containment expected by this evening
Location: Apache Peak near the Pacific Crest Trail, burning eastward toward West Palm Canyon.
Fire behavior: Heavy downed logs and timber moving into grass and brush.
Creeping, Smoldering
Resources: Resources assigned include 8 handcrews, 6 helicopters and 0 fixed wing aircraft
Total personnel assigned to Apache Fire: 735
Agencies Involved: The Apache Fire is being managed by the USFS with assistance from CALFIRE and Riverside County crews, and cooperation with the BLM, BIA, and the Agua Caliente Tribe.
Current Fire Situation: Southern California Incident Management Team (Carlton Joseph, Incident Commander) is managing the fire.
The Apache Fire was reported at 4:35pm on Tuesday, April 29, and is located near Apache Peak by the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Jacinto Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest.
Planned actions: Crews will ontinue line construction and perform fire suppression rehab on helispots and Pacific Crest Trail.
Weather: Weather should be partly cloudy today, with temperatures approximately 5-10 degrees cooler than yesterday and highs in the 70’s. Winds are expected out of the southwest with relative humidity at 25% and peak gusts at 10 mph.
Demobilization: Approximately 160 firefighters will be flown off the fireline at the end of shift. Fire management has begun releasing resources, with additional resources expected to be released today at the end of the firefighting shift.
Initial fire suppression rehabilitation has begun, with full containment expected by this evening.
The crews are experiencing steep terrain, smoke and difficult access.
Trail Closures: The Southridge Trail, the Spitler Peak Trail, the Fobes Ranch Trail, the Cedar Springs Trail, and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail remain closed. The Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness is open. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is open. No campfires are allowed in either wilderness area.
For more information on trails you may call the Idyllwild Forest Service Office at 909-382-2922 or the California State Park Office in Idyllwild at 951-659-2607


MIST practices are being utilized.
Apache Fire Information:
County: San Bernardino County
Administrative Unit: San Bernardino National Forest
Apache Fire Information: Phone Numbers
(909) 382-2600 (San Bernardino National Forest)
For more information, call the recorded fire information line at 909-383-5688

CA-BDF-Apache - Wildland Fire - 784 acres 65%

Update: Apache Wildland Fire

Incident: Apache
Released: 1:14 hrs. ago

San Jacinto Wilderness Area OPEN-Devil's Slide Trail north, including Pacific Crest Trail(PCT). Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Tramway OPEN. PCT & San Jacinto Wilderness CLOSED-Saddle Junction south to 74.

Apache Wildland Fire - CA-BDF-Apache IC - 784 acres 65% contained

Notes: This fire looks very cold via Geomac-Modis expect very little growth. Expect containment in less than 4 days.

As of noon Saturday, May 3, 2008, the San Jacinto Wilderness is OPEN from Devil’s Slide Trail northward, including the Pacific Crest Trail.

Seven helicopters and Four aircraft will be available today to augment the ground forces consisting of 33 hand crews...The majority of handcrews are already in position for day 2 of the planned spike.
Crews are expected to make significant progress constructing containment lines.
Most of the crews will be flown off the line and out at the end of day shift today.
Safety and efficiency are paramount, and no significant injuries have occurred. The crews will be shuttled in by air and will “spike out”(camp) in safe locations near the fire.

Perimeter map of Apache Fire

Credit: USDA Forest Service/Cal Fire news

STATUS OF FIRE
Apache Fire
Location: Apache Peak near the Pacific Crest Trail, burning eastward toward West Palm Canyon
Resources: 33 handcrews, 3 water tenders, 7 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft.
Total personnel assigned to Apache Fire: 731
Current Fire Situation:
The Apache Fire was reported at 4:35pm on Tuesday, April 29, and is located near Apache Peak by the Pacific Crest Trail in the San Jacinto Wilderness of the San Bernardino National Forest. Thirty hand crews are at the scene of the fire and are continuing to build fire line on the ridges. The crews are experiencing steep terrain, smoke and difficult access. Southern California Incident Management Team (Carlton Joseph, Incident Commander) is managing the fire.

Weather Remarks: Weather should be partly cloudy with temperatures approximately 2-5 degrees warmer than yesterday with highs in the 80’s. Humidity levels are expected between 8 and 10%. Winds will be shifting to west and increasing. Dry and relatively warm air will continue throughout the day.

Trail Closures: There are no evacuations in place. As of noon Saturday, May 3, 2008, the San Jacinto Wilderness is OPEN from Devil’s Slide Trail northward, including the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT and the San Jacinto Wilderness are CLOSED from Saddle Junction south to SH-74 due to the Apache Fire.

The Southridge Trail, the Spitler Peak Trail, the Fobes Ranch Trail, the Cedar Springs Trail, and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail remain closed. The Mount San Jacinto State Park Wilderness is open. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is open. No campfires are allowed in either wilderness area.

Fore more information on trails you may call the Idyllwild Forest Service Office at 909-382-2922 or the California State Park Office in Idyllwild at 951-659-2607

Agencies Involved: The Apache Fire is being managed by the USFS with assistance from CALFIRE and Riverside County crews, and cooperation with the BLM, BIA, and the Agua Caliente Tribe.

MIST practices are being utilized.
Apache Fire Information:
County: San Bernardino County
Administrative Unit: San Bernardino National Forest
Apache Fire Information: Phone Numbers
(909) 382-2600 (San Bernardino National Forest)
For more information, call the recorded fire information line at 909-383-5688

Trial by fire

Trial by fire - Controlled torching of two Jackson homes is crucial training for local firefighters

Friday, May 02, 2008

By Scott Thomas Anderson

On April 27 and 28, local volunteer firefighters burned down two houses and a barn off Jackson Gate Road for the purposes of training with live fire. The firefighters moved into the burning buildings and battled the flames in different scenarios. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

"It'll come down any minute," someone shouted Saturday afternoon as a flowing tornado of fire licked its way up the gables and beams of the home in North Jackson.

Firefighters created lines along the sparkling blaze, positioning themselves between the heat and surrounding homes, and making sure the pluming red drafts couldn't twist down and scorch the cattle lands to the back. While unknowing people who glimpsed the fire helmets moving into the smokey, effervescent light assumed they were witnessing a tragedy, the battle was actually a controlled situation - a sanctioned moment of arson to keep Amador's firefighters at the top of their game.

In all, two entire houses and a barn were destroyed off Jackson Gate Road as part of the exercise over the weekend. The burning was supervised by the Jackson Fire Department, though the training extended to members of the Sutter Creek Fire Department, Ione Fire Department, Lockwood Fire Protection District and CAL FIRE's Battalion 10.

According to Jackson Fire Chief Mark Morton, the property owner approached him a year ago with an offer to sacrifice the buildings. "These were both rental homes that were in bad shape," said Morton. "The owner wanted to do other things with the property and offered to let burn the structures for training. I thought it was a great idea; but we were too close to fire season at the time."

Training has been a key focus during Morton's tenure as chief. His department, like all departments in Amador, is made up entirely of volunteers. While these men and women hold down full-time jobs to pay their bills, they're required to have the same training and certifications mandated by the state for full-time paid firefighters. Morton said the chance to use a live fire in real homes was as close as they could get to simulating a major fire emergency - while also offering the luxury to run through certain concepts and drills repeatedly by keeping the blazes going. "You don't even get practical experience like this in a real fire situation," Morton explained. "When a fire is actually happening, you're trying to get in and put it out so it does the least amount of damage to the building. With an exercise like this, we don't care what happens to the building because we're going to take it down to the ground eventually anyway."

On Saturday, Morton and several other instructors supervised fire evolutions in every room of the house. Students and participants watched the fire with an emphasis on understanding its behavior. The instructors backed out and relit each room several times. The objective was for the firefighters to learn how to kill the most fire with the least amount of water. They also logged crucial practice with their self-contained breathing apparatuses, working on how to conserve air while getting to the base of a fire and putting it out. "So far it's been wonderful," Morton said of the training. "The participants have done a great job and I'm really proud of everyone. All our instructors have done a great job too."

Jackson Fire Captain Franck Tremaine also reported that a push from his department to attract new recruits has met with some success. For some time, changes in the economy have put a serious burden on the local volunteer system. In October, the Jackson department began a concerted effort to reach out to the community in hopes of drawing in new blood.

"It's been going good so far," Tremaine said. "We have picked up some more people, so we're getting closer."

---

Scott Thomas Anderson

TCU - New Sonora Fire Station Open - Burn Permits suspended

San Andreas, CA....CAL FIRE’s Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) announces the official opening of the new Standard Fire Station on Monday, May 5, 2008. The public is invited to an open house on Monday, May 12 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM......


The old Sonora CAL FIRE station on Forest Road will be closed, and burn permits will no longer be issued from that facility. Burn permits will be available from the office of the new Standard Fire Station, 18464 Striker Court just off Tuolumne Road between Wards Ferry Road and Standard Road. The office is located at the back of the compound, in the building with the three large garage doors where the fire engines are housed. Permits will not be issued from either of the Administrative buildings at Striker Court. Burn permits are also available at the Mono Village Fire Station (19500 Hillsdale Drive, Sonora, 532-5983) and temporarily at the Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce (22997 Joaquin Gully Road, Twain Harte, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until May 12th, or the date of burning suspension)

Burn permits rescinded! - The Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will suspend all burning permits within State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne County, Calaveras County, Eastern Stanislaus County and Eastern San Joaquin County as of 8AM, Tuesday May 6, 2008. The official proclamation will follow under separate cover.....
Official declaration:
This declaration rescinds all previously approved Dooryard Burn Permits (LE-62a) and large-scale Project Burn Permits (LE-5). Property owners wishing to burn debris on their property are now prohibited from doing so unless they can prove that their project burn must be completed for health or safety reasons. Any planned burning site must be inspected and approved before a permit may be reissued.

Camp fires will be allowed in designated campgrounds with permission of the jurisdictional authority. Anyone with questions about this declaration may contact their nearest CAL FIRE facility.

CAL FIRE TCU Unit Chief Mike Noonan explained, “Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties have had numerous burn pile escapes occurring on a daily basis. The weather and dry condition of the forest fuels are quickly approaching a critical point. Experience has shown that suspending debris burns is an effective way of preventing wildfire escapes, especially as California enters a period of hotter and drier weather. Although all fires cannot be prevented through a burning suspension, their numbers can be significantly reduced.” Chief Noonan would like to thank the residents who have been burning in a responsible manner and reminds all of us that it is each individual’s responsibility to use fire safely, and to prevent fires that destroy lives, homes, vehicles, and the wildland. Be Fire Safe!

Source: The Pine Tree Net - Link

CA-BDF-Apache - Wildland Fire - 784 acres 66%

Apache Wildland Fire
Update: Apache Wildland Fire - CA-BDF-Apache IC -
Editor: This fire looks very cold via Geomac-Modis expect very little growth this is a creeping smoldering high altitude fire. Full containment predicted for May 4, 2008. Seven helicopters and four aircraft available to augment the ground forces consisting of 33 hand crews...

Perimeter map of Apache Fire
Credit: USDA Forest Service

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Fire is located in the San Jacinto Wilderness. Winds have died down. There are no evacuations in place. The San Jacinto Wilderness and Mt. San Jacinto State Park are closed until further notice. The Devil's Slide, Spitler Peak, Southridge, Fobes Ranch, and Cedar Springs trails and a section of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed until further notice. The Palm Springs Tramway and adjacent Long Valley area remain open. Full containment predicted for May 4, 2008.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildland Fire
Cause	Human (smoking)
Date of Origin	04/29/2008 at 1635 hrs.
Location	Apache Peak, San Jacinto Wilderness
Incident Commander	Carlton Joseph

Current Situation

Total Personnel	721
Size	784 acres
Percent Contained	64%
Estimated Containment Date	05/04/2008 at 1800 hrs.
Fuels Involved	Heavy downed logs and timber moving into grass and brush.
Fire Behavior	Fire is smoldering.
Significant Events	Following a successful aerial personnel shuttle, crews made significant progress in increasing line construction and the percentage of containment.

Outlook

Planned Actions	All crews are spiked out for two consecutive day shifts. Most crews will be flown out at the end of the second day shift, and other crews will remain spiked for an additional two shifts.
Projected Movement	Overnight the weather is expected to be a low of 42 degrees with winds out of the west at 6 mph and a relative humidity of 35%.
Growth Potential	Low
Terrain Difficulty	Extreme
Containment Target	Less than 5 days.
Remarks	Resources assigned include 33 handcrews, 3 water tenders, 7 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	12 mph W
Current Temperature	65 degrees
Current Humidity	20 %

California: Last Chance - Prescribed Burn - 120 acres 100%

Last Chance Prescribed Fire - Eldorado National Forest

This incident is 100% contained.

Last Chance - Prescribed Burn picture
Photo credit: Inciweb

Summary

The US Forest Service conducted a prescribe burn in the vicinity of Grizzly Flat near Caldor Road on April 30, 2008. The fire burned along the ground and removed low growing vegetation, known as Bear Clover, dead branches and other natural debris situated under the trees. Smoke was highly visible during the burn. Fire equipment and personnel were on hand during the ignition and patrols took place following the burn. The prescribe burn is named Last Chance.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Prescribe Fire
Cause	Prescribe Fire
Date of Origin	04/30/2008 at 00 hrs.
Location	Grizzly Flat near caldor Road
Incident Commander	Sean Ferrell

Current Situation

Total Personnel	Not available
Size	120 acres
Percent Contained	100%
Estimated Containment Date	04/30/2008 at hrs.
Significant Events	Everything went as planned.

Outlook

Planned Actions	Fire personnel ignited the fuels a strip at a time until successive strips successfully burned the entire area.
Growth Potential	None
Containment Target	April 30, 2008. Continment lines were constructed before the fire was ignited.
Remarks	The prescribe fire behaved as planned and reduced fuel build up under the trees.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions	Not available
Current Temperature	Not available
Current Humidity	Not available