27th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend to be Held October 4 - 5, 2008

Many flags at half mast in California in observance of the 27th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend to be Held October 4 - 5, 2008
Fire agencies across the country are observing the weekend and paying homage to the fallen men and women.


NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE

» Download: NFFF Press Release in PDF Format | More: Individual State Press Releases
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» Video: An Introduction to the Memorial Weekend | Photos from Previous Years: 20072006
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Emmitsburg, MD - The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration announce that the 27th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be held October 4-5, 2008. A plaque with the names of 101 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2007 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, located here on the National Fire Academy campus. The names of 9 firefighters who died in previous years will also be added. The plaques surrounding the Memorial, which was established in 1981, will contain the names of more than 3,200 firefighters.

Thirty-four states experienced line-of-duty deaths in 2007. Deaths resulted from many causes, including vehicle accidents while en route to or returning from emergency calls, training incidents, building collapses, being struck by objects (vehicles, trees) at the incident scene, falls, heart attacks, helicopter crashes, and burns. Six multiple fatality incidents accounted for 19 deaths. Four multiple fatality incidents occurred at structural fires, one during an explosion at a HAZMAT incident, and another in an apparatus crash en route to an emergency call. Wildland fires, controlled burns and training/ certification for wildland protection resulted in 5 fatalities. South Carolina suffered the Nation's greatest number of line-of-duty firefighter deaths in 2007 with 10, while Pennsylvania had 8, North Carolina had 8, and New York had 7.

Chief Dennis Compton, Chairman of the NFFF Board of Directors, stated: "Each year, members of the fire service, survivors of our fallen heroes, and other guests join together in Emmitsburg, Maryland, during the Memorial Weekend to honor those firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. They travel from all over the United States to take part in this important weekend of events. It's a time of dignity, respect, and reflection for our service, and an opportunity to extend our collective love and support to the survivors. Family members, as well as fellow firefighters, learn of the services the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has available for them and how they can stay connected to the Foundation for assistance in the future."

For more information about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation call 301-447-1365 or visit weekend.firehero.org.

News: Lathrop owed over $200K for mutual aid

Lathrop owed over $200K for mutual aid

Concow home
Story Photo credit: Sun Post/Photo contributed

WILD FIRE: Lathrop-Manteca Fire Protection District firefighters were among the eight strike teams called to provide mutual aid at wildland fires that broke out across the state earlier this year.

Written by Denise Ellen Rizzo Friday, 03 October 2008

LATHROP — Wildfire season is weeks from ending, but state and federal agencies are already in debt to the Lathrop-Manteca Fire Protection District for more than $200,000 for their mutual aid work across California.

As part of a statewide agreement to help other departments fight large fires, the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District has been called upon several times this season by the state Office of Emergency Services.

Because of the high number of fires this year, the number of calls for assistance across the state has been overwhelming.

Wildland fire season typically starts May 1, but this year the dry vegetation and ideal fire conditions brought the fires on early. And although the season generally ends around Nov. 15, officials say it could go longer.

So far this season, San Joaquin County has sent out eight separate strike teams. Lathrop firefighters have found themselves battling blazes for days or even weeks in spots across California, including the Chester fire near Lake Almanor, Indian fire near Big Sur and the Concow fire near Chico.

“This year they were asked to go above and beyond their normal assignments,” said Lathrop Fire Chief Fred Manding. “They constructed fire lines and even assisted in building a bridge in Mariposa.”

While battling a blaze in Concow, Lathrop firefighters saved a life after a family dog was left behind and the house caught on fire.

“We were reassigned to Concow structure protection and as we turned the corner down Concow Road, we saw a house becoming engulfed in flames,” said Division Chief Gene Neely. “I walked over to an OES film crew and he told me a dog was barking inside.”

Neely said he had a Stockton engine company break down the door and firefighters went inside looking for the dog, Buster. With smoke filling up the house, he asked the film crew where the dog was last seen and they said the front window.

“I took the screen off and there was the dog, looking up at me,” he said. “I reached in and (Lathrop) Captain Rod Pinnelli assisted me in pulling him out. The house was fully engulfed after the rescue.”

The cost of sending a strike team, which could tie up an engine company for a week or more, is quite costly and averages $5,000 for the engine, three firefighters and a commanding officer. All of them are paid from the district’s regular salary and overtime budget and is later reimbursed through invoices from OES.

“It’s been really busy this year,” Neely said. “Firefighters are paid time-and-a-half for every hour they are there. We have to pay overtime to fill in. It adds up quick.”

Reimbursement to Lathrop is expected to come from two different funding sources, fire officials said. Fires declared major federal incidents, which include national forests, come from the federal government, while the state pays for other firefighting efforts.

Manding said once they receive their reimbursements, the money would be put into the county's general fund for the Lathrop-Manteca fire district. The county has yet to receive any invoices from OES outlining the monies they will be due.

Source: http://sunpost.net/content/view/2206/190/

LAFD BLOG: 75 Years Ago: L.A. Wildfire Kills 29 Firefighters

From: LAFD News & Information: 75 Years Ago: L.A. Wildfire Kills 29 Firefighters

"At first, it looked like a small brush fire. And there seemed to be almost unlimited manpower available to put it out. Both workers and foremen figured it would be batted out quickly."

...and so it was on the afternoon of October 3, 1933, when a fire erupted in the Mineral Wells Canyon area of Griffith Park.
Before it was controlled that night, it would prove to be the deadliest wildfire to firefighters in American history - killing 29 fire control workers and injuring more than 150 others.
It is a chapter of local history forgotten by most, but ready for you to experience via the on-line LAFD Historical Archive at:

Read it here - www.lafire.com

Source: LAFD Blog - Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Weather: Incoming storm could bring debris flows

Incoming storm could bring debris flows to California wildfire burn areas.
National Weather Service forecasts report the remnants of a typhoon that hit Taiwan last Sunday will be coming ashore over Northern California starting today.
Residents living in or near a wildland burned area should be aware of the potential for possible debris flows.

PACIFIC STORM WILL AFFECT THE REGION TODAY AND TOMORROW..

AN UNSEASONABLY STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL SPREAD LIGHT RAIN
SHOWERS ACROSS THE NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY...NORTHERN MOUNTAINS
AND EASTERN FOOTHILLS TODAY. SHOWERS WILL MOVE INTO SACRAMENTO THIS
AFTERNOON...AND SPREAD INTO THE MOTHERLODE AND WEST SLOPE OF THE
NORTHERN SIERRA BY LATE AFTERNOON.

A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION THIS EVENING AND
TONIGHT...BRINGING WITH IT GUSTY WINDS AND PERIODS OF RAIN. THREE
QUARTERS OF AN INCH TO AN INCH OF RAIN WILL FALL IN THE FOOTHILLS
NORTH OF REDDING OVERNIGHT. AMOUNTS WILL DECREASE TO AROUND A THIRD
OF AN INCH AT SACRAMENTO AND STOCKTON. SOUTHEAST WIND GUSTS UP TO 30
MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT...WHICH WILL
MOVE THROUGH SACRAMENTO AROUND MIDNIGHT.

REGARDING THE BURN SCARS OF SHASTA AND TEHAMA COUNTIES...TWO PERIODS
OF SHOWERS ARE EXPECTED. THE FIRST WILL BE MAINLY LIGHT...STEADY
SHOWERS THIS MORNING INTO THIS AFTERNOON. THE SECOND WILL BE WITH
THE COLD FRONT THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT. WHILE AN INCH TO AN INCH
AND A HALF OF RAIN MAY FALL OVER THE BURN AREAS BY SATURDAY
AFTERNOON...THE RAINFALL WILL BE SPREAD OUT OVER A PERIOD OF MANY
HOURS. AT THE PRESENT TIME WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE RAINFALL RATES WILL
EXCEED ONE THIRD OF AN INCH PER HOUR...THE RATE NECESSARY TO CAUSE
BURN SCAR RUNOFF PROBLEMS. ISOLATED FIRE SCAR RUN OFF ISSUES ARE
POSSIBLE...SO PEOPLE LIVING IN AND NEAR A BURN AREA SHOULD BE AWARE
OF THIS POTENTIAL INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

BE PREPARED FOR WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS IF YOU ARE HEADING INTO
THE MOUNTAINS TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY.
A WARMING TREND WILL DEVELOP NEXT WEEK AS HIGH PRESSURE REBUILDS.
WEST SLOPE NORTHERN SIERRA NEVADA-

Affected areas: 
SHASTA LAKE AREA / NORTHERN SHASTA COUNTY-
BURNEY BASIN / EASTERN SHASTA COUNTY-NORTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY-
CENTRAL SACRAMENTO VALLEY-SOUTHERN SACRAMENTO VALLEY-
CARQUINEZ STRAIT AND DELTA-NORTHERN SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY-
MOUNTAINS SOUTHWESTERN SHASTA COUNTY TO NORTHERN LAKE COUNTY-
CLEAR LAKE/SOUTHERN LAKE COUNTY-
NORTHEAST FOOTHILLS/SACRAMENTO VALLEY-MOTHERLODE-
WESTERN PLUMAS COUNTY/LASSEN PARK- 

Arizona: LODD - ADC Fire Crew Guard

Arizona prison guard dies on wildfire duty - Douglas Falconer a prison guard who was working with an inmate firefighting crew has died while fighting a blaze near Lake Havasu City.
The officer, Douglas Falconer, 46, apparently died of natural causes, the agency said in a statement released Oct. 2. No more details were available.
"Officers and inmates alike responded immediately, and emergency medical assistance made every effort to revive Officer Falconer," according to the statement.
Falconer was assigned to the Arizona State Prison Phoenix-Globe inmate wildland fire crew.
The 46-year-old Globe resident first joined the corrections department in 2004 and is survived by his wife.

PHOENIX - The Arizona Department of Corrections spokesman Bill Lamoreaux says Douglas Falconer a prison guard who was working with an inmate firefighting crew has died while fighting a blaze near Lake Havasu City.
Douglas was working on a fire on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge when he collapsed shortly after beginning to work the fire line on Wednesday.
Corrections spokesman Bill Lamoreaux says he died of apparent natural causes despite lifesaving efforts by fellow crewmembers.
The Globe crew was working on a fire line to contain the Sacramento Fire near the California border at the time of Falconer's death.
The crew had responded to seven previous wildfires in the past two seasons, DOC officials said.
Falconer is survived by his wife.
Flags at state facilities will be lowered to half-staff the day of Falconer's funeral services, which have not yet been arranged.

Source: Arizona: LODD - ADC Fire Crew Guard dies

Safety Info: Hazard Tree Incident Willamette NF

Very Close Call
Hazard Tree Incident Willamette NF
This is on the Kitson Fire, on the Willamette National Forest. It happened about 4:30 PM on September 26, 2008.
Original Willamette NF Danger Tree photo at wildlandfire.com - Link.

From: Wildlandfire.com "They said" reader posting
JMD
Just passing along a sobering reminder about how quickly and how badly (could have been alot worse) being in the wrong place at the wrong time on a wildfire can be. Ray H poses atop what's left of his vehicle after a fire weakened Douglas Fir broke off and fell onto the road where he and another firefighter had just parked to check out some of the fire. They heard the tree crack as they stepped out and ran hard to get away. This was truly a close call. Another vehicle had pulled away from this spot a few seconds before.

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Hazard Tree Indicators

• Numerous down trees.
• Leaning trees.
• Dead or broken tops and / or limbs hanging in the trees.
• Absences of needles, bark, or limbs.
• Possible of rot indicated by conks, broken tops, basal scars, cat faces, numerous down limbs, ants, abundance of woodpecker holes.
• Stump holes burning in the area.
• Smoke or fire burning in the base or tops of either dead or live trees may indicate rot and / or weakening of tree.
  

Watch Out Situations

1. Snags are falling or have fallen in work area.
2. The area is occupied by trees that are susceptible to rot, especially white fir and old oak trees.
3. Working or taking a break in a hazard area.
4. Working in a hazard tree area for more than a few minutes.
5. Working in hazard tree area during windy or potentially windy situations.
6. Working in an area with trees that have been burning for an extended period.
7. Tailgate safety session did not include discussion of snags.
8. Lookouts are not posted or do not have communications in a hazard tree area.
9. Becoming complacent in a hazard tree area.
10. Too many snags for posted lookouts to keep track of.
11. Tree within fire will fall over control line.
12. Escape routes pall through hazard tree area.
13. Safety Zones exposed to hazard trees.
14. Parking in hazard tree area.
15. Crew fatigued from being on shift for an extended period.
16. Working around heavy equipment or tree felling operation in a hazard tree area.
17. Unable to see top of trees.
18. Steep slope with hazard trees above you.
19. Nighttime work in area not scouted in daylight.
    

Safety Guidelines

• Assess snag hazards before parking, taking breaks, or sleeping.
• Make sure that employees wear personal protective gear at all times.
• Use every day examples to brief and train employees about what snag hazards look like.
• Consider suspending operations during windy periods.
• Allow adequate time for scouting.
• Identify; tree species common to work area especially those that are more susceptible to heart rot, root rot, or shallow roots.
• Scout for hazard trees and visibly mark or flag individual and groups of snags that are in or near work areas.
• Post lookouts in areas of known or potential snag hazards.
• When possible, use work tactics which avoid or minimize employees exposure to snag hazards.
• All crewmembers have the responsibility to speak out when confronted by snag hazards.
• Discuss and plan escape route and safety zone considering vegetation and terrain.
• Assess the height of treetops when planning safety zone and escape routes.
• Fire Safety Zones must be free of hazard tree threat.
• Use extra caution when down hill of hazard trees. It is more common for trees and debris to go down hill.
• When escaping the path of a falling tree, do not turn your back- Watch the tree as you move out of its way to ensure you can see any change in its fall or roll caused by contact, breakage, etc.
• Use extra precaution during night operations.
• Determine if the benefit is worth the risk.
  

SNAG SAFETY

S ize up snag hazards in work area.
N ever become complacent.
A lways look up.
G et weather reports.

S cout out parking, sleeping, work areas, and safety zones.
A dvise co-workers of known hazards.
F ace your hazard and take appropriate action.
E xamine work area for other hazards.
T ake extra caution around heavy equipment.
Y ou are ultimately responsible for your own safety.

CA-LPF- Strip Fire - 2 to 3 acres - 100%

Strip Fire - Los Padres National Forest - Lockwood valley wildland fire
Location: Topanga offramp Highway 118, Lockwood Valley, west of the community of Frazier Park and Interstate 5 - Ventura county.
IA: IC reports a fast moving fire with structure threat - Homes within a half a mile of the
fire. Requesting all aircraft, - estimated at two to three acres.
Fuels: brush and Timber.
Erratic winds in the area.

Lake Tahoe Prescribed Fire Projects

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit - LTBMU Prescribed Fire Projects

Prescribed Fire Projects October 1, 2008
South Shore South Lake Tahoe, CA. --On October 1, 2008, Forest Service Fuels Management crews are planning on conducting prescribed fire operations vicinity of North Upper Truckee and Otomites. Approximate acreage is 1 consisting of hand piles. This project is dependent on favorable weather conditions.
Residents and travelers can expect to see smoke from prescribed fire project areas.
This and other prescribed fire projects are designed to reduce wildfire risks to communities and critical resources. Smoke management is part of every prescribed fire burn plan, and efforts will be taken to reduce actual or potential smoke impacts on community areas.
---------------------------------------------------
Prescribed Fire Projects October 3, 2008

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Oct. 2, 2008 - The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Management Unit plans to conduct a prescribed fire underburn to restore forest health on 115 acres of National Forest System lands near Tahoe City. The project, located northeast of Highway 89 near Burton Creek State Park, off Forest Road 16N73 (Fiberboard Freeway), could begin as soon as Friday, October 3, 2008, if weather conditions are favorable for ignition.

Forest service crews would conduct the burn in 30-40 acre units, beginning at the top of the slope and working down. After 24 hours, crews may extinguish the edges of the burn area and any large smokes (smoldering stumps or log clumps). The underburn generally will consist of low-to-moderate intensity fire. Some tree mortality is expected and is actually desirable for ecosystem benefits in some of the units.

Ignitions will only occur on Placer County Air Pollution Control District allowable burn days. The Forest Service will have sufficient fire suppression resources available to staff the burn and a smoke management plan is in place to minimize the impact. However, local residents can expect to see smoke from this project inside communities. Smoke from prescribed underburns will be less severe and more manageable than from unwanted wildland fires.

Underburns are conducted to promote healthier and more sustainable forest conditions by reintroducing fire into the ecosystem. These fires help release nutrients that plants and trees need for growth, cause seeds of some species to sprout and improve wildlife habitat. They also help maintain desirable fuel loading conditions by consuming woody debris and brush on the forest floor. Underburns are only conducted after unnatural densities of small diameter tress as well as dead fuel build ups have been removed. This allows the underburn to mimic the low intensity fires common before settlement of the basin.

The lower elevation regions of the Tahoe Basin were originally highly fire adapted forests. Between 8,000 and 10,000 acres burned annually before settlement began in the 19th century. These low intensity slow-moving fires crept along the forest floor burning away the "duff" material on the surface. Duff is mainly decomposing pine needles, bark chips, cones and small branches.

This operation is part of the larger Lake Tahoe Ecosystem Underburn Project, which calls for conducting prescribed underburning on 400-640 acres per year in stands that have already been treated to reduce dangerous levels of fuels.

More information: Lake Tahoe Ecosystem Underburn Project, visit the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/ltbmu/projects/

USFS Sources: Link
Maps - Lake Tahoe Prescribed Fire Projects - Link
View El Dorado County - Lake Tahoe south shore map - link

Update: Yosemite Park - Mariposa Grove Prescribed Fire

The National Park Service is conducting a prescribed fire in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Update: It is anticipated that an additional day of ignition will be necessary through Friday, October 3, 2008. The fire complexity of Unit 13 did slow down the progress of burning this unit yesterday. It will be completed today. Fire managers will then begin Unit 10 either late today or early tomorrow (October 3, 2008).
Changing weather is predicted for the Sierra Nevada beginning Friday into Saturday. A rather strong cold front could bring rain and snow storms above 8,000 feet.
----------------------------------
Weather and air quality: Weather is favorable and continues to allow for completion of this prescribed fire. Visitors will experience diminished air quality due to smoke accumulations. Yosemite Park fire managers will monitor smoke on a consistent basis. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.
Location: The Grove is located in the Wawona area of the Park and near the southern entrance gate, in Mariposa County.
Planned actions: This burn consists of 4 units depicted - Approximately 90 acres are planned to be burned. Fire Information Officers and Interpretive Rangers will be present
daily to answer visitor questions.
Fuels: Each of these units has been burned at least once, and are comprised primarily of White
Fir and other mixed conifers. Fire Managers first began prescribed fire in the Groves in the early 1970’s.
Closures: A number of trail closures are in affect and are flagged, and visitors are urged to use caution in the areas affected.
Daily tram tours and access to the Grizzly Giant will continue. The museum is open at the top of the Grove.
Why Prescribed fire? Prescribed fire is designed to thin forests and reduce unnatural fuel loads in areas that are in close proximity to visitor use areas as well as public and private structures. Fire has a natural role in maintaining healthy ecosystems in Yosemite. Decades of fire suppression have altered the park’s natural fire regime. The forests have become dense continuous stands of shrubs and trees increasing the risk of uncontrollable Wildland fires.
For further information:
• Yosemite’s Fire Information Office: (209) 372-0480
• Yosemite’s Prescribed Fire Office: (209) 375-9574 or 9576
• Yosemite Fire Management Website: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/2008fire.htm

CA-ANF- Crossover - 75 acres 100%

CA-ANF- Crossover - Angeles National Forest / Interstate 5 wild land fire.

Update: This incident is 100% contained and mop up continues today with one hand crew and two engines and a water tender assigned they should be pulling out the hose later today.
Summary:
The Crossover Fire began at approximately 4:20 pm on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 1. The fire has burned approximately 75 acres on the Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger District of the Angeles National Forest. The specific location is 5 miles north of Castaic, CA, on the east side of Interstate 5 (east of the northbound lanes). As of Thursday morning, the fire is 100% contained. Full containment was achieved by midnight. During the initial hours of the incident, several rural homes, powerlines and other utilities were threatened by the fire. Also, two lanes of northbound interstate 5 were closed from approximately 4:30pm to 7:30 pm.

Comms: Division A - NIFC Tac 2
Division Z - NIFC Tac 1