Sacramento Fire Department Firefighters Hurt In Flashover

Yesterday morning four firefighters were hurt Tuesday while battling a house blaze in the Natomas area of Sacramento.

IA: 09:30 Structure Fire - The two-alarm fire

Location: 17 Stilt Court. Natomas area- Sacramento

Firefighters arrived in about six minutes and reported heavy smoke and fire showing...they entered and made their way upstairs when the heavy heat quickly hit them. They became trapped as the fire burned through their hoseline.

Injuries: Jim Doucette, spokesman for Sacramento Fire Department, said one firefighter suffered serious burns, while two others received minor burns. All are expected to survive, he said.
Doucette said the firefighters were inside of the burning two-story home when the flames rapidly accelerated, which is known as a flashover.
One of the firefighters inside the house jumped out of a upstairs window to escape, and the others came down the stairs.

The Injured: All the firefighters suffered burn injuries, with the Engine Captain receiving burns to his hands and upper torso area.

Captain Jeffery Helvin, 39, was taken the hospital for serious injuries. The other three firefighters, Christopher Berquist, 30, Bruce Gee, 26, and Eric Ely, 23, were treated and released for moderate to minor burns.

Cause: The residents of the house were not home. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Tuolumne County: PLB Search and Rescue ends sadly

Updated Press Release On Deceased Hiker, Christopher Andrews - By Tuolumne County Sheriffs Department

UPDATED INFORMATION AS OF 10/07/08 at 1600 Hrs......On Monday afternoon, searchers were continuing their ground search looking for signs of Christopher in an area they felt he would most likely be located—just north of Iceland Lake. Earlier they had located a camp at Iceland Lake. Believing it to be Christopher’s, they felt he most likely would have been trying to hike north out of the area towards Relief Reservoir in an attempt to beat the storm that was approaching Friday afternoon. They concentrated their search in the area about ¾ mile north of Iceland Lake and a mile or so south of Relief Reservoir. (Approximate coordinates: 38˚14’18.11” N 119˚45’01.76” W elevation ~8200 feet). ....

One of the searchers caught a glimpse of some personal effects on the ground. The searcher looked up towards a large area of granite and saw what appeared to be the outline of a person in one of the crevasses. The area was not accessible from below, so searchers above had to rappel down where they were able to recover Christopher’s body.

By Monday evening the recovery effort was complete. The family was notified.

An autopsy will be scheduled for the next day or two.

UPDATED INFORMATION

On October 6, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team and Calaveras County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team continued the search in the area of Iceland Lake for Christopher Andrews. Calaveras County Sheriff’s SAR brought in trained search dogs to assist. Intermountain Helicopter assisted with their helicopter.

Due to accessibility issues, crews were flown into the area via Helicopter. Crews continued the search. At approximately 2 PM, a search crew located Andrews. Due to the technical terrain, crews had to rappel into the area to make access. Sadly Andrews was found deceased.

The cause of death has not been determined at this time. The family has been notified of his death.

SUMMARY
On October 3, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the California Office of Emergency Services in regards to a Personal Locating Beacon that was emitting a 911 signal. The coordinates that were given, put the emergency signal in the area of Iceland Lake in the Emigrant Wilderness. Due to the weather and darkness on October 3rd, Search and Rescue teams were unable to respond to the area.

The missing person, identified as 42 year old Christopher Andrews is from Hillsborough California. Per Andrews family, Andrews is an avid hiker and is familiar with the Emigrant Wilderness.

On October 4, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team deployed team members on the ground via horseback and on foot. The team members encountered high waters across the creeks which forced them to turn back. Team members changed locations and made access from the Haypress area over East Flange into the Relief Valley. The search was continued on foot and in four wheel drive vehicles. As of that evening, Search and Rescue team members were unable to make access to the area where the Beacon was last signaled.

On October 5, 2008, a helicopter was launched to assist with the search. They were unable to locate Andrews. The emergency beacon stopped emitting a signal, possibly due to a dead battery.

On October 6, 2008, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s SAR and Calaveras County Sheriff’s SAR are currently enroute to the area to continue the search.

Source: Pinetreenet article

Update on Bus Crash - Colusa County

Update: October 08, 2008 - The owner of a tour bus that crashed east of Williams Sunday night, killing eight and injuring 35, apparently had no vehicle insurance to cover the vehicle or its passengers.

Daniel E. Cobb Jr., 68, the operator of Cobb's Bus Service, was killed in the crash, along with seven passengers, all Laotians from the Sacramento area.

Search for answers begins in aftermath of deadly bus accident

October 06, 2008 11:37:00 PM

By Howard Yune/Andrea Koskey/Robert Parsons

A state investigation into the charter bus accident that killed eight people in Colusa County is under way as details begin to emerge about the troubled history of the bus driver and his employer.

The California Highway Patrol has launched a criminal inquiry into the 6:15 p.m. Sunday wreck on Lone Star Road . south of Highway 20 between Williams and Colusa, Stephen Bell, assistant chief for the Northern Division, announced Monday.

The agency also revealed 68-year-old Daniel E. Cobb of Sacramento and Modesto, believed to be the owner of the bus, died in the crash along with seven elderly passengers.

The CHP placed the driver, 52-year-old Quintin Joey Watts of Stockton under arrest on suspicion of felony driving under the influence.

The agency also has begun a criminal investigation into the crash, Bell said during a press conference in Williams.

Watts was injured in the wreck and was being treated at Woodland Memorial Hospital, where he was upgraded from critical to fair condition Monday night.

The Associated Press reported Watts was a longtime truck driver, but had been unable to find a trucking job since being released from jail on a domestic violence charge six months ago, according to his mother, Chaney Mae Watts.

The AP said Chaney Mae Watts said she believed the crash came on her son's first day behind the wheel of the bus after several training trips watching the owner drive. She and her husband told their son they were uncomfortable with him driving a vehicle that carried people instead of cargo.

"He wasn't the best driver," she said. "He knew we didn't want him to drive."

It was not immediately known whether Watts was under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both, Bell said.

Watts has a felony criminal record but has no listed DUI convictions in California, according to records from the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

His most recent conviction was June 20, 2007, when he pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, but was given credit for 132 days for time served and good behavior. He was paroled Dec. 18.

In 1998, Watts was convicted of possession of marijuana for sale and possession of a destructive device. He was sentenced to two years in state prison and was paroled after serving one.

Watts was convicted of check fraud, credit card theft and distributing phony telecommunication devices in 1996. He was sentenced to more than three years in prison on those charges and was paroled after eight months.

Investigators are struggling to unravel the murky recent history of the bus. The Texas license plates it carried were invalid, and no federal Department of Transportation registration number could be found, according to Officer Bob Kays of the CHP's Williams station.

News of the vehicle's suspect tags conflicted with information from the California Public Utilities Commission, which oversees charter transport firms. An agency spokeswoman, Susan Carothers, said late Monday the bus owned by Cobb had a valid license and insurance coverage.

Cobb had been registered with the CPUC as a charter operator since 1974, Carothers said.

Watts had a commercial driver's license in California but lacked state certification required to drive a passenger bus, Bell told reporters at the CHP's Williams bureau.

The bus was painted with the Greyhound livery and the company's name was on the side of the coach, but CHP Sgt. Pat Landreth said the vehicle was sold two years ago to Valley Transit Company. However, a Valley Transit representative said the bus did not belong to the firm.

Later Monday, media reports linked the bus to Cobb and an business named Cobbs Bus Service. Public Utilities Commission records place the business in Modesto, with a Sacramento mailing address.

An online classified ad at Kijiji.com in Cobb's name, dated Thursday, asked for a charter bus driver and promised "all work is within 100 mile radius." The voice-mail box was full at the phone number listed.

Earlier Monday, the CHP released the names of the eight people who died when the bus overturned on Lone Star Road on its way to the Colusa Casino Resort. In addition to Cobb, the victims included five Sacramento women — Lou Her, 68; Muang Saephanh, 68; Khou Yang, 67; Meuay Saelee, 74; and Fin Saechae, 64.

Others who died included Xee Vang, an 85-year-old man believed to be from Sacramento, and 60-year-old Ma Vang, whose hometown and gender are not immediately known.

Initially, 10 passengers were believed to have been killed, but the CHP later revised the number of dead. Colusa County authorities also reported late Sunday that nine had died.

Thirty-five passengers were injured in the crash, forcing emergency workers to take them to hospitals as distant as Oroville, Roseville and Sacramento.

The bus was carrying 42 passengers from Sacramento to Colusa Casino Resort, located on Highway 45 three miles north of Colusa, Landreth said. All the passengers were believed to be from the Sacramento area and all are believed to have been found, according to Bell, who said officers combed the crash site with helicopter-mounted infrared sensors overnight in search of more passengers.

Language barriers are slowing the process of identifying and interviewing survivors, most of whom were said to be of Laotian descent. Twelve of the injured have not yet been identified Monday, Bell said.

MCI: Mass Casualty Bus accident - 10 dead

Mass Casualty Incident Bus accident - 10 dead,
Thirty to 38 people suffered critical injuries, while the rest of the passengers received moderate to minor injuries.

COLUSA COUNTY, Calif. -California Fire news (CFN) - According to the CHP, the bus was heading north heading from Sacramento to a Colusa County when it drifted off the right shoulder, flipped(Cartwheeled) and came to a stop on the west shoulder of the road.
The bus dated back to the 1980s, CHP spokesman said, and had no seat belts.
Sgt. Pat Lundreth with the CHP said that the driver was on medication.
The bus driver, Quinton J. Watts, was taken to Woodland Hospital and is in critical condition, hospital officials said. Watts was walking around after the wreck, Donnelly said, but sustained a serious injury.
Aerial images captured by Copter shows a bus with burn damage that appears to have overturned into a ditch.
No other vehicles were involved.
1980's era Bus Didn't Have Valid License Plate, CHP Says
Originally called in as a Greyhound bus overturned, This bus had been sold by Greyhound over two years ago.
Location: - Lone Star and Abel roads outside Williams, Calif. Near Williams heading to Colusa Casino.
IA: 6:15 pm - MCI bus accident - Greyhound Bus rollover, Possibly five 1144, 48 critical ,20+ moderate -minor injuries, total of 60 + patients.
Resources: All-call in large area, eight air ambulances from the area responded to the bus rollover. Butte county dispatched two engines and one battalion and Colusa county all call.
Ground Ambulances were dispatched from all over the north state including Redding, Sacramento and Napa county.
At least 20 ground ambulances and 9 air ambulances requested in the early stages of the incident. Oes Engines 324 and 297 from Red Bluff and Chico respectively were sent to cover Williams fire department. 1 strike team of engines from Yuba and Yolo counties each responding,
Injuries: 10 dead, approximately 38 minor to major injured patients.
Comms: Traffic on Butte Fire 151.400, Yuba Brown Tac
Receiving hospitals:

Enloe Medical Center in Chico - One victim died at the hospital at about 10 p.m.

Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff

Oroville Hospital

UC Davis Medical Center - At least 10 people

Mercy Medical Center in Redding.

Photo credit: KCRA 3

Prevent Home Fires - Fire Prevention Week 2008

Fire Prevention Week October 5 - 11, 2008

Each year, the week surrounding the date of October 9th is celebrated as National Fire Prevention Week. Why October 9th? The date commemorates the infamous “Great Chicago Fire” of 1871 that killed 250 people and destroyed over 17,000 homes.

CAL FIRE responds to over 300,000 emergencies and calls for service each year. Over 5,000 of these emergencies are fires inside homes and other buildings. That’s why the theme of Fire Prevention Week 2008 is “Prevent Home Fires!”

From October 5-11, 2008, CAL FIRE and fire departments across the country will be encouraging their communities to check their homes for fire hazards. With a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking-materials – is within their power.

News: Say goodbye to OES? Hello CALEMA

Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Ten legislative bills to to strengthen California's emergency response and firefighting capabilities.

As part of the Governor's efforts to streamline the state's emergency response capabilities, he recently signed AB 38 by Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), which will combine OES and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) into a new cabinet-level California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA).
The bill gives the merged agency the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities in the state.

Additionally, the Governor signed the following legislation this year to strengthen California's emergency response and firefighting capabilities:

1. AB 2327 - by Assemblymember Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) requires entities that provide assistance during an emergency or disaster to strive to ensure that all victims receive the assistance they need and for which they are eligible, which requires those entities that provide support during a disaster to provide assistance without asking for information or documents that are not strictly necessary to determine eligibility under state or federal laws
2. AB 2796 - by Assemblymember Nava authorizes OES to establish a statewide registry of private businesses and nonprofit organizations that are interested in donating services, goods, labor, equipment, resources or other facilities in times of emergency. These efforts will be a valuable complement to OES' ongoing partnerships with the private sector.
3. SB 1595 - by Senator Kehoe (D-San Diego) updates existing fuel management laws by amending defensible space requirements that separate structures from surrounding vegetation and other potential wildfire fuels. This bill would delete certain terrain qualifications thereby applying these provisions to any land within a very high fire severity zone as designated by a local agency without regard to the type of terrain.” The bill also changes the current brush clearance requirements and now would require the owner of the property to manage fuel materials within 100 feet of the dwelling or building. “The bill would require that fuel found in vegetation, in man-made objects and in connection with improvements attached to the structure be managed by collecting and disposing of combustible matter and irrigating living plants as required to sustain the species during exposure to a wildfire. Local agencies would be authorized to place alternative requirements in effect in areas where water shortages exist.
4. AB 2859 - by Assemblymember Ted Gaines (R-Roseville) expands the authority for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to thin green trees and other vegetation to promote healthy forests in areas with disease or insect infestation.
5. AB 2742 - (1)Expands the existing law definition of "firefighter equipment" to include leased or rented equipment for purposes of restricted licensure. (2) Provides an exemption for
   firefighters to use firefighter equipment, if they are participating in a substance abuse program. Specifically a firefighter who is authorized to operate firefighting equipment from certain federal regulations concerning controlled substance and alcohol use, if they are participating in a substance abuse detection program within the scope of his or her employment.
6. AB 3075 - Which gives first priority for the sale of firefighting equipment to a local agency that serves rural areas.
   
7. SB 1668, - That will require the State Fire Marshall to compose and adopt regulations that establish minimum protection requirements for laboratories and research facilities that handle hazardous materials.
8. SB 1227 - Which reinstates the Disaster Response Emergency Operations Account (DREOA) that was set to expire at the end of 2008 until 2014.
9. SB 1213, - Which will allow a mobile health care unit to move to a new location and notify the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) 24 hours prior to operation (unless in time of emergency) instead of the 15-day notification requirement.

Governor Schwarzenegger sign's MOUs with private sector:
Efforts to Boost State’s Emergency Response Capabilities

"This year California has already faced a destructive fire season with more than 2,000 fires burning about 1.2 million acres, underscoring the importance of legislation signed today that will help us do even more to prevent these fires from starting in the first place," Governor Schwarzenegger said.

Private sector partners will be on call 24-7 for the people of California next time an emergency strikes.
Acknowledging the important role that the private sector plays in helping California respond and recover from emergencies, the Governor in 2006 issued Executive Order S-04-06, which called on the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) to make the private sector part of the state's disaster response system.

As part of its implementation, OES has been actively forming partnerships with private industry.

OES has signed MOUs with the following private sector partners: Business Executives for National Security, the California Grocer's Association, the California Utilities Emergency Association and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

These MOUs will allow for more targeted and efficient delivery of goods and services by formalizing 24-hour contacts with the private sector. Just like we have 24-hour access to our governmental partners, the state now has well-established personal relationships with emergency management professionals in the private sector that we can call on 365 days per year. These partners will also be allowed into the State Operations Center during a disaster to staff a "Business Operations Center," which is currently being established by OES. Having the private sector side-by-side with state and federal emergency management personnel will expedite response activities and maximize resources.

Examples of how these MOUs will benefit Californians include:

• Restoring power - the California Utilities Emergency Association coordinates the repair of power, water and other utilities via its affiliate businesses, which is critical during an emergency to restoring a community back to normal.
• Providing food and water - the California Grocer's Association can access their network of members to provide food, water and other provisions to emergency responders and evacuation centers.
• Access to supplies - Wal-Mart has access to goods and supplies throughout the country and has a sophisticated logistics system to ensure that necessary supplies get to where they are needed in the shortest time-frame possible.
• Access to emergency professionals - the Business Executives for National Security have a host of professional emergency managers that can aid in immediate response activities and long-term recovery efforts.

Info: Public Safety overtime pay news...

Interesting article in Tracy Press regarding public safety related overtime pay, and the curious case of obviously very hard working city of Tracy Fire Department Captain Eric Oliveira who has earned more in overtime pay than anyone else in the city for two years in a row—
$43,532.44 of his $154,339.25 yearly earnings in ’07-08, and $45,903.49 of his $156,636.85 in earnings for ’06-07.

This story leaves very important questions unanswered, Questions such as- Why does this poor man have no personal life? Is the term "overtime hound" sexual in nature? and how do I get his Ice cream picture?
Link to story at the Tracy Press

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Working overtime
The city of Tracy paid out $2.4 million in overtime last fiscal year, a significant drop from the year before.

Written by Eric Firpo

Friday, 03 October 2008

Forty city employees earned at least $20,000 in overtime during the 2007-08 fiscal year that ended at the end of June, and the city spent $2.4 million in overtime, a $300,000 drop from the previous year, records show.

The city has 480 full-time employees and 74 more "full-time equivalents," part-time jobs filled by dozens of people, said finance director Zane Johnston. Tracy spent $36.8 million in salaries, wages and overtime pay in fiscal year 2007-08, which ended June 30. Records show that 105 city employees, or nearly 22 percent, earned more than $100,000 in the most recent fiscal year.

City Manager Leon Churchill, in an effort to save money during tough times for the city’s budget, has ordered that all overtime for city employees be accompanied by a manager’s signature.

Most of the money spent on overtime in fiscal 2007-08 went to employees in the police and fire departments, as has been the case in previous years. And in terms of the number of people who earned more than $20,000 in overtime alone, the numbers held fairly steady in the past two years.

In fiscal year 2007-08, Tracy had 40 people earn more than $20,000 in overtime pay, and eight people made more than $30,000 in overtime. In fiscal year 2006-07, Tracy paid 35 people more than $20,000 in overtime, and eight earned more than $30,000.

In both years, fire Capt. Eric Oliveira earned more in overtime pay than anyone else in the city — $43,532.44 of his $154,339.25 yearly earnings in ’07-08, and $45,903.49 of his $156,636.85 in earnings for ’06-07.

Churchill said paying overtime is cheaper than hiring a new full-time employee with benefits, up to a point.

"And we’re not at that point yet," he said.

Fire Chief Chris Bosch could not be reached for comment, but at the police department, Assistant Police Chief Rick Golphin said overtime is "screened and scrutinized for necessity," but "some of it is not controllable by us. You really can’t control what time an incident comes in."

Overtime can occur for various reasons, such as when a big crime or accident happens at the tail end of a shift that might force officers to stick around on duty.

Officers have to fill in when someone is out sick and are sometimes asked to testify in court during their weekdays off, which adds up to overtime.

He also said the city, at times, uses short-term grant money to pay overtime rather than hiring someone who would be laid off in a year or two when the grant money runs out.

He notes that every department has "overtime hounds," but that the heavy use of overtime can burn out employees and get them to leave sooner than they would otherwise.

"Overtime is probably less expensive in the short term," he said. "You want full-time employees and don’t want to burn your people out."

CA-LPF- Chalk - Wildland Fire - 12,168 acres 37%

Monterey Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest - Change in Evacuation Status, Effective Immediately
The FIRE EVACUATION WARNING has been REDUCED to an EVACUATION WATCH for residents in the immediate fire area west of Chalk Peak and South Coast Ridge Road, Alms Ridge, Dempsey Flats, Prewitt Ridge areas.

Persons issued this notice are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued.

A FIRE EVACUATION WATCH remains in place for Lucia, Mill Creek, Hare Creek and Limekiln State Park.
Highway 1 is open, but is subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Vehicles must drive slowly and watch for debris and emergency equipment and crews.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Firefighter Injuries: - 11 - The increase in the number of firefighter injuries is due to three separate vehicle accidents Oct 3rd. - Nine injuries were reported during the last operational period. They were due to three unrelated vehicle accidents including a BDF unit roll over. All injuries were reported as minor with one possible broken nose.
Personnel were taken to a local hospitals, evaluated and released.

Chalk Fire Perimeter Map
Almost Useless map provided by Inciweb

Basic Information - Chalk Wildland Fire
Cause: Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Saturday September 27th, 2008 aprox 07:30 PM
Location: 22 mi southwest of King City, CA
Incident Commander Jim Smith / Alan Courier

Current Situation
Total Personnel: 1,319
Size: 12,168 acres
Percent Contained: 37%
Estimated Containment Date: Friday October 17th, 2008 aprox 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved: Chaparral (6 Feet). Large volume of dead and down material. Oak woodland and pockets of timber.
Fire Behavior: Minimal spread today due to last night's rain.
Significant Events: Dempsey Flat, Biere property, Nacaruby and Alms property have been removed from the list of areas/residences threatened by the fire.
Outlook Planned Actions: Current efforts focus on containment of northwest corner and holding southwest flank. Structure protection remains a priority.
Growth Potential High
Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Fire Statistics
Acres burned: 12,168
Miles of fireline to build: 21
Date started: 9/27/08 (evening)
Percent contained: 30%
Expected containment: 10/17/2008
Firefighter injuries to date: 11
Structures threatened: 19 residences; 30 outbuildings
Structures destroyed: 0
Suppression cost to date: $8.43 million

Firefighting Resources:
Total personnel assigned: 1,319
Crews: 25
Engines: 88
Helicopters: 12
Air tankers: 8
Dozers: 9

Current Status: Rain, cloud cover and humidity slowed fire progression last night and today. Weather related hazards were evaluated to ensure safe working conditions for firefighters. Crews mopped up on the west and southwest flanks of the fire, and constructed indirect line north from Hwy 1 toward Cone Peak. Structure protection preparation continued at Merle Ranch. There was little fire progression on the northeast flank due to favorable weather conditions.

Evacuations: The "Fire Evacuation Warning" has been REDUCED to an "EVACUATION WATCH" for residents in the immediate fire area west of Chalk Peak and South Coast Ridge Road (Alms Ridge, Dempsey Flats and Prewitt Ridge areas). Persons issued this notice are not required to evacuate but should be prepared to evacuate should an Evacuation Warning be issued. A "Fire Evacuation Watch" remains in place for Lucia, Mill Creek, Hare Creek and Limekiln State Park.

Highway, Road and Area Closures: Hwy 1 is open, but subject to traffic delays up to 20 minutes. Vehicles must drive slowly and watch for debris and emergency equipment and crews. Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd is closed. South Coast Ridge Rd is closed from Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd to Willow Creek Rd. Limekiln State Park is closed. Mill Creek Day Use area is closed due to emergency equipment in the area.

Weather: Temperature 66 degrees; relative humidity 68%; northwest winds at 4 mph.

Agencies: This incident is being managed under Unified Command with the U.S. Forest Service and Fort Hunter Liggett. The Incident Command Post is at Fort Hunter Liggett. Media access to Fort Hunter Liggett is restricted. Contact the Goleta Fire Information Center for assistance.

More Information: Goleta Fire Information Center: 805-961-5770 (8am-8pm)
Fire information online: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1551/

Cal Fire cancels burn suspension proclamation

Cal Fire cancels burn suspension proclamation affecting Humboldt, Del Norte, and Western Trinity Counties burn permits

Due to rising fuel moisture levels, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is cancelling the June 23 proclamation that suspended burning on state-owned lands in Humboldt, Del Norte and Western Trinity Counties.

All people wishing to burn are required to obtain a residential burning permit from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District. Cal-Fire Chief Ralph Minnich advises that people who possess a current, valid burn permit can resume burning on valid burn days.

Cal-Fire requires a minimum of 10 feet of clearance around 4-foot-high piles, with an adult in attendance at all times.

Residential burn permits: Can be obtained at the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District- 707-443-3093.
Larger non-residential burn permits: Contact Cal-Fire, these permits are available at the Crescent City Cal-Fire office which can be reached at 707-464-5526.

Great Blogs: Gila Hotshots Wildfire Season 2008

Editor: This is a great Saturday sort of rainy day morning read. This blog is a Journal from a New Mexico Gila Hotshot who is spending a lot of his tour this season fighting wildland fires in California. Easy reading and many great photographs, written in hotshot wildland speak with some good little surprising nuggets of California fire info.
Little Goose Fire - Espresso
"Mop-up is a good time to drink coffee during lunch"
Editors favorite photo on this blog full of great photographs
Photo credit: IMG_2915, originally uploaded by stevempassmore. - Photo link

Using fuses to burn off some indirect line on one of the spot fires
Photo credit: steve m passmore

Passage from Blog journal: "July 7. Iron Complex - Eagle fire. Today we got dispatched to the Iron Complex where the H-44 crash was. When we arrived we started preparing the road to burn off of. As the day progressed we had to start burning to stop a run coming up the hill at us. The wind was not in our favor. As we held up the main fire with our burn we got spot fires over the road. Well into the night, I think 1 am, we chased spot fires."
Read the blog: http://stevempassmore.blogspot.com/