Contract extended for Supertanker
Though the DC-10’s Supertanker’s contract with Cal Fire would have ended Oct. 15, 10 Tanker Air Carrier managing partner Rick Hatton said it’s been extended through the end of October. Santa Ana winds picking up and the dangerously dry conditions are rattling some nerves.
“It’s been a weird season,” Hatton said. “It was very busy early in the summer. We flew more mission in June and July than all of ‘07. But it’s been quiet for August and September. Now there’s this huge fear that all hell could break lose.”
The tanker was used to fight the Porter Ranch fire that engulfed parts of Los Angeles two weeks ago, but the plane has been grounded for the past few days.
Last year, during its first year under contract with Cal Fire, the tanker flew 106 missions in fighting more than a dozen large wildfires.
Hatton said a recently completed second DC-10 is ready to come on line soon, with plans to get contracts in place for next year’s fire season.
Monday, October 27, 2008
News: NASA studies supertanker for U.S.F.S
May pave way for federal contract
October 27, 2008
BROOKE EDWARDS Staff Writer
Source article: VV Dailypress.com
VICTORVILLE • The firefighting DC-10 Supertanker, based at Southern California Logistics Airport, is being studied by NASA in what could pave the way for the plane’s first federal contracts.
The jet’s owner, 10 Tanker Air Carrier, has been trying for some time to get a contract with the U.S. Forest Service that would allow the agency to fight fires on federal land, managing partner Rick Hatton said.
The Forest Service approached NASA for help in determining the best use for the plane.
“They came to see us in Victorville with six or seven people last month,” Hatton said. “We briefed them on the plane and how effective it’s been for the state of California and how effective it could be for the federal agencies.”
NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, about 30 miles northwest of Victorville, will be studying the supertanker to determine its “safe flight envelope.” The team will then recommend operational use regimes, policies and procedures for the aircraft.
The NASA team has spent the past few days in Miami, Hatton said, using an advanced DC-10 flight simulator to perform some preliminary tests.
“We hope to get the NASA team on the DC-10 in a fire environment,” Hatton said, so the company can show NASA what the plane can do.
If not, he said they’ll do mock drops with water in a remote place over the desert, hopefully within the next few weeks.
“The entire team is very excited about helping the Forest Service with this effort,” said Mark Dickerson, project manager for Dryden. “It is a bit different from our typical research projects, but we all enjoy being able to help find new tools to fight wildfires.”
NASA is also studying a Boeing 747 owned by Evergreen International Aviation.
Hatton said his company has hope that the final report will be done in the next few months.
Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@vvdailypress.com.
October 27, 2008
BROOKE EDWARDS Staff Writer
Source article: VV Dailypress.com
VICTORVILLE • The firefighting DC-10 Supertanker, based at Southern California Logistics Airport, is being studied by NASA in what could pave the way for the plane’s first federal contracts.
The jet’s owner, 10 Tanker Air Carrier, has been trying for some time to get a contract with the U.S. Forest Service that would allow the agency to fight fires on federal land, managing partner Rick Hatton said.
The Forest Service approached NASA for help in determining the best use for the plane.
“They came to see us in Victorville with six or seven people last month,” Hatton said. “We briefed them on the plane and how effective it’s been for the state of California and how effective it could be for the federal agencies.”
NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, about 30 miles northwest of Victorville, will be studying the supertanker to determine its “safe flight envelope.” The team will then recommend operational use regimes, policies and procedures for the aircraft.
The NASA team has spent the past few days in Miami, Hatton said, using an advanced DC-10 flight simulator to perform some preliminary tests.
“We hope to get the NASA team on the DC-10 in a fire environment,” Hatton said, so the company can show NASA what the plane can do.
If not, he said they’ll do mock drops with water in a remote place over the desert, hopefully within the next few weeks.
“The entire team is very excited about helping the Forest Service with this effort,” said Mark Dickerson, project manager for Dryden. “It is a bit different from our typical research projects, but we all enjoy being able to help find new tools to fight wildfires.”
NASA is also studying a Boeing 747 owned by Evergreen International Aviation.
Hatton said his company has hope that the final report will be done in the next few months.
Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@vvdailypress.com.
Final arguments in the case against volunteer firefighter
WOODLAND - The final arguments in the case against volunteer Esparto firefighter Robert Eason, who was arrested for starting fires between 2005-2006 in the Capay Valley, were heard today.
Yolo County Prosecutor Garrett Hamilton said Eason was caught in a triangle of evidence at the Yolo County Courthouse.
A GPS device tracked Eason driving by every spot a roadside fire he is accused of starting occurred. Hamilton noted that in the 64 days Eason was tracked there wasn't a fire he didn't drive by.
Mosquito coils, which were allegedly used to create the time delayed incendiary devices, were found at his home despite the fact Eason said he didn't own any. Match books, fishing line and mosquito coils were also found in his car.
Hamilton also said that no ignition sources were found at the fire scene, which suggested mosquito coils were used.
"Robert Eason had a darker side, that darker side is Eason as a wild man arsonist," Hamilton said.
Eason's defense attorney Rodney Beede said other evidence wasn't taken into consideration.
He said experts at some of the fires reported finding a firecracker, iron and ash but did not do further tests to pinpoint what the cause.
With GPS trackers, investigators following Eason and people positioned at places of potential fires, Beede said no one saw Eason start fires.
"The sum total of what they got was zero," Beede said.
Beede said the prosecution was using circumstantial evidence to prove Eason guilty. "I thought in America they had to prove guilt, not we had to prove innocence," Beede said.
Jury members have began final deliberations.
Source: http://www.dailydemocrat.com/ci_10829127
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Officials: Firefighter May Have Set Up To 143 Fires
Volunteer Arrested In Connection With Blazes That Charred Land, Injured Livestock
WOODLAND, Calif. -- A volunteer firefighter accused of setting a string of fires in Yolo County last month may be responsible for as many as 143 blazes over several years, authorities said.
Robert Eric Eason, 37, of Guinda was arrested and charged with 12 felony counts of arson and a dozen counts of using an incendiary time-delay device.
Eason has been been a volunteer the Capay Fire Protection District since 1988, and investigators are looking at evidence connected to fires dating back to 1988 to determine if Eason will face additional charges.
"It's just sickening to us," said Tina Rose of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "It's a disgrace. We don't want that reflecting upon all the good firefighters."Investigators said Eason is suspected in a 1,000-acre wildland fire during high winds in Sept. 22 near Zamora that threatened numerous structures and killed a number of sheep on ranches in the area.
Source: http://www.kcra.com/news/10068944/detail.html?subid=22100408&qs=1;bp=t
Anyone with additional information about this case is urged to call the CDF Arson Hotline at 800-468-4408.
New SCBA on the way! IAFF news release
FIRST RESPONDER TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT: News: New SCBA on the way! IAFF news release
Federal Contract Gives IAFF Lead in Developing Lighter Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Washington, DC – The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) a $2 million contract to develop a new pressure vessel that will make the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) worn by first responders substantially thinner and lighter. Smaller, lighter SCBA will improve fire fighter safety. “The IAFF is proud of its record as the leader in the development of projects that provide direct benefits to fire fighter health and safety. With all the recent technological developments and new materials we can work with, it’s time to fast-track the introduction of new, lighter, less stressful, but highly protective equipment,” IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger said. The cylinders that contain the pressure vessels in existing SCBA account for much of the weight and size of the units. The weight and profile of those cylinders has been associated with increased rates of injury and fatalities for emergency responders. The IAFF is working with Vulcore Industrial in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to use technology, engineering and new materials to modify the pressure vessel in a way that will reduce the weight and make it smaller and more flexible. In initial prototype designs, the new pressure vessel offers an approximate 60 percent weight reduction over conventional SCBA cylinders. Prototypes also have a substantially smaller profile, measuring two inches in depth. Pressure vessels on conventional SCBA cylinders measure seven inches in depth. The design braids new, thin, tubular pressure vessels in the harness assembly, instead of the large cylinders used today sitting on top of the harness assembly, allowing for greater mobility in confined spaces. Unlike conventional cylinders which contain air pressures up to 5000 psi, the new vessels won’t fragment if they’re ruptured. A punctured pressure vessel would simply vent contained air. Members of Fort Wayne, IN, Local 124 have tested the prototypes in simulated confined space entry. The IAFF’s contract with DHS spans a 15-month period. The research and development is expected to result in a new, commercially available SCBA. “The IAFF is confident that a new generation of lighter, low-profile SCBA will be available to the fire service when this important research concludes, and our members will be safer for it,” Schaitberger said. ---------------------------- Government approvals Harold Schaitberger, general president of the IAFF, has prioritized this effort to ensure his membership has the latest technology to minimize firefighter and other first responder stress during emergencies. "The IAFF has a long history of promoting new development projects that provide direct benefits to fire fighter health and safety," he said. "We feel that the time is right to fast track the introduction of new technology that will allow firefighters to respond lighter with a higher degree of safety by using less stressful, but highly protective equipment. At the end of this project, the IAFF is confident that a new generation of lighter, thinner SCBA will be available to the fire service." Within the next two years, the new SCBA technology is likely to change the way that the fire service and other first responders look at SCBA and the missions that require air-supplying systems. Not only will the firefighter ensemble look different, with sleeker, lighter SCBA, the improvements for stress reduction and confined space mobility will be dramatically improved. Most importantly, the new technology will represent a paradigm change in the industry the same way that positive-pressure SCBA afforded firefighters substantially higher levels of safety and health compared to previous respirator use. A Technical Advisory Committee of IAFF members will provide input for the integration, testing and introduction of the new pressure vessel technology. At the first meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, several factors were identified that will help ensure a smooth transition of a new SCBA to the fire service. The International Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more than 292,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More information is available at www.iaff.org. 
The DHS contract to the IAFF spans a 15-month period to advance the new technology toward commercialization. This effort includes getting the necessary government approvals for the new pressure vessel, working with the SCBA industry to integrate the new pressure vessel as part of existing SCBA, fulfilling government and NFPA standards certification requirements, and carrying out field testing to prove the benefits of the new technology. The IAFF Project Team, which also includes International Personnel Protection, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, is working with a Technical Advisory Committee, which is providing input for the integration, testing and introduction of the new pressure vessel technology. At the first meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee, several factors were identified that will help with ensuring a smooth transition of the fire service to lower weight, thinner profile SCBA. For example, since only one system can be initially brought through various required approvals and certifications, the advisory group opted for a 45-minute service life rated system.
Amazing new SCBA represent a significant improvement in personal protective equipment.
Photo : Screenshot from ABC 9 video
VIDEO: ABC 9 video
National Fire News Report ~ 10/27/08
(On a scale from 1 to 5)
Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report will be updated Monday and Friday
unless significant activity occurs.
October 27, 2008
Large fire activity was reported in Arizona and California. Firefighters expect to contain the Chalk fire in southern California by Wednesday.
Weather: Very warm and dry weather will continue in Southern California through Tuesday. The Southeast states will be cool, dry and breezy today and Tuesday.
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center
| ||
Daily statistics 10/27/08 | ||
Number of new large fires | 0 | States currently reporting large fires: |
Number of active large fires | 1 | |
Acres from active fires | 16,269 | |
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires | 1 | |
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres | 3,182 | |
Fires contained since 10/26/08 | 0 | |
Year-to-date large fires contained | 701 | |
Year-to-date statistics | ||
2008 (1/1/08 - 10/27/08) | Fires: 73,352 | Acres: 5,034,070 |
2007 (1/1/07 - 10/27/07) | Fires: 76,731 | Acres: 8,695,499 |
2006 (1/1/06 - 10/27/06) | Fires: 86,391 | Acres: 9,400,909 |
2005 (1/1/05 - 10/27/05) | Fires: 56,589 | Acres: 8,256,081 |
2004 (1/1/04 - 10/27/04) | Fires: 62,852 | Acres: 8,042,281 |
2003 (1/1/03 - 10/27/03) | Fires: 55,533 | Acres: 3,337,304 |
2002 (1/1/02 - 10/27/02) | Fires: 69,274 | Acres: 6,707,556 |
2001 (1/1/01 - 10/27/01) | Fires: 66,290 | Acres: 3,779,562 |
2000 (1/1/00 - 10/27/00) | Fires: 86,418 | Acres: 7,025,680 |
10-year average | ||
1999 - 2008 | Fires: 71,521 | Acres: 6,546,012 |
Current Wildland Fires | ||||
Arizona | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| WFU Fires: 1 | Acres: 3,182 | New WFU: 0 | ||
| Marteen (Kaibab National Forest): 3,182 acres. This Wildland Fire Use incident is being managed for resource benefit. | ||||
California | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| Chalk (Los Padres National Forest): 16,269 acres at 98 percent contained. This fire is located nine miles north of Gorda. Structures are threatened. Evacuations are in effect. Information: Call 805-961-5770 or visit the incident website. | ||||
CA-LPF- Chalk wildland fire 16,269 acres, 98%
Chalk wildland fire - Los Padres National Forest
ALL WARNINGS AND WATHCES HAVE BEEN LIFTED.
Roads to reopen today Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12 Noon.
Update: 10-27 1800hrs - Chalk (CA-LPF-2754) 16,269 Acres and 98% contained. Mark Nunez (ICT3) assumed command of the fire this morning. Rolling rocks and debris on Highway 1 south of The Hermitage Road remain a problem. All road closures have been removed today at 1200 hours, except for Cone Peak Road which will remain closed until further notice per the Monterey District Office.
Road Closures: Please exercise caution when traveling on Highway 1 along Twitchell Flats and Limekiln State Park. Due to rolling rocks and debris from the burned hillsides along this area, expect delays from 15 to 20 minutes. Electronic message boards are located at Highway 101 and 46, Highway 46 and Highway 1, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel.
Roads to reopen today: Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12Noon.
Chalk wildland fire map - Los Padres National Forest
Credit: Inciweb - http://www.inciweb.org/incident/maps/large/1551/0/
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 385
Size: 16,269 acres
Percent Contained: 98%
Estimated Containment: Date Wednesday October 29th, 2008 aprox 06:00 PM
Basic Information
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Cause: Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Saturday September 27th, 2008 aprox 07:30 PM
Location: 22 mi southwest of King City, CA
Approximate GPS Location: 35.99 latitude, -121.43 longitude
Incident Commander: Dana D'andrea
Fuels Involved - 4 Chaparral (6 Feet) Large volume of dead and down material in fire fuel bed from sudden oak death and previous fires. Oak woodland and pockets of timber.
Fire Behavior -
Interior burning of unburned fuel, creeping and smoldering.
Significant Events - Rock and debris fall continues on Highway 1 resulting in periodic closures. Drivers are strongly advised to heed Caltrans caution/closure signs or risk damage to their vehicles. Electronic message boards are at the following locations: 101 and Highway 46, Highway 1 and 46, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel. The Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7 will be transitioning to the local Type 3 team beginning tomorrow morning, October 26, 2008 at 6:00 am. Incident Commander will be Mark Nunez.
Outlook and Planned Actions - Crews continue to mop up and improve existing line along the Hermitage Road to Highway 1. They will also continue to mop up around structures and improvements in Limekiln State Park. Crews continue to clean up and remove hose. The Evacuation Watch for Hermitage has been lifted as of 6:00pm Saturday, Oct.25, 2008. The Evacuation Watch for the Harlan Ranch and Morning Glory area was lifted as of 6:00pm on October 23, 2008.
Growth Potential - Low
Terrain Difficulty - Extreme
Remarks - Crews monitored and extinguished hot spots found in the Twin Peaks area and along the coast near the Limekiln State Park area. Rehab work continued on the dozer line above the Hermitage and removal of fire hose and trash will continue today. Please exercise caution when traveling on Highway 1 along Twitchell Flats and Limekiln State Park. Due to rolling rocks and debris from the burned hillsides along this area, expect delays from 15 to 20 minutes. Electronic message boards are located at Highway 101 and 46, Highway 46 and Highway 1, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel. Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12Noon.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 5-10 mph SE
Current Temperature 47-65 degrees
Current Humidity 40-70 %
ALL WARNINGS AND WATHCES HAVE BEEN LIFTED.
Roads to reopen today Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12 Noon.
Update: 10-27 1800hrs - Chalk (CA-LPF-2754) 16,269 Acres and 98% contained. Mark Nunez (ICT3) assumed command of the fire this morning. Rolling rocks and debris on Highway 1 south of The Hermitage Road remain a problem. All road closures have been removed today at 1200 hours, except for Cone Peak Road which will remain closed until further notice per the Monterey District Office.
Road Closures: Please exercise caution when traveling on Highway 1 along Twitchell Flats and Limekiln State Park. Due to rolling rocks and debris from the burned hillsides along this area, expect delays from 15 to 20 minutes. Electronic message boards are located at Highway 101 and 46, Highway 46 and Highway 1, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel.
Roads to reopen today: Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12Noon.
Chalk wildland fire map - Los Padres National ForestCredit: Inciweb - http://www.inciweb.org/incident/maps/large/1551/0/
Total Personnel: 385
Size: 16,269 acres
Percent Contained: 98%
Estimated Containment: Date Wednesday October 29th, 2008 aprox 06:00 PM
Basic Information
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Cause: Under Investigation
Date of Origin: Saturday September 27th, 2008 aprox 07:30 PM
Location: 22 mi southwest of King City, CA
Approximate GPS Location: 35.99 latitude, -121.43 longitude
Incident Commander: Dana D'andrea
Fuels Involved - 4 Chaparral (6 Feet) Large volume of dead and down material in fire fuel bed from sudden oak death and previous fires. Oak woodland and pockets of timber.
Fire Behavior -
Interior burning of unburned fuel, creeping and smoldering.
Significant Events - Rock and debris fall continues on Highway 1 resulting in periodic closures. Drivers are strongly advised to heed Caltrans caution/closure signs or risk damage to their vehicles. Electronic message boards are at the following locations: 101 and Highway 46, Highway 1 and 46, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel. The Central Coast Interagency Incident Management Team 7 will be transitioning to the local Type 3 team beginning tomorrow morning, October 26, 2008 at 6:00 am. Incident Commander will be Mark Nunez.
Outlook and Planned Actions - Crews continue to mop up and improve existing line along the Hermitage Road to Highway 1. They will also continue to mop up around structures and improvements in Limekiln State Park. Crews continue to clean up and remove hose. The Evacuation Watch for Hermitage has been lifted as of 6:00pm Saturday, Oct.25, 2008. The Evacuation Watch for the Harlan Ranch and Morning Glory area was lifted as of 6:00pm on October 23, 2008.
Growth Potential - Low
Terrain Difficulty - Extreme
Remarks - Crews monitored and extinguished hot spots found in the Twin Peaks area and along the coast near the Limekiln State Park area. Rehab work continued on the dozer line above the Hermitage and removal of fire hose and trash will continue today. Please exercise caution when traveling on Highway 1 along Twitchell Flats and Limekiln State Park. Due to rolling rocks and debris from the burned hillsides along this area, expect delays from 15 to 20 minutes. Electronic message boards are located at Highway 101 and 46, Highway 46 and Highway 1, Hearst Castle, north of Willow Creek Bridge, Nepenthe in Big Sur and Rio Road and Highway 1 in Carmel. Nacimiento Fergusson Road, South Coast Ridge Road and Willow Creek Road south to Highway 1 will reopen on Monday, October 27, 2008 at 12Noon.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 5-10 mph SE
Current Temperature 47-65 degrees
Current Humidity 40-70 %
NV-CCD Petersen - wildland fire - 1,000 acres 0%
Update: October 27, 2008
Fire Name: Peterson - Morning update
Estimating containment tonight at 8:00 p.m.
The fire started yesterday and continues today. Fire activity is minimal, with smoldering pockets of vegetation within the fire line.
A GPS survey updated the official acreage to be 1190 acres.
Currently there are no residential threats.
Fire is 75% contained this morning. Handcrews and engines are constructing fireline and mopping up the fire. Fireline reinforcement continues. No suppression or containment problems are anticipated at his time.
Fire Command: Bureau of Land Management-
Assisting Agencies: US Forest Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, CALFIRE, Reno FD
Resources Assigned: Air Tankers-1, Hand Crews- 7, Engines- 7, Command Staff- 7,
Personnel: 175
Natural & Cultural Resources: Potential threat to endangered moth species and a Wilderness Study area. Deer Winter Range, Sage Grouse, Mountain Quail Habitats were lost or damaged.
Petersen - wild land fire
Cal Fire News/Geomac
Nevada wildland fire is approaching California border, no containment.
A dispatcher for the Sierra Front Fire Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden says no structures are immediately threatened, but engines have been placed around some homes, a business and a ranch as a precaution.
Update: 10-27-08 -09:00hrs - Radio reports that fire has been held at 1,000 acres, extensive mop-up and line reinforcement continues.
Location: Crystal Canyon near Cold Springs, North of Reno, East of Highway 395
Resources: 150 firefighters, several air tankers are attacking the blaze.
California is sending engine and crew strike teams, dozer's and numerous aircraft.
Cause: Under investigation.
Fire Name: Peterson - Morning update
Estimating containment tonight at 8:00 p.m.
The fire started yesterday and continues today. Fire activity is minimal, with smoldering pockets of vegetation within the fire line.
A GPS survey updated the official acreage to be 1190 acres.
Currently there are no residential threats.
Fire is 75% contained this morning. Handcrews and engines are constructing fireline and mopping up the fire. Fireline reinforcement continues. No suppression or containment problems are anticipated at his time.
Fire Command: Bureau of Land Management-
Assisting Agencies: US Forest Service, Nevada Division of Forestry, CALFIRE, Reno FD
Resources Assigned: Air Tankers-1, Hand Crews- 7, Engines- 7, Command Staff- 7,
Personnel: 175
Natural & Cultural Resources: Potential threat to endangered moth species and a Wilderness Study area. Deer Winter Range, Sage Grouse, Mountain Quail Habitats were lost or damaged.
Petersen - wild land fireCal Fire News/Geomac
A dispatcher for the Sierra Front Fire Interagency Dispatch Center in Minden says no structures are immediately threatened, but engines have been placed around some homes, a business and a ranch as a precaution.
Update: 10-27-08 -09:00hrs - Radio reports that fire has been held at 1,000 acres, extensive mop-up and line reinforcement continues.
Location: Crystal Canyon near Cold Springs, North of Reno, East of Highway 395
Resources: 150 firefighters, several air tankers are attacking the blaze.
California is sending engine and crew strike teams, dozer's and numerous aircraft.
Cause: Under investigation.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
CA-SQF-Moses fire - High elevation Fire - 2 acres in size
The Moses Fire Monitored with High-Tech Cameras
Springville, CA., October 22, 2008...Fire Officials are using high quality cameras to monitor the fire. The cameras are placed in strategic locations so fire officials can monitor the smoke and fires growth. Cameras placed on ridge tops have been utilized internally by the Forest Service over the past several years to monitor fire activity. In this case, however, a camera was placed specifically to monitor the Moses Fire and is now available to the public.
The public can view the fire from one of the cameras by going to the Sequoia National Forest web-site www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia and then click on the Jordan Peak link under "LIVE WEB CAMERA" in the box on the right hand side of the web-page.
The Moses fire was discovered on October 14th and is burning at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the Golden Trout Wilderness on the Western Divide Ranger District, Giant Sequoia National Monument. The fire poses little threat to any non-Federal lands.
Priscilla Summers, District Ranger, has decided the appropriate management response for the Moses fire is to monitor the fire from a distance rather than place personnel in the steep and rocky terrain on the fire's edge. Forest officials have been coordinating with Park officials from nearby Sequoia National Park. There is a possibility that the fire could expand and reach the Park boundary prior to fall rains and snow.
The Moses fire is currently 2 acres in size and is burning slowly. The fire’s growth is expected to be minimal. Smoke is visible intermittently from Yokohl Valley Drive near the community of Springville and from Road 276 in Frazier Valley.
Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/news/releases/2008/moses.html
High Sierra Cam: http://sierrafire.cr.usgs.gov/cgi-bi...=jordan_peak_5
In Memorium: Engine 57 - flags a half staff today
All Cal Fire facilities will fly their flags a half staff today in memory of the crew of Engine 57. A moment of silence will be observed a 12 noon today.
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Friends, family of five fallen firefighters to mark second anniversary of their deaths
2nd anniversary reality sets in
By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell
Today is the second anniversary of the day five area firefighters died in the fierce Esperanza Fire in the San Jacinto Mountains.
For the mothers, fathers, fire captains and others recognizing the day, it is in some ways a more difficult time than the first.
"The first year was so busy with all the functions to go to," said Vivian Najera, aunt of Daniel Hoover-Najera, one of the fallen firefighters. "This year, it seems like the reality has set in that it really happened. Now we have such an empty feeling and miss him even more."
The four members of U.S. Forest Service Engine Crew 57 who died at the scene were Engine Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 43, of Idyllwild; Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto; fire engine operator Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont; and assistant fire engine operator Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan.
The fifth firefighter, Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley, died Oct. 31 at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
In the year following their deaths, there were several events commemorating the five men. Parks and other places were dedicated to them in their hometowns.
On the first anniversary, a moment of silence was observed by San Bernardino National Forest employees.
Today, there will again be a moment of silence at noon.
"It is a time when we will honor our fellow firefighters, who will always be a part of our Forest Service family," said San Bernardino National Forest Fire Chief Mike Dietrich.
On Saturday, Cal Fire also dedicated the new interagency Station 24 in Cabazon in memory of the hundreds of firefighters who fought the Esperanza Fire. There will be a plaque naming the five who fell, Dietrich said.
A moment of silence will also be held at the memorial event Najera has organized at Jo'An's Restaurant in Idyllwild.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and will feature four bands.
There will also be a raffle and CDs will be sold to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a nonprofit that provides assistance to fallen firefighters' families.
"We don't want to sadden everyone," Najera said. "Our goal is to celebrate their lives because they were very loved."
The family of McLean has chosen to honor his memory with the first Jess McLean Memorial Baseball Tournament. It began Saturday and is to continue today at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont.
Games will be held on the field that was named after McLean. Money raised will also be donated to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
Bonnie McKay, the mother of Jason McKay, will mark the day at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley, where her son is buried.
It is a quiet and beautiful place where she has spent many Sundays.
"It seems like it will be even more solemn this time around," she said. "Time has taught us how to deal with it, but it certainly does not heal it."
Source: sbsun.com - Link
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Friends, family of five fallen firefighters to mark second anniversary of their deaths
2nd anniversary reality sets in
By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell
Today is the second anniversary of the day five area firefighters died in the fierce Esperanza Fire in the San Jacinto Mountains.
For the mothers, fathers, fire captains and others recognizing the day, it is in some ways a more difficult time than the first.
"The first year was so busy with all the functions to go to," said Vivian Najera, aunt of Daniel Hoover-Najera, one of the fallen firefighters. "This year, it seems like the reality has set in that it really happened. Now we have such an empty feeling and miss him even more."
The four members of U.S. Forest Service Engine Crew 57 who died at the scene were Engine Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser, 43, of Idyllwild; Hoover-Najera, 20, of San Jacinto; fire engine operator Jess McLean, 27, of Beaumont; and assistant fire engine operator Jason McKay, 27, of Phelan.
The fifth firefighter, Pablo Cerda, 23, of Fountain Valley, died Oct. 31 at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
In the year following their deaths, there were several events commemorating the five men. Parks and other places were dedicated to them in their hometowns.
On the first anniversary, a moment of silence was observed by San Bernardino National Forest employees.
Today, there will again be a moment of silence at noon.
"It is a time when we will honor our fellow firefighters, who will always be a part of our Forest Service family," said San Bernardino National Forest Fire Chief Mike Dietrich.
On Saturday, Cal Fire also dedicated the new interagency Station 24 in Cabazon in memory of the hundreds of firefighters who fought the Esperanza Fire. There will be a plaque naming the five who fell, Dietrich said.
A moment of silence will also be held at the memorial event Najera has organized at Jo'An's Restaurant in Idyllwild.
The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and will feature four bands.
There will also be a raffle and CDs will be sold to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a nonprofit that provides assistance to fallen firefighters' families.
"We don't want to sadden everyone," Najera said. "Our goal is to celebrate their lives because they were very loved."
The family of McLean has chosen to honor his memory with the first Jess McLean Memorial Baseball Tournament. It began Saturday and is to continue today at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont.
Games will be held on the field that was named after McLean. Money raised will also be donated to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
Bonnie McKay, the mother of Jason McKay, will mark the day at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Apple Valley, where her son is buried.
It is a quiet and beautiful place where she has spent many Sundays.
"It seems like it will be even more solemn this time around," she said. "Time has taught us how to deal with it, but it certainly does not heal it."
Source: sbsun.com - Link
Saturday, October 25, 2008
National Fire News Report ~ 10/24/08
(On a scale from 1 to 5)
Current hours for the National Fire Information Center are
(MST) 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday
208-387-5050
This report will be updated Monday and Friday
unless significant activity occurs.
October 24, 2008
Large fire activity was reported in Arizona, California, New Jersey, and Utah.
Weather: Southern California will be warm with very low humidity the next few days. Winds will be light. The mid-Atlantic states will be dry today with rain moving in from the west tonight and Saturday.
Source: National Interagency Coordination Center
| ||
Daily statistics 10/24/08 | ||
Number of new large fires | 0 | States currently reporting large fires: |
Number of active large fires | 3 | |
Acres from active fires | 18,669 | |
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires | 1 | |
Number of Wildland Fire Use (WFU) acres | 1,811 | |
Fires contained since 10/23/08 | 0 | |
Year-to-date large fires contained | 701 | |
Year-to-date statistics | ||
2008 (1/1/08 - 10/24/08) | Fires: 58,950 | Acres: 4,482,023 |
2007 (1/1/07 - 10/24/07) | Fires: 76,285 | Acres: 8,248,271 |
2006 (1/1/06 - 10/24/06) | Fires: 85,998 | Acres: 9,394,740 |
2005 (1/1/05 - 10/24/05) | Fires: 55463 | Acres: 8,236,638 |
2004 (1/1/04 - 10/24/04) | Fires: 62,557 | Acres: 7,912,436 |
2003 (1/1/03 - 10/24/03) | Fires: 54486 | Acres: 3,249,446 |
2002 (1/1/02 - 10/24/02) | Fires: 68,884 | Acres: 6,702,951 |
2001 (1/1/01 - 10/24/01) | Fires: 64,910 | Acres: 3,285,991 |
2000 (1/1/00 - 10/24/00) | Fires: 84,208 | Acres: 6,963,018 |
10-year average | ||
1999 - 2008 | Fires: 71,052 | Acres: 6,435,131 |
Current Wildland Fires | ||||
Arizona | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| WFU Fires: 1 | Acres: 165 | New WFU: 1 | ||
| Marteen (Kaibab National Forest): This Wildland Fire Use incident is being managed for resource benefit. | ||||
California | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| Chalk (Los Padres National Forest): 16,269 acres at 93 percent contained. This fire is located nine miles north of Gorda. Structures are threatened. Evacuations are in effect. Information: Call 805-961-5770 or visit the incident website. | ||||
New Jersey | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| Salders Ditch (New Jersey Forest Fire Service): 1,950 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is located five miles north of Hammonton. | ||||
Utah | Fires: | Acres: | New fires: | Fires contained: 0 |
| Slough 2 (Southeast Area, Utah Department of Forestry): 450 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is located 10 miles north of Moab. | ||||
Editor's Note: Apologies to all on the "lateness" of this report. The NIFC website states that they'll update on Mondays and Fridays. This week's Friday report wasn't posted until this morning, Saturday morning.
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