Red Flag Warnings over the western states for dry lightning thunderstorms

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches posted throughout much of the Western United States for Dry Lightning.

Note: CAL FIRE CNR-30: Special Staffing Pattern initiated for lightning in the Calif. Northern Region / North Ops

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EUREKA CA
1117 AM PDT SUN JUL 25 2010
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. CONTINUE TO CHECK
WEATHER.GOV/ELKO FOR UPDATES.

WESTERN PORTION OF THE SHASTA TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST.-
1117 AM PDT SUN JUL 25 2010

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY OUTFLOW
WINDS FOR FIRE ZONE 283...

THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM PDT THIS
AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 283

* DRY THUNDERSTORMS: THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY
  SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WHILE THESE WILL INITIALLY BE ISOLATED IN
  NATURE...LITTLE OR NO RAIN IS EXPECTED. ADDITIONALLY...
  THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY MAY PERSIST INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.
  THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH MONDAY.

* OUTFLOW WINDS: GUSTY WINDS TO 35 MPH MAY ACCOMPANY DRY
  THUNDERSTORMS. THE GREATEST THREAT FOR THUNDERSTORM INDUCED
  OUTFLOW IS LATE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THIS EVENING BEFORE
  GREATER MOISTURE ARRIVES.

* IMPACTS: GIVEN RECEPTIVE FUELS...ESPECIALLY AT MIDDLE AND LOWER
  ELEVATIONS...AND MINIMAL RAINFALL INITIALLY...LIGHTNING MAY
  RESULT IN WILDFIRE STARTS. WHILE WETTING RAINS MAY ACCOMPANY
  THUNDERSTORMS TODAY...LIGHTNING AWAY FROM THE CORE MAY RESULT
  IN ADDITIONAL WILDFIRE STARTS.

CENTRAL LANDER AND EUREKA COUNTIES-
LANDER/EUREKA COUNTIES SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 50 PLUS NORTHERN NYE
COUNTY-CENTRAL AND WESTERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY-
EASTERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND NORTHWESTERN ELKO COUNTY-

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR DRY
THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE ZONES 454...457...
467 AND 468...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM PDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY OUTFLOW
WINDS FOR FIRE ZONES 454...457... 467 AND 468....

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ELKO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG
WARNING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE
ZONES 454...457... 467 AND 468...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT
THIS EVENING. THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM
PDT THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS
AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE ZONES 454...457... 467 AND 468...

THIS RED FLAG WARNING AND FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS FOR THE FOLLOWING
FIRE WEATHER ZONES: 
454 - LANDER AND EUREKA COUNTIES BETWEEN I-80 AND HIGHWAY 50
457 - NORTHERN NYE COUNTY AND SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 50 IN LANDER AND
EUREKA COUNTIES
468 - EASTERN HUMBOLDT COUNTY AND NORTHWESTERN ELKO COUNTY
469 - SOUTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL ELKO COUNTY

* DRY THUNDERSTORMS: ISOLATED TO SCATTERED DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE
  EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATER THIS AFTERNOON. THUNDERSTORMS WILL
  TRANSITION FROM DRY TO WET FROM WEST TO EAST BEGINNING MONDAY
  AFTERNOON.

* OUTFLOW WINDS: ERRATIC OUTFLOW WINDS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH ARE
  POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS.

* IMPACTS: LIGHTNING FROM THUNDERSTORMS MAY CREATE NEW FIRE
  STARTS AND COMBINE WITH STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS TO PRODUCE RAPID
  FIRE GROWTH.

WHITE PINE COUNTY-SOUTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL ELKO COUNTY-
EASTERN ELKO COUNTY-

THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM PDT THIS
EVENING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY
OUTFLOW WINDS FOR FIRE ZONES 455...469 AND 470.
THIS FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS FOR THE FOLLOWING FIRE WEATHER ZONES:
455 - WHITE PINE COUNTY
469 - SOUTHWESTERN AND CENTRAL ELKO COUNTY
470 - EASTERN ELKO COUNTY

* DRY THUNDERSTORMS: ISOLATED TO SCATTERED DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE
  POSSIBLE SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY. THUNDERSTORMS WILL TRANSITION
  FROM DRY TO WET FROM WEST TO EAST BEGINNING MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* OUTFLOW WINDS: ERRATIC OUTFLOW WINDS OF 45 MPH ARE POSSIBLE
  WITH THE STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS.

* IMPACTS: LIGHTNING FROM THUNDERSTORMS MAY CREATE NEW FIRE
  STARTS AND COMBINE WITH STRONG OUTFLOW WINDS TO PRODUCE RAPID
  FIRE GROWTH.

Utah: SANPETE AND SEVIER VALLEYS-WEST CENTRAL DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS-
SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS-
.AFTER A PROLONGED DRY SPELL ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION...MOISTURE
IS FORECAST TO SURGE NORTHWARD ACROSS MUCH OF UTAH MONDAY INTO
MONDAY NIGHT. SCATTERED DRY THUNDERSTORMS ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG
MICROBURST WINDS CAN BE EXPECTED MONDAY AFTERNOON INTO MONDAY
EVENING WITH THIS INITIAL SURGE OF MOISTURE ACROSS MOST WESTERN
AND CENTRAL VALLEYS. DEEP MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO QUICKLY MOVE
NORTH INTO THE AREA MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY...ALLOWING FOR A
TRANSITION TO WET THUNDERSTORMS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK...AS
WELL AS MUCH HIGHER RH VALUES.

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS AND GUSTY OUTFLOW WINDS FOR
FIRE ZONES 433...434 AND 435...

* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 433 SANPETE AND SEVIER VALLEYS...
  FIRE ZONE 434 WEST CENTRAL DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS...FIRE ZONE
  435 SOUTHWEST DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS.

* THUNDERSTORMS: SCATTERED DRY THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO
  DEVELOP MONDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS THE VALLEYS OF WEST CENTRAL AND
  SOUTHWEST UTAH...AND CONTINUE INTO MONDAY EVENING. DRY
  LIGHTNING...WITH LITTLE IF ANY MEASURABLE RAINFALL...CAN BE
  EXPECTED THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

* OUTFLOW WINDS: STRONG MICROBURST WINDS...WITH GUSTS IN EXCESS OF
  50 MPH...WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH THUNDERSTORMS MONDAY AFTERNOON
  AND EVENING.

* IMPACTS: DRY LIGHTNING MAY CAUSE NUMEROUS FIRE STARTS MONDAY
  AFTERNOON AND EVENING...WITH GUSTY MICROBURST WINDS RESULTING IN
  ERRATIC FIRE BEHAVIOR.1200Z-100727T0600Z/
SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS-EASTERN ROGUE VALLEY-SOUTHERN OREGON CASCADES-
KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST-
244 AM PDT SUN JUL 25 2010

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO
5 AM PDT MONDAY FOR LIGHTNING WITH INSUFFICIENT MOISTURE FOR FIRE
ZONES 621...622...623...AND 624...

FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING FOR LIGHTNING WITH INSUFFICIENT MOISTURE FOR FIRE
ZONES 621...622...623...AND 624...

* THUNDERSTORMS: SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED. STORMS
  WILL START OUT SOMEWHAT DRY THIS AFTERNOON...BUT WILL BECOME
  MORE WET WITH TIME INTO THIS EVENING. MONDAY STORMS WILL BE
  WET...WITH LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE.

* OUTFLOW WINDS: OUTFLOW WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 45 MPH ARE
  POSSIBLE IN AND NEAR STRONG THUNDERSTORM CELLS. THE STRONGEST
  WINDS GUSTS ARE EXPECTED EAST OF THE CASCADES.

* IMPACTS: DUE TO HIGH FIRE DANGER WITH DRY TO VERY DRY FUELS
  SCATTERED LIGHTNING WILL RESULT IN A HIGH PROBABILITY OF A
  SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NEW FIRE STARTS.

* TIMING: MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY WILL BEGIN TO ARRIVE FROM
  THE SOUTH THIS MORNING WITH THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING BY THIS
  AFTERNOON AND INCREASING INTO THIS EVENING. A DECREASE IN
  ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED IN THE OVERNIGHT AND MORNING MONDAY...
  BUT STORMS WILL INCREASE AGAIN MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
...SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL POSE A FIRE THREAT TODAY THROUGH
MONDAY OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SOUTHERN OREGON...

.SOUTH FLOW WITH AMPLE MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY WILL LEAD TO
DEVELOPING THUNDERSTORMS OVER PARTS OF THE REGION THIS AFTERNOON.
SOME STORMS WILL BEGIN DRY...BUT THE ATMOSPHERE WILL MOISTEN
WITH TIME INTO TONIGHT. ACTIVITY SHOULD DECREASE LATER
TONIGHT...BUT WILL INCREASE AGAIN IN A SIMILAR FASHION MONDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON DESERT INCLUDING THE BLM LAND IN EASTERN
LAKE AND WESTERN HARNEY COUNTIES-

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 5 AM PDT
MONDAY FOR LIGHTNING WITH INSUFFICIENT MOISTURE FOR FIRE ZONE
625...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY EVENING FOR LIGHTNING WITH INSUFFICIENT MOISTURE FOR FIRE
ZONE 625...

 * AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 625
 * THUNDERSTORMS: SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED. STORMS
   WILL START OUT SOMEWHAT DRY LATE THIS MORNING...BUT WILL BECOME
   MORE WET WITH TIME INTO THIS EVENING. STORMS ARE EXPECTED TO
   WEAKEN OVERNIGHT.

 * OUTFLOW WINDS: OUTFLOW WIND GUSTS OF 30 TO 45 MPH ARE POSSIBLE
   IN AND NEAR STRONG THUNDERSTORM CELLS.

 * IMPACTS: DUE TO HIGH FIRE DANGER WITH DRY TO VERY DRY FUELS
   SCATTERED LIGHTNING WILL RESULT IN A HIGH PROBABILITY OF A
   SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NEW FIRE STARTS.

 * TIMING: MOISTURE AND INSTABILITY WILL BEGIN TO ARRIVE FROM THE
   SOUTH EARLY THIS MORNING WITH THUNDERSTORMS DEVELOPING BY LATE
   THIS MORNING AND INCREASING THIS AFTERNOON AND INTO THIS EVENING.
   A DECREASE IN ACTIVITY IS EXPECTED IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...BUT
   STORMS WILL INCREASE AGAIN MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND WILL
   BE WETTER.

Update on the fire activity in Western Nevada and Eastern California.

News and Notes: Update on the fire activity in Western Nevada.

  

Update: 3-9 (Russel) Fire Update, located east of Straylor Lake (Lassen County) has now burned 200 acres.Update: Per SouthOps @1130hrs; The Potato Fire (NV-HTF-701) Fire is now 525 acres with 20% percent contained. This fire is BLM jurisdiction with the Unified ordering point being the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center. A road closure being put in place to southbound access to Geiger Grade Rd. intersection to Bodie Mountain. Ground resources continue to build and improve hand line construction while patrolling the fire. Priority is to strengthen the eastern flank of the fire perimeter. There is the potential for further unstable weather to pass through area today.

Potato Fire(NV-HTF-701) is at 525 acres 20%, 5 mi east of Bridgeport CA (Hwy395 x182); North of Mono Lake. A type 3 IMT from the Inyo National Forest will be assigned. H-520 and HT-6CH committed to the Potato Fire. Resources from CA-INF: E-11, E-12, Boundary Peak IHC, Crew-2, and BC and PT for overhead support. Stanislaus IHC also committed.
CAL FIRE S-2'S T-82 & T-83 worked fire yesterday(7-24)
Constantia Fire is 150 acres, L-81, H-5KA, HT-737 committed to the Constantia Fire. Diamond Mtn IHC committed to the Constantia Fire.
Roberts Fire near Hallelujah Jtc. is 220 acres
Garson Fire (mutual aide with Reno Fire Department) is 30 acres.
Rock Creek Fire (NV-WID) north of Gerlach reported at 500 acres. Ordering resources from Susanville. H-0CR (Elko Helitack), J-49 and T-410 committed to the Rock Creek Fire.

Source: http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/information/newsandnotes.htm

Northern California lightning activity starts numerous wildland fires

Approximately 450 lightning strikes hit the GACC yesterday. Several small fires are burning on the Plumas National Forest, Tahoe National Forest, Lassen National Park, and Northern CA BLM, as well as the Carson City District of BLM and the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest. We are beginning to process some resource orders for this activity.

Lightning has started several fires in Northern California. The Tahoe National Forest is currently working a 50+ acre fire near Vinton. There is a fire burning near Doyle, CA, managed by the Carson City District of BLM which is 200+ acres; at least 2 residences are reported lost. Lighting is expected to continue tomorrow.
 Source: ONCC -GACC Link

Off Duty Death: Dixon Fire Department - James "Cody" Robben

The morning of July 23rd, 2010, the Dixon Fire Department lost a member of its fire department family.  It is with great sadness that the Dixon Fire Department announces the passing of one of our own firefighters, James “Cody” Robben.  Cody was 24 years old. Cody died as a result of injuries received in a motor vehicle accident while off duty.  The Dixon Fire Department was the agency who responded to the scene.  The Vacaville Fire Department also responded to the scene and assisted with the incident. Cody served the Dixon Fire Department since 2006.  His father, Tony Robben, also served the department for 30 years, retiring as a Captain. This comes as the department was preparing to honor Firefighter Robben for his heroic actions just last week.  Cody was off duty and observed a subject lying unconscious on the ground in a rural area.  Cody stopped and took action, summoning the Dixon Fire Department and rendering aid to the victim.  Without Cody’s intervention, the results could have been tragic.  This was Cody’s nature; to pitch in when it was needed, anywhere, anytime. Cody grew up in the Dixon Fire Department family, and so it was only natural that he followed in his father’s footsteps.  Cody and his father have been very active in department as well as social functions.  Cody was always ready and willing to help when asked, and always did it with a smile and good attitude.  Cody will be greatly missed by his fire department family.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time. Source:  http://www.ci.dixon.ca.us/fire/index.html City of Dixon 600 East A Street Dixon, CA. 95620 (707) 678-7000

CA-TNF-INA - Wildland Fire Tahoe National forest - 64 acres

CA-TNF-INA-, Tahoe National forest - Mount Ina area, threat to town of Loyalton
wildland fire in Tahoe National Forest mount Ida area, is a growing threat to town of Loyalton  
 Location: It is on the Tahoe. The name of the fire is CA-TNF-Ina.
Staging area: Hwy. 49 and Dyson Lane north of Loyalton, CA.
Fire conditions: Erratic fire behavior due to "T-Cells" in area, fire is experiencing extreme winds. Very heavy precipitation over fire. Air resources grounded due to weather
Resources:
Air: T-88 and Air Attack 69, H-514
 Note 1930hrs: NEU Immediate need code 3 strike team 9230C heading to wildland fire in Tahoe National Forest mount Ida area,consisting of BC2313, E2362, E2363, E2361, E2388, E2378 and single resource DT-2340
Freqs: Command is Tahoe Fire net
Google map of area:  Link

CA-VAC-Meridian - Vegetation fire - 2 injured, 1 home lost, numerous vehicles

CA-VAC-Meridian
Reportedly at least one home lost, numerous vehicles destroyed.
Injuries: One firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, one female civilian suffered severe burn injuries in related structure fire

1700hrs Both Fires declared under control
1640hrs Per NEWS 10 reporting a 2nd fire in area..
"On the way there, News10 reporter snapped a picture of a second blaze burning near a power substation, also on Midway Road."

 Evacuations in progress

 1630hrs Fox40 news reported 5 acres, multiple vehicles lost and evacuations in progress.

Contra Costa is forming a type 1 S/T as well.

 1620hrs  6 alarm fire and involves units from almost all Solano County departments, and mutual aid from Sacramento and Yolo County agencies.
Reported as large vegetation fire by CHP
Location: Meridian Rd at Midway Road near Vacaville in Solano County. Mutual Aid responding from Yolo County.
Resources: Fire is in OES Region 2, Out of County Mutual Aid resources are from OES Region 4. out of county strike teams type 1's and 3's on scene working the fire along with a task force.

No further info at this time.

Man arrested for alleged disturbance at Calif. fire station

He reportedly continued screaming at Fire Chief Wayne Peabody and Capt. Skip Sykes at Willows fire station in Shasta County

WILLOWS, Calif. — A Shasta County man who owns property in Glenn County was arrested Tuesday when he refused to leave the Willows fire station, where he came to complain about a bill for abatement fees totaling $10,000.
Fire Chief Wayne Peabody and Capt. Skip Sykes encountered Millville resident Jeffrey Haynes, 58, inside the lobby area of the station, at 445 S. Butte St.
Both fire officials provided Haynes with information about contesting the abatement fees to the City Council.
Peabody said Haynes had been satisfied in years past to let the city handle weed abatement on his property, then bill him. Peabody said the city changed contractors, and some additional work needed on Haynes' property made the bill higher than he was used to paying.
Haynes reportedly continued screaming at the men in a threatening manner. Peabody reportedly asked him to leave the premises numerous times, but he allegedly refused, and continued to yell.
Peabody called police, who responded and also told Haynes about the fee appeals process.
Haynes reportedly refused to stop yelling. After three warnings police took Haynes into custody on suspicion of trespassing and resisting arrest.
He was booked into the Glenn County jail with bail set at $4,000, but later released on a signed promise to appear.
"We don't like being in the abatement business," Peabody said. "We'd be much happier if people just took care of their property."

Source: The Chico Enterprise-Record link

Yosemite NP - Three New Fires - Two are Lightning Caused Fires

Yosemite Fire Information

Two lightning caused fires were discovered yesterday, July 19, 2010, on the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne River. Smoke was reported visible from the east near the Waterwheel Fall area.  Yosemite received lightning late last week and into the past weekend along the Sierra crest.  It is not unusual to find these fires a few days after thunderstorms. 

These remote fires are approximately at the 8000’ elevation and within two miles of each other. They are in designated wilderness, and located in Tuolumne County. Firefighters were flown into the fire area today to monitor the fires.  They will gather data to assess the fire spread potential and observe fire behavior.  Additionally, they will collect adjacent fuels and other vegetation information, determine fuel moistures, locate natural fire barriers, and place trail warning signs as needed.  Based on the data collection the fires will be considered to be managed for multiple objectives. 

Tuolumne:  37 57.024 x 119 32.582.  It is 1/10 of an acre and west of the Wildcat 2 fire and Rodgers Creek.  It has a slight to moderate potential to spread.  Light smoke was visible. It is burning in short needle conifer vegetation and brush, on a south aspect.

Wildcat 2: 37 56.865 x 119 30.447 - It is 2.8 acres and has moderate potential to spread with light smoke visible.  It is on the south side of Register Creek and north of last summer’s Wildcat fire.  It is also burning in short needle conifer and brush, on a south aspect.  Seventy-five percent of the perimeter is active and mostly burning the brush.
There are three historical fires in this area:  1948, 1985 and last year’s 2009, Wildcat fire.
Suppression Fire: 
Footbridge:  37 46.319x119 32.275 – This .10 acre fire was discovered July 20, 2010, and is in Mariposa County.  It is burning in heavy fuels, many of which are snags, (standing dead trees.)  Light smoke was visible from Glacier point, and was dispersing to the northwest. The fire is near the Snow Creek footbridge and is N/W of Basket Dome.  It is within the suppression zone, and is being put out by Helicopter 551 and helitack hand-crews.  The cause is unknown.

In the weather report, there is a chance of thunderstorms later this week and into the weekend.

Another update will be out in the next few days as new data is collected, including photos.  Additional maps and photos will be posted to the Yosemite Webpage as they become available. 
  
“The National Park Service manages wildland fire to protect the public, communities and infrastructure, conserve natural and cultural resources and restore and maintain ecological health.”

For Additional Information: 

• Fire Information and Education Office:  (209) 372-0480
• Yosemite Online:  www.nps.gov/yose/fire

Sacramento Fire Department PPE problems continue

Sacramento Fire Department investigates whether crew followed procedures before blast

Sacramento Fire Department officials say they are investigating whether fire crew members followed proper procedures and were wearing appropriate protective gear before an explosion that destroyed an Oak Park house and injured four firefighters.
Radio communication released Tuesday by the department reveals how a routine call escalated for firefighters when the house exploded July 5.
The recording reveals that the incident initially was fairly routine but became more dramatic, dangerous and potentially deadly. Four firefighters ultimately were hurt when the house exploded, though all four are home from the hospital.
The cause of the fire and blast remains under investigation.
Capt. Jonathan Burgess, a Fire Department spokesman, said the investigation also will look at whether firefighters, who suffered burns to their faces and hands, should have been wearing protective masks and gloves.
"As far as we know, they weren't wearing masks at the time the explosion occurred," Burgess said, but it has not been determined whether they were wearing gloves.
Firefighters are trained to get off the engine with their gloves on, Burgess said, but gloves have to be removed to put on protective face pieces.
Gloves and masks are designed to prevent or lessen injuries, he said. Individual firefighters should make sure they are wearing appropriate protective gear, he said, but it also is the responsibility of the direct supervisor to see that they do so.
Burgess confirmed that Cal-OSHA recently fined the department $8,100 for safety violations in a January garage fire in which a firefighter suffered second-degree burns to his hands.
But in the July 5 incident, Burgess said, firefighters thought the situation was winding down when the explosion occurred.
"It was a typical run-of-the-mill gas-leak call," said Capt. Jim Doucette, a department spokesman. "Crews got there, they reported the conditions: a house, people standing outside, an odor of gas."
Doucette said firefighters communicated that they shut off gas and electricity, that utility crews had been notified and that a hose line had been put in place.
"And then they were actually going to release one of the engines," Doucette said. "But within a matter of a few moments, they started calling 'Mayday.' The house had exploded. Ambulances were called. It was a pretty hectic scene. You will hear it all."

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/07/14/2888671/sacramento-fire-department-investigates.html#ixzz0uFPqTUFI

Stanislaus NF Firefighter Battling Cancer - Tommy Lane Fundraiser

Golf tournament fundraiser to benefit SNF Dozer Operator Tommy Lane.

Tommy Lane, Fire Dozer Operator on the Stanislaus National Forest, has been diagnosed with cancer.

He has accumulated many co-payments and insurance deductibles, making keeping up with his medical bills a challenge.

Friends of Tommy have started an account at Wells Fargo Bank to help with medical bills.

Please consider attending the Golf Tournament or donating to help support this great cause. You can go into any Wells Fargo Bank and donate to Account #995-734-0244.

Tommy Lane Fundraiser