CA-NEU- BRIDGE IC - WILDLAND FIRE - 56 acres 100%

Bridge #WildFire Incident Information:
Last Updated: October 12, 2010 8:30 am
Date/Time Started: October 11, 2010 3:50 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE Nevada Yuba Placer Unit/Placer County Fire
County: Placer County
Location: Baseline and Walerga Road, west of Roseville.
Acres Burned: Containment 56 acres - 100% contained.
 IA: Fire started in Roseville near Baseline and Walerga roads around 4:00p.m., Initial attack involved rapid ROS in fine grass fuels fanned by very strong winds, with multiple structure threats requiring PCSO evacuations.
Mopup: Fire was under control by 1700hrs with no structure loss, some fence-line burned. full containment expected 0800 Tuesday.

CA-LODD: Firefighter Jim Saunders, Sac Metro FD funeral details

Line of Duty Death: Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District firefighter James Saunders

Updates : For condolences or participation in Funeral Event, please click here

SAUNDERS, James C.
James (Jim) Carlyle Saunders passed away Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the age of 52. He died at Mercy San Juan Hospital in Citrus Heights, California from injuries sustained while fighting a grass fire near Haggin Oaks Golf Course. 

Jim was born July 1, 1958 in Arcadia, California. In 1974, Jim enlisted with the US Navy as a Boatswain's Mate. He served with honor until 1975. On July 1, 1988, Jim was hired as a full-time Firefighter with the American River Fire Protection District. Prior to that, he worked as a Firefighter for Sloughhouse Fire Department and was a Captain for Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. He later promoted to Assistant Chief with the Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. Jim worked at Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Fire Station 101, located at 3000 Fulton Avenue, in the Sacramento community of Arden-Arcade. Jim proudly served his community for 22 years. From 2002 to 2005, Firefighter Saunders held a Deputy Director position for the California State Firefighters' Association. He also had a long affiliation with the American Legion and took that one step further by holding a position on the Board of Directors for the American Legion Post 108 Ambulance Service, serving Amador County. 

Jim's last act as a community servant was to donate his organs, which will benefit three people. His family and his Metro Fire family are very proud of him. Jim is survived by his wife, Holly Jo Saunders; son Erik Hackett; daughter Rachel Hackett-Hernandez (son-in-law Karl Andrew Joseph Hernandez II); grandchildren James, Lucius and Ewan; parents Abe and Alice Saunders; three sisters Colleen Saunders, Kathleen Saunders and Diane Saunders; many nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at Sacramento State University located at 6000 J Street at Hornet Stadium. This will be a traditional line of duty death fire service funeral including a ringing of the bell for the last alarm, a fly-over, and a procession of fire apparatus from the funeral to the reception. Reception will immediately follow the funeral, it will be held at Cal Expo - Expo Center Building 4 & 5 located at 1600 Exposition Boulevard -- enter through Cal Expo main gate. Interment will be private. 

Metro Fire will continue to update the website, www.sacmetrofire.ca.gov, with details about the services. In lieu of flowers and gifts donations can be made to the Firefighters Burn Institute at hotu ffburn.org. 

Memorial donations can also be sent to the Sacramento Area Firefighters Widows and Orphans fund by visiting www.saffwidowsandorphans.org. Thank you to the fire service family all over Sacramento for assisting the family with a traditional service for an honorable and admirable man

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sacbee/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=145860623#ixzz124hadDNV

CAL FIRE: Chief Walters monthly Chief's Message announces his retirement

Chief Walters' Monthly Message

October is a month of awareness, observance and remembrance. As we see and feel the change of seasons, it is a time for reflection. In doing so, I have recently reached a decision that I want to share. I will be retiring from CAL FIRE at the end of the year.

My wife, Janet, has been battling Multiple Sclerosis and a number of other disorders for over 25 years. During September, she experienced a profound decline in her health. I have often advised those who work for me to know their priorities in life and act accordingly. It is time to follow my own advice.

I made it known to those who asked that it was my desire to continue working into the next administration. Like the leaves of autumn, things change.

I debated when to make the announcement. No one wants to be thought of as a lame duck, but I do believe I owe it to those who will take this department into the future to know my plans. I hope it will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I intend to remain fully engaged until my last day, so this is not a goodbye message. It is more fair warning to the people of CAL FIRE to buckle down and prepare for a very busy three months.


Del Walters, Chief
Director

Original article link

#EDIS #FIRE WEATHER WATCH - NOPS - NORTH SF BAY MOUNTAINS

[EDIS] FIRE WEATHER WATCH 6 pm Monday through 6 am Wednesday for the North and East Bay Hills for gusty offshore winds and low humidity

AFTER A WARM DAY ON MONDAY...GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS WILL DEVELOP DURING THE EVENING HOURS OF MONDAY IN THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS.
EXPECT POOR RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERY WITH SUSTAINED NORTHEAST WINDS FROM 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.
WARM AND DRY WEATHER WILL PERSIST THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON. ALTHOUGH WINDS WILL BE MUCH LIGHTER TUESDAY NIGHT THERE WILL BE LITTLE OR NO RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERY INTO  WEDNESDAY MORNING. ONSHORE WINDS WILL RETURN BY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. ...

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR THE NORTH BAY HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN NAPA...SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.  *
AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 507 NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS WHICH INCLUDES THE HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN NAPA...SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE FORECAST IN NAPA COUNTY. *
TIMING: GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS WILL DEVELOP SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET MONDAY NIGHT IN THE HILLS. THE PERIOD OF STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE THE OVERNIGHT HOURS OF MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. WARM AND  DRY WEATHER WITH POOR RH RECOVERY WILL PERSIST THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. 
WIND: NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS FROM 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ABOVE 1500 FEET...STRONGEST WINDS IN NAPA COUNTY. 
HUMIDITY: RH VALUES WILL STAY BETWEEN 15 AND 30 PERCENT FROM MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
IMPACTS: THE COMBINATION OF A CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER PATTERN AND DRY FUELS COULD LEAD TO INCREASED FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE REGION SHOULD ANY IGNITIONS OCCUR. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... &&

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

Area: NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda

Sent: 2010-10-10T09:00:30-07:00

Original Sender: KMTR@nwws.oes.ca.gov

From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

FIRE WEATHER WATCH - NORCAL - EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN FRANCISCO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...

WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING

AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 511 EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE THIS INCLUDES THE HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN ALAMEDA...CONTRA COSTA AND SANTA CLARA COUNTIES.
TIMING: THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP SHORTLY AFTER SUNSET MONDAY NIGHT AND CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. WARM AND DRY WEATHER WILL PERSIST THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING.
WIND: NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS FROM 15 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH ABOVE 1500 FEET. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED IN THE EAST BAY HILLS OF ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WITH LIGHTER WINDS IN THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY HILLS.
HUMIDITY: HUMIDITY VALUES WILL STAY BETWEEN 15 AND 30 PERCENT FROM MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.
IMPACTS: THE COMBINATION OF A CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER PATTERN AND DRY FUELS COULD LEAD TO INCREASED FIRE ACTIVITY ACROSS THE REGION SHOULD ANY IGNITIONS OCCUR.
 Instruction:
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Area: EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE-

Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda

New Lightning Fires in Yosemite

Over the past week Yosemite took over 1000 lightning strikes with several
new fire starts in various areas of the park. 

Along with the lightning Yosemite had several inches of rainfall, giving the existing fires low
potential for growth. Each day new smokes are detected and put onto a list to be evaluated once the weather clears.

Since October 1st, Yosemite received over 1000 lightning strikes and at least 21 confirmed new fires along with about 2 - 3" of rain across the park (see attached map).

9 of the 21 new fires are near Yosemite's front country in the 'fire suppression unit'. Of those nine, four have been actively suppressed and the rest are not currently showing any smoke or could not be found. 

12 of the 21 new fires are in Yosemite's 'wildland fire unit' (8 in Mariposa County and 3 in Tuolumne County) and are being considered for management under a multiple objectives strategy which includes resource benefits.

Due to the amount of rain received, only a few of those 12 are currently active and visible from park roadways. Those include the South Fork fire about a mile east of Aspen Valley and the Smokey Jack near the S. Fork Tuolumne River bridge on the Tioga Rd. - both
in Tuolumne County; and the Turner fire on Turner Ridge about a mile east
of the Wawona Road at Alder Creek.

Very little fire activity and growth is expected over the next several days until conditions dry out and firefighters will monitor all of the fires over the weekend.

Attached is the fires that YNP currently have as "active" though some are likely out.
Yosemite fire location map .pdf Link

CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit: Los Angeles Stair Climb 2010

The US Bank Tower, located in downtown Los Angeles, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi. It stands more than 1000 feet tall with 75 stories and a total of 1,500 steps.

CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit: Los Angeles Stair Climb 2010:  "Elevators Are For Wimps" is the yearly motto in Los Angeles every September.

The US Bank Tower, located in downtown Los Angeles, is the tallest building west of the Mississippi. It stands more than 1000 feet tall with 75 stories and a total of 1,500 steps. The Ketchum-Downtown YMCA, which is located inside the US Bank Tower, holds an annual charity event to raise money for kids, teens and adults. It is a growing event which raises money for preschools, teachers, school supplies, youth programs, college counseling and senior fitness programs. From Left to Right:

Engineer Jeff Silva ~ FFII Medic Steve Ismerio ~ Captain Josh Janssen ~ FFII Medic Steve Leverette

On September 24, 2010, the San Bernardino Unit (BDU) Fire Personnel listed above returned to Los Angeles for the 2010 Ketchum-Downtown YMCA Annual Stair Climb. This is the fourth consecutive year that our Unit has participated in this event. The first year we participated in the event, we were the only CAL FIRE Team. This year there were nine CAL FIRE Teams and several other Fire Department Teams from all across the State. Most individuals train for months to be able to climb this building; And they only wear workout gear and tennis shoes. A few years ago they (Ketchum-Downtown YMCA) decided to add a "High Rise Heroes" division to honor the Fallen FDNY Firemen. This entails completing the event in full Structure Fire Protective Equipment that the members of FDNY were wearing during their climb up the Twin Towers (9/11/2001). The equipment adds around 60 lbs. to that of your body weight. This year we completed the event in right at 40 minutes.

As you can see, the view from the top is amazing.

The events total dollar amount raised this year was $281,290.00.

Congratulations to all whom participated !

Source: Posted by CAL FIRE BDU at 1:57 PM

#SAR NEWS: #Chile #Rescue Shaft Reaches 33 Miners Trapped For Months

#SAR NEWS: #Rescue shaft drill has pierced the roof of underground San Jose #mine in #Chile where 33 men have been trapped since August 5

Chilean Mine Rescue Joy
Photo credit: news.com.au

The special drill broke through to their cavern in the collapsed Copper and Gold mine more than 2,000 feet underground, creating a shaft just wide enough for a specially designed escape capsule to pass through. Siren's sounded throughout "Camp Hope," confirming the breakthrough. Rescuers plan to start pulling the men out one by one as early as Tuesday.

Update:  The miners have decided they will not be transported to regional hospital until all the miners have reached safety above ground.

The plan: The miners will be initially examined at a field hospital where they can briefly reunited with up to three close relatives. Then, they'll be flown by helicopter in small groups to the regional hospital in Copiapo, were a wing of 33 fresh beds await to care for them for no fewer than 48 hours. After their physical and mental health is examined will they be allowed to go home.

The "Plan B" drill won a three-way race against two other drills to carve a hole wide enough for an escape capsule to pull the miners out one by one.

While "Plan A" and "Plan C" stalled after repeatedly veering off course, the "Plan B" drill reached the miners at a point 2,047 feet (624 meters) below the surface after pushing through the final 128 feet (39 meters) overnight.

If today's close video examination persuades engineers that the shaft is smooth, strong and uniform enough to let the capsule pass without significant obstacles, then rescuers plan to start pulling the men out one by one as early as Tuesday.


 Sixty-six days after their gold and copper mine collapsed above them a drill broke through to their underground cavern.


But now comes a difficult judgment call: The rescue team must decide whether it's more risky to pull the miners through unreinforced rock, or to insert tons of heavy steel pipe into the curved shaft to protect the miners on their way up.

Steel pipe would prevent stones from falling and potentially jamming the capsule, but it wouldn't save a miner if the unstable mine suffers another major collapse, and might itself provoke a disastrous setback, Mining Minister Laurence Golborne said.

"You would have to put though a 600-meter hole a lot of pipes that weigh more than 150 tons," he warned. "And this structure can be set in a position that also could block the movement of the Phoenix (escape capsule). It's not an decision easy to make."

California Fire Foundation lauds increase in Firefighter plate fees

Legislation Bolsters Services for Families of Fallen Firefighters

It's been over 15 years since the California firefighter license plate made its debut on the highways and byways of the Golden State.
Now, families of fallen firefighters will be able to hold on to their keepsake plate, and firefighters will enjoy continuing protection through the services of the California Fire Foundation, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, founded by the California Professional Firefighters.
SB 88, authored by Mark DeSaulnier (D-Antioch), will raise the cost of issuing a firefighter license plate from $35 to $50 and of renewing registration for these plates from $20 to $35. All proceeds benefit the California Fire Foundation and its victim assistance programs, public education campaigns and its maintenance of the California Firefighter Memorial in Sacramento's Capitol Park.
The increase in fees is the first ever imposed in the 15-year history of the license plate program. The hike brings these fees into line with those of all other specialty license plates in California.
"We are grateful for the support of our firefighter license plate program," said CPF President and California Fire Foundation Chair Lou Paulson. "With the passage of this legislation, the California Fire Foundation can continue to meet the needs of our fire service community in California. It will benefit us all."
The legislation also strikes the previous requirement that forced spouses of fallen firefighters to surrender or request to keep their spouse's firefighter license plate within 60 days. Firefighter license plates will now be automatically transferred to spouses of fallen firefighters or to specified family members for heirloom purposes, if there is no surviving spouse.
The California firefighter license plate program was designed and created by California Professional Firefighters. Using an image from the 1991 box office hit, "Backdraft," the California firefighter license plate has become a key trademark within the fire service, enabling only active and retired firefighters to purchase these plates for display on their automobiles, trucks, trailers and motorcycles.

Source article: California Fire Foundation Link

Fort Ord: Prescribed burn sucessful - 170+ acres

A helicopter uses a helitorch to ignite vegetation  (VERN FISHER/The Herald)

U.S. Army conducted a prescribed burn at Fort Ord on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The fires burned more than 170 acres west of Barloy Canyon Road. The Army prescribed burns have concluded. Prescribed burns clear vegetation, making it easier to remove unexploded ordnance.