California Fire News - Updates in your mail box

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• Tracy Fire Department makes rain...Kids get wet
• 911 News: Michael Jackson 911 Call Released
• SFFD: Fire department feels the pain as $6 million axed from budget
• Heat Advisory: San Francisco Bay Area and Interior Valleys

Tracy Fire Department makes rain...Kids get wet Posted: 26 Jun 2009 02:21 PM PDT On a hot day, students savor a perfect storm by Glenn Moore - Tracy Press story link Students from the Tracy Learning Center beat the heat by frolicking under a jet of water coming from Tracy Fire's Truck 91 to celebrate the next to last day of school Thursday. Students were treated to a "Water Day" filled with small pools, water slides and a visit from the firefighters who used the nozzle on the truck to cool off the students before heading out to summer break. The eighth-graders will have their graduation ceremony on Friday. See All The Great Photos by Glenn Moore/Tracy Press - Link

911 News: Michael Jackson 911 Call Released Posted: 26 Jun 2009 03:09 PM PDT Listen In: Michael Jackson 911 Call Released A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helicopter lifts off from the UCLA Medical Center, carrying the body of Michael Jackson to the morgue (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) TMZ got their hands on the audio from the 911 call yesterday from Michael Jackson's rental home in Holmby Hills. They never identify the 50-year-old man who is not breathing as Jackson, but do say that a doctor is there present with him: Play Michael Jackson 911 Call audio - That doctor, by the way, was being sought by police for questioning, He's Dr. Conrad Murray, 51, a cardiologist from Las Vegas. The police investigation is routine, the LAPD said in a statement released last night, but they did impound the doctor's parked on Jackson's property. When EMTs arrived, they apparently wanted to pronounce Jackson dead, but Murray refused to let them "call it," according to TMZ who also says a family source believes Jackson died from his daily Demerol injection. A video shown on TV last night of the ambulance backing out of Jackson's driverway showed EMTs calmly, but slowly, backing out of the driveway. Article source: LAist - Link This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

SFFD: Fire department feels the pain as $6 million axed from budget Posted: 26 Jun 2009 11:44 AM PDT San Francisco supervisors budget committee To Cut $6 Million from Fire Department during the next fiscal year. "Station 2 would be the first engine company browned out, followed by Station 21 on Grove Street. I don't want to go there," she said, "but I feel compelled to just let you know that's where we're at, supervisors." - Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White Despite dire warnings that staffing levels at San Francisco fire houses would be lower every day the supervisors budget committee proceeded to to take an axe to the SFFD budget. Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White's pleas to leave public safety alone went unheeded. The budget committee continues its work next week.

Heat Advisory: San Francisco Bay Area and Interior Valleys Posted: 26 Jun 2009 10:01 AM PDT TEMPERATURES WILL WARM RAPIDLY ON SATURDAY AS AN AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS STRONGLY OVER CALIFORNIA AND LIGHT OFFSHORE FLOW DEVELOPS. HOT TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE ON SUNDAY AS WELL. HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE 90S TO AS HIGH AS 101. OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY NIGHT WILL ONLY DROP INTO THE UPPER 50S TO AROUND 70 DEGREES. Instruction: A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THIS WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: STAY HYDRATED! DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS. STAY IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM STAY OUT OF THE SUN CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO HEAT ASK FOR A FRIEND OR RELATIVE TO CHECK ON YOU FREQUENTLY. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT... LIGHT COLORED ... LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING. WEAR A HAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM THE SUN. YOUNG CHILDREN AND PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT IN VEHICLES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DURING WARM OR HOT WEATHER. HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 8 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR THE INTERIOR VALLEYS OF THE NORTH AND EAST BAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible NORTH BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS-EAST BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS- Update sent at 05:36 PDT on 2009-06-26 HOT WEATHER EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND Actual/Immediate/Severe/Likely SANTA CLARA VALLEY...INCLUDING SAN JOSE- Update sent at 05:36 PDT on 2009-06-26 HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 8 PM PDT SUNDAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible NORTH BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS-EAST BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS- Alert sent at 14:28 PDT on 2009-06-25 HOT WEATHER EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND Actual/Immediate/Severe/Likely SANTA CLARA VALLEY...INCLUDING SAN JOSE- Alert sent at 14:28 PDT on 2009-06-25 Area: NORTH BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS-EAST BAY INTERIOR VALLEYS- Affected Counties or parts of: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Mateo, Marin, Monterey, Contra Costa, Napa, San Benito, Sonoma, Santa Clara, Alameda

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California Fire News - Updates in your mail box

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• CA-LNF - Inskip Prescribed burn - Lassen National Forest
• 1970's Pin-up Icon passes away - Farrah forever young
• Santa Barbra Fires: Great Youtube video from California Fire Alliance
• Earthquake - 3.0 M - San Juan Bautista, CA
• 58 hay bales lost, But defensible space saves home
• Camp Parks live fire training exercise continues today

CA-LNF - Inskip Prescribed burn - Lassen National Forest Posted: 25 Jun 2009 12:14 PM PDT Large header seen from Anderson Valley towards Chico yesterday - Smoke plume near Inskip is Lassen National Forest prescribed burn INSKIP — A large plume of smoke about a mile and half east of Inskip may have alarmed some ridge residents, but only a prescribed fire. What: 25-acre controlled or prescribed burn is being conducted by the Lassen National Forest. The "prescribed burn" is being conducted out of the Almanor Ranger District. When: It was ignited at 8 a.m. Wednesday and was expected to burn for two to four days, Cal Fire spokeswoman Mary Ann Aldrich said. Smoke notes: Smoke was expected to travel north and west. This was the second control burn in the area this week. On Monday, a plume of smoke was seen billowing from the Berry Creek area. 9 a.m. Thursday The Plumas National Forest said it was only burning off under-story brush on a 30 acre section of forest in an area near Oro Quincy Highway and Bald Rock Road.

1970's Pin-up Icon passes away - Farrah forever young Posted: 25 Jun 2009 11:23 AM PDT RIP Farrah Fawcett: Pinup girl of the 1970's and "Charlie's Angels" star Farrah Fawcett dies after a long battle with cancer. Farrah Fawcett: Forever Young Generation X's favorite pinup The Poster: Farrah Leni Fawcett-Majors (at the time, her hyphenation made her seem only more unattainable and therefore, more desirable) was also a guardian angel of sorts, watching us from the walls of our bedrooms, listening as we stumbled through first forays into adulthood: young love, illicit sips of beer. It was easy to pretend that the radiant blond with the mouthful of pearly whites was tossing her head back and effortlessly laughing at something we'd said. It's impossible to imagine a poster today being as beguiling and mysterious. The photo seemed as if it had been taken almost surreptitiously (on a beach in Cancun?), a woven blanket in the background. The rustred one-piece swimsuit seemed damp and noticeably cool, and a thin gold chain around her neck dipped into her décolletage. She was seated, her left arm resting on her left knee, her left hand tousling her own hair, her head tilted back at a 45-degree angle from the camera, a smile so wide and bright that by today's standards it's full-on caricature. The shot looks ever so slightly exploded -- as if someone had enlarged what should have been a much smaller print. Today we know that the poster image was shot by freelance photographer Bruce McBroom on behalf of a now-defunct Ohio company called Pro Arts Inc., using a Nikon-F camera. He took it in early 1976 near the pool at the Bel-Air home Fawcett-Majors shared with her then-husband, when she was 29 and had not yet made her TV debut as "Charlie's Angels" crime fighter Jill Munroe (that debut came on Sept. 22, 1976, around the same time the poster was released). There was no stylist -- Fawcett-Majors did her own hair and makeup. And the Indian-blanket backdrop was a last-minute addition the photographer grabbed from the front seat of his '37 Chevy. The subject of the photos decided which shot would become the poster. She would eventually own the copyright to the image as well. By March 1977, it had sold 5 million copies. Today that number is north of 12 million, and no one else of her era has come close to being a swimsuited paragon of pinup pulchritude -- not Bo Derek running the beach to the strains of Ravel's "Bolero," not Cheryl Tiegs in her see-through fishnet suit and not Pamela Anderson and her pneumatic ilk prancing through the waves. In 2007, GQ magazine named the poster "the most influential piece of men's art of the last 50 years," and a copy of it is among the holdings of the Smithsonian. But for years now, she's been enshrined someplace much more intimate and meaningful: in the bedrooms, prom pictures and salon chairs of an entire generation that grew up with a definition of female beauty defined by the blond with the tousled mane and megawatt smile. She will always be our favorite Angel. Source: Whole article at LAT.com - Link

Santa Barbra Fires: Great Youtube video from California Fire Alliance Posted: 25 Jun 2009 09:43 AM PDT Capt. Burdick talks about the recent wildfires in Santa Barbara and the ways in which creating "defensible space" around your home can save that home and help protect the lives of firefighters in the thick of the battle. More info at: http://cafirealliance.com/ The California Fire Alliance website features the California Community Wildfire Protection Plans section Follow this link for more information on how to create a plan for your community. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Earthquake - 3.0 M - San Juan Bautista, CA Posted: 25 Jun 2009 09:26 AM PDT == PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT == California Integrated Seismic Net USGS/ Caltech/ CGS/ UCB/ UCSD/ UNR Version #0: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This is a computer-generated message. This event has not yet been reviewed by a seismologist. A minor earthquake occurred at 8:45:53 AM (PDT) on Thursday, June 25, 2009. The magnitude 3.0 event occurred 3 km (2 miles) WSW of San Juan Bautista, CA. The hypocentral depth is 7 km ( 4 miles). Magnitude 3.0 - duration magnitude (Md) Time Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 8:45:53 AM (PDT) Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 15:45:53 (UTC) Distance from San Juan Bautista, CA - 3 km (2 miles) WSW (257 degrees) Aromas, CA - 8 km (5 miles) SE (132 degrees) Prunedale, CA - 9 km (6 miles) ENE (63 degrees) Hollister, CA - 16 km (10 miles) W (266 degrees) San Jose City Hall, CA - 63 km (39 miles) SSE (153 degrees) Coordinates 36 deg. 50.3 min. N (36.838N), 121 deg. 34.4 min. W (121.573W) Depth 6.6 km (4.1 miles) Location Quality Excellent Location Quality Parameters Nst= 70, Nph= 70, Dmin=2 km, Rmss=0.12 sec, Erho=0.2 km, Erzz=0.4 km, Gp=64.8 degrees Event ID# nc71238626 Additional Information 2-degree map Google Earth KML (Requires Google Earth.) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

58 hay bales lost, But defensible space saves home Posted: 25 Jun 2009 10:58 AM PDT Blaze claims 58 hay bales, but nearby home protected By Christopher Quirk - Morgan Hill Times A fire claimed 58 bales of hay in northwest Gilroy today, but a prepared homeowner kept the fire from spreading to his home. About 1:33 p.m. today, a fire broke out in a hay field on the east side of Santa Teresa Boulevard, north of its intersection with Day Road. The fire dashed across the field east toward a nearby house, pushed by winds of 13 to 15 mph. However, the flames came to an abrupt stop when they reached the 20-foot dirt ring that homeowner Joe Vogel had created around his property. Vogel "did an outstanding job for defensible space," said Santa Clara County Fire Battalion Chief Derek Whitmer. Vogel, who called in the fire, was not worried even as the low, quick flames approached, he said. "I was concerned, but I didn't think it would (set the house on fire) because there weren't sparks flying," he said as he and his wife, Mona, watched firefighters clean up the burnt area. The fire scorched between four and five acres, but firefighters surrounded and contained the fire soon after they arrived, Whitmer said. Crews worked into the afternoon, turning over hay bales, dousing fires and bulldozing a perimeter around the burnt hay. Firefighters planned to finish up by evening, then check back in at night to make certain the fire had not been revived, Whitmer said. Hay bales sell at between $10 and $15, making the loss due to the fire between $580 and $870, Whitmer said. Cal Fire, South Clara County Fire and Gilroy Fire Department sent five engines, a water tinder, a bulldozer and several other vehicles to fight the blaze. The first vehicle on scene was a small vehicle from the Santa Clara County Department of Roads and Transportation, which sprayed down the fire to keep it in check before firefighters arrived, Whitmer said. Source: morganhilltimes.com - Link Photo Source: Morgan Hill Times Staff

Camp Parks live fire training exercise continues today Posted: 25 Jun 2009 09:20 AM PDT Wednesday Fire training crews experienced hands-on, live training at the 15th annual wildfire training at Camp Parks which continues today. What: Instructors work with different teams, teaching them the latest wildland firefighting tactics as well. For two days, firefighters are doing everything from cutting fire lines by hand, to practicing pump and roll attacks. Who: Hundreds of firefighters participated in the live training exercise, Around 400 firefighters came from dozens of city and county agencies around the Bay Area to practice different firefighting skills in the wildland setting. Where: Camp Parks, home of the Army's 91st Division in the City of Dublin foothills in the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County. Google Map - link Fewer firefighters participated in this year's training because of budget cuts. Photo Credit: Screenshot from ABC local.com Video - Link Buy some Ice Cream Andrew

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CA-KNF- Sims - Wildland Fire - 215 acres - 20% Posted: 24 Jun 2009 09:57 AM PDT Update: 6-24 0725hrs - Sims Fire KNF 215 ac 20% containment. 374 firefighters are commited at this time. Containment is expected 6/27. Update: 6-24 0645hrs - NOPS - Sims Fire KNF 200 ac 0% containment. Update: 6-23 1700hrs - 175 acres. View CA-KNF-Sims - Forest Fire in a larger map IA: 1450hrs - Vegetation Fire in the Sims Creek area. 20 acres making run up the hill rapid rate of spread. SKU type 3 strike team just dispatched. No immediate structure threat. Location: Klamath National Forest - Sims Creek area located off U.S. Highway 96, 8 miles North East of Seiad valley along highway 96 Fuels/Terrain: Heavy timber on steep slopes. Caution: Due to the threat of burning debris rolling onto the highway and drifting smoke, motorists are urged to be cautious. Air attack: Two helicopters, one lead plane and two tankers were assigned to the fire yesterday afternoon, currently commited to the fire 5 helicopters, 3 fixed wing aircraft Medford Reload base is open and ready for load and return Resources: 14 hotshot crews 1 S/T Cal Fire crews and 24 fire engines. 2 Ukonom IHC, Mendocino Hotshots en route this a.m. SRF ST 2600 (11, 21, 31, 33, 42) SHF ST ???? (31, 34, 42, 61, 62) SHF H-506 SHF Div-3 SHF Crew 11 Trinity, Crew 5 Shasta

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• CAL FIRE RRU Controlled burn today - Murrieta: Santa Rosa Plateau
• [EDIS] Attempt to locate missing person in San Ramon
• Lassen, Modoc and Plumas Counties - Burn permits suspended

CAL FIRE RRU Controlled burn today - Murrieta: Santa Rosa Plateau Posted: 23 Jun 2009 11:08 AM PDT Riverside County Controlled burn today - Murrieta - Santa Ana Mountains - Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve: Controlled burn today. Who: CAL FIRE will conduct Controlled burn. Fire engines and a helicopter are scheduled to be assigned. When: Today - Burn scheduled to be conducted between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Where: Foothills west of Murrieta @Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve near Clinton Keith and Tenaja Roads. What: 250 acres of grass lands. Why: to reduce the danger of wildfire and improve wildlife habitat. Controlled burns have been very effective at managing wildfire fuels in this area. Smoke: Prescribed fires are set only during favorable weather conditions and with approval from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Battalion Chief Dan Johnson says in a written statement. Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve - Link

[EDIS] Attempt to locate missing person in San Ramon Posted: 23 Jun 2009 09:03 AM PDT Law enforcement officers are currently searching for a missing person believed to be in the area of Dougherty Valley San Ramon. The individual is Esther Neal a black female 81 years of age. This person is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 115 pounds, with grey hair, wearing a green nightgown, black pants, possibly no shoes, and carrying a purse. This individual has a medical I D bracelet. This individual was last seen at fifty two nineteen Crestfield Drive. This person is believed to be at risk due to dementia and alzheimer's. Instruction: If you believe you have seen this person or have any information regarding this person, please call the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office immediately at 925-646-2441. Area: Vicinity of Dougherty Valley San Ramon Affected Counties or parts of: Contra Costa, Alameda Sent: 2009-06-23T08:47:01-07:00 Original Sender: cws@cws.cccounty.us

Lassen, Modoc and Plumas Counties - Burn permits suspended Posted: 23 Jun 2009 05:49 AM PDT Susanville - With peak fire season approaching and the weather getting hotter and dryer, CAL FIRE announces all dooryard burn permits within Lassen, Modoc and Plumas Counties will be SUSPENDED effective midnight June 30, 2009 (July 1, 2009). The dooryard burning suspension (Burn Ban) will continue until formally cancelled by CAL FIRE. Dooryard burn permits will not be issued and dooryard burning is not allowed during this period of time. Agricultural vegetation control burns are still authorized with special permits issued from CAL FIRE and Air Quality. Campfire permits are still authorized in designated campfire areas only. Each year CAL FIRE responds to nearly 1,600 fires started by Californians using equipment the wrong way. Whether working to create a defensible space around your home, just mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wildland area you need to use all equipment responsibly. Lawn mowers, weedeaters, chain saws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe.

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• Carmencita fire - Elk Grove -Two-alarm grass fire currently 20+ acres
• Earthquake 3.2 M - Central California; Wheeler Ridge, Mettler, Grapevine, Lamont
• Earthquake 3.0 M - Northern California,The Geysers

Carmencita fire - Elk Grove -Two-alarm grass fire currently 20+ acres Posted: 22 Jun 2009 11:21 AM PDT A two-alarm grass fire is threatening homes in Elk Grove.Smoke showing, large smoke column fire, Structure threat. Location: Sacramento, 9700 block of Carmencita Avenue, off Bradshaw and Gerber, at end of Daron lane and off Wild Hawk Drive West. Update: 1120 hrs - Dozers & Copter-1 have solid line around the fire. Update: 1115 hrs -Power lines down at 9767 Carmencita. Update: 1105 hrs - 20+ acres -Fire appears to be laying down as crews gain control, Fire Copter overhead reporting two fires, first fire is 10-15 acres, second fire is 5 acres. Injuries/Structure damage: One report of citizen with breathing problems. Cause: Unknown at this time. Video: FOX40 News, Towercam view of fire in Elk Grove -Link Photo credit: kcra.com

Earthquake 3.2 M - Central California; Wheeler Ridge, Mettler, Grapevine, Lamont Posted: 22 Jun 2009 08:01 AM PDT Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.2 Date-Time Monday, June 22, 2009 at 11:27:09 UTC Monday, June 22, 2009 at 04:27:09 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 35.042°N, 119.031°W Depth 8.9 km (5.5 miles) Region CENTRAL CALIFORNIA Distances 6 km (4 miles) WSW (247°) from Mettler, CA 9 km (6 miles) WNW (298°) from Wheeler Ridge, CA 14 km (9 miles) NW (320°) from Grapevine, CA 27 km (16 miles) SSW (204°) from Lamont, CA 35 km (22 miles) S (180°) from Bakersfield, CA 131 km (82 miles) NNW (327°) from Los Angeles Civic Center, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.4 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 1.9 km (1.2 miles) Parameters Nph= 73, Dmin=9 km, Rmss=0.49 sec, Gp= 29°, M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=2 Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID ci14478120

Earthquake 3.0 M - Northern California,The Geysers Posted: 22 Jun 2009 08:03 AM PDT Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.0 Date-Time Monday, June 22, 2009 at 11:45:57 UTC Monday, June 22, 2009 at 04:45:57 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 38.812°N, 122.817°W Depth 2.9 km (1.8 miles) Region NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Distances 2 km (1 miles) NNW (329°) from The Geysers, CA 9 km (5 miles) WSW (253°) from Cobb, CA 12 km (7 miles) WNW (291°) from Anderson Springs, CA 17 km (11 miles) E (85°) from Cloverdale, CA 42 km (26 miles) NNW (346°) from Santa Rosa, CA 120 km (75 miles) WNW (284°) from Sacramento, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.1 km (0.1 miles); depth +/- 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Parameters NST= 83, Nph= 83, Dmin=1 km, Rmss=0.08 sec, Gp= 29°, M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=2 Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID nc40238596

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• Bug Bombs Set Off Explosion In Citrus Heights
• CA-SQF- Coffee - Vegetation Fire - 80 acres
• World News: Iran - Photojournalist missing
• San Jose firefighters union Local 230 - civil grand jury report
• Earthquake - 3.3 M - San Bernardino, CA

Bug Bombs Set Off Explosion In Citrus Heights Posted: 21 Jun 2009 11:03 PM PDT From the Sacramento Bee: Effort to rid apartment of bugs leaves three Citrus Heights families homeless From Matt Weiser: Three families were left homeless in Citrus Heights Sunday after an explosion triggered by overzealous use of insecticide foggers. A tenant of the three-unit apartment building in the 7500 block of Cook Ave. was trying to deal with a cockroach infestation when he activated 10 cans of insecticide fogger in the apartment, said Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Christian Pebbles. At about 6 p.m. Sunday, the fogger chemical spread to an ignition source in the apartment, resulting in an explosion. There was no fire in the building, but the explosion caused major structural damage in the building and it had to be condemned, Pebbles said. The three families occupying the building got help Sunday from the Red Cross to find temporary housing. No one was hurt in the explosion. "We're lucky because there was flying glass all the way across the street," Pebbles said. "We had massive damage to the entire building. We have structural bearing walls blown out." He said the tenant had previously asked his landlord for help with the insect problem, and got no response. But using 10 foggers in an apartment was "well over the recommended limit" for deploying the devices, Pebbles said. "This is an unfortunate incident." Editor's Note: According to an article on the KCRA News website, the explosion lifted the roof and blew out windows of the building Sunday night. The blast also cracked the frame of the apartment building. Common sense would tell a reasonable person that 10 bug bombs would be too much for an apartment. KCRA news reporters now are saying that fire officials found *18* bug bombs in the small apartment. (Watching the 11pm news cast)

CA-SQF- Coffee - Vegetation Fire - 80 acres Posted: 21 Jun 2009 08:04 PM PDT CA-SQF-Coffee Wildland Vegetation Fire: View CA-SQF- Coffee - Vegetation Fire in a larger map Road closure: - Broken PGE water flume flooding Hwy 190 at the Stairs, Highway impassable. Update: 1930 hrs - 80 acres - gonna be a long night. Update: 1900 hrs - AA states Left Flank is basically contained to the Head, all efforts are switching to the Right Flank, IC update 75 Acs., expects several more hrs before Containment (no % of containment given for this time) Update: 1845hrs - IC req. an Add. WT (Private WT) in add. to the previous req. Note : AT-11 on scene (Type-2, 2700 gal.) Update: 1835hrs - BLM WT-3191 responding, Fulton Hot Shots, Kern Valley Hot Shots Ordered, PGE water Flume just broke! Note : IC req. an Add. WT (county WT-15), AT-23 (P-3 Type -1, 3000 gal.) on scene Update: 1800 hrs - IC reports head is very active heading North East, especially active around the PGE Flume, very Rocky Terrain up there, also. POWER LINES near the road, but not down. Update: 1730 hrs - IC now reports 7+ acres, requesting ATs , fire is threatening PGE water flume, Mod ROS, Heavy fuels - Note : BC 23 req. 2 add. crews, upgrade to a full response, 4 add. engines Location: 1700hrs -One half mile above upper Coffee Camp on Hwy 190, East of Springville Area Fire in Heavy Fuels , 1 acre, uphill side, Slow ROS, hold off on Aircraft at this time except Helo. Google Map: Link IC: Coffee IC Batt. 23 / 4114 - 1915 hrs - SQF Chief-2 is on scene Communications: Local - 168.775 Tac - 2 - 168.200 Air - 169.150 Air / Grnd - 170.000 Air / Air - 135.975 Air Base - 123.975 Resources: Helicopter - 522 Engines - 23, 25, Pat 23 ; TUU Engines - 4173, 4183 Crew - SQF Crew-9 WT - SQF WT -2 SQF PT 22, 23, on scene SQF E-24, also responding/or on scene SQF H-523 ST 9472 G enroute (Mt. Home Crews 1, 2), AA-13, ATs - 76, 78 (both are S-2Ts, 1200 Gal) Lead plane, T-11 and T-23 en-route or already one scene from Fox airbase. Weather: as of 1915 Hrs, Springville, 79 deg.; 27% Hum.; Winds out of the NNW @ 9 MPH Initial information:wildlandfire.com - Link

World News: Iran - Photojournalist missing Posted: 21 Jun 2009 11:01 AM PDT LIFE magazine Photojournalist missing in Tehran Courage on Tehran's Streets; A Photographer Is Missing The Iranian photojournalist, whose pictures appear here, is missing. He has not been in contact with LIFE magazine; this morning LIFE magazine received the following email from one of his relatives. THE EMAIL: Hi im [photographer's relative], when he go out side yester day for he never came back home and also his friend and a lot of our young brave people, government arrested them [. . .] don't let them suffer in those bloody hands. With thanks. We will update this space when we have more details. Pictured: Defiance in the streets the day after the disputed results of the June 12, 2009, election. Great pictures From Tehran's Streets at: LIFE magazine - Link Hope and Rage As protests and counter-protests unlike anything seen in Iran since the 1979 Revolution roil the country and captivate the world, LIFE presents photographs taken by an Iranian who is there, in the midst of the action. Editors note: I know this is off topic but the Tehran-based photojournalist who made this pictures is now missing. Whether a war zone, revolution or wildland urban interface fire I felt it was important photojournalism news, and I wanted to share these very powerful photographs... New details at LIFE magazine: - Link. All Photos: LIFE magazine - An Iranian Photojournalist -Link

San Jose firefighters union Local 230 - civil grand jury report Posted: 21 Jun 2009 07:53 AM PDT San Jose firefighters respond to civil grand jury report In response to a scathing civil grand jury report this week, the firefighters union Friday acknowledged a "strained relationship" with city management but said the findings overlooked key facts. "We regret the final report was issued without considering all of the facts and seeking input from all pertinent stakeholders," said San Jose Firefighters President Randy Sekany in a one-page written retort. The 19-member civil grand jury, empaneled for a year, acts as a public watchdog agency. City officials must respond to the findings within 90 days. The grand jury report on the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 230, as the San Jose firefighters are formally known, assailed Sekany and other leaders of the 747-member union as needlessly hostile toward management. It said the union has filed more than twice as many contract grievances as the city's 10 other unions combined and called many of those grievances frivolous. It also said union leaders abuse city-paid time off for labor activities. In defending the union, Sekany — who retired as a fire captain in December but continues as Local 230 president, a post he has held for nine years — noted that the grand jury never sought his testimony in producing its 33-page report. Sekany added that the union and management routinely meet and discuss issues and have resolved hundreds of matters through productive negotiations. He also noted the minimum staffing levels and union time-off policies questioned by the grand jury were agreed upon by the city, and that the minimum staffing policy saves San Jose more than $1 million a year in overtime costs. Finally, Sekany said, "firefighters have an overwhelming lack of confidence in the chief's ability to lead the department." The firefighters in December declared a vote of no confidence in Chief Darryl Von Raesfeld, but City Manager Debra Figone has stood by him. "We acknowledge a strained relationship with some members of the city executive staff," Sekany wrote. "We also believe that fair-minded people would acknowledge that a strained relationship requires responsibility and accountability by both parties. "Notwithstanding the aforementioned challenges," he added, "we stand ready, as we have for over 155 years, to work collaboratively with the city of San Jose". Source: Mercury News - Link

Earthquake - 3.3 M - San Bernardino, CA Posted: 21 Jun 2009 07:40 AM PDT Version #2: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This is a computer-generated message. This event has not yet been reviewed by a seismologist. A minor earthquake occurred at 7:29:33 AM (PDT) on Sunday, June 21, 2009. The magnitude 3.3 event occurred 2 km (1 miles) WSW of San Bernardino, CA. The hypocentral depth is 16 km (10 miles). Magnitude 3.3 - local magnitude (ML) Time Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 7:29:33 AM (PDT) Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 14:29:33 (UTC) Distance from San Bernardino, CA - 2 km (1 miles) WSW (245 degrees) Rialto, CA - 6 km (4 miles) E (80 degrees) Colton, CA - 6 km (4 miles) N (7 degrees) Bloomington, CA - 10 km (6 miles) NE (48 degrees) Los Angeles Civic Center, CA - 86 km (54 miles) E (85 degrees) Coordinates 34 deg. 7.3 min. N (34.122N), 117 deg. 18.8 min. W (117.314W) Depth 16.4 km (10.2 miles) Location Quality Good Location Quality Parameters Nst=152, Nph=152, Dmin=3 km, Rmss=0.35 sec, Erho=0.2 km, Erzz=0.8 km, Gp=14.4 degrees Event ID# ci14477816 Additional Information 2-degree map Google Earth KML (Requires Google Earth.) Waveforms 24-hour Aftershock Forecast Map This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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• Angora Fire: Can't Arrest "Person of Interest"
• Twittering during the disaster - Don't be a Twit
• Earthquake - 4.6 M - Lake Nacimiento, CA
• Lightning Safety Week

Angora Fire: Can't Arrest "Person of Interest" Posted: 20 Jun 2009 03:25 PM PDT Cops Lack Evidence, Can't Arrest "Person of Interest" In Angora Fire SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) -- Investigators say they lack evidence to arrest a "person of interest" in a 2007 catastrophic wildfire on Lake Tahoe's south shore, but the case remains a high priority. Wednesday marks the two-year anniversary of the blaze that destroyed 254 homes, caused $140 million in property damage and scorched 3,100 acres. Bill Dillard, an investigator with the El Dorado County district attorney's office, said he continues to follow up leads in the case. Investigators think the Angora fire was caused by sparking embers from a campfire at a popular party spot near South Lake Tahoe. But Dillard said they don't have probable cause to make an arrest yet because of a lack of evidence linking the person to the scene. He said probable cause is hard to establish in wildfires because evidence is destroyed and witnesses are scarce. The district attorney's office and U.S. Forest Service have spent hundreds of hours and sorted through hundreds of tips concerning who started the campfire near Seneca Pond. High winds fanned flames and quickly moved the fire toward homes. Source: news10.net - Link

Twittering during the disaster - Don't be a Twit Posted: 20 Jun 2009 09:04 AM PDT Saturday morning chuckle: Discovered on my Twitter Feed, Twitter is like a virus now! DO NOT TWITTER IN THE AISLE DURING EVACUATION From @tinafightsfire The power of twitter in a Fire Safety sign http://bit.ly/IU7Ml

Earthquake - 4.6 M - Lake Nacimiento, CA Posted: 20 Jun 2009 06:46 AM PDT Version #2: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. A light earthquake occurred at 5:32:48 AM (PDT) on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The magnitude 4.6 event occurred 12 km (8 miles) SSW of Lake Nacimiento, CA. The hypocentral depth is 6 km ( 4 miles). Magnitude 4.6 - local magnitude (ML) Time Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 5:32:48 AM (PDT) Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 12:32:48 (UTC) Distance from Lake Nacimiento, CA - 12 km (8 miles) SSW (211 degrees) Cambria, CA - 16 km (10 miles) NE (51 degrees) San Simeon, CA - 22 km (13 miles) E (90 degrees) Paso Robles, CA - 25 km (15 miles) W (274 degrees) San Jose City Hall, CA - 207 km (128 miles) SSE (156 degrees) Coordinates 35 deg. 38.6 min. N (35.644N), 120 deg. 57.0 min. W (120.950W) Depth 6.1 km (3.8 miles) Location Quality Good Location Quality Parameters Nst=230, Nph=230, Dmin=5 km, Rmss=0.09 sec, Erho=0.1 km, Erzz=0.4 km, Gp=97.2 degrees Event ID# nc40238431

Lightning Safety Week Posted: 20 Jun 2009 01:12 AM PDT Lightning Safety Week (June 21-27, 2009): Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena – lightning. In the U.S., an average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning; hundreds of others are injured. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a National Citizen Corps Affiliate, has recently posted new resources that Citizen Corps Councils and partners can use to increase lightning safety awareness, such as a brochure titled 'Lightning Safety for You and Your Family' and a lightning safety quiz for kids with Leon the Lightning Lion. Visit the NOAA Lightning Safety webpage at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ for more details.

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• CA-SCU- Explosive IC- Vegetation fire - 2163 acres 100% - Site 300
• Earthquake - 4.1 M - Off Shore - San Clemente Is, Camp Pendleton South, CA
• Earthquake 3.3 M - Ocotillo, Jacumba Hot springs area
• Editorial: Disturbing trend continues. LE and the FF
• CalFire assistance Shasta County SWAT
• Earthquake 3.2 M - Borrego Springs, CA

CA-SCU- Explosive IC- Vegetation fire - 2163 acres 100% - Site 300 Posted: 19 Jun 2009 10:03 PM PDT Explosive IC - Grass fire first spotted at a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory test site 300 in the Altamont hills. Final Update: 2038 hrs - Fire is contained. Currently 40 persons on the fire, 5 SCU engines on patrol tonight, 1 on patrol tomorrow. Buttoning up Site 300 Update: 1945 hrs - Per AA and H-106 fire is now 2163 acres including burn inside Site 300, Explosive Air Attack and C-404 now released with 7 minutes left on station. Update: 1934 hrs - IC releasing some resources, Copter 106 finishing up mapping fire, Copter404 released back to Columbia Update: 1907 hrs - 500 - 600 acres 80%, Two fixed wing load and hold at Hollister Update: 1706 hrs - AA states 800 acres - Threat to SRA, Staging now at entrance to Site 300 on Corral Hollow, Fire will hit Interstate 5 in minutes. Seven Dozers assigned to fire with plenty of work "Hit the black and keep cutting" Smoke: Huge header over fire with smoke impacting cities of Tracy and Banta, with smoke heading towards French Camp, Manteca. Update: 1637 hrs - AA states 300 to 400 ACs 75% contained, significant wind conditions still exist, Potential of couple thousand acres, no night shift. Update: 1630 hrs - Winds 35+ mph, 200 to 300 acres. View CA-SCU Explosive IC - Vegetation fire in a larger map Initial sizeup: Vegetation Fire Site 300 east of Livermore. 20 to 30 acres, Wind driven grass fire, potential for 100 to 200 acres. Hand crews canceled gonna let it burn to control lines. Explosive testing area, Alameda County foothills near Tracy, Ca on Federal land and LRA, moving to SRA IC:Combined command, CAL FIRE ALCO. Local Government Incident Command team en-route Comms: command- 151.4450 Tac -151.1600 air-151.2950

Earthquake - 4.1 M - Off Shore - San Clemente Is, Camp Pendleton South, CA Posted: 19 Jun 2009 08:04 PM PDT == PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT == California Integrated Seismic Net USGS/ Caltech/ CGS/ UCB/ UCSD/ UNR Version #O: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. A light earthquake occurred at 6:00:30 PM (PDT) on Friday, June 19, 2009. The magnitude 4.1 event occurred 57 km (36 miles) SSE of Avalon, CA. The hypocentral depth is 14 km ( 9 miles). Magnitude 4.1 - local magnitude (ML) Time Friday, June 19, 2009 at 6:00:30 PM (PDT) Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 1:00:30 (UTC) Distance from Avalon, CA - 57 km (36 miles) SSE (149 degrees) San Clemente Is., CA (NW tip) - 58 km (36 miles) ESE (105 degrees) Camp Pendleton South, CA - 67 km (42 miles) WSW (239 degrees) Oceanside, CA - 72 km (45 miles) WSW (242 degrees) San Diego, CA - 81 km (51 miles) W (280 degrees) Coordinates 32 deg. 54.0 min. N (32.900N), 118 deg. 0.4 min. W (118.007W) Depth 14.2 km (8.8 miles) Location Quality Poor Location Quality Parameters Nst= 48, Nph= 48, Dmin=51 km, Rmss=0.5 sec, Erho=1.3 km, Erzz=3.1 km, Gp=172.8 degrees Event ID# ci14477000 Additional Information 2-degree map Google Earth KML (Requires Google Earth.) Did you feel it? ShakeMap shaking intensity maps Waveforms 24-hour Aftershock Forecast Map SCSN Moment Tensor Solution Tsunami Information Statement from the WC/ATWC This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Earthquake 3.3 M - Ocotillo, Jacumba Hot springs area Posted: 19 Jun 2009 08:07 PM PDT == PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE REPORT == California Integrated Seismic Net USGS/ Caltech/ CGS/ UCB/ UCSD/ UNR Version #E: This report supersedes any earlier reports of this event. This event has been reviewed by a seismologist. A minor earthquake occurred at 2:32:16 PM (PDT) on Friday, June 19, 2009. The magnitude 3.3 event occurred 13 km (8 miles) SE of Ocotillo, CA. The hypocentral depth is 6 km ( 4 miles). Magnitude 3.3 - local magnitude (ML) Time Friday, June 19, 2009 at 2:32:16 PM (PDT) Friday, June 19, 2009 at 21:32:16 (UTC) Distance from Ocotillo, CA - 13 km (8 miles) SE (144 degrees) Jacumba Hot Springs, CA - 26 km (16 miles) E (83 degrees) Seeley, CA - 27 km (17 miles) SW (233 degrees) El Centro, CA - 37 km (23 miles) WSW (245 degrees) Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico - 104 km (65 miles) E (83 degrees) Coordinates 32 deg. 38.8 min. N (32.647N), 115 deg. 54.9 min. W (115.916W) Depth 6.3 km (3.9 miles) Location Quality Fair Location Quality Parameters Nst= 58, Nph= 58, Dmin=1 km, Rmss=0.34 sec, Erho=0.3 km, Erzz=0.8 km, Gp=176.4 degrees Event ID# ci14476952 Additional Information 2-degree map Google Earth KML (Requires Google Earth.) Did you feel it? Waveforms 24-hour Aftershock Forecast Map This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Editorial: Disturbing trend continues. LE and the FF Posted: 19 Jun 2009 12:59 PM PDT Editors thought: I cringe every time I read about firefighting agencies assisting police with criminal activities other than arson. I was on a fire last year with repeated reports of growers shooting at CAL FIRE vehicles and could not figure out why they would shoot at Firefighters not only drawing attention to themselves but causing a heavy law enforcement response where there may of been none? I believe the following article helps to explain the criminal mindset that firefighters are targets as much as law enforcement.... CalFire assistance Shasta County SWAT Transporting a SWAT team into a grow area is just wrong. They should fly their own birds. A bonehead Fire Chief back east comes to mind, He allowed a full fake fire response to an apartment complex, ladder trucks and all, and evacuated the place just to assist law enforcement in a dangerous arrest. With many fire department personnel entering the back county for fire fighting and even defensible space compliance anything that creates a a hostile environment for such personnel should be avoided. If the public understood what the Department of Homeland Security expects of the firefighter, garbageman, postal delivery person, etc that visits your home they would be much more wary of maintaining the great relationship currently enjoyed by such persons. It is too dangerous to allow firefighters to be perceived as Law Enforcement this dangerous trend needs to be arrested.

CalFire assistance Shasta County SWAT Posted: 19 Jun 2009 12:48 PM PDT Sergeant, deputy injured in Lassen gun battle A sergeant from Lassen County Sheriff's Office was sent to the hospital with a gunshot wound and a deputy was also injured after a marijuana investigation turned into a gun battle that left one suspect dead and six others arrested in northern Lassen County. The sergeant was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Redding. According to Lassen County Sheriff Steve Warren, the sergeant's injuries are serious, but are not life threatening. The deputy was not transported to the hospital and Warren said he is doing well. The identity of the suspect who was killed was not available pending notification of next of kin. At approximately 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, rangers from the Bureau of Land Management and the Lassen County Narcotics Taskforce, which includes personnel from the Lassen County Sheriff's Office and the Susanville Police Department, were scouting for illegal cultivation of marijuana in the Dixie Valley area and found a garden with several thousand plants. Shortly after finding the garden, Warren said the taskforce came across a camp, where three people were staying. Two people were taken into custody right away, but the other suspect started shooting. He said it's typical for people to guard the marijuana, but usually the taskforce will find the camp, back away and return with a team. Because the camp was in pretty heavy cover, Warren said, the taskforce instantly ended up on top of it. The remaining four suspects fled the area and evaded the California Highway Patrol. CHP officers notified other agencies responding to the scene, and the suspects were eventually apprehended by CHP and the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. At this time, Warren said he has no reason to believe the four were involved in the shooting. He also said he has no reason to believe there are other suspects. Wednesday, June 17, Warren said teams would be processing the scene throughout the day. The sheriff's office also received assistance from multiple agencies including the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol, Modoc County Sheriff's Office, Plumas County Sheriff's Office and CalFire. Warren said Shasta County rolled in like it was the invasion of a small country. CalFire transported the SWAT team to the scene. Warren credited the agency with saving the sergeant's life. When the sergeant was shot, Warren said taskforce members administered first aid and CalFire personnel loaded him into a helicopter and transported him to a landing zone where a medical helicopter was waiting. In accordance with sheriff's office policy, the Department of Justice will investigate the incident. Source: Plumas News.com - Link

Earthquake 3.2 M - Borrego Springs, CA Posted: 19 Jun 2009 09:05 AM PDT Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.2 Date-Time Friday, June 19, 2009 at 15:30:37 UTC Friday, June 19, 2009 at 08:30:37 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 33.372°N, 116.410°W Depth 11.4 km (7.1 miles) Region SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Distances 14 km (9 miles) NNW (346°) from Borrego Springs, CA 32 km (20 miles) SE (130°) from Anza, CA 34 km (21 miles) W (264°) from Desert Shores, CA 42 km (26 miles) SSW (203°) from Indio, CA 51 km (32 miles) SSE (167°) from Palm Springs, CA 95 km (59 miles) NE (46°) from San Diego, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.2 km (0.1 miles); depth +/- 0.7 km (0.4 miles) Parameters Nph=115, Dmin=12 km, Rmss=0.32 sec, Gp= 22°, M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=C Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID ci14476736

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• Tracy Fire / South County Fire Authority - Training Burn
• Kern County Fire Department - New Helicopter 407 - 408 will finish 10-year maintenance soon
• Riverside County prescribed burn - Lake Skinner recreational area

Tracy Fire / South County Fire Authority - Training Burn Posted: 18 Jun 2009 12:28 PM PDT (TRACY, CA) – The Tracy Fire Department and South County Fire Authority are holding an annual wild land fire training exercise near the Tracy Airport. The exercise is a state mandated event to prepare fire crews to handle possible wild land and brush fires during the summer months. Due to the winds, smoke has been drifting over the Tracy area. Fire Chief Chris Bosch wants to assure the public not to be alarmed by the smoke. The training exercise will be completed by 5 p.m., Thursday afternoon.

Kern County Fire Department - New Helicopter 407 - 408 will finish 10-year maintenance soon Posted: 18 Jun 2009 10:10 AM PDT KEENE, California -- Kern County Fire Departments second helicopter, Helicopter 407, was revamped and delivered by San Joaquin Helicopters from Delano just a week ago. The crew said the new addition brings Kern County up to speed with other California counties. Helicopter 408 Captain Kevin Loomis said, "These aircraft have brought Kern County up to speed if you will, with the Southern California fire fighting departments that are down there. Top of the line, great stuff, now we are right there with the big boys, doing the same thing." The Kern County Fire Department definitely missed its helicopter, but now that its back, it's the residents of Kern County who will benefit. Loomis said, "This aircraft does rescue, it does firefighting, troop transfer, night-vision goggle rescue, so it's very, very important to the county, especially with 8,000 square miles to cover. We missed it a lot, we missed a lot of calls." And soon, Kern County Fire won't just have one helicopter to serve the county, but two. In the next couple weeks, Helicopter 408 will finish its 10-year maintenance, during which the helicopter is taken apart and inspected. Kern County Fire Department Director of Maintainence Jim Fritts said, "You have to remove every component of the aircraft, the tail boom, the landing gear, and then you have to repair or replace whatever components that are due." Kern County Fire just formed their its maintenance program in an effort to save money. The program is responsible for Helicopter 408's 10-year maintenance check. Loomis said having its own maintenance to the helicopters not only saves money, but allows the aircrafts to be inspected daily. Both Helicopter 407 and 408 are identical except in color, each is equipped with a water tank, enough room to transport 10 firefighters, a hoist and the capabilities to do both day and night rescues. Kern County Fire said eventually Helicopter 407 will be stationed in Mettler at Station 55, and Helicopter 408 will be kept in Keene. But as for now, the crews are just excited to have their aircraft back. Article source: turnto23.com - Link Photo source: Laguna Hot Shots Blog - Link

Riverside County prescribed burn - Lake Skinner recreational area Posted: 18 Jun 2009 07:02 AM PDT The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Riverside County Fire Department, in cooperation with the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District Multi-Species Reserve (MSR) will complete a prescribed burn on the Skinner Reserve located within the Lake Skinner recreational area. Where: The burn area is located near the intersection of Borel Road and Warren Rd. (Riverside TB 930-D2), just south of Lake Skinner in the Temecula area. When: Prescribed fire operations will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2009. Burn operations will begin after 9:00 am and should conclude by 1:00 pm daily. CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department will be conducting patrols of the burned area following all burn operations. What: A total of 25 acres of grasslands are planned for the prescribed burn. The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels and to improve the wildlife habitat on the Reserve. Prescribed fire operations will be conducted only during favorable weather conditions and with approval from the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Who: CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department will be conducting the prescribed fire with the following resources; fire engines, fire crews, water dropping helicopter, and overhead personnel. Multi-Species Reserve Managers will be providing technical assistance and logistical support with their staff. Why: This is a cooperative effort and is part of the CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department¿s Pre-Fire Management Program. Prior annual prescribed fires on the Lake Skinner MSR Reserve have been very effective at managing wildfire fuels in this area and encouraging habitat for wildlife. If you have questions or would like additional information on this prescribed fire please contact the Regional Park and Open Space District Multi-Species Reserve Manager Christine Moen at (951) 926-7416, or CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief, Dan Johnson at (951) 659-3337. Source: http://tcfireweb.co.riverside.ca.us/firepio/process?action=viewPressRelease&id=3976

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• CAL FIRE HFEO TRAINING VIDEO
• Press Release: SAC METRO - PUBLIC MEETING TO ADDRESS STATION 33 CLOSURE
• MCP: Tribute to former Camp Pendleton firefighter, and Marine, Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap
• Canada: Alberta calls for wildfire reinforcements
• SLO - controlled burn - 250-acre - Camp San Luis Obispo
• CA-MCP- Haybarn - Camp Pendleton Wildland Fire - 101+ acres 50%

CAL FIRE HFEO TRAINING VIDEO Posted: 17 Jun 2009 04:59 PM PDT CAL Fire Bulldozer Crews Train at Camp Pendleton Camp Pendleton, a United States Marine Corps base in San Diego County, California, serves as the ideal location for CAL Fire's bulldozer training. Bulldozer crews from all parts of the state come to the rocky mountainous terrain to practice the land clearing maneuvers that they use during wildfires. "They run it like it's a regular fire, and this is to keep them in that focus and in that mode, because as we always say, we train like we play and we play like we train, " says CAL Fire Battalion Chief Mark Ostrander. One of the key components of the bulldozer training is to practice communication, which is critical for keeping the dozers from running into each other or falling off the mountain. Ostrander says that it is easy to roll a bulldozer if an operator does not know what they are doing, which could lead to serious injury or death. All of CAL Fire's bulldozer operators are highly trained and come from either the fire service or a construction background, and during wildfires they work grueling twelve hours shifts. To ensure the operators' safety, each bulldozer is equipped with special equipment. Chief Ostrander explains, "Inside the dozers they have radios and fire curtains. They have GPS, a special lighting package, and the cabs are enclosed so that if they get overrun by fire they can drop the curtains down and survive within it." To most effectively clear the mountainous terrain, CAL Fire's bulldozer operators usually drive up the rocky landscape and then push the brush and debris downhill. The highest grade that they will climb is 75 degrees. Anything greater could be disastrous. Mike Howard, a CAL Fire Heavy Equipment Operator who spent years working his way through the ranks of the Fire Department, says that despite the danger involved with his job, he enjoys it and has never experienced a moment where he thought he would get himself into trouble. In addition to performing wildland firefighting maneuvers, the CAL Fire teams use this training to practice rehabbing previously bulldozed areas to ensure that they do not become mudslide areas. Related Video - To watch a video about CAL Fire's annual wildfire training on the Viejas Indian Reservation, click here. Article Source: FDNNTV.com - Link Author: Deanne Goodman FDNNTV.com This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Press Release: SAC METRO - PUBLIC MEETING TO ADDRESS STATION 33 CLOSURE Posted: 17 Jun 2009 04:51 PM PDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PUBLIC MEETING TO ADDRESS STATION 33 CLOSURE Sacramento, Ca, June17, 2009. On June 27, 2009 from 8:00 to 9:30 am Metro Fire officials will be holding a public forum meeting at Fire Station 32 located at 8890 Roediger Lane Fair Oaks in the community room. The meeting is to hear our communities concerns and to also inform our citizens regarding the closure of Fire Station 33 Located at 5148 Main Avenue. Engine 33 serves the communities of Orangevale and Fair Oaks. Contact: Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Public Information Officer Phone (916) 616-2431 e-mail: sacmetrofirepio@smfd.ca.gov Issued by: Captain Rusty Dupray (916) 616-2412 dupray.rusty@smfd.ca.gov

MCP: Tribute to former Camp Pendleton firefighter, and Marine, Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap Posted: 17 Jun 2009 04:24 PM PDT Former Pendleton Firefighter Remembered June 16, 2009 Marine Corps News|by Pfc. Daniel Boothe MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Hundreds of friends, family and fellow firefighters paid tribute to the former Camp Pendleton firefighter, California-native and Marine, Sgt. Brian E. Dunlap by gathering at San Diego's Hook and Ladder Firehouse Museum. The ceremony commemorated Dunlap with a permanent display of his dress blue and firefighter uniform that will remain in the museum. Camp Pendleton officials and firefighters were also in attendance honoring Dunlap's heroic service. "When I was deployed and found out about Brian's death I thought to myself, 'I am going to do the right thing,'" said Mathew Carr during the ceremony, former Marine and current firefighter, Fire Station 1, Camp Pendleton's Fire and Emergency Services. "I am going to honor the memory of the guys that didn't come home with us everyday by carrying the flag forward." San Diego's Firefighters' Emerald Society sponsored the event with contributions from the public and is currently collecting charitable donations for the Brian E. Dunlap Memorial Fund which will provide scholarship opportunities for future high school students. Dunlap was killed in action on September 24, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations in Al Taqaddum, Iraq, just north of Baghdad. "Maria and I want to convey to Sgt. Dunlap's family that we are forever indebted to Brian for giving his life to the cause of freedom. Californians are deeply grateful for his courage and dedication to service of this country," said Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger in a press release issued only days after Dunlap's death. Dunlap enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995 and was honorably discharged in 2002. Soon after, he became a firefighter on Camp Pendleton for the California Department of Forestry and helped extinguish 2003's deadly Cedar Fire. Dunlap was also personally thanked by former President George W. Bush during a visit to survey the California fire's destruction. He then reenlisted into the Marine Corps' Reserve in 2004 and was attached to Marine Forces Reserve's 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in Los Alamitos, Calif. and soon deployed to northern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his death, Dunlap was inducted into the International Association of Fire Fighters' Wall of Honor in 2006. Source: Military.com - Link

Canada: Alberta calls for wildfire reinforcements Posted: 17 Jun 2009 11:19 AM PDT Alberta Fire officials put out a call for help Tuesday, and Firefighters and equipment from around Canada and Mexico were headed to Alberta Wednesday to help battle 17 out-of-control wildfires. The totals so far: 890 wildfires since April 1. More than 67,000 acres of forest and scrubland have burned and Alberta officials were most concerned with 12 fires burning near Fort McMurray. Resources: 600 Canadian firefighters are on the lines. Damages: No property losses. Deaths/Injuries: No injuries. Out of area responders: Northwest Territories sent 35 firefighters. Ontario is sending 116 and three air tankers. Quebec is sending two air tankers. New Brunswick dispatched 10 firefighters. Jalisco, Mexico, 21 firefighters en route. Road Closures: Alberta Transportation announced several highways were closed and motorists should be prepared for more closures before setting out. Weather: Many of the fires were attributed lightning strikes, and conditions have been very dry officials said.

SLO - controlled burn - 250-acre - Camp San Luis Obispo Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:55 AM PDT What: San Luis Obispo County and Cal Fire crews are planning a 250-acre controlled burn Wednesday morning at Camp San Luis Obispo. When: The burn is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the grassland's at the base's firing ranges. Why: Fire officials say the burn will reduce hazards and provide troops at the base with safe firing ranges for training. Google Map: Camp San Luis Obispo - link Smoke: People in Chorro Valley and in San Luis Obispo can expect to see smoke from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the base.

CA-MCP- Haybarn - Camp Pendleton Wildland Fire - 101+ acres 50% Posted: 17 Jun 2009 10:51 AM PDT New fire starts on Camp Pendleton, 30 acres lots of potential, ordered two additional air tankers. Update: 1715hrs, media reports the first fire on the base has reached 101 acres per fire officials. fire is expected to be fully controlled Wednesday. Update: 6-16-09 1710hrs - AA330 just released Tankers 10 and 72 to their home bases, IA: 6-16-09 1320hrs - 30 acres, moderate rate of spread, high acreage potential, No structure threat. Potential for extended attack, and requesting 2 additional airtankers (total 4). Also on scene Copter 12 and H-538. Evacuations: Precautionary evacuation of two work areas at the Marine base. Cause: Under investigation.

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• Diablo Canyon Power Plant begins moving fuel
• FDA Med Watch: Discontinue use of three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products
• North Ops: Air Attack bases fully staffed
• Freeway Fire Complex - Cause found to be catalytic converter
• Budget : Inmates may get the Axe

Diablo Canyon Power Plant begins moving fuel Posted: 16 Jun 2009 11:21 AM PDT PRESS RELEASE: PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC DIABLO CANYON POWER PLANT BEGINS MOVING USED FUEL TO ON-SITE STORAGE FACILITY AVILA BEACH, Calif. - Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) began loading used nuclear fuel last night from its current storage pool into a newly constructed, on-site storage facility. As existing fuel storage facilities at the nation's 65 nuclear power plants near capacity, about two-thirds of those sites now rely on above-ground, on-site storage as the preferred interim option. For decades, dry fuel storage sites throughout the U.S. have demonstrated that this storage method is safe and secure. "PG&E customers rely on Diablo Canyon Power Plant for clean, reliable power and this project will ensure that we can continue generating greenhouse gas-free electricity," said Jim Becker, DCPP site vice president. "After years of careful planning, preparation and evaluation, we are ready to move forward with this loading project." Eight containers of fuel will be moved over the next several months to the new interim facility, where they will be anchored to a seven and one-half foot thick concrete pad. Approved and licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, these robust containers undergo rigorous design and fabrication to ensure they can protect contents. DCPP is a nuclear power plant owned and operated by PG&E. Its two units together produce approximately 2,300 net megawatts of greenhouse-gas-free electricity, about 10 percent of all electricity generated in California, and enough to meet the needs of over three million homes in central and northern California. Nuclear energy accounts for about 74 percent of U.S. carbon-free generation. Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in northern and central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/.

FDA Med Watch: Discontinue use of three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products Posted: 16 Jun 2009 10:27 AM PDT Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Products (Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs, and Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size) Audience: Consumers FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals to discontinue use of three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products sold over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent. The FDA has received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with the use of the three Zicam products. In these reports, many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose; others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products. People who have experienced a loss of sense of smell or other problems after use of the affected Zicam products should contact their health care professional. The loss of sense of smell can adversely affect a person's quality of life, and can limit the ability to detect the smell of gas or smoke or other signs of danger in the environment. Read the complete MedWatch 2009 Safety Summary, including links to the Public Health Advisory and Consumer Update page, at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm166996.htm Twitter - #Zicam Cold Remedy

North Ops: Air Attack bases fully staffed Posted: 16 Jun 2009 07:38 AM PDT Cal Fire air attack bases across Northern California, including those in Chico and Redding are now at full staffing. Planes have left winter maintenance and storage at McClellan Air Park in Sacramento. All aircraft received annual 200 hour inspections while based at McClellan. Chico Air Attack Base - One Air tanker and one Air attack plane arrived at the over the weekend. Redding Air Attack Base - Two Air tankers and one Air attack plane will be stationed through summer. Starting today, all 13 bases will be fully staffed.

Freeway Fire Complex - Cause found to be catalytic converter Posted: 16 Jun 2009 07:34 AM PDT Birth of a Complex Fire Shot is from above I-15 in Mira Loma around 230pm when it was really blowing up, it's a panorama HDR shot and on the right you can see the Brea Fire being sucked back into the Freeway Fire. Photo credit: Dave - CAL FIRE - Yahoo SoCalfire group ------------------------------------- Vehicle debris confirmed as cause of Freeway Complex fire Fire officials released a report today, confirming the cause of a fire that destroyed 203 homes in O.C. YORBA LINDA – The debris that shot out of a car's catalytic converter is to blame for the Freeway Complex fire, officials confirmed in a final cause report released Monday. Preliminary reports in November suggesting that a faulty catalytic converter on the 91 freeway had caused the fire were confirmed Monday, Cal Fire-Riverside County Fire Department Capt. Fernando Herrera said. He added that officials will likely never know the identity of the vehicle that sparked the Nov. 15 blaze that destroyed 203 homes in Orange County, including 117 in Yorba Linda alone. "There was never any kind of information from anyone who could identify what kind of vehicle it was … pickup truck or a sedan or a license plate," Herrera said. "Nothing." He said investigators found honeycomb-shaped pieces that made up the insides of a catalytic converter. "(The catalytic converter) will actually explode that stuff out. It's a hot debris and that carries a lot of heat. Hot enough to start a fire" Herrera said. "That's more than enough to ignite anything." Nobody died or was seriously injured during the fire. However, it accounted for the largest loss of homes in Orange County since the Laguna Fire in 1993, according to some reports. The fire burned 30,305 acres and damaged or destroyed over 350 homes, commercial structures, vehicles and sensitive ecological areas in Chino Hill State Park and the Santa Ana River riparian area. At its peak, the blaze forced as many as 40,000 residents from their homes across the four counties: Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino. Source: Orange County Register - Link

Budget : Inmates may get the Axe Posted: 16 Jun 2009 07:07 AM PDT Inmate Firefighter Force May Shrink SACRAMENTO, CA - On the front lines of wildfires they are, above all else, firefighters. But some wear yellow, and others wear orange. They are the inmate firefighters. There are 4,400 inmate firefighters stationed across California, accounting for more than half of the state's total widlfire fighting force. "The program is essential to our firefighting abilities," said Daniel Berlant of Cal Fire. Berlant says that during wildfires, inmates are often the ones cutting fire lines and clearing brush. "They're doing hard work, work that the everyday person would never want to do," said Berlant. For inmates, it's a much sought-after position. They have to be low-level, non-violent offenders, and pass several physical and psychological tests before being accepted into the firefighting program. Once they're in, they get two days off their sentence for every day they serve as a firefighter. "These people are really the workforce for the state's fire fighting response," said Seth Unger of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Inmates work for $1 an hour. Unger says that saves $80 million a year in firefighting costs. "We certainly want to maintain our ability to have our firefighters be on the fire lines," said Unger. However, he said it might not be possible to maintain the status quo with the department facing cuts amounting to as much as $1.5 billion -- 15 percent of their budget. "The goal is to have savings that come in this next budget year, which starts July 1. We're hoping to see some savings from a combination of the various proposals in this coming budget year," Unger said. Almost all of the proposals involve reduction in the prison population, which would involve cutting the number of non-violent offenders incarcerated. However, they're the ones who serve as firefighters. Fewer inmates would mean fewer eligible firefighters. "It could be a significant impact," said Unger. Berlant added, "If we had to replace (the lost inmate firefighters) with an actual trained, professional firefighter, the cost would be significantly higher." It's possible the departed inmates might simply go un-replaced on the front lines. The corrections department will find out how much they'll have to cut once the state budget revisions have been finalized. Those changes could be announced before the end of June. Source: News10.com - Link

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San Bernardino County: 2003 Old Fire suspects ID'ed Posted: 14 Jun 2009 08:35 AM PDT Two suspects identified in catastrophic 2003 Old Fire Authorities on Saturday identified two suspects, one of whom is now dead, in the catastrophic Old Fire, which killed six people and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in October 2003. Sgt. Frank Bell identified 27-year-old Rickie Lee Fowler, formerly of San Bernardino, as a suspect in the case. Fowler was convicted in San Bernardino County Superior Court in November 2003 of burglary and sentenced to nine years in prison, court records show. He is serving out his sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison. Another source close to the investigation who asked not to be named identified Martin Valdez Jr. as the suspected driver of the white Chevrolet Astro van that was seen speeding away from the scene of the fire on Old Waterman Canyon Road. A composite sketch of the suspect circulated by the Sheriff's Department bears his likeness. Valdez, 24, of Muscoy, was shot and killed on a Muscoy street in February 2006. The Old Fire flared up on Oct. 25, 2003, near Old Waterman Canyon Road and burned for nine days across the San Bernardino Mountains, scorching 91,281 acres and causing $42 million in damage. Six people died of stress-related heart attacks as a direct result of the fire. It was one of the most catastrophic wildfires in San Bernardino County's history. Bell said he and his team of four detectives are wrapping up their case and will soon submit it to the District Attorney's Office for review. "I would like to have it to them within the next couple of months," Bell said. He said Fowler could face arson and murder charges. Fowler, who the source said was a known methamphetamine user, is believed to have been a passenger in the van and the one that started the fire. A witness parked in a turnout on Old Waterman Canyon Road reported a white man with long blonde hair fitting Fowler's description getting out of the van and hurling a lighted flare onto the hillside, the source said. "The witness sees this guy throw something up onto the side of the hill, and he got back into the van, which makes a u-turn and goes southbound on Old Waterman Canyon Road," the source said. "And then when the van gets to the intersection of Old Waterman Canyon Road and Highway 18, it runs a stop sign, and there's a couple out of Redlands, going northbound on Highway 18, and the van almost hits them." A passenger in that vehicle was able to give investigators a description of the driver that was the basis for the composite sketch, the source said. Investigators believe Fowler was trying to set fire to a man's house because he was withholding methamphetamine from Fowler. "Fowler admitted to being involved in the fires," said the source. "Then we learned the motive was that he (Fowler) wanted to retaliate against this guy who either stole his dope or was holding his dope. It was over drugs." Ironically, the house allegedly targeted by Fowler didn't burn in the fire, the source said. Sheriff's detectives are also seeking a third suspect who was also believed to be in the van, Bell said. The van was located in January 2004 in an impound yard in Los Angeles County after it was repossessed from its owner, a San Bernardino resident who is not a suspect in the Old Fire. No incriminating evidence was found in the van, the source said. "They took it (the van) from this guy," the source said of Valdez and Fowler. "Whether they took it knowingly and borrowed it . . . we don't know." Fowler's name surfaced as a potential suspect within three months of the fire. An informant told investigators that Fowler had bragged to a friend about starting the fire, the source said. Fowler admitted during an interview with sheriff's investigators that he was involved in the fire and was with Valdez and another man, but gave inconsistent statements as to his culpability, the source said. He did, however, drop a crucial piece of information that was never made public. "He admitted to running the stop sign, and that was never mentioned publicly - that they blew the stop sign," the source said. "So that was key to the confession . . . He said they almost hit a dog." "That would be for the District Attorney's Office to decide based on what we present them," Bell said. Sheriff's investigators have worked with both state and federal prosecutors on the case. Federal prosecutors were brought into the investigation because much of the fire occurred on federal forestry land, Bell said. The source said the case was presented to county prosecutors in 2004, but they declined to file charges, and asked detectives to seek out more evidence. "We made a play in 2004 to get this thing filed, and they sat on it. I thought it was bunk," the source said. "I think it's a very good case. I think it's provable beyond a reasonable doubt." Susan Mickey, spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, declined to comment Saturday. "We're not commenting because it's an ongoing investigation," she said. Source: dailybulletin.com - Link

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