Wednesday, January 24, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

CA-VNC Ventura County Wildfire Incident 07-0003543

Posted: 23 Jan 2007 12:37 PM CST
CA-VNC Thousand Oaks Area
Approximating address: FOOTHILL DR / HAMPSHIRE RD Thousand Oaks, CA

Map- http://38.101.117.146/fireline/incidents.html
CA-VNC Thousand Oaks Area

COMMENTS:
- E31 onscene 1/2 acre in heavy brush east facing slope wind driven - Jan 22 2007 4:42PM
- B3 assuming command. Requesting 5 additional type 1 engines - Jan 22 2007 4:53PM
- Fire now at 7 acres - Jan 22 2007 5:35PM
- PER THE PIO: 30 ACRES W/15% CONTAINED - Jan 22 2007 11:59PM
- still holdng at 30 acres 50% contained - Jan 23 2007 4:47AM
- fire not expected to go over 30 acres per Capt Parker - Jan 23 2007 5:34AM
Approximating address: FOOTHILL DR / HAMPSHIRE RD Thousand Oaks, CA

Map data ©2007 TeleAtlas - Terms of Use
Map
Satellite
Hybrid
Ventura County Fire Protection District DBA Ventura County Fire Department

Approximating address: FOOTHILL DR / HAMPSHIRE RD Thousand Oaks, CA

http://38.101.117.146/fireline/incidents.html

Notes: Per the PIO, 30 acres, 50% contained, expected to hold today.
Ventura County Wildfire Threatens 20 California Homes

Posted: 23 Jan 2007 12:17 PM CST

Wildfire Threatens 20 California Homes

Tuesday January 23, 2007 7:01 AM

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) - Fire driven by Santa Ana winds spread over 30 acres of brush in steep terrain Monday, threatening 20 homes.

Wind was blowing the fire through hills in a southerly direction a short distance south of U.S. 101, said Ventura County fire Capt. Barry Parker. The blaze, burning in the Thousand Oaks area, was 15 percent contained late Monday.

``The fire is being pushed by mild Santa Ana winds. It's staying within its perimeter so that's a good thing,'' Parker said.

More than 200 firefighters were on the lines and two helicopters made water drops over the area of modern homes, many set in cul de sacs amid hills.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

The blaze broke out as ``red flag'' warnings were posted for fire danger due to gusty offshore winds and low humidity levels in Ventura County and parts of neighboring Los Angeles County. Santa Anas blow from the interior of the West toward the coast, pushing back the normal flow of moist air off the Pacific.

The Ventura County Fire Department closed its fire season on Jan. 15, citing forecast weather patterns with reduced potential for major wildland fires. Just last week, a storm blew through, delivering rare snow to the nearby Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu.

The closure of fire season involves changes in work schedules and equipment. The department warned, however, that there is year-round fire danger in Southern California.

Thousand Oaks, with a population of 127,000, is about 40 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

Earlier this month, a wind-driven brush fire roared through an exclusive beachside area in Malibu, destroying five homes including one belonging to Suzanne Somers and damaging six others. Losses have been estimated at $60 million.

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Update from USA Today Ventura County fire

Firefighters gain upper hand on wind-driven wildfire in Southern Calif.

23 Jan 2007 17:14:33 GMT

Firefighters said Tuesday they had gained an upper hand on a brush fire that has burned 30 acres and briefly threatened 20 homes.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters said Tuesday they had gained an upper hand on a brush fire that has burned 30 acres and briefly threatened 20 homes.
The fire was 15% contained early Tuesday, said Ventura County fire dispatcher Vicki Crabtree.

Steep terrain not accessible by fire engines made battling the blaze, which started Monday, a slow go, but winds had calmed down overnight allowing crews to get a handle on the fire.

They continued to douse hot spots, and there was no timetable for when the fire would be 100% contained, Crabtree said.

The blaze broke out in hills as "red flag" warnings were posted for fire danger due to gusty offshore winds and low humidity levels in Ventura County and parts of neighboring Los Angeles County.

Thousand Oaks, with a population of 127,000, is about 40 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.

More than 200 firefighters were on the lines Monday and two helicopters made water drops over an area of modern homes, many set in cul de sacs amid hills, that were briefly threatened by flames.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Two-alarm fire damages historic home

Posted: 23 Jan 2007 12:10 PM CST

Two-alarm fire damages historic Alameda County home
Bay City News Service

A two-alarm fire at a historic Cherryland District home in unincorporated Alameda County Monday further diminished hopes of ever restoring the old home, which suffered fire damage in a separate blaze on Jan. 1, the Alameda County Fire Department reported.

Monday's fire was the second time this month that the Hayward-area home, which once belonged to the daughter of pioneer Hayward-area farmer William E. Meek, has caught fire, according to Battalion Chief John Walsh.

Firefighters first received reports of the fire, located at 278 Hampton Road, at around 5:33 p.m., according to Walsh. First arriving units discovered heavy smoke coming from the rear of the single-story home, as well as nearly 50-foot flames rising from the roof.

According to Walsh, while firefighters confined flames to the rear of the home and the attic, several holes in the home's floor and sections of unstable roof made it difficult for firefighters.

The causes of both Monday's fire and the Jan. 1 fire remain undetermined, according to Walsh. Monetary assessments of damages for either fire have yet to be determined.

The Fire Department reports that while there was evidence of transients occupying the home, the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No injuries have been reported and the fire threatened no other buildings. The fire was controlled at around 6 p.m.

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