California Fire News

Flights halted at bombing range linked to N.J. wildfires - CNN.com Posted: 18 May 2007 10:53 PM CDT Flights halted at bombing range linked to N.J. wildfires - CNN.com: " Flights halted at bombing range linked to N.J. wildfires POSTED: 10:10 p.m. EDT, May 18, 2007 Story Highlights • Air Force investigating how blaze began on Warren Grove Gunnery Range • New Jersey Air National Guard: Flare from F-16 jet may have sparked fire • Property owners may be paid for damage from fire, which is mostly contained • Progress reported on wildfires on Georgia-Florida, U.S.-Canadian borders Adjust font size: LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (AP) -- Military officials announced Friday they were suspending training at an aerial bombing range where a flare dropped from a military jet may have caused a 27-square-mile (70-square-kilometer) wildfire. The Air Force also said it convened an accident investigation board to investigate how the blaze began on the Warren Grove Gunnery Range. The fire continued to burn Friday, but a steady rain was assisting firefighting efforts. Training was suspended pending the investigation, officials said. New Jersey Air National Guard officials said the fire might have been sparked by a flare dropped from an F-16 into the tinder-dry southern New Jersey Pinelands during a training mission Tuesday. The military has promised to reimburse property owners if investigations find the jet was to blame, and officials began handing out claims forms Thursday. At the height of the fire, 6,000 people were evacuated and a handful of homes were damaged or destroyed. The blaze was between 90 percent and 95 percent contained as of late Friday afternoon, said Jim Petrini, assistant fire warden with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. It would probably be another day or so before it was declared under control, he said. Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, New Jersey adjutant general, said he had directed the 177th Fighter Wing unit at Atlantic City International Airport to stand down from all flying activity for the day and conduct an all-day safety review. The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said in a news release that the suspension of flight activities and safety review would "provide an opportunity for F-16 pilots to focus on an extensive review of all safety procedures." In 2004, a National Guard jet at the range, located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Atlantic City, accidentally strafed an elementary school during a training exercise. Elsewhere, firefighters were making progress battling a wildfire along the Georgia-Florida border, which was 70 percent contained Friday, officials said. Residents of about 200 homes were allowed to return Friday, but some 541 residences remained evacuated Friday, Columbia County spokeswoman Paulette Lord said. Officials canceled a three-day folk music and arts festival set for next weekend at a state park. A fire in northern Minnesota that has burned 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) in the United States and Canada could be brought under control by Sunday, officials said. Authorities hope to lift the remaining evacuation orders affecting about 100 residents along the Gunflint Trail by Tuesday.

Amador Ledger Dispatch-Fanning the flames Posted: 18 May 2007 10:45 PM CDT Amador Ledger Dispatch: "Fanning the flames" Friday, May 18, 2007 By Raheem Hosseini - Bill Lavallie A CAL FIRE helicopter douses a hot spot with a water bucket. Photo by: Bill Lavallie Two firefighters catch their breaths and rehydrate. Photo by: Bill Lavallie Fire personnel respond to one of the spot fires. Photo by: Bill Lavallie UPDATED A faulty catalytic converter sparked a series of fires that stretched from Lake Pardee along Stony Creek Road into Jackson and back out to Hurricane Hill on Wednesday, and sent area fire crews scrambling to put out the many spot fires along the road. A total of 10 fires were recorded by CAL FIRE, charring roughly seven acres of grass at a value of $1,400. A couple turned into serious threats and bulldozers and helicopters were brought in to assist the fire crews. There were no reports of any structures involved at press time and CAL FIRE recorded no injuries. Several fire investigators were brought in to investigate and Calaveras County Sheriff's deputies stopped a white 1997 Ford pickup truck that matched a witness description of the vehicle that may have started the fires due to a defective exhaust system. After testing the truck and removing the catalytic converter for inspection, CAL FIRE prevention officials determined the sparks and hot debris originated from the converter. It is believed the same vehicle caused the fires from Wednesday, May 16, along Paloma Road, Watertown Road and Highway 26, as well as the May 17 fires between Highway 26 and Howard Lane. Prevention officials believe the Calaveras resident who owns the vehicle was unaware of his faulty converter and are not pursuing arson charges.

Apartment Fire In S.F. Mission District Kills 1 Posted: 18 May 2007 09:34 PM CDT cbs5.com - Apartment Fire In S.F. Mission District Kills 1: " Apartment Fire In S.F. Mission District Kills 1 (CBS 5 / BCN) SAN FRANCISCO A fire at a Mission district apartment building Friday morning killed one man, while another woman was taken to a local hospital with burns. The three-alarm fire happened on the corner of Duboce Avenue and Woodward Street. The man who died was a 55-year-old limo driver and father of five who lived with his mother, according to a neighbor and friend of the family. Virginia Ramos said she has been a friend of the man's 78-year-old mother, who was taken to San Francisco General Hospital after the fire, for more than 20 years. The medical examiner's office this morning had not identified the man found dead in the third-floor flat. Police said a woman suffered life-threatening injuries in the blaze, which affected 27, 29 and 31 Duboce Ave.�all units in a large building at the corner of Woodward Street. Thirty people have been displaced by the blaze, according to officials from the Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross. A shelter has been set up for residents at a nearby park and recreation center. Three fire trucks remained on scene Friday morning and streets around the building were blocked to traffic. Firefighters were still working to put out two hot spots, San Francisco fire Lt. Ken Smith said. The blaze was first reported at 1:53 a.m. and was upgraded to a three-alarm fire four minutes after fire crews arrived, Smith said. The flames were contained around 3 a.m. Ramos described her injured friend as a feisty woman who is quick to help anyone who needs assistance. Ramos, known as The Tamale Lady because of her popular itinerant tamale business, said her friend regularly helps her cook tamales to sell to Mission District bar patrons. "We would talk for hours. We would be in the kitchen together arguing and wrestling and cooking tamales. She's a strong woman, but this is going to really affect her," Ramos said. Ramos described her friend's son as "a nice man" and a father. None of his children lived in the unit, she said. Red Cross officials urged anyone interested in helping the fire victims to call 1-888-HELP-BAY or visit http://www.redcrossbayarea.org.

Nevada - BLM - Mustang Fire - Wildlandfire.com Hotlist Forum Posted: 18 May 2007 09:07 PM CDT Mustang Fire - Wildlandfire.com Hotlist Forum: "Mustang Fire "Mustang Fire - Reno, NV Wind driven fire along I-80. 800 acres. No structures threatened and burning in medium grass. 1 helicopter, 4 crews and numerous brush engines and water tenders." From News sources: Wildfire at 200 acres off I-80 (1.) The wildfire east of Sparks is up to at least 200 acres today. That's the latest word from the Sierra Front fire responders, who are providing details. No injuries are reported in the Mustang Fire. No structures are threatened, either. But the area includes natural resources and sage grouse. Evacuations are not being ordered. The grass-fueled fire is centered about 1 mile north of the Mustang exit off eastbound Interstate 80. The blaze is controlled, but no containment time is projected. The fire started about 1 p.m. today. Crews from throughout the area are at the scene. They include firefighters from Reno, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Storey County and the Nevada Division of Forestry. Sierra Pacific Power Co. and the Nevada Highway Patrol are among those helping. In all, the crews total about 130. Resources include four engines, hand crews and a helicopter. Watch for possible slow going along I-80.

CA-LAC-Island 100% contained Posted: 18 May 2007 08:25 PM CDT CA-LAC-Island (Catalina) - Wildlandfire.com: CA-LAC-Island (Catalina) Its expected to be 100% contained as of 1800 hrs today. 4,750 acres total From the 0600 209 Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.): Damage assessment teams have completed their findings. Other damages were 10 perceived operational vehicles that were destroyed and 15 non-foundation sheds and containers. Dozer line in Div. Y has been rehabbed with ongoing fire suppression rehab throughout the fire. Local law enforcement continues to remove control points allowing for residents and tourist to travel outside the city limits. Exceptional efforts of ground crews along with favorable weather conditions have produced better than expected perimeter containment. Estimated containment is for 5/15/07 at 1800.

Navy assists in Catalina wildfire Posted: 18 May 2007 07:10 PM CDT NavyCompass.com: Friday, May 18, 2007 By MC2 Stephanie Tigner Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific Sailors attached to Assault Craft Unit Five (ACU-5) assist Los Angeles County Fire Department in delivering their firefighting equipment and personnel to Catalina Island aboard a U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) to assist in battling a massive wildfire May 11. The fire on Catalina Island, approximately 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, ravaged more than 4,750 acres and is one of the largest fires there in years. U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Daniel A. Barker CATALINA ISLAND, Calif. - Sailors of Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 from Camp Pendleton, Calif., assisted Southern California firefighters in battling a wildfire that broke out on Santa Catalina Island May 10. So far, the fire has claimed more than 4,000 acres on the 76-square-mile island and has consumed several campground buildings and one residential house. ACU-5 Sailors worked nonstop loading and off-loading fire engines, fire equipment, and working with more than 500 firefighters from Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the California Department of Forestry. "I can't say enough about all the help the Navy has given us," said Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Andrew Olvera. "The use of the LCACs (landing craft air cushions) has been a vital part of our operation." "We're just here to help and we'll do what we can to save this island," said Information Systems Technician 1st Class Patrick Gradert of Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1. "It really makes me proud of the armed aorces of the United States and what they're able to do," said Fire Capt. Larry Tucker of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Approximately 3,300 people were temporarily evacuated from Catalina Island, which is located approximately 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles. Several thousand residents populate the island, but as a popular tourist resort, it also hosts more than 1 million guests annually.

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