Friday, September 14, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Inciweb: Moonlight Wildland Fire - 64,997 acres - 89%

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 01:31 AM CDT

Moonlight Fire Satellite Image Of Smoke
Credit: NOAA GOES-11 Satellite Image Of Smoke

Night Torching
Credit: Inciweb, no Photographer credit

Moonlight Wildland Fire
INCIDENT UPDATED
ANNOUNCEMENT

North Arm Indian Valley Evacuation Order lifted
As of 6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 12 the mandatory evacuation for residents in North Arm Indian Valley is lifted. The voluntary evacuation order for residents of Taylorsville, Genesee Valley, and..... more

Summary

Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning. Winds were actually beneficial in reducing the risk to lines, aiding interior burning. Good mop-up efforts 100-300' in. 89% containment, 64,997 acres with no growth. Greenville, Taylorsville, and Indian Valley areas will be smokey in the morning for the next few days due to smoke funneling down drainages and an inversion. With less wind, these areas will get smokey. 9/17 is the projected full containment date. Humidity levels will rise through tonight and temperature will be colder. Some crews will begin to demobilize as they reach their 14-day limit.

The Fire Information call center will reduce hours from 6 am to 6 pm beginning tomorrow, 9/14.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin 09/03/2007 at 1424 hrs.
Location Moonlight Valley T27N R10E Sec 3
Incident Commander Unified Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel 3,223
Size 64,997 acres
Percent Contained 89%
Estimated Containment Date 09/17/0 at hrs.
Fuels Involved

Heavy timber & slash, 80% slopes

Fire Behavior

The Red Flag warning event tested the containment lines today. The fire was held within the containment lines on all divisions. Heavier fuels continued to burn throughout the day in the interior of the fire.

Significant Events

All lines were successful in containing the fire through todays Red Flag warning event. Line was completed and continues to hold in the SW, W, and NW portions of the fire. Line construction is nearing completion on the E portion of the fire. The mandatory evactuation order for residents in North Arm Indian Valley was lifted. The North Arm Indian Valley and Diamond Mountain Roads remain open to residents only. The mandatory evacuation remains in effect for: Taylor Lake, Wilcox Valley, Franks Valley, and Antelope Lake. A Forest closure is in place to ensure safety in the vicinity of the fire. All major highways remain open, however, most Forest roads are closed to access.

Outlook

Planned Actions

The W and NW continue to hold and mop up 500 feet from control lines. The SE perimeter construct direct line, improve and hold established line, grid for heat & mop up 200' from control lines. Provide structure protection. The SW perimeter patrol & mop up 100' from control lines. Provide structure protection in the Diamond Mountain, North Arm, Indian Valley and Wilcox areas.

Projected Movement

Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning event, therefore, no spread is anticipated.

Growth Potential

Extreme

Terrain Difficulty

80% slopes; extreme

Containment Target

The current lines held through the red flag weather event, therefore, an estimated containment date of 9/17/07 at 1800 hrs. has been established.

Remarks

The red flag warning event tested the containment lines today. All divisions were successful in holding the fire within the containment lines. Fire suppression repair and resource demobilization has been initiated. Resource advisors are working with Operatiions to formulate the fire line suppression repair plan.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 15-25 mph S
Current Temperature 63 degrees
Current Humidity 15 %

Cal Fire News: City of Ontario launches Emergency Information - Disaster website

Posted: 13 Sep 2007 06:45 PM CDT




ONTARIO -(Cal Fire News) - Touted as the the new cutting edge website for cities, The City of Ontario Emergency disinformation Web site that gives the public immediate access to "Official" information about fires, earthquakes, road closures and other local emergencies debuted Tuesday. Based on a simple Google map API the cutting edge remains to be seen but it maybe somewhat effective combined with the e-mail notification list if both are updated and timely it will be helpful but certainly not cutting edge and official information tends to be diluted and dated.

It does have its supporters though considering it will reduce the phone answering workload for the PIO,
"This is a real strong tool for residents, businesses and the media,"
Ontario Fire Department spokesman Jacob Green said.

The home page of the Web site features a interactive map of the city. When a
significant emergency occurs, its location will be posted on the map,
along with links to other critical information, such as evacuation
plans or shelter.

Web site: http://www.disasterportal.org/Ontario/home.htm

CA-SCU-BRIONES Vegetation fire - 20 acres

Posted: 13 Sep 2007 06:13 PM CDT

Sizeup: 20 acres, 2 flanks. Controlled burn which jumped fire
lines.
Location: Briones Resevoir area of Orinda . Initial report from East Bay Regional Parks BC is 20 acres, heavy fuels, backing into drainages. Full ground and air attack response enroute.

Staging area: Briones staging

Comms:
CMD: SCU Local
TAC: White 2
CDF tac 2 151.160
EBRPFD 44.64
EBRPPD 44.76
Con West 159.735

Narrative: Briones Air Attack (AA140) reporting 15-20 acres in brush, slow rate of spread, should be able to handle with resources at scene and enroute.
Update: Fire contained. Extensive mop-up.

CA-RRU-Laguna - Wildland fire - 22 acres

Posted: 13 Sep 2007 11:26 AM CDT

Location: near the intersection of Laguna Avenue and Jamieson Street.
Update; 09/13/2007 0800 hrs.: Fire is 22 acres.
Full containment is expected sometime this morning. Full control is anticipated at 9/14/2007 at 0800 hrs.
Resources: 38 engines assigned, 5 hand crews, Aircraft ordered for this morning
Injuries:2 firefighters received minor heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene.
Road closures: All roads were re-opened around midnight last night.

Riverside Fire 209
Incident Name: Laguna Incident Number: CARRU-80051
Date Reported: 09/12/2007 Time Reported: 6:33 PM
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Incident Location: Laguna Av. x Jamieson St. City: Lake Elsinore
Size/Type of Fuel/etc.: 22 acres medium to heavy fuels Cause: Under Investigation
Loss: $0 (STR): $0 (Contents): $0 Vehicle(s): $0
Save: $0 (STR): $0 (Contents): $0 Cost to Date: $0
Injuries:
Fatalities: 0 Critical: 0 Moderate: 0 Minor: 0 Non-Injury: 0
Transported Ground AMB: 0 Air AMB: 0
Containment Time: Control Time:
Resources Assigned
Engines: 38 Breathing Supp.: 0 Helicopters: 0
Truck Co: 0 Squad: 1 Air Attack: 0
Firefighters: 115 RVC Medics: 0 Air Tankers: 0
Overhead Personnel: 15 AMB's: 0 Fire Crews: 5
Haz. Mat: No Co. Health: No County OES: Yes Fire Prev.: Yes Water Tenders: 1
Electrical Co: No Gas Co: No Water Co: No Bulldozers: 1
Red Cross: No Chaplain: No Displaced Persons: No Adult: 0 Child: 0
Misc. Equip: Sheriff's Office: No CHP: Yes Office: San Diego
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE/Riverside, California Highway Patrol – San Diego, Riverside County Fire Dept, Riverside County OES, USFS – Cleveland
Supplemental
Comments: UPDATE 09/13/2007 0800 hrs.: Fire is 22 acres. Full containment is expected sometime this morning. Full control is anticipated at 9/14/2007 at 0800 hrs. 2 firefighters received minor heat-related injuries and were treated at the scene. All roads were re-opened around midnight last night. Wildland fire that started near the intersection of Laguna Avenue X Jamieson Street. The fire is currently 10-15 acres burning in medium to heavy brush. Potential structure threat to a few homes located in the hills between Laguna/Jamieson and the Ortega Highway. No evacuations have been ordered thus far. No injuries have been reported. Unified command of the incident has been established between CAL FIRE and the USFS. ROAD CLOSURES: Riverside Drive between Grand Avenue and Hughes St. and Ortega Highway (SR74) between Grand Avenue and El Cariso.
Problems: Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain.
Evacuations: No Evacuation Comments:
Information Center: 951-940-6985 OR:
Prepared By: Jody Hagemann Prepared Date/Time: 09/13/2007 0825

CA-MVU- Border Fire - Vegetation Fire - 40 acres - 50%

Posted: 13 Sep 2007 12:14 PM CDT

Location: Barrett Junction area. Bell Valley up towards the 94 south of Harris ranch Rd. south of Highway 94 near Buzzards Roost
Sizeup: Reported at 5:30 p.m Wednesday near Bell Valley consumed 40 acres as of 8 p.m. There are no structures threatened.
Resources:
AA 330, 3 S2T's assigned, Eight engines, two fire crews, three air tankers and one helicopter, And at least one water tender
MVU BC 3313 is IC and CNF B32 is Operations.

Diamond Springs volunteer firefighter pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony arson charges

Posted: 13 Sep 2007 08:33 PM CDT

A 24-year-old Diamond Springs volunteer firefighter pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three felony arson charges.

Benjamin Cunha, who has volunteered for several fire departments in El Dorado County and hails from a long line of career firefighters, is alleged to have started three fires within the past three weeks, according to the criminal complaint filed in El Dorado County Superior Court.

The complaint states that Cunha, of Placerville, set fire to a structure and forest land located at Sand Ridge Road in El Dorado on Aug. 21. Cunha also is alleged to have set fire to a structure and forest land at Big Cut Road near Excelsior Road in Placerville on Aug. 29 and to have set fire to a structure and forest land at Mosquito Road in Placerville on Sunday, the complaint states.

Cunha also faces a special allegation of arson with aggravating factors in regard to the three felonies. The arsons were caused by a device designed to delay ignition, the complaint states.

Cunha was arrested Sunday afternoon after an investigation by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's Amador-El Dorado Unit.

He is being held without bail at the El Dorado County Jail.

Cunha has been a volunteer firefighter for the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District since 2000. He has been placed on administrative leave.

Cunha also has worked as an apprentice firefighter for the El Dorado County Fire District and, from 2001 to 2003, was a seasonal firefighter for Cal Fire, said Phyllis Banducci, division chief for Cal Fire's Amador-El Dorado Unit.

Cunha's family members also have logged many years in fire service.

His father, Ed Cunha, worked for the Diamond Springs/El Dorado Fire Protection District for 23 years, retiring as a captain in 1997. He now serves on the fire district's executive board, said Marty Sanford, the fire district's assistant chief of operations and training.

Frank Cunha, Ed Cunha's father, retired from the fire district in 1985 after more than 20 years of service, he said

"The Cunha family has been an integral part of the fabric of the district for many years," Sanford said.

Cunha's next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

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