California Fire News

Sonora - Aftermath Of A Fire Posted: 25 Sep 2007 12:58 PM CDT Aftermath Of A Fire Story at mymotherlode.com Monday, September 24, 2007 - 05:30 PM Bill Johnson MML News Director Sonora, CA -- It was Friday evening at 7:34 when the alarm was sounded signaling a structure fire on Shaws Flat Rd. Cal Fire Incident Commander Steve Herzog stated the fire started in an outbuilding and quickly spread to the residence destroying both structures. Responding to the blaze: Cal Fire, Sonora Fire Department, Columbia City, Columbia College Air Unit, Tuolumne City and the Tuolumne County Fire Department. No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported. Cause of the fire remains under investigation. Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com

VALLEJO FIRE - Urban Interface - Four-alarm grass fire raises suspicions of arson Posted: 25 Sep 2007 12:41 PM CDT Story at Times-Herald By J.M. BROWN staff writer A four-alarm grass fire ripped through upper Hanns Memorial Park on Monday, charring three acres and damaging roofs on two homes. Seven of the city's eight engines responded to the 5:45 p.m. blaze, which started about halfway between the Skyline Drive and Oakwood Avenue entrances to the park. The cause may have been arson, fire department spokesman Bill Tweedy said at the scene. The park is full of dry vegetation surrounding the Blue Rock Springs Creek, "but nothing down there would just automatically start a fire," he said. "Something has to ignite the dry brush." Sparks from flames that engulfed trees on the east edge of the park jumped to the shake roof of a home in the 100 block of Creekside Drive, Tweedy said. Firefighters from the city's ladder truck doused six hot spots on the roof. It took about 45 minutes to control the fire., Tweedy said. Plumes of smoke could be seen from several miles away. Robert Marasigan, whose roof was damaged, said he was using his computer when he heard what he thought was heavy wind coming from outside. "There was this hustle and bustle sound," said Marasigan, whose family has owned the house for 20 years. When he looked out a window facing the park, he said, he saw flames eating away at a nearby tree. After calling 9-1-1, he said, he returned to the window and saw the tree engulfed. Marasigan said he stood outside as firefighters put out the flames on his roof and the roof of the house next door. No injuries were reported. Authorities ask anyone with information about the fire to call police at 648-4321 or the fire prevention division at 648-4565.

LATHROP — Dust explosion at the Diamond Pet Food facility Posted: 25 Sep 2007 11:57 AM CDT Blast at Lathrop pet food plant badly burns 3 workers By Cheryl Winkelman, STAFF WRITER Story at Inside Bay Area Article Last Updated: 09/25/2007 08:16:50 AM PDT Diamond Pet Foods in Lathrop, Calif. was rocked with an explosion Sunday evening September 23,... « 1 » LATHROP — An explosion at the Diamond Pet Food facility early Sunday morning burned three employees seriously enough for them to be flown to the University of California, Davis, Regional Burn Center, fire officials said. Further information about their condition was not available. Lathrop-Manteca Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Gene Neely would not release the names of the injured. Neely said employees were welding in the tower of the facility, at 250 Roth Road, when an explosion occurred about 1:30 a.m. The exact cause is still under investigation, but Neely said, "We believe that the welding operations in connection with the dust from the dog food caused the explosion in the tower." The fire also caused minor structural damage to the tower's tin siding, Neely said. James Monty, chief of the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District, said the biggest job was not putting out the fire but staying on the scene to make sure no other blazes erupted. On Monday morning fire crews were at the site to conduct safety checks. Officials of the Meta, Mo.-based manufacturer of dog and cat food did not return phone calls.

Butler 2 Fire sparks plans for Highway 18 repairs Posted: 25 Sep 2007 10:04 AM CDT (1) Caltrans is planning emergency repairs to Highway 18 to protect the roadway from rockslides and other falling debris. Geologists inspected the slopes above the highway Friday and Sunday to assess what kind of repairs would be needed after the Butler 2 Fire, Caltrans spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said. Officials are concerned that the 14,039-acre fire burned away vegetation that was shoring up the hillsides, and has increased the risk of rock and mudslides in the Arctic Circle, a 4.7-mile section of Highway 18 between Big Bear Dam and Lake View Point. "There's a lot of debris that has and will come down as a result of this fire," Kasinga said. Rain could speed the flow of rocks, pinecones and logs down the hill, she said. Motorists should expect more frequent closures on the highway this winter during heavy rain or snow, she said. The highway, which saw some minor rock falls on Friday, reopened Sunday night. Caltrans has regular patrols monitoring the area to ensure that the roadway is clear, Kasinga said. Crews will add drain covers to large drainage pipes to keep debris from getting in and blocking the flow of water. They also will add dirt berms to act as barriers. The project is expected to cost less than a million dollars and could begin late this week or early next week, Kasinga said.

You are subscribed to email updates from California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610