California Fire News

Saturday, October 13, 2007

California Fire News

Yosemite West: - Prescribed Fire Information

Posted: 12 Oct 2007 06:42 PM CDT

Yosemite National Park- Yosemite West prescribed fire
Picture credit: USFS

Fire Education Office

P.O. Box 577

Yosemite, CA 95389

209/372-0480 phone or

209/372-0491 phone

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Prescribed Fire Information Update #2

Yosemite West: PW-17, Segment E

October 12, 2007

The Yosemite West prescribed fire began October 9, at 9:30 AM. Units B and C ignitions were completed

October 11, and fire crews are now cleaning up and securing the "holding" lines. Approximately 250 acres were

treated (burned) with good fuel consumption of the dead and down, forest litter and other unwanted trees and

brush.

This area has not had any fire in recorded history, resulting in large accumulations of dead and down large tree

fuels. Standing dead trees (snags), those valued for wildlife habitat, were protected by fire crews in their pre-burn

preparation and during the burning operation. Other cultural prehistoric and historic values were also identified

and protected throughout the burn. The area has significant logging history dating to the late 1920's and early

1930's, with many small gauge railroad rights of way, cables and other associated debris.

Favorable weather for burning is predicted through the weekend. This will allow Fire Managers to

continuing preparing Segment E (approximately 650 acres) for burning the week of Sunday October 14.

A weather system has brought light rain and cooler temperatures to the area today. As this weather system clears

out later today, another larger storm is anticipated Tuesday, October 16, with significant rain and snow at the fire

area elevation (5500').

Smoky conditions have existed in the burn area and will continue to exist through the burn project. The predicted

weather system will reduce the settling of smoke in the area as it mixes with the air and lifts out of the area.

Minimal smoke may exist along the Wawona Rd (Hwy 41). All drivers are to continue to pay special

attention to instructions provided by Yosemite's Traffic Control Officers, and obey posted speed signs. The

southbound lane is open and no traffic delays are predicted. A special note of thanks goes to Yosemite Traffic

Control Officers for doing fine work in keeping our visitors and firefighters safe along the road during the

burning of Units B and C.

Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. People with

respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas.

For additional information or concerns, please call the Fire Information Line at (209) 372-0480 or our Prescribed

Fire Office at (209) 375-9574/9576.

Mariposa County Health Department: (209) 966-2220 Fax: (209) 966-8248

Transitional staffing in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit

Posted: 12 Oct 2007 05:59 PM CDT

San Andreas, CA...On Monday, October 15, 2007, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will begin transitional staffing in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU). This includes the Counties of Calaveras, Tuolumne, and those eastern portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus that are within the State Responsibility Area....

Those fire stations that have two engines staffed during fire season are to be down-staffed to one engine. All one engine stations will remain open and staffed. At Columbia Air Attack Base, the air attack plane and two air tankers will go off contract. Helicopter 404 will remain staffed as needed. TCU's two bulldozers will remain staffed. Baseline and Vallecito Conservation Camps will have normal staffing Monday through Friday, with a minimum of one crew at each camp on the weekends.

Prescribed Fire - Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park

Posted: 12 Oct 2007 06:04 PM CDT

Screen shot todays GeoMac for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Fire Update:
This burn was completed successfully as of today just prior to the rains coming in.

Valley View Prescribed Fire Planned Near Grant Grove

Information: Deb Schweizer 559-565-3703

Fire crews plan to begin ignitions on the Valley View Prescribed Fire near Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park on October 10, weather and air quality conditions permitting.
The 226 acre unit is located north east of Grant Grove Village and composed of mixed conifer and brush.
Ignitions will last approximately three days and will include a combination of hand held drip torches to "blackline" the perimeter and aerial ignitions by helicopter for the interior of the unit.
Fire managers will be re-introducing fire in this area after years of fire exclusion due to suppression policies. A 155 acre unit of this project was completed last year.

The goals of the prescribed fire are twofold:
• Reduce the risk of wildland fire in the Grant Grove area by reducing the amount of dead vegetation that has accumulated over the years and can lead to an unwanted and potentially destructive fire.
• Restore the role of naturally cycling fire into the area. Fire allows forest to be thinned, opening the canopy and allowing sunlight through. It recycles nutrients to the soil while reducing the amount of dead, woody debris. This aids the sprouting and re-growth of plants, shrubs, and trees.

Prescribed fire also helps to create a mosaic of diverse habitats for plants and animals.
Throughout the project, fire managers will work closely with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to manage smoke production and reduce local impacts.

Trail and road closures within the unit will be in effect to ensure visitor and firefighter safety. These include:
• The Panoramic Point Road will be subject to temporary daytime closures and closed at night.
• The Park Ridge Lookout Road will be opened to necessary administrative traffic only. Please coordinate access with fire managers.
• The Manzanita Trail, the Crystal Springs Trail, and the Round Meadow Trail

Park residents and visitors in the area who are sensitive to smoke or have pre-existing respiratory problems should limit their outdoor activities and keep windows closed during the burn. Drink water, eat a balanced diet, and get adequate rest. If you have heart or lung disease, asthma or emphysema, be diligent about following your physician's instructions. For more information about how to limit exposure to smoke, please visit http://www.airquality.org/smokeimpact/ .

RED FLAG WARNING - IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Posted: 12 Oct 2007 02:54 PM CDT

Updated: 12:51 PDT on 2007-10-12

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA DUE TO STRONG WESTERLY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY	Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 230 - JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK - CALIFORNIA FIRE WEATHER ZONE 232 - IMPERIAL COUNTY AND EASTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY -
Alert sent at 12:26 PDT on 2007-10-12

Investigation of Firefighter's Death Continues - Matt Will - HFEO

Posted: 12 Oct 2007 11:16 PM CDT

The investigation of Firefighter Matt Will's Line of Duty Death Continues and Funeral arrangements are pending.

Will, 30, died Tuesday after he was injured when the bulldozer he was driving rolled over and about 150 feet down a steep drainage while fighting the Colorado Fire near Big Sur Monday afternoon.

Memorial service:

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Preliminary Memorial Information for CAL FIRE employee Matt Will Memorial Service

A Memorial Service honoring CAL FIRE HFEO Matthew Will is scheduled for Thursday, October 18th, 2007 in the Hollister area. The specific location and time are undetermined, but it can be anticipated that the event will begin mid-afternoon.

Official funeral news will be posted at CDF FIREFIGHTERS organization Matt Will Tribute page or California professional firefighters Matt Will LODD page .

FOR THE FAMILY

Brother Will leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Firefighters wishing to make donations to assist Brother Will's family may contribute to The Matt Will Memorial Fund, through Local 2881's Benevolent Foundation:

Make checks payable to:
CDF Firefighters Benevolent Foundation (Tax ID#20-5686356)

Address:

Matt Will Memorial Fund
CDF Firefighters Benevolent Foundation
1731 J Street
Sacramento, California 95814

Updates:
A autopsy is scheduled for today,
His organs were being donated Thursday in San Jose.
CalFire officials said.

Dozer recovery: Plans are being made to recover Will's heavy bulldozer, Which is necessary for the investigation..
"His dozer is at the bottom of a ravine and they have to get it out of there," said CalFire's Hollister Air Attack Base Battalion Chief Mark Edria.