Friday, October 19, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

Prescribed Fire Information - Yosemite West: Update #3

Posted: 19 Oct 2007 12:39 AM CDT

U.S. Department of the Interior
Prescribed Fire Information Update #3
Yosemite West: PW-17, Segment E
October 18, 2007
The Yosemite West prescribed fire began October 9, at 9:30 AM. Units B and C ignitions were completed
October 11. Approximately 250 acres were treated (burned) with good fuel consumption of the dead and down,
forest litter and other unwanted trees and brush.
Fire crews began burning Segment E, approximately 650 acres, on Tuesday morning, October 15. Today,
approximately 450 acres have been burned in this unit. The perimeter of this large unit was burned earlier this
week and all that is left is the interior of Segment E. Due to north to northeast winds driving a high altitude
band of smoke to the southwest, ignition of the burn was stopped as of 3:30PM today. The smoke band was
visible inside of the Park and throughout the region, including the cities of Oakhurst and Mariposa.
The smoke may settle into the South Fork of the Merced River basin with cooler night time temperatures, but will
be transported out of the area as a storm front approaches the area and winds scour-out residual smoke.
These winds are ahead of a predicted frontal system which could bring .15 of an inch of rain to the burn area. The
frontal system is predicted to arrive tomorrow afternoon, Friday, October 19, and move through the area by mid-
morning on Saturday.
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. No
traffic delays are predicted. 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.
This burn is important to the Park and the community of Yosemite West for defensible space. 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.
Other fire activity in the Park includes pile burning along the Wawona Rd, south of Yosemite West, and in the
community of Foresta. A reconnaissance helicopter flight was made over all pervious wilderness fires (Bald,
Grant and Babcock) and no visible smoke was observed. These high altitude fire areas were also covered by
snow.
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

CalFire - HFEO Matt Will Memorial - Last Call

Posted: 18 Oct 2007 10:44 PM CDT


Cal Fire turned out in force to send one of their own on his last call...

A Helitack Flyover, Bagpipes, Bells, A Sea of class A, even the Dozer working the hillside far off in the distance seemed so fitting.
The weather was perfect and so many recounted beautiful memories for such a short life... The Cal Fire memorial for Matt Will was a very fine send off.

God Bless the Family

FIRE WEATHER WATCH - ENTIRE VENTURA COUNTY AND AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Posted: 18 Oct 2007 08:05 PM CDT

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR STRONG SANTA ANA WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR ENTIRE VENTURA COUNTY AND AREAS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Alert sent at 14:55 PDT on 2007-10-18
Actual/Future/Severe/Possible


Memorial service - Matthew Richard Will - San Benito County Fairgrounds

Posted: 18 Oct 2007 10:52 AM CDT

California - A memorial service for a Cal Fire firefighter who died battling a blaze in Monterey County is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at the San Benito County Fairgrounds in Hollister. Matthew Richard Will, 30, of Hollister, a heavy fire equipment operator for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, died Oct. 9 when the bulldozer he was operating overturned.

Will, 30, was battling the Colorado Fire in Monterey County on Oct. 8 when his bulldozer rolled over. He was airlifted to San Jose Regional Medical Center and died the next morning from injuries sustained in the accident.

Will was assigned to Hollister Air Attack Base in the San Benito Monterey Unit, according to Cal Fire. He started with Cal Fire in May 2003 as a heavy fire equipment operator and recently graduated from the department's fire academy in Ione. Will is survived by his wife, Diana Will, son Trysten, 10, and daughter Elsie, 8.

Anyone wishing to attend the service is asked to arrive by noon.

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