Thursday, November 29, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

Firefighter breaks Firefighters fall through floor

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 08:39 PM CST


Credit: Peter Brueggeman
SAN DIEGO – A fire that may have been ignited by a discarded cigarette Monday night caused $200,000 in damage to a La Jolla Village condominium, officials said.

The blaze broke out about 11:28 p.m. at the complex on Via Mallorca near Caminito Eastbluff and was knocked down by 11:50 p.m.

Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate injuries when a balcony floor collapsed. They were treated at a hospital and released.

Fire spokesman Maurice Luque said one firefighter fell when the floor collapsed and the second one on the balcony below was also hurt.

"He fell through the floor. As he fell to the (lower) level, a firefighter there was injured trying to break his fall," Luque said.

Five units were damaged in the blaze, with one unit heavily damaged by fire, Luque said. At least ten people were displaced.

The fire caused $150,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 damage to the contents.

Luque said investigators believe the fire was started by smoking material, but it still remains under investigation. It also is unclear where exactly the fire started, he said.

Source: SignOnSanDiego

EDIS: RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 08:20 PM CST

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Updated: 18:17 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT PST TONIGHT Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Alert sent at 17:54 PST on 2007-11-28
A CHANGE TOWARDS UNSETTLED WEATHER IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK Actual/Future/Unknown/Possible
REDWOOD COAST-MENDOCINO COAST-NORTH COAST INTERIOR-UPPER TRINITY RIVER-MENDOCINO INTERIOR-
Alert sent at 15:28 PST on 2007-11-28

CA-SCU- Lick Observatory - Controlled Burn - 700 acres

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 04:09 PM CST


SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cal Fire is conducting a controlled burn Wednesday on Mt. Hamilton that has attracted the attention of thousands of South Bay residents.

Officials at Cal Fire stationed in Morgan Hill said the fire is being held to about 700 acres.
The plume of smoke could be seen by drivers along Highway 101 from Sunnyvale south.The burn is located near the Lick Observatory.

EDIS: SO CAL WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 11:46 AM CST

EMERGENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Updated: 09:43 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28
OFFSHORE WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVER MUCH OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Likely
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE-
Update sent at 09:32 PST on 2007-11-28

Los Angeles - Red Flag Condition and restricted parking

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 11:43 AM CST

Red Flag

A Red Flag Condition has been issued for Los Angeles City.

Red Flag Restricted Parking will be in effect from

From
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:00 AM
to
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 10:00 PM
or
until further notice.

News: Great article at LAFD Blog - Fire weather, Red Flags and Burn Index

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 11:27 AM CST

The Science Behind LAFD Fire Weather

By Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department
Original article at: LAFD Blog -
The Science Behind LAFD Fire Weather

How are decisions made by the Los Angeles Fire Department to pre-deploy resources on days of high wildfire hazard?

The answer is science.

The LAFD utilizes a Burning Index (BI) as the basis to determine the Department's commitment to pre-deploy resources. A number of procedures occur daily to determine the actual BI:

First, fuel moisture readings are taken at Fire Station 108 on Mulholland Drive and communicated to the Division 3 office located at Fire Station 88 in the San Fernando Valley.

These fuel moisture readings are matched with predicted fire weather information (i.e. high/low temperatures, humidity, wind speed and direction) provided by a group of federal meteorologists that specialize in fire weather predictions at the Fire Weather Center (FWC), in Riverside California. This inter-agency group composed of California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services provides the information to determine the LAFD Fire Rating and pre-deployment of resources.

LAFD Division 3 also conducts real time weather surveys throughout the San Fernando Valley to determine existing weather conditions. In addition, the National Weather Service web site is used to monitor fire weather conditions in and around the City of Los Angeles.

The National Weather Service information may be different from the weather information provided by the Fire Weather Center. National Weather Service information may indicate a Red Flag Warning, where weather information from FWC will indicate a lesser rating i.e. Extreme or Very High rating.

When the National Weather Service and FWC weather information do not match, the importance of real time weather surveys gain importance when considering pre-deployment of resources.

Real time weather surveys and long-term weather predictions are considered to be a better predictor of weather conditions for the City of Los Angeles. However, this does not preclude the possibility of Red Flag Warning conditions in other areas of Los Angeles County.

The BI-levels stated as a numerical value are as follows:

BI 0 to 37 = Low
BI 38 to 47 = Moderate
BI 48 to 110 = High
BI 111 to 161 = Very High
BI 162 to 211 = Extreme
BI 212 and above = Critical

Red Flag Alert days occur simply when the wind speed is 25 miles per hour or more and the relative humidity is 15% or less.

A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now... or will shortly. History has proven that a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential.

On Extreme, Critical and Red Flag Alert days the Fire Department pre-deploys resources.

The pre-deployment of resources into selected Neighborhood Fire Stations serving brush areas is proactive to address the increased brush fire potential. The specific stations/locations selected for pre-deployment are based on fire experience, area access, and fire potential.




To determine current Red Flag Parking Restrictions within the City of Los Angeles, please call 3-1-1 or visit:

www.lafd.org/redflag

Inciweb: So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response

Posted: 28 Nov 2007 11:21 AM CST

So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response

INCIDENT UPDATED 19 MIN. AGO
BAER Poster

BAER Poster
Credit: USFS BAER

view pictures || view maps

Summary

Forest Service and Department of Interior and California State Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are conducting ground and aerial reconnaissance on the recent southern California wildfires. The BAER teams consist of resource specialists such as Hydrologists, Soil Scientists, Geologists, Biologists and Engineers with experience working on BAER teams throughout California and the Western United States.

A Multi-Agency Support Group has also been established to provide overall coordination for federal and state BAER and damage assessment efforts by facilitating multi-agency coordination and communication, coordinating public information, and providing support to the individual BAER teams. Forest Service BAER teams, a Department of the Interior (DOI) Interagency BAER team, California State BAER teams,and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) damage assessment teams are working cooperatively to address emergency stabilization needs on a watershed basis across mutiple federal jurisdictions.

One of the first priorities for each BAER team is to finalize a Soil Burn Severity map to determine the pattern of the burn on the landscape. Hydrologists and Soil Scientists refine the initial map received from a satellite image of the fire produced from the Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC) and by the USGS Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center. Further modification and revision is expected as more field data is collected and observations are made. The Soil Burn Severity map is critical as it "sets the stage" to assess potential impacts to resources and downstream values at risk. Final Soil Burn Severity maps have been completed for the following recent southern California fires: Buckweed Fire, Grass Valley Fire; Harris Fire, Poomacha Fire, Ranch Fire, Santiago Fire, Slide Fire, and Witch Fire.

SoCal BAER teams are meeting with interagency cooperators to discuss initial issues and potential values and threats such as: Life, Property and Safety. Threats to: 1) people and property; 2) trails, roads and highways; 3) recreation sites; and 4) water systems; and Resources. Threats to: 1) water quality; 2) soil productivity; 3) cultural resources; 4) species of special concern; 5) OHV incursion into fire areas; and 6) noxious weeds. SoCal BAER teams continue to coordinate during the emergency assessment and implementation phases with affected agencies, cooperators and other interested parties.

Weather Forecasting and Flood Information is available from the following agencies:

American Red Cross Flood and Flash Flood News and Tips at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_240_,00.html

Los Angeles County Department of Public Works at 626-458-5100 and at http://dpw.lacounty.gov/wrd/Flood/index.cfm

Orange County Flood Control Division at 714-834-5618 and at http://www.ocflood.com/

San Bernardino County Flood Control District at 909-387-7995 and at http://www.sbcounty.gov/flood/

San Diego County Emergency Services at 858-694-3900 and at http://www.sdcountyrecovery.com/erosion_control.html

National Weather Service Forecast Office for Los Angeles Area at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/lox/

National Weather Service Forest Office for SW California Area at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/

CALFIRE, U.S. FOREST SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR WORK TOGETHER TO RELEASE FIRST OF THE ASSESSMENT REPORTS ON OCTOBER WILDLAND FIRES:

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Department of Interior have released the first Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment Reports designed to assist federal, state, and local officials in creating a comprehensive remediation plan and to guide restoration efforts.

BAER Assessment Reports are completed for each fire or group of fires. California State BAER reports being released are the Santiago Fire, Small Fires, and Rice Fire. The Forest Service released BAER reports on the Harris, Buckweed, Ranch, Grass Valley, Slide, Santiago Fires. The Department of Interior report released a report on the Harris, Witch and Poomacha fires. Additional BAER reports will be released as they become available.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior deploy BAER Teams to assess the restoration and remediation needs following wildland fires. Reports compiled by the State of California can be viewed by visiting http://www.oes.ca.gov/ . Forest Service BAER reports can be viewed by clicking on each of the fire name listed in the above paragraph or by visiting the U.S. Forest Service web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/ and selecting your Forest from the pull down menu. The Department of the Interior report can also be viewed at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/palmsprings.html.

For additional information, please contact the following National Forests for questions regarding specific questions related to Southern California Forest Service BAER efforts: Angeles National Forest at 626-574-5200; Cleveland National Forest at 858-673-6180; Los Padres National Forest at 805-968-6640; and San Bernardino National Forest at 909-382-2600.

Additional Orange County Links:

http://www.ocgov.com/ (See Latest News Section)

http://www.ocgov.com/disasterasst.asp (Disaster Assistance)

http://.oc.gov.com/lac.pdf (Local Assistance Centers)

Resources & Development Management Department:

http://www.ocrdmd.com/ (See Top Left of Page for Link)

http://www.ocrdmd.com/services/FireInfoPropertyOwners.aspx

Basic Information

Incident Type Burned Area Emergency Response
Cause N/a
Date of Origin 10/27/2007 at 00 hrs.
Location Southern California National Forests
Incident Commander Not available

Current Situation

Total Personnel 100
Size 122,440 acres
Significant Events

As a result of the recent Southern California wildfires, President Bush declared a major disaster for the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facilitating the federal response with the California Office of Emergency Services (CA OES) to coordinate federal activities with those of the state, local, and tribal government agencies.

To ensure a comprehensive approach and coordinated effort, the state and federal agencies have established a Multi-Agency Support Group (MASG) to coordinate federal and state efforts to minimize the effects of the post-fire flooding, erosion, and debris flows -- and to maximize available resources.

Forest Service and Department of Interior interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are assessing post-fire conditions for eight (8) separate incidents: Ranch, Buckweed, Grass Valley, Slide, Witch, Poomacha, Harris, and Santiago fires.

The State of California - OES has mobilized and deployed additional resources to form five interagency state BAER teams. These state BAER teams will coordinate with the Forest Service and DOI BAER teams to assess burned areas not evaluated by the federal assessment teams.

The US Forest Service's Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC) and the USGS Earth Resources Observation System (EROS) Data Center is providing remotely sensed maps and initial Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) mapping for all the recent southern California wildfires. This tool assists the BAER teams and helps to prioritize where subsequent BAER teams may be deployed.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Interagency BAER teams of specialists survey and assess the burned areas and develop emergency treatment plans for the recent southern California wildfires.

After the assessment reports are completed, BAER implementation teams install emergency treatments before the onset of the winter storm season.

Projected Movement

Initial BAER team findings are: hazard trees, rock slides, OHV damage to native vegetation recovery, potential storm damage to existing roads, hiking trails, recreation cabins and campgrounds, reservoirs, water quality and supply, downstream values-at-risk, cultural resources, and the spread of noxious weeds.

Federal BAER team field assessments of values-at-risk are to be completed within seven days of when the wildfire is declared fully contained.

Final soil burn severity maps have been completed for the Buckweed, Grass Valley, Harris, Poomacha, Ranch, Santiago, Slide, and Witch fires.

Remarks

The Forest Service, Department of Interior, and California State BAER efforts for Southern California are a multi-agency, cooperative, and coordinated effort.

The SoCal BAER Coordination Team is co-located with the FEMA Multi-Agency Support Group (MASG) in Colton, California.

The MASG is composed of FEMA, US Forest Service, US Department of Interior, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, CAL FIRE, CA Department of Water Resources, CA Geologic Survey, CA State Parks, CA OES, Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board, Orange County Flood Control District, Riverside County Flood Control District, Santa Barbara County Flood Control District, Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego County Flood Control District, San Diego Gas & Electric, and San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions Not available
Current Temperature Not available
Current Humidity Not available

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