California Fire News
California Fire News |
| InciWeb: ZACA Fire - 31,000 Acres - 48 percent Containment Posted: 21 Jul 2007 11:17 PM CDT Zaca Wildland Fire  Type 1 (heavy) helicopter reloading retardant at Zaca Fire Helibase.Credit: Mike Ferris - U.S. Forest Service  Heavy helicopter loading retardant at helibase. INCIDENT UPDATED 1:46 HRS. AGO SummarySaturday, July 21, 2007 7:00 p.m. (Evening update complete) Update on Precautionary Smoke Advisory for Areas Impacted by the Zaca Fire Call the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 for current conditions. Fire Location: 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, in Santa Barbara County. Command Team: U.S. Forest Service and Santa Barbara County Fire Department (Unified Command). Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 @ 10:53 AM. Acres: 31,000 Acres. Percent Containment: 48 percent. Estimated Containment Date: 07/27/07. Estimated Control Date: No Estimate. Resources Currently Assigned: Hand Crews: 30; Dozers: 23; Engines: 17; Air Tankers: 6; Helicopters: 20; Water Tenders: 29; Overhead Personnel: 224; Total Personnel: 1,068; Injuries: 7; Structures Threatened: 64 (Peachtree and Tunnel Ranch); Estimated Cost-to-Date: $28,600,000. Evacuations: All evacuation orders have been lifted. An evacuation warning is still in place for the residents of Peachtree Canyon, Tunnel Ranch and areas within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Happy Canyon Road is closed to the east at Baseline Road. Figuerora Mountain Road is closed to the east at Hwy 154. All Los Padres NF lands are closed from Hwy. 166 on the north roughly to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south, including San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. Current Closures: Santa Barbara County Fire Officials have ordered the following roads remain closed.
Los Padres National Forest Officials have ordered the following forest closures:
Significant Events: Crews made good progress constructing handline on the northeast perimeter and portions of the southeast perimeter. Dozers continued to improve indirect line. Current Situation: *Handline construction to continue on the northeast and southeast perimeter. *Aerial patrol of the western perimeter. *Crews to cold trail and secure fire's edge. *Survey for structure protection needs to continue. *Suppression rehab to continue to inventory fireline for suppression rehab needs. Safety Message: Residents,please use caution while driving in and around the affectedareas, and watch for fire apparatus and crews who may be on or near roads. Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel. Fire Information fact sheets and display boards are placed throughout the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valley's to keepcommunities updated on status of the fire. Media Message: Due to fire equipment activity, media escorts are available through the information office. Information Officers will be available to provide an escort to operations approved locations. Media will need to check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp for an escortedtour at 11:00 a.m. daily. Additional Information: The fire still has potential for increased growth and extended duration of wildfire suppression activities. Depending on wind conditions, smoke from the Zaca Fire may be visible over a wide area with occasional drift smoke as far away as Santa Barbara, Goleta or other areas of the county. If you would like more information, please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or go to http://www.fire.ca.gov/, http://www.inciweb.org/, or http://www.sbcfire.com/ .  Fire managers planning conducting evacuation of Zaca Fire area.
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| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Human Caused |
| Date of Origin | 07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs. |
| Location | 15 miles north east of Buellton, CA. |
| Incident Commander | Aaron Gelobter / Rick Todd |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,068 |
|---|---|
| Size | 31,000 acres |
| Percent Contained | 48% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 07/27/2007 at hrs. |
| Fuels Involved | Model 4 (6 ft) and oak woodlands. North and east flanks of fire are burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, at levels normally seen in late summer. |
| Fire Behavior | A change in fuels on the eastern perimeter has moderated fire spread. However, high intensity burning still exists in heavy pockets of fuels with interior island burning. |
| Significant Events | Crews made good progress constructing handline on the northeast perimeter and portions of the southeast perimeter. Aerial patrol of the western perimeter continued. Dozers continued to improve indirect line. Outlook |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Handline construction to continue on the northeast and southeast perimeter. Aerial patrol of the western perimeter. Crews to cold trail and secure fire's edge. Survey for structure protection needs to continue. Suppression rehab to continue to inventory fireline for suppression rehab needs. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | High potential for the fire to grow to the east and south. |
| Growth Potential | High. |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme. |
| Containment Target | Suppression tactics continue to be successful in maintaining north and west flanks. Poor access, rugged terrain, and extremely low fuel moisture continue to be problems in achieving containment in the Wilderness. |
| Remarks | All evacuation orders have been lifted. An evacuation warning is now in place for the residents of Peachtree Canyon, Tunnel Ranch and areas within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Canyon Road is closed to the east at Baseline Road. Figuerora Mountain Road is closed to the east at Hwy 154. All Los Padres NF lands are closed from Hwy. 166 on the north roughly to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south, including San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. Unified Command with Santa Barbara County. Precautionary smoke advisory for areas affected by the fire continues as issued by Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | 7 mph S |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | 84 degrees |
| Current Humidity | 31 % |
CA-AEU-Jakes IC - Wildland fire
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 09:54 PM CDT
SIZEUP: E83 reports aprox 15 acres at 1459
RESOURCES:E 2761, 2762, 2762, 2789, ENF 65 & 33, 74, 28
Growlersberg 2 & 3
WT 83
T88 and 89 dispatched from Grass Valley
Helo 88B - 15 min ETA
BC 2712
Tac 9
News Update: (1)
200 Acre Valley Springs Area Fire Contained
Saturday, July 21, 2007 - 08:15 PMSan Andreas, CA -- CAL FIRE officials report a 200 acre vegetation fire in the Linden-Peters area out of Valley Springs off Hwy 26 has been contained.
Smoke filled the air from the fire that was initially reported at 5:01pm.
Responding to the fire: all Columbia Air Base aircraft plus a helicopter from Yosemite, three local engines, 14 state engines, two dozers, four hand crews, one strike team from Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County and three water tenders.
Emergency Command Center Communication Operator Maryjo Boone reports there were injuries or structures damaged.
News - Wildfire force Digier Canyon residents from their homes
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 09:43 PM CDT
A wildfire burning north of Digier Road, west of Interstate 5, started at 11 a.m., and the flames are spreading fast.
"He did advise we evacuate and so we did, now we're just waiting at the Fort to see what's going to happen. I haven't heard any updates on the fire or when we can go back to our home, we're just waiting," said Valerie Gale, Digier Canyon resident.
A Kern County Fire spokesman said 40-60 homes are in the fire's path.
The Red Cross is opening an evacuation center at Frazier Mountain High School Saturday night.
The shelter begins operation at 7 p.m., located at 700 Falcon Way in Lebec.
It will provide food, water and temporary housing for those being evacuated from the area.
Fire crews from Kern County and other agencies are fighting the flames head on.
Fire officials say 150 acres are burned.
Drivers along Interstate 5 are stopping to watch the fire, and that is slowing traffic in both directions.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
ABC - LOCAL NEWS -
Homes Evacuated Near 150-Acre Kern County Wildfire
KERN COUNTY, July 21, 2007 (KABC-TV) - Evacuations are in place as firefighters battle a 150-acre wildland fire next to I-5 in Kern County. The fire broke out on the westbound side of the freeway just after 11 a.m. Saturday morning. It is burning in dry brush north of Frazier Park.
Crews are beginning to get the upper hand in the firefight, given the terrain and the dry conditions.The flames quickly burned through dry brush covering the hills. The blaze began around 11 a.m Saturday morning along the northbound lanes of the I-5 and quickly raced up the hills.
The concern was for residents tucked in to the canyon -- about 40-to-60 homes were evacuated due to the danger. Officials say they were concerned because there is only one road in, and one road out. They wanted to be sure they got the residents out of there before the fire reached the area.
The challenge for firefighters has been the terrain, which is extremely steep and treacherous. Several helicopters and water-dropping planes worked to break the fire's run, and so far have been doing a good job of that. The fire has burned 150-acres and is 15-percent contained.
Investigation into exactly what caused the fire continues. Authorities say the fire didn't come as much of a surprise.
"We're right in the middle of fire season. You don't want that to happen, but it does," said Capt. Benny Wofford of the Kern County Fire Department. "I mean, that's what we're here for. And it can take something as simple as an overheated engine, and you pull over to the side of the road -- I mean, the heat, and dry grass which is fueled, and you've got fire."
Officials tell Eyewitness News that they getting the upper hand on the fire and think it should be fully contained Saturday night.
News: 4 people die in San Pablo fire / 2 firefighters among those killed
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 08:55 PM CDT
Fire Engineer Scott P. Desmond, 37, and Fire Captain Matt C. Burton, 34,
who died in a San Pablo house fire Saturday morning.
Courtesy of Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
(07-21) 18:13 PDT SAN PABLO -- Two Contra Costa County firefighters lost their lives Saturday after they were caught in an explosion of flames as they tried unsuccessfully to rescue a couple from their burning home in unincorporated San Pablo, authorities said.
A seemingly routine call for help quickly turned disastrous with four lives lost, and left the 300-member Contra Costa County Fire Protection District reeling from the first on-duty deaths in its history.
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. Matt Burton, 34, of Concord, Fire Engineer Scott Desmond, 37, of Brentwood, and residents Delbert Moore, 67, and his wife of 18 years, Gayle, 62, died in the blaze at the couple's ranch-style, one-story home on Michele Drive in the Montalvin Manor neighborhood, authorities said.
The firefighters had managed to pull one victim from the home and were trying to find the other person when they were caught in a "flashover," which happens when hot gases build up in a building and cause bursts of flame to erupt, said Fire Chief Keith Richter.
"They did not make it out," Richter said. "Obviously, this is a devastating loss for the district and certainly for their families. Our hearts go out to them."
Burton, a firefighter for more than 10 years, was married and had two children. Desmond leaves behind his wife of three years, Carolyn, and their 17-month-old son, Tyler. Desmond was usually based at an Antioch fire station. On Saturday, he and Burton were assigned to the San Pablo station, said fire Capt. Bob Atlas.
"Scott was my best friend," said Atlas, who graduated with Desmond in the same county fire-academy class eight years ago. "He was a tremendous individual with phenomenal skills. Everybody liked him. I don't think there was a single person that didn't have a great comment to say about him. He was a salt-of-the-earth guy."
The firefighters' deaths underscore the dangers they face on the job, Atlas said. "There's no question this is an extremely dangerous job," he said. "When we take our oath to do our job, this is something we love to do. We want to help people. He died trying to make this a better world."
Gayle Moore has served as state head of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international nonprofit organization. She recently retired from the group to take care of her ailing husband, who suffered from diabetes and emphysema and got around in a scooter. Her husband had served as local San Pablo Eagles president. Both smoked, but the cause of the blaze was under investigation.
"It's bad. I was down there watching it," said Montalvin Manor resident Sharon Cook, 50, as she walked her dog, Faye. "It's a dangerous job, and it's something they don't get much appreciation for. They just figure it's their duty, their job, but they don't realize that firefighters have lives and families."
The fire was reported at the home about 1:45 a.m. Firefighters were told that the two residents were unaccounted for and began searching for them as a fire raged inside the house, Richter said.
Gayle Moore might have escaped outside, only to go back in to try to find her husband, the chief said. She was later pulled out of the house but was pronounced dead. When fire crews weren't able to reach Burton or Desmond on the radio, colleagues went to look for them. They were found in the same general area inside the home, Richter said, without elaborating.
The firefighters who died wore standard gear, including coats, helmets and self-contained breathing apparatus, but the material "won't stand up for very long" under intense heat from a flashover, Richter said.
Richter said there were no indications that there was a delayed response by firefighters nor problems with water pressure.
Contra Costa fire and sheriff's investigators cordoned off part of Michele Drive as they documented the scene and tried to determine what started the blaze. They were also joined by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state Cal Fire officials.
Engine 70 remained parked in the middle of the street Saturday. Flowers adorned the engine's front bumper as well as Fire Station 70 on San Pablo Avenue. The fire district employs more than 300 firefighters in 30 stations in nine cities and the county's unincorporated areas.
"There will obviously be a lot of questions asked in the investigation, We're still trying to put the pieces together," said Richter, his badge wrapped with a black band of mourning. "It's going to be a slow and painful process."
The Moores leave behind a daughter, Gwen, and sons George and Charles.
For 21 years, Gayle Moore served as secretary for the San Pablo chapter of the Eagles. In June, she retired from that position and, at the same time, ended a one-year stint as the group's "California State Madam Secretary." Sandy Gonzales, 59, of Richmond, current secretary for the Eagles chapter in San Pablo, said Delbert Moore was a member of the Richmond Rod and Gun Club who taught her to shoot rifles.
Gayle Moore was a "wonderful, warm-hearted, loving person," Gonzales said.
The firefighters' deaths came less than a month after Richmond Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Wiley died after crashing on the Carquinez Bridge.
CA-TCU-WIEMER IC - VEGETATION FIRE
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 07:18 PM CDT
CA-TCU-WIEMER IC - VEGETATION FIRE
Location: Highway 26 /Wiemer Road near Jenny Lind bounded by Ospital road, Warren RoadSIZEUP: 50 ACRES Rapid ROS immediate threat 2 Structures at front of fire
RESOURCES: Full Vegetation Response All aircraft, and additional strike teams 9160 G, 9442C, 9450C, 4050c
Dispatch 151.175
Air 151.280
ground 151.370
- Full response including SCU strike team in area
- AA bumping up response with two more Tankers and one more copter
- 18:10 hrs forward spread of fire stopped, Structure threat diminished
- Reduce code on resources still responding
- canceling all inbound strike teams(2), Dozers(3), and single engine resources
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 02:55 PM CDT
Location: South Bound I-5 on the grapevine near Digier Canyon.
Dispatch: KRN 1st alarm, LPF, and BLM-BBD equipment responding.
Ordering 2 S/T of Crews.
Sizeup:
- (1)80 acres moving into Digier Canyon. 40 Structures will be threatened if the fire gets established in Digier Canyon. SQF H-522 is now responding.
Updates: - (2) 100 acres, 3 strike teams from Kern and 1 from LA county. Structures threatened.
- Fire officials say 150 acres are burned.
CA-MMU-Allred IC - Vegetation fire
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 01:30 PM CDT
HIGHWAY 49/ASHWORTH
- Multiple starts - North side of Highway 49 at Ashworth road. Structure threats, 9472 Golf Strike team dispatched for structure protection.
- 42xx units 9420 c and 9440 Charlie strike team dispatched.
- Four Water Tenders-27, 39, 29 dispatched
- Fires both sides of Highway CHP being dispatched for low visibility.
- Fire has jumped to both sides of Allred road.
- Fires started by Tan vehicle towing large covered boat along highway 49 south BOL Issued.
- Allred road fire is priority
- Initiating emergency evacuations and reverse 911
- Immediate Threat to three residential structures in Boot Jack area
- Additional Strike team of TCU engines ordered out of county code 3 - 9441 C
- Copter 406 -
- Ashworth Rd side of fire knocked down - Allred road fire heading towards Silva Rd. is now priority
- Dozer and Air tanker making good progress structure threat diminished.
- Strike team from SCU 9160 C forming up for San Andreas staging
Dispatch: 11:20 am -151.460 Full wildland response
CMD 4 Tone 5
UPDATES:
- Division A looking good.
- Releasing some resources including dozers, Cancelling some enroute and ordered units including Copter.
- Closing woodland evacuation center
- CONTAINED AT APPROX. 33 ACRES
- Heavy mop up
Local News: Tracy Fire - Up in the air
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 12:06 PM CDT
Up in the air
Using an abandoned house at Ninth and B streets, firefighters practiced high-angle rescue techniques. They cut holes in the roof and floors leading to the basement and were lowered through the holes on rope suspended from an engine's high ladder. At the bottom, a dummy was buried under rubble.
The training gave fire personnel a chance to practice rappelling, ladder truck operations, rigging, roof ventilation and high-angle operations.
The building is one of three scheduled to be demolished by the city within 30 days. Firefighters will practice fire and rescue skills at all three buildings within the next three weeks.
Photo by Glenn Moore
Cal Fire News - California Morning Report - 2 large fires contained
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 10:47 AM CDT
| Zaca Wildland Fire | Los Padres National Forest | 44% contained | 30,900 acres |
| Elk Complex Wildland Fire | Klamath National Forest | 18% contained | 8,327 acres |
| Fletcher Wildland Fire | Modoc National Forest | 100% contained | 8,121 acres |
| China-back Complex Wildland Fire | Klamath National Forest | 100% contained | 2,906 acres |
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Visitor Death On Half Dome Trail
Valley rangers received a report of an unconscious and unresponsive man on the Half Dome trail about a half mile up from the Sunrise trail intersection early on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 11th. Off-duty park safety officer Roger Farmer soon arrived on scene and reported that CPR was in progress. Helicopter 551 was immediately requested and flew to the area. Ranger/paramedic Keith Lober and ranger Jason Gayeski-Peters heli-rappelled to the man's location. The victim. Jose Vasquez, 53, of Lodi, California, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was short-hauled from the area. The cause of death has not yet been determined. [Submitted by Leslie Reynolds, Valley District Ranger]
National Fire Activity – Preparedness Level 5
The National Interagency Fire Center moved to Preparedness Level 5 yesterday based on the current and expected fire activity throughout much of the West. Preparedness Level 5 goes into effect when the following conditions are met:
- Several geographic areas are experiencing major incidents which have the potential to exhaust all agency fire resources.
- A total of 550 crews committed nationally.
Initial attack was heavy on Wednesday (412 starts) and moderate on Thursday (289 new fires). Thirty-four incident management teams are now in the field.
From The Morning Report for Friday, July 20, 2007: "
National Interagency Fire CenterThe National Interagency Fire Center moved to a PL-5 yesterday – its highest preparedness level, reflecting the most severe fire situation – based on the current and expected fire activity throughout much of the West. This move was prompted by large fire activity occurring in several geographic areas and a heavy commitment of crews, aircraft, and equipment to these incidents, along with a forecast for continued hot, dry, windy conditions.
NIFC Moves To Highest Response Level
The 2007 fire season to date has been characterized by continued drought conditions, record-setting high temperatures, extreme fuel conditions, and widespread dry lightning storms across the West and by an early, active season in the Southeast. The combination of factors has led to multiple large fires in Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana.
More than 1,000 new fire starts were reported to NIFC between Monday, July 16th, and Wednesday July 18th. The high level of resources required for initial attack on these fires, combined with the large number of resources assigned to ongoing large fires, means that the nation's response capability is being spread thin.
The move to PL-5 means national fire leaders may assess the need for seeking international or military assistance. At this level additional personnel who work primarily in non-fire positions but who have some level of fire qualifications may also be called into action. PL-5 also serves as a safety reminder to all fire personnel that conditions are severe and the need to be alert is intensified.
The majority of fires to date have occurred at lower elevations and in lighter grass and brush fuels, which are conducive to rapid rates of spread and large fire growth. Late July and August is typically when fire activity escalates on higher-elevation forested lands. The weather outlook calls for continued hot and dry conditions with the potential for additional dry lightning storms.
As of Wednesday morning, approximately 15,000 people were assigned to 68 large uncontained fires. Fire managers have been moving crews and aircraft from eastern states and Alaska, where fire activity has diminished, to assist with the western fires.
Inciweb update: Zaca Wildland Fire - 30,900 acres - 44%
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 10:35 AM CDT
Zaca Wildland Fire
Summary
Saturday, July 21, 2007
7:00am
( Morning update complete )
Modifications to Evacuation Order Effective July 19, 2007 at 12:00 pm - see "News"
Update on Precautionary Smoke Advisory for Areas Impacted by the Zaca Fire
Call the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 for current conditions.
Fire Location: 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, in Santa Barbara County.
Command Team: U.S. Forest Service and Santa Barbara County Fire Department (Unified Command).
Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 @ 10:53 AM.
Acres: 30,900 Acres.
Percent Containment: 48 percent.
Estimated Containment Date: 07/27/07.
Estimated Control Date: No Estimate.
Resources Currently Assigned: Hand Crews: 35; Dozers: 23; Engines: 50; Air Tankers: 6; Helicopters: 20; Water Tenders: 39; Overhead Personnel: 231; Total Personnel: 1,465; Injuries: 7; Structures Threatened: 71; Estimated Cost-to-Date: $28,100,000.
Evacuations: All evacuation orders have been lifted. An evacuation warning is now in place for the residents of Peachtree Canyon, Tunnel Ranch and areas within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Canyon Road is closed to the east at Baseline Road. Figuerora Mountain Road is closed to the east at Hwy 154. All Los Padres NF lands are closed from Hwy. 166 on the north roughly to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south, including San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas.
Current Closures: Santa Barbara County Fire Officials have ordered the following road closures.
- Happy Canyon Road closed to the east at Baseline Road.
- Figueroa Mountain road closed to the east at Highway 154
Los Padres National Forest Officials have ordered the following forest closures:
- The current closure encompasses the entire San Rafael, Dick Smith, and Matilija Wilderness within the National Forest land. The area roughly includes all of the Los Padres National Forest from HWY 166 on the north to HWY 33 in Ventura County on the south. The 614,223 acre area will be closed until further notice. This closure will limit access to the San Rafael and Dick Smith Wilderness in order to insure the safety of citizens and fire personnel.
Significant Events: The fire burned actively through the night with little lateral spread in heavy fuels. Fire is established in the drainages near McKinley Mountain.
Current Situation:
* Aerial patrol of western perimeter.
* Line construction and cold trail as needed.
* Crews to construct direct line where possible utilizing Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST).
* Recon. north perimeter for helispot locations.
* Continue to survey for structure protection needs.
* Dozers to construct line south/southwest.
* Suppression rehab to continue fireline inventory for suppression rehab needs.
* Recon Sierra Madre Ridge for suppression strategy.
Safety Message: Residents should use caution when evacuating. Travelers using SR-154, please be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel. Fire Information fact sheets and display boards are placed throughout the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valley's to keep the communities updated on the fire status.
Media Message: Due to fire equipment activity, media escorts are available through the information office. Information Officers will be available to provide an escort tooperations approved locations. Media will need to check in at the Incident Command Post at Live Oak Camp for an escorted media tour at 11:00 am.
Additional Information: The fire has potential for increased growth and extended duration of wildfire suppression activities. Depending on wind conditions, smoke from the Zaca Fire may be visible over a wide area with occasional drift smoke as far away as Santa Barbara, Goleta or other areas of the county. If you would likemore information please contact the Zaca Fire Information Line at 805-961-5770 or go to http://www.fire.ca.gov/, http://www.inciweb.org/, or http://www.sbcfire.com/ .
###
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Human Caused |
| Date of Origin | 07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs. |
| Location | 15 miles north east of Buellton, CA. |
| Incident Commander | Aaron Gelobter / Rick Tod |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,465 |
|---|---|
| Size | 30,900 acres |
| Percent Contained | 44% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 07/27/2007 at hrs. |
| Fuels Involved | Model 4 (6 ft) and oak woodlands. North and east flanks of fire are burning in heavy, 40 year old fuels with high dead to live ratio. Fuel moisture levels are extremely low, at levels normally seen in late summer. |
| Fire Behavior | The fire burned actively through the night with little lateral spread in heavy fuels. |
| Significant Events | Crews that were inserted continued to work the northern perimeter. The fire is established in the drainages near McKinley Mountain. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Aerial patrol of western perimeter. Line construction and cold trail as needed. Crews to construct direct line where possible utilizing MIST tactics. Recon north perimeter for helispot locations. Continue to survey for structure protection needs. Dozers to construct line south/southwest. Suppression rehab to continue fireline inventory for suppression rehab needs. Recon Sierra Madre Ridge for suppression strategy. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | High potential for the fire to grow to the east and south. |
| Growth Potential | High. |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme. |
| Containment Target | Suppression tactics continue to be successful in maintaining north and west flanks. Poor access, rugged terrain, and extremely low fuel moisture continue to be problems in achieving containment in the Wilderness. |
| Remarks | All evacuation orders have been lifted. An evacuation warning is now in place for the residents of Peachtree Canyon, Tunnel Ranch and areas within the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Canyon Road is closed to the east at Baseline Road. Figuerora Mountain Road is closed to the east at Hwy 154. All Los Padres NF lands are closed from Hwy. 166 on the north roughly to Hwy. 33 in Ventura County on the south, including San Rafael, Dick Smith and Matilija Wilderness areas. Unified Command with Santa Barbara County. Precautionary smoke advisory for areas affected by the fire continues as issued by Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | 8 mph N |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | 65 degrees |
| Current Humidity | 39 % |
Breaking News - California LODD - Two Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters
Posted: 21 Jul 2007 09:33 AM CDT
At 0143, Engine 70 was dispatched to a fire alarm. While en route, based on additional information, the incident was upgraded to a structure response. The onscene report indicated that two people were inside. Four engines, including three from Contra Costa County Fire District and one from Richmond Fire Department responded.
Engine 70's crew, after finding and assisting in one rescue, continued searching for a second victim. During this rescue effort they became trapped. Despite valiant rescue efforts, two firefighters and the occupants perished as a result of the fire. The names of the residents of the house, a man, 67, and woman, 62, are withheld until next of kin are notified by the SheriffCoronor's office.
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