Monday, August 27, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Hotshots at work - Stay safe Laguna Hotshot crew

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 10:16 PM CDT

Ventura County Star: Hotshots at work
Video By: Zeke Barlow
The Laguna Hotshots are one of the many hotshot crews fighting the Zaca fire. Hotshots are considered the Green Berets of the fire fighting community because of their ability to attack fires in remote locations. Sometimes they will helicopter in to the middle of a forest only to have to hike out for miles after working 12 hours.

Insurance Company Protecting Pricey Idaho Homes from Wildfire

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 09:49 PM CDT

insurancejournal.com:

Insurance Company Protecting Pricey Idaho Homes from Wildfire

Idaho's Sun Valley Insurance is doing everything it can to keep claims at bay during wildfire season -- including sending in a firetruck to cover million-dollar homes threatened by a wildfire outside the central Idaho resort town of Ketchum.

"It's well worth it from an insurance standpoint, to keep these things standing," said Jack Dies, owner of Sun Valley Insurance.

A representative for New York-based AIG, Dies said he had insured seven of the threatened homes, which he estimated had a collective value of as much as $35 million. They're located on the western side of the tony mountain town.

"Fires are not totally uncommon here," he said, "but nobody thought we would be in as much danger as we ended up being in."

On Wednesday, the lightning-caused Castle Rock Fire had grown to 22 square miles. It was one of 13 fires being battled in Idaho that have scorched 1,170 square miles.

About 740 firefighters and fire managers were battling the Castle Rock Fire, said fire spokeswoman Pat Irwin. They included firefighters who rappel into the steep terrain out of helicopters.

She said nine helicopters were assigned to the fire and airtankers were also dropping fire retardant.

Residents of about 100 homes have been ordered to evacuate, and residents of about 200 more homes have been advised to leave.

Irwin said a plan to burn out areas ahead of the blaze, depriving it of fuel, has been working. She said "delayed aerial ignition devices," which look like pingpong balls, were being dropped to start fires in burnout areas.

"We started the burnouts (Tuesday), they're continuing, and they've all been very successful and they've worked beautifully," she said. "We have two or three more days of burnouts to do," she said on Wednesday.

She said the fire was burning about 11/2 miles west of Ketchum, and that no homes had been destroyed and no one injured. She said some 30 firetrucks were protecting buildings.

AIG insures about 30 to 40 homes worth at least $1 million each that are being threatened by the Castle Rock Fire, said Dorothy Sarna, the company's national director for risk management services. She said the firetruck the company dispatched to the area was working to protect 10 to 12 of the homes with a protective barrier of fire retardant.

"We have some pretty sophisticated models that tell us where the fire is, and then we pinpoint where our policy holders are," she said in a telephone interview.

She said the company insures about 200 expensive homes in the Ketchum area.

Elsewhere in the state, the 317-square-mile East Zone Complex of wildfires remained about 10 percent contained. It's burning east of Donnelly on national forest land.

Nancy Guerrero, fire information officer, said crews were working to clean up hot spots after two days of rain, but expected the fire to pick up again since dry weather was forecast.

"Things are going to start getting hot and heavy again pretty darn soon," she said.

The communities of Warren, Secesh and South Fork remain under a voluntary evacuation. Guerrero said there have been no significant injuries or buildings lost in the last several days.

The Cascade Complex of fires, burning about 16 miles east of Cascade, was 11 percent contained. That fire complex by Wednesday had burned about 256 square miles.

OSCC News and Notes Nor Cal Inreragency Incident report

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 09:46 PM CDT

Geographic Area Coordination Center (GACC) Website:


Updated:
08/26/2007

Memorial logo for Engine 57 Type I IMT - National Rotation
  • 2 hr: SW
  • 8 hr: SW
  • 24 hr: Team 2 Molumby
Type II IMT - Regional Rotation
  • 2 hr: SC
  • 8 hr:

Type I IMT - Regional Rotation
  • 2 hr: Team 2 Molumby
  • 8 hr: NA
  • 24 hr: NA
Type II IMT - Local Rotation
  • 2 hr:
  • 8 hr:
Date
Time
News and Notes
08/26/07
1025
CA-HIA is currently working 5 fires for a total of 15 acres.
08/26/07
0900
New Incidents, CA-HIA, resources are being ordered for two new fires that started last night on the Hoopa Reservation. Last reported at three and fifteen acres each. MWS

OSCC News and Notes So Cal Inreragency Incident report

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 09:41 PM CDT

OSCC News and Notes:

Latest Update: 08/26/2007 0930 hours PDT
Type I IMT - National Rotation
  • 2 hr: SW
  • 8 hr: SW
  • 24 hr: CA
Type II IMT - Regional Rotation
  • 2 hr: WOYCHAK
  • 8 hr:
Type I IMT - Regional Rotation
  • 2 hr: Team 5 DIETRICH
  • 8 hr: Team 2 MOLUMBY
  • 24 hr: none available
Type II IMT - Local Rotation
  • 2 hr: Team 2 WOYCHAK
  • 8 hr: NONE

Date Time News and Notes
08/26 1830 BABCOCK Fire; CA-YNP-2397 Fire is 210 acres with 0% percent contained, located Nine (9) miles East of Yosemite Valley. This incident is a Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit (WFU) and was determined to be lightning caused. Fire is highly visible from many vantage points within the park, low fire activity has been observed. 40% of the perimeter is active with occasional isolated torching, creeping and smoldering in closed Timber Litter.
08/26 1830 ROCK Fire: CA-SNF-1740 Incident is located North East of North Fork CA. Fire is burning in heavy timber and heavy brush in drainages with approximately 30 acres that is 0% contained. Multiple incidents ignited due to early morning lightning in mid-level terrain. Resources at a premium as they are dispersed and distributed to 13 separate fires. Agressive to extreme fire behavior and multiple spotting has occurred 1/2 mile from fire and in all directions. Humidity's are expected to lower tomorrow with little to no humidity recovery tonight. Campgrounds above and east of Rock Creek drainage are being evacuated and no traffic is allowed above that location on minarets highway (4S81).
08/26 1630 Zaca Fire, Live Oak Zone; Walkers Type 2 Team is being moblized to transition with Opliger's Type 1 Team
08/26 1630 Snow Fire; Fiorella's Type 2 Team has been demobed with incident being transtioned back the San Benardino NF.
08/26 0930 Zaca Fire; is 85% contained and has burned 241,550 acres. Live Oak Zone; the fire in the island within the Santa Cruz drainage continues to creep around. Progress is being made in the Suppression /Rehab Branch.
Richardson Zone; there was minimal overnight fire behavior. Continued direct fireline construction, monitor and mop up on spot fire activity. Highway 33 is still closed from Ozena north to Ventucopa for at least one more day. . The recommended evacuation order for the area west of Highway 33 in the Santa Barbara/Ventura Co. Line south to Pine Mountain Inn is still in effect.
08/26 0930 Vista Fire; is 95% contained and is holding at 420 acres. Residual burnout of the heavy fuels continued throughout the night. Good progress was made in all divisions.
08/26 0930 Babcock Fire (CA-YNP-2397) Started 07/111/07 at 1821 hours. This is a lightning fire that is being managed as a Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit (WFU). The fire is eight miles east of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley and has burned 172 acres and is 0% contained. One of the problems relating to this fire is it is highly visible from many vantage points within the Park. There is occasional isolated torching with short uphill runs. Two large granite outcroppings are included in the acreage.

EDIS - Flash flood watch in effect for santa barbara... ventura... and los angeles counties through monday morning

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 09:28 PM CDT

[EDIS] Flash flood watch in effect for santa barbara... ventura... and los angeles counties through monday morning
- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CENTRAL COAST-SANTA YNEZ VALLEY-CUYAMA VALLEY- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST-VENTURA COUNTY COAST- LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS- SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE- ANTELOPE VALLEY-CATALINA ISLAND-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY -


THE RISK FOR FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS WILL DECREASE MONDAY... HOWEVER THERE IS STILL A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS AND THE WATCH MAY NEED TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER THOSE AREAS MONDAY. SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CENTRAL COAST-SANTA YNEZ VALLEY-CUYAMA VALLEY- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST-VENTURA COUNTY COAST- LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES- VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS- SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS- LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE- ANTELOPE VALLEY-CATALINA ISLAND-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR * A PORTION OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA... INCLUDING LOS ANGELES... VENTURA... AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES. * THROUGH LATE TONIGHT * ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT ACROSS THE AREA WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN AND FLASH FLOODING. STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GENERATE UP TO 1 INCH OF RAIN IN ONE HOUR. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. ALTHOUGH THE GREATEST RISK WILL BE IN LOCATIONS IN AND NEAR BURN AREAS...STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS COULD POSE A THREAT ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME.

Instruction:
.MOISTURE FROM WHAT WAS HURRICANE DEAN WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING GENERATING ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. AT GREATEST RISK WILL BE LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR BURN AREAS WHERE THE THRESHOLD FOR MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IS CONSIDERABLY LOWER. ALTHOUGH MOST SHOWERS WILL BE ISOLATED...THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH TO ONE INCH PER HOUR COULD BE POSSIBLE. THIS..WITH THE COMBINATION OF WEAK UPPER LEVEL FLOW COULD CAUSE FLASH FLOODING ANYWHERE IN THE WATCH AREA. PRECIPITATION WILL BE ISOLATED AND MANY AREAS WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MEASURABLE RAIN. HOWEVER...WHERE THUNDERSTORMS FORM...HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING IS POSSIBLE AND RESIDENTS... TRAVELERS...AND EMERGENCY MANAGERS NEED TO BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF AND WHEN HEAVY RAIN BEGINS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.

Area: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA

Affected Counties or parts of: Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles,

CA-LAC-ANF-Low

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 04:34 PM CDT

CA-LAC-ANF-Low
Location: Loma Alta Drive and Lake Ave, in the Altadena area. 5 acres moving uphill with 5mph wind. ANF and LA County Fire sending full 1st alarm assignments with Aircraft
Sizeup: 5 acres, rapid ROS, 2nd alarm
Requesting Type 1 Copter (Helitanker) from LA City Fire. BC on scene confirming 5 to 6 acres running uphill

CA-SNF- Lightning series? 9 new starts today on the Sierra National Forest

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 03:08 PM CDT

CA-SNF Sierra National Forest: WCCA-SNF: Series of at least 8 wildland fire new starts today on the Sierra National Forest at WildWeb Lightning? Rock Fire is largest at 3-4 acres

CA-SNF- Lightning series? complex?

WildCAD - Sierra National Forest


Recent Incidents (Prepared 08/26/2007 12:46)

Date Inc # Name Type Location Comment
08/26/2007 12:08 SNF-1744 CASCADEL Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 11:50 SNF-1743 ******* Law Enforcement ******* .
08/26/2007 10:48 SNF-1742 BENEDICT Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 10:44 SNF-1741 SOURCE Vegetation Fire Off 8S27 .
08/26/2007 10:24 SNF-1740 ROCK Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 10:10 SNF-1739 FISH Vegetation Fire Fish Creek .
08/26/2007 09:29 SNF-1738 ******* Law Enforcement ******* .
08/26/2007 08:56 SNF-1737 WILDERNESS RESCUE Search & Rescue Murial Pk area in the Humphreys Basin .
08/26/2007 08:41 SNF-1736 ******* Law Enforcement ******* .
08/26/2007 08:26 SNF-1735 BUTTES Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 08:13 SNF-1734 THORNBERRY Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 07:36 SNF-1733 HOGUE 2 Vegetation Fire . .
08/26/2007 07:27 SNF-1732 ROCK CREEK Vegetation Fire

Lightning strikes last hour: Link
Lightning Strikes





Lightning Strikes
Lightning strikes last hour Map

Description:
The National Lightning image shows where cloud-to-ground lightning strikes have occurred in the last hour.

EDIS - Flash flood warning - San Bernardino

Posted: 26 Aug 2007 01:52 PM CDT

[EDIS] flash flood warning -
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... SOUTH CENTRAL SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA... *
San Bernardino
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR... SOUTH CENTRAL SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA... * UNTIL 130 PM PDT. * AT 1114 AM PDT... TRAINED WEATHER SPOTTERS REPORTED FLASH FLOODING FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER THE WARNED AREA. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... TWENTYNINE PALMS... TWENTYNINE PALMS MCAS AND WEST WIND AERO. A NEARLY STATIONARY THUNDERSTORM ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF TWENTYNINE PALMS WAS PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAIN. SPOTTERS REPORT THE SOUTH SIDE OF TWENTYNINE PALMS AND TO THE WEST TOWARDS JOSHUA TREE AS EXPERIENCING FLOODING...WITH HIGHWAY 62 BEING COVERED WITH WATER WEST OF TWENTYNINE PALMS. THE STORM PRODUCING THE HEAVY RAINFALL IS NOT EXPECTED TO MOVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE HEAVY RAIN UNTIL AT LEAST 1230 PM PDT.

Instruction:
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN.

Area: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV

Affected Counties or parts of: San Bernardino,

Sent: 2007-08-26T11:27:49-07:00

From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV

CNN.com

News: Breaking News -- MercuryNews.com

AP Top U.S. News At 8:45 p.m.