Saturday, September 15, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Butler 2 Fire facts - 400 acres - 0% percent

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 09:40 PM GMT-06:00

Butler #2 Fire Location per Geo mac
Credit: Geomac/ CalFire News art dept
Butler #2 Fire CA-BDF-9435; Fire is burning in brush & timber and is approximately 400 acres with 0% percent containment due to steep terrain and erratic winds. Incident is located 1/4 mile south of Hanna Flats Campground northwest of Big Bear Dam on the San Bernardino national Forest.
Evacuations have been reported for Camp Whittle, Hanna Flats Campground as precautions.

The following roads have been reported as closed to through traffic: Poligue Canyon Rd in Fawnskin, 2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, and Grays Peak Trailhead.
Hwy 18 currently remains open per CHP.

A type 2 Incident management Team #3 (Fiorella)Team has been requested.

Inciweb: Butler 2 Wildland Fire - Actually 300 acres

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 09:12 PM GMT-06:00

Butler 2 Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1:02 HRS. AGO

Summary

The Butler 2 Fire was reported at 130 pm northwest of Big Bear Lake. Several Campgrounds north of Big Bear have been evacuated. No communities are currently threatened or evacuated.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin 09/14/2007 at 1321 hrs.
Location NE of Big Bear Lake
Incident Commander Steve Selzter

Current Situation

Total Personnel 225
Size 200 acres
Fuels Involved

Brush and Timber.

Fire Behavior

High temperatures and low humidity, high winds aloft.

Significant Events

Not available

Outlook

Planned Actions

Not available

Growth Potential

Extreme

Terrain Difficulty

High.

Remarks

Evacuations--Camp Whittle, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat Campgrounds, Yellow Post campsites in the area, and Butler Peak Lookout.

Forest Road Closures--2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, Grays Peak Trailhead.

Resources on Scene--11 hand crews, 11 engines, 2 helicopters, 8 airtankers 4 watertenders.

No communities are currently threatened or evacuated.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 27 mph S
Current Temperature 80 degrees
Current Humidity 8 %

CA-BDF-BUTLER 2 - Vegetation Fire - +200 acres , long and medium range spotting

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 09:16 PM GMT-06:00

Screen shots from Snow Valley web cam (link)

September 14, 2007 1:51 pm
Location: 1330 hrs General area of fire is Northwest of Big Bear / Big Bear Lake near Butler Peak. north of Butler Peak near Hannah Flats. Near old Butler burn.

Sizeup: 5+ acres, moderate ROS, Building column and responding unit requesting 2nd Alarm and 6 crews and 4 WT, Requesting 4 additional Fixed wing and a type 2 Rotary.

Fuels: (3)Mod 4 and Timber in the area some bug and freeze kill. 1 mile to the north is the willow burn from '96, lots of sage/grass 10 year old fuel bed. Dispersed ranches in the area North / Northwest 1-2 miles.
The Willow Fire ('96) and Devil Fire ('94) were in the same general location and ran toward the desert. Willow ran into the Town of Apple Valley and to the east.

Weather: West wind 10 MPH moving east. 20% RH -

Updates: ICP moving to County Fire Station #49.

1700 hrs -300-acres - Active Fire one-quarter mile south of Hannah Flats Campground. Burning north toward the campground and Camp Whittle slower forward progress, attempting to hold the fire south of the campgrounds.

Resource orders - 5 strike teams of type 1's, 5 strike teams type 3's, 20 hand crews for a total of thirty, 10 dozers, 10 more water tenders, Bear divide and Groveland hotshots from Pine fire to Butler Fire immediate need.

- 200 acres , long and medium range spotting, Planning for heavy commitment, More evacuations soon...
No communities are currently threatened or evacuated.

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS - Camp Whittle, Big Pine Flat, Ironwood, Hanna Flat Campgrounds, Yellow Post campsites in the area, and Butler Peak Lookout

ROAD CLOSURES IN PROGRESS...Hard closure of highway 18 fire backing into area known as Arctic circle...

Forest Road Closures
--2N13, both ends of 3N14, 4N16, 3N16 at Crab Flats, Grays Peak Trailhead.

1500 - hrs Fixed wing operations on hold for at least one hour due to weather conditions...Fixed wing expected back at 1630 hrs...Rotary aircraft also now off fire due to winds
(2)The Butler Peak Fire Lookout has been evacuated, but the volunteer is still waiting to be escorted out by firefighters.
(1)5+ acres, moderate ROS out of the old Butler burn. .
Flames visible from Butler LO
Air Attack reporting 15 acres pushing down slope on the north side, 1/10th ahead of the main fire
Scanner online: http://www.bigbearscanner.com/
Webcams:
http://67.134.255.234:8080/local/svglimpse2.html
http://www.bigbearlake.net/webcams/camlakewest.asp

Cal Fire News - Pine Fire started by illegal immigrants

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 03:15 PM GMT-06:00

The 2,170 acre Pine Fire was caused by an Criminal migrant lighting a illegal campfire, investigators said.

Officials have said lightning strikes and campfires started by illegal immigrants are the two most common causes of fires in the forest south of Interstate 8.

The humidity doubled overnight to about 35 percent, helping calm the spread of the flames, said incident commander Ron Woychak, of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

"This is a fuel-driven fire," Woychak said. "A lot of this area hasn't burned in 37 years, since the Laguna fire. It's like straw out there."

Firefighters are anxious to keep the fire from moving into Pine Valley or jumping into the uninhabited area east of the community, which has heavy vegetation and virtually no roads.

"If it gets into there, it's going to be 'game on' for awhile," said Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck.

Higher humidity levels and relatively light winds helped slow the spread of the fire yesterday, Cal Fire Capt. Matt Streck said.

CA-RRU-Alta Mesa - Vegetation Fire - 63 acres and 60%

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 03:00 PM GMT-06:00

Location: Whitewater canyon approximately one mile north of I-10.
Resources: 15 engines, 1 AA, 2 AT, 1 helo, 1 dozer, and 5 crews.
Terrain: Extreme, limited access
Weather: 0945 temp 96 degrees, humidity in the mid teens, and winds at 8 gusting to 16mph

Updates:
1045 63 acres and 60% contained.
Whitewater Canyon Road closed to the public.
50 mph gusts on top of the ridges
09/14/2007 1255: Fire is 75% contained, no changed in acres burned. One inmate firefighter was transported with heat-related injuries to a local hospital.

RVC 209

Incident Name: Alta Mesa Incident Number: CARRU-80431
Date Reported: 09/14/2007 Time Reported: 6:19 AM
Incident Type: Wildland Fire
Incident Location: Whitewater Canyon City: Whitewater
Size/Type of Fuel/etc.: 30-35 acres in light grasses Cause: Under Investigation
Loss: $0 (STR): $0 (Contents): $0 Vehicle(s): $0
Save: $0 (STR): $0 (Contents): $0 Cost to Date: $0
Injuries:
Fatalities: 0 Critical: 0 Moderate: 0 Minor: 0 Non-Injury: 0
Transported Ground AMB: 0 Air AMB: 0
Containment Time: Control Time:
Resources Assigned
Engines: 15 Breathing Supp.: 0 Helicopters: 1
Truck Co: 0 Squad: 0 Air Attack: 1
Firefighters: 125 RVC Medics: 0 Air Tankers: 2
Overhead Personnel: 7 AMB's: 0 Fire Crews: 5
Haz. Mat: No Co. Health: No County OES: No Fire Prev.: Yes Water Tenders: 1
Electrical Co: No Gas Co: No Water Co: No Bulldozers: 1
Red Cross: No Chaplain: No Displaced Persons: No Adult: 0 Child: 0
Misc. Equip: Sheriff's Office: Yes CHP: Yes Office: Indio
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE/Riverside, California Highway Patrol – Indio, Morongo Fire Department, Riverside County Fire Dept, Riverside County Sheriff's Office
Supplemental
Comments: 09/14/2007 1040 hrs: Fire is 63 acres and 60% contained. 09/14/2007 1000 hrs: Fire is 63 acres. Whitewater Canyon Road remains closed. No structures threatened, damaged or destroyed and no injuries have been reported. 09/14/2007 0930 hrs: Fire is 30-35 acres. Field PIO FC Fernando Herrera is at scene. He can be reached at 760-250-9881. Cell phone coverage is limited in this area. In the even FC Herrera cannot be reached, please contact the Fire Information Line at 951-940-6985. 09/14/2007 0830 hrs: Approximately 15 acres involved, burning in light grasses near the Whitewater radio repeater site in Whitewater Canyon.
Problems: Access problems. Law enforcement assisting with the closure of Whitewater Canyon Road to the public.
Evacuations: No Evacuation Comments:
Information Center: 951-940-6985 OR:
Prepared By: Jody Hagemann Prepared Date/Time: 09/14/2007 1039

[EDIS] Red flag warning - LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 12:10 PM GMT-06:00

[EDIS] Red flag warning now in effect until 10 am pdt saturday for areas southeast of highway 14 and above 4000 feet

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-


THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LOS ANGELES/OXNARD HAS EXTENDED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THIS WARNING IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PDT SATURDAY AND IS FOR AREAS SOUTHEAST OF HIGHWAY 14 AND ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET.
RELATIVE HUMIDITIES AT LOCATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET REMAIN IN THE SINGLE DIGITS THIS MORNING...AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN VERY LOW THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. IN ADDITION...RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES WILL REMAIN POOR... WITH MOST LOCATIONS REMAINING AROUND 10 PERCENT. ISOLATED RECOVERIES AT MOST WILL BE 20 PERCENT. FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SHOULD MODERATE ON SATURDAY AS ONSHORE FLOW STRENGTHENS AND A WEAK DRY COLD FRONT OVER THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS FINALLY PUSHES SOUTH.

Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW... OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

Area: LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-

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

Sent: 2007-09-14T10:01:03-07:00

Original Sender: KLOX@nwws.oes.ca.gov

From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA

Inciweb: Moonlight Wildland Fire - 65,000 acres - 90%

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 12:17 PM GMT-06:00

Moonlight Fire Perimeter Map

Ground To Crown Flame Spread
Credit: Unknown / Inciweb

Moonlight Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1:13 HRS. AGO
ANNOUNCEMENT

North Arm Indian Valley Evacuation Order lifted
As of 6:00 pm, Wednesday, September 12 the mandatory evacuation for residents in North Arm Indian Valley is lifted. The voluntary evacuation order for residents of Taylorsville, Genesee Valley, and..... more

Summary

Containment lines held through the Red Flag warning. Winds were actually beneficial in reducing the risk to lines, aiding interior burning. Good mop-up efforts 100-500' in. 90% containment, 65,000 acres with no growth. Greenville, Taylorsville, and Indian Valley areas will be smokey in the morning for the next few days due to smoke funneling down drainages and an inversion. 9/17 is the projected full containment date. Humidity levels will rise through tonight and temperature will be cooler. Personnel and equipment will begin to demobilize today. The mandatory evacuation has been lifted for Franks Valley. The Murdock crossing fire camp will be closing today.

The Fire Information call center will reduce hours from 6 am to 6 pm beginning 9/14.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin 09/03/2007 at 1424 hrs.
Location Moonlight Valley T27N R10E Sec 3
Incident Commander Single Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel 3,216
Size 65,000 acres
Percent Contained 90%
Estimated Containment Date 09/17/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved

Heavy timber & slash,

Fire Behavior

The fire was held within the containment lines on all divisions. Heavier fuels continued to burn throughout the night in the interior of the fire.

Significant Events

Line was completed and continues to hold in the SW, W, and NW portions of the fire. Line construction is nearing completion on the E portion of the fire. The North Arm, Indian Valley and Diamond Mountain roads remain open to residents only. The mandatory evacuation remains in effect for: Taylor Lake, Wilcox Valley, and Antelope Lake. The evacuation for Franks Valley has been lifted. A Forest closure is in place to ensure safety in the vicinity of the fire. All major highways remain open, however, most Forest roads are closed to access.

Outlook

Planned Actions

The W and NW continue to hold and mop up 500 feet from control lines. The S, SE and E perimeter will continue to construct direct line, improve and hold established lines, grid for heat & mop up 200' from control lines as well as provide for structure protection. On the SW perimeter crews will patrol & mop up 100' from control lines and provide structure protection in the Diamond Mountain, North Arm, Indian Valley and Wilcox areas.

Projected Movement

There is minimal potential for fire spread, if any, is predicted to be to the Northeast.

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

80% slopes; extreme

Containment Target

The current lines held through the red flag weather event, therefore, an estimated containment date of 9/17/07 at 1800 hrs has been established.

Remarks

The red flag warning event tested the containment lines yesterday. All divisions were successful in holding the fire within the containment lines. Due to the deminished threat to the Cal Fire Protection area the decision was made to discontinue the Unified Command structure as of 0800 today. The incident will be managed by a single Incident Commander from CIIMT-2. Fire suppression repair/rehab and resource demobilization has been initiated. Four burned structures were found yesterday. The type of structures and historic value is being evaluated.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions 5-10 mph SW
Current Temperature 70-75 degrees
Current Humidity 15-20 %

Inciweb: Pine Wildland Fire - 2,170 acres - 50%

Posted: 14 Sep 2007 12:04 PM GMT-06:00

Pine Wildland Fire

INCIDENT UPDATED 1:34 HRS. AGO

Current condition
Credit: U.S. Forest Service

view pictures || view maps

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Illegal Campfire
Date of Origin 09/12/2007 at 1315 hrs.
Location Pine Valley, CA
Incident Commander Ron Woychak

Current Situation

Total Personnel 704
Size 2,170 acres
Percent Contained 50%
Estimated Containment Date 09/15/2007 at hrs.
Significant Events

Mt. Empire High School will reopen today. Good progress throughout the night and expect significant demobilization to begin 9-14-07.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Continue to construct and reinforce containmnet lines, mop up, and begin rehab of cold containment lines.

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

Extreme

Remarks

Good progress today. Mt. Empire School was closed today for safety purposes, but will reopen 9-14-07.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions Not available
Current Temperature 62 degrees
Current Humidity Not available

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