Wednesday, October 10, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

The Stanislaus National Forest extends comment period

Posted: 10 Oct 2007 01:03 AM CDT

Forest extends comment period on a controversial proposal to remove developed campgrounds

Published: October 9, 2007

By MIKE MORRIS

Story at The Union Democrat

The Stanislaus National Forest has extended its public comment period on a controversial proposal to remove developed campgrounds, charge additional camping fees and reduce the operating season at certain sites.

Public feedback on the plan was due by Monday, however requests like those by the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors, prompted forest officials to extend the comment period to Oct. 22.

In a letter approved a week ago, supervisors asked forest officials to extend the public comment period by 30 days so they could give a more-detailed response.

"I am really pleased the Forest Service chose to extend the comment period for as long as they could without jeopardizing their funding," said Teri Murrison, a member of the county Board of Supervisors.

Forest spokesman Jerry Snyder said as long as the Recreation Facilities Analysis is sent to the Forest Service's Washington, D.C., headquarters by Oct. 30, the Stanislaus will still be in line for backlogged maintenance funding.

Forest officials plan to review the comments the week of Oct. 22 and have their proposal sent to the forest's regional office in Vallejo by Oct. 26.

In an attempt to save money, the Stanislaus National Forest is proposing to do away with at least four developed campgrounds, increase fees at 12 sites and charge new fees at 11 more.

Under the proposal, some developed campgrounds will be decommissioned by removing restrooms and picnic tables and returning the area back to its natural state.

Murrison said once some of the board's questions — like those regarding usage of the sites proposed to be decommissioned — are answered, then a more-detailed response will be made.

Announced last month, the proposal affects many of the forest's 89 developed sites, which include campgrounds, day-use picnic areas, boat launches and overlooks.

Donnell Vista, a popular high-country lookout off Highway 108, is proposed to have its season shortened, while the toilet at the Rim of the World Observation Area — an overlook between Groveland and Yosemite National Park — is proposed to be removed.

The forest's proposal also includes improving 45 of the developed sites.

For more information on the proposal, visit www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus /rfa/index or contact Project Coordinator Brian Kermeen at 532-3671, ext. 316. Copies of the Recreation Facilities Analysis are also available at the Forest Supervisor's Office on Greenley Road.

Comments can be e-mailed to comments-pacificsouthwest-stanislaus@fs.fed.us or mailed to Stanislaus National Forest, Attn: RFA, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370.

Contact Mike Morris at mmorris@uniondemocrat.com or 588-4537.

CA-SCU-MANNING - Vegetation Fire

Posted: 10 Oct 2007 12:00 AM CDT

2145 hrs - False alarm, Waste of blog space
Location: Manning Road, Cross of Morgan Territory Road.
Sizeup: BC requests Code 2 response, BC on scene cancels whole response, no fire
Resources: Full SCU wildland fire response, BC 1616, 5 engines, DT 1642, Dozer from CZU
Comms: Local tone1, TAC: White fire 2

Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Death of CAL FIRE Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Matthew Will

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 10:50 PM CDT


Gov. Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of CAL FIRE Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) Matthew Richard Will of Hollister:

"It is with great sorrow and deep sadness that Maria and I mourn the passing of Matthew Will. We join all Californians in expressing our sincere gratitude to Matthew for his faithful and dedicated service in protecting the citizens of this great state. Our hearts and prayers are with his family, loved ones and fellow firefighters as they grieve the loss of a brave public servant."

Will, 30, died Oct. 9 as a result of injuries sustained in a bulldozer rollover accident on Oct. 8 while battling the Colorado Fire in Monterey County. He started with CAL FIRE in May 2003 as an HFEO and recently graduated from the CAL FIRE Academy at Ione. He was assigned to the Hollister Air Attack Base and is survived by his wife, Diana, and a son and daughter.

In honor of HFEO Will, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.

Official press release

Firefighter Saves SF Woman From Burning Building

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 09:51 PM CDT

smoke and flamesSAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- A San Francisco firefighter pulled off a daring rescue Monday evening, saving the life of a woman trapped in a burning building.

The blaze started around 6:30 in an apartment complex south of Market on Howard Street. Residents were so desperate to escape the flames some leapt from the building to neighboring rooftops. During the fire, one firefighter stumbled on a woman trapped and overcome by smoke.

"Firefighter Mike Magalong took his mask off, which is a pretty gutsy move on his part, and put his mask on that person that needed to be rescued. He was able to bring her out of the building successfully," explained Fire Lt. Ken Smith. "We make these decisions last-minute, and it was a good call. She was transported to hospital and is doing okay, but she was pretty much overcome by smoke and he made the decision to give her his air right away."

Magalong was breathing heavy smoke for up to three minutes before he brought the woman to safety.

No one else was injured in the fire. One unit burned, and the cause is still unknown.

Story at: kcbs.com

CA-TCU- Independence IC - Structure Fire - Minor vegetation ext

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 10:28 PM CDT

Location: GlenCoe, 5096 Independence road. Calaveras County
Sizeup: Fully involved hay barn
Resources:44xx units, Three water tenders ( 121, 168, 159 ), 1 Vallecitos hand crew #4, FIU, Air Unit (Breathing support)
Comms: Local 151.175, CDF Tac 8

Updates: 2026 hrs: Fire contained - Final
Extensive overhaul, Wildland extension stopped, Min four hour commitment

LODD - Matthew Richard Will - Heavy fire equipment operator

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 08:17 PM CDT


LODD - BEU San Benito/Monterey unit - Matthew Richard Will, a heavy fire equipment operator with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), died this morning as the result of a bulldozer rollover Dozer D-4645 on the Colorado Fire located in Monterey County yesterday afternoon.Will, 30, was battling the Colorado Fire in Monterey County on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, when his bulldozer overturned. He was airlifted to San Jose Regional Medical Center for treatment and died this morning from injuries sustained in the rollover.

- Authorization is granted for shrouding of all badges for uniform personnel and the continuance of flags at half staff at all department facilities in remembrance of Matthew Will CAL FIRE Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (HFEO) -

Message from Cal fire Office of the Director
A Message From the Director

It is with heartfelt sympathy that I send this message -

CAL FIRE Line of Duty Death -

Matthew Richard Will, a heavy fire equipment operator with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), died this morning as the result of a bulldozer rollover in Monterey County yesterday afternoon.Will, 30, was battling the Colorado Fire in Monterey County on Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, when his bulldozer overturned. He was airlifted to San Jose Regional Medical Center for treatment and died this morning from injuries sustained in the rollover.

Will, a resident of Hollister, was assigned to Hollister Air Attack Base in the San Benito Monterey Unit. He started with CAL FIRE, then known as CDF, on May 19, 2003, as a heavy fire equipment operator. He recently graduated from the department's fire academy in Ione.

Immediate survivors include his wife, Diana Will, his son Trysten, 10, and daughter Elsie, 8.

Authorization is granted for shrouding of all badges for uniform personnel and the continuance of flags at half staff at all department facilities in remembrance of Matthew Will.

Additional information will be forthcoming from CAL FIRE as it develops.

Ruben Grijalva, Chief
CAL FIRE
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
Office of the Director
1416 9th Street, Room 1505
Sacramento, CA (916) 653-7772
Mailing Address:
Post Office Box 944246
Sacramento, CA 94244-2460
http://www.fire.ca.gov
Official Cal Fire News releases: (BEU_DOZER.pdf
All Flags at half mast until further notice

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

CA-SLU-POLY - Vegetation Fire

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 04:08 PM CDT

Photo of Cal Poly fire - Screen shot from webcam 1400 hrs

Location: Cal Poly San Luis Opispo
Sizeup: 25 acres, moderate ROS with a 3 acre spot. IC just requesting additional air and ground resources.
Resources:HT43T commited, SLU is dispatching a type 1 Strike Team, San Luis City
Santa Margarita Fire, Los Osos Fire (CDF/County), Avila Fire (CDF/County)
San Luis County Headquarters Engine (CDF/County Fire), Atascadero Fire Code 3.
Numerous Forest Service type 3
Comms: Local Tone 11.
Updates: Structure protection in the canyon is being established on Div. Yankee
Webcams:
http://wx.sloweather.com/images/towncam.jpg,
http://www.facilities.calpoly.edu/ca...LogoWebCam.htm

CA-MVU-Lyons Valley - Vegetation Fire - East County

Posted: 09 Oct 2007 03:46 PM CDT

Location: 15200 block of Lyons Valley Road - Jamul.
Sizeup: No structure threat 8 to 10 acres
Resources: Fifteen engines, four fire crews, two airtankers, three helicopters and one dozer
AA-330, 2 AT and 1 Type 1 Copter, Additional Type 3 ST and 1-Type ST en route, potential 50 acres.
Update: Retardant line holding fire to 10 acres

CNN.com

News: Breaking News -- MercuryNews.com

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