California Fire News

Southern California - BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response Posted: 04 Nov 2007 08:27 PM CST Emergency Response So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response Incident Information Announcements News Photographs Maps INCIDENT UPDATED 7 HRS. AGO Archaeologist assesses damages to an historic adobe structure on the Poomacha Fire Credit: Department of Interior view pictures || view maps Summary Forest Service and Department of Interior Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams for the recent southern California wildfires are established and conducting ground and aerial reconnaissance on eight fires. 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 SoCal BAER Coordination team has also been established to provide overall coordination for Forest Service BAER efforts by facilitating multi-agency coordination and communication, coordinating public information, and providing support to the individual BAER teams. The Forest Service BAER teams and the Department of the Interior (DOI) Interagency BAER team are working cooperatively to address emergency stabilization needs on a watershed basis across mutiple federal jurisdictions.The DOI BAER Team is working on burned area emergency stabilization for Tribal lands, the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The team, under the leadership of Erv Gasser, is addressing burned lands in the Poomacha, Witch, and Harris fires near San Diego. 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). 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. The 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. 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. The SoCal BAER Coordination Team will produce Forest Service briefs summarizing the progress from each of the Forest Service BAER teams during the emergency assessment phase to coordinate with affected agencies, cooperators and other interested parties. For further information, please contact SoCal BAER Coordination Team Leader Todd Ellsworth at 909-777-3015, or SoCal BAER Public Information Officer Cathleen Thompson at 909-777-3061. 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 Todd Ellsworth Current Situation Total Personnel 100 Size 122,440 acres Significant Events Forest Service and Department of Interior interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams are currently working on eight (8) separate incidents: Ranch, Buckweed, Grass Valley, Slide, Witch, Poomacha, Harris, and Santiago fires. The State of California and Cal Fire have mobilized additional resources to the already deployed federal BAER teams. The Forest Service's Remote Sensing Application Center (RSAC) is providing remotely sensed maps and initial Burned Area Reflectance Classification (BARC) mapping for all the recent southern California wildfires. This will assist the BAER teams and help prioritize where subsequent BAER teams may be deployed. Outlook Planned Actions Federal interagency BAER teams of specialists are surveying and assessing the burned areas and developing emergency treatment plans for each of the eight Forest Service wildfires. After the assessment reports are completed, the four Forest Supervisors will establish BAER implementation teams that will install the finalized treatments. All treatments should be completed by 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. Remarks The Forest Service and Department of Interior BAER effort for southern California is a multi-agency, cooperative effort. The SoCal BAER Coordination Team is co-located with the FEMA Multi-Agency Support Group in Colton, California. Weather Current Wind Conditions Not available Current Temperature Not available Current Humidity Not available

Inciweb: Grass Valley Wildland Fire - 1,247 acres -100% contained Posted: 04 Nov 2007 08:24 PM CST Grass Valley Wildland Fire Incident Information Announcements News Photographs Maps INCIDENT UPDATED 6 HRS. AGO This incident is 100% contained. Fire Perimeter Oct 25 am Credit: US Forest Service view pictures || view maps Summary So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response-- Forest Service and Department of Interior Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams for the recent southern California wildfires are established and conducting ground and aerial reconnaissance on eight fires. 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. Voluntary evacuations continue for Green Valley, Arrowhead communites, Grass Valley, Crestline, Cedar Pines Park, Lake Gregory and Valley of Enchantment and Running Springs and Arrowbear. The San Bernardino National Forest Remains in Emergency Forest Closure due to extreme dry conditions. See the San Bernardino County web site for full Re-entry and disaster recovery information. http://www.sbcounty.gov/evocdata.asp Evacuation Centers at the National Orange Show is closed. Highway information -- All Highways are open without restrictions, but Highway 330 is close on Sunday Nov 4 from 9 Am to 1 PM for CalTrans repairs. For a partial list of damaged properties go the San Bernardino County Assessor's web site at http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/assessor/ Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin 10/22/2007 at 0508 hrs. Location West of of Lake Arrowhead Incident Commander Jerry Mcgowan Current Situation Total Personnel 164 Size 1,247 acres Percent Contained 100% Estimated Containment Date 10/29/2007 at hrs. Fuels Involved Timber (grass understory)and scattered brush Fire Behavior MiMinimal smoldering hot spots. Significant Events Patrol and mop-up with standard of 100% around structures and 700 fett in from perimeter control lines. Outlook Planned Actions Patrol and mop-up of isolated heat sources. Projected Movement None Growth Potential Low Terrain Difficulty Extreme Remarks Mojave River drainage was flown by helicopter equipped with infrared to pinpoint any remaining heat sources near control lines. Surveys for suppression damage repair are complete. Approx. 2 miles of dozer line and 6 miles of handlines identified for repair. Voluntary evacuations continue for all areas from Crestline to Snow Valley. All highways are open, although Hwy 330 is closed on Sunday Nov 4 from 9 Am to 1 PM for repairs. Resources on Scene-- 21 Engines, 0 water tenders, 3 hand crews and 0 dozers. 178 structures destroyed and 22 structures damaged. Weather Current Wind Conditions 5 mph E Current Temperature 41 degrees Current Humidity 30 %

Inciweb: Santiago Wildland Fire - 28,400 acres - 90% contained Posted: 04 Nov 2007 08:21 PM CST Santiago Wildland Fire Incident Information - All evacuation orders have been lifted as of 4PM, November 3. The evacuation center at El Modena is now closed. Announcements News Photographs Maps INCIDENT UPDATED by Evelio Suarez Credit: USFS view pictures || view maps Summary Current Situation: The fire was active in unburned fuels overnight but all containment lines are holding. Crews have been strategically placed along the fire's perimeter to handle activity generated by the increased winds. Smoke will likely be visible throughout the day. The smell of smoke may also be more noticeable. Holding containment lines is today's main objective. Mop up and rehabilitation of lines also continues. The Silverado Canyon area remains a primary concern due to the remaining hot spots, steep topography, and the possibility of rolling debris and boulders. All evacuation orders have been lifted as of 4PM, November 3. The evacuation center at El Modena is now closed. Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Human Date of Origin 10/21/2007 at 1755 hrs. Location Santiago Canyon, Silverado Canyon, Irvine, CA. Incident Commander Witesman, Whitney Current Situation Total Personnel 1,244 Size 28,400 acres Percent Contained 90% Estimated Containment Date 11/06/2007 at hrs. Fuels Involved Chaparral,annual grasses and brush. Much of the fuel component is in the 100 year old age class. Fire Behavior Very little activity. Significant Events Today the type 1 team transitions with a type 2 team, Central Coast Interagency Incident Team 7. Outlook Planned Actions Today's action plan is to hold containment lines, proceed with mop-up and continue rehab. Growth Potential Low Terrain Difficulty High Remarks Not available Weather Current Wind Conditions 3-8 mph NE Current Temperature 65 degrees Current Humidity 22 %

Inciweb: Slide Wildland Fire - 12,759 acres - 100% contained Posted: 04 Nov 2007 08:17 PM CST Slide Wildland Fire - FINAL - Incident Information Announcements News Photographs Maps INCIDENT FINAL UPDATE This incident is 100% contained. Fire Perimeter Oct 27 Credit: US Forest Service view pictures || view maps Summary So Cal BAER Coordination Burned Area Emergency Response-- Forest Service and Department of Interior Interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams for the recent southern California wildfires are established and conducting ground and aerial reconnaissance on eight fires. 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. All mountain communities now open to all residents, no restrictions. Big Bear has not been affected by the fire and is open to visitors. Voluntary evacuations continue for all mountain communities (Except Big Bear Communities) from the Crestline Area to Arrowbear including, Running Springs, Arrowhead communites, Grass Valley, Crestline, Cedar Pines Park, Lake Gregory, Valley of Enchantment, and Green Valley Lake. The closure for the San Bernardino National Forest remains in effect until further notice. See the San Bernardino County web site for full Re-entry information. http://www.sbcounty.gov/evocdata.asp The National Orange Show evacuation center will close Saturday November 3. Highway information: -All highways are currently open without restrictions -Highway 330 will be closed 9 AM to 1 PM Sunday Nov 4 for CalTrans repairs. For a partial list of damaged properties go the San Bernardino County Assessor's web site at http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/assessor/ Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin 10/22/2007 at 0802 hrs. Location Green Valley Lake, Near Running Springs Incident Commander Jerry Mcgowan Current Situation Total Personnel 977 Size 12,759 acres Percent Contained 100% Estimated Containment Date 10/31/2007 at hrs. Fuels Involved Timber (grass understory) Fire Behavior Smoldering hot spots with occassional smokes within the fire perimeter becoming visable in areas exposed to East winds. Significant Events Crews will continue to mop-up and patrol and be available to respond to 9-1-1 calls from residents if East winds create smokes within the fire perieter, especially near communities. Suppression repair work on-going and Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continues to gather data on fire affects. Outlook Planned Actions Continue mop-up, patrol, backhaul, suppression repair and Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) work. Projected Movement No Fire movement is expected. Growth Potential Low Terrain Difficulty High Containment Target With current resources and favorable weather conditions, the chosen management strategy is expected to succeed. Remarks While voluntary evacuation orders are still in effect for all communities on the mountaintop except Big Bear, all highways are open. However, Hwy 330 is closed between 9 Am and 1 PM on Sunday, Nov 4 for repairs. Closure order for the San Bernardino National Forest is in effect--See News Release for full information. An estimated 272 homes have been burned in the Slide Fire area and 43 damaged. Resources on Scene-- 70 Engines, 17 water tenders, 16 hand crews, 6 Helicopters, and 0 dozers. Weather Current Wind Conditions Not available Current Temperature 38 degrees Current Humidity 27 %

(EDIS) - RED FLAG WARNINGS Posted: 04 Nov 2007 05:37 PM CST Updated: 15:34 PST on 2007-11-04 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST THIS EVENING DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST- Update sent at 15:11 PST on 2007-11-04 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SUNDAY FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES... EXCEPT THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS... DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- Cancel sent at 15:11 PST on 2007-11-04 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST THIS EVENING FOR THE FOOTHILLS DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- Update sent at 09:03 PST on 2007-11-04 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST THIS EVENING DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- Update sent at 09:03 PST on 2007-11-04 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SUNDAY FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEY OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST- Update sent at 09:03 PST on 2007-11-04

CA-YNP- October Lightning Complex Posted: 04 Nov 2007 05:10 PM CST October Lightning Complex – Update # 4 Yosemite National Park November 4, 2007 Yosemite National Park (Cal Fire News) - As of today, 2 additional fires, for a total of 13, have resulted from the thunderstorms of October 29. Four of these fires are in Yosemite wilderness area and are to be managed as Wildland Fire Use (WFU), for resource benefits rather than suppressed. Since the early 1970's, Yosemite National Park has allowed natural fire to function as a landscape process in more remote areas. Ecological benefits of WFU limits the size and severity of subsequent fires. Fire is a natural process in the Sierra Nevada and is necessary to maintain ecosystem diversity. In addition this "best management practice" is cost effective. The current Wildland Fire Use incidents are in order of priority (* indicates the found/start date): Devil (*11/3) – Location: Lat/long: 37 44.67 x 119 42.24 This fire is in Mariposa Co. It is east of the Tamarack Trail, between the Tamarack Flat Campground and Tamarack Trail footbridge crossing at Cascade Creek. The elevation is approximately 7000', and is burning in snags, down logs and brush (white thorn). Smoke is visible from many locations throughout the Park. Outlook: It is poised for moderate to high growth potential, as there have been historic fires surrounding the area, and it is burning on a southwest/southeast aspect. Current Size: The fire is approximately 5 acres. Click on map for large version Cotton (*11/3) – Location: Lat/Long: 37 58.871 x 119 45.946. This fire is in Tuolumne Co. It is approximately 3.5 miles east of the Hetch Hetchy Ranger Station, near Cottonwood Meadow. It was found by Park Helicopter on patrol looking for additional lightning fires. It is burning in snags and down logs and brush. It is inside the Ackerson Fire of '96. Outlook: It is on an s/w slope, and has low to moderate growth potential. Its elevation is approximately 6500'. Jack (*10/31) – This is being managed as Fire Use. Location: Lat/Long: 37 34.37 x 119 40.4 It is located on the top Turner Ridge, 6500' El., in Mariposa Co. Size: Currently is .25ac. Outlook: It low to moderate potential for growth. Johnson (*10/31) – This is being managed as Fire Use. Location: Lat/Long: 37 34.113 x 119 31.614. It is on an 80% slope, in timber @ 8475' El. It is in Madera Co, 4 miles n/e of Wawona, near Crescent Lake, in snow and rock. Outlook: It has low potential for growth. The remaining 10 fires have been contained, controlled and mopped–up and are in patrol status. They will be monitored periodically until measurable precipitation occurs. These fires include: Empire, Wawona Dome, Old Steamboat, Turner, Ned, Taft, Point, Badger, and Barn. Sub-Dome, Rattlesnake. Alder: These reported fires were never found. Additional Information: The park website, www.nps.gov/yose/fire has information about fire activity and smoke effects in Yosemite. Fire Education Office P.O. Box 577 Yosemite, CA 95389 209/372-0480 phone or 209/372-0491 phone National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

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