California Fire News
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| Southern California Firefighter admitted setting fires in ’90s Posted: 17 Nov 2007 07:41 PM CST Man jailed for violating parole; he isn't suspected of starting recent fires SAN DIEGO - A volunteer firefighter who helped battle one of last month's wildfires in San Diego County pleaded guilty years ago to setting several destructive wildfires. Steven Santos Robles Jr. has been returned to prison because he violated parole by failing to tell his parole officer he had joined the Ranchita Volunteer Fire Department, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Robles is not suspected of setting any of last month's fires, state fire officials said. "We have had no other problems with him until this point," said Jerome Marsh, a spokesman for the state parole department. Robles, 30, pleaded guilty a decade ago to setting seven San Diego County wildfires that charred thousands of acres and destroyed about a dozen homes while he was a volunteer firefighter. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison but was paroled in May. No background check was required when he was accepted last month as a volunteer with the department in Ranchita, a community of 160 people. On Oct. 21, he helped battle a fire that killed two people, burned more than 300 square miles and destroyed more than 1,000 homes. Two weeks later, a state fire investigator recognized him. Future volunteers will have to pass background checks, said Ranchita Fire Chief Gary Loyd. Source: MSNBC |
| The US Forest Service Prepares for Santa Ana Winds Posted: 17 Nov 2007 07:26 PM CST Experts have forecast Santa Ana winds to begin as early as Tuesday morning VALLEJO, Calif. November 16, 2007— In anticipation of forecasted Santa Ana winds expected Tuesday, the Forest Service is bringing in additional firefighters, fire engines, and aircraft that will be ready to respond to any new fire as soon as it starts. In addition to the hundreds of Forest Service firefighters that are normally in place in southern California at this time of year, the agency is bringing in more than 75 additional fire engines, 15 hand crews, 13 helitankers, and eight fixed wing airtankers that will be available for any new fire starts during the Santa Ana wind event. Additionally, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve will pre-position four MAFFS equipped C-130 firefighting aircraft in southern California. "By Monday afternoon all of our additional resources will be in place, and we feel confident that in conjunction with the preparedness efforts of our state and local partners that we have ample resources to quickly respond to any new fires as soon as they start," said Pacific Southwest Region Director of Fire and Aviation Management Ed Hollenshead. Experts have forecast Santa Ana winds to begin as early as Tuesday morning, and are expected to remain in the area through Saturday morning. Fire Potential Discussion: The potential for large fire will be low to very low across the region through Monday. The potential for large fire will become high over Southern California next Tuesday through Thursday as widespread very strong Santa Ana winds blow and humidity becomes very low. Winds will be north to east 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 70 mph and minimum humidity will be in the single digits and teens. The potential for large fire will increase over portions of Central California next Tuesday through Thursday due to locally gusty north to east winds and very low humidity. Winds will be 12 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph over the wind prone areas and minimum humidity will be in the single digits and teens. Expect initial attack to remain very light across the region through Monday then become moderate to heavy especially over Southern California Tuesday through Thursday. U. S. Forest Service Readiness for Santa Ana wind event beginning 11-19-07. 11 air tankers (Type 1 & 2)…………………………………. 8 additional above normal staffing 14 helitankers…………………………..………………………… 13 additional above normal staffing 4 MAFFS……………………………………………..……………..... 4 additional above normal staffing 4 helicopters Type 2 & 3……………………………………… 2 additional above normal staffing 124 Type 3 engines…………………………………………..…. 78 additional above normal staffing 9 hot shot crews…………………………..…………………….… 3 additional above normal staffing 12 Type 2 hand crews…………………….……………………… 12 additional above normal staffing One prepositioned Type 1 Incident Management Team One prepositioned Type 2 Incident Management Team |
| OES: Prepositioning resources in South state - Santa Ana's Posted: 17 Nov 2007 07:28 PM CST Dozens of Northern California Fire fighting resources headed to southern California in anticipation of Santa Ana wind events forecast starting Monday for Southern California. Cal Fire said the preparations would also include utilizing military aircraft as well as local fire agency aircraft. Both the Navy and Marines have been notified. The Navy said it has six helicopter's available and Marines have about 13 that could be available if needed. The National Weather Service issued a wind warning, saying strong offshore winds are possible next Tuesday through Thursday. Wind gusts could reach 70 mph. However this will be a "cool offshore event," with temperatures forecast to be below seasonal average."The only difference is that it's going to be 20-degrees cooler," said San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman. "So the winds will be 30-45 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. That's the same circumstance we found ourselves in in the last fire storm." Region I and VI in preparation for this weekend's Santa Ana wind event:
IMT's - Globter's Boise NIMO Incident Management Team is mobilized on CA-OSC-0114 to Southern California with a specific location to be determined. Southern California Incident Management Team 1 (Walker) is mobilized on CA-OSC-0120 to San Bernardino Area with a specific location to be determined. California Incident Management Team 2 (Molumby) is mobilized on CA-OSC-0120 to Ontario CA. with a specific location to be determined Editor: Seems some money could be saved by using contracted water tenders versus LG water Tenders? They could throw us a bone and increase local safety at the same time... |
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