Saturday, December 15, 2007

California Fire News

California Fire News

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

Funny Video: Fire SUV - Caution very funny

Posted: 14 Dec 2007 12:37 PM CST

This video is not for Battalion chiefs, Division Chiefs or higher rank without rank and file personnel nearby to assist in proper interpretation of the video which could confuse persons of such higher rank.


Fire SUV video also can be used for study of NIMS, ICS clear text course materials.

Video was found at: Firefighterclosecalls.com

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

News Releases: LPF prescribed burn - 800-acres

Posted: 14 Dec 2007 11:53 AM CST

News Releases: 2007

[Image]: Forest Service Shield.

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Los Padres National Forest

Contact:
Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745
Mike Kremke (831) 385-5434, ext 231

Forest Service to Conduct Prescribed Burn Near Piney Creek

The Forest Service plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns starting this month in the Piney Creek area of Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. The 800-acre project area is one half mile west of Carmel Valley Road between mile markers 35.5 and 38.5. This area is approximately 2.5 miles north of Arroyo Seco and 8 miles southwest of Carmel Valley.

The purpose of the prescribed burn is to reduce flammable vegetation in the wildland-urban interface and improve the wildlife habitat and watershed condition. Additionally, it will reduce the threat of a wildfire coming out of the wilderness in that area.

While the Piney Creek project will take an estimated 5-10 days to complete, the starting date and progress will depend on the weather. If the fuels and weather are within prescription, burning could begin as early as December 12th and continue into April 2008. Firefighters will burn approximately 200 acres from the ground and then use a helicopter-transported ignition device to treat the remaining 600 acres.

The Piney Creek Road and campsites will remained closed during the prescribed burns. Smoke may be visible from several miles away and residual smoke could be present in the area for up to two weeks following the burns.

For further information, contact the Monterey Ranger District office in King City, at (831) 385-5434.

News Release: LPF Fire Restrictions Reduced

Posted: 14 Dec 2007 11:50 AM CST

News Releases: 2007

[Image]: Forest Service Shield.

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Los Padres National Forest

Contact:
Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745
Mary Blair, (805) 646-4348 Ext. 317

Date: December 12, 2007

Fire Restrictions Reduced in Los Padres National Forest

Forest Service officials announced today that fire restrictions in Los Padres National Forest, will be reduced as of Friday, December 14. Visitors to the forest are reminded that wildfires can still occur and caution should be used with any fire or heat source. Restrictions will be lifted when rainfall totals increase significantly across the forest.

Activities that will be allowed:

  • Smoking in enclosed vehicles, buildings, at developed recreation sites and while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, that is barren or cleared of all flammable material
  • Wood and charcoal fires at Campfire Use Sites. (list follows)
  • Portable gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel stoves with a valid California Campfire Permit in areas other than Campfire Use Sites.
  • Recreational target shooting.

Activities that will continue to not be allowed:

  • Wood and charcoal fires in areas other than Campfire Use Sites
  • Burning Permits.

Year round requirements:

  • Spark arresters are required on all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws and other equipment.
  • Permits are required for welding, grinding and cutting.
  • Tracer ammunition, fireworks and the use of explosives are not allowed.

Areas in the forest that are currently closed because of the Zaca and Ranch fire will remain closed until further notice.

For a list of Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe camping, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres.

Campfire Use Sites

Campfires and barbecues are permitted in these Forest Service Campfire Use Sites.

This list may be revised during extreme fire conditions.

Monterey Ranger District

Arroyo Seco Campground /Group Camp
Arroyo Seco Day Use Area
Bottchers Gap Campground
China Camp
Escondido Campground
Kirk Creek Campground
Nacimiento Campground
Mill Creek Day Use Area
Plaskett Creek Campground/Group Camp
Ponderosa Campground
Sand Dollar Day Use Area
Santa Lucia Memorial Park Campground
White Oaks Camp
NOTE: Alder Creek Campground is not
a Campfire Use Site as indicated on the
Visitor Recreation Map.

Mount Pinos Ranger District

Aliso Park Campground
Ballinger Campground
Caballo Campground
Campo Alto Campground
Chuchupate Campground
Chula Vista Campground
Dome Springs Campground
Dutchman Campground
Halfmoon Campground
Hardluck Campground
Kings Camp Campground
Marian Campground
McGill Campground
McGill Group Campground
Mt. Pinos Campground
Nettle Springs Campground
Ozena Campground
Pine Springs Campground
Rancho Nuevo Campground
Reyes Creek Campground
Thorn Meadows Campground
Tinta Campground
Toad Springs Campground
Valle Vista Campground

Ojai Ranger District

Holiday Group Campground
Middle Lion Campground
Pine Mountain Campground
Reyes Peak Campground
Rose Valley Campground
Wheeler Gorge Campground

Santa Lucia Ranger District

American Canyon Campground
Baja Campground
Barrel Spring Campground
Bates Canyon Campground
Brookshire Campground
Buck Spring Campground
Cerro Alto Campground
Colson Campground
Cumbre Day Use Area
Davy Brown Campground
Figueroa Campground
Friis Campground
Hi Mountain Campground
Horseshoe Spring Campground
La Panza Campground
Miranda Pine Campground
Navajo Campground
Navajo OHV Staging Area
Nira Campground
Pino Alto Day Use Area
Wagon Flat Campground

Santa Barbara Ranger District

Cachuma Campground
Falls Day Use Area
Fremont Campground
Live Oak Day Use Area
Los Prietos Campground
Lower Oso Day Use Area
Middle Santa Ynez Campground
Mono Campground
P-Bar Flat Campground
Paradise Campground
Red Rock Day Use Area
Rock Camp
Sage Hill Campground
Upper Oso Campground
White Rock Day Use Area

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SLO - Three controlled burns - State Parks Dept.

Posted: 14 Dec 2007 11:55 AM CST

The California State Parks Department has scheduled three controlled burns in the San Luis Obispo area. The burns could will take place during the next week until Friday, if conditions permit.

The department plans to burn 20 acres at Estero Bluffs State Park, 20 acres at the Washburn day use area in San Simeon State Park, and nine acres at Broken Bridge, near San Simeon Cove.

CNN.com

News: Breaking News -- MercuryNews.com

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