Headlines - Just News headlines all the time: Dec 20, 2007

Thursday, December 20, 2007

California Fire News

News: Riverside County OKs deal for Hemet air-attack base

Posted: 19 Dec 2007 11:45 PM CST

Riverside County OKs deal for proposed air-attack base in Hemet

By HERBERT ATIENZA
The Press-Enterprise

HEMET - An agreement that could pave the way for construction of a $23.9 million Cal Fire air-attack base at Hemet-Ryan Airport was approved Tuesday.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors, in a unanimous vote, authorized a ground lease between the county and the state to allow construction of the new firefighting base on about 12 acres at the Hemet airport.

The agreement is expected to bolster Cal Fire's request for state money to build the air-attack base in west Hemet. State fire officials say they hope to break ground on the facility as soon as the first quarter of 2009 and be finished by 2011.

The agreement calls for construction of a new hangar for observation aircraft and helicopters, a two-story air operations facility, a dormitory and dining hall, a three-bay fire apparatus building, projective weather canopy for S-2 air tankers, and a fire retardant mixing plant with a capacity of 40,000 gallons.

Cal Fire is expected to set up temporary facilities before construction begins.

"With California and western states in a prolonged drought, we need to get this project under way as soon as possible and be ready to launch firefighting operations out of the new facilities," said Assistant County Executive Officer Robin Zimpfer, who heads the Riverside County Economic Development Agency. The agency manages and operates Hemet-Ryan Airport.

She said the proposed base would provide Cal Fire and its fleet of air tankers and firefighting crews with the best air-attack facilities in the state.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief John Winder, who is stationed at Hemet-Ryan Airport, said the agreement will help the project get off the ground.

"In order for state finance to include it (on the budget), you have to have a project that's ready to go," said Winder, who said he hopes the project would be part of the state's 2008-09 budget.

The lease agreement, which lasts for 50 years, calls for the state to fund $21.4 million of the cost of the project; the county would contribute $2.5 million, to be used primarily for designing the base. The annual rent is set at $69,729.

Winder said the project would completely replace and expand the existing 1950s-era base, which has been in use for 50 years.

"It's been in need of replacement for quite awhile," he said.

The California Department of Forestry had suggested moving firefighting aircraft from Hemet-Ryan to March Air Reserve Base, but those plans were abandoned last year. Officials concluded that leaving the aircraft at Hemet-Ryan is safer for pilots because of better weather conditions and because it would provide quicker response for fire-prone mountain communities.

Vern Lauritzen, chief of staff for 3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone, said a new air-attack base at Hemet-Ryan Airport would greatly improve firefighting capabilities in the region. Stone championed keeping the base at Hemet-Ryan Airport.

Winder said the base played a major role in firefighting operations during the recent wildfires in Southern California.

"We seem to be centrally located and we're not so restricted by weather," Winder said. He said some areas along the coast are susceptible to fog.

"Because of our location, we're one of the biggest and busiest in the nation," he said.

The Hemet-Ryan air-attack base serves the entire state but is focused on Riverside County, northern San Diego County and southern San Bernardino County, he said.

SAR News: NorCal Family Missing In Mountains Found Alive

Posted: 19 Dec 2007 11:40 PM CST

Rescuers say a father and his three children who have been missing in the mountains for three days have been found alive.

The California father says he was terrified that he and his three children wouldn't make it out alive. But Frederick Dominguez says he remained strong for his kids as he turned to his faith.

Dominguez and the children vanished on a Christmas tree-cutting trip in the Northern California mountains. They were found Wednesday after huddling in a culvert for warmth during three days of heavy snow.

Hours later, after he had been examined at a hospital, Dominguez described three harrowing nights in the wild as he tried to keep his children from panicking and succumbing to the numbing cold.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew spotted Frederick Dominguez atop a small bridge and landed nearby, sinking into 2 feet of snow, flight officer David White said.

The family had taken shelter in a culvert beneath the bridge and stomped "help" in the snow, White said.White said it was the last opportunity for the helicopter, with snow falling heavily as it descended.

Less control for TRPA, more control for local fire agencies

Posted: 19 Dec 2007 01:32 PM CST

While the snow falls lightly over the Tahoe Basin and the heat of summer's fires are but a memory, it is a good time to brainstorm ideas on how to better protect our pristine environment from the ravages of wildfires.

The California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission is doing just that.

At Friday's commission meeting in South Lake Tahoe, an idea was further discussed which was first hatched this summer by Sens. Dianne Feinstein, (D-Calif.; Harry Reid, D-Nev.; and John Ensign, R-Nev. The three came up with the idea of declaring a state of emergency because of the basin's wildfire threat on their way to the Lake Tahoe Forum after viewing the damage from the Angora fire.

This is a good idea, considering that Lake Tahoe is considered a national treasure, and millions of federal, state and local money have been invested to keep it that way.

A wildfire in the Tahoe Basin threatens much more than even homes and forests - it threatens years of environmental work accomplished with a huge price tag; the homes and businesses of Tahoe residents who endure stringent environmental regulations on their livelihoods and lifestyles; the political muscle and compromise that has created a delicate balance of ecosystem and economy; and the famed clarity of Lake Tahoe itself.

A state of emergency would streamline wildfire prevention processes and help with funding for fire prevention and defensible space.

A second proposal was discussed on Friday as well. This was the possibility of changing the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's compact to include fire prevention as an agency priority.

This idea should be nipped in the bud.

The TRPA does not need to be involved in fire prevention for the Tahoe Basin. Yes, the TRPA needs to modify its ordinances - as it has been doing this fall - to make it easier for property owners to accomplish defensible space. But, the leadership of creating defensible space and the enforcement of defensible space should rest only with our local fire districts. Even expanding the charter of the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission is possibly a good idea, but do not give TRPA this mission.

TRPA finds itself in controversy when it leaves its initial mission - to preserve the clarity of Lake Tahoe. Keep TRPA to its compact, and let the fire districts do what they know best.

In fact, TRPA is considering an ordinance that would allow more trained professionals to conduct defensible space inspections. These people would be designated by local fire agencies.

This is the direction to proceed - less control for TRPA, and more control for local fire agencies.

Put this concept into action while the snow flies this winter, so we are ready when the sun shines this summer.

Source:Article http://www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20071219/Opinion/34380465