Wednesday, January 2, 2008

California Fire News

California Fire News

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

Marin: Prescribed burning to begin

Posted: 02 Jan 2008 07:31 AM CST

MARIN COUNTY - The Marin County Fire Department will burn piles of vegetation in several county locations over the next several months, a county-approved measure to keep fires from spreading to homes, fire officials said Monday.

Tamalpais Fire Crew members have been cutting and piling vegetation along key county ridgelines since June, hoping to reduce brush accumulation that could cause or help spread fires, fire officials said.

The brush piles are located at Luiz Fire Road above San Domenico School in Sleepy Hollow; Chicken Shack Fire Road between Pacheco Valley and Indian Valley in Novato; and Blithedale Ridge Fire Road above Mill Valley.

The burning will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and only on permitted burn days, fire officials said.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved of the burning in 2005.

Fire Weather: Red Flags extended through Wednesday

Posted: 01 Jan 2008 04:28 PM CST

Most of Southern California remains under Red Flag Fire weather alerts through today and into Wednesday afternoon.
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 2 PM PST WEDNESDAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
ORANGE COUNTY COASTAL AREAS-SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS-THE INLAND EMPIRE-SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS-SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE MOUNTAIN TOP AND FRONT COUNTRY RANGER DISTRICTS OFTHE SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST-RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE SAN JACINTO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE SAN BERNARDINONATIONAL FOREST-SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE TRABUCO RANGER DISTRICT OF THE CLEVELAND NATIONALFOREST-SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS-INCLUDING THE PALOMAR AND DESCANSO RANGER DISTRICTS OF THECLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST-
Alert sent at 14:15 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND VERY DRY CONDITIONS Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM PST WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Alert sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES AND THE CUYAMA VALLEY FOR LOCALLY GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH 4 PM WEDNESDAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
CUYAMA VALLEY-SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-
Cancel sent at 13:32 PST on 2008-01-01

FEMA: 2007 California Wild Fire assistance deadline

Posted: 01 Jan 2008 04:19 PM CST

Disaster Assistance Application Deadline Quickly Approaching

Release Date: December 28, 2007
Release Number: 1731-084

» More Information on California Wildfires

PASADENA, Calif. -- There are less than two weeks left to apply for federal and state disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the State of California. The deadline to apply for federal and state disaster assistance is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008.

Individual assistance continues to be provided for residents with property damages from the wildfires. Here is a summary of disaster assistance funding:

  • $60 million - Approved (SBA) loans to homeowners, renters and business owners.
  • $8.7 million - Housing assistance grants from FEMA for rental expenses, home repair or replacement.
  • $3.5 million - Assistance with other needs from FEMA and the State of California for losses and damage to personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving expenses and other disaster-related costs.
  • $1.7 million - Approved California State Supplemental Grants from the California Department of Social Services for those who have received the maximum grants for housing and other needs from FEMA and the state.
  • $185,211 in federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance funds has been disbursed by the California Employment Development Department to individuals unemployed by the wildfires.

During the holiday period, the registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 will be closed on Jan. 1. Other than this holiday closure date, the registration line will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until close of business on Jan. 9, 2008. Those who have registered are reminded to go online at: www.fema.gov/assistance/process/update_assistance.shtm or call FEMA to report any changes in personal or insurance information and to check the status of their application.

Beyond the dollars provided to Southern California residents, much individualized service is involved in wildfire recovery.

  • 18,685 Californians have registered for state and federal disaster assistance.
  • 15,003 FEMA registrants visited assistance centers seeking disaster recovery help and mitigation information in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and other languages. All disaster recovery centers are now closed.
  • 8,175 FEMA inspections have been completed in disaster-designated counties. These inspections of wildfire-damaged structures are a prerequisite for property owners to qualify for federal and state grants and low-interest loans to repair, replace or rebuild.

FEMA's community relations specialists walk disaster neighborhoods to offer recovery information and assistance. To date they have spoken with:

19,457 Residents
6,910 Businesses
1,050* Faith-Based Organizations
275 Community-Based Organizations
284 Local Governments
499 Local Agencies
210 Schools
(*Revised from 12/22 weekly summary release, NR 83, published as 1,079)

Crisis counseling for wildfire victims is available. Those who may be feeling overwhelmed as a result of the wildfires or need disaster-related counseling may call the hotline number for their county:

Los Angeles 1-800-854-7771
Orange 1-866-830-6011
Riverside 1-800-706-7500
San Bernardino 1-888-743-1478
San Diego 1-800-479-3339
Santa Barbara 1-888-868-1649
Ventura 1-800-671-0887

People living or working in the seven disaster-designated counties whose jobs were affected by California wildfires may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) from the California State Employment Development Department until Jan. 9, 2008.

The fastest and easiest method for individuals to file claims for DUA benefits is online at www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaim.htm. Claimants can also file by telephone:

English 1-800-300-5616
Spanish 1-800-326-8937
Cantonese 1-800-547-3506
Mandarin 1-866-303-0706
Vietnamese 1-800-547-2058
TTY (non-voice) 1-800-815-9387

The California State Bar has a legal assistance hotline at 1-866-636-9041. Wildfire victims can call the line with disaster-related basic legal questions, such as replacing lost documents, housing-landlord-tenant disputes, and insurance issues.

Public assistance grants will be made available on a cost share basis to state, county and local governments and qualified non-profits for eligible emergency work such as debris removal and reimbursement for protective measures, plus repairs to roads, public utilities, public buildings, and public parks.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: FEMA News release

LAFD: New Fire Station 62 in Mar Vista

Posted: 01 Jan 2008 12:54 PM CST

Grand Opening of New Fire Station 62 in Mar Vista

Artists Concept of new LAFD Station 62 The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department welcome you to join Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Fire Commissioners, Fire Chief Douglas Barry, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and civic and community leaders at the public dedication and grand opening of LAFD's newest Neighborhood Fire Station in Mar Vista.

Saturday, January 5, 2008
10:00 AM
Grand Opening of New Fire Station 62
11970 Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066


Following Saturday's brief dedication ceremony, there will be food and fun as well as a chance to tour Southern California's newest Fire Station. All members of the community are welcome at this family-themed public event.

Check out the rest of the story, Directions to the new station, and the history of the original Station 62 in Mar Vista at LAFD Blog

EDIS: More Red Flags for So Cal announced

Posted: 01 Jan 2008 12:13 PM CST

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY COAST-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01
A RED FLAG WARNINGREMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR MUCH OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST-
Update sent at 09:56 PST on 2008-01-01

Happy New Year with Red Flags for SoCal

Posted: 01 Jan 2008 12:10 PM CST

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON

A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS... LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY

Areas affected: San Bernardino and Riverside County Mountains and Valleys including the San Bernardino National Forest, Orange County Coastal areas, San Diego County and Inland Empire valleys and mountains including Cleavland National Forest lands, Santa Ana Mountains.

Winds:
Winds from the Northeast to East gusting between 35 and 60 Mph are likely to continue through and below wind prone mountain passes and canyons.
The winds should diminish this afternoon and become more localized over San Bernardino County and Orange County this afternoon, and over Riverside and San Diego this evening
Temperatures: Temeratures will be 5 to 10 degrees warmer during this weather event
Humidity:
Relative humidity will drop below 10 percent in most locations

Ref: EDIS

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