California Fire News

Monday, January 7, 2008

California Fire News

SAR - Green Valley Lake - Search Continues

Posted: 06 Jan 2008 06:16 PM CST

Green Valley Lake, CA - Fourteen Search and Rescue squads continue to search Sunday afternoon in the area of Green Valley Lake for 62-year-old Dean Christy who has been missing since Friday evening.

The man left his weekend home in the resort community of Green Valley Lake Friday afternoon just before the storm began, San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Arden Wiltshire said.

He used his cell phone Friday to tell authorities that he lost his sense of direction in the fog, but searchers last had phone contact with him early Saturday, she said.

Snow cats are shuttling the search teams to locations along various US Forest Service Roads in hopes of locating the missing hiker.

Approximately 40 Search and Rescue team members are currently seaching for the 62-year-old hiker lost since Friday near Green Valley Lake.

"They started their search shortly after 6:00 am Sunday morning," stated Sheriff's Department PIO Arden Wiltshire, "and we're hopeful we will locate him today despite poor visibility and cold, windy conditions."

Rimoftheworld.net is following the story very closely

WIND ADVISORY - ANTELOPE VALLEY

Posted: 06 Jan 2008 03:10 PM CST

.STRONG ONSHORE FLOW WILL CONTINUE TO BRING GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS TO THE ANTELOPE VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE FOCUSED ACROSS FOOTHILL LOCATIONS...WITH LOCAL GUSTS OVER 50 MPH LIKELY. SOUTHWEST WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS OVER 50 MPH WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON... WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS IN THE FOOTHILLS. ANTELOPE VALLEY-WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE ANTELOPE VALLEY

FEMA - OES - Grant $41 million to CAL FIRE

Posted: 06 Jan 2008 03:06 PM CST

PASADENA — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) recently announced that an estimated $41 million in public assistance funding will go to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) for eligible costs incurred to fight the recent Southern California wildfires.

FEMA will provide 75 percent ($30.9 million) in firefighting costs, with the remaining 25 percent ($10.3 million) coming from the State of California.

CAL FIRE, together with FEMA and OES project officers, is currently gathering cost documentation to determine the exact reimbursement amount.

The grant will go to reimburse the state for regular employee overtime, equipment use, equipment rental, contract labor, aircraft use, materials and similar costs incurred by other firefighting agencies that are part of the California Master Mutual Aid Agreement.

"When the cost of battling 24 fires in seven counties overwhelms the state's resources, there are programs in place to provide the necessary assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Hall of FEMA. "States should not have the added burden of worrying where funding will come from when firefighters are battling to save lives and property."

The Public Assistance program funds essential government costs. The categories of expenses eligible for assistance can include debris removal; emergency protective measures, including overtime pay for emergency workers; repair of roads and bridges; repair of water control facilities; repair of public buildings and equipment; repair of public utilities; and repair of recreational facilities such as parks.

The OES coordinates overall state-agency response to major disasters in support of local government.