Friday, January 16, 2009

California Fire News - Updates in your mail box

California Fire News - Updates in your mail box

Link to California Fire News - Structure, Wildland, EMS

SNEAKER WAVES POSSIBLE DURING WARM WEATHER

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 12:54 PM CST

REDWOOD COAST- MENDOCINO COAST- SNEAKER WAVES POSSIBLE DURING WARM WEATHER

Description:
WAVE CONDITIONS ON AREA BEACHES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IDEAL FOR SNEAKER WAVES FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. AVERAGE WAVE HEIGHTS ARE NOT FORECAST TO BE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH...BUT AT TIMES WAVES WILL SUDDENLY BECOME VERY LARGE...AND WASH FAR UP ONTO PREVIOUSLY DRY SAND. THESE WAVES CAN KNOCK PEOPLE DOWN AND PULL THEM INTO THE OCEAN WHERE SURVIVAL IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE OF NUMBINGLY COLD WATER...STRONG CURRENTS...AND TURBULENT SURF. STEEP BEACHES ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF SNEAKER WAVES. SOME BEACHES ALSO HAVE LIMITED ESCAPE OPTIONS BECAUSE OF SHEER CLIFFS OR CUT AWAY DUNES. CHOOSE A BEACH THIS WEEKEND THAT IS FLATTER AND HAS EASY ACCESS TO HIGH GROUND. AVOID ROCKS AND JETTIES. FOR SURF VIEWING... CHOOSE A HIGH BLUFF THAT IS WELL ABOVE AND FAR FROM THE SURF. THESE WAVE CONDITIONS CAN PRODUCE A RELATIVELY QUIET OCEAN SURFACE FOR UP TO TWENTY MINUTES... INTERRUPTED BY VERY LARGE BREAKING WAVES ON THE BEACH. THE LULLS IN WAVE HEIGHTS CAN LURE PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE WATERS EDGE...EXPOSING THEM TO THE HAZARD OF SNEAKER WAVES.

Instructions: STAY FAR BACK FROM THE SURF...EVEN IF THE WAVES SEEM SMALL...AND BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL TO KEEP CHILDREN AWAY FROM THE WATER. IF YOU DO GO NEAR THE WATER...NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THE SURF. FOR ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE YOU TO BE CLOSE TO THE WATER SUCH AS SURF FISHING... BIRD WATCHING... AND TIDE POOLING... WEAR A LIFE VEST AND HAVE AN EXTRA PERSON WATCH FOR SUDDEN INCREASES IN SURF HIGHT.

Target Area: REDWOOD COAST-MENDOCINO COAST-

Red Flag Warnings - Southern California drying trend

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 12:17 PM CST

Southern California drying trend continues...record high high's and record high low temperatures...forecast for very low humidity, high winds at times.

GACC/NIFC Weather Discussion: Thursday, Jan 15, 2009 http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/predictive/outlooks/Scal_Fire_Potential.pdf

***LOCALLY STRONG AND GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
THROUGH MONDAY***
***UNSEASONABLY WARM AND VERY DRY ACROSS MOST OF THE REGION THROUGH MONDAY***

A strong ridge of high pressure over California will maintain well above normal temperatures and very low humidity over most of the region through Monday. There will be locally strong and gusty north to east winds over the mountains and below the canyons and passes of Southern California through Monday.
Winds will be 12 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph over the wind prone areas. A Pacific trough will bring cooler temperatures and higher humidity to the region starting Tuesday of next week.

GACC/NIFC Fire Potential Discussion: Thursday, Jan 15, 2009
Despite the recent drying trend and the continuation of locally strong offshore winds across Southern California, green-up among the light, flashy fuels along with high live fuel moisture content should mitigate any large fire concerns through the forecast period.
CWCG Preparedness Level: CWCG Preparedness Level 2, MACS Mode 2

A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SATURDAY. AREAS OF NORTHEAST WINDS 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 55 MPH WILL PERSIST AT LEAST THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE ACROSS EASTERN VENTURA AND WESTERN LOS ANGELES COUNTIES. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DECREASE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY... HOWEVER GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH ARE STILL POSSIBLE THROUGH THE WEEKEND. MEANWHILE...
WIDESPREAD HUMIDITIES AT OR BELOW 10 PERCENT ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY WITH JUST A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER THE WEEKEND.


Instruction:
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE OCCURRING NOW. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY... AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. PLEASE ADVISE THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OR FIRE CREWS IN THE FIELD OF THIS RED FLAG WARNING.

Area: VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL - SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA - VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS - LOS ANGELES COUNTY COASTS INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-

RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SATURDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Update sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SATURDAY 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 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST FRIDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY COASTS-
Cancel sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST FRIDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-
Cancel sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST FRIDAY FROM LEO CARRILLO BEACH TO THE HOLLYWOOD HILLS DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY COASTS INCLUDING DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES-
Cancel sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST FRIDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY-
Cancel sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PST SATURDAY FOR THE VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS AS WELL AS THE SANTA MONICA RANGE DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed
LOS ANGELES COUNTY SAN FERNANDO VALLEY-
Cancel sent at 09:35 PST on 2009-01-15
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST FRIDAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS EXCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA RANGE-
Update sent at 09:01 PST on 2009-01-15
GUSTY SANTA ANA WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVER PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA THROUGH AT LEAST FRIDAY Actual/Immediate/Severe/Likely
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-
Update sent at 09:01 PST on 2009-01-15

MMU: Fire Apparatus Engineer Dan Campbell passed away

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 10:07 AM CST

Off Duty death: Madera-Mariposa-Merced CAL FIRE Fire Apparatus Engineer Dan Campbell passed away yesterday evening at 7:15 P.M. at Kaweah Delta Hospital.
Dan's family is very appreciative of everyone's thoughts, prayers and generosity during this very difficult time of their life.
Funeral arraignments: Information as soon as is available will be posted.

News: Earthquake - 3.0M - Tres Pinos, Hollister

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 11:25 AM CST

TRES PINOS, Calif. (AP) — A small earthquake has rattled Northern California.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the light temblor had a preliminary magnitude of 3.0 and was centered in Tres Pinos — about 50 miles south of San Jose.

There were no reports of damage. Police in the nearby city of Hollister said they barely felt it.

Earthquake location map
Magnitude 3.0 - local magnitude (ML)
Time Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 6:58:22 AM (PST)
Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 14:58:22 (UTC)
Distance from Tres Pinos, CA - 11 km (7 miles) S (182 degrees)
Hollister, CA - 18 km (11 miles) SSE (159 degrees)
Chualar, CA - 22 km (14 miles) NE (51 degrees)
Gonzales, CA - 23 km (14 miles) NNE (27 degrees)
San Jose City Hall, CA - 88 km (55 miles) SE (145 degrees)
Coordinates 36 deg. 41.6 min. N (36.693N), 121 deg. 19.4 min. W (121.324W)
Depth 5.8 km (3.6 miles)
Location Quality Excellent
Location Quality Parameters Nst=131, Nph=131, Dmin=5 km, Rmss=0.07 sec, Erho=0.1 km, Erzz=0.4 km, Gp=39.6 degrees
Event ID# nc40230188
Additional Information 2-degree map
Google Earth KML (Requires Google Earth.)
Did you feel it?
NCSN First Motion Mechanism 1
Waveforms

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

News: Earthquake - 3.9M - Tres Pinos, Hollister

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 11:45 AM CST

Shake Map
Magnitude 3.9 - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
2009 January 15 14:43:53 UTC

Earthquake Details

Magnitude3.9
Date-Time
Location36.686°N, 121.315°W
Depth6.5 km (4.0 miles)
RegionCENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Distances
  • 12 km (7 miles) S (178°) from Tres Pinos, CA
  • 19 km (12 miles) SSE (157°) from Hollister, CA
  • 22 km (14 miles) NE (54°) from Chualar, CA
  • 89 km (55 miles) SE (145°) from San Jose City Hall, CA
Location Uncertaintyhorizontal +/- 0.1 km (0.1 miles); depth +/- 0.4 km (0.2 miles)
ParametersNST= 63, Nph= 63, Dmin=4.4 km, Rmss=0.08 sec, Gp= 50°,
M-type=regional moment magnitude (Mw), Version=3
Source
Event IDnc40230187

CA-SFFD- Porta-John IC - 15 Johns burned since November 08'

Posted: 15 Jan 2009 09:37 AM CST

SFFD Toilet Fires: Outhouse Arsonist Continues head attacks!

Thumbnail image for burning_outhouse.jpg This is developing into a very serious string of arson fires, Involving a dangerous serial arsonist or group - Fires have occurred very near occupied structures. - last week a outhouse was destroyed, and a tall tree next to it was badly burned, with the flames only 3 feet away from a two-story home .

IA: 01-14-09 05:00hrs - A Portable Toilet Structure Fire - Porta-John
Location: 1200 block of Washington Street went up in the predawn hours; like the other previous toilet fires, 14 johns torched since November, in the Russian Hill area of San Francisco.
Injuries/Damages:No one has been hurt in the incidents, all of which have all happened at night. But the latest arson attack at 5 a.m. Thursday damaged a nearby parked car. Other attacks have torched nearby trees and scorched nearby structures. The Portable toilets value at between $500 to $1000 dollars each not including contents.
Typically the toilets are leased, for $100 or so per month, and the renter is responsible for damage.
Outhouse insurance is now being offered for an additional $5 a month, to protect its customers from being on the hook for the price of a new potty.
Notes: The unknown miscreant or miscreants immolating area outhouses have burned another 14 johns since November in or near the Russian Hill area of San Francisco, according to the San Francisco Police Department.
Investigation: Police and firefighters have stepped up nightly potty patrols, although authorities concede they cannot be everywhere at once.
San Francisco Police Department press release concludes "No witnesses to this incident. No arrests."
The fires have occurred inside and outside of outhouses. In some cases, the arsonist has broken into locked toilets to burn them, police said.
Some private contractors have begun to camouflage outhouses on job sites.
Industry spokesperson: "This is something new in the industry," said Rebecca Henderson, portable toilet administrator for the company. "But we're taking these arsons to heart. You get attached to portable toilets. They're your business, and you don't want to see anything happen to them, or to your customers."
Sources:
SF Weekly.com - Link
SF Gate revealed this world's first top secret outhouse - Link

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