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Friday, June 19, 2009

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Tracy Fire / South County Fire Authority - Training Burn
Kern County Fire Department - New Helicopter 407 - 408 will finish 10-year maintenance soon
Riverside County prescribed burn - Lake Skinner recreational area

Tracy Fire / South County Fire Authority - Training Burn

Posted: 18 Jun 2009 12:28 PM PDT

(TRACY, CA) – The Tracy Fire Department and South County Fire Authority are holding an annual wild land fire training exercise near the Tracy Airport. The exercise is a state mandated event to prepare fire crews to handle possible wild land and brush fires during the summer months.

Due to the winds, smoke has been drifting over the Tracy area. Fire Chief Chris Bosch wants to assure the public not to be alarmed by the smoke. The training exercise will be completed by 5 p.m., Thursday afternoon.

Kern County Fire Department - New Helicopter 407 - 408 will finish 10-year maintenance soon

Posted: 18 Jun 2009 10:10 AM PDT

KEENE, California -- Kern County Fire Departments second helicopter, Helicopter 407, was revamped and delivered by San Joaquin Helicopters from Delano just a week ago.

The crew said the new addition brings Kern County up to speed with other California counties.

Helicopter 408 Captain Kevin Loomis said, "These aircraft have brought Kern County up to speed if you will, with the Southern California fire fighting departments that are down there. Top of the line, great stuff, now we are right there with the big boys, doing the same thing."

The Kern County Fire Department definitely missed its helicopter, but now that its back, it's the residents of Kern County who will benefit.

Loomis said, "This aircraft does rescue, it does firefighting, troop transfer, night-vision goggle rescue, so it's very, very important to the county, especially with 8,000 square miles to cover. We missed it a lot, we missed a lot of calls."

And soon, Kern County Fire won't just have one helicopter to serve the county, but two.
In the next couple weeks, Helicopter 408 will finish its 10-year maintenance, during which the helicopter is taken apart and inspected.

Kern County Fire Department Director of Maintainence Jim Fritts said, "You have to remove every component of the aircraft, the tail boom, the landing gear, and then you have to repair or replace whatever components that are due."

Kern County Fire just formed their its maintenance program in an effort to save money.
The program is responsible for Helicopter 408's 10-year maintenance check.
Loomis said having its own maintenance to the helicopters not only saves money, but allows the aircrafts to be inspected daily.

Both Helicopter 407 and 408 are identical except in color, each is equipped with a water tank, enough room to transport 10 firefighters, a hoist and the capabilities to do both day and night rescues.

Kern County Fire said eventually Helicopter 407 will be stationed in Mettler at Station 55, and Helicopter 408 will be kept in Keene.
But as for now, the crews are just excited to have their aircraft back.

Article source: turnto23.com - Link
Photo source: Laguna Hot Shots Blog - Link

Riverside County prescribed burn - Lake Skinner recreational area

Posted: 18 Jun 2009 07:02 AM PDT

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Riverside County Fire Department, in cooperation with the Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District Multi-Species Reserve (MSR) will complete a prescribed burn on the Skinner Reserve located within the Lake Skinner recreational area.

Where: The burn area is located near the intersection of Borel Road and Warren Rd. (Riverside TB 930-D2), just south of Lake Skinner in the Temecula area.

When: Prescribed fire operations will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2009. Burn operations will begin after 9:00 am and should conclude by 1:00 pm daily. CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department will be conducting patrols of the burned area following all burn operations.

What: A total of 25 acres of grasslands are planned for the prescribed burn. The goal of this prescribed burn is to reduce hazardous wildfire fuels and to improve the wildlife habitat on the Reserve. Prescribed fire operations will be conducted only during favorable weather conditions and with approval from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Who: CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department will be conducting the prescribed fire with the following resources; fire engines, fire crews, water dropping helicopter, and overhead personnel. Multi-Species Reserve Managers will be providing technical assistance and logistical support with their staff.

Why: This is a cooperative effort and is part of the CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department¿s Pre-Fire Management Program. Prior annual prescribed fires on the Lake Skinner MSR Reserve have been very effective at managing wildfire fuels in this area and encouraging habitat for wildlife.

If you have questions or would like additional information on this prescribed fire please contact the Regional Park and Open Space District Multi-Species Reserve Manager Christine Moen at (951) 926-7416, or CAL FIRE and Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief, Dan Johnson at (951) 659-3337.

Source: http://tcfireweb.co.riverside.ca.us/firepio/process?action=viewPressRelease&id=3976