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| Australia: Brushfires, wildfires what happened Posted: 12 Feb 2009 09:53 PM PST  Australian Bushfire Inferno Time to Bug OutA week later the temperature soared to 115.5 F (46.4 C) in Melbourne - about 116.6 F (47 C) and 118 F (47.8 C) at Avalon, the site of Melbourne's second major passenger jet airport. However this heat wave was associated with strong winds as high as 65 mph that turned fires from thousands of dry lightning strikes and suspected arson into rapidly moving firestorms. Stay and Defend or leave early: People living adjacent to highly-inflammable Eucalyptus forests to the north and east of Melbourne were advised to have "fire plans" and to decide whether to stay and protect their property or to leave in a timely fashion.  Firestorm coming, to late to leaveLack of commitment to defend: Unfortunately, a combination of tinder-dry bush, record high temperatures and high winds created high speed firestorms that gave people little chance to escape. When some finally realized the enormity of what they were facing and what it takes to defend against a firestorm ember attack, and decided to flee it was too late and many were caught in vehicles while trying to escape. and possibly if they had stayed, prepared properly, and committed to defending and taking shelter in a structure as the firestorms passed many more may have survived.    The driver of this truck survived fleeing the fire, a woman along the road he urged to get into his truck was not seen again, the driver credited the Nomex wildland fire clothing he was wearing for saving his life after he crashed the truck and had to flee through the flames.Global Climate Emergency: Man made cause or natural cycle the planet is warming, According to Professor John Holdren (Harvard University, former Chairman of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Director of the Woods Hole Research Center, and President Obama's chief scientific adviser) in a recent lecture entitled "The Science of Climatic Disruption", forest fires are being exacerbated by drought and elevated temperatures in America and Europe; the annual acres burned in the Western USA have now increased from about 0.5 million (1960-1980) to 2.5- 4.5 million (21st century); and the 14 hottest years on record have been since 1990. [1] . According to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) the global mean surface temperature increase since about 1970 has been about 0.6 oC (the temperature increase since about 1890 has been about 0.8 oC) . [2] . According to a key 2006 paper in the top journal Science by Dr A.L. Westerling and colleagues.: "We compiled a comprehensive database of large wildfires in western United States forests since 1970 and compared it with hydroclimatic and land-surface data. Here, we show that large wildfire activity increased suddenly and markedly in the mid-1980s, with higher large-wildfire frequency, longer wildfire durations, and longer wildfire seasons. The greatest increases occurred in mid-elevation, Northern Rockies forests, where land-use histories have relatively little effect on fire risks and are strongly associated with increased spring and summer temperatures and an earlier spring snowmelt … We found that the incidence of large wildfires in western forests increased in the mid-1980s (Fig. 1) [hereafter, "wildfires" refers to large-fire events (>400 ha) within forested areas only]. Subsequently, wildfire frequency was nearly four times the average of 1970 to 1986, and the total area burned by these fires was more than six and a half times its previous level".[3]References. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Milpitas Fire Department's new interim fire chief - Ruben Grijalva Posted: 12 Feb 2009 05:28 PM PST  Ruben Grijalva, outgoing director of the state's lead fire agency, has accepted a job as Milpitas Fire Department's interim fire chief. Grijalva will retire from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection tomorrow, and replace outgoing Milpitas Fire Chief Clare Frank, who resigned from her post last month. Frank, 43, will serve her last day on the job tomorrow after leading Milpitas' fire service for about three and a half years. Frank accepted a position as assistant fire chief with Cal Fire's Fire Marshal's Office, and will begin the first week of March. Grijalva, a 53-year-old resident of the Evergreen area in San Jose, confirmed Wednesday that he officially starts his new job here as interim fire chief Monday. He said he intends to work as an interim fire chief both here and in other cities, and explained that his name was recommended to City of Milpitas officials through an executive search firm. "I am retiring this Friday from state service," he added. "But I am very fortunate to come to work in Milpitas; I worked most of my career in Santa Clara County." Grijalva will be paid $122 per hour, or $976 per eight-hour day (equivalent of a $203,000 position annually). Milpitas' human resources department said Grijalva cannot work more than 960 hours in a fiscal year in the new post because of his retiree status. His extensive 32-year work history straddles both the fire and law enforcement services. In April 2006, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Grijalva as director of Cal Fire, where he had filled the acting director position since January of that year. Prior to that appointment, Schwarzenegger named Grijalva the state's fire marshal in August 2004. Grijalva worked for many years in the Bay Area. Starting in 1994, he was the fire chief in Palo Alto for 10 years. Grijalva had been Palo Alto's assistant fire chief four years prior. Before that, Grijalva worked for Sunnyvale's Department of Public Safety for 16 years working in police and fire capacities. Grijalva has expertise in criminal justice administration, and has had extensive experience in negotiations of various types from labor negotiations to legislative and code development to hostage negotiations. Grijalva was recognized for his role as the primary hostage negotiator in a 1988 incident in Sunnyvale, at a company named ESL where he successfully negotiated the surrender of a mass murderer. Grijalva has chaired the state Board of Fire Services and is an ex-officio member of the California Film Commission, served on Gov. Schwarzenegger's Hydrogen Highway Network Senior Review Committee, and on the Board of Directors of FIRESCOPE. In addition, Grijalva is a member of the National Association of State Foresters as the California state forester. According to Grijalva, as Milpitas' interim fire chief he hopes to ably guide the department for the length of time he is here during the search for a full-time replacement, including outreach to fire personnel, other city staff and residents. Mainly, he said his job will be to plan ahead. "As interim fire chief I'll try to identify the challenges for the next permanent chief," Grijalva said. But he stressed that he would tackle any immediate challenges that arise, including budgetary issues. "I tend to do a lot of planning, including coming up with a two-year work plan," he said. Grijalva said in his years of public safety work in Santa Clara County, he has come to know both Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood and Vice Mayor Pete McHugh. "I look forward to working with the management team, labor management, the city manager and elected officials," he said. Outgoing Chief Frank said she was "really surprised and pleased" about Grijalva taking over as interim fire chief. Frank, who met with Grijalva at Milpitas Fire Department last Friday, said her replacement has a reputation as a strong organizational leader, which included improving overall morale during his time at Cal Fire. "He's just a terrific leader," she said. "He's not even going to miss a beat here." Source: http://www.themilpitaspost.com - Link |
| Australia: U.S.F.S to send 60 wildland fire personnel Posted: 12 Feb 2009 07:54 PM PST Deployment information: Firefighters will be traveling to Australia in a group(s) on the same flight. NIFC/NICC will designate the Chief of Party for the group. This fire assignment will be to the State of Victoria, Australia. You will fly from the U.S. to Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. You will be working for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), which is the main state land management agency. HERE is the main website for current firefighting activities involving DSE. You will also work with other Victorian State agencies such as Parks Victoria. The State of Victoria has a single volunteer fire fighting organization, the Country Fire Authority (CFA). You will also be working with CFA firefighters. Their website is: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/. ------------------------------------------------------ As of Thursday, fires in Australia have killed 181 people, damaged or destroyed 1,069 private dwellings, and burned more than 1 million acres. Additional info: In total, 63 firefighters nationwide are being sent to help in the wildfire effort, under an international-aid agreement. The U.S. contingent will include smoke jumpers, rapellers, hotshot crew members, fire management personnel, a meteorologist and four burned area recovery(BAER) specialists. They'll depart Friday and rendezvous with other firefighters in Los Angeles before heading to Melborne. They will be in the State of Victoria, working for the Department of Sustainability and Environment for up to 35 days. Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, among others, have assisted with U.S. wildfires. The last time U.S. firefighters were last deployed to Australia was in late 2006 and early 2007. Source: http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/news/nr_Australia_Assistance020909.pdfThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Australia: Volunteer firefighter dies on return from bushfires Posted: 12 Feb 2009 02:01 PM PST  CFA volunteer Russell Pitt was found in his burnt-out house in Upper Ferntree Gully this morning after battling bushfires since Saturday. Picture: Chris Scott UPDATE 9.15pm: POLICE are probing a suspicious fire that killed a CFA volunteer after he returned from the bushfire front line. Country Fire Authority (CFA) mates have named the dead man as Russell Pitt, whose body was found in the burnt-out ruins of his Upper Ferntree Gully home on Thursday morning. CFA trucks were called to the Jean St address about 3.30am today to find the house engulfed in flames. "When we got there this morning and the house was going, I think the initial crew was very sad, but we went on with our business until it was under control and then we all got out of it because by that stage I think the emotion was starting to tell with all the guys,'' Upper Ferntree Gully brigade captain Peter Smith told reporters. Mr Pitt had returned home briefly after days fighting bushfires at Mirboo North in Gippsland and at Yarra Glen. He was due to be sent out for fire duty again on Thursday. "It's not fair. It's just not fair that he's been out doing all that, and here he is at home in bed,'' Mr Smith said. "We're not quite sure what happened. Yeah, it's just not fair.'' Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Goldrick, from the Knox CIU, said it could be some time before the body was formally identified. He said the arson squad was investigating the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious. One neighbour said Mr Pitt was very community-minded. "He was a really nice guy, involved with the community, the CFA and the likes,'' he told the Nine Network. Another neighbour said she tried to save Mr Pitt's house. "I came out and got the garden hose but I couldn't get close enough to the house,'' she said. After the arson squad examined the scene, police said the blaze was being treated as suspicious. A post-mortem examination will be conducted. Police have notified the next of kin, the Knox Leader has reported. He was among the team that spent several hours battling the Quarry Rd bushfire on Black Saturday – only a couple of hundred metres away from his home, a neighbour told the Knox Leader. Anybody with information about the Jean St fire is asked to call Knox CIU on 9881 7999 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Source: Herald Sun - News.com.au - Link |
| Mariposa County: Orders 15 firetrucks from Oshkosh Posted: 12 Feb 2009 10:57 AM PST
The order includes 11 Contender pumper trucks and four Contender DX tanker trucks. Each of the vehicles, to be built in the Fox Valley, will be outfitted with equipment geared for wilderness fires. Mariposa County is in the sparsely populated western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It includes portions of Yosemite National Park and was the site of the Telegraph Fire that burned 34,000 acres last July. The Mariposa Fire Department consists of 12 companies that cover 1,463 square miles. Info2008 Pierce Contender DX series tanker: The Contender DX tanker offers the new Pierce exclusive 10" directional dump valve/chute assembly that offers more than a 1600 gpm flow — no more worrying about what direction you're facing when pulling up to the scene. With a low center of gravity (reducing side rolls), the DX tanker allows pump and roll, and is extremely stable — proven up to 28 degrees static side slope on a tilt table. The tank, designed specifically for Contender, is constructed of polypropylene with a water compartment baffling system that reduces the surges that can destabilize your vehicle |
| CAL FIRE - New Director - Del Walters Posted: 12 Feb 2009 07:56 AM PST  Del Walters, 54, of Redding, has been appointed director of CAL FIRE• Succeeds Ruben Grijalva who is retiring • He has been a firefighter since 1971 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Del Walters as director of CAL FIRE, following current Director Ruben Grijalva's announcement to retire."With more than 30 years of service at CAL FIRE, Del Walters is the perfect person to head our state's firefighting efforts," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Playing a key role in combating the 2007 and 2008 firestorms, he has the experience and leadership capabilities to implement the highest standards of fire prevention and fire fighting while ensuring all Californians are protected. Under Del's leadership, I am confident that the state will continue to be prepared to respond to the intense year-round fire seasons we now face. "I also want to thank Ruben for his service to my administration and to the people of California. He is a dedicated public servant and gifted leader who has helped see our state through some of the worst wildfires we have ever seen in our state's history. I wish Ruben the best in his future endeavors." Walters has served as the executive officer for CAL FIRE since 2008. He began his career as a firefighter in 1971. Prior to promoting to executive officer, he was the assistant region chief then staff chief of operations for the Northern Region. Prior to that, Walters was the deputy chief for the Shasta-Trinity Unit. He previously worked for the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit as the assistant chief of administration, battalion chief, vegetation management program coordinator forester I and fire captain. He has also served as a fire captain, fire apparatus engineer and firefighter for the San Benito-Monterey Unit. Walters has been a California State Peace Officer since 1986. "I am honored to serve the people of California in this new role," said Del Walters. "I look forward to working with the Governor to continue our fire prevention and protection efforts while preparing Californians for the extraordinary fire seasons our state faces." Walters, 54, of Redding, received his Bachelor of Science degree in forest resource management from Humboldt State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $174,096. Walters is a Democrat. As CAL FIRE'S Director, Walters will oversee 5,500 full-time and seasonal employees. CAL FIRE is dedicated to the fire protection and stewardship of more than 31 million acres of California's privately-owned wildlands. In addition, the department provides various emergency services in 36 of the State's 58 counties via contracts with local governments. CAL FIRE firefighters, fire engines, and aircraft respond to an average of more than 5,700 wildland fires each year. Those fires burn nearly 170,000 acres annually. |
| Chino Valley Fire District - Dairy fire - 900 tons of hay, barn, vehicles Posted: 12 Feb 2009 07:47 AM PST
Chino Valley Independent Fire District firefighters at 3:54 a.m. Wednesday morning responded to a hay fire at the Vander Eyk Dairy Farm located on 17450 Hellman Avenue in Chino. Firefighters arrived on scene to find 900 tons of hay and three commercial farm vehicles fully involved. The original call came in at 3:30 a.m. as a reported structure fire in Riverside County. Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department responded on scene with four engines. Four Chino Valley Independent Fire District engines, one truck, one water tender and one battalion chief responded to the scene. The dollar loss of the U-shaped barn is $150,000 and the content loss, including the three vehicles, is $600,000. Chino Valley Fire District Firefighters were able to save a barn on the eastern side of the U-shaped barn involved for a $50,000 save. Firefighters also extinguished a small spot of fire in another hay barn on the south. The fire has been contained and is actively burning within the containment lines. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Source: insidesocal.com - Link |
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