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MULTIPLE LODD: OAKLAND SHOOTOUT - 5 officers shot, 3 dead, 1 critical Posted: 22 Mar 2009 12:23 AM PDT UPDATE: Three Oakland police sergeants shot to death within two hours of one another Saturday afternoon. The first slain officer was identified as Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, who was killed at the first shooting. The two members of the SWAT team who were killed at the second location were Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35. Officer John Hege, 41, is in grave condition. In honor of the officers, state Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff today UPDATE: 5 officers shot, 3 officers and gunman dead, fourth officer gravely wounded. Five Oakland police officers have been shot, three dead, one critically wounded this afternoon. Three Oakland police officers have died after they and three other officers were shot by one gunman Saturday afternoon in two separate incidents. At about 1:15 two of the officers pulled over a suspect on a routine traffic stop on the 74-hundred block of MacArthur Blvd. The suspect opened fire and the two went down. A massive manhunt then got underway and about two hours later, the suspect was located at an apartment in East Oakland, not far from the initial shooting. Acting police chief Howard Jordan told reporters police were tipped off that the suspect was in a nearby apartment. Officers and the SWAT team moved in and three other police officers were shot by the suspect, though one was just grazed by a bullet. Officers returned fire and killed the suspect, identified as 27-year old Lovelle Mixon of Oakland. Three officers were pronounced dead at Highland Hospital, where hundreds of fellow police officers gathered. A fourth remains hospitalized in grave condition. The first slain officer was identified as Sgt. Mark Dunakin, 40, who was killed at the first shooting. The two members of the SWAT team who were killed at the second location were Sgt. Ervin Romans, 43, and Sgt. Daniel Sakai, 35. Officer John Hege, 41, is in grave condition. The suspect was identified as Oakland resident Lovelle Mixon, 26. He was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon, police said. He had a no-bail warrant for his arrest on charges of violating parole. He had previous convictions in Alameda County for grand theft and possession of marijuana Police said Mixon had two different weapons, one at the first scene, and another at the apartment building where he was hiding. "(Mixon) was on parole and he had a warrant out for his arrest for violating that parole. And he was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon,'' said Oakland police Deputy Chief Jeffery Israel. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was a tragic day for police officers. "All four officers dedicated their lives to public safety and selflessly worked to protect the people of Oakland,'' he said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost, the Oakland Police Department and law enforcement officers throughout California during this difficult time.'' Police said Mixon wielded two different weapons including an assault rifle. One gun was used at the first scene and another at the apartment building where he was hiding. "(Mixon) was on parole and he had a warrant out for his arrest for violating that parole. And he was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon," said Oakland police Deputy Chief Jeffery Israel. Much of Macarthur and the nearby neighborhoods remained closed to traffic and locked down Saturday evening. Police say they do not believe there are other suspects involved but their investigation is still ongoing. Oakland Police line of duty deaths: The last Oakland police officer to die in the line of duty was about five years ago. In July of 2004, 39-year-old William Seuis, a motorcycle patrol officer, was struck by a car died in a hit-and-run crash. On January 11, 2001, Officer William Wilkins, a 29-year-old undercover narcotics officer, was mistakenly shot by two fellow officers. On January 10, 1999, 41-year-old Officer James Williams, Jr. was shot by a freeway overpass sniper. The last time an officer was killed and another was shot on the same day in Oakland was in 1970 during a gang-involved robbery. Gabe Guider and Wendell Troyer were the last two officers to die on the same day in the line of duty, in a helicopter crash in 1974. Before Saturday, 47 Oakland police officers had been killed in the line of duty since the department was formed in 1867. Info sources: ABC - Link KGO - Link Mercury - Link

Earthquake 3.1 M - Salton Sea area - Bombay Beach, CA Posted: 21 Mar 2009 02:15 PM PDT Update: Magnitude 2.4 M foreshock, Multiple small aftershocks including 2.1 M Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.1 Date-Time Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 20:40:06 UTC Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 01:40:06 PM at epicenter Location 33.317°N, 115.733°W Depth 7.4 km (4.6 miles) Region SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Distances 4 km (2 miles) S (185°) from Bombay Beach, CA 19 km (12 miles) NNW (331°) from Obsidian Butte, CA 21 km (13 miles) E (84°) from Salton City, CA 22 km (14 miles) WNW (293°) from Niland, CA 61 km (38 miles) NNW (345°) from El Centro, CA 145 km (90 miles) ENE (65°) from San Diego, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.3 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 0.8 km (0.5 miles) Parameters Nph=094, Dmin=4 km, Rmss=0.31 sec, Gp= 32°, M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=2 Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID ci14432576

Day Fire: Thousands of trees planted in Burn area Posted: 21 Mar 2009 12:10 PM PDT The Oak Flat Restoration and Planting Project: Operation Green Jeans in Partnership with the Pacific Crest Trail Association Students at the Oak Flat Restoration and Planting Project. Students planting trees at the site of 2006 Day Fire. Students enrolled in the School District's Regional Occupational Program (ROP) course titled, "Basics in Forestry and Trail Construction," recently participated in a unique service learning opportunity coordinated by the US Forest Service. The Oak Flat Restoration and Planting Project, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, comes in direct response to resource and habitat decimation caused locally by the Day Fire of 2006, the second largest wildfire in California history. "Students enrolled in ROP Forestry are taught principles of environmental stewardship while volunteering more than 100 hours of local service in the areas of wilderness resource management and conservation," commented Kevin Sarkissian, Lead Instructor and Crew Boss from the District. With thousands of trees planted by day's end, Hart students, with the help of other volunteer groups and Forest Service personnel, shared the benefits of a battle hard fought: tired smiles, grimy uniforms, and a quiet bus ride home. Source: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/spotlight/2009/rop.php author: Kevin Sarkissian, Career Visions Center Supervisor, William S. Hart Union High School District, Santa Clarita CA

Forest Service: $1.15 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Posted: 21 Mar 2009 12:02 PM PDT First round Forest Service "fuels" projects in California will total approximately $1.5 million. The jobs are estimated to last up to 18 months. Projects will take place on the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest through contracts and agreements and with a Grant through State and Private Forestry. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region: Forest Service First Round ARRA "Fuels" Projects Announced VALLEJO, Calif., Mar. 12, 2009—U.S. Forest Service Chief Abigail Kimbell recently announced the Agency's plan to participate in the nation's economic recovery program. The Forest Service has received $1.15 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The first 10 percent of Forest Service projects nationwide created by the ARRA, totaling $98 million, have been selected. These initial projects will create 1,500 jobs, giving the Agency the early opportunity to put people to work. The remaining projects, totaling $1.052 billion, will be announced shortly and will create an additional 23,500 jobs nationwide. First round Forest Service "fuels" projects in California will total approximately $1.5 million. The jobs are estimated to last up to 18 months. Projects will take place on the Shasta Trinity National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest through contracts and agreements and with a Grant through State and Private Forestry. "I am proud that the Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region will be playing an important role in creating private sector jobs for Californians on their national forests," said Regional Forester Randy Moore. "I am pleased that we have the opportunity to provide jobs to counties with high unemployment that last for up to a year and a half. We experienced an unprecedented number of wildfires in California in 2008, so I am excited to be able to move forward on these fuels projects to help us prepare for the coming fire season." Overall, first round total projects on lands managed by the Forest Service in California which was rolled out on March 5 will include maintenance and construction on facilities, roads, trails and now "fuels" totaling $9.25 million. Under the language of the ARRA, the Forest Service will create as many jobs as possible to support communities and to get money flowing through the economy again. All funds will be spent on specific targeted projects that are, or soon will be, ready to go. "The Forest Service anticipates playing a key role in our nation's economic recovery," said Chief Kimbell. "We are grateful for the confidence Congress has shown us and look forward to demonstrating how the Forest Service can create good jobs during difficult times," Kimbell added. Many of the most affected communities of the economic downturn are located near national forests. Rural jobs will be created in areas needing restoration work with shovel ready projects related to fire prevention, roads, bridges, buildings and recreation facilities. More detailed information about new Forest Service projects and jobs in California will be forthcoming. Information on the overall U.S. Forest Service role in the ARRA can be found at: http://fs.usda.gov/recovery. Information on the total federal effort can be found at http://www.recovery.gov. Source info: Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region Contact: Public Affairs, 707-562-9004 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592

Scotch Broom get it out while the soil is moist Posted: 21 Mar 2009 02:21 PM PDT What makes Scotch Broom a invasive noxious plant? Scotch broom - Cytisus scoparius - is a prodiguous seed producer. The seeds have hard coats enabling them to survive in the environment for up to 80 years. The seeds are transported from place to place in mud stuck to vehicles, equipment, shoes and the feet of animals. Seeds may be carried via runoff from roads into streams and gullies. Then seedlings may establish along streamsides and along gully walls. Scotch broom forms dense brush fields over six feet tall. The brush fields distract from appreciation of the natural landscapes of California. The brush fields diminish habitat for grazing animals, such as native Elk. Seeds and foliage are toxic to livestock, horses, and native hoofed wildlife Areas of dense brush shade out and kill native grassland plants in invaded areas, and favor invasion by other woody, non-grassland plant species. Scotch broom is a threat to the integrity of the California ecosystem. Discourage people from planting Scotch broom or allowing it to grow undisturbed wherever they live and work. Since broom will have produced many, long-lived seeds, well before it reaches its ultimate size, people may be unaware of its potential as a weed in cultivation. Dense roadside stands of Scotch broom narrow escape routes from mountain communities throughout California How do you get rid of Scotch Broom? Pull out the entire plant, including roots. When the soil is moist, small plants can be pulled easily by hand. Winter and spring are good seasons to do this in California. Larger plants must be removed with a tool such as a Weed Wrench (tm). Be sure to remove the entire plant. Broken stems re-sprout and are much harder to remove for the next person. Plants can be left where pulled. Well planned prescribed burns in fall can further reduce the broom in infested grasslands: Dense infestations of broom and infestations in the shade remain too moist to carry fire and will require pulling and some time to dry prior to a successful burn. A head fire is likely to only burn the tops off of the broom, and the broom will survive. A slow, hot, backing fire kills most of the broom. Some plants are consumed outright, and others are scalded around the root collar, later dying from the injury. Use of a backing fire reduces the need for laborious manual removal. Prescribed burns in grass consume some broom seeds and break the seed coats of others, allowing pathogens to enter and kill the seeds. Still other seeds may be stimulated to germinate so that plants can be pulled out. Over time, regular prescribed burning may be expected to help deplete the pool of long-lived buried broom seed in the grasslands. Other benefits of burning native grasslands are 1) control of invading trees and 2) rejuvenation of grassland plants by comsuming dead thatch. The newly burned grasslands attract wildlife because of their greater forage value. News Release: BLM Arcata Field Office Agencies Will Loan Tools to Defeat Scotch Broom With its brilliant yellow flowers and dense, bushy stands along highways, Scotch broom is one of the most recognizable plants in northern California. It is also one of the most threatening to native plants and landscapes. To combat the invasive plant, member agencies of the Humboldt-Del Norte Weed Management Area are loaning tools to help property owners remove the plants. "The plants are blooming early this year, and now is a good time for property owners to begin pulling them out of the ground," said Jennifer Wheeler, a botanist with the Bureau of Land Management's Arcata Field Office. Weed Wrenches™ are available at the BLM office, 1695 Heindon Rd., Arcata, and at the Del Norte County Department of Agriculture, 2650 Washington Blvd., Crescent City. There is no fee in the "Lend a Wrench Program," which encourages property owners to attack Scotch Broom while the soil is still moist. The Weed Wrenches grip the stalk of the broom plants, providing leverage to help pull the plants, including the root. "People should pull Scotch broom completely out of the ground, making sure to get the entire root," said Wheeler. "They should then pull all seedlings every spring for five to ten years and every two years thereafter. The bottom line is not to allow the young plants to attain a height capable of blooming and producing seeds." Scotch broom was introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant. The plants proved to be a problem. They spread rapidly, forming dense, six-foot-tall brush fields that crowded out native plants that reduced forage and habitat for diverse wildlife and livestock. Each broom plant can produce 8,000 to 12,000 seeds, and can explosively release them up to 13 feet away. Seeds can be easily spread by vehicles, shoes, animals and water runoff. Seeds remain viable for up to 30 years. Seeds and foliage are toxic to livestock, horses, and native hoofed wildlife. Broom grows faster than most trees used in forestry, shading out tree seedlings planted after harvest. Wheeler said individuals can contribute to controlling the plant by taking action on their own property. For more information, contact Wheeler at (707) 825-2300 or visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedmgtareas/Humboldt/humboldt_hp.htm. BLM - Contact: Jennifer Wheeler (707) 825-2300 or Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332 CA-N-09-25 Original Press release - Link ----------------- More info: http://www.nps.gov/archive/redw/scotchbr.htm

Cal Fire-Butte County: California Office of Traffic Safety grant Posted: 21 Mar 2009 12:22 PM PDT Cal Fire grant will boost efficiency: $197,373 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, Butte County Fire Rescue will purchase a new Rescue Vehicle for Butte County Fire Volunteer Company 71 in Richvale and equip thirteen engines and two Rescue vehicles with new, state-of-the-art extrication gear. The grant announced Friday will leave more than a dozen Cal Fire-Butte County fire stations better prepared to deal with rescues at vehicle crashes. Rescue tools: slated for purchase are air bags used to safely lift and stabilize crashed vehicles, and the latest models of extrication tools, including the "jaws of life." In addition to Richvale, stations in south Chico, Kelly Ridge, Butte Meadows, Stirling City, Cohasset, Forest Ranch, Paradise, Jarbo Gap, Feather Falls, Robinson Mills, Oroville and Nord, as well as the Paradise Fire Department, will share funding for new equipment. Cal Fire Training Bureau Chief Darren Read said the money for Richvale's rescue truck is also coming from a cost-sharing fund benefiting county fire departments, as well as donations from the Richvale community. The following engines/communities will be receiving the new equipment purchased with the grant funds: Town of Paradise Fire Department CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 44 - South Chico CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 64 - Kelly Ridge CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 71 - Richvale CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 11 - Butte Meadows CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 12 - Sterling City CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 22 - Cohasset CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 23 - Forest Ranch CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 35 - Paradise CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 36 - Jarbo Gap CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 51 - Feather Falls CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 54 - Robinson Mill CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 63 - Oroville CAL FIRE/BCFD Station 41 - Nord The media and the public are invited to attend a demonstration of the new equipment during a Bus Extrication class on Sunday May 10, 2009 between the hours of 10AM and 2 PM. The training will be held at the Butte College Fire Training Grounds.

Orange County Plant Explosion Kills Two Posted: 21 Mar 2009 07:15 AM PDT RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. Two men were killed and two others injured when an industrial-sized electric water heater exploded in an Rancho Santa Margarita plastics factory. The blast at 11:38 p.m. Thursday was of such force that it shot the water heater straight up through the south Orange County factory's roof. It then came crashing back inside the building to the ground. Killed were Isidro Echeverria, 34, of Oceanside, and Jose Jimenez, 51, of Garden Grove. Two other men were transported to a hospital with minor injuries, authorities said, while two others refused treatment at the scene. The men were working the night shift at Solus Industrial Innovations, which manufactures and distributes conveyors, conveying equipment, plastic belts and other products. Orange County firefighters from a station across the street heard – and felt – the blast. But the explosion caused no fire. " One of the guys there described it like a truck had hit the station, just the force from the blast across the street," said Orange County Fire Authority Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion. Arson investigators on Friday were looking for the cause of the explosion, which blew chunks of concrete into the air and buckled the walls of the building at 30152 Aventura Ave. About 40 firefighters and a hazmat team responded, but there were no hazardous materials inside the building, although the plant did use plastics, authorities said. The explosion blew concrete about 20 feet into the air, punched a hole in the roof, triggered the interior sprinklers and buckled the walls. "We deeply regret that two of our employees were killed in the accident," said Dave Baldridge, a Solus spokesman. "We extend our deepest sympathies to their families, and we will provide all support possible to them during this difficult time." -- Mike Anton Source: Los Angeles Times

Earthquake - Magnitude 3.3 - Borrego Springs Posted: 21 Mar 2009 06:32 AM PDT Earthquake Details Magnitude 3.3 Date-Time Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 11:24:45 UTC Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 04:24:45 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 33.247°N, 116.446°W Depth 2.6 km (1.6 miles) Region SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Distances 7 km (4 miles) W (270°) from Borrego Springs, CA 23 km (15 miles) NE (34°) from Julian, CA 29 km (18 miles) E (88°) from Lake Henshaw, CA 56 km (35 miles) SSW (201°) from Indio, CA 61 km (38 miles) ENE (77°) from Escondido, CA 83 km (52 miles) NE (51°) from San Diego, CA Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.2 km (0.1 miles); depth +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Parameters Nph=101, Dmin=4 km, Rmss=0.31 sec, Gp= 22°, M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=2 Source California Integrated Seismic Net: USGS Caltech CGS UCB UCSD UNR Event ID ci14432280

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