Friday, May 15, 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

CA-SCU Mustang - Quick Look - 80% Contained

Posted: 14 May 2009 11:58 AM PDT


Date: 05/14/2009
Time: 0930
Incident Number: CA-SCU-2013
Incident Name: MUSTANG
Incident Kind: Wildfire
Start Date Time: 05/13/2009 1304
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Commander: DAVE MCLEAN
Incident Command Organization: Type 3 IC
State-Unit: CA-SCU
Lat: 37° 13´ 26" Long: 121° 20´ 6"
14 MILES EAST OF MORGAN HILL CA
Size/Area Involved: 570 ACRES
% Contained: 80 Percent
Expected Containment Date: 05/14/2009
Line to Build: 1 Miles

No evacuation(s) imminent --

Potential future threat
--------No likely threat ---------------


Projected incident movement/spread 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour time frames:
12 hours: NO POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH IN THE NEXT 12 HOURS
24 hours: 0
48 hours: 0
72 hours: 0
Values at Risk: include communities, critical infrastructure, natural and cultural resources in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hour time frames: 12 hours: HENRY COE STATE PARK WILDERNESS AREA
24 hours: 0
48 hours: 0
72 hours: 0
Critical Resource Needs (amount, type, kind and number of operational periods () in priority order in 12, 24, 48, and 72 hour time frames): 12 hours: NONE
24 hours: 0
48 hours: 0
72 hours: 0
Major problems and concerns (control problems, social/political/economic concerns or impacts, etc.) Relate critical resources needs identified above to the Incident Action Plan. REMOTE AREA WITH EXTENDED TRAVEL TIME TO AND FROM THE FIRE AREA
Observed Weather for Current Operational Period
Peak Gusts (mph):
5-10 Max. Temperature: 85-90
Wind Direction: N/NW Min.
Relative Humidity: 20%
Fuels/Materials Involved: MODERATE TO HEAVY BRUSH
Today's observed fire behavior (leave blank for non-fire events): FIRE STAYED WITHIN CONTAINMENT LINES. MINIMAL FIRE BEHAVIOR
Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.) CONTAINMENT LINES ARE 90% COMPLETED. SIGNFIICANT PROGRESS MADE DURING THE NIGHT.
Forecasted Weather for next Operational Period
Wind Speed (mph):
5-15
Temperature: 80-95
Wind Direction: N/NW
Relative Humidity: 20%
Estimated Control Date and Time: 05/15/2009 1800
Projected Final Size: 600 ACRES
Estimated Final Cost: $525,000
Actions planned for next operational period: REINFORCE CONTAINMENT LINES AND MOP UP AND PATROL 300 FEET IN.
For fire incidents, describe resistance to control in terms of: 1. Growth Potential - Low
2. Difficulty of Terrain - High
Given the current constraints, when will the chosen management strategy succeed? 5/15/2009
Projected demobilization start date: 05/14/2009 1300

CA-SCU-Mustang: Fire near Henry Coe park is 80 percent contained

Posted: 14 May 2009 11:13 AM PDT


By Mark Gomez
Mercury News
Posted: 05/14/2009 09:47:40 AM PDT
Updated: 05/14/2009 09:52:46 AM PDT

Fire crews battling a wildfire along the southern Santa Clara County border near Henry Coe State Park have the blaze 80 percent contained this morning and hope to have it completely controlled by tomorrow, according to a Cal Fire spokesman.

The Mustang Fire, which has burned 570 acres, is not threatening any of the scattered ranches in a remote area located about 25 miles north of Highway 152, near Casa de Fruta, according to Paul Van Gerwen, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire is torching a large area of heavy brush and oak woodland that has not burned in more than 40 years, Van Gerwen said. To reach the blaze, fire crews navigated "a pretty rough road" that includes a very steep single-lane passing and three or four creek crossings, Van Gerwen said.
"It's really pretty country," Van Gerwen said. "It's just real tough to get there."

There are currently 530 firefighters assigned to the blaze, some of whom spent the night in the remote area.

The fire was first reported Wednesday around 1 p.m. by a rancher who spotted flames and smoke.

Nine aircraft, including tankers and helicopters, doused the flames of the Mustang fire with retardant as more than 200 firefighters tried to stop the blaze from spreading. By late evening, it was 60 percent contained.

Source: MercuryNews.com

Earthquake - Magnitude 3.3 - Independence CA

Posted: 14 May 2009 11:03 AM PDT



Earthquake Details

Magnitude3.3
Date-Time
Location36.783°N, 118.190°W
Depth13.2 km (8.2 miles)
RegionCENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Distances
  • 3 km (2 miles) SSE (157°) from Independence, CA
  • 24 km (15 miles) NNW (334°) from Lone Pine, CA
  • 43 km (27 miles) NW (319°) from Keeler, CA
  • 60 km (38 miles) NNW (344°) from Olancha, CA
  • 273 km (170 miles) WNW (285°) from Las Vegas, NV
Location Uncertaintyhorizontal +/- 0.4 km (0.2 miles); depth +/- 0.7 km (0.4 miles)
ParametersNph=025, Dmin=30 km, Rmss=0.23 sec, Gp= 86°,
M-type=local magnitude (ML), Version=Q
Source
Event IDci10408873

CA-LPF- Jesusita fire - Quick Look - 8,733 acres 90%

Posted: 14 May 2009 07:41 AM PDT



View Jesusita Wildland Fire in a larger map

JESUSITA FIRE FACTS

MAY 14, 2009

0700 (7:00 A.M.)

Fire Status

  • Acres burned: 8,733
  • Percent contained: 90%
  • Expected full containment: 05/20/09
  • Cause: Under investigation (please call 805-686-5074 if you have any information pertaining to how the fire started)
  • Homes destroyed: 80
  • Homes damaged: 15
  • Outbuildings destroyed: 79
  • Outbuildings damaged: 2
  • Commercial property destroyed: 1
  • Commercial property damaged: 0
  • Properties remaining evacuated: Approximately 145 (mandatory evacuation orders)
  • Persons affected: approximately 362
  • Residences remaining threatened: 500 (residences are at various levels of threat, depending on their location).
  • Total number of personnel assigned to the incident: 2,781
  • Engines: 203
  • Crews: 86
  • Bulldozers: 13
  • water Tenders: 21
  • Fixed Wing Air Tankers: 1 (aircraft are assigned to the incident on a daily basis)
  • Helicopters: 7 (aircraft are assigned to the incident on a daily basis)
  • Firefighter injuries to date: 29
  • Air quality: Warning remains in effect
  • Estimated costs of suppressing the fire to date: $17,050,000
  • Expected containment 5/20/09
  • Cooperating/assisting agencies: Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department, Carpinteria Fire Department, Montecito Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, Santa Barbara Police Department, California Highway Patrol, CALTRANS, Southern California Edison (power company), City of Santa Barbara Water Resources Division

EVERYONE IS ASKED TO PLEASE CONSERVE WATER !

Road Closures

·� Road Closure Hotline - 805-568-3006

·� www.countyofsb.org/pwd/roads/closure.htm

Jesusita Fire American Red Cross Information Update

UCSB Multi Activity Center is now on standby statusThe Red Cross has placed the Emergency Shelter at the Multi Activity Center (aka Rec Center) on the UCSB Campus on standby status and it will be re-opened if future fire evacuation announcements warrant. Anyone currently in need of assistance should go to the Red Cross Service Center at 2101 State Street or call the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter at (805) 687-1331.

Red Cross Opens Service Center

An American Red Cross Service Center has been opened in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church at 2101 State St (enter from Padre Street) to serve those most affected by the Jesusita Fire. It will be open during the following hours:

Wednesday, May 13 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 14 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Friday, May 15 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 16 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 17 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Monday, May 18 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Service Center has trained Red Cross volunteers providing casework for the residents whose houses were destroyed or significantly damaged by the Jesusita Fire. In addition, mental health and health services volunteers are offering help to those who need it.

Funds Needed for the Red Cross Relief Effort

The American Red Cross, Santa Barbara County Chapter, seeks your help. Visit www.sbredcross.org to make a financial donation online.

Phone Numbers

  • County Jesusita Fire Call Center - 805-681-5197
  • Evacuation Shelter (Red Cross) - 687-1331
  • Animal Services Hotline - 805-681-4332

Animal Shelter Locations

  • Large animals: Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real - Santa Barbara
  • Small animals: Call the Animal Services Hotline - 805-681-4332

Internet

Television

  • CityTV Channel 18
  • County of Santa Barbara TV Channel 20
  • KEYT-TV Channel 3

Radio Stations

  • FM: KCSB-91.9; KSYV-96.7; KTYD-99.9; KSBL-101.7; KRAZ-105.9
  • AM: KTMS-990; KZSB-1290; KUHL-1410; KINF-1440
  • Spanish language FM stations KSPE-94.5 and KIST-107.7

###


Basic Information

Incident TypeWildland Fire
CauseUnder Investigation
Date of OriginTuesday May 05th, 2009 aprox 01:30 PM
LocationNorth West of Mission Cyn in Santa Barbara Co
Incident CommanderUnified Command

Current Situation

Total Personnel2,781
Size8,733 acres
Percent Contained90%
Estimated Containment DateWednesday May 20th, 2009 aprox 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved

Chaparral (6 Feet)

Fire Behavior

No significant fire behavior after being tested with sustained winds 40 mph, gusts to 50-55 mph, and humidities in the 20th percentile.

Significant Events

No significant fire growth. Evacuations remain in place in selected areas on the west side of the fire. Low humidities and winds have helped with consumption of interior islands.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Mop-up of remaining hot spots. Fireline suppression repair.

Growth Potential

Medium

Terrain Difficulty

Extreme

Remarks

CAL FIRE Incident Command Team 4 (Waterman) in unified command with D'Andrea, Schmitt, McElroy, and McElwee. Operational periods are 24-hour shifts. The number of structures reported represents the continuing assessment of structures either damaged or destroyed. Due to limited access, the County of Santa Barbara's assessment is ongoing.

Current Weather

Temperature72-84 degrees
Humidity20-40%

CNN.com

News: Breaking News -- MercuryNews.com

AP Top U.S. News At 8:45 p.m.