California Fire News - Updates in your mail box
California Fire News - Updates in your mail box |  |
- CA-RRU- Oliver - Wildfire - Riverside County - 503 acres 80%
- Yosemite Lightning Fires – Update #4 and #5
- San Diego: Controversial Fire Chief retires
- Forest Service: Human caused wildland fires
- Arson: Homeless Greek Mythological figure charged in Laurel Canyon wildfire
- Condolences: Retired CDF HFEO Bud Snodgrass passed away
- Bonehead News: Highway Patrol troopers arrest paramedic while treating patient
- Arson Arrest: suspect arrested - Murrieta freeway fires
| CA-RRU- Oliver - Wildfire - Riverside County - 503 acres 80% Posted: 27 May 2009 10:16 PM PDT
Firefighters are on scene of a vegetation fire with at least two separate starts on the northwest side of Lake Perris State Recreation Area. View CA-RRU-Oliver - Vegetation fire in a larger map Update: 2034 Hrs - 503 acres 80% - Estimated Containment: 5-28-09 0600 Hrs. -20 RV's Relocated from the North Side of the Lake to the South Side of the Lake, Initial demob of IA resources to begin 5/27/09 at 2130 hours. Update: 2000 Hrs -Fire investigators have determined the cause of the fires to be Arson. We are asking anyone with suspect information to contact the Riverside County Fire Department Anonymous Arson Hot Line at 1-800-633-2836. Update: 1934 Hrs - updated acreage 503 acres. Estimated 100 percent containment 5/28 0600 AM hours, 100 percent control at 5/28 6:00 PM hours. Update: 1803 Hrs - Fire is 50 percent contained. Firefighters are making great progress, no injuries or damage reported. fire investigators are on scene. Update: 1800 Hrs - The fires have merged and burned a combined 250 acres of brush in Southern California. Potential of 750-1,000 Acres, Structure's Threatened at the top of Oliver Street, No Structure Loss. Update: 1730 Hrs - The Lake Perris State Recreation Area Campground has been evacuated as the fire has entered the inside perimieter of the park. Update: 1725 Hrs - Fire is burning into Lake Perris campground crews now attempting firing operations per IC on RRU2 now 250 acres with potential of 500 Update: 1720Hrs - Large header showing - Immediate structure threat 10 Type 1 engines for structure protection. Fire is now approximately 250 acres with a potential of 500 acres. Update: 1625Hrs -Potential for 50 acres no structure threat Update: 1605Hrs - 2 separate fires, 1/4 apart from each other, approximately 20 acres of grass and brush. Evacuations: County fire spokeswoman Cheri Patterson says a campground at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area has been evacuated. Patterson says there is moderate structure threat but could not say what kinds of structures those are. Road closures: Via Del Lago at Iris Avenue/Moreno Beach and several streets around Oliver Street. IA: 1547 Hrs. - Two fires about a quarter-mile apart - one fire at approximately one half acre and the second at approximately two acres. ICP Location: Lower Campground at Lake Perris, Lot #9 Location: Oliver St. x Arla Ct., Moreno Valley - Lake Perris State Recreation Area - Northwest side of Lake Perris State Recreation Area, Moreno Valley area of Riverside County, about 60 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Fire engines have been moved into a nearby neighborhood, ready to defend the homes. Current resources: 400 firefighters including eleven crews, 35 engines, two dozers, two water tenders, four air tankers and two helicopters. Very large resource orders being filled. 13 CALFIRE Overhead, 2 OES Overhead, 8 CALFIRE Type III Engines, 3 Local Government Type I Engines, 5 Local Government Type III's Engines, 4 RVC Type III Engines, 18 RVC Type I Engines, 11 CALFIRE Hand Crews, 1 RVC Water Tender, 1 Federal Water Tender, 1 RVC Communications Unit Injuries: No injuries reported. Current conditions: winds are not blowing hard but the brush is dry.  |
| Yosemite Lightning Fires – Update #4 and #5 Posted: 27 May 2009 06:08 PM PDT
National Park Service -U.S. Department of the Interior EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. Yosemite Lightning Fires Update #5Hi folks. Yosemite is experiencing more thunderstorms and consequently more fire starts. Two new fires have been located. Due to the amount of precipitation, additional "sleepers" (fires) may be found as the atmosphere warms-up. The weather folks are projecting this kind of thunderstorm pattern to continue through the weekend. In this update, we are sending a couple of new maps - one is the lightning map, identifying broad areas of where strikes occurred; and the other is a Google Earth geographical look at the location of the fires. Yosemite Lightning Fires Update #4 - On the afternoon of May 18, 2009 Yosemite National Park experienced an afternoon thunderstorm, a common occurrence for the Sierra Nevada Range during the summer. It is relatively uncommon for May, and according to National Weather Service this monsoonal storm was more typical for August. It resulted in many down strikes in Yosemite and three confirmed fires. It was accompanied by measurable precipitation at higher elevations. Yosemite Valley received approximately 1/3 of an inch of rain. There is a possibility of continuing thunderstorms for the rest of the week particularly in the afternoon hours, which may result in other fires.
Suppression Zone: West (37⁰40'24.31" 119⁰33'56.89") - Please note the Lat/long change. This lightning caused fire is in Mariposa County near the park boundary and north/west of the community of Yosemite West. It was necessary for crews to rappel into this fire due to steepness of the terrain. This fire is out. It was smoldering in pine needles and some down logs and was put out due to significant threats to the community of Yosemite West. It will be patrolled by air. Cottonwood (37⁰54'13.68" 119⁰47'41.64") – As of 7 PM, May 22, this fire was declared 100 % contained, and 50% controlled. Ninety-six acres have burned. This lightning caused fire is in Tuolumne County and is burning within the 1996 Ackerson fire perimeter. It is 2.5 miles east of the Mather Ranger Station and near Cottonwood Meadow. It was actively burning in whitethorn and dead and down timber. Eighty firefighters, two Type 2 Helicopters and three Hot Shot teams (Groveland from the Stanislaus NF, Sierra NF Hotshots, and the Arrowhead HS) are committed to this fire. Mop will continue today and full control is expected tonight at 7 PM. Smoke impacts have been minimal. Wilderness Zone: Mono (37⁰40' 24.24" 119⁰45' 19.45") – Please note the change in Lat/Long. This lightning caused fire is located in Mariposa County, within the Illilouette Basin and Yosemite's wilderness. This fire continues to grow slowly as expected, and approximately 6 acres have burned in brush, and dead and down logs within the 2004 Meadow Fire perimeter. This area has a considerable history of natural wildfire that has been managed for restoration of forest systems. A three to four person fire crew will continue to monitor this fire daily. Minimal smoke is visible in some places along the Glacier Point road. This fire has low to moderate potential for spread. The protection of human life and property is the top priority for Yosemite's fire management staff, as well as the preservation of natural and cultural resources, and the preservation and restoration of fire-dependent ecosystems. Each fire is managed individually to achieve one or more objectives in the safest, most efficient and cost-effective way possible. In order to achieve this, strategies employed may include full suppression, containment line building, use of natural barriers, monitoring, and other management techniques or combination of techniques. Park staff will monitor smoke on a consistent basis. However, smoky conditions may exist within the park. Residents and visitors are advised to take precautions to minimize smoke impacts to health. People with respiratory problems should use caution when exerting themselves in smoky areas. Additional Information:  |
| San Diego: Controversial Fire Chief retires Posted: 27 May 2009 05:31 PM PDT
Jarman To Stay On Until June 27  Chief Tracy Jarman will retire next month after 25 years with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, it was announced Wednesday. SAN DIEGO -- Chief Tracy Jarman will retire next month after 25 years with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, it was announced Wednesday. Jarman's retirement will be effective June 27, but she has agreed to remain with the department for 60-90 days to assist with the transition, according to Mayor Jerry Sanders' office."This was not an easy decision," Jarman said in a statement released by the mayor's office. "I genuinely love this department and the people I work with, and it has been a great career. I'm proud to have served the citizens of San Diego as their fire chief. Jarman was appointed chief in June 2006. She succeeded Jeff Bowman, after he retired as head of the department. Jarman is the first woman to command the SDFRD. During her tenure, she helped increase the number of fire stations from 44 to 47, spearheaded the effort to get a second firefighting helicopter and helped replace the department's aging fleet. She also directed the fight against the 2007 wildfires. "Chief Jarman has done a tremendous job leading our fire department,"Sanders said. "She is the consummate professional who has worked extremely hard to improve fire service throughout the city and across the region. While I am sad to see her leave, I wish her all the best in retirement". "Jarman was named the 2008 "Fire Chief of the Year" by the California Fire Chiefs Association. A national search will be conducted to find Jarman's replacement, according to the mayor's office. Source: http://www.10news.com/news/19584179/detail.html - Link Photo credit: cropped from 10news.com original @ Link  |
| Forest Service: Human caused wildland fires Posted: 27 May 2009 03:08 PM PDT
Kernville, CA May 27, 2009 - Last week's "Mace" fire in the Sorrel Peak area of the Piute Mountains was caused by an abandoned campfire. The fire, just south of last year's 37,000 acre Piute Fire, grew to 1.5 acres before firefighters were able to control it. This fire is still under investigation.  |
| Arson: Homeless Greek Mythological figure charged in Laurel Canyon wildfire Posted: 27 May 2009 02:59 PM PDT
A homeless man who uses the name Pro Me Theus was charged today with felony arson in connection with a blaze that broke out Memorial Day weekend in Laurel Canyon near Mt. Olympus, prosecutors said. The 46-year-old suspect was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the May 24 fire, which blackened 5 acres of brush in the hills above the 2100 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard but caused no injuries or property damage. He gives his first name as "Pro," his middle name as "Me" and his last name as "Theus," authorities said. Arson investigators would not say exactly how they believe he started the fire, but if convicted of the single arson count Theus faces up to six years in prison. Prometheus is a figure in Greek mythology known for stealing fire from Zeus. Theus also goes by the name Darby Tennal. Authorities recovered cash and a credit card bearing the name Pro Me Theus, said Jane Robison of the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Theus used shovels to terrace an area of the hillside and built a small wooden deck, police said. He went undetected because his campsite was hidden amid the heavy woods and steep slope, they said. He was arrested after residents recognized a man who had been in the immediate area of the fire and pointed him out to LAPD officers, who had responded to the scene. Residents positively identified him with the help of a telescope. He was tracked by police helicopter and brandished a shovel for a short time before complying with responding officers. Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com - Link  |
| Condolences: Retired CDF HFEO Bud Snodgrass passed away Posted: 27 May 2009 02:06 PM PDT
Subject: Retired HFEO Bud Snodgrass passed away He was born on May 27, 1937, in Olustee, Oklahoma to Earnest William and Evelyn Lee (Price) Snodgrass. He moved to California in 1957 where he met and married Olivia Olivas of San Jacinto, California on September 14, 1957. Together they had three children. Bud was a retired bulldozer operator from the California Dept. of Forestry. During his years with the fire department he fought some of the largest fires throughout California. He was known for his ability to drive and operate any piece of heavy equipment or vehicle. Bud was an avid hunter, fisherman, and home improvement expert. He could build and repair just about anything and spent most of his retirement days working on his own home and helping his children complete various home improvement projects around their homes and properties. He is survived by his loving wife Olivia Snodgrass of Hemet, CA., and three children, James (Jim) Ray Snodgrass Jr. and wife Laurel, of Hatch, Utah, Betty Jean Williams and husband Gary, of Hemet, CA., and Earnest William Snodgrass and wife Astrid, of Hemet, CA. His five grandchildren, James (Jimmy) Ray Snodgrass III and wife Dani, Joshua Duane Snodgrass and fiancé Jennifer, Irena Snodgrass, Trynn Sylvester, Carla Williams, and Camryn Williams, along with five great granddaughters Payton, Brianna, Kelsie, Katelyn, and Arianna. His mother Evelyn Lee Snodgrass, of Altus, OK., brothers Bill Snodgrass and wife Louise, and Wayne Snodgrass and sisters, Earnesteen Dalton and husband Doug, all from Altus OK., and Peggy Terrill and husband Norman of Redoak, TX. He was preceded in death by his father Earnest William Snodgrass Sr., a sister-in-law Kren Snodgrass and nephew Brian Dalton. Online condolences: can be sent to his son (Jim's) email address at: thehatchling@msn.com Source: CDF Firefighters.org - Link |
| Bonehead News: Highway Patrol troopers arrest paramedic while treating patient Posted: 27 May 2009 07:54 PM PDT
Paden, OK -- A scuffle between first responders in Oklahoma is caught on tape. Updated: The Paramedic who was involved in a scuffle with an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Sunday is speaking out about the incident. Maurice White, Jr. is a critical care paramedic with the Creek Nation EMS and was nearly arrested after the confrontation, which was captured on video. Original story: Highway Patrol troopers and a paramedic nearly come to blows while a patient waits to be taken to the hospital. The encounter was caught on a cell phone came by Kenyada Davis, the son of the patient in the ambulance. The incident started when the ambulance failed to yield to state troopers en route to a call. Davis say the ambulance driver was trying to avoid hitting a car that slowed down and wasn't aware that troopers were nearby until it was too late. After the troopers finished their official business, they pulled the ambulance over. A struggle ensued as they tried to arrest the driver. According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the paramedics assaulted the trooper just before the fight broke out. The Okfuskee County District Attorney's office is reviewing footage and could file criminal charges against the paramedic by the end of the week. Okfuskee County District Attorney's office (918) 224-3921 Trooper is Daniel Martin - Badge number 606 Call and complain - Troopers Captain 918-423-3636 Source: CNN / KWTV Paramedics full statement: http://static.ktul.com/documents/emtstatement_0509.pdf Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KluItc365hU  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Arson Arrest: suspect arrested - Murrieta freeway fires Posted: 27 May 2009 09:41 AM PDT
Suspect arrested for grass fire near Interstates 215 and 15 todayMURRIETA - Police arrested a man suspected of starting a grass fire near Interstates 215 and 15 today. The fire on the right side of northbound Interstate 15, just before the northbound Interstate 215 interchange, was reported at 12:45 p.m., authorities said. A total of 17 Murrieta and CalFire firefighters worked for more than an hour to extinguish the flames -- which charred about 1.5 acres -- and mop up. No injuries or structure damage were reported, said Murrieta Fire Department spokeswoman Stephanie Smith. The suspect's name was not released. Source: www.myvalleynews.com - Link  |
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