California Fire News

Inciweb Update: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 16,449 acres - 80% Posted: 02 Aug 2007 06:12 PM GMT-06:00 Elk Complex Update 8.2.07 Incident Information Announcements News Pictures Maps Incident: Elk Complex Released: 6 hrs. ago ELK FIRE COMPLEX UPDATE August 2, 2007 Total Complex Acreage: 16,449 acres Incident Resources: 805 personnel Total Complex Containment: 80% Cost to Date: $17,400,000 Injuries to Date (minor): 15 Fatalities to Date: 1 Expected Full Containment: 8/05/2007 Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, Stephan Perlman, M.D. again wants to advise residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in some areas due to severe smoke today. Residents in areas with poor air quality are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, drivers are cautioned to drive carefully and to turn their headlights on as they drive through the area. Firefighters plan to continue to use aerial ignition to burn portions of the interior of the fire on the King Creek 2/Wingate/Titus Fires. This involves releasing ping pong ball size incendiaries (PSD's) as the helicopter flies over the area to be burned. As the fire slowly backs down towards the Klamath River the percentage of containment will rise. Crews are continuing to secure established firelines. Patrol and mop up the Little Grider Fire continues. Complex Fire Details Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The contained fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as necessary. The remaining five fires are as follows: Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 Fires is 13,381 acres (increase in acreage due to limited burning of interior) and 76% contained. Firelines have been constructed and limited burning of interior areas will continue. A closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place. Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained and remains in aerial patrol. Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained. The fire remains in aerial patrol. Sources of info include: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or the incident information office at (530) 841-4451 or (530) 493 1519. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/condition/ for information on fire restrictions and local closures. The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District, has installed an air quality monitoring station in Happy Camp. Real-time data may be viewed online at http://www.satguard.com/usfs/Chartnew.aspGet=4&UnitID=36&CustID=2&sDate=7/29/2007. Contact Information Information (530) 841-4451 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Unit Information Klamath National Forest 1312 Fairlane Road Yreka, California 96097 News Releases Elk Complex Update 8.2.07 Released: 6 hrs. ago Elk Complex Update 8/1/07 Released: 1 day ago Daily Update 7.31.07 Released: 2 days ago Daily Update 07/30/2007 Released: 3 days ago Elk Complex Community Meeting on Tuesday 07/31/2007 Released: 4 days ago Elk Complex Update 07/29/2007 Released: 4 days ago Related Incident Links Klamath National Forest Cooperators Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Land Management Fish and Wildlife Service National Park Service National Weather Service Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office USDA Forest Service Cal Fire Karuk Tribe

EDIS - Dry and breezy conditions possible this weekend Posted: 02 Aug 2007 05:48 PM GMT-06:00 - SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-EASTERN LASSEN COUNTY-WESTERN NEVADA SIERRA FRONT-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY- A WEAK LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL DEVELOP ALONG THE WEST COAST THIS WEEKEND BRINGING A MUCH DRIER SOUTHWEST FLOW ALOFT. AFTERNOON WEST WINDS WILL ALSO BE ENHANCED BRINGING THE POSSIBILITY FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS. ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR EXTREME WESTERN NEVADA AND NORTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA FOR LOW HUMIDITIES AND GUSTY WEST WINDS... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING. WEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE ALONG THE SIERRA FRONT ON FRIDAY WITH GUSTS AROUND 30 MPH BECOMING WIDESPREAD ON SATURDAY. A MUCH DRIER AIRMASS WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION STARTING FRIDAY WITH AFTERNOON HUMIDITY VALUES OF 10 TO 15 PERCENT EXPECTED ON SATURDAY. THE POSSIBLE COMBINATION OF LOW HUMIDITY AND BREEZY CONDITIONS WOULD RESULT IN CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY. Instruction: A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS. Area: SURPRISE VALLEY CALIFORNIA-EASTERN LASSEN COUNTY-WESTERN NEVADA SIERRA FRONT-NORTHERN WASHOE COUNTY- Affected Counties or parts of: Modoc, Plumas, Placer, Mono, Lassen, El Dorado, Nevada, Sierra, Alpine, Sent: 2007-08-02T15:07:23-07:00 Original Sender: KREV@nwws.oes.ca.gov From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV

CA - SCU - FELTER IC - Vegetation Fire --> Structure threat Posted: 02 Aug 2007 06:04 PM GMT-06:00 FULL VEGETATION RESPONSE W/ AIR SHOW 16:01 lOCATION: Two fires east of the Milpitas area - One fire is at Calaveras at Felter, the second fire nearby at Felter and Marsh. SIZEUP: Spring Valley Engine 22 reports one fire is 4 acres with a rapid rate of spread. with at least one structure threatened. COMM:151.445 ADDITIONAL: Battalion 1630 ordering a local government strike team for structure protection UPDATE: CHP CAD Incident: 1350 Type: Location: info as of: 8/2/2007 5:01:46 PM ADDITIONAL DETAILS 4:42PM S11 -- FIRE IS OUT ,, ETA 1 HR WHILE THEY CLEAN UP ,, 530 REMAINING ON SNCE TILL THEN 4:38PM S11-- HAVE CALAVERAS RD AT WELLER RD CLOSED FOR FIRE EQUIPMENT 4:16PM MILPITAS FIRE REQ CHP FOR 1184 // PLS COME UP CALAVERAS TO FELTER // FIRE WILL ADVS WERE 1184 IS NEEDED 3:57PM PER FIRE HAD MULTIPLE REPORTS 3:57PM 1039 FIRE ENRT 3:56PM 1039 FIRE 3:56PM NEEDS TO MOVE HER HORSES RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS 4:18PM CHP Unit On Scene

Zaca Wildland Fire - 38,030 Acres - 70 percent Containment Posted: 02 Aug 2007 10:17 AM GMT-06:00 Zaca Wildland Fire Incident Information Announcements News Pictures Maps INCIDENT UPDATED 08:30 ANNOUNCEMENT Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest Forest Service Closes Additional Areas in Los Padres National Forest GOLETA, CA...Additional areas in Los Padres National Forest are now closed to the public due to the Zaca Fire emergency, the Forest... more Zaca Fire Area Closure Map Credit: Zaca Fire GIS Unit view pictures || view maps Summary Update Morning August 2, 2007 Location: 15 miles Northeast of Buellton, Santa Barbara County Incident Management Team: U.S. Forest Service / Santa Barbara County Start Date & Report Time: July 4, 2007 at 10:53 AM Acres: 38,030 Acres Percent Containment: 70 percent Estimated Containment: September 7, 2007 Resources: Hand Crews: 34; Dozers: 11; Engines: 29; Water Tenders: 27; Helicopters: 7-Type 1, 7-Type 2 and 3-Type 3; Air Tankers: 8 ordered; Air Attack: 2; Total Personnel: 1,355; Injuries: 11; Structures Threatened: 14; Fireline-to-Build: 15 miles; Estimated Cost-to-Date: $41.4 million Current Forest and Road Closures: Happy Canyon Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary. Figueroa Mountain Road is closed at the Los Padres National Forest boundary Paradise Road is closed at the First Crossing picnic area For current fire information while traveling on Highway 154, tune to 1040 AM. Significant Events: An EVACUATION ORDER continues for the Peachtree Community. This order will be re-evaluated on Thursday, August 2nd. An EVACUATION WARNING remains in place for Happy Canyon Road north of Baseline Avenue, including the ranches between Lake Cachuma and McKinley Ridge. The Forest Service announced an expanded closure of the Los Padres National Forest today. The closure area is approximately 649,000 acres, and is between Hwy 166 in northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County. Detailed information on the closure can be found at your local Forest Service Office. Current Situation: The majority of the fire activity moved south in the head of Black Canyon and East into Coche Creek. Islands of unburned fuel continue to burn within the fire perimeter. The daily inversion layer has continued the trend of increased burning at night and suppressed burning during the day. Hand line construction will be started on a ridge adjacent to Black Canyon and South of Santa Cruz Peak Thursday. The hand line at the head of Peachtree Canyon continues to hold. Dozers continue to clean up contingency lines in the existing fuel breaks near Paradise Rd. Structure protection groups are in place in the Peachtree and Paradise areas and continue working on improvements around structures. Safety Message: Travelers using SR-154, Happy Canyon or Figueroa Mountain Roads are asked to be cautious of firefighting equipment and personnel traveling in the area. Additional Information: In light of the current conditions and fire behavior, smoke is likely to be visible throughout the Central Coast and into the San Joaquin Valley. More information is available at: http://www.sbsheriff.org/ and http://www.sbcfire.com Incident Commanders: Aaron Gelobter, Boise Incident Management Team and Mark Schmitt, Santa Barbara County Fire Department. Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Human Caused Date of Origin 07/04/2007 at 1053 hrs. Location 15 miles NE of Buellton Incident Commander Aaron Gelobter Current Situation Total Personnel 1,355 Size 38,030 acres Percent Contained 70% Estimated Containment Date 09/07/2007 at hrs. Fuels Involved Model 4 (6 ft) and oak woodlands. Live fuel moistures are at 51%, levels normally seen in late summer. Division J is burning in a mix of pine and chaparral. Fire Behavior The inversion continues to encourage active burning conditions during nightime hours and suppresses intense daytime burning. Significant Events Additional areas in Los Padres National Forest are now closed to the public due to fire activity. Closure area now includes lands between Highway 166 in Northern Santa Barbara County and Highway 33 and Matilija Canyon in Ventura County. This closure now affects approx. 649,000 acres. Outlook Planned Actions Direct line construction continues in Division J. Direct line construction will be initiated on a ridge adjacent to Black Canyon and south to Santa Cruz Peak. This operation will coincide with backing fire activity into the Santa Cruz drainage. Indirect line construction and preparation for burnout if necessary continues in portions of Divisions T, S and R. Crews continue to hold and secure line in Divisions U and I. Dozer group continues clean up of existing fuelbreaks as contingency lines. Peachtree and Paradise structure protection groups are in place and continue improvements around structures. Projected Movement There is a high probability of the fire increasing significantly in size, during the next 12 to 72 hours. Growth Potential Extreme. Terrain Difficulty Extreme. Containment Target The remote access and rugged terrain require a long term strategy of both direct and indirect attack with contingency planning that is being implemented over a 5 to 6 week period. Remarks Not available Weather Current Wind Conditions 5 mph NE Current Temperature 70 degrees Current Humidity 25 %

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Planned contract with CAL FIRE on hold Posted: 01 Aug 2007 11:37 PM CDT The Half Moon Bay Review: Judge rebuffs fire boards, attorney says By Nick Casey [ nick@hmbbreview.com ] A judge has ordered both the Half Moon Bay and Point Montara fire protection districts to halt their planned contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and accept signatures gathered for a referendum on the question, an attorney representing the firefighters union said Thursday. The recent decision came as a result of two lawsuits filed Thursday by Local 2400, the union representing firefighters. According to union attorney Alan Davis, the district was ordered to temporarily stop its proceedings with CDF until the suit is resolved. Additionally, the court ordered the two districts to certify signatures, gathered by firefighters, in favor of a referendum that could overturn the contract decision, said Davis. In February, firefighters gathered about 2,000 signatures for the referendum. After closed proceedings, the two districts' boards moved to reject the signatures, saying that they had been obtained in a misleading fashion and failed to meet the letter of the law in several ways. "(The governing boards) need to accept full responsibility for what has happened here," said Davis. "They have known for six months that voters wanted this election. This is on their backs." Jean Savaree, legal counsel for the district, did not immediately return a phone call for comment. Gary Burke, president of the Half Moon Bay fire board, said he was aware that a meeting with the judge had taken place but that he had not yet been briefed on the result. Davis said that a May 4 hearing has been scheduled to reconsider today's orders which are meant as a temporary measure while the suit is resolved.

80-Year-Old Missing In Yosemite Posted: 01 Aug 2007 11:30 PM CDT 80-Year-Old Missing In Yosemite Search and rescue crews are actively looking for a missing 80-year-old woman who is believed to have disappeared in Yosemite. Investigators said that Ottorrina Bonaventura was out hiking with a club near Emerick Lake when she disappeared. Apparently, Bonaventura had left her group to head back to the their cabin, because she was concerned with food storage. She was last seen on the afternoon of July 30th. A massive search, including over a hundred people, is now underway for the missing hiker, including ground crews, 2 helicopters, spotters, crew shuttles and 4 dog teams. Authorities are calling on people who may have been in the area of the back country between July 30th and now to call them with any information they may have at (209) 372-0778. Authorities say that time is crucial, because Bonaventura has a history of memory loss. Searchers say that they will continue their search through the night to find Bonaventura."

Out of state: Incredible photographs from local resident of the Freeway bridge collapse Posted: 01 Aug 2007 09:39 PM CDT EMERGENCY INCIDENT: Incredible photographs from local resident of the Freeway bridge collapse over the Mississippi River Photos submitted by Mark LaCroix, Minneapolis Incredible photographs from local resident of the Freeway bridge collaps Freeway bridge collapse over the Mississippi River Photos submitted by Mark LaCroix, Minneapolis Photos from the scene: Here Incredible photographs from local resident of the Freeway bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Photos from the scene: Here Incredible photographs from local resident of the Freeway bridge collapse over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis."

News: Hwy. 178 reopens after firefighters douse brush fire - Bakersfield, CA Posted: 01 Aug 2007 08:48 PM CDT Hwy. 178 reopens after firefighters douse brush fire - KBAK CBS 29 - Bakersfield: Hwy. 178 reopens after firefighters douse brush fire CHP officers reopened Highway 178 through the canyon about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. Officers shut it down about 12:15 p.m. because of two brush fires. The highway will remain open until 5:30 p.m. or so and then close again for at least another 45 minutes so firefighters can clear their equipment from the area that burned. California Highway Patrol decided to close the canyon to traffic while firefighters try to douse the flames. There are also reports of falling rocks in the canyon along Highway 178. Hwy. 178 was closed at the mouth on the Bakersfield side through to the area near Miracle Hot Springs."

New contract, big pay boost for S.F. firefighters Posted: 01 Aug 2007 08:33 PM CDT SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - San Francisco firefighters are set to receive a 24 percent salary pay raise over a four-year period, according to new contract terms. The contract gives the 1,726 members of the San Francisco Fire Fighters Union — which includes such commanding ranks as captain — an increase similar to the 23 percent pay hike recently approved for San Francisco police officers. The contract for firefighters expired June 30. The base pay for a firefighter ranges from $61,438 to $86,008, according to the Fire Department's Web site. With the 25 percent increase, by 2011, salaries will have jumped an additional $15,359 to $21,502, pushing many firefighters' wages over $100,000 — without overtime. The Fire Department spends approximately $139 million on salaries — not including benefits — for firefighters. The new Memorandum of Understanding would increase that amount by $6.1 million this new fiscal year and — with an effective increase of about 6 percent each year — add $44 million to the department's budget by fiscal year 2010-11, according to the City Controller's Office. Whole story here: New contract, big pay boost for S.F. firefighters - Examiner.com:

News: Two fires, one arsonist keep crews active Posted: 01 Aug 2007 08:16 PM CDT Amador Ledger Dispatch: CAL FIRE Investigator Tom Oldag caught an arsonist in the act in Plymouth Friday afternoon on his way to an unrelated fire that burned 19 acres near Jackson earlier that day. According to Oldag, the arsonist, Juan Antonio Cardona, had just started the grass fire on Highway 49 a half mile north of town when Oldag drove by in a marked truck. Calling in fire crews, Oldag turned around and, after a brief interview, took Cardona into custody. "He seemed pretty unaware of the seriousness of what he had done," said Oldag. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Fortunately (the fire) didn't get big." Members of the Plymouth fire department contained the fire in five minutes, according to Oldag. Garrett Simmons, Oldag's partner, came in on his day off to investigate the wildland fire that torched the south side of Highway 88 four miles west of Jackson. Burn patterns on the ground led to hot products from a car that were determined to have started the fire, according to Simmons. "People are always saying that cigarettes start these fires, but you need specific conditions for that to happen," said Simmons. "Chunks of catalytic converter (shot out the tail pipe) can reach 1,300 degrees. That's more than sufficient to start a grass fire." Highway 88 was closed for half an hour while CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and wards from the Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp, among others, worked to put out the fire. The fires are the latest in a series of relatively manageable ones in Amador County while other counties have been experiencing worse fires than normal, according to multiple fire officials. "It's just been mellow," said John Fracchia, a fire captain at Sutter Hill. "We're still catching them and keeping them small." The spike in fires elsewhere is due to historically low levels of moisture in the brush, caused by a short, dry winter, according to CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Brian Kirk. Amador County has been lucky this season, Kirk said, in having little wind and few fire starts, such as the catalytic converter fragments. Cardona, 18, faces a sentence of two to six years in jail, unless he proves unusual circumstances, according to District Attorney Todd Riebe. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Cardona lives with his mother in downtown Jackson, according to his father Antonio Hernandez Cardona. He was appointed a public defender on Monday and will remain in jail until a second hearing on Aug. 16

CA-AEU- Salmon IC - Vegetation Fire Posted: 01 Aug 2007 04:08 PM CDT Salmon IC - Vegetation Fire Location: 290 Salmon Falls Rd, El Dorado Hills - located just east of Folsom lake. Sizeup: 2 acres Rapid ROS, high wildland response Additional: Tac 9

InciWeb: Elk Complex Wildland Fire - 15,149 acres - 79% containment. Posted: 01 Aug 2007 03:31 PM CDT Elk Complex Update 8/1/07 Incident Information Announcements News Pictures Maps Incident: Elk Complex Released: 10:00 hrs Total Complex Acreage: 15,149 acres Incident Resources: 839 personnel Total Complex Containment: 79% Cost to Date: $16,800,000 Injuries to Date (minor): 15 Fatalities to Date: 1 Expected Full Containment: 8/05/2007 Siskiyou County Public Health Officer, Stephan Perlman, M.D. advises residents throughout Siskiyou County to be aware that air quality may be extremely poor in many areas due to severe smoke. In areas with visibility less than 2 miles, residents are advised to remain indoors and refrain from physical exertion. An incremental increase in fire behavior is occurring each day. Slow moving surface fire with short runs, isolated torching, creeping and rolling out of burning materials was observed yesterday. Firefighters plan to use aerial ignition to burn portions of the interior of the fire on the King Creek 2/Wingate/Titus Fires. This involves releasing ping pong ball size incendiaries (PSD's) as the helicopter flies over the area to be burned. Crews continue to secure established fireline. Patrol and mop up the Little Grider Fire will continue. Complex Fire Details Of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 are 100% contained. The contained fires will continue to be monitored, patrolled and staffed as necessary. The remaining five fires are as follows: Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 Fires is 11,581 acres (increase in acreage due to limited burning of interior) and 66% contained. Firelines have been constructed and limited burning of interior areas will continue. A closure for campers and miners, from Five Mile Bridge to Norcross Campground on Elk Creek Road remains in place. Elk Fire (1,144 acres) 96% contained and remains in aerial patrol. Hummingbird Fire (80 acres) 0% contained. The fire remains in aerial patrol. Sources of info include: http://www.inciweb.org/ (including other fires) or the incident information office at (530) 841-4451. Visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/condition/ for information on fire restrictions and local closures. The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control District, has installed an air quality monitoring station in Happy Camp. Real-time data may be viewed online at http://www.satguard.com/usfs/Chart new.asp Get=4&UnitID=36&CustID=2&sDate=7/29/2007. Elk Complex Wildland Fire Incident Information Announcements News Pictures Maps INCIDENT UPDATED ELK COMPLEX FIRE PROGRESSION MAP Credit: Elk Complex GIS view pictures || view maps Basic Information Incident Type Wildland Fire Cause Lightning Date of Origin 07/10/2007 at 00 hrs. Location Happy Camp Ranger District Incident Commander Kent Swartzlander Current Situation Total Personnel 839 Size 15,149 acres Percent Contained 79% Estimated Containment Date 08/05/2007 at hrs. Fuels Involved Mature heavy timber overstory with brush understory, large quantities of dead fuels and snags. Fire Behavior Slow moving surface fire with short runs on aligned slopes with isolated torching, creeping and roll-out on steep slopes, during the night. Significant Events Continued to secure line burned on previous days. Patrolled and mop-up. Outlook Planned Actions Assess opportunities to apply interior aerial ignitions on the Western portion of the fire. Evaluate further burn operations on the Wingate/Titus/King Creek 2 fire. Secure the line burned on previous days. Projected Movement 12 hours: Continued spread expected due to further drying of fuels and potential burnout/backfire operations. 24 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. 48 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. 72 hours: Potential for re-burn in areas wetted by previous rain event as drying continues. Short range spotting activity could increase fire spread. Growth Potential High Terrain Difficulty Extreme Containment Target Likely to meet objectives based on current weather projections. Remarks Expect an increase in containment as direct strategy and burnout continues. A total of seventy-seven miles of fireline has been constructed to date. This includes twenty-eight miles of dozer line and forty-nine miles of handline and brushed roads. A six mile portion of the Klamath River will be used as a west flank containment line for the Wingate/Titus/KingCreek2 fires. Fire acreage and containment: of the thirty identified fires in the Elk Complex, 25 fires are 100% contained. The remaining fires are as follows: King Creek 2/Wingate/ Titus 11,681 acres-66%(increase in acreage due to burn operations); Elk 1,144 acres-96%; Hummingbird 80 acres-0%. Elk fire and Hummingbird fire is in aerial patrol. Weather Current Wind Conditions Not available Current Temperature Not available Current Humidity Not available

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