California Fire News

News: A hot Thanksgiving feast is prepared for out of town CDF firefighters Posted: 27 Nov 2007 12:03 AM CST The Del Norte Unit, a CDF/CalFire Strike Team from Humboldt County Photo Credit: Chief Tom Nix By: by Nick Smirnoff and Carin Enovijas While the staff enjoyed a day off, a local quietly opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day to serve a real, home-cooked meal for a Cal Fire Strike Team stationed in Tehachapi, several hundred miles away from their homes in Humboldt County. Surprised to learn that the Battalion Chief's wife had called the Tehachapi News to boast of the kindness and warmth that was extended to the firemen, the owners politely declined to openly promote news coverage of what they perceived as a chance to share with their children, the circular nature of giving freely to others, with no expectation, no strings attached. They didn't want to taint their special family experience, the community minded entrepreneurs said, stating, "They [the firefighters] were the wonderful ones." "It's an experience we'll never forget," said Battalion Chief Tom Nix, adding, "It's probably the best service we've ever had anywhere," specifically describing the efforts of the local restaurateurs'' young children, as they diligently helped to serve the meal. "They were all so kind and they treated us just like family," said Nix, "They made us feel right at home." After the meal, which included a birthday cake for one team member, Nix and his team then treated three very excited 10 and 8-year-old boys to a quick ride on a fire engine and a demonstration of the hoses and gadgets on board. Although the family's 3-year-old watched as older siblings interacted with the firemen, even the youngest had a big impact on the out of town crew. Nix is the father of an infant and a toddler, who are waiting patiently for him back at home. "It really hit home for me," he said expressing his deep appreciation for the local family's willingness to open their business and their hearts to those who couldn't be home with their own families on Thanksgiving Day. Christine Nix, the chief's wife, said that being apart on the holiday made her even more thankful for the hospitality her husband and his team experienced while in Tehachapi. The Del Norte Unit, from the California Division of Forestry, now known as CalFire, consists of 22 men and five engines, led by Battalion Chief Tom Nix and his strike team leader trainee, Captain Bret Murphey. The team is one of several that have been housed at the Holiday Inn Express recently during times of low humidity, Santa Ana winds and high fire risk. In an effort to help local fire departments during times of high fire danger, currently due to Santa Ana wind conditions, the State of California Office of Emergency Services has deployed Strike Teams" to various parts of Southern California to assist local fire departments during wildland fires and period of high fire risk. The teams assists in structure protection and fire containment and participate in exercises to familiarize the team with the area's terrain and conditions. Source: tehachapinews.com

CA-LAC-Corral - WUI Fire - 4,900+ Acres 90% Posted: 26 Nov 2007 11:44 AM CST Malibu Fire Update - All mandatory evacuations have been lifted. Canyon residents were allowed to return to their homes last night. Acres: 4,900 Containment: 90% The fire is expected to be fully containedﾠby 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 26. Operations: Interior islands and minor pockets of unburned fuels continued to burn out well within containment lines throughout the day. Last night fire activity was limited to smoldering and minor burning of unburned fuels within containment lines. Crews continue to patrol and mop-up. Structure protection is still in effect where necessary. Evacuations: All mandatory evacuations have been rescinded. All areas are planned to be opened with no restrictions as 1200 hours tomorrow. Damages: The Fire Department has confirmed thatﾠ125 structuresﾠ have been damaged or destroyed: 80 structures destroyed (53 single family dwellings, 27 outbuildings) 45 structures damaged (34 singleﾠfamily dwellings, 11 outbuildings) 1ﾠmobilehomeﾠdestroyed 14 vehicles destroyedﾠ List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures Injuries: 7 firefighters injured. 1 AEU Firefighter suffered moderate first-degree burns to his lips and cheeks when he took a hot blast of air to the face while fighting the fire., No serious injuries. Road Closures: As of 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 26, PCH is open in both directions.ﾠ The following roads are currently open to residents only: - Corral Canyon - Latigo Canyon east from Kanan Dume - Via Acero east from Kanan Dume - Newton Canyon Road east from Kanan Dume - Puerco Canyon Road north from PCH Civic Center Way is closed between Webb Way and Cross Creek to allow emergency personnel to access their command post areas.ﾠ Kanan Roadﾠand Malibu Canyon Road are both ﾠopen. Map of Corral fire perimeter Map source: http://www.malibu-ca.gov

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California Fire News

News article: Great stop! Homeowners fight fire on their own Posted: 25 Nov 2007 03:08 PM CST Makeshift brigade makes a stand — and wins Al Seib / Los Angeles Times Matt Haines used his fire truck and water tender, both purchased at a Merced County Fire department auction, to help save homes in the El Nido neighborhood of Corral Canyon. With an old firetruck one man had bought, plus hoses and a pump, neighbors save homes on their street. By Bob Pool, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer November 25, 2007 The professional firefighters didn't roll up to Corral Canyon in time Saturday. So Matt Haines finally had his chance to rev up and roll out the private firetruck he bought at a public surplus auction. Haines' 31-year-old pumper truck and his tanker truck of similar vintage -- purchased from the Merced County Fire Department -- helped a do-it-yourself fire brigade save a dozen homes when flames encircled their El Nido neighborhood. As Haines sprayed water on homes on both sides of Sequit Drive, his neighbors used their own hoses to extinguish embers that rained from the sky and to douse shrubs, bushes and fencing as they caught fire. As it fought the blaze, the crew could see four homes fully engulfed on Sea Breeze Drive above. In the end, the professional firefighters didn't reach the residents' stretch of Sequit, which is a narrow dirt road. But the amateurs were able to get the job done. Bill Raffin, one of the neighborhood volunteers, pulled out his portable pump and started drawing water from a swimming pool. Ken Wherry unrolled a canvas fire hose and connected it to a hydrant up the street. Kai Chan stretched out smaller garden hoses and laid them in strategic places around houses. And at the end of the block, Haines sprayed down Dave and Paula Levy's distinctive dome home to protect it from a cascade of embers. He did the same at his own nearby house. When the burning cinders flew over the street and set a steep canyon south of Sequit ablaze and flames shot back up the hill, Haines sprayed down houses on the south side of the street, including one he is building that is sided in tar paper. His 750-gallon 1976 Ford fire engine performed flawlessly, he said, as did its companion truck, a 3,000-gallon tanker. The white firetruck still has "Fire Dept." painted on its doors, although the name "Merced" has been scraped off. "I hate to tell you what I paid for them. . . . The fire engine cost $2,500. The tanker $3,500," Haines said. "And you know something? We saved millions of dollars' worth of property today with those." Haines, 49, is a general contractor who has built several of the homes along Sequit. He said he bought the firefighting equipment to protect new houses that he's constructing. He taught himself how to operate the fire engine's pumps and replenish its water supply from the tanker -- which professional firefighters call a "water tender." The Levys were not home when the fire struck. Most other residents along Sequit had evacuated when Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies drove through the area before dawn and warned that a fire was coming their way. But those who formed Sequit's impromptu fire company stayed and fought. "If you stay, all you have to do is put out the embers when the fire goes through," said Wherry, a 71-year-old retired sales manager who has lived with his wife, Marguerite, on Sequit since 1991. When flames hit Sea Breeze, above his street, Wherry said he climbed the hill and used a garden hose to save a yellow home that was about to catch fire from a nearby burning tree. "I saw a garden hose and used it to put out the tree fire," he said. "After that, the house was fine." Back down on Sequit, there was disappointment when the stay-behind residents tried to use their own canvas fire hoses: They burst from the high pressure of the fire hydrants. "You have to have them laid out straight, and these weren't. And they were old," Wherry said. Some of those who used garden hoses managed to put out spot fires at neighbors' homes along Sequit before the structures were engulfed, said Chan, 51, a professional golf instructor. Good brush clearance and fire-resistant construction helped, he said. "The hillside was lit up with 100-foot flames. . . . It was burning all around us. And I'm standing there, and all I've got is a garden hose," Chan said. "But it worked." Those who stayed behind, said Marguerite Wherry, 57, a real estate agent, protected 11 houses on Sequit -- including one that nearly ignited two hours after the fire burned through the area. "I called the Fire Department at 8:20 and said El Nido was burning and no firetrucks were here. They said they were trying to get up here," Marguerite Wherry said. The only house on Sequit that burned was a home at the corner of Sequit and Sea Breeze that was out of range of Haines' fire hose. After hours of work, Haines maneuvered his four-wheel-drive firetruck up a hill in hopes of protecting some storage containers he owns. Unfortunately, his pumper truck ran dry, and his tanker truck was a quarter of a mile away. Soon, the containers' contents ignited. "My mother's antique furniture and my tools are in there," he said. "I ran out of water. That's why I didn't get the fire out in time," he said. "But you know something? I'm blessed. We all are. We didn't lose a house down here." Source: latimes.com

Critical fire weather conditions continue in Ventura and Los Angeles mountains today Posted: 25 Nov 2007 12:01 PM CST Updated: 09:56 PST on 2007-11-25 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON DUE TO A PROLONGED PERIOD OF VERY DRY HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST- Update sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25 RED FLAG WARNING IS CANCELLED Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST- Cancel sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25 CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS MAINLY THE VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS TODAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- Cancel sent at 09:45 PST on 2007-11-25

Corral Fire Incident - Malibu - Update - 4,720 acres Posted: 25 Nov 2007 12:11 PM CST Update Corral Fire; Kanan Dune and Malibu Canyon Roads are reported open. Acres: 4,720 Containment: 40% Damages: 51 structures destroyed (49 single family dwellings, 2 outbuildings) 27 structures damaged (24 single family dwellings, 3 outbuildings) 1 mobile home destroyed 8 vehicles destroyed Injuries: 7 firefighters injured. 1 AEU Firefighter suffered moderate first-degree burns to his lips and cheeks when he took a hot blast of air to the face while fighting the fire., No serious injuries. Mandatory Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the areas from the Coast to Mulholland Hwy. between Puerco Canyon Rd. and Latigo Canyon Rd. Corral Canyon on the East, Kanan to the West, Mulholland to the North, PCH to the South Road Closures: Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Road. All canyon roads between Malibu Canyon and Kanan are closed. Kanan Road and Malibu Canyon Road are both open. Fire map:Map of Corral fire perimeter Map source: http://www.malibu-ca.gov This is from South Ops "News & Notes" Update Corral Fire; 4,720 acres and 40% contained. Moderate Santa Ana conditions continued throughout the night. Flanking and isolated head fire runs were observed. Interior islands continued to burn out. Crews continued direct line construction and perimeter control. Resources patrolled and mopped-up. Structure protection was provided as needed. Road closures remain in effect for PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) from Malibu Canyon Rd. to Paradise Cove; Kanan Dume Road from PCH to Mulholland Hwy. plus Latigo Canyon Rd. Via Acero Rd. Zumirez Dr. and Corral Canyon Rd. PCH from Zumirez Dr. to Kanan Dume Rd. is open to residents only. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for the areas from the Coast to Mulholland Hwy. between Puerco Canyon Rd. and Latigo Canyon Rd.

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California Fire News

Corral Fire Incident - Malibu - List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures Posted: 24 Nov 2007 09:33 PM CST List of Fire Damaged / Destroyed Structures The attached list was provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Fire Department Disclaimer: The attached information regarding damaged and destroyed properties is a preliminary list of addresses based on our first damage assessment survey. We have strived to provide the most accurate information possible, but please note that this information is subject to change after subsequent, more detailed surveys can be completed. In the absence of a viable property address, we have listed the best possible description of the property that has been damaged/destroyed. Click here to download file (PDF format - 74kb) Click Here to Download the Adobe Acrobat PDF file viewer This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Malibu - Corral fire - Fire is burning into October burn area Posted: 24 Nov 2007 09:36 PM CST [6:45 p.m.] Corral Canyon Fire - The Fire Department reports that the fire is approximately 5000 acres. There are over 1700 firefighters and 23 aircraft on scene. The cause is still under investigation. The Fire Department has confirmed that 49 structures have been damaged or destroyed. It is not yet know how many of these affected structures are on the County area versus the City area. Geo Mac Satellite map of Corral Fire in Malibu, California Credit: Cal Fire News / Geo Mac UPDATED: HMS 2007-11-24; Thermal MODIS: 2007-11-24 2000 (GMT); Fire Perimeters 2007-11-16; NIFC Sit Reports 2007-11-23 5000 acres 25% contained (Ocean?) as of 5:00 pm Evacuations Mandatory Evacuations: All areas from Corral Canyon west to Kanan Road. Residents of areas WEST of Kanan and residents of Point Dume are being allowed to return to their homes. All residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate and to immediately follow instructions given by Fire Department and Sheriff's Department personnel. An evacuation center has been set up by the Red Cross at Agoura High School, 28545 Driver Road. A second evacuation center has been set up at Channel Islands High School, 1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard, 805-385-2787 Road Closures Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Malibu Canyon Road and Kanan Road. All canyon roads between Malibu Canyon and Kanan are closed. Kanan Road and Malibu Canyon Road are both open. Please stay out of closed areas to allow unimpeded access to evacuating residents and Fire and Sheriff personnel. Animal Evacuations Large animals: Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka, Woodland Hills Small animals: Agoura Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, 818-991-0071 Unified Command -Los Angeles County Fire Department -Los Angeles County Sheriff Department -National Park Services -Santa Monica Conservancy Time of Alarm: 0330 hrs, November 24, 2007 Origin of Fire: Corral Canyon and Castro Peak Motor Current acreage: 5000 25% Containment Cause: Under Investigation Injuries: 6 Firefighters- Minor Injuries Road Closures: " PCH- From Malibu Canyon to Trancas Canyon " Kanan- PCH to Mulholland " Latigo Canyon from PCH " Corral Canyon from PCH Mandatory Evacuations: " Corral Canyon on the East " Trancas Canyon to the West " Mulholland to the North " PCH to the South Shelters: " Agoura High School (28545 Driver) Facility can handle 200 evacuees; currently have 21 at this time. " Channel Islands High School (1400 Raiders Way, Oxnard) can handle 300 evacuees. Animal Issues: " Contact Los Angeles Sheriffs Department " Large animals can be taken to Pierce College in Woodland Hills ( 6201 Winnetka, 818 719-6401) " Small animals can be taken to Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center in Calabasas ( 27040 Malibu Hills Road 818 880-2993) Fire Information: 323 881-2411 Website: fire.lacounty.gov

Malibu Fire updates - 4,500 acres with 25 percent containment. Posted: 24 Nov 2007 08:53 PM CST One Fatality w/ details forthcoming - An estimated 35 homes were destroyed and 10,000 to 14,000 people were evacuated, said Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman. Fifteen helicopters and 15 airplanes including a retardant-dropping DC-10 jumbo jet attacked from the air while 1,700 firefighters battled flames on the ground. One firefighter suffered an unspecified moderate injury, and five others suffered minor injuries. Google map of affected fire area released by Los Angeles County View Larger Map Malibu Fire - Corral Fire map Credit: Map from the LAC fire dept website

[EDIS] Critical Fire weather conditions to continue - Ventura and Los Angeles counties Posted: 24 Nov 2007 12:48 PM CST [EDIS] Critical Fire weather conditions to continue across most of Ventura and Los Angeles counties through Sunday RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed LOS ANGELES COUNTY COAST- Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 12 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed VENTURA COUNTY COAST- Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS- Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24 RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PST SUNDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND/OR VERY LOW HUMIDITIES Actual/Immediate/Severe/Observed VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS-VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS-SANTA CLARITA VALLEY- Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24 CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS MOST OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES THROUGH SUNDAY Actual/Future/Severe/Possible SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA-VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST- Update sent at 09:50 PST on 2007-11-24

CA-MVU-Haveford - Wildland fire - 30 acres 100% Posted: 24 Nov 2007 06:32 PM CST Location: Ramona - 09:50 - , State Route 78 near Haverford Road, Sizeup: Large header, 30+ acres, rapid ROS Northeast wind driven, About 100 homes were threatened, but none have burned. Resources: 3 ST of engines on order for structure protection. The initial dispatch was double the normal. 200 firefighters, three air tankers and three helicopters initial attack. Aircraft called off about 11:30 a.m., according to Cal Fire. Nineteen engines and four fire crews remained on the scene shortly after noon. IC says it is "One Big Finger". Injuries: Two firefighters received minor injuries, including one who was inside a fire engine when a load of fire retardant landed on the engine and broke the windshield. No further information about the firefighters' conditions was available. Weather: Winds six to 12 miles per hour Cause: Started accidentally when sparks from a diamond saw being used by a homeowner ignited surrounding combustibles Updates: It was 100 percent contained by 1:30 p.m 1330 hrs 30 acres 100% 1200 hrs 50 acres 50% WebCam: http://archive.hpwren.ucsd.edu/camer...ren-iqeye2.jpg

LAFD Responds to Corral Canyon Fire in Malibu Posted: 24 Nov 2007 11:20 AM CST Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned two Strike Teams of Firefighters, one LAFD Helicopter, one seasonally contracted Helitanker and one Assistant Chief Officer as an agency representative, to assist the Los Angeles County Fire Department in their battle against a brush fire in the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu, California, twelve miles west of our City. Source: http://lafd.blogspot.com/

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