Caption this Hathaway Fire photo

(Originally published at 8:12 p.m. PT, June 10, 2013)

This photo of the Hathaway fire 80 miles east of Los Angeles was taken about two hours after the fire started on June 9. Unfortunately, there is no caption. Do you have any suggestions for a caption?

Hathaway Fire(UPDATE at 7:50 a.m. PT, June 11, 2013) 

Now, thanks to John Hawkins, Fire Chief of the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit & Riverside County Fire Department, we have an actual caption, but don’t let that inhibit you from suggesting one of your own. Here’s what Chief Hawkins told us about the photo:

The picture was taken about 1pm to 2pm [June 9] looking north from the ICP. The FF standing next to the pickup is Morongo Tribal Fire Department Fire Chief Tim Beadle. The pickup was the ICP for CAL FIRE Riverside Unit and Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Stowells who, at that moment, was functioning as the sole IC.

Thanks Chief.

Fuels and fire behavior advisory for California

The following advisory for California was issued by “Predictive Services” today:

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Predictive ServicesFuels and Fire Behavior Advisory

California*

June 10, 2013

Subject:  Low live and dead fuel moistures, along with persistent drought have created the potential for active to extreme fire behavior in many parts of the state.

Discussion:  All of California is experiencing drought conditions. Effects of lower than normal live and dead fuel moistures and observed fire behavior for 2013 are the focus of this advisory.

Difference From Normal Conditions:  Drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe exist across California.  The drought is expected to persist or intensify.  The entire state is deficient in rainfall and snow pack, resulting in fuels that are 4-8 weeks ahead of normal drying/curing rates.

Concerns to Firefighters:

  • Energy Release Component (ERC) at numerous weather stations set record highs already this year and running well above normal in most cases.  Expect increased fire intensity and spread rates in these areas.  Early season extreme fire behavior has been observed in both light and heavy fuels.  Anticipate increased spread rates, spotting, and active night time burning.
  • The combination of persistent drought and record-low rainfall and snowpack amounts has led to very low live and dead fuel moistures. Low 1000-hour fuel moistures have been evidenced by complete consumption of dead fuels on several recent fires.  Live fuel moistures have already reached critical levels in many areas especially in Southern California.  Expect fires to ignite easier and spread faster. Anticipate higher resistance to control in all fuel types.
  • Excessively dry fuels and receptive fuel beds are resulting in fire behavior that is not deterred by what firefighters would consider normal barriers.  Be mindful of what you use as a barrier or safety zone.
  • Fires are burning actively even under conditions of high relative humidity.  Already this year, California has experienced large fire activity and multiple team deployments.  California will likely experience an extended fire season.  It is important to be mindful of and manage fatigue for all resources.

Everyone, every day, returns home safely.

Mitigation Measures:

  • Local and inbound fire personnel need to be aware that fire behavior across the state is exceeding normal expectations for this time of the year. Local briefings need to be thorough and highlight specific fire environment conditions.  These include but are not limited to local weather forecasts, Pocket Cards, ERC’s, live and dead fuel moistures, and special fuel conditions such as mortality, Sudden Oak Death and frost killed brush, etc.
  • Suppression actions need to be based on good anchor points, escape routes, and safety zones. Remember LCES.  Experienced lookouts are essential under these conditions.
  • Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire. Augment initial attack resources as incident activity dictates.
  • Review the most current Northern and Southern California 7-day Significant Fire Potential along with Daily, Monthly and Seasonal Outlooks at: http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/outlooks.htm

*Area of Concern:  The area of concern is the State of California with the exception of 3 Northern California Predictive Service Areas: North Coast, Northeastern, and Eastside.  A map showing the areas of concern described in this advisory can be found at: National Fuel Advisories

Issued: June 10, 2013   (Note this advisory will be in effect for 14 days and will be reviewed/updated at that time.

6,000 lightning strikes in northern California

Lightning at Wind Cave National Park
Lightning at Wind Cave National Park, July 23, 2012, Photo by Bill Gabbert.

(Originally published at 4:40 p.m. PT, June 10, 2013; updated at 11:45 a.m. PT, June 11)

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Sunday and Monday much of the Northern California foothills and mountains including the Sierra experienced significant thunderstorms with dry lightning. Nearly 6,000 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded. Over 50 60 small fires have been discovered that were ignited by lightning. Though most of the storm systems have moved out, CAL FIRE crews continue to respond to additional fires.

Below is a summary of some of the fires in four northern California CAL FIRE units as of Monday afternoon:

  • Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit: 21 fires, largest fire 4 acres
  • Tehama-Glenn Unit: 20 fires, largest fire 2 acres
  • Butte Unit: 11 fires, 0 acres
  • Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit: 2 fires, 0 acres

Vandenberg Hotshots on the chopping block

Vandenberg Hotshots
Vandenberg Hotshots construct fireline on the Waldo Canyon Fire near Colorado Springs, June 28, 2012. (U.S. Air Force Photo by: Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

(Originally published at 2:31 p.m. MT, June 10, 2013; revised June 11 to clarify the fate of the remaining seven firefighters.)

The only military Hotshot crew in the United States will be history by the end of September. The Vandenberg Hotshots were created after the disastrous Honda Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Air Force in southern California in 1977.

Due to the cuts required by the “sequestration” legislation passed by Congress, the budget has been reduced for the crew. Combined with attrition and some crew members leaving for other jobs when they saw this coming, only nine are left on the crew.

Mike Provencio of the Vandenberg Professional Firefighters told Wildfire Today that the firefighters have received notice that their positions will cease to exist at the end of the fiscal year which ends September 30, 2013. It is likely that two of the nine left will receive promotions into the regular civilian fire department on the base. The other seven will most likely retain their jobs but be configured as a fire suppression module, Mr. Provencio said.

Three people were entrapped and killed on the Honda Canyon fire, including the Base Commander Colonel Joseph Turner, Fire Chief Billy Bell and Assistant Fire Chief Eugene Cooper. Additionally, severe burns were experienced by Heavy Equipment Operator Clarence McCauley. He later died due to complications from the burns. A book about this fire, “Beyond Tranquillon Ridge”, was written by Joseph N. Valencia.

 

Thanks go out to Keith

Felling a tree on the Thompson Ridge Fire


This 42-second video shows a faller finishing the process of felling a tree on the Thompson Ridge Fire in northern New Mexico. Turn up the volume so that you can hear the sound echoing through the forest of the tree hitting the flat, bare ground. The video was shot by Kristen Honig of the Valles Caldera Trust.