On February 26 Wildfire Today posted some of the history of the “18 Watch Out Situations”. As we explained then, they began with the “13 Situations that Shout Watch Out” in the 1960s, and evolved in 1987 into the “18 Watch Out Situations”.
Each day from March 19 through March 30 we will be posting images depicting each of the original 13 Situations that were in the “Basic 32” wildland firefighter training program that was developed by the El Cariso Hot Shots 1972-1973.
The image above is the third one we have posted. It is similar to Situation #6 on the present day list of 18.
To see all of the “13 Watch Out Situation” images that have been posted to date, click on the “13/18 Situations” tag below.
The Missoula Technology Development Center has some good products available for the fire world:
1. A new Tech Tip by Tony Petrilli on “”Tests for Undergarments Exposed to Fir” , a valuable bit on info on preventing burn injuries in today’s “UnderArmor” world; available on-line only at this time.
2. A brochure and a CD on “Eating for Health and Performance: the Wildland Firefighter”.
These are are available FREE from MTDC: call 406-329-3978 or email: wo_mtdc_pubs@fs.fed.us
From Dick Mangan–Thanks Dick
80 yaks killed in Nepal wildfire
From Kantipur.com
SANKHUWASABHA, March 19 – More than 80 yaks were killed in a wildfire at Pawakhola VDC-7, Sankhuwasabha district on Thursday. An unidentified cattle herder also went missing in the wildfire that started from Jumlingkharka area. A team of police from nearby Num VDC was deployed to control the fire from spreading further. Meanwhile, wildfire that started at Makalu VDC 13 days ago has still not come under control. The fire has already destroyed over 1000 hectares of forestland, including the parts of Makalu Barun National Park. Fire that broke out at Tinjure, Milkey and Jaljale region three days ago has also not been contained. Seven persons sustained burn injuries while trying to douse the wildfire at Pakani forest of Goganey VDC-9. The wildfire has destroyed a five kilometer long water pipeline rendering hundreds of villagers thirsty.
On February 26 Wildfire Today posted some of the history of the “18 Watch Out Situations”. As we explained then, they began with the “13 Situations that Shout Watch Out” in the 1960s, and evolved in 1987 into the “18 Watch Out Situations”.
Each day from March 19 through March 30 (as well as one previously published on Feb. 26) we will be posting images depicting each of the original 13 Situations that were in the “Basic 32” wildland firefighter training program that was developed by the El Cariso Hot Shots 1972-1973.
The image above is the second one we have posted. It is similar to Situation #4 on the present day list of 18.
To see all of the “13 Watch Out Situation” images that have been posted to date, click on the “13/18 Situations” tag below.
Wednesday afternoon the jury in the trial of Raymond Lee Oyler recommended that he be put to death. The judge set the formal sentencing date for June 5.
Oyler was found guilty on 42 counts of first degree murder and arson, including setting the October 26, 2006, Esperanza fire which burned 41,000 acres near Cabazon, California and resulted in the deaths of the five-person crew of Engine 57 from the San Bernardino National Forest. Killed were Capt. Mark Allen Loutzenhiser, 43, Jason Robert McKay, 27, Jess Edward McLean, 27, Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20, and Pablo Cerda, 24.
Bush fire on Table Mountain, South Africa. Photo: Reuters
A spectacular fire on the slopes above Cape Town, South Africa has burned 750 acres in Table Mountain National Park. Firefighters have much of it contained but according to South Africa News 24 they need help from the public:
Firefighters still battling the blaze on Table Mountain on Wednesday morning asked for donations of fresh food and water, as they were set to be stationed in the smoke and heat for the next 24 hours at least.
“We really, really need bottled water and food,” said Volunteer Wildfire Services spokesperson Adrian Marnewick. “Sandwiches, fruit – any fresh food.”
Esperanza fire sentencing hearing
The jury begins their first full day of deliberations on Wednesday to determine if Raymond Oyler will receive the death penalty or life in prison for setting the 2006 fire that resulted in the deaths of the five person crew of Engine 57 from the San Bernardino National Forest in southern California.
On March 14 Wildfire Today reported on a study by the University of Kansas that found firefighters are more likely to have prematurely narrowed arteries, which increases their risk for strokes and heart attacks. The data shows that 22 percent of a group of 77 firefighters studied by researchers at the University of Kansas averaged 39 years old but had the blood vessels of 52-year-olds because of significant plaque buildup in their carotid arteries.
Now a FEMA-sponsored study on 300 firefighters in Georgia has more information that will be of concern to firefighters.
H. Robert Superko, MD, principal investigator in the landmark FEMA-sponsored study of firefighters aged 40 and over conducted at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, released preliminary findings in the world’s first study of first responders at risk of suffering sudden death or other significant cardiac events. Firefighters are known to have a three hundred percent increased risk for cardiac disease as compared to other segments of the population.
“Preliminary findings show that one third of firefighters had heart disease that is unrelated to traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol,” says Dr. Superko. “Those results are astounding and point at job duties and environment as the primary determinants for early death in our country’s first responders.”
Dr. Superko, recognized as a leading expert on lipids, cholesterol and advanced metabolic markets and their contribution to heart disease, and his team performed a comprehensive, scientific battery of sophisticated blood and imaging tests on three hundred firefighters in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Gwinnett County first responders were identified for the study following an emotional report by Fire Chief Steve Rolader, following the sudden death of one of his firefighters from cardiac arrest while fighting a house fire.
“This wasn’t the first firefighter in my department to die but I wanted to do something to make it among the last,” says Chief Rolader. “This man was 53 years old, in great physical shape and he had no known symptoms of heart disease. We also had lost several newly-retired firefighters to sudden cardiac death. There had to be a way to stop it.”
On March 14 