Wildfire news, December 6, 2011

Frazier Park fire

Off-duty USFS firefighters and citizens suppress fire

Frazier Park fire
Frazier Park fire. Photo by Peter Bogdanoff

Two off-duty U.S. Forest Service firefighters and some other nearby citizens took it upon themselves to knock down a wildfire burning in Frazier Park, California (map) on Monday. The firefighters used a chain saw and a shovel to construct fireline on the perimeter of the fire while one of the citizens used a garden hose.

Here is an excerpt from an article in the Mountain Enterprise submitted by Peter Bogdanoff:

…We were at Chatterpillar across Mt. Pinos Way and saw the flames shooting up above the roofs. We first thought it might be Judy’s Mini Storage or Lions Daycare burning, but it turned out to be the hillside below Lions Daycare and the Western Motel toward Cuddy Creek.

It took about 10 minutes for the fire department to respond. Meanwhile, we used a garden hose to slow it down. Marie Bogdanoff helped with the garden hose. A couple of off-duty U.S. Forest Setrvice fire fighters living nearby worked on the fire with a chain saw and shovels before the fire trucks arrived. Eventually, USFS and Kern County personnel arrived to put the 100-foot-long fire out.

Hard times in Arkansas and Texas: Merry Christmas — and goodbye 

Both Arkansas and Texas are experiencing major budget cuts to their land management agencies. The Arkansas Forestry Commission is laying off 36 workers in January to help make up for a $4 million budget shortfall due to declining timber sales. The agency which oversees fire suppression and conservation in the state forests told the workers on Friday that the layoff would be effective on January 13.

The Texas State Parks and Wildlife agency is asking for donations to help make up for a $4.6 million deficit caused by wildfires, drought, and declining visitation numbers. The state is asking for people to make a tax-deductible donation at their web site, or to check off a block when renewing their vehicle registration to give $5 to the agency.

San Diego County builds new innovative web site for emergency information

The County of San Diego recently unveiled a new web site designed to provide information about ongoing emergencies. It is unique in three areas:

  • It was designed at no cost by Microsoft.
  • Microsoft used the opportunity to showcase an innovative method to handle extremely heavy loads during emergencies when large numbers of people attempt to access the site. “Cloud technology” makes it possible to handle a high volume of visits without paying for storage space during non-emergency times.
  • It takes advantage of social media by displaying feeds from several Twitter accounts maintained by county and state emergency services agencies.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.