KNP Complex of fires approaches 50,000 acres

1:30 p.m. PDT Sept. 30, 2021

KNP Complex of fires
KNP Complex of fires, posted Sept. 28, 2021 by IMT.

The KNP Complex of fires in Sequoia National Park in Southern California has grown to 49,349 acres.

In a Thursday morning briefing Operations Section Chief Trainee Clint Remington said the fire on the south side of the Middle Fork is backing down closer to the bottom of the drainage. If it crosses, it could run uphill toward the Giant Forest, one of the larger groves of giant sequoia trees in the park. Firefighters have spent weeks prepping this and other groves, removing fuels, clearing around structures, and installing hose lays.

The fireline between the Giant Forest and Lodgepole has received a lot of attention in recent days and is considered secure and contained, but there is a lot of work left to do on the northwest side of the fire, northwest of Red Fir and west of the Generals Highway.

The west side of the fire where it has moved into lighter fuels, including brush, is looking good, Mr. Remington said.

KNP Complex of fires map
KNP Complex of fires map, 1:30 a.m. PDT Sept. 30, 2021. By Incident Management Team.

Smokejumpers, marathons, WFF, and Spam

Campfire talk

The first time I watched this video released Tuesday I was confused as it took unexpected turns. It starts out with a group of people of a certain age sitting around a fire. A couple of the faces are recognizable and they start talking about fire. And Spam.

The Spam talk ends quickly and becomes the story of how smokejumper Kenneth Perry turned the toughest day of his life into something inspirational, leading to a 52-mile marathon benefitting fallen firefighters and their families through the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Hormel said they learned about Kenneth’s story after making a donation to a fundraiser for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Since then Hormel has continued to support the WFF.

“Though we were introduced to SPAM®’s deep role in smokejumper lore, Kenneth’s story is the inspiration we wanted to share”, they said after releasing this video.

Like Ken said, “In a perfect world we would not need the Wildland Firefighter Foundation“, which assists firefighters and their families when tragedy strikes. But, for many reasons, we do need it and other similar organizations.

We’ve been told that in the campfire scene you may be able to pick out in addition to Kenneth, Wayne Williams, Keith Wolferman, Maggy Doherty, Riva Duncan, and Kent Hamilton. In the footage shot during the run you’ll see hotshot crews including, Texas Canyon, Bear Divide and Kern Valley.”

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Sunil.

NWCG video about firefighter mental health

3:11 p.m. MDT Sept. 29, 2021

Firefighters crew
Still image from the NWCG video below.

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group has published a video for firefighters about about mental health. It features several former or current firefighters who have been trained as critical incident stress management peer supporters or CISM Clinicians.

@DOIWildlandFire tweeted about the video today, encouraging everyone to view it. The video was posted July 19, 2021 but as of today it has only been viewed 83 times, perhaps because it is “unlisted”.  We suggested to them that the status be changed, which should make it possible to search for it and also show up on lists of NWCG videos.

The presenters make an interesting point comparing physical fitness and mental fitness. As a firefighter you have to work at both of them, and they lay out several ways to stay mentally fit.

If you are a firefighter or the spouse or family member of one, spend 18 minutes watching this video.

UPDATE at 1:30 p.m. MDT Sept. 30, 2021: As you can see above, the video uploaded July 19, 2021 is no longer available.

At 11:56 a.m. MDT today @DOIWildlandFire posted on Twitter, “Earlier, we accidentally published a @NWCG video on supporting mental health for wildland firefighters before the video was finalized. The post has been deleted. We look forward to sharing the completed video with you soon.”

The version of the video that had been online for more than two months was excellent, and could help thousands of emergency management personnel. We hope that the NWCG can finalize it and make it available. Firefighters need this. It is a slap in the face to advertise it, then remove it. That is not the kind of setback a person suffering from mental health issues needs.

PG&E charged with manslaughter for Zogg Fire in northern California

Zogg Fire, Sept. 27, 2020 California
Zogg Fire, Sept. 27, 2020. CAL FIRE photo.

In March investigators with CAL FIRE determined that the Zogg Fire which burned 56,338 acres, destroyed 204 structures, and caused four civilian fatalities, was caused by a tree contacting a power line operated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). On Friday the company was charged with manslaughter and other charges.

Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced the 31 charges, including 11 felonies, against PG&E, saying it failed to perform its legal duties and that its “failure was reckless and criminally negligent, and it resulted in the death of four people.”

If the utility is convicted of manslaughter, the punishment would be a fine for each person killed in the Zogg Fire last year southwest of Redding, California.

Zogg Fire
Zogg Fire soon after it started, looking east from Ducket at 3:32 p.m. PDT Sept. 27, 2020. AlertWildfire.

Last year PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter for starting the Camp Fire which destroyed most of the town of Paradise and became the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century.

The company has admitted that their equipment may have ignited the Dixie Fire which has burned more than 600 residences and 963,000 acres near Susanville, California. At least two firefighters died of COVID-19 while assigned to the fire.

Map of the Zogg Fire
Map of the Zogg Fire October 9, 2020.

ABC news recognizes firefighters as the Persons of the Week

9 a.m. PDT September 28, 2021

Every week ABC News selects a Person of the Week. Last week they recognized the firefighters protecting the giant sequoias that are being threatened by the KNP Complex of fires in Sequoia National Park in California.

The last we heard they were successful, with none of the big trees being damaged or destroyed.

Frontal passage brings Red Flag Warnings and precipitation to Western states

Red Flag Warnings
Red Flag Warnings. The areas in CA, NV, ID, and CO expire Monday evening. The areas in ND, SD, WY, and most of MT expire Tuesday evening.

A frontal passage is bringing strong winds into most of the Western U.S., prompting Red Flag Warnings in seven states. The Red Flag Warnings generally expire Monday night except in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and most of the areas in Montana, which expire Tuesday evening.

The cumulative precipitation forecast through Saturday evening shows at least a small amount of precipitation occurring in many western areas, but many locations will receive less than 0.10″.  Even some snow or rain/snow mix is in the forecast for portions of Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Idaho.

Most of the southern two-thirds of California and Nevada are expected to remain dry through Saturday.

Forecast for cumulative precipitation
Forecast for cumulative precipitation, Monday evening through Saturday evening.