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Lakeview Crew 7 earns Hotshot status

Bill GabbertNovember 14, 2018February 7, 2020UncategorizedLakeview Crew 7, Lakeview Hotshots6 Comments

Congratulations to Lakeview Crew 7, an interagency hotshot firefighter crew comprised almost entirely of U.S. military veterans.

The crew was formed in 2000 and reorganized in 2011 to help military veterans transition to productive civilian careers. Crew 7 has been funded under the BLM Veterans Crew Program since 2012.

In March of 2016, Crew 7 began the process to be certified as a hotshot crew. They went through the review process in 2017 and received the recommendation for certification this year.

During the 2018 wildfire season, Lakeview Crew 7 battled fires across the West, including the large Cougar Creek Fire in central Washington.

“Our time spent in the military is a key ingredient to our achievements,” said Levi VanderMolen, a member of Crew 7.

“It’s what separates us from other crews and inspires us to work harder and become the best.”

Learn more about BLM career opportunities for veterans:
https://www.blm.gov/careers/veterans

Lakeview Crew 7 — Photo by Kari Greer, NIFC

Firefighters battled the Sierra Fire under harrowing conditions

Bill GabbertNovember 14, 2018August 25, 2019UncategorizedCalifornia, Sierra Fire

dozer winds fire wildfire — A dozer operator battles extreme winds and a fire, Tuesday on the Sierra Fire near Fontana, Calif. Screenshot from SBCountyFire video.

With large, devastating wildfires burning at both ends of California it is refreshing to hear about a fire that appears to be a success story.

Tuesday night at about 10 p.m. the Sierra Fire started in Fontana, California near Interstate 15 at Sierra and Riverside Avenues. At that time the weather station in Devore recorded sustained north-northwest winds at 25 mph gusting to 45 along with 10 percent relative humidity.

map Sierra Fire — The Sierra Fire is at Riverside and Sierra Avenues in Fontana, CA.

In spite of these horrendous conditions, by 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday the 26 engines, 7 hand crews, and 3 dozers were able to stop the spread at 147 acres. Kudos to these badass firefighters.

You can get a taste of the conditions they were dealing with in this very impressive video.

#SierraFire: Footage from earlier this evening. In #SantaAnaWinds, Dozers can often engage where it’s too dangerous for handcrews. A decisive force multiplier in tonight’s firefight. ^eas pic.twitter.com/gtqmJB5pk6

— SB County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) November 14, 2018

@FirePhotoGirl also shot video at the fire.

Update: #SierraFire now 25-30 acres very Rapid ROS, wind driven, erratic Fire behavior. #Devore #Breaking pic.twitter.com/ZiXCGLF0Wf

— Bernie Deyo? (@BDP473) November 14, 2018

Wildfire smoke and air quality maps, November 13, 2018

Bill GabbertNovember 13, 2018August 10, 2019Uncategorizedair quality, smoke

Above is NOAA’s forecast for the distribution of wildfire smoke at 6 p.m. PST November 13, 2018. Much of Central and Northern California has severely compromised air quality and is in the “unhealthy” category.

Below is air quality data from AirNow.gov for Tuesday November 13, 2018:

Strong winds on Tuesday make Woolsey Fire difficult to contain

Bill GabbertNovember 13, 2018August 25, 2019UncategorizedCalifornia, Woolsey Fire

Fire engines staged Lake Sherwood Woolsey Fire — Fire engines staged near Lake Sherwood at the Woolsey Fire, November 13, 2018. Ventura County FD photo.

The spread of the Woolsey Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains slowed considerably Monday, adding very few burned acres. However on Tuesday a flareup put a large smoke column into the atmosphere near Lake Sherwood, but it was attacked aggressively by firefighters in the air and on the ground after devouring about 50 acres.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Woolsey Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.

Strong winds Tuesday are keeping residents and firefighters on edge. A sampling of weather stations with high wind speeds showed gusts up to 50 mph at Warm Springs.

Weather observations red flag warning wildfire — Weather observations at 1:25 p.m. PST November 13, 2018.

The fire area will remain under a Red Flag Warning through Wednesday for 20 to 30 mph winds gusting at 45 to 55, with relative humidities in the single digits.

The number of structures that have been destroyed in the fire has increased from 370 to 435. It is believed that most of them are homes, but the figures have not been broken out. Officials are still conducting surveys and the number may not remain at that level. There has been no change in fatalities, with that number remaining at two.

Even though President Trump made a vague statement on November 10 saying “no more Fed payments!” for wildfires in California, on November 12 he tweeted that he “…just approved an expedited request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of California.” California Governor Jerry Brown requested it on November 11.

“I had shared one video, of an area where there was nothing left on that street. And that was the best way I could describe what the city is enduring. And it’s a horrible feeling.” @FirePhotoGirl https://t.co/upxlSfNc3M

— CBCEarlyEdition (@CBCEarlyEdition) November 13, 2018

The resources assigned to the Woolsey Fire include 619 fire engines, 57 hand crews, 22 helicopters, 23 dozers, and 48 water tenders, for a total of 3,592 personnel.

Putting in a wet line. #WoolseyFire https://t.co/YqtwY361G0

— Wildfire Today ? (@wildfiretoday) November 13, 2018

Camp Fire continues to spread to the north and east

Bill GabbertNovember 13, 2018November 13, 2018UncategorizedCalifornia, Camp Fire

The number of fatalities within the fire area increases to 42

The Camp Fire continues to march farther to the east and north as the dry, windy weather hangs on in California. Monday the blaze grew by about half a mile along most of the north and east perimeter. It was most active east of Highway 70, south of Stirling City, and on both sides of Lake Oroville.

(To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Camp Fire, including the most recent, click here.)

CAL FIRE said Tuesday morning the fire has burned 125,000 acres.

The number of civilian fatalities within the fire area has increased by 13 on Monday to bring the total to 42. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea has not said the number of deaths is likely to increase, but he has requested additional cadaver dogs, portable morgue units, and about 150 additional search and rescue personnel to assist in the search for human remains. About 200 people remain unaccounted for.

Fire officials estimate that the structures destroyed include 6,522 single residences, 85 multi-residences, and 260 commercial buildings.

CAL FIRE has released a map that shows the status of structures affected by the Camp Fire. The new map is still incomplete and is a work in progress.

firefighters fire trucks wildfire Camp Fire — Firefighters came from long distances to assist suppress the Camp Fire, CAL FIRE photo.

The resources assigned to the fire include 622 fire engines, 97 hand crews, 21 helicopters, 107 dozers, and 71 water tenders for a total of 5,139 personnel.