Wildfire Today

NWCG video about firefighter mental health

Bill GabbertSeptember 29, 2021September 30, 2021Uncategorizedfirefighter health, mental health6 Comments

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.”

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.

Learn more about @NWCG‘s work: https://t.co/TtqRjneFKd

— DOIWildlandFire (@DOIWildlandFire) September 30, 2021

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.

Four sentenced and ordered to pay $40 million for starting the 2017 Pier Fire

Bill GabbertSeptember 28, 2021UncategorizedCalifornia, Pier Fire6 Comments

The blaze burned more than 36,000 acres in Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest in California

Pier Fire 2017 sentenced — Booking photos by Tulare County District Attorney’s Office

Four people were sentenced for starting the Pier Fire that burned more than 36,000 acres east of Springville, California in Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest in August and September of 2017.

On Monday Isiac Renteria, 23, Richard Renteria, 25, Osvaldo Esparza-Guerrero, and Breana Ojeda, 24, each pleaded guilty to felony charges related to arson. They received sentences of 9 years suspended prison with credit for serving 3 years in custody, except for Ojeca who received a sentence of 3 years, 4 months of suspended prison.

All four were ordered to pay $40 million in restitution, which was the cost of damages and suppression of the Pier Fire. There will be a restitution hearing on October 6.

Investigators determined that they burned a stolen vehicle, which ignited the wildfire.

Pier Fire 2017 — Pier Fire. Photo by Fire Behavior Assessment Team.

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

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

Bill GabbertSeptember 28, 2021UncategorizedCalifornia, PG&E, Zogg Fire2 Comments

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.

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.

ABC news recognizes firefighters as the Persons of the Week

Bill GabbertSeptember 28, 2021September 28, 2021Uncategorized8 Comments

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.

Ptarmigan Fire prompts evacuations near Silverthorne, Colorado

Bill GabbertSeptember 28, 2021September 28, 2021WildfireColorado, Ptarmigan Fire3 Comments

Off Interstate 70 about 50 miles west of Denver

12:03 p.m. MDT Sept. 28, 2021

At an 11 a.m. briefing on Tuesday fire officials said the Ptarmigan Fire near Silverthorne, Colorado has prompted the evacuation or pre-evacuation notices of 617 homes.

More accurate mapping Monday evening found that at 10 p.m. the fire had burned about 17 acres, a decrease from the earlier estimate of 30 to 40 acres. The District Ranger said it may have grown to about 40 acres overnight.

Firefighters expect to use tactical firing operations to help protect structures on the west side of the fire. Two hand crews are en route.

The weather forecast predicts significant rain beginning after noon on Tuesday, continuing off and on through Saturday, accumulating about 0.70 inch. The elevation is over 9,000 feet so by Wednesday night it could turn to snow as temperatures drop into the low 30s.

7:45 a.m. MDT Sept. 28, 2021

Ptarmigan Fire map. The icons represent heat detected by satellites as late as 2:55 a.m. MDT Sept. 28, 2021.

The Ptarmigan Fire discovered at about 4:45 p.m. Monday has prompted the evacuation of 200 residents near Silverthorne, Colorado about 50 miles west of Denver. The blaze estimated at 30 to 40 acres is burning on the lodgepole and aspen-covered slopes below Ptarmigan Peak off I-70 north of Dillon Reservoir.

Monday night the Summit County Sheriff ordered mandatory evacuations for the Hamilton Creek area above Silverthorne. Pre-evacuations are in place for Angler Mountain and South 40.

Ptarmigan Fire Sept. 27, 2021. Photo provided by USFS.

The latest information on evacuations is available by signing up for Summit County Emergency Alerts and at the Summit County Sheriffs Office Facebook page. A Red Cross Emergency Shelter is in place at the Summit Middle School.

The fire was attacked by two single engine air tankers, a large BAe-146 air tanker, and a Chinook helicopter which can carry up to 3,000 gallons. The aircraft focused their efforts on keeping it from moving downhill toward structures.

Monday night the White River National Forest said firefighters had not yet been able to safely engage the fire on the ground, but they are staged in strategic places should they have the opportunity. More resources are en route.

Ptarmigan Fire Monday night. Photo provided by USFS.

Check out the fuels in these photos by Sean Gorman.

Saw what I thought was an aggressive camp fire hiking Ptarmigan. Went to go check it out and was too big to smother. Sadly now looking significant. 911 said crews were in route. #ptarmiganfire pic.twitter.com/K1XEEx51Mw

— SeanGorman (@SeanGorman) September 27, 2021

Frontal passage brings Red Flag Warnings and precipitation to Western states

Bill GabbertSeptember 27, 2021September 28, 2021UncategorizedRed Flag Warning, weather3 Comments

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.

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