Tag: California

Final arrangements for Luke Sheehy

Below is information provided by the U.S. Forest Service about the final arrangements for Luke Sheehy who lost his life while suppressing a wildfire in northern California on June 10. Mr. Sheehy was struck by a falling portion of a tree on the Saddle Back Fire in the South Warner Wilderness about 15 miles southeast of Alturas, Calif.

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“UPDATE: Latest on Saddle Back Incident Support

Release Date: Jun 17, 2013

Contact(s): Saddle Back Support Public Information (530) 638-3319

REDDING, Calif.– Preparations are underway to support the family of recently deceased firefighter Luke Sheehy. The 28-year-old perished on June 10 as a result of injuries received on the Saddle Back Fire on the Modoc National Forest in northeast California.

There will be a procession to honor and transport Luke Sheehy on Wednesday from Alturas, Calif. to Susanville, Calif. The Sheehy family would like the procession in Alturas to remain a private family affair. For Susanville, close family and the firefighter community are invited.

Details on the agency memorial ceremony are currently pending. The ceremony is planned for June 23 at 1 p.m. at the Civic Auditorium in Redding, Calif. The Sheehy family has requested that family members, close friends, fire community and all those who want to honor Luke are invited to attend.

The family will be holding a separate memorial at the Walker Mansion Inn located in Westwood, Calif. on June 22 at 2 p.m.

Those interested in showing support for the Sheehy family can send flowers, cards and donations to: Doug and Lynn Sheehy or Sheehy Family, 2850 Main St., Suite 12 #386, Susanville, CA 96130

Or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Mail in a donation: Care of Sheehy Family. Make your check payable to: Wildland Firefighter Foundation, 2049 Airport Way, Boise ID 83705. Or, online at: http://www.wffoundation.org/ Or to any U.S. Bank location; account number: 157501822199 “

California lodd

CAL FIRE Situation Report, June 17, 2013

CAL FIRE California

Wildfire briefing, June 17, 2013

The worst wildfires

The Mother Nature Network has assembled what they call “10 of the Worst Wildfires in U.S. History”. Check it out to see if you agree with their list.

Furloughs cancelled for NWS

As wildfire season heats up the National Weather Service has cancelled their plans to force their employees to take four days off without pay before September 30. While a memo to all 12,000 NWS employees did not mention fire weather forecasts or Incident Meteorologists, it did refer to the tornadoes that plowed through Midwestern states last month. The Las Cruces Sun-News has more details.

Photos and videos of the 747 Supertanker, and a new CWN contract for the 20,000-gallon beast

Fire Aviation has some photos and videos of Evergreen’s 747 Supertanker that is receiving a new call when needed contract from the U.S. Forest Service. When you see the two photos of the 747 dropping on a fire in Mexico, compare them to this photo of a P2V dropping on a fire in the San Diego area Monday.

Denver post on the shortage of air tankers

The Denver Post has an article about the shortage of large air tankers in the United States and how that may have affected the early stages of the recent fires in Colorado. They also quote a very reliable source about the number of Unable to Fill (UTF) requests for air tankers.

Aspen Fire on Mount Lemmon, 10 years ago

It was 10 years ago today that the Aspen Fire ripped across the top of Mount Lemmon in Arizona, destroying nearly 340 homes and burning 84,000 acres.

Birds start fires in California and Nevada

A deluded conspiracy theorist might assume that terrorists have trained birds to fly into power lines and start fires, since over the last two days it happened in Chico, California and in Reno, Nevada. But in spite of the tin foil hat I’m wearing, I don’t think this quite meets the threshold for our Animal Arson series, since it is fairly common.

747 air tanker air tanker Arizona California Colorado Nevada P2V

Smokejumper killed in northern California

(Originally published at 11:12 a.m. MT, June 11, 2013; updated at 12:30 p.m. MT, June 11, 2013)

The U.S. Forest Service has released the following statement:

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“US Forest Service wildland firefighter dies in Northern California

Release Date: Jun 11, 2013

VALLEJO, Calif. – A 28-year-old firefighter from Susanville, Calif., died Monday afternoon [June 10] as a result of injuries received on a wildfire on the Modoc National Forest in northeast California. Luke Sheehy was a member of the California Smokejumpers, based out of Redding.

Sheehy was struck by a falling portion of a tree on the Saddle Back Fire in the South Warner Wilderness about 15 miles southeast of Alturas, Calif. The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. Efforts to resuscitate Sheehy were not successful. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Alturas where he was pronounced dead.

“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this brave young smokejumper who lost his life yesterday working with his team to control a blaze on the Modoc National Forest,” said U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We are launching a full review into the cause of his death to learn everything we can to prevent future tragedies like this.”

Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore echoed Chief Tidwell’s sentiments. “We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. It’s a devastating loss and is being felt throughout the entire Forest Service.”

The Saddle Back Fire is one of several dozen lightning-caused fires that began on multiple national forests throughout northern California on Sunday and Monday. It was first reported to the Modoc Interagency Communications Center about 3 p.m. Monday. Several U.S. Forest Service firefighters remain on scene suppressing the fire.”

(end of statement)

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About 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded in northern California Sunday and Monday. As of Tuesday morning over 60 small fires had been detected.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and co-workers of the jumper.

We will update this article as more details emerge.

California fatality lightning lodd smokejumpers

Photos of the Hathaway fire

John Hawkins, Fire Chief of the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit & Riverside County Fire Department, who supplied us with the details of the Hathaway Fire photo in our “caption this photo” article, also sent us these two photos that he took of the fire just after 2 p.m. PT, June 9, about two hours after the fire started. Click on the photos to see larger versions.

Thanks Chief.

We are putting current information about the Hathaway fire in THIS article.

California Hathaway Fire

Caption this Hathaway Fire photo

(Originally published at 8:12 p.m. PT, June 10, 2013)

This photo of the Hathaway fire 80 miles east of Los Angeles was taken about two hours after the fire started on June 9. Unfortunately, there is no caption. Do you have any suggestions for a caption?

(UPDATE at 7:50 a.m. PT, June 11, 2013)

Now, thanks to John Hawkins, Fire Chief of the CAL FIRE Riverside Unit & Riverside County Fire Department, we have an actual caption, but don’t let that inhibit you from suggesting one of your own. Here’s what Chief Hawkins told us about the photo:

The picture was taken about 1pm to 2pm [June 9] looking north from the ICP. The FF standing next to the pickup is Morongo Tribal Fire Department Fire Chief Tim Beadle. The pickup was the ICP for CAL FIRE Riverside Unit and Riverside County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeff Stowells who, at that moment, was functioning as the sole IC.

Thanks Chief.

California caption contest Hathaway Fire

Fuels and fire behavior advisory for California

The following advisory for California was issued by “Predictive Services” today:

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Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory

California*

June 10, 2013

Subject: Low live and dead fuel moistures, along with persistent drought have created the potential for active to extreme fire behavior in many parts of the state.

Discussion: All of California is experiencing drought conditions. Effects of lower than normal live and dead fuel moistures and observed fire behavior for 2013 are the focus of this advisory.

Difference From Normal Conditions: Drought conditions ranging from abnormally dry to severe exist across California. The drought is expected to persist or intensify. The entire state is deficient in rainfall and snow pack, resulting in fuels that are 4-8 weeks ahead of normal drying/curing rates.

Concerns to Firefighters:

Energy Release Component (ERC) at numerous weather stations set record highs already this year and running well above normal in most cases. Expect increased fire intensity and spread rates in these areas. Early season extreme fire behavior has been observed in both light and heavy fuels. Anticipate increased spread rates, spotting, and active night time burning.
The combination of persistent drought and record-low rainfall and snowpack amounts has led to very low live and dead fuel moistures. Low 1000-hour fuel moistures have been evidenced by complete consumption of dead fuels on several recent fires. Live fuel moistures have already reached critical levels in many areas especially in Southern California. Expect fires to ignite easier and spread faster. Anticipate higher resistance to control in all fuel types.
Excessively dry fuels and receptive fuel beds are resulting in fire behavior that is not deterred by what firefighters would consider normal barriers. Be mindful of what you use as a barrier or safety zone.
Fires are burning actively even under conditions of high relative humidity. Already this year, California has experienced large fire activity and multiple team deployments. California will likely experience an extended fire season. It is important to be mindful of and manage fatigue for all resources.

Everyone, every day, returns home safely.

Mitigation Measures:

Local and inbound fire personnel need to be aware that fire behavior across the state is exceeding normal expectations for this time of the year. Local briefings need to be thorough and highlight specific fire environment conditions. These include but are not limited to local weather forecasts, Pocket Cards, ERC’s, live and dead fuel moistures, and special fuel conditions such as mortality, Sudden Oak Death and frost killed brush, etc.
Suppression actions need to be based on good anchor points, escape routes, and safety zones. Remember LCES. Experienced lookouts are essential under these conditions.
Base all actions on current and expected behavior of the fire. Augment initial attack resources as incident activity dictates.
Review the most current Northern and Southern California 7-day Significant Fire Potential along with Daily, Monthly and Seasonal Outlooks at: http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/outlooks.htm

*Area of Concern: The area of concern is the State of California with the exception of 3 Northern California Predictive Service Areas: North Coast, Northeastern, and Eastside. A map showing the areas of concern described in this advisory can be found at: National Fuel Advisories

Issued: June 10, 2013 (Note this advisory will be in effect for 14 days and will be reviewed/updated at that time.

California fire behavior advisory safety

6,000 lightning strikes in northern California

Lightning at Wind Cave National Park, July 23, 2012, Photo by Bill Gabbert.

(Originally published at 4:40 p.m. PT, June 10, 2013; updated at 11:45 a.m. PT, June 11)

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Sunday and Monday much of the Northern California foothills and mountains including the Sierra experienced significant thunderstorms with dry lightning. Nearly ~~6,000~~ 8,000 lightning strikes were recorded. Over 50 60 small fires have been discovered that were ignited by lightning. Though most of the storm systems have moved out, CAL FIRE crews continue to respond to additional fires.

Below is a summary of some of the fires in four northern California CAL FIRE units as of Monday afternoon:

Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit: 21 fires, largest fire 4 acres
Tehama-Glenn Unit: 20 fires, largest fire 2 acres
Butte Unit: 11 fires, 0 acres
Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit: 2 fires, 0 acres

California lightning Photo by Bill G

Vandenberg Hotshots on the chopping block

(Originally published at 2:31 p.m. MT, June 10, 2013; revised June 11 to clarify the fate of the remaining seven firefighters.)

The only military Hotshot crew in the United States will be history by the end of September. The Vandenberg Hotshots were created after the disastrous Honda Canyon Fire on Vandenberg Air Force in southern California in 1977.

Due to the cuts required by the “sequestration” legislation passed by Congress, the budget has been reduced for the crew. Combined with attrition and some crew members leaving for other jobs when they saw this coming, only nine are left on the crew.

Mike Provencio of the Vandenberg Professional Firefighters told Wildfire Today that the firefighters have received notice that their positions will cease to exist at the end of the fiscal year which ends September 30, 2013. It is likely that two of the nine left will receive promotions into the regular civilian fire department on the base. The other seven will most likely retain their jobs but be configured as a fire suppression module, Mr. Provencio said.

Three people were entrapped and killed on the Honda Canyon fire, including the Base Commander Colonel Joseph Turner, Fire Chief Billy Bell and Assistant Fire Chief Eugene Cooper. Additionally, severe burns were experienced by Heavy Equipment Operator Clarence McCauley. He later died due to complications from the burns. A book about this fire, “Beyond Tranquillon Ridge”, was written by Joseph N. Valencia.

Thanks go out to Keith

California Honda Canyon Fire

California: Hathaway Fire burns into San Gorgonio Wilderness

(UPDATE at 11:09 a.m. PT, June 11, 2013)

Map of Hathaway Fire, June 11 — Map of Hathaway Fire, looking east, 2:35 a.m. PT, June 11, 2013 (click to enlarge)

The Hathaway Fire has grown to 1,954 acres and is 25 percent contained, according to information released by Incident Commander Don Garwood’s Incident Management Team.

As you can see in the above map of the Hathaway fire, which shows heat detected by a satellite, the fire has gone over the hill, as firefighters say, so we had to turn the 3-D image around, looking to the east now. Cabezon and Banning, along Interstate 10, are on the right, south of the fire.

It is burning in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, an area with steep, rocky cliffs. The fire has reached Raywood Flats which is a narrows-type area between Mill Creek and Water Canyons on the west and the huge, Whitewater River watershed on the east.

The fire has exhibited extreme fire behavior. According to the U.S. Forest Service, there is continued potential for large fire growth into the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Emphasis today is on continuing direct fire line construction, continue air operations until dusk, and night air attack flying. The Hathaway Incident Command Post has been established at Noble Creek Park in Beaumont, CA.

The firefighting resources working on the fire include:

1,018 personnel
40 hand crews
35 engines
13 water tenders
11 dozers
6 air tankers
10 helicopters

Predicted weather, according to information released by the IMTeam: wind speeds today will be 25 mph from the West. Temperature 87. Humidity 15%. High pressure will begin to rebuild in the area today, bringing warmer temperatures to the area.

Monday night the IMTeam put in a late request that the USFS fixed wing aircraft, which images fires at night with infrared equipment, map the fire, however the infrared ship was booked solid with the Powerhouse fire that has been quiet for several days as well as four fires in New Mexico. The USFS has two infrared aircraft, but only one at a time has been mapping fires so far this year.

We posted some photos that Chief John Hawkins took of the fire two hours after the fire fire started.

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(UPDATE at 6:35 p.m. PT, June 10, 2013)

The U.S. Forest Service says the Hathaway Fire has burned 1,650 acres and is 25 percent contained.

The map below, which has been sent to many U.S. Forest Service employees, is a computer model projection of the spread of the Hathaway Fire 80 miles east of Los Angeles over the next seven days. While it may be startling, keep in mind there are many caveats, including but not limited to:

It uses a 1,354 acre estimated perimeter as the ignition file.
Size and location may not be accurate.
No barrier files were used.
Anticipate fire spread burning into the low probability surfaces early in the 7 day analysis period due to drought, critically low live and dead fuel moistures and forecasted gusty W-SW winds.
Model assumes no suppression action.
Model outputs represent the probability of each 120 meter pixel burning but NOT the probability of fire extent.

Again, it is very important to consider that the model assumes that no firefighters on the ground or the air will take any suppression action on the fire. And it assumes there are no barriers, such as surface streets or interstate highways.

The concentric circles of color represent the probability that the fire will reach those areas, with no suppression action and the other caveats. For example there is a 40 to 59 percent chance the fire will reach out into the yellow area, and only a 0.2 to 4.9 percent that it will reach the blue area.

Click the image below to see a larger version.

California Hathaway Fire