The fire started at around the same time the power company reported “circuit activity”
Continue readingRadford Fire near Big Bear Lake in Southern California prompts evacuations
The fire is south of the Snow Summit Ski area
Continue readingCalifornia forests hit hard by wildfires in the last decade
About 25 percent of the states’ forestland burned in the last 10 years — more than triple the previous decade
Continue readingIn Northern California, Mill Fire slows, Mountain Fire grows larger
Evacuations are in effect
Continue readingMill Fire prompts evacuations in Weed, California
Multiple structures have been destroyed. A second fire, the Mountain Fire, is burning 12 miles west of Weed.
Continue readingBorder 32 Fire southeast of San Diego prompts evacuations
Started at Hwy. 94 near Barrett Junction
Continue readingUpdated status on two unsuppressed fires in Yosemite National Park
Red Fire 3-D map 8:52 p.m. Aug. 27, 2022.Two wildfires in Yosemite National Park are being managed without the intent to stop the spread. They are being allowed to replicate natural processes, restoring fire to the landscape.
It is a little too far out to predict with much certainty, but possibly by the first half of next week around September 4 or 5, temperatures much higher than average for the date could impact large sections of the Western United States. If it is accompanied by low humidity and strong winds there could be a significant increase in the spread of existing wildfires. We won’t get too excited about it now, but the situation bears watching as the forecasts become more certain.
Perhaps with that medium-range forecast in mind, or it could be unrelated, fire managers at Yosemite are taking steps to modify the spread of two fires. Both of them have large swaths of granite out in front, but the rock does not present a 100 percent impenetrable barrier. However under less than extreme conditions the granite would at least greatly slow the spread of the fires.
Red Fire
The Red Fire is in the southern part of Yosemite near Grey Peak and was mapped at 1,833 acres Saturday evening. The spread has been minimal in recent days as it chews through pockets of dead and and down vegetation. The plan is to use crews and hoselays to keep the fire south and east of the trail system and hold the fire from moving further into the Illilouette basin, which would result in increased smoke impacts to Yosemite Valley.
Rogers Fire
Rogers Fire 3-D map 10:09 a.m. Aug. 27, 2022.The Rogers Fire, 10 miles east of Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir had burned 1,370 acres when it was mapped the morning of August 27. Fire managers intend to use helicopters to drop water in order to slow spread to the northeast. This is intended to enable hand crews to construct fire line between granite slabs. The next step is not specified, but depending on the intensity of the fire, which has been low, the line might stop the fire, or provide an anchor from which to start a backburn or backfire.
Rogers Fire, Yosemite NP, posted August 27, 2022. Inciweb.CAL FIRE attaches video camera to air tanker
Video of Tanker 89 dropping on the Still Fire
Continue readingCalifornia OES and military partner to create an engine strike team
Cal OES and California Military Department’s Type 6 engines. CAL OES photo.This week the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Military Department announced the creation of the first all-hazards fire engine strike team operated by a state military department.
Cal OES is deploying a Type 6 strike team of wildland-style fire engines, named Team Blaze, to the State Military Department to enhance California’s Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid fleet.
These four-person engines complement the Military Department’s existing Task Force Rattlesnake hand crew program consisting of Soldiers and Airmen. Since the start of operations in 2019, Task Force Rattlesnake has cut, cleared and treated at-risk wildfire project areas in central and northern of California.
The State’s Military Department maintains a firefighting program at their military bases, with trained personnel providing firefighting prevention, mitigation and protection services to California and military bases and camps.
“We are proud to collaborate with Cal OES to ensure there’s another fleet of fire engines and expert staff at the ready,” said California Military Department Major General Matthew P. Beevers. “This Strike Team builds upon the state’s response efforts during times of need.”
Cal OES and California Military Department Type 6 engine. CAL OES photo.These engines add to the existing California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System fleet of more than 270 engines across 60 local partners statewide that can respond to incidents of all types.
Cal OES facilitates the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, which moves local government resources across the state in support of all-risk emergency response on behalf of local, state, and federal government fire organizations. Cal OES assigns local government fire agencies with fire apparatus to maintain surge capacity during day-to-day duties and major events/emergencies.
Firefighters battle the East Fire northeast of Glendora, California
East of San Gabriel Reservoir
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