Firefighter Blog

The U.S. Fire Administration announces there were 114 LODD (line of duty) firefighter deaths in the U.S. in 2008.

Details are provided by the OH&S here.

Twenty six wildland firefighters died in 2008, more than double the 11 wildland firefighters that died in 2007.

Nine died when their Sikorsky helicopter went down in the Trinity Alps near Junction City California in early August.

The following young firefighters and pilots died in the aircraft.

Shawn Blazer, 30 Medford, Ore.
Scott Charleson, 25 Phoenix, Ore.
Matthew Hammer, 23 from Grants Pass, Ore.
Edrik Gomez, 19, Ashland, Ore.
Steven Renno, 21, Cave Junction, Ore
Bryan Rich, 29, Medford, Ore.
David Steele, 19, Ashland, Ore.
Jim Ramage, Redding, Ca
Roark Schwanenburg, Lostine, Ore
Grayback Forestry

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, LODD

Just as I offered the 2008 California wildfire "season" was closed friend of Firefighter Blog Big Sur Kate reported a 10 acre fire on her coast. This is surely the final punctuation mark on the most destructive wildfire season in California history.

The season began with a small roadside blaze in Big Sur on April 17 and ends with a small roadside blaze in Big Sur on December 21.

It's almost fitting since the largest fires of the season were centered in the central coast paradise. The Indians Fire and the monstrous Basin Complex haunted the coast throughout the summer months.

There is a symmetry here that is more fitting for an epic novel but this was real life. It's really time to close the book on 2008.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Big Sur

Stop the presses: Update!

Challenging everything I thought I knew about wildfire in California Big Sur Kate reports a 10 acre wildfire on her coast!

Labels: 2008 Fire Season

David Mosher was target shooting along the banks of the Merced River last July when a bullet ricochet ignited tinder dry brush. Mosher reported the blaze that eventually claimed more than 40 homes and other buildings, burned more than 40,000 acres and injured 15 firefighters.

Mosher was sentenced to 60 hours of community service according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Telegraph Fire was covered end to end last summer on Firefighter Blog.

I'm not going to argue if the sentence was appropriate or not. Mosher was target shooting and the fire was an unintended consequence of his actions.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Telegraph Fire

Firestorm numbers:


The Freeway Complex

Location: Orange County communities of Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Anaheim and Corona in Riverside County.

Start Date November 15, 2008 at 9:00 am.
29,000 Acres
155 homes destroyed
104 homes damaged
9 firefighters injured
11 Million dollars in fire suppression costs (to date)
3,700 Firefighters assigned (at peak)

Sayre Fire

Location: Sylmar, Los Angeles County

Start Date November 14, 2008 at 10:30 pm
11,200 Acres
579 Homes destroyed
138 Homes damaged
124 Outbuildings (other) buildings destroyed
2 Firefighters injured
8 Million dollars in fire suppression cost (to date)
1,400 Firefighters assigned (at peak)

Tea Fire

Location Montecito, Santa Barbara County

Start Date November 13, 2008 5:30 pm
1,900 Acres
210 Homes destroyed
9 Homes damaged
10 Firefighters injured
5.7 Million dollars in fire suppression costs
1,900 Firefighter assigned (at peak)

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, California Firestorm 2008, Freeway Complex, Sayre Fire, Tea Fire

Twenty four thousand evacuees are heading home as firefighters put final touches on the 20,000 plus acre Santa Ana winds fire event.

The 3,600 firefighters summoned to the scene will take advantage of today's calm winds and (somewhat) milder temperatures to douse hot spots and patrol for wayward flames.

Officially 23,700 acres have burned between Corona and Diamond Bar in Orange County. Sixty homes have been destroyed and one hundred homes were damaged. One commercial building was destroyed.

Fire officials estimate the fire is 20% contained but certainly that number is much higher.

A couple being interviewed on CNBC standing in front of their multi-million dollar view home in Yorba Linda told the reporter they were in contact with their insurance agent. They explained how they just got a check for $1,000 from the Red Cross.

I wonder if they know their insurance company provides temporary relocation allowances in the form of a cash advance against their losses.



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Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Freeway Complex

The Incident 209 filed this morning at 11:00 am calls the Orange County wildfires the "Freeway Complex"

Fire particulars
: Latitude and Longitude
Lat: 33° 52´ 22" Long: 117° 44´ 20"
Ownership: CA-ORC

Acreage: 10,470
Start Date: 11/15/2008 0905hrs.

The Incident 209 filed at 0700hrs this morning calls the Orange County wildfire the "Triangle Fire"

Fire particulars
Latitude and Longitude
Lat: 33° 52´ 22" Long: 117° 44´ 20"
Ownership: CA-ORC

Same acreage, same start date, same everything.

The 0700 report was prepared by J. Windham SITL (T) a trainee within the incident management team.

The 11:00 am report was put prepared by R.Dull (DPSC), a veteran team member.

This would not be a major concern accept the L.A Times is now calling it the Triangle Fire. That L.A. Times article is linked to from Drudge.

I suspect the L.A. Times was given incorrect information. Anyone?

*Update: Bob of Calfire News blog offers the explanation in the comment section below.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Freeway Complex, Santa Ana winds, Triangle Fire

The Hollydale Mobilehome Estates community was spared destruction by fast moving flames in Carbon Canyon last night. At approximately 2200 hours CBS2 helicopter pilot/reporter Larry Welk showed an overhead shot of a massive flame front racing uphill towards the mobile home park (map below).

Welk, a veteran fire reporter prepped viewers for a potentially tragic meeting of fire and private property.

Against swirling winds Welk held the overhead shot for more than 1/2 hour as flames leaped towards their target. As the fire approached the 50 home park the wind ceased as if on cue. As the first of the now slower flames came within range firefighters braced for the attack training straight streams of water at the approaching flame wall.

Blunting the fire head firefighters forced the fire to the northwest flank of the neighborhood. Firefighters armed with water guarded homes on the perimeter and expertly herded the fire out and away from the park.

This was a textbook structure protection maneuver. CalFire and the USFS should ask for the film from CBS2 and use it in training. Welk painted an accurate picture, this was a David vs Goliath moment, the newsroom anchors saw it that way too. Had the wind not let up this may have had a different ending. As it was no homes burned and no firefighters were injured.

Something that Welk missed and considering the darkness I cannot confirm. When the flames were about 80 yards from the first home what looked like a spot fire erupted between the main fire and the homes. The "spot" was immediately sucked into the main flame front and had the effect of halting the pace. I thought at the time this might have been a flare thrown from a firefighter and I believe now it was. That is what I would have done.

This backfire is what knocked Goliath to one knee.

The LA Times wrote about it. I watched it live and it rated 5 star on the drama-meter.


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Labels: 2008 Fire Season, California Firestorm 2008, Freeway Complex

Satellite imagery from NASA AERONET This image is from yesterday November 15.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Freeway Complex, satellite fire photos, Sayre Fire

The midday incident report filed at noon today reported 613 homes and 10 commercial buildings were destroyed in the first 12 hours of the Sayre Fire.

Facts and Concerns;

1,400 firefighters are assigned to the Sayre Fire
One firefighter injured with chest pains, one civilian injured.

Major problems and concerns (control problems, social/political/economic concerns or impacts, etc.) Relate critical resources needs identified above to the Incident Action Plan.
STEEP INACCESSIBLE TERRAIN, EXTREME DRY FUEL MOISTURE, STRONG FORECASTED RED FLAG WARNINGS EFFECTIVE THROUGH 2000 HRS, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, THIS INCLUDES GUSTY WINDS UP TO 70 MPH THROUGH PASSES & CANYONS.

Projected incident movement/spread 12 hour time frame:
12 hours: Fire has potential for continued rapid rates of spread to the West and Southwest due to strong Santa Ana winds, low humidities and unseasonably high temperature. The fire also has potential to move to the North/Northwest.

Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.):
CLOSURE OF 5 AND 210 FWYS, MANDATORY EVACUATIONS INCLUDING ANIMALS AND DOMESTIC PETS. EVACUATION OF OLIVE VIEW-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER 216 PATIENTS (NO POWER) 5 PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS.

Sayre Fire Information LAFD Blog.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Santa Ana winds, Sayre Fire

The headline is a bit sensational but this is not an ordinary Santa Ana Wind event. The fire is spooking even veteran news reporters. Homes begin to burn miles apart forcing reporters to wonder if these are spot fires or new starts.

Hot spots include Yorba Linda and parts of Brea though no structures are involved in Brea at the moment. Separate structure are involved in Anaheim Hills including the Cascades Apartments that burned to the ground. No official notice has been offered but it appears the combined fires of the Freeway Complex are zero percent contained. Fire officials have estimated 68 residences have been lost in the complex so far.
This estimate seems low considering the devastation at the Cascades Apartment Community.

Below are some Google Earth captures. The first image is of a home that burned on Hidden Hills in Yorba Linda. KNBC TV4 LA copter pilot Justin Jeager reported this home was more than one mile from any fire activity up wind. Note the little palace across the street with ornate gardens and tennis courts. Quite a contrast to the modest homes claimed overnight in Sylmar.

Fire is indiscriminate.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Freeway Complex, Santa Ana winds

The Freeway Complex has burned most if not all of the Cascades Apartment Complex in Anaheim Hills. As I noted in the post below the fire outran fire personnel.

Firefighters have reached the scene and are throwing water on the burning buildings however the entire complex has succumbed to flames.

The images below are from Google Maps streetview.


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Will follow...

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Freeway Complex

The Freeway Complex, previously called the Corona Fire continues forging a path of destruction as it moves into Anaheim Hills. Again NBC4 Los Angeles has amazing coverage that you can follow live online.

The fire is moving faster than firefighters can chase it. Winds are predicted to abate throughout the afternoon. For firefighters and residents downstream it can't slow fast enough
So far dozens of homes have burned and more than 1,000 acres have been consumed.

Below is a Google map affected neighborhoods in Anaheim Hills. Channel 4 mentioned E.Serrano Road specifically.


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Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Corona Fire, Freeway Complex

A TV reporter interviewing two firefighters from either LAFD or LA County asked them awkwardly if their efforts to save the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park was a "major" disappointment.

Firefighter Hahn (sp) responded bluntly, no, the effort was remarkable. Firefighter Hahn told the reporter that just as his engine company was ordered to leave the scene for safety reasons they checked one last home for civilians. Hahn and his partner discovered a couple in their nineties that had just awakened and had no idea the danger they were in. The two firefighters scooped the couple up and placed them in their fire engine and drove them out.

According to Hahn visibility was near zero. Keep in mind too that the winds were blowing over 50 mile per hour with burning embers blowing about.

Similar acts of bravery are being reported as information gets out.

*Tanker 910 made an appearance over the Corona Fire in Orange County. Local news followed the giant supertanker as it dropped its 12,000 gallon load. Unfortunately the bulk of the load dispersed before reaching the ground. Winds at the time were being clocked at gusts over 50mph. I'm surprised they were summoned in such wind.

Firefighters on the ground in Yorba Linda are chasing the fire as it hop scotches over gold courses, canyons and housing developments due to long range spotting. An exact count of homes involved is impossible at this point but by my count more than 20 homes have burned.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Corona Fire, Sayre Fire, Tanker 910

Numerous residences are currently burning as a result of a wildfire in Yorba Linda and Corona in Riverside County. Channel 4 news LA has a chopper overhead follow here.


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Will follow...

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Santa Ana winds

I've been blogging fires for about 4 years now and I can't say I have ever felt such sadness as I do today. Channel 4 news in L.A. just reported that they estimate 500 of the 600 homes in the Oak Ridge Mobile Home community have burned.

Earlier this morning firefighters were withdrawn from the park for their own safety. Forty to seventy mile per hour winds threatened to pin firefighters down in the narrow roads of the mobile home park.

This was a well established community, mostly double wide homes that ranged between $90,000 and $180,000. Working class and retired folks living together will now be confronted with rebuilding or moving to new locations.

I hope private insurance company representatives get to these folks as soon as possible with relocation and A.L.E. (additional living expenses) funds in hand. Grief counselors should be brought in today to help residents cope. I suggest hotel chains send representatives to the evacuation shelters with open arms.

This is a monumental disaster that requires direct action by the city, volunteer agencies and private business.

The images projected on local LA news are very powerful. Rarely does fire hurt so many in such a way.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Sayre Fire

Overnight Santa Ana winds peaking at 70 mph pushed the fast moving Sayre Fire through residential areas in Sylmar. One hundred homes have been damaged and 65 homes have been destroyed including 30 mobile homes in Sylmar.

Four freeways have been closed including Interstate 5, the 210, parts of the 118 and 14.

The smoke trail indicates movement west over Porter Ranch and towards Simi Valley. 2,600 acres burned at last report.

Local News & Video CBS Los Angeles

Fire officials report the following;

Values at Risk: including communities, critical infrastructure, natural and cultural resources in 12 hour time frames:
SYLMAR IS A HEAVILY POPULATED COMMUNITY ABUTTED SRA & ANF, OLIVE-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER, L.A. MISSION COLLEGE, VAN NORMAN DAM, HOLY CROSS MEDICAL CENTER, INTERSTATE 5, 210 & 118 FWY & L.A. RESERVOIR. THREATENED AREAS ARE LOS PINETOS COMMUNICATION SITE, CITY WATER & POWER CASCADES, POWER TRANSMISSION LINES WITHIN THAT AREA.

Today's observed fire behavior (leave blank for non-fire events):
GUSTY WINDS UP TO 70 MPH THROUGH PASSES AND CANYONS - RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT.

Significant events today (closures, evacuations, significant progress made, etc.):
CLOSURE OF 5 AND 210 FWYS, MANDATORY EVACUATIONS INCLUDING ANIMALS AND DOMESTIC PETS. EVACUATION OF OLIVE VIEW-UCLA MEDICAL CENTER 216 PATIENTS (NO POWER) 5 PATIENTS ON VENTILATORS.

Remarks:
EVACUATIONS AHEAD OF THE FIRE ARE IN PROGRESS. INJURIES 1 CIVILIAN, 1 FIREFIGHTER WITH CHEST PAIN. 6 SHELTERS ARE OPEN - 3 HIGH SCHOOLS, 1 JR. HIGH SCHOOL , HANSEN DAM AND AN ANIMAL SHELTER.

HIGH WINDS & LOW RH, RED FLAG WARNING CONDITIONS FORECASTED DURING THE NEXT 12 HR PERIOD

882 firefighters are on scene and that total should double by this evening.

Update: The Sayre Fire is burning through the Oak Ridge Mobile Home park at the moment. CBS2 reports firefighters withdrew forces from the neighborhood. This mobile home community is a massive by definition.
Such sadness.


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Will follow...

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Santa Ana winds, Sayre Fire

A wildfire has burned more than 2,500 acres and destroyed at least 100 homes in the Santa Barbara County community of Montecito.

The Tea Fire began early Thursday evening and was pushed by high winds. Two firefighters and two civilians have been injured. At this time 120 fire engines and 500 firefighters are on the scene with more resources en route.
Winds in the area are expected to top at 60 mph today and tomorrow.

Local video can be accessed here.

Local fire information Santa Barbara County OES

Local Blog; Doc Searl

Ed Veilmetti's detailed fire report.


Additional information; Student and faculty housing units at Westmont College were destroyed. No students were injured. Students sheltered in place overnight in the college gym.


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Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Sundowners, Tea Fire

The Chalk Fire that has burned over 16,000 acres between the Plaskett and Eselan on the south Big Sur Coast. Smack in the path is the Camaldoli Hermitage.

The Hermitage is home to 25 monks who live peacefully on the property 1,300 feet above the ocean. The Hermitage has burned once in its 47 year history but this threat will be defended by the U.S. Forest Service and elements of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Unlike the abandonment of Tassajara during the Basin Complex the monks at the Hermitage will have help if the fire visits the property.

The morning fire report indicates the Chalk Fire is at 16,000 acres and is close to 90% contained.

Chalk Fire commentary 6:00 AM 10/23;

The 12 and 24 hour values at risk state;

12 hours:
Lime Kiln State Park, Hermitage, Harlan Ranch, California Condors and Cultural Resources
24 hours:
Lime Kiln State Park, Hermitage, California Condors and Cultural Resources

Actions planned for next operational period:
Structure Group - Protect structures in the Hermitage and Lime Kiln State Park.

The fire growth potential is deemed moderate though the difficulty of terrain is described as extreme.
The Chalk Fire command team believes the fire will be contained by October 25.

Big Sur Kate has been on top of this fire (literally) since the fire started September 27. I have relied on her first rate coverage for fire news and local perspective.

This summer has been traumatic for those who live along the Big Sur coast. The Chalk Fire will likely be the last significant fire event of 2008 in northern California. There is a symmetry to the Big Sur fires this summer that has formed as the Hermitage braces for a potential assault.

The Tassajara Zen Center defined more or less the eastern boundary of the 160,000 + acre Basin Complex. The Buddhist monastery was saved by the heroic efforts of five Monks that stayed behind to defend their home.
The Pico Blanco Boy Scout Camp loosely defined the northern boundary of the Basin Complex and was saved by a Forest Service firefighters. The Hermitage sits just below the southern edge of the Basin Complex and will be defended by Chalk Fire firefighters. Buddhists, Catholics and Boy Scouts braced for devastation but were spared.
In total almost 300,000 acres burned in Big Sur and the surrounding Los Padres National Forest and Ventana Wilderness. Numerous homes burned and a community was tested.

Memorial Day to Halloween with fire burning almost continuously in that time.

Lastly, I did not intend to send any personal Christmas cards this year but after looking around the Hermitage website I found out they have a store with art I like. The image below is an example of what they offer. Check out their store here.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Chalk Fire, Chalk Peak Fire, Tassajara

The Chalk Fire burning in the south Big Sur region has reignited. Unseasonably warm weather has stoked the once dead fire forcing area residents to wonder if the wildfire assaults on Big Sur will ever end.

Friend of Firefighter Blog Big Sur Kate lives just south of the Chalk Fire scene and captured the image below last night. Put yourself in Kate's position, fire has visited her Big Sur coast almost continuously since early June. It actually began in April with an uncharacteristically early fire on the Big Sur coast.

I defer readers to Kate's blog for Chalk Fire coverage as she is the definitive community fire blogger.

FF Blog's previous Chalk Fire posts here.

Labels: 2008 Fire Season, Big Sur, Chalk Fire