August 15, 2009
Lockheed Fire Wrapping Up
Praise Cal Fire for the quick, professional and effective response to this incident. Let no one doubt this is the most remarkable firefighting force on the planet. Another textbook fire response.
Two outbuildings destroyed, a few thousand acres, no serious injuries. There was some hand to hand combat by Cal Fire and cooperating agency engine crews, dozers, hand crews, helicopter and air tanker pilots that saved dozens of homes in and near Bonny Doon, Davenport and Swanson.
Note: I think it's funny that Fox News and the other news agencies are blasting this fire all over the airwaves as an ongoing emergency. Better really late than never. The Governor is planning a photo op near the fire lines today as well.
Proximity to the populous S.F Bay Area invited the press to the Lockheed Fire and that made it sexy.
The more interesting fire is the La Brea Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, 150 miles to the south.
The closest population center to the 100,000 acre La Brea Fire is Santa Barbara.
2,000 firefighters are sweating on the lines in the national forest and their contributions should be acknowledged.
Another fire burning out of control with the same proximity to the Bay Area as the Lockheed Fire is the Corral Fire near Livermore. Cal Fire surrounded that runner as well with no media fanfare.
Remarkably in all three fires not one home burned!
Two outbuildings destroyed, a few thousand acres, no serious injuries. There was some hand to hand combat by Cal Fire and cooperating agency engine crews, dozers, hand crews, helicopter and air tanker pilots that saved dozens of homes in and near Bonny Doon, Davenport and Swanson.
Note: I think it's funny that Fox News and the other news agencies are blasting this fire all over the airwaves as an ongoing emergency. Better really late than never. The Governor is planning a photo op near the fire lines today as well.Proximity to the populous S.F Bay Area invited the press to the Lockheed Fire and that made it sexy.
The more interesting fire is the La Brea Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, 150 miles to the south.
The closest population center to the 100,000 acre La Brea Fire is Santa Barbara.
2,000 firefighters are sweating on the lines in the national forest and their contributions should be acknowledged.
Another fire burning out of control with the same proximity to the Bay Area as the Lockheed Fire is the Corral Fire near Livermore. Cal Fire surrounded that runner as well with no media fanfare.
Remarkably in all three fires not one home burned!
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Cal Fire, Corral Fire, Lockheed Fire
August 14, 2009
Lockheed Fire Update
Image Cal Fire (fair use)Lockheed Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: August 14, 2009 6:30 pm
Date/Time Started: August 12, 2009 7:16 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Mateo - Santa Cruz Unit
County: Santa Cruz County
Location: Bonny Doon area - Smith Drainage
Acres Burned: 5,036 acres
Containment 15% containment
Structures Destroyed: 2 outbuildings damaged
Threatened: More than 250 residence are currently threatened in the Swanton and Bonny Doon communities.
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations for Bonny Doon and Swanton affecting 2,000-2,400 people.
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz County Sherriff
Total Fire Personnel: 1,548 (570 CAL FIRE)
Engines: 234
Fire crews: 17
Dozers: 22
Water tenders: 17
Costs to date: $ 2.1 million
Major Incident Command Team: CAL FIRE ICT #9
Conditions: Problems and concerns include weather, steep terrain and limited access to the fire perimeter. Strong gusty onshore winds are predicted today, and could push the fire further to the east toward the community of Bonny Doon.
An evacuation center has been established at the Vintage Church at Hwy 1 and Mission. A large animal evacuation center has been set up at the Watsonville fairgrounds and a small animal evacuation center has been established at 7th & Rodriguez.
Phone Numbers (831) 335-0378 (Lockheed Fire Information )
Information from CalFire.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Lockheed Fire
August 13, 2009
Lockheed Fire Google Earth Images
Lockheed Fire looking north from Bonny Doon town limits above Thayer Rd.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Lockheed Fire
