September 06, 2009
Station Fire Moves Towards 2002 Curve Fire Burn
The Curve Fire burned over 20,000 acres in the Angeles National Forest along Highway 39 in September 2002. It appears the Station Fire is destined to meet the old burn as it moves steadily towards the mountain highway. Early on in the Station Fire Commander Dietrich stated his intention to keep the fire west of Highway 39.
Curve Fire can be seen in green in the image (click to enlarge)
I expect Dietrich has people on Highway 39 and has pulled up the old Curve Fire maps to look at old fire roads, breaks and reports. Recall Dietrich's tactics from the Zaca Fire when he drew the line in the sand on that fire's advancement at Highway 134 above Ojai. A fierce battle was waged by hundreds of firefighters and numerous aircraft on Highway 134 and the 240,000 acre monster fire died there.
The Fire has burned over 157,000 acres and is just over 50% contained. The latest InciWeb update has a detailed discussion of the fire's overnight activity and the Station Fire perimeter. That map is posted below.
Curve Fire can be seen in green in the image (click to enlarge)I expect Dietrich has people on Highway 39 and has pulled up the old Curve Fire maps to look at old fire roads, breaks and reports. Recall Dietrich's tactics from the Zaca Fire when he drew the line in the sand on that fire's advancement at Highway 134 above Ojai. A fierce battle was waged by hundreds of firefighters and numerous aircraft on Highway 134 and the 240,000 acre monster fire died there.
The Fire has burned over 157,000 acres and is just over 50% contained. The latest InciWeb update has a detailed discussion of the fire's overnight activity and the Station Fire perimeter. That map is posted below.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire, Zaca Fire
September 05, 2009
Station Fire Flair Up, Advancing Eastward
Station Fire Incident Commander Mike Dietrich stated at his 5:30 press briefing tonight, "We have not yet turned the corner on this fire".
The Mercury News reports per Dietrich that the fire has advanced to the east and southeast. The fire is now less than 5 miles from the community of Juniper Hills in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness Area. As well, "crews also were fending off new fire activity on the southeastern end of the fire and trying to keep the blaze from burning into Santa Anita Canyon and Chantry Flats north of Arcadia and Monrovia."
This kind of reminds me of the Zaca Fire. When it looked like things calmed down it always turned out to be a headfake. Recall that fire burned for two months only 70 miles north of the Station Fire ground.
Another great Station Fire news source is the Mt Wilson Observatory fire blog.
The beast still lives! Towercam image from 20:11 hrs Sept 5.
The Mercury News reports per Dietrich that the fire has advanced to the east and southeast. The fire is now less than 5 miles from the community of Juniper Hills in the Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness Area. As well, "crews also were fending off new fire activity on the southeastern end of the fire and trying to keep the blaze from burning into Santa Anita Canyon and Chantry Flats north of Arcadia and Monrovia."
This kind of reminds me of the Zaca Fire. When it looked like things calmed down it always turned out to be a headfake. Recall that fire burned for two months only 70 miles north of the Station Fire ground.
Another great Station Fire news source is the Mt Wilson Observatory fire blog.
The beast still lives! Towercam image from 20:11 hrs Sept 5.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
September 03, 2009
Station Fire Time-Lapse Video
Unreal, no real words to describe this time lapse video of the Station Fire.
Martin Mars over Mt Wilson
Martin Mars over Mt Wilson
Labels: Martin Mars, Station Fire
September 02, 2009
Station Fire Maps, Google Earth Views, Discussion
The LA Times reports the Station Fire is approaching Santa Anita Canyon above Sierra Madre. Eighty historic cabins in the Chantry Flats pack station campground are threatened. According to the Times firefighters have been prepping the area for days in anticipation of the fire's arrival. Pack animals have been relocated and the cabins have been made fire ready.
For perspective I grabbed some views from Google Earth and pinned the Santa Anita Dam and Chantry Flats campground. If you click on the images below you can see just how close the fire is to the canyon and campground.
Mt Wilson is the peak just above Santa Anita Canyon. Though firefighters have had days to prepare for the fire their task is no easier than what others have faced elsewhere on the fire. It's the same fuel, fuel that hasn't burned in decades.
The image below shows how far east the fire has advanced. The eastward path is likely the lowest priority for Commander Dietrich's team. He already alluded to Highway 39 as the outer boundary of the eastern advance
Residents of the San Gabriel Valley should see plenty of flame activity tonight.
It's difficult to comprehend this fire stretches from Sylmar to Monrovia, over 21 miles!
View Larger Map
For perspective I grabbed some views from Google Earth and pinned the Santa Anita Dam and Chantry Flats campground. If you click on the images below you can see just how close the fire is to the canyon and campground.
Mt Wilson is the peak just above Santa Anita Canyon. Though firefighters have had days to prepare for the fire their task is no easier than what others have faced elsewhere on the fire. It's the same fuel, fuel that hasn't burned in decades.
The image below shows how far east the fire has advanced. The eastward path is likely the lowest priority for Commander Dietrich's team. He already alluded to Highway 39 as the outer boundary of the eastern advance
Residents of the San Gabriel Valley should see plenty of flame activity tonight.
It's difficult to comprehend this fire stretches from Sylmar to Monrovia, over 21 miles!
View Larger Map
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Google Earth, Station Fire
August 31, 2009
Tanker 979 (747 Supertanker) Maiden Fire Drop
MyFoxLA was the first to follow the Supertanker as it circled the Station Fire and made its first drop on a live fire. This day has been long in coming for the people at Evergreen Aviation in Marana Arizona.
The tanker offers up 20,000 gallons per load. Consider that Tanker 910, the DC-10 Supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons.
There is a new weapon over California fires and it is about time.
The tanker offers up 20,000 gallons per load. Consider that Tanker 910, the DC-10 Supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons.
There is a new weapon over California fires and it is about time.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, DC-10 Supertanker, Station Fire, Tanker 910, Tanker 979
Station Fire Path; Where's It Headed?
The 105,000 acre Station Fire is headed east with some movement north towards Acton. As the fire continues its eastward trek it should stay in the Forest and away from populated areas.
According to GeoMac the fire appears to have crossed Highway 2 north and east of Mt Wilson. The USFS Google Earth kml overlay lags GeoMac but both mapping services indicate where the fire is headed on its eastern front.
As it looks the fire is headed towards Crystal Lake and Highway 39.
The image below is from Google Earth using the USFS kml overlay that mimics the GeoMac heat detection software.
The views below are pointing west at the advancing fire from above Crystal Lake.
NorthTree Fire International has put together this map of the fire perimeter. NorthTree is THE fire mapping service.
View Larger Map
According to GeoMac the fire appears to have crossed Highway 2 north and east of Mt Wilson. The USFS Google Earth kml overlay lags GeoMac but both mapping services indicate where the fire is headed on its eastern front.
As it looks the fire is headed towards Crystal Lake and Highway 39.
The image below is from Google Earth using the USFS kml overlay that mimics the GeoMac heat detection software.
The views below are pointing west at the advancing fire from above Crystal Lake.
NorthTree Fire International has put together this map of the fire perimeter. NorthTree is THE fire mapping service.
View Larger Map
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
Station Fire Satellite Imagery From 8/30
The satellite imagery below is from NASA's MODIS Rapid Response System from yesterday.
Click the images to enlarge. Note the enhanced fire perimeter outline in the image above.
Latest imagery from GeoMac.
Click the images to enlarge. Note the enhanced fire perimeter outline in the image above.
Latest imagery from GeoMac.Labels: 2009 Fire Season, satellite fire photos, Station Fire
Tanker 979, The 747 Supetanker Expected Over Fires Today
As yet the contracted jumbo jet supertanker has not been pressed into service. The US Forest Service passed on signing up the weapon in 2007 but this year Cal Fire smartly offered the group from Evergreen Aviation a deal.
Here is a promo video of Tanker 979 over the desert near Tucson. The 747 supertanker has a payload of 20,000 gallons. Tanker 910, the DC-10 supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons of water or retardant.
I can't wait to see the first images of this aircraft in operation over a fire.
Here is a promo video of Tanker 979 over the desert near Tucson. The 747 supertanker has a payload of 20,000 gallons. Tanker 910, the DC-10 supertanker delivers 12,000 gallons of water or retardant.
I can't wait to see the first images of this aircraft in operation over a fire.
Labels: 747 Supertanker, Station Fire, Tanker 910, Tanker 979
Station Fire Explodes on Eastward Track
Current published acreage for the Station Fire is 42,000. You can see from the GeoMac image below the fire is significantly larger than that now. Although the command team says there will be no change in tactics due to the firefighter deaths I suspect that is not altogether true.
The eastern progression may be allowed to run towards Pearblossom with firefighters laying freeway sized dozers lines at some point in the forest. Dietrich will guard against runs to the west and will try to prevent the fire from doubling back to the south into Sierra Madre. In my opinion this is the biggest danger looking at the map.
WildlandFire.com has very good coverage of all new and ongoing wildfires in the state.
InciWeb publishes information directly from the incident command team. The data is updated twice daily.
The eastern progression may be allowed to run towards Pearblossom with firefighters laying freeway sized dozers lines at some point in the forest. Dietrich will guard against runs to the west and will try to prevent the fire from doubling back to the south into Sierra Madre. In my opinion this is the biggest danger looking at the map.
WildlandFire.com has very good coverage of all new and ongoing wildfires in the state.InciWeb publishes information directly from the incident command team. The data is updated twice daily.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
August 30, 2009
Two Die In The Line Of Duty On The Station Fire
Station Fire officials notified the public that two Los Angeles County Firefighters died during fire suppression activities near Acton. The LA Times has details.
What makes this tragedy more sad is the two fallen firefighters may be brothers.
Deepest condolences to the family and friends of the fallen firefighters.
What makes this tragedy more sad is the two fallen firefighters may be brothers.
Deepest condolences to the family and friends of the fallen firefighters.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, LODD, Station Fire
Mt Wilson in Path of Station Fire
Station Fire, More Google Earth Views, Map, Scanner Link
The images below show a look at the Station Fire as it is seen by residents in Acton and other communities in the Santa Clarita Valley.
For anyone that wants to listen to Station Fire air attack communications listen here.
Choose the channel from the menu that focuses on LA County Sheriff, Fire, and EMS.
The current status is: Scanning BRUSH FIRE
View Los Angeles County fires north of La Canada Flintridge, Altadena in a larger map
For anyone that wants to listen to Station Fire air attack communications listen here.Choose the channel from the menu that focuses on LA County Sheriff, Fire, and EMS.
The current status is: Scanning BRUSH FIRE
View Los Angeles County fires north of La Canada Flintridge, Altadena in a larger map
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
Station Fire Satellite Imagery
Images from MODIS Rapid Response System, near real time subsets of the Station Fire.
Note the extreme smoke plume heading due north yesterday.
Please click the images to expand
Please click the images to expand
Compare the current size of the Station Fire to the (now contained) 90,000 acre La Brea Fire burn to the west above Santa Barbara.Labels: 2009 Fire Season, satellite fire photos, Station Fire
Station Fire Commander Called Out Of Retirement to Head Effort
The Station Fire incident commander is Mike Dietrich. Dietrich who commanded the efforts on 240,000 acre Zaca fire in 2007 and the 230,000 acre Basin Complex in 2008 has come out of retirement to lead this effort.
Dietrich's team was criticised by some during the Basin Complex in Big Sur for leaving many homes and one monastery to their own fate but he won't do that with the eyes of the Los Angeles media on top of the fire.
With resources rightfully focused on structure protection the fire will move north and east as fuel, topography and weather dictate. As the fire moves towards Acton Dietrich's firefighters will be well positioned to save homes that are savable.
This fire is an odd egg. It's a Socal monster fire with no wind driving it.
Nearly every major fire in Southern California in recent years has been wind driven. The Station Fire is feeding on drought parched fuel beds that have not burned for fifty years or more.
Where will it go? I expect this acreage to double from here with personnel working on this fire for weeks after containment. The danger is the longer there is open flame the closer we get to October when the Santa Ana winds come howling off the high desert.
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As of this morning the Station Fire is now over 35,000 acres with minimal containment. The west head of the fire looks like it wants to merge with the 2008 Marek and Sesnon burns. To the north the fire heads towards the town of Acton in the Santa Clarita Valley. The eastern head of the fire moves unabated deeper into the Angeles National Forest.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
August 29, 2009
Station Fire: Maps, News Links, More
The best local coverage of the Station Fire and other blazes burning in Southern California is on KCAL.com.
The LA Times as usual does a fantastic job of covering the fires as well.
Of course Twitter Search is also abuzz with local insights and also where I found this time lapse video.
The fire has consumed 20,000 acres and has burned 3 homes near La Canada and dozens of cabins in the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountain range.
4,000 have been evacuated so far as the fire works its way towards the town of Acton near Santa Clarita. With a 360 degree flame front in steep, inaccessible terrain that has not burned in over 50 years firefighters are severely challenged.
One firefighter has a heat related injury and three civilians were injured in the Big Tujunga Canyon area trying to defend their home.
Information gleaned from the ICS-209
Values at Risk:
12 hours: Northern portions of the City of La Canada-Flintridge, Mount Lukens Communications Facility, Edison 220 Kv Powerlines, Edison 33Kv Powerlines to Mt. Wilson, Gould Sub-station, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Arroyo Seco Residences, and Altadena.
24 hours: Northern portions of the City of La Canada-Flintridge, Altadena, Mount Lukens Communications Facility, Edison 220 Kv Powerlines, Edison 33Kv Powerlines to Mt. Wilson, Gould Sub-station, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Arroyo Seco Residences, ANF Clear Creek Fire Station, Clear Creek School, and the Mount Wilson Communications Facility/Observatory.
The LA Times as usual does a fantastic job of covering the fires as well.
Of course Twitter Search is also abuzz with local insights and also where I found this time lapse video.
Time Lapse Test: Station Fire from Eric Spiegelman on Vimeo.
The fire has consumed 20,000 acres and has burned 3 homes near La Canada and dozens of cabins in the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountain range.
4,000 have been evacuated so far as the fire works its way towards the town of Acton near Santa Clarita. With a 360 degree flame front in steep, inaccessible terrain that has not burned in over 50 years firefighters are severely challenged.
One firefighter has a heat related injury and three civilians were injured in the Big Tujunga Canyon area trying to defend their home.
Information gleaned from the ICS-209
Values at Risk:
12 hours: Northern portions of the City of La Canada-Flintridge, Mount Lukens Communications Facility, Edison 220 Kv Powerlines, Edison 33Kv Powerlines to Mt. Wilson, Gould Sub-station, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Arroyo Seco Residences, and Altadena.
24 hours: Northern portions of the City of La Canada-Flintridge, Altadena, Mount Lukens Communications Facility, Edison 220 Kv Powerlines, Edison 33Kv Powerlines to Mt. Wilson, Gould Sub-station, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Arroyo Seco Residences, ANF Clear Creek Fire Station, Clear Creek School, and the Mount Wilson Communications Facility/Observatory.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
Station Fire Maps, Google Earth Views
The Station Fire ice capped mid afternoon providing Southern Californians with a spectacular view of the fast growing blaze. Everyone in the Southland can see this fire.
I grabbed the images below from Google Earth using the USFS kml files from the MODIS Active Fire Program site.
Looking up at the San Gabriel Mountans from between Montrose and San Gabriel.
I grabbed the images below from Google Earth using the USFS kml files from the MODIS Active Fire Program site.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Looking up at the San Gabriel Mountans from between Montrose and San Gabriel.
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
Station Fire; Angeles Crest
The Station Fire is currently reported at 5,500 acres with minimal containment. As you can see from the GeoMac image below the fire has multiple heads. Though there is not any wind event present or in the forecast it bears watching. Fuel moisture content is extremely low and the weather is hot.
I took this information straight from InciWeb. Follow the Station Fire on Twitter
Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Wednesday August 26th, 2009 approx 03:30 PM
Location Los Angeles River Ranger District / Angeles National Forest
Incident Commander Michael Dietrich
Current Situation
Total Personnel 751
Size 5,500 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved
Very heavy fuels of ceanothus (sp), chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.
Fire Behavior
Friday behavior was very active to extreme, with rapid rates of spread and flame lengths up to 80 feet. There is a potential for Saturday's fire behavior to be similar to Friday. Around noon Saturday, after the inversion has lifted, expect actively spreading fire with up slope runs. Spotting may occur from 1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile.
Significant Events
Mandatory Evacuations as of early Saturday morning include Starlight Crest Drive north to Green Ridge Court, including Forest Green Drive, two, Big Briar Way at Haskel, and third, Donna Maria Lane, Indian Drive, Hacienda Drive, Alta Canada Rd., North of Linda Vista, La Canada Blvd. north of El Vago Street. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada, CA. Angeles Crest Highway remains closed.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Prepare and protect structures when and where necessary. Construct handlines and dozer lines.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Extremely steep and inaccessible
Remarks
1800 homes threatened. 27 commercial properties and 52 other stuctures threatened.
Current Weather
Wind Conditions 5-8 mph E
Temperature 80 degrees
Humidity 30%
I took this information straight from InciWeb. Follow the Station Fire on Twitter
Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Wednesday August 26th, 2009 approx 03:30 PM
Location Los Angeles River Ranger District / Angeles National Forest
Incident Commander Michael Dietrich
Current Situation
Total Personnel 751
Size 5,500 acres
Percent Contained 5%
Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM
Fuels Involved
Very heavy fuels of ceanothus (sp), chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.
Fire Behavior
Friday behavior was very active to extreme, with rapid rates of spread and flame lengths up to 80 feet. There is a potential for Saturday's fire behavior to be similar to Friday. Around noon Saturday, after the inversion has lifted, expect actively spreading fire with up slope runs. Spotting may occur from 1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile.
Significant Events
Mandatory Evacuations as of early Saturday morning include Starlight Crest Drive north to Green Ridge Court, including Forest Green Drive, two, Big Briar Way at Haskel, and third, Donna Maria Lane, Indian Drive, Hacienda Drive, Alta Canada Rd., North of Linda Vista, La Canada Blvd. north of El Vago Street. Evacuation Center: La Canada High School, 4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Canada, CA. Angeles Crest Highway remains closed.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Prepare and protect structures when and where necessary. Construct handlines and dozer lines.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Extremely steep and inaccessible
Remarks
1800 homes threatened. 27 commercial properties and 52 other stuctures threatened.
Current Weather
Wind Conditions 5-8 mph E
Temperature 80 degrees
Humidity 30%
Labels: 2009 Fire Season, Station Fire
