Category: 2014 Fire Season

Hill Fire – FHL

5:15 – smoke dissipating on both sides of FHL, so looks like this one is in wrap-up mode.

3:30 pm – FHL has requested lots of aid, fortunately, so hopefully this one won’t get away.

2:30 pm – Yet another one. My information is that war games are scheduled through August. “Really?” (To quote my friend Lisa) This could get bothersome. My info indicates heavier fuels than were present for the Stoney Dire of only 5 days ago. I don’t like that it is moving in a north-west direction.

Location: North Stony Valley, n 35.991445 w 121.331592
Acres: 200
ROS: Moderate
ROC: 200 acres, mid slope moderate rate of spread. South facing aspect moving to the north west. west of the Stony Fire.
Structures: are not currently threatened
Special Hazards: None
Resources: AA 401, CRW1LPF DIV1LPF E12SNF E14SNF E16LPF 4X4 E17LPF E19LPF E42SNF HEL527LPF, FHL8833, FHL 8831, FHL 8834
Radio Frequencies: FHL frequencies
Weather Info: http://spot.nws.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/spo…40623.HILLF.01

I guess I am back on duty.

Stoney Fire Update

Noon – Last anticipated update – they are calling this puppy contained. I got the following email from a source with FHL at 11:15 this am:

“Hey Kate…..the stoney fire got into the back drop off of redman an has burned over pizza hill…..they’ve got 4 dozers working it….from the burn side on nac-ferg an are opening old breaks from the kirk fire over to del venture….sounds like maybe gonna burn off from the break once they punch it in…..they said nac-ferg is still open [ed. note – The “official” word is that it is still closed, probably due to possible burn-out operation]….they also have engs from Monterey cnty helping out too…..SLO county hasn’t sent anything yet…also paso air attack has a 4 eng. job there now with 74 an 75….looked like a DC-6….probably forest service.

9:00 – Stoney Fire is reported at 5,000 acres according to WildCAD. Cal Fire reports the acreage at 4,800 with 50% containment.

8:00 – I am postponing Foto Friday until 5:00 pm, so that I can bring myself and my readers up-to-date on the fire at FHL. I had to will myself to sleep with the smell of smoke clogging my nostrils. It is amazing the memories triggered by smell – my mother’s perfume, a baby’s powder … The smell of smoke.

 

Fire at FHL

Word from several people of a large fire, 2500 acres, in Stoney Valley with no containment as of 10:30 pm. I can smell it from here.

There have been war games going on for the past two days, and one source said there have been a number of small fires, but that the FHL FD has been able to contain them rapidly. Not so this one.

One local was stopped at the gate in Jolon, while trying to get home at 9:30 pm, and not allowed to pass through, as the fire is interfering with Nasty-Fergy Rd.

I am having intermittent internet and email, but my phone seems to be working fine, just can’t hear it ring unless I am sitting on top of it.

Re: CA-FHL-Stonylink to satellite image
Showing up on the infrared satellite: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/wfo/hnx/ir2f.jpg

The smell of smoke up here is quite strong. It is now midnight, and I will be getting some sleep while I can. I will update in the am, internet and other communications allowing. If I can’t, I’ll see if Mike can cover for me.

Vegetation Fire In Pfeiffer Contained

A small wildfire near the entrance of Pfeiffer is contained and crews are mopping up.

Fire2

Pfeiffer Smoke Column
Pfeiffer Smoke Column, Image Credit Debbie Reed

The central coast is drying out rapidly. Late spring winds continue drying grasses and fuel moistures are low due to lack of rain.

Level III Fire Restrictions in Effect For Los Padres National Forest

NEWS RELEASE

Los Padres National Forest

For Immediate Release

Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA, CA, May 19, 2014…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect beginning today, May 19, 2014. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

*Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website.

*You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

*Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.

*Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

*Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

*Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)

 

A list designated Campfire Use Sites is attached. For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website .

Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759

Twitter: @LosPadresNF

U.S. Forest Service

Heat Wave

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A reminder that fire season is indeed upon us is a wind-driven wildfire in SoCal. It is in the Etiwanda Preserve, near Rancho Cucamonga. Mandatory evacuations have been issued. It started at 8:00 am, near a popular hiking trail.
***************************************************************
Due to the current weather conditions, effective today at 8 am April 30, 2015 Mid-Coast Fire Brigade has closed the backyard burn season for our area.

Remember if you see smoke in the area from today on….please do not email the neighbors list and wait for a response, call 9-1-1.

Don’t forget your defensible space!
—
Cheryl Goetz
Fire Chief
Mid Coast Fire Brigade
831-625-8175

Upcoming fire season

From Cheryl Goetz, Fire Chief, Mid-Coast Fire Brigade

Last week I attended the Annual Pre-Fire Season meeting and it was enlightening on how serious of a threat the United States Forest Service and Cal Fire are anticipating. Both agencies related that the conditions of this year have set us up for a repeat of the 2008 fire year (Basin Fire) with multiple large fire burning across the state and competing for limited resources. Cal Fire has already staffed engines and brought air tankers on contract which is unprecedented.

Fire Danger: 1,040 fires have been reported across the state since January 1, burning 2,393 acres.
This year’s fire activity is well above the year-to-date average of 428 wildfires, burning 1,179 acres.
87 new wildfires were reported over the past week, most of which were kept small due to additional firefighters, fire engines and firefighting aircraft added during this dry winter.

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As you will note from the above graph (the Rim fire was still in progress, and eventually ended up in the number one spot for largest fire in CA history) three of the largest fires were started by lightning in June of 2008, including our own Basin Fire.

NWS Drought Monitor

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Here is the link drought monitor

Likely chance of rain on the 27th and 28th, but there are also early indications that early March may hold substantial rain. If so, maybe we can go from exceptional drought back down to extreme!

I am having trouble deciding whether to keep my links as-is (recently changed from fire to my winter weather watch links), go back to fire, or change to a combination, but pared down version of each. Think I’ll wait until mid-March and then decide.