Category: 2011 Fire Season

Urgent Fire Weather Message

From the NWS:

“URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
657 PM PDT FRI SEP 9 2011

…DRY LIGHTNING LIKELY IN THE EAST BAY…SOUTH BAY…AND
INTERIOR MONTEREY AND SAN BENITO COUNTIES TONIGHT AND SATURDAY…

…DRY LIGHTNING POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY FOR THE SANTA
CRUZ MOUNTAINS…SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL
FORREST…AND COASTAL SECTIONS OF MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ
COUNTIES…

…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY RECOVERIES AND GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS
EXPECTED IN THE NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING…
SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-
657 PM PDT FRI SEP 9 2011

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON FOR THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY LIGHTNING
FOR THE SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FORREST…

THE FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT
THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

* AFFECTED AREA…SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL
FOREST.

* DRY LIGHTNING…INITIALLY ANY THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE DRY WITH
GUSTY WINDS. THUNDERSTORMS WILL TRANSITION TO WET AS THE
ATMOSPHERE MOISTENS.

* THUNDERSTORMS…COVERAGE WILL BE ISOLATED WITH SOME AREAS
NOT SEEING ANY ACTIVITY AT ALL.

* IMPACTS…FUELS ARE DRY…PARTICULARLY IN THE HILLS.
THEREFORE…LIGHTNING STRIKES FROM ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS HAVE
THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE FIRES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.
HTTP://WEATHER.GOV/SANFRANCISCO

Many of us remember that day almost exactly 12 years ago, when lightning sparked the Kirk-Hare Complex fire (9/8/99 according to my journal) that lasted 3 months and scorched 86K acres. Here is a shot I took that night. It is not very good, but one gets the idea:
(having technical difficulties, if I can get it up tonight, I will, if not, tomorrow.)

BTW, as of 8:30 pm, a lot of downstrikes being reported in Santa Clara County, 5 small fires at last count, largest is 5 acres NW of Mt. Diablo.

Fire Weather

Extreme temps the last few days continue today and tomorrow, no RH recovery, winds, makes for dangerous fire conditions. Lightning strikes of 150 along the front in SoCal, and similar conditions coming into the NE portion of the state. We are not pegged to receive any lightning, but conditions are not good, so be extra vigilant right now, and report any unauthorized campfires immediately!

Canyon Fire – Tehachapi

As of 11 pm – these are the Monterey resources being sent to this fire: “Monterey County Local Government Resources Assigned:
Strike Team 2175C – Report Time 0600 at the ICP
CH6406 – STL (MNT) – Monterey Fire
E5232 (NCD) North County Fire
E5335 (SLS) Salinas Fire
E5535 (MCF) Monterey Regional Fire
E7331 (CHF) Carmel Highlands Fire
E8831 (FHL) Fort Hunter Liggett Fire”

As of 10 pm, San Luis Obispo County resources sent:
“Type 3 ST 9341C just dispatched to the incident from SLU.”

I’ve been watching this fire since the plane crashed yesterday afternoon, and watched the webcam while it “blew up.” Boy, did it. I’ve watched blow ups before, and seen them much closer up than I care to, so I recognize when it happens. I also watched as it created the dreaded “ice capping” which can create its own dangerous weather conditions.

Tonight, while checking the status of this one (which is in the neighborhood of 8,000 acres and growing – probably reaching 10K acres over night, per one prediction) I found this from about 9 pm this evening: “XMY2175C from Monterey County dispatched: Sea, Sal, NCD, Carmel Highlands, Hunter Liggett….ST leader from Monterey Fire” and decided that given the local crews that are being sent to assist in this fire, local coverage is appropriate. If you aren’t aware of this fire, it might be time to become so. Still not the devastation being experienced in TX, and I am so sorry for all our friends there, but given the local crews dispatched, I thought readers might be interested.

My wish is for a safe season for all our guys and gals where ever you are sent to fight fire. Blessings to you all.

Figueroa Fire

Date: September 4, 2011 Los Padres National Forest
6755 Hollister Ave. #150
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117
CONTACT: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759 http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf
Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745

Los Padres Fire Crews Work to Extinguish Figueroa Fire

GOLETA, CA…Los Padres firefighters responded to reports of a wildfire on the Santa Lucia Ranger District shortly after 1:00 pm on September 3. When the first crews arrived on scene, initial estimates put the fire at 100 acres burning just north of the Sisquoc River between Horse Canyon and Tunnel Canyon near the historic Tunnel Ranch property.

The fire, called the Figueroa Fire, is burning in mostly steep, narrow canyons at elevations ranging from 1,000 feet to 2,500 feet. The vegetation in this area is abundant due to significant winter rainfall, and consist primarily of grass and light sage with heavier growth at the lower elevations closer to the river. There is limited access for fire engines and other equipment due to the narrow, single-land dirt roads in that area.

The Santa Maria Air Tanker Base was immediately activated, and a total of four retardant-dropping air tankers made multiple turnarounds out of Santa Maria. Together with four water-dropping helicopters, the fire’s rate of spread was limited to just under 700 acres by day’s end.

Los Padres firefighters were assisted by Santa Barbara County Fire, Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Chumash Fire Department, and CalFire.

Crews are working today to complete control lines, improve existing fire lines, protect values at risk, and preplan contingency operations. Temperatures in the area of the fire are expected to reach highs in the mid-90s with RH levels between 10 and 15 percent. Winds of 3 to 6 miles per hour are anticipated.

California Inter-Agency Management Team 7 is managing suppression efforts under the leadership of Incident Commander Jim Smith. A total of 325 personnel are assigned to the fire, which is currently estimated at 30 percent containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

For more information, including daily updates, please visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2586/.
###

Also, I’m watching a fire in the Tehachipi area called the canyon fire, caused by a small plane crash. It looks to have the potential to go extended, as it has destroyed one structure, and burned through the retardant lines.

Soda Fire in SLO Co

SUNDAY UPDATE: It looks as if this one (Soda Fire) is under control as some resources are being sent home this morning. I also have been following the Figueroa Fire in the LPNF, Santa Barbara area, and while a bit bigger than the Soda Fire, it too is heading toward containment. “6 AM report 692 acres 30% containment. temp today 95 with low humidity.” Fire Camp for the Figueroa Fire is at the Rodeo Grounds in Santa Maria.

7:00 pm – containment listed at 10% at 6 pm on the incident page. Our guys from PV Station were sent over on this one, also.

6:00 pm – fire at 500 acres with no containment. IC tried to order up T 74 and T 75 which just returned from down south to base at Paso, but resource declined. Probably turn around time. Two more strike teams ordered for engines and 2 more strike team hand crews.

Fire started about an hour ago (3 pm) out on 58 originally reported to be near Santa Margarita Lake, but changed to Soda Lake Rd. A reader who has been watching the fire places it near California Valley. It is already up to 200 acres. Lots of resources, tankers, two strike teams, air attack, dozers, and all. Started as a structure fire and spread to the grass. I am keeping an eye on it. Can’t see smoke from here, at this point, but might be able to see it from the top of my property.It is on both sides of highway 58, and within a mile of a 500KW transmission line, heading into the Temblor Mountain Range.

SLO Co. Fire – Yosemite Fire

6:00 pm – This afternoon, another fire started at Highway 41 and Yosemite Place. It is currently around 50 acres, and no structures are threatened. It is east of Atascadero and south of Shandon. Hopefully, this one will be picked up tonight.

With the one in Lockwood yesterday, and this one near Shandon, it looks like fire season has arrived. Let’s hope they stay small.

Argyle Fire

This started yesterday afternoon, but I was otherwise involved – although for the life of me, I can’t remember how. This is the update from this morning:

Last Updated: August 28, 2011 8:25 am
Date/Time Started: August 27, 2011 1:51 pm
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit
County: Monterey County
Location: Argyle Rd. and Jolon Rd., Lockwood
Acres Burned: 200 acres
Containment 200 acres – 65% contained
Cause: Under Investigation
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, South Monterey County Fire, Fort Hunter Liggett Fire, Monterey County Sheriffs Office, CHP, Department of Correction and Rehabilitation
Total Fire Personnel: 377
Engines: 46 (36 CAL FIRE)
Fire crews: 11 CAL FIRE
Airtankers: 3 CAL FIRE
Helicopters: 2 CAL FIRE
Dozers: 9 CAL FIRE
Water tenders: 4
Conditions: Homes in the fire area still remain under an evacuation warning, this will change based on fire activity, 60KV lines are also less than a 1/2 mile from the Eastern edge of the fire.

Controlled Burn on Ft. Hunter-Liggett

8:30 pm – the drift has spread out over the ocean and to the north. It is considerable. Here is a shot of it. That golden layer on the horizon is the smoke.

I have confirmed what I suspected, as I have been watching smoke drift all day, again today. On WildCAD-LPF

“07/16/2011 10:14 LPF-1692 Prescribed Fire FHL Training area 24”

The interesting thing is that the smoke drift has grown considerably since 3:00 o’clock this afternoon. I will continue to check it until sunset.

New $150 Cal-Fire Structure Fire Fighting Fee

Thanks to Bert Ewling, editor of the Cambrian, and city editor of the SLO Tribune, for bringing this to my attention. There is a new fee in the State Budget that could significantly impact some property owners in Big Sur. This could be something that CPOA and the Big Sur Chamber might want to look into for its members.

Bert writes: “[P]art of the new state budget is a $150 fee per habitable structure on a parcel protected by Cal Fire, which it seems to me would affect large swaths of Big Sur (outside federally owned land and incorporated areas). Implementing regulations to be done by Sept. 1; fee to be assessed in the 2011-2012 fiscal year and ongoing ….”

Here is a part of the SLO Tribune article:
“Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed into law a $150 annual wildfire protection fee for property owners in rural areas of California, even as anti-tax advocates said they are prepared to challenge the way the Legislature imposed the levy.
The Democratic governor announced that he signed the bill, ABX1-29. to ensure rural property owners pay their share of the state’s wildland firefighting costs. The state has spent an average of $177 million a year for firefighting over the past decade, although the state is awaiting federal reimbursement for part of the costs in recent years.
Read more: SLO Tribune

Here is a part of the article from aroundthecapitol

“Existing law requires the state to have the primary financial responsibility for preventing and suppressing fires in areas that the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has determined are state responsibility areas.

This bill would require the board, on or before September 1, 2011, to adopt emergency regulations to establish a fire prevention fee in an amount not to exceed $150 to be charged on each structure on a parcel that is within a state responsibility area. The board would be required to adjust the fire prevention fee annually using prescribed methods.
The bill would require the State Board of Equalization to collect the fire prevention fees, as prescribed. The bill would require, within 30 days of the effective date of its provisions, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to transmit to the State Board of Equalization the appropriate names and addresses of persons who are liable for the fire prevention fee and the amount of the fire prevention fee to be assessed by the State Board of Equalization.”

Here is the link for the rest of it:
aroundthecapitol

Here is a link to the text of the bill: ABX1 29

Here is the SRA map for Monterey County:

One good question Bert brings up is what would this mean to the private campgrounds and businesses that have numerous cabins/structures on the property? Or for properties that have a main house, a guest house, and a caretakers unit.Is this $150 for each structure? It appears to be. Are there set-offs for structures constructed out of fire-proof materials, or those who have sprinkler systems? Should there be? It seems to me that a blanket fee, without regard to the size, location, and construction materials, or other firefighting factors should be challenged. It is currently being investigated by the Jarvis Taxpayers Association and it made the determination that the “fee” is a “tax” that is subject to challenge. The governor says it is a fee for services. We should be watching this one – particularly businesses that have a lot of visitor-serving structures. Will it be applied differently to those businesses who have free-standing units, but not those in which the rooms are not separate units? I don’t know the answers to these questions, as I have not had the opportunity to study the bill.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not against this ff fee. I am more than happy to pay for the protection. (Ummm … that is reminescent of other “protection” fees) A blow-up of the Plaskett section of the map shows that indeed I an in the SRA. 😉