Category: Fire Season

La Brea Fire Update, 8/12/09

The Forest Service Special Agents on the Fire Investigation Team is asking for the public’s assistance to help establish the cause of the La Brea Fire which started on August 8, 2009. Investigators have spoken to witnesses, but are still seeking additional information that may assist with the ongoing investigation into the fire.
Specifically, the investigators are seeking any additional information relating to a tan or gold colored 2004-2005 Chevy van that was last seen on Sierra Madre Road on the afternoon of August 8, on the Los Padres National Forest, east of the city of Santa Maria. The van is similar to that in the attached photo. [ed- no photo attached]
Anyone who was in that general area at the time or has other information about the origin of the fire is urged to contact investigators at 805-686-5074. Callers may remain anonymous.

Evening update –

Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,815
Size 29,480 acres
Percent Contained 10%
Fuels Involved
Primarily Chaparral with with areas of grass and timber.
Fire Behavior
Fire was active in the North, made uphill runs and was moving down the slope. Cuyama Valley continues to exhibit rapid rates of spread in the light fuels.
Significant Events
Evacuation orders are still in place areas of Moon and Eckert Canyons and evacuation warnings are still in effect for the areas bounded by Cottonwood Road and Wasioja Road between Highway 166 and Sierra Madre Road. Forest Service closure order no. 09-13-5100-10 is in effect for areas in and around the fire.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Actions for this evening include construction of line on the two slope overs of Sierra Madre Road and structure protection along Foothill Road. Crews will hold and mop up on Sierra Madre Road and continue to construct direct line along Horse Canyon.
Growth Potential
Extreme
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme
Remarks
The La Brea Fire is being managed under unified command with CAL FIRE and California Interagency Management Team 3.

9:00 am – alot of the information hasn’t been changed since last night, but here is the current resources and acreage numbers from inciweb.

Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,277
Size 25,724 acres
Percent Contained 10%
Fuels Involved
Primarily Chaparral with with areas of grass and timber.
Fire Behavior
Fire was active in the North, made uphill runs and was moving down the slope. Cuyama Valley continues to exhibit rapid rates of spread in the light fuels.
Significant Events
Evacuation orders are still in place areas of Moon and Eckert Canyons and evacuation warnings are still in effect for the areas bounded by Cottonwood Road and Wasioja Road between Highway 166 and Sierra Madre Road. Forest Service closure order no. 09-13-5100-10 is in effect for areas in and around the fire.
Outlook

7:00 am – No official updates, yet. However, the ff sites are reporting an unbelievable number of call-up orders for resources last night, to start this morning, which seems to indicate it was not a quiet night. I will update as I learn more. In the mean time, enjoy some new photos below.

La Brea Fire Update, 8/11/09

3:00 pm – I reproduce this report from the Interagency Fire Center because of the percentage of growth from yesterday. What a jump!! Also note the # of acres is inaccurate, as inciweb was sayin 20,622 early this morning, and I am sure it continues to grow, as we can all attest from the increasing smoke. One, unconfirmed, report was that there was a blow-up some time this morning.

Fire Information Report for La Brea
Wildland Fire Incident
Report Date: 11-AUG-09
Burnt Area: 14,778 Acres (491% increase from yesterday)
Location: Santa Barbara County, CA (21 miles East of Santa Maria)
Cause: Under Investigation
Incident Team Type: IMT Type 1
Team Leader: J. Pincha-Tulley
Containment Status: 0% contained)
Expected Containment: Unknown
Fuels: Also present in some areas are Fuel Model 1 Sh 0.00 1634

Fire report information is based on the most recent Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR) provided by the National Interagency Fire Center and is subject to change. The USDA Forest Service Remote Sensing Applications Center is not responsible for the accuracy of this information.
***************************************************************************************
2:00 pm – Effective at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2009, an Evacuation Order was issued by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office for the following areas due to fire activity of the La Brea Fire: Western Boundary: Sierra Madre Road. Southern Boundary: Cottonwood Road · Eastern Boundary: Highway 166 · Northern Boundary: Spoor Canyon This area includes Moon and Eckert Canyons. Fire officials contacted the 14 occupied ranches in the area last night and they are moving livestock as necessary. The majority of the area is very lightly populated. The new mandatory Order replaces the previous Evacuation Warning for the same area issued earlier today. An Order is defined as instructing community members in a defined area to leave the area immediately due to a threat to life and property from an emergency incident. In addition. the Evacuation Warning area is now moved to include areas bounded by Cottonwood Road and Wasioja Road, between Highway 166 and Sierra Madre Road. Evacuation Warning means people in the warning area need to be prepared to leave should the situation change. Fire managers will alert the Sheriff Office if fire behavior in the future requires a change to the warning status.

Fire officials contacted the 14 occupied ranches in the area last night [re: the evacuation warning] and they are moving livestock as necessary. The majority of the area is very lightly populated.
****************************************************************************************

A great video of the event yesterday by the local NBC affiliate can be seen here:

La Brea Fire

7:00 am – from this morning’s inciweb update:

Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,062
Size 20,622 acres
Percent Contained 10%
Fuels Involved
Primarily Chaparral with with areas of short grass and timber.
Fire Behavior
Fire has sloped over the line in the Timber Peak area along Sierra Madre Ridge. There is 290 acre slope over in Moon Canyon.
Significant Events
Closure order no. 09-13-5100-10 is in effect for areas in and around the fire.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Crews with improve and construct line on the southeast side of the fire and hold and mop up on the Sierra Madre Road and construct direct line along Horse Canyon. Self sufficient crews will build fire line until the end of their operational period and remain at or near the point while off duty and begin building fireline during their next shift where they left off. This is referred to as “Coyote Tactics”.
Growth Potential
Extreme
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme
Remarks
California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 has assumed command of the fire. (Pincha-Tulley’s team)

La Brea Fire update, 8/10/09

9:00 pm – Reports below, but first a couple of photographs

DSC_0546
Those of you who have been reading my blog over the last year, even if on and off, know of the crystal clear photos I have posted of my view to the north and Cone Peak. This was tonight, around 7 pm. That is ALL smoke, folks, and smoke from the La Brea Fire a county away!

DSC_0550
And the sun tonight. But for the smoke, this would have been full of “flares” and blow-outs, and little would have been visible. Instead, the smoke shows us our sun in a different way.

Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 8:13 PM
Subject: La Brea Fire, Santa Barbara County, Update

Los Padres NF

∙ 14,778 acres, 0% contained
∙ Fire very active this afternoon
∙ 40-60 acre spot across ridge above Sierra Madre Road

Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 3:44 PM
Subject: La Brea Fire, Santa Barbara County – UPDATE

* Current acreage – 13,000 acres and 0% containment
* The fire is burning aggressively with two heads on it’s northern flank
* Orders for additional aircraft and 6 engine strike teams are being
processed

The entire forest and wilderness area around the La Brea fire is closed. You can see the boundaries of the closure and the order here:

The fire is almost 15,000 acres now, and still growing, still no containment. We are probably in this one for the long haul.

Smoke is quite visible any where above the fog. Ashes falling in Morro Bay, and areas south.

My friend, firefighterblog has posted a wonderful photo essay of the Zaca Fire which was just a mere two years ago. Click on this link:

This one could easily be the Zaca Fire reincarnated. Zaca burned over 240.000 acres for two months. Smoke could be a way of life for us in the Central Coast, just as it has been for Alaska this summer, where over 2 MILLION acres have burned.

Big Sur quiet, La Brea continues

The Ponderosa Fire area is still closed, as of this morning. That means Nacimiento Rd is closed and the South Coast Ridge Rd. is closed. I have been informed that mop-up is pretty much finished, so I expect the roads to open soon.

What I can’t believe is that the smoke is this heavy from the La Brea Fire. I can only imagine how much worse it must be down south. I have scoured my sources to make sure there isn’t anything closer, but can find nothing to explain the smoke other than La Brea, one county south.

Inciweb had this to report this morning, and the press release issued at 9 am mirrors this inciweb post:

08/10/2009 @0600
The La Brea Fire, which started on Saturday, August 8 at 2:50 pm, continues to burn in an area of the San Rafael Wilderness that is very steep and difficult to reach on the ground.
Heavy 87 year old fuels (vegetation), long range spotting and moderate to rapid rates of spread have continued to hamper fire fighters in their efforts to contain the fire. Extreme fire behavior has been observed since the fire began. Flames from the fire could be seen on the Sierra Madre ridgeline from areas along SR-166 yesterday afternoon and evening. Last night fire behavior was moderate due to increased relative humidity and no major runs or spotting were observed.
The portion of the forest from the intersection of SR-166 and Sierra Madre Road east to McPherson Peak, south to the Sisquoc and west to the forest boundary is currently closed due to the fire emergency. Campgrounds in the area have been evacuated.
###

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Saturday August 08th, 2009 approx 02:50 PM
Location 26 Miles east of Santa Maria
Incident Commander Jeanne Pincha – Tulley
Current Situation
Total Personnel 580
Size 10,500 acres
Fuels Involved
Chaparral (6 feet)
Fire Behavior
Fire behavior was moderate last night due to increased relative humidity. No major runs or spotting was observed.
Significant Events
A closure of the forest in and around the area of the fire is in place. Evacuations of hunters and campers in front of and adjacent to the fire were made.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Continue direct attack on the southern and east perimeter of the fire. Crews will also continue constructing contingency lines outside of the wilderness.
Growth Potential
Extreme
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme
Remarks
CIIMT Team-3 (Pincha-Tulley) assumed command of the fire this morning at 0600.

La Brea Wildfire (E. of Santa Maria)

Inciweb for this incident;
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1803/

Editorial Comment: Inciweb reported at 7 pm the fire was 10K acres, which equates to 15 sq. miles. Frankly, I have trouble believing that a fire that was doubling in size all morning long did not gain any acreage over a 6 hour period. Granted, these are all “estimates” but these air attack guys and gals get pretty good at estimating these fires.

08/09/2009 @1730
FLASH!….There are reports that flames can now be seen from the Spanish Ranch area of Highway 166. Crews continue to hold the fire at the Sierra Madre Ridge. Incident command is working to provide an updated acreage figure. (inciweb)

1:00 pm – Air Attack estimates the fire at 10,000 acres. Column can be seen in Bakersfield. Drift smoke here.

12:00 noon – “Per ops radio traffic, fire possibly estimated at 5000-6000 acres per AA.” on wildlandfire

11:30 am – drift smoke, but no plume visible this far away. Fire moving north. T

Approximately 9:30 this am inciweb reported:
Current Situation
Total Personnel 362
Size 2,500 acres
Fuels Involved Chaparral
Fire Behavior The fire pushed out in all directions last night and major runs as well as spotting were observed.
Significant Events No action was taken during the evening due to the lack of an anchor point, inaccessable terrain and extreme fire behavior.
Outlook
Planned Actions Establish anchor points.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Extreme
Other reports indicate this area hasn’t burned since 1966, and reports are that everyone is gearing up for the long haul.
CA-IMT #3 (Pincha-Tulley) has been assigned.

08/09/2009 @0500
Morning update in progress….
The La Brea Fire, which started yesterday at 2:50 pm, continues to burn in an area of the San Rafael Wilderness that is very steep and difficult to reach on the ground.
The fire moved very rapidly yesterday and long range spotting ahead of the main body of the fire was observed. Bulldozers and crews worked to prepare an area along the Sierra Madre Road to be used as a fire break, should the fire reach there. Eight fixed wing air tankers along with five helicopters were utilized to battle the blaze from the air. Aircraft will again be used on the fire today, just as soon as the sun comes up and it is light enough to launch them from their bases.
Fire behavior is expected to increase today with the high temperature and low relative humidity that is predicted.
###

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Location 26 Miles east of Santa Maria
Incident Commander Jamie Copple
Current Situation
Total Personnel 362
Size 1,300 acres
Fuels Involved
Chaparral
Outlook
Growth Potential
Extreme
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme

THE FIRE WENT FROM 150 TO 1200 ACRES IN LESS THAN 3 HOURS YESTERDAY.
*******************************************************************************************
While not close to us, it is of note. Problems with access, with rapid ROS. This from Cal-Fire:

CA-LPF-La Brea Wildland Fire – Los Padres National Forest

Update: 18:00hrs – Fire now reported at 1200 acres, Texas Canyon, Palomar Hotshots enroute.
Update: 17:30hrs – Per SBC PIO Twitter: SBCFireDO536″La Brea” Inc. Veg. Fire. Los Padres Nation Forest. East of Santa Maria. 800 Acres.

8/7/09 Updates on local conditions

Ponderosa Fire 100% contained as of 7 am. Roads were all still closed as of 9 pm last night, including Plaskett, but that does not stop people. I counted 8 separate campsites, some with 4-5 cars in them. And that’s just on Plaskett. I called the USFS law enforcement.

Hunting season opens tomorrow morning, so I am sure it will be crazy tonight and tomorrow. I always dread these opening season days. The worse of being human comes out in most people — the blood lust, the inconsiderateness, the stupidity of the alcoholic stupor, to name just three.

Added from Cal-Fire from Friday, 8/7/09: “Ponderosa CA-LPF-2563 Fire remains at 458 acres, and is 100% contained. Large de-mobilization that started yesterday will continue through this morning. Fire activity is minimal with some smoldering fuels within the containment lines. Mop-up is continuing as is patrolling in all divisions.”

Ponderosa Ops today, 8/5/09

6:45 am – USFS E16 is reporting on wildlandfire today, as of 7 pm last night: “continued mop up on divison A and continued burning out nacimiento road division B today.”

Be safe, everyone!

Ponderosa Plume from Cone Peak

Mike Anderson of Morro Bay sent me this one. What a view, huh?? Camped up at Cone Peak, at the look-out, and shot this one on Sunday morning just before 7 am. Beautiful. Thanks, Mike!!
PICT0661_2

And this one, coming down the Cone Peak Rd. a little after noon on Sunday.
PICT0679

I love when we can see different perspectives of these events.

8/4/09: Ponderosa Fire, Day 4 – Sam Jones, Day 3

Per Cal Fire the Sam Jones incident was been fully contained at 1400 hours today. Total acreage 3,468. (August 4th, Day 3) Great Job Everyone!!

9:30 am – from Inciweb:

Incident Overview

The Ponderosa Fire started on Saturay, August 1, at approximately 7:45 in the evening. The fire is located in the Ventana Wilderness in very steep, rugged terrain. The cause is still under investigation. Approximately 350 acres have burned to date. The fire is being aggressively fought by fire crews constructing line on the fire’s edge where possible and going indirect with the use of dozers outside of the wilderness boundaries. Also assisting handcrews is the use of helicopters and air tankers dropping both retardant and water. No structors are threatened at this time.
Ponderosa and Nacimiento Campgrounds are closed. Highway 1 is open. Nacimiento-Ferguson Road, as well as the Los Burros/Willow Creek Road at Highway 1 are closed to the public, however they are open to residents.

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Friday July 31st, 2009 aprox 07:45 PM
Location Monterey Ranger District, Ventana Wilderness
Incident Commander James E. Smith
Current Situation
Total Personnel 602
Size 360 acres
Percent Contained 16%
Fuels Involved
Oak woodlands and Chaparral
Fire Behavior
Moderate
Significant Events
Little fire movement occurred last evening dueto marine layer influence.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Today’s goal is to taking advantage of the opportunities to take direct suppression action wherever possible.
Growth Potential
High
Terrain Difficulty
Extreme
Remarks
CCIIMT-7, Jim Smith’s type 2 team has assuemed command as of 0600 on 8/3/2009. Evaluating Unified Command with Fort Hunter Liggett.
Current Weather
Wind Conditions 5-10 mph S
Temperature 90 degrees
Humidity 18%

6:30 am – Good morning, everyone! Checking in for updates and will post as they come in.

Sam Jones Fire, Day 2 (8/3/09)

11:00 pm update. And tonight, just before I sign off, I would like to post a photograph one of my readers sent of the Sam Jones Fire, taken between 4 and 4:30 pm this afternoon. It was taken from up behind Hearst Castle, from a place called Rocky Butte Truck Trail. Photo by Carl Brandt of Cambria. Posted here with permission.

Sam Jones Fire

Isn’t that just spectacular? Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Carl!

Here’s a thermal from CalFire:
Sam Jones Thermal

8 pm update: “Catching scanner traffic from Monterey County Com they are Sending Local Goverment Engines to the fire Code 3. Did not Catch identifiers.”

Sorry, I am running later and later, as I am working this evening, and only checking in the between times. CalFire reported: (note the diversion for a new start??)

Update: 08-03-09 1730hrs -Structures threatened. The fire is still on post. Calfire is setting up in the Bryson area just in case it gets that far. Approx 4500 acres, 55% containment. SRA threatened as fire jumped the line again.
The Sam Jones fire is burning within the confines of the U.S. Army’s Fort Hunter Liggett.
Structure Group just ordered up two Type 3 Strike Teams ASAP, BEU sending ST 9430 C to the fire code-3.
Aircraft were just diverted from this incident to a new start on Hunter-Ligget with structures threatened.

CAL FIRE Sam Jones Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: August 3, 2009 8:00 am
Date/Time Started: August 2, 2009 4:30 pm
Administrative Unit: Army at Fort Hunter Liggett
County: Monterey County
Location: Fort Hunter Leggitt Training Area 27
Acres Burned: 4500 acres,
Containment: 55% containment

7 pm update from wildfire: ” The fire is still on post [FHL]. Calfire is setting up in the Bryson area just in case it gets that far. Approx 4500 acres, 55% containment. SRA threatened as fire jumped the line again.” Byrson Hesperia and Copperhead have been evacuated. Also there appears to be no growth on the Ponderosa today, still about 500 acres.

Here is a quick sketch of the area from the Bryson Hesperia Resort
Bryson Hesperia Resort

3:30 pm update: Information indicates that the spot, 1/2 to 1 mile in front of the Sam Jones was on the south end. Here is a link to the “raws” of temp/RH/fuel temps, etc. on FHL:

http://raws.wrh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/roman/meso_base.cgi?stn=FHLC1

3:00 pm update: Sam Jones Fire -At 1337hrs. Fire has jumped the line, 1/2 to 1 mile spot. S/T [strike team] of Calfire engines e/r [en route]. Looking into aircraft and crews. Fire has moved into SRA, [State Responsibility Area] going unified command. BEU dispatching a high dispatch to the area. Moving into Bryson / Hesperia area. (per wildlandfire) Per LPNF new fire listed at 1345 hrs, probably one and the same.

Editor’s note: WildCAD has been wildly unreliable the last couple days. Unified command is a good thing, as it will be easier to get info than it is when it is only an Army command.

Due to the changed circumstances this afternoon, around 1:45 pm, I am moving the Sam Jones updates to this post, and will continue with updates, as they become available.