Thursday, October 20, 2016

Re: [californiadisasters] 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm, Thursday, 20 October 2016



Notice that the original fire was 'contained' (old school parlance, a line around it, little active flame) instead of being mopped up and 'controlled' (a few hours effort).  The crews left the scene that night to mop up the next day and were delayed in getting there.  As they arrived, the fire had kicked up and was making a run.

THIS was the reason that OFD made changes to be more accepting of mutual aid; learned how to deal with wildland events (hadn't learned yet and even the structures burning were actually such an event); they started teaching and using the ICS system and most importantly, learned that sometimes they have to ASK FOR HELP.

Other issues such as incompatible fittings used by SFFD, narrow streets, limited hydrant supplies are STILL an issue today.  Some agencies are completely unimpeded by progress.  OFD got spanked and learned.


On 10/20/2016 10:40 AM, californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com wrote:
 

"1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm" reminder
When
Thursday, 20 October 2016
07:00 PM to 07:00 PM
(GMT) Greenwich Mean Time - Dublin / Edinburgh / Lisbon / London
Where
Alameda County - East Bay Hills
Notes
On this date in 1991 a powerful Diablo Wind Event featuring tropical storm force winds fanned a small smoldering fire on patrol status that had started and been contained the day before into a raging monster that killed 25 people (including both a firefighter and a policeman) and injured another 150 people, damaged or destroyed 3,354 single family dwellings and 437 multi-family dwellings, and scorched 1,520 acres costing a grand total of about $1.5 billion in 1991 dollars.
From
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Posted by: Rick WA6NHC <wa6nhc@gmail.com>


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