Tuesday, July 31, 2012

[californiadisasters] On This Date In CA Weather History (August 1)

2003: Thunderstorms developed in the Borrego Valley and dropped an estimated 2.5" to 3'' of rain in two hours.
Flash flooding occurred, including four feet of water running in San Felipe Wash.
One car and family were stranded in Borrego Palm Canyon.
Half of Ocotillo Wells Airport runway was inundated and debris was deposited on Hwy. 78.

2000: Thunderstorms produced heavy rain and gusty winds as well as golf ball size hail about 6 miles east of Tehachapi.

2000: A thunderstorm dropped half inch hail on Lake Arrowhead.

2000: The high temperature at Hawthorne, NV, was 104°.

1993: It was an amazing 123° in Palm Springs, the highest temperature on record.
This also occurred on 7.28 and 7.29 of 1995, and on 7.10.1979.

1986: Fresno had a low of 86°, its' highest minimum temperature on record for the month of August.

1983: A tornado in Landers caused property damage.

1977: Susanville had a high temperature of 105°.

1972: It was 100° in Palomar Mountain (San Diego Co.), the highest temperature on record.
This also occurred on eight other days.

1930: 2.03" of rain fell in Palm Springs, the greatest daily amount for August.

Source: NWS Hanford, Reno, & San Diego

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[californiadisasters] Flash Flood Warning - Inyo Co. (7/31/12-PM)

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED A    * FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...    SOUTH CENTRAL INYO COUNTY IN EASTERN CALIFORNIA...    * UNTIL 1245 AM PDT.    * AT 1048 PM PDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED    VERY HEAVY RAIN FROM A THUNDERSTORM 30 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PANAMINT    SPRINGS...OR 37 MILES NORTHEAST OF RIDGECREST...MOVING SOUTH AT 15    MPH.    * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE...    PANAMINT SPRINGS...BAD WATER ROAD AND WARM SPRINGS CANYON    IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK.    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...    FLASH FLOODING IS EXPECTED IN WASHES...LOW WATER CROSSINGS AND ON  AREA ROADWAYS. FLASH FLOODING IS NATURES NUMBER ONE KILLER. TO ESCAPE  RISING WATER...MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND. NEVER TRY TO CROSS A FLOODED  ROADWAY OR WALK THROUGH FLOODWATERS. TURN AROUND...DONT DROWN!    REPORT FLOODING BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE LAS VEGAS NATIONAL  WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE...OR BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG...  NWSVEGAS.    &&    LAT...LON 3580 11682 3582 11761 3645 11750 3629 11676    $$    JA

Source: http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=vef&wwa=flash%20flood%20warning

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[californiadisasters] North Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-6PM)

Date	Time	News and Notes
7/31/2012	1815	Light initial attack in the Geographic Area today; no new large fires reported (0600-1800).
07/31/2012	1815	CA-PNF Chips Fire. 1000 acres, 10% contained. At 1000 on 8/1/12, NorCal Team 1 (Whitcome) will assume command of this fire as a Branch, but still as a separate incident.
07/31/2012	1815	CA-PNF Peak Fire. 780 acres, 80% contained. Patroling and mopping up all divisions.
07/31/2012	0644	CA-PNF Chips Fire 400 acres 20% contained. Low afternoon humidities, diurnal wind shifts, roll out, snags, heavy fuel loading, steep innaccesable terrain continue to make firefighting difficult.
07/31/2012	0644	CA-PNF Peak Fire 780 acres, 30% contained. Fire is 15 miles NE of Portola. Unburned interior pockets with potential for additional tree torching and spotting, Gusty daytime and nighttime winds, very dry live fuel moistures, poor nighttime humidity recovery.
07/31/2012	0644	CA-MEU North Fire 385 acres 100% contained .

Source: http://gacc.nifc.gov/oncc/predictive/intelligence/news_notes/index.htm

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[californiadisasters] South Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-7:30PM)

Date	Time	News and Notes
07/31	1930	Light initial attack activity today. South Fire, CA-CND-002404, 271 acres, 90% contained.
07/30	1930	South Fire, CA-CND-002404, 271 acres, 70% contained.SQF and CND in Unified Command Central Sierra Type 2 IMT (Cooper) not deployed, but partially absorbed into Type 3 organization; the rest to be released.
07/30	1430	Starting to get some thunderstorm activity, lightning (wet) in Imperial & San Diego Counties.
07/30	0800	South Fire CA-CND-002404 South Alpine Way, Bodfish Myers Canyon & Bodfish Canyon 450 acres, 25% contained
07/29	1700	South Fire CA-CND-002404 South Alpine Way, Bodfish SRA/FRA 150 acres, 0% contained Fire started on SRA with 2/3rds of fire spread on BLM, Threat To FRA Moderate Rate of Spread. Sequoia NF Central Ordering point

Source: http://gacc.nifc.gov/oscc/predictive/intelligence/news_notes/index.htm

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[californiadisasters] PG&E Ignored Gaps in Data, Engineer Says

PG&E ignored gaps in data, engineer says

Jaxon Van Derbeken - San Francisco Chronicle

Published 09:33 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A key Pacific Gas and Electric Co. gas engineer testified that he repeatedly told his bosses the company was relying on flawed data to vouch for the safety of its gas transmission lines before the San Bruno disaster, but that the utility took no steps to fix the problem.

In a civil deposition that attorneys for 350 plaintiffs filed Tuesday in San Mateo County Superior Court, PG&E's Todd Arnett said gas-system managers had ignored his and other employees' concerns that the company was relying on incomplete and inaccurate records contained in its geographic information system.

"Over the years, I'd raised it to superiors and folks that may have known about that, to ensure that they had the same understanding of the quality of the data," Arnett said in his deposition taken in March.

"Weren't you concerned, sir, that because there were errors in the GIS survey sheets for PG&E, that people who lived along the pipeline could be exposed to death or injury?" asked Steven Campora, a lawyer who represented the family of a woman and her daughter who died in the blast.

"That general concern, yes," Arnett answered.

Ignorance called key factor

Federal investigators determined that a major factor in the explosion was PG&E's ignorance that its pipe had a seam running down the length of the line, which ruptured at an incomplete weld in San Bruno on Sept. 9, 2010. Such a seam would have been noted on an accurate geographic information system report, and if it had, PG&E would have been legally obligated to prove it was in good condition.

The explosion and fire killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes. PG&E settled the last of the wrongful-death suits stemming from the disaster last week, but 350 other suits filed by San Bruno residents have been consolidated and are scheduled to go to trial in October.

PG&E also faces hundreds of millions of dollars in potential regulatory fines for mishandling the San Bruno pipe, losing track of population growth around its gas lines, and maintaining shoddy records.

Arnett said he could not recall what, if anything, his superiors had said or done when he complained "a handful of times" about the record-keeping problem. The company's geographic information system is supposed to list details such as pipeline history and characteristics such as welds, strength and construction, but federal and state regulators found after the San Bruno disaster that it was filled with errors and information gaps.

"To your knowledge, after you expressed your concerns to your superiors, were there any changes in policy at PG&E about the use of the GIS system?" Campora asked.

"Not to my knowledge, no," Arnett replied.

Arnett also said other PG&E engineers had worried about making critical decisions about pipeline safety in light of the data gaps, which he said were "commonly known" in the company.

'A ton of errors,' e-mail says

At least one PG&E gas-system official, Bill Manegold, testified he had been aware of the problems since he joined the company in 2005. Chris Johns, PG&E's president, said in a deposition in June that he had been told only after the San Bruno blast that the geographic information system "could use some improvement."

Lawyers for victims and their families also pressed Arnett about a March 2009 internal e-mail referring to the flawed records for the San Bruno pipe, known as Line 132, and two parallel lines running from Milpitas to San Francisco, lines 101 and 109.

"There are a ton of errors in GIS for transmission lines 101, 109 and 132," said one e-mail, written by PG&E engineer Drew Kelly, who ultimately relied on those records in researching long-term management plans for Line 132.

Memo justified spiking

Arnett said that before he got that e-mail, he believed there might be "a few" problems with those lines.

After the blast, PG&E began a major project to validate the accuracy of the information about its transmission pipelines. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board, however, still expressed alarm about the state of PG&E data as of August 2011.

Arnett was among the PG&E officials involved in spiking the gas pressure on Line 132 to just beyond the pipeline's legal maximum in December 2008, an action the company took in the mistaken belief that if it failed to do so, the line's federally approved limit would be reduced.

Arnett justified the action in a memo documenting the $45,000 expense for the spiking exercise. State regulators later concluded that the spiking should have legally required PG&E to check for damage to the pipeline, an inspection that might well have caught the fatally flawed San Bruno weld.

Financial considerations

Arnett concluded that spiking the pressure - to avoid a reduced maximum on the line and prospect of a forced inspection should gas levels accidentally surge past the lowered cap - would be "much less painful" than an inspection.

Arnett testified that he had been referring to the problems involved in taking a line out of service for an inspection, "as well as financial considerations that the consumers would pay for."

"Oh, so you're saying that it would be painful because the consumers are going to be stuck with the cost for PG&E to make sure the line is safe - is that right?" asked Frank Pitre, one of the lawyers in the case.

"I'm saying that the nature of our rates and costs were primarily passed on to the consumer," Arnett said.

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/PG-E-ignored-gaps-in-data-engineer-says-3752181.php

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[californiadisasters] Cal Fire Losing Inmate Volunteers

Cal Fire losing inmate volunteers

Wyatt Buchanan - San Francisco Chronicle

Published 09:33 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Sacramento --

The number of state prison inmates available to perform crucial, labor-intensive tasks in battles against wildfires could soon drop dramatically, due to California's shift of low-level offenders from state prisons to county jails.

When wildfires ignite in California, some of the first crews on the scene are not state firefighters but inmates who undergo training to handle such jobs as creating containment lines.

There are more than 4,000 prisoners statewide trained for the work now, but prison officials said they expect that number to shrink by 1,500 by next June as inmates are sent to county jails instead of prison.

"They're able to provide a large workforce," said Daniel Berlant, spokesman for the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "Oftentimes we have just as many, if not more, inmate firefighters on the fire line than regular fire crews."

Inmates - distinguished by their orange protective clothing (Cal Fire firefighters wear yellow) - were a key force last month in containing the Robbers Fire, which burned 2,650 acres in a steep American River canyon northeast of Auburn (Placer County). The area was mostly inaccessible to large bulldozers and other equipment used to build fire lines.

Dropping large amounts of flame retardant was not an option because it would have ended up in the river, which flows into Folsom Lake, part of California's water system. So instead, much of the fire line work fell to more than 800 prisoners who used chain saws and hand tools to create a containment line in the rugged terrain.

The fire forced evacuations in the area and threatened 170 residences, but only one home and four outbuildings burned.

Realignment fallout

This week, more than 1,000 inmate firefighters are battling blazes in six counties, including Lake, Mendocino and Napa counties in Northern California.

But their availability is about to take a steep dive because of Gov. Jerry Brown's realignment program to reduce the number of state prisoners and cut costs by housing more inmates in county lockups.

State officials are discussing with sheriffs the creation of a system under which county inmates could shore up the loss, but so far there have been no agreements, said Dana Simas, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The state prisoners - nonviolent offenders who volunteer for the effort - stay in 42 conservation camps throughout California. They can be called up to fight blazes or respond to other emergencies at a moment's notice.

When they aren't fighting fires, the inmates do other tasks, such as clearing brush and vegetation to reduce fuel for a wildfire. They also perform community service such as restoring historic structures and maintaining parks.

For their work, they get paid about $1 per day, or $1 per hour when they are fighting fires.

Sticking point

The sticking point between Sacramento and the counties that are taking on the inmates has been the amount the state wants counties to pay to house them at the conservation camps. Although there has been no resolution, Simas said she expects that the reduced number of inmates available to fight fires to over the next year will change that.

"Once it finally comes up where it's an issue, then we're likely to see more progress," she said.

County sheriffs say that progress will have to come on the state's side, though.

Nevada County Sheriff Keith Royal, the president of the California State Sheriffs' Association, said sheriffs and state officials are drafting an agreement that would charge counties $46 per day for the state to house county inmates in the camps.

But Royal said he does not expect many sheriffs to participate in such a program, as sending four or five inmates per year to the camp would be equivalent to the cost of one correctional officer at the jail.

"I can speak for myself and a number of other sheriffs that I am close to that I'm not going to spend $46 a day to put somebody in a facility like a fire camp. I'd rather keep that money so I can keep my department funded and manage my population locally," he said.

He said realignment has put more inmates in county jails than originally estimated and that sheriffs statewide are struggling with those costs.

Still, Cal Fire officials are not yet contemplating how they will operate with a big drop in the number of crews available to battle wildfires.

"For us, we haven't looked at that option - what do we do with 1,500 less (firefighters) - the option is finding a solution," Berlant said.

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Cal-Fire-losing-inmate-volunteers-3752179.php

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[californiadisasters] Moderate El Nino Forecast For This Winter

Moderate El Nino forecast for this winter

Written by Gary Robbins
San Diego Union-Tribune
6 a.m., July 27, 2012

The National Weather Service says Southern California will experience a moderate El Nino this fall and winter, a change that's likely to produce above average rainfall. On average, moderate El Ninos produce about 17 inches of rain in San Diego, which is five inches above the seasonal average. But the impact of the natural and periodic climate change can vary greatly. The last moderate El Nino occurred in 2003, when San Diego recorded 10.6'' of rain. In 2005, there was a weak El Nino, and San Diego recorded 22.5 inches of rain.

Forecasters worry about El Nino, in part, because the phenomenon can produce stronger and more frequent Santa Ana winds. The Santa Anas usually don't hit San Diego County as hard as they do Orange County. But San Diego has been whipped hard by the Santa Anas, which have in turn spread many wildfires. The scenario is of special concern this year, says the weather service, because inland San Diego County is drier than normal. The Santa Anas typically hit the county's mid-section, from Vista and San Carlos down to the Campo area.

In addition to producing more rain and wind, an El Nino can also result in below average air temperatures during the fall and winter.

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/27/moderate-el-nino-forecast-winter/

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[Geology2] Methane Seeping From Fault Off Del Mar

Methane seeping from fault off Del Mar

Written by Gary Robbins
San Diego Union-Tribune
7 a.m., July 26, 2012

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography says that it has discovered "convincing evidence" that methane is seeping from a sub-sea earthquake fault about 20 miles west of Del Mar, the first leak of its kind found off San Diego County.

Graduate students working from the research vessel Melville made the discovery 3,400 feet below the ocean's surface, above the San Diego Trough, a fault zone that extends for about 93 miles in a line that runs from North County into Mexican waters. Seismologists say the fault is capable of producing quakes ranging in magnitude from 6.0 to 7.7.

Methane is odorless, and therefore does not appear to be related to the unusual smell that many people have detected along the North County coastline in recent days. The colorless gas also is highly flammable. But the seep off Del Mar does not appear to pose a public safety hazard.

Methane - a fuel that's also a greenhouse gas -- is commonly found underground and it is not unusual for the gas to seep out of faults. Such leaks are of great interest to scientists because they can contribute to ecosystems that support unusual marine life.

In announcing its discovery, Scripps said in a statement that, "Organisms collected from the site include thread-like tubeworms called siboglinids and several clams. Siboglinids lack a mouth and digestive system and gain nutrition via a symbiotic relationship with bacteria living inside them, while many clams at seeps get some of their food from sulfide-loving bacteria living on their gills.

"While food is scarce in much of the cold, dark ocean depths, it is abundant at seeps due to the bacteria that proliferate around the methane source. Microbes there are eaten by worms, snails, crabs and clams, leading to a rich and productive community that helps sustain the surrounding deep-sea ecosystem."

Scripps plans to return to seepage area in December to conduct further research.

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jul/26/methane-leaking-fault-del-mar/

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[californiadisasters] O.C.F.A. Flexes Wildfire Muscle

O.C. flexes wildfire muscle, asks public's help

July 23rd, 2012, 5:27 pm · · posted by Pat Brennan, O.C. Register science, environment editor

The array of equipment was formidable: fire-dousing helicopters, hefty-looking emergency-operations trailers, remote, high-definition video feeds from helicopters that can see in the dark.

Orange County firefighters and law-enforcement officials appeared ready for battle during a demonstration for the press Monday at Irvine Lake.

But with vegetation growing ever drier on the county's wild hills, they drove home their message to the public — be ready for wildfire, stay alert for arsonists, and report suspicious activity.

"We're near the origin of the October 2007 Santiago Fire, which burned more than 28,000 acres," Orange County Fire Authority Chief Keith Richter said as he faced cameras at the edge of the lake. "This arson-caused fire was driven by extreme Santa Ana winds that gusted to more than 85 mph."

The fire season to come is expected to be above normal for large fire potential in Southern California mountains and foothills, according to the August to October assessment from the Predictive Services of the National Interagency Fire Center, though normal for much of the rest of the region — although "normal" can still mean large wildfires.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department has stepped up patrols of areas at risk for wildfires, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens told the group, and keeping watch on canyons and brusy areas.

The Sheriff's Department also is keeping an eye on people who have committed arson in the past.

"We are continuing monitoring of identified persons," she told the reporters. "Those are persons who like to start fires, and are a threat to our communities."

She urged Orange County residents to call 911, or the Orange County "Crime Stoppers" hotline at 1-855-TIP-OCCS if they notice anything, or anyone, unusual.

"Trust your instincts," she said. "If something doesn't seem right, or is out of the ordinary, please act and call the tipline," she said. "If you see something, say something."

Orange County Fire Authority officials also urge homeowners to visit their "Ready, Set, Go" web site for tips on preparing for wildfire.

The Fire Authority demonstrated a helicopter that drew in 375 gallons of water through a large hose as it hovered low over Irvine Lake, then emptied it along the lake shore as if attacking a fire.

A Sheriff's Department helicopter also dipped a large bucket-type device dangling below it into the lake, releasing the water over the same lake area.

Firefighters also demonstrated the video feed screen, which can show high-definition pictures from as much as 50 miles away. The system also can show low light and infrared images to hunt for hot spots.

They also showed how they could spray fire-killing foam at high pressure, with a heavier mix to coat homes in the line of fire and a more watery mix for mopping up after fire has passed.

Source: http://sciencedude.ocregister.com/2012/07/23/o-c-flexes-wildfire-muscle-asks-publics-help/174341/

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[californiadisasters] [LAFD] SO YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER?

Dear Friend of the LAFD,

SO YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER?

If the answer for you, without any hesitation, is unequivocally "yes" then we have some good news. If, perhaps, you are on the fence and not quite sure...well, then read on.

The good news is, as a result of recent retirees (a note to all retirees: "thank you" for your years of service and dedication!!), City Council has granted the Los Angeles Fire Department approval to get the hiring process rolling. That means, as we head into the Fall, our recruiting efforts will soon be in full-swing.

The last time your LAFD saw a new class of recruits sworn-in, was back in February of 2009. What that means for you, if you are interested, is that it will be competitive. Very competitive. But that element never seems to change. Again, back in 2009, nearly 17,000 potential candidates expressed interest. This go-around, we are expecting at least that number. Why? Because it's been quite a while since we last hired, the fire service has always been very competitive and a very sought-after career and it's no secret, that many have endured a very tough job market and economy for several years now. That often translates into people looking for a "change."

This is not meant to discourage anyone. In fact all are welcome! We do want you to be prepared and we want you to know what to expect. And make no mistake, you will need to be prepared. Mentally and physically.

(CBS/KCAL video) http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7560104

In addition, there are a few other characteristics that a good, solid candidate should possess. Battalion Chief Steve Hissong, who heads-up the LAFD's Recruit Services Unit, summed it up best: "A good candidate for the fire service would be an individual of high character, morals and values; one that has a sense of wanting to serve others. That doesn't necessarily always have to be the individual that's pursued their fire service degree."

With perhaps only 350 firefighter slots available over the next couple of years, however, anything to give you a competitive advantage, will help.

So, how do you start this process? What are the minimum requirements (age, education, etc.)? All of these questions and more can be answered at a newly launched website, dedicated solely to our recruiting and hiring efforts:

www.joinlafd.org
To all potential candidates, we wish you the very best of luck!

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

"Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride"

Public Service Officer

Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center
Los Angeles Fire Department
500 East Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

213.576.8938

Home Page: LAFD.org

News & Info: LAFD.org/blog

Do You Follow the LAFD on Social Media?

@LAFD (breaking news)

@LAFDtalk (conversation & casual inquiries)

@LAFDFireChief (the Fire Chief's personal thoughts)

https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesFireDepartment

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[californiadisasters] Join us for Online WX Spotter Training on Aug 6, 2012

Weather Spotter Training

Monday, August 6, 2012 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PDT

Webinar Registration

This online training session will focus on providing weather spotter training and weather safety information for those wishing to become a spotter or as a refresher for existing National Weather Service spotters. Anyone interested in weather is welcome to join this session and learn about storm development and weather safety. Join us as a spotter when the session is over!

The presenters for this session are from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Sacramento, which serves interior Northern California. If you are a spotter or potential spotter from an area served by a different NWS office, we will forward your attendance information to the appropriate office following the session. Every NWS office presents information unique to their area, though, so you are encouraged to seek spotter training in your local area as well.

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[californiadisasters] North Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-7AM)

Date	Time	News and Notes
07/31/2012	0644	CA-PNF Chips Fire 400 acres 20% contained. Low afternoon humidities, diurnal wind shifts, roll out, snags, heavy fuel loading, steep innaccesable terrain continue to make firefighting difficult.
07/31/2012	0644	CA-PNF Peak Fire 780 acres, 30% contained. Fire is 15 miles NE of Portola. Unburned interior pockets with potential for additional tree torching and spotting, Gusty daytime and nighttime winds, very dry live fuel moistures, poor nighttime humidity recovery.
07/31/2012	0644	CA-MEU North Fire 385 acres 100% contained .
07/30/2012	1755	CA-PNF Chipps Fire 350 acres 10% contained. Low afternoon humidities, diurnal wind shifts, roll out, snags, heavy fuel loading, steep innaccesable terrain continue to make firefighting difficult.
07/30/2012	0653	CA-PNF Peak Fire 850 acres, 30% contained. Fire is 15 miles NE of Portola. Spot fire outside of main line comprimised entire west flank of fire and spotted over eastern containment lines. Type 2 team Whitcome on order,in brief at 1500 today.
07/30/2012	0653	CA-PNF Chipps Fire 200 acres 10% contained. Low afternoon humidities, diurnal wind shifts, roll out, snags, heavy fuel loading, steep innaccesable terrain continue to make firefighting difficult.
07/30/2012	0653	CA-MEU North Fire 385 acres 95% contained .Fire is north of Cow Mtn.
07/29/2012	1500	CA-PNF Peak Fire 300 acres, 40% contained. Fire is 15 miles NE of Portola. Increased fire activity with spotting and torching additional resources on order.
07/29/2012	1500	CA-PNF Chipps Fire 60 acres 0% contained.
07/29/2012	0934	Fern Incident on the TNF on the Rubicon Trail is reported to be 3-5 acres. The fire was started by a Jeep accident with 6 injuries. Jeep Jamboree in the area with approx. 1000 participants causing concern. 1 Type 1 crew and a Type 2 Helicopter assigned with second T2 Helicopter on order.
07/29/2012	0637	July 29, 1994 – Butler Creek Fire On July 29, 1994, pilots Bob Kelly and Randy Lynn died when their Lockheed P2V-7 air tanker crashed on the Butler Creek Fire west of Missoula, MT. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/128-tanker-04-crash-on-butler-creek-fire.html
07/29/2012	0635	CA-PNF Chipps Fire 20 acres 0% contained.
07/29/2012	0635	CA-PNF Peak Fire 200 acres, 40% contained. Fire is 15 miles NE of Portola.
07/29/2012	0635	CA-MEU North Fire 400 acres 30% contained .Fire is north of Cow Mtn.
07/28/2012	1715	CA-PNF Peak Fire 20 acres rapid rate of spread, fire is running in the crowns.
07/28/2012	1611	CA-MEU North Fire 150 acres heavy brush, moderate of spread, 10% contained. Threat to Communications Tower on Cow mtn, and historical structures.
07/28/2012	1439	CA-MEU North Fire 30 acres heavy brush, moderate of spread, 0% contained, no threats.
07/28/2012	1222	July 28, 1939 – Rock Creek Fire The Rock Creek Fire started at 11:15 on July 28, 1939 from lightning. The point of origin is located approximately five miles southeast of Orovada, Nevada and four miles due east of the Highway 95 monument. Between 15:30 to 16:00 the fire burned explosively downhill in a westerly direction, under the influence of a thunderstorm directly over the fire that produced 40 to 60 mile per hour downdraft winds. A crew was entrapped and 5 died. For more info: http://www.fireleadership.gov/toolbox/staffride/lsr3_stand1.html (International Association of Wildland Fire, 2011)
07/28/2012	0830	July 28, 2002 – Stanza Fire On July 28, 2002, Lassen Engine 11 rolled down a steep embankment on the Stanza Fire, Klamath NF. Of the 5 crewmembers, Steve Oustad, Heather DePaolo-Johnny, and John Self were fatally injured. Crewmembers Ryan Smith and Alex Glover fortunately survived. Visitors to the Almanor Ranger District in Chester, California are encouraged to visit the Engine 11 Memorial that sits across from the District office next to the Chester Airport. Visit the Lassen National Forest's E-11 Memorial page for more information.
07/27/2012	1800	Light initial attack in the Geographic Area today; no new large fires reported (0600-1800).
07/27/2012	0800	The National Preparedness Level has been lowered today to PL 2.
07/27/2012	0745	No new large fires reported in the Geographic Area overnight (1800-0600).
07/26/2012	1800	Light initial attack in the Geographic Area today; no new large fires reported (0600-1800).
07/26/2012	1215	CAL FIRE ICT 8 (Veneris) has been activated for the CA-TCU Penn/Graham fires.
07/26/2012	1200	The Northern California Geographic Area has now moved to Preparedness Level 2.
07/26/2012	1120	The Southern Geographic Area issued a Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory yesterday for the "Potential for Extreme Fire Behavior, Potential for Long Term Burning and resistance to control" for areas of Oklahoma and Arkansas. http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/fuels_fire-danger/SAFuelsFire_behavior_advisory_7_25_2012.pdf There are currently Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories isssued for the Northwest, Western Great Basin, Eastern Great Basin, Northern Rockies, Southern, and Eastern (1 for IL, WI, IN, and MI, 1 for MO, IN & IL) Geographic Areas. The NIFC Predictive Services' Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisories webpage is http://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/fuels_fire-danger/fuels_advisories.htm
07/26/2012	0800	CA-TGU Paskenta Fire. 300 acres, 100% contained. Located off of Round Valley Road near the town of Paskenta.
07/26/2012	0745	In memoriam - East Pierce (WA) Fire Chief Daniel Packer was fatally injured July 26, 2008 during a shelter deployment on the Panther Fire, Klamath National Forest. In order to prepare for assuming responsibility of a division the following day, Chief Packer was scouting the fire with another incoming Division Supervisor when the fire ran up a drainage and cut off their escape route. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/88-daniel-packer.html
07/26/2012	0745	In memoriam - On July 26, 1978, Six Rivers NF engine crewmembers Richard Montano, Gayle Tsutsumi, and David Perrine were killed, and Mark Evans and Gene Schmoker injured when their engine collided with a logging truck south of Orleans, California. The Orleans engine was responding to fires in Weitchpec when the accident occurred. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/235-orleans-tanker.html
07/25/2012	1800	Light initial attack in the Geographic Area today; no new large fires reported (0600-1800). Holdover lightning fires reported on the Tahoe and Plumas National Forests have been staffed; no other units reporting holdovers.
07/25/2012	0800	In memoriam - On July 25, 2008, NPS firefighter Andrew Palmer was killed during a tree falling incident on the Eagle fire, part of the Iron Complex on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Wildland fire agencies are continually improving medical evacuation procedures because of this tragedy. For more information, visit http://www.wlfalwaysremember.org/incident-lists/107-andy-palmer-dutch-creek.html

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[californiadisasters] South Ops News & Notes Update (7/30/12-7:30PM)

Date	Time	News and Notes
07/30	1930	South Fire, CA-CND-002404, 271 acres, 70% contained.SQF and CND in Unified Command Central Sierra Type 2 IMT (Cooper) not deployed, but partially absorbed into Type 3 organization; the rest to be released.
07/30	1430	Starting to get some thunderstorm activity, lightning (wet) in Imperial & San Diego Counties.
07/30	0800	South Fire CA-CND-002404 South Alpine Way, Bodfish Myers Canyon & Bodfish Canyon 450 acres, 25% contained
07/29	1700	South Fire CA-CND-002404 South Alpine Way, Bodfish SRA/FRA 150 acres, 0% contained Fire started on SRA with 2/3rds of fire spread on BLM, Threat To FRA Moderate Rate of Spread. Sequoia NF Central Ordering point
07/29	1700	Graham Fire, CA-TCU-006808 Vegetation Fire, Update Community of Groveland, Tuolumne County 81 acres, 85% contained, CALFIRE ICT # 8 (Veneris) IMT team remains assigned Fire anticipates turning incident back to the local unit tomorrow.
07/29	1000	Grape Fire CA-KRN-0023612 I-5 south of Grapevine Rd., Lebec 350 acres, 90% contained No significant activity overnight
07/29	0800	The El Cariso HS and the Laguna HS are being mobilized to Utah, Dallas Fire UT-SLD-00612 Dallas Canyon, Salt Lake District, BLM. Ten miles southwest of Delle, UT. Juniper, brush and grass. Active fire behavior with spotting.
07/29	0800	Graham Fire, CA-TCU-006808 Vegetation Fire, Update Community of Groveland, Tuolumne County 81 acres, 65% contained, CALFIRE ICT # 8 (Veneris) IMT team remains assigned Fire anticipates turning incident back to the local unit tomorrow.
07/28	1900	Grape Fire CA-KRN-023612 I-5 south of Grapevine Rd, Lebec 300 acres, 20% contained SRA Forward rate of spread slowed
07/28	1800	Graham Fire, CA-TCU-006808 Vegetation Fire, Update Community of Groveland, Tuolumne County 81 acres, 50% contained, reduction in acreage due to better mapping. CALFIRE ICT # 8 (Veneris) IMT team supporting both fires (Graham & Penn) Mop Up and patrol, fire suppression repair plan has been integrated Penn Fire , CA-TCU-006809 Vegetation Fire, Update, Community of Murphys, Calaveras County, 134 acres, 100% contained. Significant demobilization projected for today
07/27	0800	Cascade Fire CA-YNP-1473 Yosemite National Park Fire is burning between two upper forks of the Cascade Creek This lightning caused fire, in Yosemite's high elevation Wilderness The fire has grown to 109 acres. It is burning in a short needle red fir forest. The southern perimeter edge is the most active with occasional 6 to 12 inch flame lengths during the hottest part of the day. Currently, the fire poses no threat to trails, park service buildings, infrastructure or roads, cultural or natural resources. Firefighters continue to monitor and scout the fire to determine the potential in growth and spread direction.
07/27	0800	Graham Fire CA-TCU-6808 Clements Road / Community of Groveland Fire has burned 100 acres, and is 20% containment Penn Fire CA-TCU-8609 Pennsylvania Gulch / Community of Murphy's Fire has burned 134 acres, and is 60% containment
07/26	1800	Adobe Fire Fire CA-INF-846 NE/O Mono Lake Fire is 8-10 acres, 0% containment. The forward rate of spread has been slowed, however there are some areas of isolated torching. Fire is burning in Pinyon & Juniper on right flank and sage on left flank. Firefighters are being shuttled in to fire by helicopter. Access problems are hampering suppression efforts. Jumper 52 with eight smoke jumpers has jumped this fire. Values at risk are watershed and wilderness.
07/26	1600	Per the National Interagency Coordination Center effective immediately the National Preparedness Level is being reduced to 2 (PL2). Demobilization of all resource types is occurring in most geographical areas. Initial attack capability is high in most areas and competition for resources between geographical areas is non-existent. Although areas are experiencing hot and dry conditions, NICC is not seeing a high risk for significant fires in the short term. Large fire activity has been decreasing daily and containment dates of existing large fires are in the near future.
07/26	1000	ICT # 8 (Veneris) was mobilized to the Graham Fire with a tentative in briefing scheduled for 1100 hours today. Base camp established at Frog Town.
07/26	0800	Penn Fire CA-TCU-8609 Pennsylvania Gulch / Community of Murphy's Fire has burned 180 acres, and is 15% containment Progress made overnight constructing direct and contingency lines Continuing threat to distribution power lines Heavy fuels with continuing threat to Stanislaus River drainage Evacuations lifted, roads open to residents only Graham Fire CA- TCU-6808 Clements Road / Community of Groveland SRA and FRA within CAL FIRE DPA 100 acres, 5% containment Potential continues for active fire behavior with slope and wind alignment Very steep slope with creeping, roll out and possible spotting Difficult access to flanks Potential for fire to establish itself in Tuolumne River drainage Continuing threat to Tuolumne river wild and Scenic area
07/25	1800	Graham Fire CA-TCU-6808 Graham Ranch Road, Groveland, Tuolumne County SRA 60 acres, 0% contained Moderate rate of spread with spotting and potential 150- 250 acres Access problems hampering containment efforts Penn Fire CA-TCU-006809 Murphy's, Calaveras County Pennsylvania Gulch / Community of Murphy's 100 acres, 0% containment, Potential for 1,000 acres Moderate ROS with spotting, however progress being made Structure defense occurring with threat to high voltage power lines and Stanislaus River drainage Evacuations being organized

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VOLCANO MADNESS

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

[californiadisasters] On This Date In CA Weather History (August 1)

[californiadisasters] Flash Flood Warning - Inyo Co. (7/31/12-PM)

[californiadisasters] North Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-6PM)

[californiadisasters] South Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-7:30PM)

[californiadisasters] PG&E Ignored Gaps in Data, Engineer Says

PG&E ignored gaps in data, engineer says

Jaxon Van Derbeken - San Francisco Chronicle

Published 09:33 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Ignorance called key factor

'A ton of errors,' e-mail says

Memo justified spiking

Financial considerations

[californiadisasters] Cal Fire Losing Inmate Volunteers

Cal Fire losing inmate volunteers

Wyatt Buchanan - San Francisco Chronicle

Published 09:33 p.m., Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Realignment fallout

Sticking point

[californiadisasters] Moderate El Nino Forecast For This Winter

Moderate El Nino forecast for this winter

[Geology2] Methane Seeping From Fault Off Del Mar

Methane seeping from fault off Del Mar

[californiadisasters] O.C.F.A. Flexes Wildfire Muscle

O.C. flexes wildfire muscle, asks public's help

[californiadisasters] [LAFD] SO YOU WANT TO BE A FIREFIGHTER?

[californiadisasters] Join us for Online WX Spotter Training on Aug 6, 2012

Weather Spotter Training

Monday, August 6, 2012 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PDT

Webinar Registration

[californiadisasters] North Ops News & Notes Update (7/31/12-7AM)

[californiadisasters] South Ops News & Notes Update (7/30/12-7:30PM)

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