I gave you that report.
The report on conditions last night (350 acres of heavy timber and duff, in less than 20 hours, actively spotting 1-1.5 MILES ahead of the fire), current fuel conditions (October conditions in June) and expected weather (hot, dry, gusts to 40+) told me they should have ordered BIG last night. They didn't.
The winds arrived today as forecast after the fire more than tripled in size overnight (!!!) while halving the distance to Markleeville. They waited, insignificant gains in crews or aircraft only (not an engine fire).
They finally placed an order early this afternoon. An hour later, THEN came the call for immediate need structure protection engines for Markleeville. That almost always translates to 'things went to sh.. here, send help fast'. They're WELL behind the curve. The fire is now two days old.
It's an old story and I'm tired of it. This is THE year to set aside the 'let it burn' policy; pre-load the staging areas with engines, crews and staff to jump HARD on any starts. They won't, we lose.
You can draw your own conclusions but 34 years of fire line experience tells me an unpleasant story when it comes to the Fed (mis)management and nothing ever changes. They like the overtime and budgetary releases, pure and simple (they don't get paid well, it matters). After, they can sell the logging rights (where's the money go?).
You should be angry at them too. Not just a nice mountain town is at risk, OUR forest is, because they can't look forward or do their appointed job.
Plans? Good luck. It'll stop when it runs out of fuel. They don't plan.
There are other communities up there too, about to disappear; then the Fed can fight them rebuilding, an entirely different issue and another old story.
They forget who they are working for. Me and you.
Yes, I'm pissed at them; you should be too. It's an abomination.
73,
Rick wa6nhc
Tiny iPhone 5 keypad, typos are inevitable
On Jun 21, 2015, at 7:02 PM, Pamela Alley rnrq@att.net [californiadisasters] <californiadisasters@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Cmon, Rick...keep it constructive, could you? Please? I don't want to hear how they 'screwed up again', I want to know what's happening and what's planned.
PA
>________________________________
> From: "Rick Bates HappyMoosePhoto@gmail.com [californiadisasters]"
>
>
>It went to ...
>
>
>Another AEU Strike Team; Engines, ordered and enroute to Markleeville for immediate need, structure protection.
>
>
>USFS equivalent of... Oops.
>
>
>Feds, too little, too late. Again.
>
>
>The town is now at risk.
>
>
>73,
>Rick wa6nhc
>
__._,_.___
No comments:
Post a Comment