LA's Station Fire Triples In Size Overnight

by: Lou Angeli

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST (August 31, 2009) – A massive wildfire burning east of the City of Los Angeles has tripled in size in less than 24 hours. Over 105,000 acres is burning in a rapidly moving blaze that left 2 LA County firefighters dead.

The fire started near the City of LaCanada in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest, part of the San Gabriel Mountains. Yesterday, 32,000 acres of super-dry Douglas Fir, Scrub Oak and Manzanita were ablaze, fed by 20mph winds. By 4:30pm (EDT) today, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported that 105,000 acres were involved, and the inferno shows no signs of letting up.

Steep terrain, decadent old growth brush and hot dry weather are factors that drive fire activity. Firefighters are working to build firelines and protect structures within areas affected by the fire.

The blaze is currently threatening dozens of LA County communities, including Pasadena and Glendale, as well as the City of Los Angeles. In total, 15,000 homes and 600 commercial structures lie in the path of the firestorm. Thousands have already left their communities with additional evacuations being announced on an hourly basis.

The fire is also threatening the Mount Lukens TV Tower Site, Mount Wilson Communications Facilities and the Observatory itself. Command fears that the blaze may reach these locations within the next 24 hours.

According to the LA County Fire Department website, flames as tall as 80 feet are the norm for this rapidly advancing blaze. The loom-up of dense white smoke could be seen as far as Ventura, along the Pacific coastline.

Unified Command is in place with the US Forestry Service serving as the lead agency.
In addition to USFS fire units, the National Park Service, LA County, LA City, CalFire, Glendale and Pasadena Fire Departments are all in service. In total, 2600 personnel operating from 290 Engines are on the frontlines, being aided by 8 air tankers, 7 heli-tankers and 6 helicopters.

On Sunday two Los Angeles County firefighters battling the Station fire were killed in a vehicle crash as they attempted to outrace the fire. Fire Captain Tedmund Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones lost their lives after the vehicle in which they were riding went over an embankment and into a ravine.

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resources:

(1) InciWeb

(2) LA County Fire Department

(3) LA City Fire Department

Station Fire Claims 2 LA County Firefighters (8/31/09)

The Valley
Originally uploaded by Sbaros

Story by: Lou Angeli

LOS ANGELES (August 31, 2009) -- This photo, taken from atop the Hollywood Hills along Mulholland Drive, shows Los Angeles in the foreground, and the raging Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest in the background.

As of Monday morning 42,000 acres are burning as Santa Ana winds increase to 20mph with a humidity of just 6%. 2,500 firefighters from a dozen agencies are now working under unified command headed by the USFS.

On Sunday, two Los Angeles County firefighters were killed when their vehicle went over an embankment and into a ravine during heavy fire activity. Capt. Tedmund Hall, 47, and Spc. Arnaldo Quinones, 35, are the first line-of-duty deaths on this blaze, which promises to be one of the largest in California history. Captain Hall had just completed 26 years with LA County, Firefighter Quinones, a marine veteran, 6 years.

The wildland blaze is beginning to affect the intermix and evacuations have been ordered. 10,000 homes are threatened along with 500 commercial properties and 2,000 other stuctures.

Just last week I toured this region, when the USFS had posted the fire potential as EXTREME. Integrated Command is currently focusing on keeping the fire from moving westward, into the city of Los Angeles. The fire continues to move eastward unchecked.

PHOTO BY: SBAROS

Jesusita Fire (Santa Barbara)

IMG_4366 copy
Originally uploaded by kevinalanbaum

JESUSITA UPDATE

SANTA BARBARA, CA (May 9, 2009) -- Flames consume a multimillion dollar home on a hillside above the City of Santa Barbara. The evacuation area now includes many urban areas of Santa Barbara City as far as Highway 101 along the Pacific Coast.

Unified Command reports 30% containment, with 9,000 acres burned and 70 structures destroyed.Structure protection is the current mission, with 3500 residences and 100 commercial properties threatened by the blaze.

Nearly 5,000 firefighters operating 500 engines are currently assigned to the blaze, which has been burning for 5 days now. In addition to CalFire personnel, firefighters from Santa Barbara City and County, Ventura County, OES, USFS and BLM are also on scene.

CalFire and other agencies have set up a comprehensive website dealing with all aspects of the conflagration.

You can listen to fire command operations LIVE on ScanAmerica.

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California’s Wildfire Season Begins

SANTA BARBARA, CA. (May 7, 2009) -- California’s 2009 wildfire season has begun, with Mother Nature taking her first shot at Santa Barbara. The residents and firefighters along the “American Riviera” find themselves doing battle once again with wind-swept flames and dense smoke.

Named the Jesusita Fire, flames are quickly surrounding Santa Barabara, which just last November experienced the Tea Fire, which consumed more than 200 homes. In mid summer of 2008, the Gap Fire threatened thousands of homes, while burning nearly 10,000 acres

According to the Santa Barbara Independent, 70 fire engines from 14 strike teams were fighting the fire, including squads that were stationed at individual homes. The County of Santa Barbara said that another 20 strike teams had already been requested. The flames were within a mile of the closest structure and officials feared that massive power outages might occur.

Dry, off shore winds were whipping the flames up canyons and hillsides and a definable firefront developed within hours of the first calls to 911 operators.

Jesusita Fire Map

“The wind is unpredictable right now.” said Battalion Chief Pat McElroy. “Our biggest concern is a shift to down canyon winds, which would move the fire toward the city.”

McElroy added that statewide mass mutual aid had already been requested.
Even with winds gusting to 50mph, three were quickly helicopters were placed in service and air tankers were making their way to the scene.

On Wednesday evening, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for Santa Barbara City and County. The emergency declaration placed 20 more strike teams totaling about 1,300 firefighters on the road to Santa Barbara.

Overnight, Three Ventura County firefighters were burned fighting the blaze, according to Capt. Ron Oatman of the Ventura County Fire Department. He said they were injured while attempting to protect structures. Their injuries were first and second degree burns and the firefighters were transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment.

As of 0630 on May 7th, 500 acres had already been consumed, with fire officials indicating 0% containment. A Red Flag warning was in place as early morning wind gusts of 50mph pushed the blaze into neighborhoods. According to KSBY-DT, A Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department spokesman says more than 5,400 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders. Nearly 14,000 people are estimated to live in those homes.

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9 Firefighters Killed in Chopper Crash

Carson 16 Originally uploaded by misterarrow

A Sikorsky S-61 Heavy-Lift Helicopter like the ship that crashed.
resource: KCRA3 (Sacramento)

JUNCTION CITY, Calif. -- Nine firefighters are missing and presumed to be dead after a firefighting helicopter crash in Trinity County according to the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday.

The chopper went down in the northwest sector of the so-called "Buckhorn Fire," one of a half dozen blazes being fought as part of the larger Iron Complex Fire. Four firefighters were badly burned in the crash, which took place at about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday about 15 miles northwest of Junction City, west of Redding.

The helicopter, a Sikorsky S-61 "Fire King," was operating under contract to US Forest Service and was carrying 13 people -- including 11 firefighters and two crew members -- when it went down.

Ian Gregor, spokesman for the FAA, said the nine missing people are likely dead. Sharon Heywood, a Forest Service supervisor, confirmed fatalities but did not offer specifics.

Three of the injured fire personnel -- including the pilot -- were at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and were listed in critical or serious condition. The fourth firefighter remained at Mercy Medical Center in Redding and was listed in serious but stable condition.

The firefighters were in transit near the north end of the Buckhorn Fire, which has burned nearly 25 square miles. All 11 are employees of Grayback Forestry, Inc., a private firefighting contractor based in LaGrande, Orgeon. They were working as part of a multi agency task force working the Iron Complex.

The large, yellow helicopter was operated by Carson Helicopters, which has offices in Grants Pass, Ore., and Perkasie, Pa. Company spokesperson Bob Madden said that Carson is an established firm which, operates a large fleet of Sikorsky S-61 choppers.

"We don't know what occurred," Madden said. "We haven't examined the aircraft yet. We've never had a copter go down due to firefighting efforts."

The Sikorsky S-61 can transport 18 firefighters and drop up to 1,000 gallons of water via a bucket suspended from the bottom, Carson Helicopters said.

Grayback Forestry provides firefighting resources and services to clients such as USFS, BLM, USF&W. Last week, another Grayback firefighter lost his life when a large tree fell and crushed him. The company website acknowledges that three of its firefighters were injured in the crash, but makes no mention of the 9 missing or dead firefighters.

"This is a tragic day for firefighters everywhere and the people of California are profoundly aware of the tremendous sacrifices these heroes and their families make day in and day out to keep us safe," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "We are praying for the swift recovery of the victims and our hearts go out to their loved ones."

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are continuing their investigation into the crash. NIOSH and OSHA will investigate the firefighter deaths.
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Watch Video of the Carson S-61 Fire King

BLOG Photo courtesy misterarrow

In A Word: California’s Disaster Response Was "Smooth."

Commentary By: Lou Angeli

San Diego County, CA (October 26, 2007) – If you find yourself trapped somewhere during a major disaster – pray that you’re in California, because when it comes to disaster response and mitigation, no one does it better than emergency personnel in the Golden State.

It’s no secret that California is a hotbed for disasters. The potential for major emergencies like wildfires, earthquakes, floods and mudslides is high, perhaps higher than any other state in the nation. But other states experience serious natural disasters as well, and with the exception of Florida few are able to ride the wave without wiping out.

Some of my colleagues say that California was just lucky this time around. I say no way, because when the Santa Anas blow hard and the vegetation is tinder dry, it’s like joining in on a crap game in which no one’s brought the dice. There is no luck.

So why is the Left Coast better prepared to deal with Mother Nature’s nasty side? In a word – planning. Starting from the Governor’s office down to the smallest volunteer fire brigade, the state has developed contingencies for large-scale disasters.

Statewide Coordination and Cooperation

The state’s Office of Emergency Services serves as the Governor’s direct connection to all emergency services in California. When it came to this week’s wildfire disaster, OES is what FEMA wishes it could be -- an agency that is on the street within hours of a disaster, and well-organized under a common Incident Command System.

The response to the 2007 Firestorm wasn’t a knee-slap reaction but rather the implementation of a long-established plan that has long been administered by Cal OES. It’s a dynamic plan, one that is updated as each disaster is critiqued and recommendations made.

The current working plan was ordered by the Governor back in the Spring. Signed on May 9, 2007, Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order S-07-07 essentially instructed agencies like the OES, Cal Fire, the CDC and the National Guard to beef up their response capabilities. According to the order, additional OES strike teams were to be created, Cal Fire staffing was to be increased, better coordination between state agencies and the military was mandated, and a reciprocal firefighting arrangement was to be established with Mexico

The order also reaffirmed how the state’s automatic mutual aid system would function under the California Fire Assistance Agreement. S-07-07 was presented in such detail that the Governor even indicated a minimum staffing level for fire engines. (1)

Take Charge Governor

When the situation went from bad to worse, Schwarzenegger made certain that he was front and center. While flying to speak at a conference in Long Beach, he learned that a major evacuation was taking place in San Diego County. He diverted his helicopter directly to the firefront, where he took command as if he were a 30-year firefighting salt. (If it counts, he did play the role of a firefighter in a 2002 motion picture.)

Schwarzenegger launched each press conference by crediting the state’s firefighters, always making note of the dangerous conditions under which they were working. While agency directors tended to hour-to-hour operations, much of the Governor's focus this past week was on the plight of the evacuees, saying he didn’t want anyone to feel abandoned. He personally toured evacuation centers like Qualcom, where he conducted his own assessments, some of which dealt with the nitty-gritty.

“Do we have enough toilet paper, do we have enough toilets?" Schwarzenegger said at a press conference after his tour. "Do we have everything we need for the people here so they can stay overnight?"

So, without any ceremony, the title of Master of Disaster was quietly handed over this week from former New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The California governor’s handling of the 2007 Firestorm, and the state’s largest evacuation ever has brought him praise from around the World. Even ultra-liberals offered admiring remarks.

“How about Schwarzenegger…he was certainly in control this week,” said HBO’s Bill Maher on his Friday night broadcast. “It’s a shame that he can’t run for president,’ Maher added, “…he’d probably have my vote!”

During a satellite feed beamed to the participants of the conference that he was unable to attend, Schwarzenegger offered this explanation of the importance of his personal response.

“The most important thing is you jump into action as quickly as possible," he said. The public needs to see "that you are a hands-on governor," that you "take care of the firefighters" and feel the pain of people who have lost their homes. (Time.com)

The Question of Early Aircraft Intervention

In an earlier blog I made note of criticism leveled against Schwarzenegger by Chief Chip Prather, the boss of the very large Orange County Fire Authority. Chief Prather, a well-known national fire administrator, chastised the Governor and the state for banning firefighting aircraft from the skies during the early stages of the fire.

Of course pilots and fire officials agreed that sending flight crews on low level sorties, buffeted by hurricane force winds, would have been a suicide mission. My suggestion at the time was that perhaps Prather was exhausted, and didn’t realize that he was speaking to a hastily assembled press conference – rather than his chiefs and crews at the command post. As it turned out, that was partially the case.

By Wednesday, Time.com reports, Prather had nothing but accolades for Schwarzenegger.

His "personal attention" to firefighters battling the blazes "is inspiring - knowing the guy at the top is there with them," Prather said at a news conference near Los Angeles.

FEMA goes 0 for 6.

On Thursday, the situation was still very serious, but sunlight was beginning to peak through the constant haze of chocking smoke. With the Santa Anas dying down, and tankers dousing the flames, firefighters were making remarkable progress. Many evacuees were permitted to return to their neighborhoods, and for those families who lost their homes, the process of re-establishing their lives was beginning.

Following the Katrina debacle, FEMA’s David Paulison promised better and more immediate response to large-scale disasters. His plan did, in fact, take place. The agency immediately deployed the Federal Incident Response Team (FIRST) out of Atlanta aboard a Coast Guard C-130. The advance team hit the ground running and began to coordinate emergency support for the thousands of evacuees at the Qualcomm shelter.

However, a quick visit to FEMA’s website reveals that the agency was taking credit for the hard work of others. The website suggests that FEMA had been coordinating the military response to San Diego County, which is far from the truth.

The military is a major presence in San Diego County, with some 300,000 of its personnel and dependants living there. Like any good neighbor would do, the NAVY, Marines, Reserves and National Guard stepped up to assist state government in the early stages, while FEMA was still watching the disaster play out on CNN.

Then there was FEMA’s fake press conference. Yes – like a parody from The Colbert Report, America's favorite federal agency staged a phony briefing on Tuesday with FEMA employees posing as legitimate members of the press. Real-life reporters were given just 15 minutes notice of the press conference, however for those who weren't able to make it, the agency offered a toll-free 800 listen-only line.

It's an unfortunate situation for FEMA. The good work that Paulison accomplished in the early stages of this disaster will never be remembered. The 5th Estate will scrutinize everything that the agency does from this moment on, regardless of its merit. And David Paulison, a good man with fine intentions, will take the fall and likely lose his position.

Lessons Learned

The campaign in California is still in disaster mode, so it's a bit early to be critiquing the operation. But there is one thing that I'd like to share. In my mind there are two ways to fix FEMA. Immediately turn the agency over to the US Coast Guard -- or sub-contract national disaster response to Governor Schwarzenegger’s Office of Emergency Services.

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Sources:

(1) OES

(2) Time.com