The Wildfire Log | California | August 16, 2019

August 16, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

Due to the large number of large incidents burning across the United States, we will be breaking down wildfires burning in each State separately. We may miss one or a few but we promise, we will get caught up as we glean information from various verified sources.

Border 8 Fire | 1,500 acres | 60% contained

The Border 8 Fire is in the City of Tecate, southeast of San Deigo in Mexico County. The cause of this wildfire is unknown and under investigation. Currently, they are in Unified Command with CAL Fire and Mexican Fire Agency Consulate Emergency Services FD. At this time, the fire is threatening the City of Tecate, Mexico.

Border 9 Fire | 80 acres | 100% contained

The Border 9 Fire was located off of Marron Valley Road and Border Road, southeast of Dulzura in San Diego County. The fire started on 8/15/2019 at 2:35pm from an unknown cause. Fire agency deployed was with the CAL Fire’s San Diego County FD.

Cottage Fire | 156 acres | 90% contained

The Cottage Fire started on 8/15/2019 @ 1509 hours on Dersch Road and Cottage Hill Drive, northeast of Anderson. The cause, like others are unknown and under investigation for the CAL Fire’s Shasta-Trinity Unit. There are still 8 personnel assigned to this incident.

Gaines Fire | 1,300 acres | 5% contained

The Gaines Fire started on 8/16/2019 from a cause that is unknown and under investigation. It is located in Mt. Gaines Road x Bear Valley Road in Bear Valley (Mariposa County). CAL FIRE’s Madera – Mariposa – Merced Unit firefighters are deployed on this incident.

–> Evacuation Advisory | Bear Valley, Pendola Garden Road and Hwy 49 <–

Hunter Fire | 423 acres | 60% contained

The Hunter Fire is located about 6 miles southwest of Bear Valley in the Merced-Mariposa Unit of CAL Fire’s area. Fire fuels include tall grass. Fire behavior is moderate. There are currently, 77 fire personnel along with 2 crews, 13 engines. Cost-to-date is $250,000.

Mill Fire | 310 acres | 98% contained

The Mill fire is located on USFS land on the Los Padres National Forest and 5 miles east of Lucia. At this time 310 acres of timber, chaparral and tall grass have been consumed.

Mill Fire | Credit: USFS

There are still 25 fire personnel assigned with 1 engine. Cost-to-date in suppression and containment expenses have reached $5.1 Million Dollars.

Moose Fire | 225 acres | 95% contained

The Moose fire started on 8/12/2019 @ 1710 hours PDT off of Moose Road and Bus McGall Road NW, northwest of Hopland. The CAL Fire’s Mendocino Unit is the one working this incident.

Patterson Fire | 35 acres | 90% contained

The Patterson Fire started on 8/15/2019, from an unknown cause and is still under investigation. This fire is located on Patterson Drive, south of Placerville in El Dorado County. Fire crews are mopping up hot spots and patrolling throughout the night. Fire Unit: CAL Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit. All evacuation orders have been lifted. There are 2 engines and 10 fire personnel attache

The Wildfire Log | Lassen County’s Doyle Fire (CA) | 1

July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary | A wildfire broke out on Sunday, July 14, 2019, near the community of Doyle in Lassen County, California. It’s exact location is off Old Highway and Cowboy Joe Road, northwest of Doyle Northern California District – Susanville.

IC | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office.

Resources | California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL Fire.

Current Status | The fire has burned 150 acres of grass and brush. 0% containment. Fire suppression efforts include fire crews using initial attack with engines and aircraft. Fire is burning on both the east and west sides of Highway 395.

Fire Wx | There are concerns with possible future windy conditions that will hit the area.

Evacuations | Ordered for those homes inside the fire perimeter which include on Highway 395.

Social Media | We are using #CAwildfires #FireSeason2019 to track these incidents. 2019 has sure been a terrible year for California’s wildfire season.

Thank you for reading this post and hope you will join our 300+ readership to catch your news on fires, wildfires and disaster events. Hope you all stay safe out there wherever your travels may take you. – Ed.

The Wildfire Log | Ventura County’s South Fire | 4

July 14, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary | A second-alarm brush fire is burning in the area of 21000 block of South Mountain Road and off of Balcom Canyon Road, just east of Santa Paula in Ventura County, California.

Photo Credit: Chris B @CB_FirePhoto, a VCFD Photographer

Fire name is SOUTH FIRE. Sorry for the confusion everyone. It appears that the Firefighters are from SouthInc.

Resources | (IC) Ventura County FD. (Incident Cooperators) Fillmore FD, LA County FD (Firehawk) , CAL FIRE, CHP Moorpark Division and Ventura County Air Unit.

Current Fire Status | Firefighters still battling the fire and will remain on the fire throughout the night.

Social Media | You can also follow us on live coverage for this wildfire on our Twitter page @nwfireblog

The Wildfire Log | Ventura County’s South Fire | 3

July 14, 2019July 14, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary | A second-alarm brush fire is burning in the area of 21000 block of South Mountain Road and off of Balcom Canyon Road, just east of Santa Paula in Ventura County, California.

Fire name is SOUTH INC Fire, formerly the SOUTH FIRE.

Resources | (IC) Ventura County FD. (Incident Cooperators) Fillmore FD, LA County FD (Firehawk) , CAL FIRE, CHP Moorpark Division and Ventura County Air Unit.

Photo Credit: VCFD PIO

Current Fire Status | CAL FIRE has deployed some of their resources as an Incident Cooperator. (1423 PDT)

Fire has increased to 120 acres. 0% containment.

Right flank is being held with retardant while the left is a high priority for the IC/Fire Manager.

It is moving towards the east in the middle of the slope and still going AWAY from structures.

Social Media | You can also follow us on live coverage for this wildfire on our Twitter page @nwfireblog

The Wildfire Log | Ventura County’s South Fire | 1

July 14, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary | A second-alarm brush fire is burning in the area of 210000 block of South Mountain Road, west of Fillmore in Ventura County, California.

Photo Credit: @pettyranch

First due fire resources reported smoke and flames with the fire running uphill and about .25 acre in light to medium fuels. It is burning above Fillmore.

The fire is named the SOUTH FIRE. Fire Command is #SOUTHINC

Resources | Fillmore FD and LA County FD (Mutual aid). CHP Moorpark Division. Ventura County Air Unit.

Incident Timeline | 1153: Fire reported at 21000 blk of South Mountain Rd. Dozer 7 on-scene. A 2nd dozer, additional air tankers are ordered.

1200: RE27 reported the fire was at 10 acres in steep terrain with potential of 100 acres. One structure was being threatened. Structure protection activities in progress.

Fire in bowl. Credit: VCFD PIO

1201: Fire upgraded to a second-alarm brush fire.

1217: 5 Type 3’s being requested in lieu of inbound Type 1 Engines.

1237: LA County FD sending Copter 19 with Fly Crew 901 and SU20, BC44 deployed as mutual aid.

1242: The Fire IC is stating the official name of this fire has now been changed to #SouthInc brush fire.

Tanker dropping retardant. Credit: VCFD PIO

1259: Fire around 50-60 acres with moderate rate of spread. Fire crews trying to use road system as fire break.

1259 | Fire is at 20 acres and air resources are going direct with fire suppression efforts. There is a minor structure threat.

1306 | Fire is now 50-60 acres with moderate ROS. Additional wildland fire engines and air assets are on order.

Traffic Alerts | CAL Trans is asking drivers to be aware of Emergency Vehicles in the area which is south of the City of Santa Paula. No impacts on SR126 currently.

Social Media | A new update will be released at 1400 hours unless there is significant fire activity or evacuations begin to occur so we can get the information out to the public and provide you with updates.

You can also follow us on live coverage for this wildfire on our Twitter page @nwfireblog

Disaster News | California Areas Touched by Aftershocks

July 7, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 3 – JULY 7, 2019 – SUNDAY

INCIDENT SUMMARY

What appeared as an isolated incident of a single quake with multiple aftershocks, turned out to be nothing more than a fore shock and something we don’t hear much about – until today. The original large quake that would shake near the Ridgecrest area of Kern County, California was measured at 6.4M This occurred on Thursday, July 4, 2019. It was being called a foreshock (prior to the actual quake).

A 7.1M rocked the Ridgecrest area on July 5th causing widespread power outages, gas leaks, structure fires and many EMS calls, with most of them being for short of breath incidents. Roads were reported buckling and separating roadways, all the way across.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

Epicenter | Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake | 150 miles N of Los Angeles

Credit: US Military

The NAWS China Lake Station is about 150 miles north of Los Angeles and at the epicenter. No casualties or injuries were reported. All buildings were found to be structurally sound and still standing.

Kern County | Commercial Structural Damage

On July 6th, the Governor of California was out to businesses and areas to view the hardest hit areas.

Credit: CA Gov Office

Kern Co Damage | GOP Leader Visit

On the afternoon of July 5th, GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy met with local Officials and 1st Responders to discuss post-earthquake efforts and tour some of the damaged areas firsthand in Kern County.

Kern County | Mobile Home Park

Businesses suffered greatly. | Credit: Kevin McCarthy, GOP Leader

City of Trona | 20 miles E of Ridgecrest

The City of Trona’s one and only water pipeline has been reported to have several cracks. Repairs are currently ongoing and they are working to fix their main water resources. On July 6, 2019, after the quake hit – there were reports of being extremely hit hard and had no power or water.

Between Trona & Ridgecrest | SR 178

CHP and CALtrans District 9 assess one of the major roadways at night of a serious large fracture. This is on SR 178 between Trona and Ridgecrest.

Credit: CALtrans

Kern County | Ridgecrest Regional Hospital

After the 6.4M quake on Thursday, July 4th, the hospital began evacuating some patients due to reported structural damage inside the building. No word on any further damage after the 7.1M quake on Friday or if additional patients were moved from the facilities. An ambulance strike team from Bakersfield was due to assist with evacuations.

INCIDENT COOPERATORS:

CAL OES | Local Leaders giving briefings

Credit: CAL OES

Los Angeles County FD | OES Haz-Mat 811 is surveying the damage.

Credit: LACoFD

Orange County Fire Authority | OCFA Heavy Rescue 6 out at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center conducting a damage assessment at the facility.

Credit: OCFA PIO

DISASTER FACT | The Searles and Little Areas are being touched by many Aftershocks in the last 24-48 hours.

Public Health Deployed | Kern Co FD – OES

Credit: KCFD – OES

SHELTER

An American Red Cross shelter has been opened at the Kerr McGee Community Center located at 100 W California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Closures | Ridgecrest DMV * CLOSED * Monday, July 8th. Appointments will be honored at nearby field offices. This location is being inspected for structural damage and making repairs. (dmv.ca.gov)

Free Transportation | Trona area residents can receive FREE transportation at the high school to the Ridgecrest Shelter located at the Kerr McGee Center.

Red Cross Services | The Red Cross is currently distributing water, food, clean up kits in the communities of Trona and Ridgecrest. These are FREE services.

Credit: ARC

Natural Gas Service | PGE reminds its customers that if you have HAD your gas turned off, not to turn it back on yourselves but to call 800-743-5000 to have service resumed.

Crisis Support | Quakes can be stressful, for Mental Health Crisis Support, contact the Behavioral Health Crisis Hotline at 800-991-5272 or the local Crisis Support Center at 760-463-2880.

How to Prepare for Emergencies | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

When to Do When the Shaking Starts | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

How to Prep for Aftershocks | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

Report Structural Damage | Kern County/Ridgecrest residents only by calling 760-499-5083 or contact by email: quakedamage@ridgecrest-ca.gov

Donations for Quake Victims | Red Cross | 800-RED-CROSS or go to redcross.org

SOCIAL MEDIA | Taken from Eyewitness Accounts Reported on Social Media

“It was like violent shaking, things breaking.”

“No damage in Anaheim reported. Keep 9-1-1 lines open for emergencies.” – Anheim PD

“The strongest quake to hit Southern CAL in 20 years.” – Media

Multiple tweets sent to President, asking for assistance. – Multiple Users

“San Bernardino County reported no injuries, but significant instrastructure damage.” – Media user.

“I could feel the quake all the way down here.” – Las Vegas (NV) resident.

“Ridgecrest is far from LA. It felt small compared to aftershocks of Northridge in 1994. They (Ridgecrest) does not have the population or infrastructure LA has. There is no damage here (LA).” – Media poster.

“There’s quite a bit of damage that needs to be fixed. We have red tags everywhere and the assessment isn’t even done yet. There’s a lot not being showing on the news.” – Media user.

Disaster News | California Suffers From Another Large Quake

July 6, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 2 – JULY 6, 2019 – SATURDAY

INCIDENT SUMMARY

DISASTER FACT | 200+ Quakes measured 2.5M + have occurred between both the 6.4M – 7.1M quakes. – USGS

Today’s large quake originally measured at 6.9M has been elevated to a 7.1M with more aftershocks to come in the following minutes, to hours, to days or even months.

SHELTER

An American Red Cross shelter has been opened at the Kerr McGee Community Center located at 100 W California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

How to Prepare for Emergencies | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

When to Do When the Shaking Starts | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

How to Prep for Aftershocks | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

Report Structural Damage | Ridgecrest residents only | 760-499-5083. City or County inspections are onsite.

Donations for Quake Victims | Red Cross | 800-RED-CROSS or go to redcross.org

SOCIAL MEDIA

We have currently signed off and going out of service on this incident as we will be out of town this weekend but staying on the Ridgecrest Earthquake Fire news watch. We will continue postings but they may be delayed.

To stay more up-to-date on fire news coverage, please follow us on our Twitter @nwfireblog for live updates. Please stay safe out there, wherever you may travel or be deployed to. We appreciate everything you all are doing out there. #FireResources

Disaster News | California Shaken By Large Quake, Aftershocks

July 5, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / 3 Comments

UPDATE 1 – JULY 5, 2019 – FRIDAY

A large earthquake shook the Ridgecrest, California area on Thursday, July 4, 2019, which startled a lot of people.

The Kern County EOC was activated due to the large earthquake and aftershocks. This evening, a larger quake measured at 6.9+ with some reports stating as high as a 7.1M occurred, prompting Fire Agencies to start checking their Fire Stations.

Call volume has increased with firefighters responding to calls related to breathing difficulties, structure and grass fires and gas leaks, as well as HAZMAT calls.

SHELTER

An American Red Cross shelter has been opened at the Kerr McGee Community Center located at 100 W California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

How to Prepare for Emergencies | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps.html

When to Do When the Shaking Starts | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

How to Prep for Aftershocks | https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/earthquake.html

Report Structural Damage | Ridgecrest residents only | 760-499-5083. City or County inspections are onsite.

Donations for Quake Victims | Red Cross | 800-RED-CROSS or go to redcross.org

The Wildfire Log | Sand Fire | CA | 8

June 13, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

CALIFORNIA

JUNE 13, 2019 – THURSDAY – 2111 HOURS PDT

Incident Summary

The SAND FIRE began on June 8th around 1450 hours PDT. The official cause has not been released yet via CAL FIRE, who is the lead fire agency.

It is located about seven miles NNW of Guinida and 92 miles NNE of San Francisco, California.

Photo Credit: CAL FIRE

Current Status

Fire crews have reached a 95% containment status with the fire scorching 2,512 acres.

There are still 200 fire personnel assigned to this incident along with 5 engines, 3 fire crews, 4 dozers and 4 water tenders

Significant Events

7 non-residential structures were destroyed.
2 minor firefighter injuries
Highest amount of fire personnel reached 500 at peak of fire
Fire jumped Highway 16
Evacuations were in effect
Largest wildfire for Northern California

View of the Sand Fire taken on June 9, 2019.

Courtesy | Inciweb

Social Media

This is our last and final post on this wildfire incident. Thank you to all of you who followed us on live coverage on our Twitter @nwfireblog and visiting us here for our Official posts! We Thank you and hope you are safe whereever you play/work/live. – Ed.

#SandFire #CAwildfires2019

The Wildfire Log | McMillan Fire | CA

June 13, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

CALIFORNIA

CAL FIRE and SLO County FD fire crews were on-scene to a brush fire located east of McMillan Canyon Road on Highway 46 on June 12th.

Here is a timeline of the wildfire as it unfolded over Social Media:

6/12 1305 | Fire reached 10 acres with a moderate rate of spread.

Credit | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit

1320 | Fire increased to 50 acres.

1340 | Fire behavior began to change from moderate to a rapid rate of spread, bringing it to 200 acres destroyed.

1351 | By this time, just shy over 10 minutes, the wildfire exploded into 600 acres.

1439 | Fire crews were beginning to get a handle on the wildfire and bringing the containment now to 20%.

Credit | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit

1501 | Firefighters were still at 20% containment but the fire grew to a scary 1,000 acres. Fire assets were brought in for fire suppression from the skies and the ground.

Credit | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit

1626 | The fire was still increasing. It had now reached 2,000 acres destroyed with 20% containment status remaining the same.

1523 | Firefighters were working tirelessly as they were trying to bring this fire under control and contained. At this time, the forward progression of the fire was stopped and containment now up to 50%. Fire Managers and Law Enforcement reopened EB traffic on Hwy 46.

1554 | As containment increased, some fire assets and personnel were slowly beginning to be released from the incident. Progress for full containment was still the main objective. Smoke was still visible in the northeastern portion of (SLO) the County.

Credit | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit

1827 | Fire remained at the same 50% containment but structures were no longer threatened by the impending wildfire, thanks to the efforts by fire crews in both the air and on the ground. Both directions of the highway were now opened but traffic was being diverted through Shandon.

2104 | CAL FIRE, CHP, and CAL Trans worked through coordination to open one WB lane on the Highway. Once all the way open, no more traffic was said to be diverted through Shandon.

2116 | Fire equipment and personnel were due to remain on the fireline throughout the evening to strengthen containment lines and put out any hot spots that may arise. A strike team of engines are due to be deployed to the line the following morning.

Credit | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit

6/13/2019 1000 | CAL FIRE – SLO Unit E3469 out of the Cayucos FS #11 worked on the containment lines. With good weather conditions, crews were able to help those area assigned to the fire to increase the containment status even higher.

1109 | Fire objective is still the focus of fire crews. Containment increases to 75%. With more accurate mapping, Fire Managers release the total destroyed by the fire at 1,764 acres.

1631 | Fire crews have been on-scene all day and have now reached a containment status of 95%. They have laid almost 10 miles of fireline constructed around the fire.

This is our first and last report on this wildfire since fire crews have reached their fire objective. – Ed.

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