National Park Service

Bandera Fire | New Mexico | 1

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 1 – APRIL 24, 2017

Incident Summary | The Bandera Fire was reported on Monday morning at 1024 Hours MST today is located approximately 18 miles SW of Grants, New Mexico in the NW corner of El Malpais National Monument, near County Raod 42 and NPS 200 Road.

The fire started on private property and moved on to National Park Service land.  Firefighters responded and found 5 acres burned. At 1250 hours, firefighters radioed in that they were having difficulty with high gusty winds (10-12 mph).  The area now is under a Red Flag Warning and High Wind Advisory.

Resources |  NPS and the USDA Forest Service firefighters, including the Mt. Taylor Hotshots are on scene, with a total of 4 engines.  Mt. Taylor & Zuni Interagency Hotshot Crews. Crews from the BLM and BIA have been requested and a Type 3 team has been ordered for logistical support. 5 wildland fire engines have been ordered, along with a Type 3 helicopter for use in air operations.

Incident Cooperators | Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), USDA Forest Service (USFS) and the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Acreage | 50 acres.

Evacuations | Know what to during an evacuation and how you can prepare for wildfires.  Learn here –> http://bit.ly/RSGNM .   – 2 homes currently being threatened –

Social Media | #BanderaFire #NmWildfires2017

(c) 2017 The NW Fire Blog

NEW – Welland Fire – Tennessee – Update 1

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Updated 3:30 AM PST

The Walland Fire started on November 17th from an unknown cause and is said to be located in the East Millers Cove area in Tennessee. It is being said that this is a fast-moving fire burning in mountainous terrain. Many outside agencies are pouring into the area to assist as Mutual Aid resources.

Command is reported as being in Unified Command with the National Park Service (NPS), Tennessee Department of Forestry (TN DOF) and Blount County Fire Department (BCoFD).

The fire is expected to reach a high of 200 acres today, as drought conditions continue throughout the region.  Burn bans have been implemented for quite some time including no burn permits being issued as early as the first week of November.

Current weather conditions of 6:00 AM EST is 44*F and partly cloudy day with a high temp of 74*F with 1% precip, 65% humidity and wind speed at 4 mph.  On Saturday, the weather forecast is 30% chance of rain.  (We’re hoping this happens to assist with fire suppression efforts)

Though not directly being threatened, the fire appeared to be near the Walland Elementary School and Walland United Methodist Church.  Both have been evacuated and closed as precautions only.  School was closed on Thursday.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

#CoyoteFire Still Being Battled by Firefighters

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Updated 5/23/2016 2125 PDT – Monday

Photo Credit: Guadalupe Mtn National Park

Salt Flat, TX | Lightning struck the area, igniting a fire that was later discovered near Coyote Peak in the NW corner of Guadalupe Mountains National Park at 1330 hours on Saturday, May 7.  It is also located 46 miles W of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The wildfire management is under IC Tom Barta and his management team and Fire Managers are expecting a Type 2 IMT to assume command on Wednesday, May 24, 2016.

Currently, 150 personnel from the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management,  Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and from the New Mexico State Forestry are tied to this incident working to completely contain this wildfire.

Firefighters are climbing through rugged terrain that includes grass, brush and chaparral with increasing temps.

Photo Credit: Guadalupe Mtn National Park

The fire has consumed up to 12,718 acres and Fire crews have successfully reached a 70% containment status.

On May 22nd, high winds pushed the fire past Blush Mountain Ridge towards Guadalupe Peak and is expected to stay active this week.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

#CoyoteFire | Guadalupe Natl Forest | Salt Flat TX | Update

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Updated 5/18/2016 – Wednesday – 2145 PDT

Photo Credit: Guadalupe Mtn National Park

Salt Flat, TX | Lightning struck the area, igniting a fire that was later discovered near Coyote Peak in the NW corner of Guadalupe Mountains National Park at 1330 hours on Saturday, May 7.  It is also located 46 miles W of Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The wildfire management is under IC Tom Barta and his management team.

Currently, 97 personnel from the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management,  Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service and from the New Mexico State Forestry are tied to this incident.

Photo Credit: Guadalupe Mtn National Park

The fire has consumed up to 11,820 acres of grass, brush and chaparral.  Fire crews have successfully reached a 30% containment status.   They will continue  to do rehabilitation work on trails and other areas.  Additionally, they will monitor fire lines for security as the fire is allowed to progress inside the fire’s perimeter to reduce hazardous fire fuels.

The National Park Service issued this Alert, “Effective immediately, all backcountry areas are closed to the public. McKittrick Canyon and Dog Canyon will also remain closed until further notice. Guadalupe Peak, Smith Spring and El Capitan trails remain open.”

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

Fire Images of Rocky Mountain Fire

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Fire Photography has been around forever, or at least as it seems.  We will note that all of the Fire Images shown in our posts are given the most accurate Photo Credits / Courtesy as possible.  We do not lie any claims to those photos as they are the sole property of the photographers listed.

Fire Stats

  • Started – 4/16/2016 – 1315 Hours
  • Location – South Zone of Shenandoah National Park, NE of Grottoes, Rockingham County, in Luray, Virginia.
  • Cause – Unknown, under investigation
  • Containment – 90% as of 4/28/2016
  • Acres:  10,326
  • Fire Fuels:  Timber (litter/understory), brush and grass
  • Fire Behavior:  Minimal, smolder

PHOTO CREDIT – A. WILLIAMS, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Evening Rocky Mtn Fire

Rocky Mtn Fire NPS Photo A.Williams

Rocky Mtn Fire.

PHOTO CREDIT – VIRGINIA DEPT OF FORESTRY

PHOTO CREDIT – JENNIFER RABUCK, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Smoke rises across a ridge in the background

PHOTO CREDIT – RITA BAYSINGER, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Type 1 (hotshot) firefighters get their gear together before heading out for the day.

Photogrpher in foreground and a pilot in a helmet, sitting in the cockpit of his Type 2 helicopter is his subject.

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe in a blue and gray jacket speaks in front of a large map of the Rocky Mtn Fire 2016.

Smoke billows up from mountain side after aerial ignition

PHOTO COURTESY – INCIWEB

View of Rocky Mtn Fire from Skyline Drive

Skyline Drive

Smoke visible from Rocky Mtn Fire

Firefighters

Helicopter

Superintendent Northup addresses firefighters at morning briefing

Media Tour on the Rocky Mtn Fire April 24, 2016

front of a helicopter says N.P Police

Map of the Appalachian Trail in eastern US

PHOTO CREDIT – SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PHOTO COURTESY – NASA

picture of the burn scar and active fire area at the edges from space

photo from space showing a close view of the burned area and active fire edges with labels

We’d like to Thank the men and women behind the fire images knowing how much time and effort to put these great fire images out to all of us. Thank you for sharing your many talents and bringing to life what it is really looks like on the fire ground. – Ed.

 

Sources:  Inciweb, Shenandoah NPS, NASA, VA Department of Forestry

 

Presumed Suicide Takes Life of One of Virginia’s Heroes In Red

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Around 1400 hours in Virginia, a SAR team consisting of personnel from the Virginia State Police and the Shenandoah National Park Service suspended all search operations upon discovery of a female body ID’d to that of missing Fairfax County Firefighter-Paramedic NIcole Mittendorf.

Photo Courtesy: Virginia State Police

Over 120 personnel from the Virginia State Patrol, National Park Service, FBI, Virginia Department of Emergency management [VDEM],  including SAR team volunteers had been searching for the missing Firefighter-Paramedic, reported missing over one week ago in the Shenandoah National Park – the same place where the Rocky Mountain fire is burning.

Police stated remains of a female was located within the park’s boundary on Thursday, around 2pm in a remote location.  It was stated to be located more than one mile from the Whiteoak Parking area and about 330 yards down from the trail in treacherous terrain.  Both Agencies, State Patrol and the National Park Service are still working to process the scene.

Her death is not being ruled as being any type of foul play per physical and digital evidence largely played a huge role recovered from the Firefighter’s vehicle.

Editor’s Note:

“We are greatly saddened by the notion of this young lady and one that seemed to have carried way too much on her shoulders to reach out to those that could have helped prevent her suicidal actions.  It breaks our hearts knowing she had been enduring something so difficult to share with others, that she felt suicide was the only way out.

We send our sincere sympathies to her immediate family, her Fire Family, to her husband and his Police Family, her friends, to the Searchers and to the Communities she touched as a person and as a Firefighter-Paramedic.” – Lisa

THERE ARE MANY WHO CARE ABOUT YOU!

Do YOU feel like you have seen way too much on the job or things not going well in your own personal life?  Do  you have  a FRIEND who has found them at the end of their rope and is contemplating to ending it all?

We all know SUICIDE IS NOT THE ANSWER but I can reassure you, sometimes it just feels like the easiest way to handle things or even if the depression is beginning to take the wheel.  DON’T!  

As a journalist here on The NW Fire  Blog, we report way too many deaths and ones that are taken way too soon.  Suicide is not the answer.  There so many people who care for you that you may not even want to admit to or even realize.

Feel ashamed?  Feel like someone may find out?  I can rest reassure you that there are many who have gone through or are going through the same motions.  Reach out to  safe and confidential SAFE CALL NOW – a national, non-profit organization founded by a former Police Officer.  He speaks often about his life spiraling out of control as a person and a Police Officer to someone who is still recovering.  He and others reach out to many in the same situation.

SAFE CALL NOW, is a non-profit organization founded by a Public Safety member for all public safety employees, all emergency services personnel and their family members nationwide. This is a CONFIDENTIAL, comprehensive, 24-hour crisis referral  service for all 1st Responders.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

Fire in Virginia’s Wilderness National Park Most Likely Human Caused

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A wildfire discovered within the South District Shenandoah National Park’s boundaries in Luray, Virginia yesterday on Saturday, April 16, 2016, has scorched approximately 200 acres.

The fire is burning entirely within the park’s boundaries in designated wilderness areas.  This area is closed to the Public.

National Park Service Fire Managers state the cause is under investigation but most likely is human-caused.

There is a 0% containment status at this time.

Skyline Drive

Photo Credit: Shenandoah National Park Service

RESOURCES

Incident Cooperators for this fire are from the National Park Service and the Virginia Department of Forestry.  Additional fire personnel and equipment are en route and will be soon arriving on-scene.

CLOSURES

The Rocky Mount Trail, Gap Run Trail and Onemile Run Trail are all closed to the public.

Smoke visible from Rocky Mtn Fire

Photo Credit: Shenandoah National Park Service

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

There are no structures being threatened at the time of this post.  No injuries or structure damage have been reported.

WEATHER

As of 1700 Hours EDT [Viriginia time], their current weather is mostly sunny with temps of 75-degrees and 0 chance of precipitation.  Humidity is at 24% with winds at 5 m.p.h.

FIRE TACTICS

Fire Managers will continue to monitor and actively manage operations.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

National Fire Activity Report| April 15, 2016

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

THE NUMBERS ARE RELEASED

The following report was released from the National Interagency Coordination Center for the week of April 8-14, 2016.

During this week, 729 new fires were reported as Light Initial Fire Activity incidents.  Of those, 17 were new large events and crews were able to contain 20 large fires.  Six [6] remain not contained.

Though the number of fires are showing a downturn at this time of year [based off of April 15, 2016] down to 12,272  since its prior years in 2015, of 13,286 and listed as 16,470 in 2014 – it is clearly a sign of land burning much more rapidly.

In 2016, 1,381,078 acres have been consumed, while at this time of year in 2015, only 297,023 acres and even a lesser amount of 226,291 in 2014.  Times have changed and the numbers do not lie.  The proof lies here and some, have already began early recruitment and staffing up for when the Firestorm attempts to burn up the landscape like it did in 2015.  Reinforcements will be ready for Mother Nature’s fury, when she most likely will strike.

STATES ALREADY TOUCHED BY FIRE

Arkansas.  1 new. 1 contained.

Arizona.  0 new. 1 contained.

Florida.  3 new. 1 contained. 3 still burning.

  • Long Pine Key.  Everglades NP.  12 miles SW of Homestead. 3780 acres. Timber & brush. Moderate fire behavior.  Structures threatened. 65% contained. 59 personnel. 1 crew. 10 engines. 2 helicopters. $341,000 cost-to-date.
  •  Relay.  Florida Forest Service.  7 miles SW of Favoretta.  Southern rough.  Min. fire behavior.  400 acres. 85% contained.  6 personnel.  6 engines. No cost-to-date.
  •  Still Road.  Florida Forest Service.  3 miles NE of Barberville. Southern rough.  Min. fire behavior.  205 acres.  95% contained.  6 personnel.  1 helicopter. No cost-to-date available.

Kansas.  0 new. 1 contained.

Mississippi.  2 new. 2 contained.

Montana.  2 new.  1 contained.  1 still burning.

  • Elk Hill.  Lewis & Clark National Forest. 21 miles NE of Augusta.  Min. fire behavior with creeping and smoldering.  Trail closures are in effect. 1089 acres.  80% contained.  32 personnel.  1 crew.  2 helicopters.  $575,000 cost-to-date.

New Mexico.  0 new.  1 contained.

North Carolina.  2 new.  2 contained.

Oklahoma.  4 new.  6 contained.  2 still burning.

  • 350 Complex.  Department of Forestry.  6 miles N of Woodward.  Tall grass, brush and timber. Min. fire behavior.  Structures threatened. 57,167 acres. 92% contained. 37 personnel.  5 engines.  $900,000 cost-to-date.
  • Top Hat.  Osage Agency.  2 miles S of Hominy.  Hardwood litter.  Min. fire behavior.  1,544 acres.  95% contained.  3 personnel.  1 engine.  $22,000 cost-to-date.

South Dakota.  0 new.  1 contained.

Tennessee.  1 new.  3 contained.

Virginia.  2 new.  2 contained.

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

WILDFIRE: Mud Pond Fire | George Washington, Jefferson NF | Update 2

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

FIRE SUMMARY

The Mud Pond fire is burning in the Mud Pond area of Rockingham County, Virginia on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and near the community of Union Springs.

The fire was detected on the night of November 13, 2015.  The cause is still unknown at this time and is under current investigation.  Fire is minimal and backing.

Currently, there is no containment on the fire and Fire Managers state they have no known date as to when it will be contained.  So far, 629 acres have been burned.

RESOURCES

There are a total of 9 Firefighters, 1 dozer and 1 engine assigned to this incident from the Virginia Department of Forestry and the National Park Services.  27 personnel attached to this fire incident.

FUTURE TACTICS

Firefighters are expecting a wind expect on Wednesday into Thursday and therefore will be making efforts to establish and maintain existing fireline, mop-up and rehab firelines.

CLOSURES

The following areas and/or roads have been closed to hunters and the general public.

  • Cliff Trail #429
  • Mud Pond Gap Trail #544
  • Blueberry Trail #544a
  • Hidden Rocks Trail #511
  • Portion of Meadow Knob #428
  • The Peach Pond Road #FR225C

REMINDERS

Fire Managers are asking Hunters to obey all the closures as hunting is not permitted in these areas due to active wildfire.

 

(c) 2015 The #NWFireBlog

 

#CA Career Opportunities: Fire and Law Enforcement – December 6, 2014 [Saturday]

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

 

FIRE

Fire Battalion Chief. City of Visa FD.  Pay $101k-$122k/year. Closes 12/23/14 Tuesday. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/vista/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1016430

Fire Captain. CAL Fire. $3648-$5081/mo. http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/wvpos/more_info.cfm?recno=579433.

Firefighter.  Rural / Metro. Lafayette.  https://careers-rmetro.icims.com/jobs/5634/firefighter/job?mode=job&iis=Indeed&iisn=Indeed.com

Firefighter / Paramedic. US Marine Corps. Twentynine Palms. Closes 12/8/14 Monday. $43,640-$69,391/year. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/388269000

Firefighter I / Paramedic.  City of Sanger FD. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobseeker/jobs/jobdetails.aspx?utm_source=indeed.com&rx_source=indeed&utm_campaign=organic&siteid=cb001&job_did=J3H5VW6JPMTG6QRVT82&showNewJDP=yes&utm_medium=aggregator&IPath=EXINDSEP_G

Forestry Aid.  CAL Fire. No closing date posted. $2683-$3231/mo. http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/wvpos/more_info.cfm?recno=579307

Hotshot Wildland Firefighter [Range/Forestry Technician].  National Park Service. Three Rivers. Closes 3/15/15. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/387477900

Wildland Firefighter (Range/Forestry Aid/Technician). US Fish & Wildlife Service. Jamul, Los Banos, Tulelake, Willows, CA. Las Vegas, NV. Closes 3/15/15. Pay $11.06-$17.26/hr.  https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/387498800.

Wildland Firefighter – Lead.  National Park Park Service.  Multiple locations. Closes 3/31/15. $16.89-$20.00/hr. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/388316500

Wildland Firefighter – Supervisory. Bureau of Land Management. Closes 3/31/15. $18.77/hour. https://blm.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/387890100

Wildland Firefighter (Range/Forestry Technician) – Lead. Bureau of Land Management. Multiple Locations. $16.89/hr. Closes 3/31/15. https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/387405100

POLICE 

Helicopter Pilot.  Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.  $45.50-$63.79/hr. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ventura/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=972436

Public Safety Officer – In Training. City of Sunnyvale. No closing date. $43.04-$49.82/hrhttp://agency.governmentjobs.com/sunnyvale/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=903568. Public Safety Officer.  City of Rohnert PD. Closes 1/5/15. Pay $4943-$6609/mo. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/rohnertpark/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1019322

Police Recruit (Entry-Level). City of Chula Vista PD. Closes 1/16/15. $4,297.23 – $4,512.10 Monthly. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/chulavista/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1011138

Police Officer Recruit. City of Carlsbad PD. Closes 12/18/14.  $56351-$68495/yr. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/carlsbad/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=546535&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

Police Officer – Recruit.  City of Fresno PD. Closes 12/15/14.  https://jobs.fresno.gov/psc/cofcg/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=1937&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

Police Officer – Recruit.  Sacramento PD. Closes 12/26/14. $43,740-$50,640/yr. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/saccity/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=961378

Police Officer – Recruit. City of Burbank PD.  $4945/mo. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/burbankca/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1003274

Recruit Police Officer.  City of Santa Clara. $37.32-$47.57/hr. No $4,391 – $4,611 a monthclosing date.http://agency.governmentjobs.com/cityofsantaclaraca/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=922521

Police Offier Recruit – Lateral. City of Clovis $4953-6636/year. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/clovisca/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1016755

Police Officer Recruit – Police Officer.  City of Costa Mesa. P/T $26.56/hr. F/T $6402-8579/mo.  https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/1012406/police-recruit-police-officer-academy-graduate?utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

Police Officer Recruit. City of San Diego.  $4039/mo. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/sandiego/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=969015

Police Officer Recruit. City of Santa Ana. $4978-$6050/mo http://agency.governmentjobs.com/santaana/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=985849

Police Officer – Recruit. City of Stockton. $4275/mo. http://agency.governmentjobs.com/stockton/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=798962

[c] 2014 The NW Fire | @nwfireblog [Twitter] | The NW Fire Blog [Facebook]