Fire Season

[Kahlua Kid]

I've put some information in the history section about the Harlow Fire of 1961 - burned from Madera to Fish Camp and everything in between (Raymond, Nipinawassee, Ahwahnee)...

Being from out of the area, in the insurance industry where "brush" areas are highly rated for their fire exposures, and the first time we've lived in "brush" and no fire hydrants... I take this very seriously.

We've been advised the county rule is to clear around the house 30 feet - but I've heard 100 feet is better.

Also, keep the oak tree limbs about 15 feet off the ground, so they can't catch fire. I've heard oak trees will ignite quickly and "explode"... And to not keep tree limbs close to the house... fire can transfer easily from the trees to the house.

Also - we don't have this problem, but I read on the Coarsegold Resource site, that if you have more than 60-80 trees per acre, they are overcrowded, not only allowing them to be deprived of water, which dries them out and makes them more susceptible to bark beetle infestations, which kill them eventually, making great fuel for fires, but that with their closeness to each other, in a fire, there is no break and none stand a chance of making it through it.

We have fireproof siding on the house... when it comes time to redo the roof (hopefully not for at least 10-15 years), we'll look into fireproof shingles...

We keep the backyard area green through watering and landscaping. Keep all the weeds and wild grasses down on our property to no more than 2" tall with a riding mower and weed wacker.

And... we have an above ground pool which we don't really like, but... I keep telling Newcomer we should keep in the event of a fire, the fire department can use that water.

What other tips do you have?

[Surfus]

Thanks KK for the Very important topic,
I was going to start a post on this subject but you beet me to it.

My wife was a Firefighter with the US Forrest Service and California Department of Forestry for 12years. We both were Paid Call Firefighters in Ahwahnee and worked with the Volunteer in Prevention Program for years.

The Clearance is the Most Important way to protect your home in two ways.
1) It keeps a defensible space around your home, slowing down the fire.
This will help protect your home and your Neighbors homes.

2) Most people don’t know this little known firefighting fact.
If we have a large fire Like the Stumpfield in Mariposa fire 1996.
The command center Dispatches Fire Engines go out and Structure Protect.
This group of Engines does not fight the fire directly. The units go out to the homes that are in the direct path of the Fire and try to protect them. However if you home does not have a good Defensible space around it or it looks like you put NO EFFERT into making your home fire safe the Firefighters will deem this home a looser and go on to the next home.
Why should the firefighters risk their life and waist their time if you did not take the time to make it safe your self.

BTW the Stumpfield fire started in the same week, the same spot and took the same path as the Harlow fire did 35 years earlier but the stumfield fire was caused by faulty Well Wiring. We were able to stop it at the Chowchilla River.

VERY IMPORTANT TO PUT UP AN ADDRESS SIGN
Put it on your home and on your driveway at the main entrance near the main road.
You can get the 2 sided green reflective signs made at the Oakhurst fire department and at the Ahwahnee fire department for around $20. This Address helps Fire and Medical find your home faster. Dispatch does not give the Responders directions only the address.
The addresses are also used during large fires for mapping out progress of the fire suppression.

I will post more Later

[Kahlua Kid]

Thanks Surfus - I didn't know about these types of fire crews and that they'd skip you if your home looked like you did nothing to clear. Good to know - thanks!

And we do have our address clearly marked.


More info I found:

Arrowhead Catastrophe: Disaster gives Sierra warning

What you can do:

Reduce Trees and brush to appropriate level on your property

Tell your neighbor

Organize your neighborhood

Tell the Forest Service to reduce trees and brush to appropriate levels on US FOrest Land, especially adjacent to developments (60-80 trees per acre - not 1,000 per acre which is common in Eastern Madera County)

Tell the California Department of Forestry to make inspections and enforce regulations

Tell County Officials to insure new developments adhere to fire safe principals

Locate and construct your structure(s) in such a manner that they can be protected from fire, ie., fireproof roof materials, fire resistant siding, set-back from slopes likely to ignite, contact your local fire officials

Insure your access roads are safe for fire trucks and equipment

Insure adequate water supply

There are too many trees and too much brush and too many houses that cannot be protected

To avoid a Lake Arrowhead like Catastrophe, we must reduce the excess trees and brush and insure our houses and property can be protected...

To see more, go to the Coarsegold Resource Conservation District - taken from their
site: [URL=http://www.crcd.org/arrow.htm]

[Kahlua Kid]

Will Your Home Survive?

Will Your Home Survive? is a guide to help the homeowner improve the odds when someone hollers "fire!" This, 56-page, full-color guide provides the reader with material on why homes in the wildlands are threatened by a fire, what to expect under various wildland fuel conditions, and how to "make" the home more resistant to ignition.


A recent review:
Whole Earth Magazine, Winter 2002 edition
“This is a short (56-page) booklet that provides a complete overview of how to make your home more survivable in a wildland fire. It covers the same material as many brochures…but covers in just enough additional detail to make it worth the $8 price.â€�

“Above all, the book has a refreshing and welcome bluntness that begins right on the cover…â€�

www.deervalleypress.com/willyourhomesurvive.cfm (http://www.deervalleypress.com/willyourhomesurvive.cfm)

[Raider]

Do they still do home inspections. The last time they inspected my place was about five years ago.

[Raider]

Do they still do home inspections. The last time they inspected my place was about five years ago.

[TriDevotee]

They still do... but they will admit they can not get to every single house, but they get to as many homes as they can. The tricky part about that is, you do not know if they will be in your area. I always felt it was a safer idea to keep your home free of excess brush, weeds and limbs anyhow.

[Dodgergirl]

This was one of the selling points when we bought up here in Teaford. We've got a fire fighting system in place. The hose box is about 50 feet from my back door. This has it's good points, we in effect, should be safer, but in reality, the bad points...neighbors don't feel they need to clear or they let their grass grow high. I also wonder if when our shared well is at 30% or 50% that would decrease the effect of the hose.
I don't water my lawn much. Don't have a sprinkler system installed, but would like one. I just try to keep the grass low. I can't justify watering the lawn when the well is at 'dangerously low' levels. We have some neighbors who water daily, but I can't, there are many elderly people & a lot of kids who might need that water for something else.
the North Fork fire last year kinda freaked me out. (Me, coming from the SFV & living in the Santa Susana mountains which burn almost yearly.)
I appreciate all of the tips for safety, as always, the people on OO have the best info & advice.

[mtnspirit]

With 3 brothers that are firefighters, Fire is always one of my top concerns! Please everyone take a moment to clear your area and be safe!

[Surfus]

Two small fires in the past few hours in Oakhurst. Some Kid must be having fun with matches.
One by the Historical center
the other behind Best Western near the river.
the two fires are in the same area nere the school.

[Kahlua Kid]

There looks to be a pretty good sized fire off to the northeast of Fresno - in the foothills - smelled the smoke on the 41 first, then looked off back towards Madera as was coming up the highway and there was a large plume of smoke...

[Pop-Rocks]

Make sure you weedeat around all structures and have the proper clearance. Before you know it fire season will be here. Summer is on it's way.
Do you have your defensible space ?

[BGW]

There are new laws this year too:

Effective January 1, 2005, if you live in a wildland

area in California you need to know about

changes in the following laws. Governor

Schwarzenegger signed into law on September

23, 2004, Senate Bill 1369. This bill amended

both Public Resources Code (PRC) 4291 and

Government Code (GC) 51182 in the following

manner:

Increase the minimum clearance (defensible

space) requirement from 30' to 100'.
Provide for state law, or local ordinance, rule or

regulation to specify requirements of greater

than 100'.
Allows insurance companies to require

home/building owners to maintain firebreaks

greater than 100'.

while at the Raymond parade, I asked the Madera County Fire Firefighters about this new law. One question I had was is it 100' or to the property line. Answer: Property line. They expanded on this saying if there is a field or non-existent next door neighbor...you may want to cut a 'fire line' along the outside of your fence. I am not sure how the actual property owners would feel about that though.

I am sure we will hear of people receiving citations for non-compliance; however, the fire fighter I spoke with said this year was going to be more of a 'get everyone on the same page' year and next year (he said with an evil grin) they were going to get mean!

[BGW]

This was in yesterdays Sierra Star.

http://www.sierrastar.com/050605clearancefor.html

Hmmm, where have I heard this before?

[Keith]

Good information to have.
I allways try and clear everything as early as possable, that way it is so much easier keeping up on it. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/smash.gif

[Kahlua Kid]

Here are a couple shots of today's fire from our place... started out small - got bigger and bigger and bigger within 1 hour... 2 hours later, looks like the Fire Department is making headway.

Cheers to our local firemen and firewomen kickin' butt on our behalf!

If you have shots, post them - I"m making this a community album.

[Kahlua Kid]

Wow Honeybee, you must be just over the ridge from us judging by your photos.

And you must be in the same line of the wind direction we were today... Must have been more of a worry for you than us - but we didn't know how far out it was at first - was worried it would come up over the ridge any minute!

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Im such a bad firechaser..... i was napping when the fire broke out.. went out chasing the smoke but the darkness hit first http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/sad3.gif. I havent fire chased since the big 41 fire in Atascadero.... back in 92. you know the fire is HUGE when you can see 10 foot plumes of fire from 5 miles away!! great shots Honey and KK

[honeybee]

It was just over the hill. Some idiot has been lighting them all over Raymond. 3 days in a row now. There have been lots of firetrucks running around these hills the past few days.

[BGW]

The lobby and apt above the lobby have been destroyed by fire. Fire crews ripping everything apart as we speak.

[rimalicious]

I just drove by and there are still a bunch of fire trucks and ambulances there. What could they still be doing?

[Summer]

Is it completely gone?

[There\'s Ointment For That]

I drove by there about 7:15. Looked like it was out.

[Summer]

Yeah but how much damage? Is the Comfort Inn gone?

[Harmony]

No, it's not completely gone. We drove by about 8pm and i wasn't able to see the damage because it was dark, but you could still see most of the hotel.

[oakhurstleaf]

Drove by it tonight about 9pm-ish. Got a good look...couldn't really see any fire damage. Iimagine it's mainly inside and it was dark. I could see a lot of water damage and just a total mess in the front lobby. Also the stuccoed cinderblock wall at the second story level was beaten out in areas. Looked like the satellite dish on the roof was melted. But basically, I think the damage is confined to just the lobby and the apt above it...just from the outside appearance of things.

[MtnBreeze]

Was a fire in the wall in lobby which got into attic and that is the reason they are still there....Attic fires can have hot spots that are not necesarily detectible right away so they have to keep looking to make sure it is completely out. Evidently it got into the venting system as well.

[BGW]

What I know is this....had to close up my house to keep from breathing someone elses second hand smoke!!

[Michelle]

We drove by when they were fighting the fire and the roof was burning too.. the windows in the lobby were broken out and the upstairs windows were broken out and pretty burned up..
I think the entire hotel will be shut down now that the lobby was burned..
but does anyone know how it started...?????

I do hope nobody was hurt or burned...

[tocools]

BW was smoking a cig and threw it out her window I have told her and told her to stop doing that.But does she listen to meeeeee NNNNNNNoooooooooooooooo.

[BGW]

Originally posted by tocools:
BW was smoking a cig and threw it out her window I have told her and told her to stop doing that.But does she listen to meeeeee NNNNNNNoooooooooooooooo.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rofl5.gif I live close but not that close!

I actually live close enough to have this fire give me cause for concern. I was comforted by the fact that Madera County and CDF got a handle on the fire as quick as they did, and that this fire happened after fire season was officially over; burning embers falling from the sky could have meant being evacuated and/or worse.

I did stop by there on my way to a post game party and the outside doesn't look so bad...but where the lobby use to be....well you get the picture.

We were guessing they will create a check in desk in one of the rooms that is beyond any smoke and/or water damage.

[MtnBreeze]

Evidently from talking to firefighters the cause was electical.

[Average Joe]

No one got any pictures ?

[monkey]

No one was hurt, electrical problem, guests being relocated to Days Inn. Undetermined how long they will be out of business, but phones are back on and they will be moving the office temporarily to a new location at the Inn. It sucks, there are new owners there and they are very nice and treat their employees well.

[Sandman]

Fire guts motel lobby

Blaze destroys the lobby and eight rooms of Oakhurst's Comfort Inn Sunday

By David Richards of www.sierrastar.com (http://www.sierrastar.com)
(Updated Thursday, February 9, 2006, 10:18 AM)

http://www.sierrastar.com/ips_rich_content/330-kstar_p0208_fire1.jpgA fire that reportedly started in the ceiling between the first and second floors of Oakhurst's Comfort Inn Sunday caused $700,000 in damage to the motel, firefighters estimated.
Photos by David Richards

The inside of the structure's lobby and eight rooms were destroyed.

The blaze was first reported at 2:32 p.m. as smoke was noticed by a Comfort Inn front-desk employee, said Hitesh Patel, the motel's owner.

As smoke could be seen pouring from the lobby's windows and at times from the roof, nearly every Mountain Area fire engine arrived on scene, except for personnel out of the Rancheria and North Fork stations.

Battalion Chief Steve Lawshy, of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection from Coarsegold, said he was impressed as a whole with the response.

"For the most part, we had a good turnout considering it was Super Bowl Sunday," he said. "We were lucky."

Lawshy said the cause of the fire was probably electrical and added the flames moved throughout the front part of the structure using air space in the walls.

Extra breathing tanks were brought in from outlying stations to aid those on scene and Madera Ranchos firefighters brought in ice, drinks and energy bars to provide nourishment.

Lawshy estimated that firefighting efforts were able to save $1.6 million of the value of the motel.

No one was injured.

http://www.sierrastar.com/ips_rich_content/956-kstar_p0208_fire2.jpgPatel, who bought the Comfort Inn last year, said the motel was not busy Sunday, as only seven or eight rooms of the establishment's 113 were filled.

He added the motel still has roughly 95 rooms completely operable and said he plans to continue business as soon as he is able to get a phone system operating.

"There's nothing you can do," Patel said. "Once it's done, just try to prevent it. All you can do is pray."

[monkey]

I went by yesterday and they are working hard on getting reopened. At first, they were given the ok to do business, then 2 days later the fire dept closed them until they can get the fire sprinklers working again, which will be very soon if not already. There are construction vehicles everywhere and things are moving along quickly. It's weird to see the lobby in the condition it's in. I lived in the apartment there and managed the property before I came to the Narrow Gauge Inn.

[49er]

I was on my way to the Thorn on superbowl sunday to have a couple of drinks and found it to be closed. I then noticed oakhurst was on fire so I grabbed a six pack from the market and went home.

[electroman]

Originally posted by monkey:
I went by yesterday and they are working hard on getting reopened. At first, they were given the ok to do business, then 2 days later the fire dept closed them until they can get the fire sprinklers working again, which will be very soon if not already. There are construction vehicles everywhere and things are moving along quickly. It's weird to see the lobby in the condition it's in. I lived in the apartment there and managed the property before I came to the Narrow Gauge Inn.

The county shut them down because the fire alarm control panel was in the part of the building destroyed by the fire. I was working there all day today - the sprinklers never sprinkled - the fire was above them, in the space between the first and second floors.

[BGW]

Just wanted to let you know...the fire dept. did a drive by 'weed' check at my place yesterday. Anyone with tall weeds still needing to be cut down could be looking at fines soon!

[Kahlua Kid]

They did a drive by up our Road a week ago too. Looking for the weed rebels I guess!

But we're cleared and ready to go... so no worries here.

[BGW]

They actually extended the burn time to the 23rd. Yesterday and today have been burn days. Just burned off my last huge pile!!

[Yosemite Realtor]

We can see what we think is smoke over towards the North Fork area. Looked like a thunderhead at first, but thunderheads don't usually get blown and wispy by the wind. Can't tell the distance, we are on Taylor Ridge, but seems pretty far. I hope all is well.

[Dodgergirl]

Can't see anything from here, but you are up a bit higher than us...
This might be a good place for someone to post the CDF info page link & maybe even another scanner link.
Thanks

[Ironhorse]

Here's CDF's link http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current but all it shows is major fires like Stanislaus, Kern, the ones downs south and some others.

[Nas]

Had a fire plane (the heavy, water or fire retardant dropping stuff kind - sorry - I know I'm using all of these technical terms http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/confused.gif ) fly over us heading north by north east aboout 3 hours ago... Didin't notice anything else. No further planes, no smoke...

Robert

North Fork, CA

[jjcheyenne]

Has anyone else heard if there was a fire in North Fork? I sleep durring the day (usually) and I missed seeing any smoke.

[Newcomer]

Saw there is blackened burnt brush just south of Mama Loly's on the 41 west side... Just past the gate that's always decorated for every event/holiday...

Also, lost of burnt land the 41 and Ave 12 (that's the one to Madera Ranchos, right?)

[beautiful_mess38]

That was on fire when I was coming home from Palm Springs last Thrus.

[oakhurstleaf]

Today, there was an apt fire at an apt building across from Oakhurst Elementary...School Rd. Anyone know anything about it? Was it just one apt or did it spread?

[Californee Girl]

Do you know which complex?

[oakhurstleaf]

Nope, I don't. One of our employees lives in one of the buildings and it was across from hers...but I don't know which one from the other.

[beautiful_mess38]

There are 3 of them across from the school. Same complex but 3 differnt buildings.

[TOT]

i saw it but didn't look closely enough to figure out which of the 3...

[Californee Girl]

No BM, there are two complexes & three buildings. The green ones are a separate complex owned by an individual rather than a realtor. At least thats how it was when I lived there.

I guess this means theres no more info? Ill have to run by there later to get the 411.

[beautiful_mess38]

Last I heard 1 individual bought it. Oh well. Give us the 411 when you get it.

[Dodgergirl]

Talked to one of the neighbors today. she said someone was frying something & had a grease fire. Apparently the girl did not know how to put out a grease fire... (baking soda, a lid...) so her apartment was damaged. The neighbor said her place was fine & no one was seriously hurt.

[oakhurstleaf]

Yes, it is a fire. Is it a controlled blaze or not? That's the question, I guess.

I noticed it about 5:45 from the bowling alley parking lot...a very noticeable orange glow coming from the top of mountain in the southeast (I don't know the name of the mtn). Anyone else notice it or know anything about it?

[Dodgergirl]

We had burn piles going all day at Mountain Christian, yesterday it was actually at the Church, & today True Value burnt up all over the place. Woulda thought they'd of just hauled the stuff away. I had a bunch of calls today from friends wondering if I was OK at work...

[monkey]

I know that on the Oakhurst side of Deadwood there is a sign saying there is a controlled burn and not to report it. During the day, I've seen big smoke in the general direction of Yosemite.

[Mysteefied]

Has anyone heard news of a 2 million dollar home that burnt down in Bass Lake? My husband just called me and wanted me to check here to see if there were any more details on this. Anyone have any news?
Thanks

[Newcomer]

Hi, It was a 4,000 sq ft home under construction. The cause is still under investigation.

[Sandman]

I spoke with a friend who has been working on the house next door. I guess it's near the dog groomers near Bass Lake Realty. They had problems getting to work due to firetrucks blocking the street. Not sure of the cause yet.

[angelforever8]

Saw a fire tonight on the way home from work about an hour ago. After I went through Coarsegold, the sky lit up, and I saw flames. (Near Gabby's corner- Serpa Canyon).

>.< Didn't look good. I just checked the CHP page (because sometimes they have fire info) and it looks like it was a house fire.

I hope everyone was okay... it looked pretty big. :(






Incident: 0022 Type: Report of Fire Location: LAZY L SUMMIT AT SERPA CANYON Zoom Map: 8 1D info as of: 4/14/2007 1:58:12 AM
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
12:29AM 1039 MRA EMS
12:29AM FIRE DEPT IS 1097 PER THE RP
12:27AM XFR TO CAL FIRE
12:27AM RP STATES THEIR HOUSE IS ON FIRE
12:26AM UNK WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE
12:26AM RP STATES THEY WERE ENRT TO A PROPANE CO TO FLAG DOWN THE FIRE DEPT
12:24AM UNK WHAT IS ON FIRE
12:22AM 1039 MRA EMS
12:22AM 1039 CAL FIRE
12:21AM NEED FIRE / REQ ING 1141 ALSO

[angelforever8]

Just re-read the report... 1141 means an ambulance is required.
Makes me really sad. :(

[Sandman]

What links did you go to? I can't find it anywhere on the CHP page.

[angelforever8]

I don't believe it is there anymore... but once something is no longer active, it goes into the Filed Incidents. You can locate that under resources on the right side of the screen. They usually sit in there for a few hours before they are deleted.

[jannyw]

Has anyone heard about the fire up Serpa Canyon?
I hope what I heard was a rumor? Supposedly a home caught on fire up there, I have friends up there, so I am hoping its a rumor.
???????????????????????

[angelforever8]

Yeah... there was a fire. I passed it about 1am on Friday night/Saturday morning. I started a thread on here about it as soon as I got home... It inculded all the info I could get from the chp site. I'll repost what the chp site had said... and here is the link to the thread I had started, in just in case. Seeing the fire made me sad... and when I found out it was a house it made me even sadder. :( I hope your friends are okay.

http://forums.yosemitearea.com/showthread.php?t=2961





Incident: 0022 Type: Report of Fire Location: LAZY L SUMMIT AT SERPA CANYON Zoom Map: 8 1D info as of: 4/14/2007 1:58:12 AM
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
12:29AM 1039 MRA EMS
12:29AM FIRE DEPT IS 1097 PER THE RP
12:27AM XFR TO CAL FIRE
12:27AM RP STATES THEIR HOUSE IS ON FIRE
12:26AM UNK WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE
12:26AM RP STATES THEY WERE ENRT TO A PROPANE CO TO FLAG DOWN THE FIRE DEPT
12:24AM UNK WHAT IS ON FIRE
12:22AM 1039 MRA EMS
12:22AM 1039 CAL FIRE
12:21AM NEED FIRE / REQ ING 1141 ALSO

[Sandman]

I have combined the two threads. Always remember to search before you post to make sure the topc doesn't already exist. ;)

[Michelle]

My daughters friend just told us who it was...
The family lost there entire house..they lost everything and from what she told my daughter the grandpa had burns on his back but he is okay.
The families name is Les and Barbra Tees. they are wonderful people. I will find out what they need and let everyone know so we can help.
I wonder if we can start an account for them? and let the school know also and they can post something.
Does anyone know how I can start an account to help them?
please pray for the family.
:no:

[BGW]

Any of the banks will help you set up an account. Let us know what all can be done to help them. Both my Mom and I know the The Tees and want to help out in some way.

[MtnBreeze]

Any of the banks will help you set up an account. Let us know what all can be done to help them. Both my Mom and I know the The Tees and want to help out in some way.

Also let me know...I would like to help. Thanks

[jannyw]

My daughters friend just told us who it was...
The family lost there entire house..they lost everything and from what she told my daughter the grandpa had burns on his back but he is okay.
The families name is Les and Barbra Tees. they are wonderful people. I will find out what they need and let everyone know so we can help.
I wonder if we can start an account for them? and let the school know also and they can post something.
Does anyone know how I can start an account to help them?
please pray for the family.
:no:

Thanks Michelle---These people have been up here for years, Barb had the Frosty for awhile & Les, does road work & such, they have been raising there grandkids for sometime now, I am so sad for them, I hope someone has started a fund for them, they have had the worst luck, Barb has been sick, and so has Les, Lets find out if theres a fund or whatever, I am sure donations will be welcomed, the kids will need clothes,etc..
Please pray for them all.

[Michelle]

Okay my daughter went thru her clothes last night and put together some clothes for her and there granddaughter.
But I need to get into Oakhurst some how and start it....

mybe i will talk to Dodgergirls son in law and see what he can do for me.

[jannyw]

A fund has been set up at Yosemite Bank in Coarsegold
It is called the" Les Tees Disaster Fund"
If anyone wants to donate, please go through the bank.
These people have lost their home due to fire, so donations are welcome
You can call Jan 683-2751 or Chris 683-7066 for pickup
Thank You
Jan Smith

[Michelle]

Okay I am doing a clothes fund for the the family...
If you have old clothes you don't need, blankets, pillows, and such you can drop them off at my house. call me and let me know...
the younger girl needs clothes. she is a size 10-12, she needs everything. underclothes and such. so lets help them out. I know we are a community that pulls together in need to help families...
my mom and sister started the bank account for me.. that is in the post above me...
the grandmother needs clothes also and i think the grandfather but he is back in the hospital..
maybe if want to cook a meal for them that would be helpful i can get that to them or the families that is keeping the girls. Just something to help out. any ideas let me know.. if you have clothes you can call me and or drop them off at my house i am home all day until about 4:00 during the week.
thanks everyone.

Michelle

[Michelle]

I wanted to let everyone know that I am going to be at the YLP baseball field tonight if you guys have any donations for the family. I want you to know that the insurance has rented a house for the family and so lets get some blankets and pillows and such for them. they are in need of all things. I will also have a donation can started at the field for them also. So stop by and show your love for the family. if you can't find me just ask around for michelle skerce. I will be there from 5:30 to when our game is over. my son plays on the Marlins. so come look for me tonight!

[Dodgergirl]

I have some extra things they might be able to use, will get them together asap. Is there someone in the Oakhurst area who is willing to be a drop off location?

[Michelle]

you know what go to Best Western and ask for Laura Lingo and you can tell her I sent you and drop some stuff off for them. She is best friends with Barb and Les.

[Dodgergirl]

cool. thanks

[Michelle]

Update about the family..
the girls are holding up well. They are staying with great people for the grandpa please pray for him.. he is having a tough time getting thru this. I was told he is stable but not out of the woods. the grandmother is by his side everyday and is taking a toll on her also..please everyone they need all prayers going out there.
I found out if you have any dontations that you like to give the family you can go to the Coarsegold School and ask for Mrs. Jacks. Today she is with the grandmother and helping her out but the office will help you.

so please pray for them.. they need it all around......:(

[BGW]

The 2007 'Fire Season' began yesterday in Madera County. No more burn days. I hope everyone has their weeds and brush under contro;...a long and harsh fire season is predicted this year.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

This was in yesterdays Sierra Star.

http://www.sierrastar.com/050605clearancefor.html

Hmmm, where have I heard this before?

BGW.... when you asked 100' or property line... and they said Property line... does that mean I have to go beyond 100 feet? cos the law says 100 feet. I have a creek bed between me and the lot behind me. (all other sides have landowners and houses).
I feel sorry for the dude to the right behind me... cos he is right next to the empty lot and will have to cut brush on the empty land.

[beautiful_mess38]

that link wont open for me

[BGW]

that link wont open for me

I searched for our old thread from a zillion years ago instead of starting a new thread because there was some good info in it. The links are probably very out dated. The links in cattledoggiemoons post do work though.

YW I am not sure about all the ins and outs of the 100 foot law. Madera County Fire Guys (lat years Raymond parade models!!) told me is was 100 feet or a property line which ever came first. Not sure how the creek would figure in.

Your homeowners insurance may require more than 100 feet of defendable clearance though. For example: new Allstate customers are required to have 200 feet of clearance.

Your neighbor is responsible for his property only. I have empty lot on two side and I still cut it down as the owners are not around and I feel safer.

[beautiful_mess38]

There is a man here in YLP that got bitten by a rattlesnake while weeding. His wife took him to the Urgent Care in Oakhurst. They said the only place that has the venom is UMC.
Snakes our everywhere. (I should get more cats)
Anyway please be careful.

[BGW]

For the YLP area UMC is probably closer, but the hospital in Mariposa keeps anti-venom on hand too.

[Michelle]

Great news everyone the Grandpa is home with the family now. I was told by my daughter she was able to see him for a second and was waving to her she was so happy....
I would like to thank EVERYONE who donated to the family in everyway possible. They are now able to move on in a positive way with our communities help. from donating clothes , to the bank, prayers ,etc. they are on the road of recovery all in a positive way.

anyways thank you very much for everything...

michelle:grin:

[Sandman]

"By the end of June or early July, Yosemite Falls will be dry"
By Janet Fullwood - Bee Travel Editor Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, May 20, 2007 Story appeared in TRAVEL section, Page M A low snowpack in the Sierra may lead to water and fire problems later on, but the lack ... via Sacramento Bee Newspaper (http://www.sacbee.com/374/story/184203.html)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/yosemite-national-park-ca/2007/05/travel-log-yosemite-gets-an-early-start)

[Sandman]

In anticipation of a potentially long and severe fire season, Yosemite National Park has declared Monday, May 21 as the beginning of fire season. via Madera Tribune (http://www.maderatribune.com/news/newsview.asp?c=214805)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/yosemite-national-park-ca/2007/05/yosemite-announces-start-of-fire-season)

[Surfus]

600 battle Sierra blaze; evacuations, US395 closed at Nev-Ca line

The Associated Press

(Updated Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 10:35 PM)


COLEVILLE, Calif. (AP) - Fueled by winds gusting up to 65 mph, a wildfire burning on the Sierra's eastern front forced the evacuation Tuesday of more than 100 people near the California-Nevada line south of Topaz Lake and the closure of a 40-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 395.

More than 600 firefighters were battling the wildland blaze late Tuesday night. But with airtankers and helicopters grounded in the sustained winds of 40 mph, the fire had tripled in size from 200 acres early in the day to an estimated 600 to 700 acres, fire officials said.

"They have no estimate of containment or control. I think we are in for a long fight tonight," Franklin Pemberton, a spokesman for the Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center, said Tuesday night.

More
http://dwb.fresnobee.com/state_wire/v-printerfriendly/story/13659139p-14251917c.html

[BGW]

Talked with Coldwolf for a bit last night--he had done a quick jaunt over Tioga to Reno to go to his Grand-daughters graduation and had thought coming home would have been just as easy...until he got turned back and rerouted through Sacramento.

Update:
http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070607/NEWS07/70607003

[jannyw]

I dont know if everyone read it or not but a young couple lost there home due to a fire.
Jeff tucker, he is the nephew to Tim Short who is a maint.Man at Coarsegold School.
I just read about it and am sick about it.
I hear there is a fund set up at Yosemite Bank in Coarsegold.
These two young kids are the greatest, I hope we all can help!
Michelle!! Did you hear about this???
Call me!!
mom

[jjcheyenne]

Where is Roads 600 and 606? I was listening to the scanner tonight, and there was a big fire there. They were doing traffic control and saying the fire had jumped the road.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

600 is the road to Raymond. It connects to rd 400 via rd 603.
Rd 600 goes from Raymond and down into the city of Madera.

[cak]

Road 600 turns into Grub Gulch Road, between Ahwahnee and Raymond, so it covers a lot of territory.

chris

[BGW]

603 is daulton road if I remember right :)

[Michelle]

Went to All Star practice last night and came home to find fire trucks water tenders and everything else on right there of 417 and hwy 41. Looks like to burnt a good part of two peoples property.. Does anyone know what happen? I went into the parking lot of Chevron to see but the trucks were blocking most of all of it. That is close enough to come home and talk with the kids and hubby to make a plan of what to do if something was closer and we had to leave our home.
So make sure you have a plan if something like this happen close to home.. I just wonder if it was started by a cig being thrown out or something... we gotta becareful.....

[angelforever8]

I was actually at a friend's house on Big Sandy Rd. when it happened.
They seemed to get it out pretty fast. We were listening to the scanner and heard it, so we all went outside since it was so close to where we were. Within a few minutes the smoke was gone... I don't even think all the fire trucks that were called were there yet. We took a walk down the road and saw people standing in their yards with hoses spraying the area.

When I left my friend's house 2 hours later, the fire trucks were still there... That is about all I know... so, I guess I'm not saying much that you didn't already know... lol.

[Dodgergirl]

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, California (Reuters) - A fast-moving forest fire burned out of control in the popular Lake Tahoe resort area on the eastern border of California, destroying more than 165 homes and structures, officials said on Sunday.

The blaze, believed to be man-made, was fanned by strong winds and came as the most populous U.S. state braced for a tough fire season following an unusually dry winter.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070625/ts_nm/fire_tahoe_dc_2

[John @ 3300ft.]

Thankfully the local fire departments and the USFS don't mess around when they get those calls. I've been impressed with the way they have jumped on small fires hard to keep them from blowing up.
:clap:

[Dodgergirl]

update..

MEYERS, Calif. - A forest fire raged out of control early Monday near the popular resort area of Lake Tahoe after destroying at least 165 structures and forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate their homes.

The fire, believed to be caused by human activity, had charred more than 2,000 acres — or more than 3 square miles — near the south end of the lake since it started Sunday afternoon. No injuries were reported.

The number of homes among the 165 burned structures was not immediately known, said Gay Eitel, an information assistant for the U.S. Forest Service.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070625/ap_on_re_us/wildfires_26

[BGW]

Residents scan lists to see if homes fell to Tahoe fire

By AARON C. DAVIS
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
<!--BEGIN ARTICLE-->SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. -- A community college became the epicenter for a town's pain Monday as residents anxiously scanned computer printouts listing the homes destroyed in a raging forest fire 10 miles away.
Nearly everyone who filed into the student center left crying. There were just too many homes on the list.
"It was like the mouth of hell - black smoke billowing on either side and this red devil in the middle," Tara Brennan, 57, said after seeing "total" loss by the street number of her home of 31 years, 1424 Olympia Cir. "I knew it had my house, I knew it."
Located in a popular resort area along the California-Nevada border that has been plenty of growth in the last decade but little rain this year, the rapidly spreading Angora Fire destroyed more than 200 homes and buildings in less than a day and clouded Lake Tahoe's famously clear water.
The blaze had scorched almost 2,500 acres - nearly 4 square miles - by mid-afternoon Monday as it continued to burn out of control. Firefighters launched an aggressive attack, hoping to corral the flames ahead of high winds and low humidity forecast for the middle of the week.
"This is far and above the biggest disaster that has happened in this community, I don't know, probably in forever," said Lt. Kevin House of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department.
House said there were no reports of missing persons, but "the truth is we haven't really been able to get in there and see." The fire's cause was under investigation, but believed to have been caused by human activity.
The fire began Sunday afternoon on a ridge separating the resort community of South Lake Tahoe from Fallen Leaf Lake, a recreation area where a U.S. Forest Service campground was evacuated. Neighborhoods of million-dollar vacation homes, cabins and modest houses are strung along the east side of the ridge.
By early afternoon Monday, it had claimed 173 homes and damaged many others, along with dozens of outbuildings, authorities said. Residents of Meyers, a small town that received the brunt of the damage, recalled watching in horror, then disbelief as the fire bore down on residential streets.

More:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_CA_Tahoe_Wildfire_Optional.html

[Harmony]

Very sad. All those people who lost their homes will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[jjcheyenne]

My cousen and her husband have a cabin in that area that they rent out. They were told to evacuate today. Please keep them in your prayers.

[BGW]

The fight to put out the Lake Tahoe fire suffered a setback tuesday, when the flames jumped a fire line. The line was put in place to protect the densely populated are of Tallac Village.

The fire, which has been burning since sunday, has destroyed more than 200 homes and 75 other structures.

Mandatory evacuations have been put in place, and fire crews are unsure when they will finally be able to fully contain the fire.

As of tuesday, the fire is 44 percent contained, with more than three thousand acres already burned.
Story Created: Jun 26, 2007 at 10:33 PM CDT
http://www.eyeoutforyou.com/home/8196797.html

[Surfus]

Raymond will get volunteer fire station
Madera County to buy building from a Fresno family trust.
By Charles McCarthy / The Fresno Bee
06/27/07 04:44:03



MADERA -- The Madera County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to buy a former Cal Fire facility in the foothills town of Raymond for $90,000 so that it can be used as a volunteer fire station and community center.

Over the years, the property on Road 600 has become both a landmark and a community legend. Firefighters since the 1950s and area residents have traded stories about ghosts that allegedly inhabited the premises.

Cal Fire recently moved into a new station about half a mile away.

The county is purchasing the property from the Flynn family trust. Michael Flynn of Fresno, a spokesman for the trust, said in April that the family owns the fire station site as part of a 180-acre land purchase in 1981.

The property includes a barracks, mess hall and garage with about 4,000 square feet of usable floor space.

County Administrator Stell Manfredi told the board that Madera County volunteer firefighters would begin operating from the old fire station. The county also plans to develop a meeting place for elderly residents and other community groups, he said.

The money to buy the property will come from the county's share of a nationwide tobacco settlement, Manfredi said. The settlement was the result of a lawsuit by 46 states against the tobacco industry.

The county will set aside $91,500 for the purchase price and fees, Manfredi said. The 1.6-acre site will be put into escrow immediately, he said.
The reporter can be reached at cmccarthy@fresnobee.com or (559) 675-6804.

[Surfus]

Fireman's Fund representative Gary Gargano presented Bass Lake Volunteer Fire Departments' Captain Jordan Owen and Firefighter Steve Arata with a check for $10,000 to use for equipment.
More of the story
http://www.maderatribune.com/news/newsview.asp?c=217894

[Kahlua Kid]

I know Gary and place business through Fireman's Fund... see... us insurance peeps aren't all so bad! :)

[BGW]

By RACHEL KONRAD Associated Press Writer
<!--date-->Article Launched: 07/07/2007 10:36:20 AM PDT



<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> var requestedWidth = 0; </SCRIPT>
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').styl e.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </SCRIPT>SAN FRANCISCO—Three wildfires ignited by a lightning storm were spreading quickly Saturday through a popular wilderness park in the Sierra's eastern front, forcing the evacuation of at least 200 people from the small town of Independence, officials said.
No injuries or fatalities had been reported, but more than 500 firefighters were battling the blaze that consumed at least 17,000 acres of the 2-million-acre Inyo National Forest, said forest spokeswoman Nancy Upham.
An evacuation center has been set up in Lone Pine, about 16 miles south of Independence. No other towns were threatened by the blaze, Upham said, and no further evacuations were expected.
"It's been a rough afternoon on the fires, they've burned very aggressively," Upham said.
Firefighters were also searching for and evacuating an unknown number of day hikers and overnight backpackers. The blazes were completely uncontained, she said.
Highway 395, which runs along the eastern spine of the mountain range, was closed for a few hours Saturday but officials were escorting drivers back down the road Saturday evening. Many smaller roads leading from the highway into the mountains were also closed. Numerous campgrounds and a lodge had been evacuated, Upham said. The hour-long storm that set off the blazes began around 2 p.m. Friday, igniting about 10 fires in and around the rugged park. The fires began in steep, difficult-to-reach terrain, stoked by daytime temperatures in the 90s and dry air, officials said.

MORE: http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6322377

[Sandman]

"We have staffed up our reserve engines"
The Angora Fire west of South Lake Tahoe has burned 3,100 acres, but it is the This Cal Fire map shows the extreme fire danger conditions that exist around the state. via Sierra Star (http://www.sierrastar.com/news/story/13740540p-14324408c.html)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/oakhurst-ca/2007/06/fire-danger-spreads-across-state)

[Sandman]

"This is a year where we need everyone's help to prevent fires before they start."
As a wildfire near South Lake Tahoe (http://www.topix.com/city/south-lake-tahoe-ca) continues to scorch land and destroy structures, officials closer to home are pleading with residents to stay alert. via The Modesto Bee (http://www.modbee.com/local/v-rssxml/story/13728287p-14313607c.html)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/groveland-ca/2007/06/firefighters-urge-care-in-mighty-early-season)

[Sandman]

"This is the bad time of the year to have 100 degree weather as well as having people play with fireworks. It's a potentially disastrous situation."
Dealing with the Valley's intense heat is a challenge not only to our most vulnerable residents, but also for local fire and rescue crews. via ABC30.com (http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=5442795)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/07/extreme-heat-couldnt-come-at-worse-time)

[Sandman]

Fire officials confirmed on Monday that three suspicious grass fires up in Auberry were intentionally set. via KMPH-TV Fresno (http://www.kmph.com/news/local/8055752.html)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/06/fire-officials-investigate-three-suspicious-grass-fires)

[Sandman]

Just before noon on Tuesday July 10th, 2007, thunderstorms sparked a fire just north of the June Lake Junction and just west of Highway 395. It jumped the highway, which was closed for almost 24 hours.

More... (http://www.monolake.org/live/pow/pow061.htm)

[Michelle]

http://www.maderatribune.com/news/newsview.asp?c=220408



Friday, July 20, 2007

By Elizabeth LaRochelle - The Madera Tribune

COARSEGOLD - Two 13-year-old boys ignited a brush fire in Yosemite Lakes Park that brought out the combined forces of the California Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service, fire officials said.

The fire occurred Wednesday afternoon. CDF fire prevention specialist Karen Guillemin said the quick reaction and the way residents cleared properties near the fire limited it to only four acres.

"The fire was definitely wind-driven," Guillemin said. "But the fact that the temperature was only 84 degrees and the quick response from the air really slowed its progress. If it had been hotter, or if we had fewer people and less equipment, this fire could have been much worse."

Although the fire was close to state Route 41, the only way for firefighters to approach the blaze on the ground was to circle through Yosemite Lakes Park. California Department of Forestry Battalions 12 and 17 sent nine engines, two water tenders, and were joined by two crews of 17 firefighters each from Mt. Bullion. The Forest Service also sent two engines to assist. Air support was provided by two air tankers, one helicopter and one air attack coordination plane.

Guillemin said the two 13-year-olds CDF believes started the fire and their families may face a number of consequences.

"Children have to be taught that playing with fire is not only a dangerous thing to do, but that it can turn out to be a fatal mistake for themselves and for others," she said.

Guillemin said there are a number of options parents can choose from to prevent their children from starting fires.

"We have a number of tools we can use to deal with situations like this," she said. "Merced, Madera, Mariposa CDF unit has an excellent Juvenile Fire Starter Program designed to stop the 'curious fire starter' from becoming a repeat delinquent fire starter. Some of the other options we have include cost recovery for the state and for the individuals whose property was burned, citations and probation programs."

Guillemin provided the following tips to parents:

- Maintain open communication with your children about the damage fire can cause.

- If you are unsure of how to handle the conversation, call your local fire house and arrangements can be made for someone from the station to talk to the child.

- If you catch your child playing with matches or fire, have an open, fact-driven conversation.

[Newcomer]

07/24/2007 - Cal fire officials took 55-year old Alan Leroy Killgore of Laton into custody.

They say he started a series of 22 fires along highway 41 between April and July of this year.
An investigation led officials to Killgore, and they say evidence found in his possession confirmed his actions.

Killgore faces nine counts of arson.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=5507422

KABC 30 Fresno

[Sandman]

"We're getting rid of an unnatural fuel load and reducing the risk of a catastrophic fire"
Smoke from a prescribed burn set intentionally by firefighters Thursday morning surrounded half dome rock and floated across highway 140. via ABC30.com (http://topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2X5weIgEd5E1BpLeRIhBphiMqCD89 rf=2BLHZiHOfkCnSNd93qUz4izFZVZPrHp4qUZ6yaxs8YpkdPL leOuOAt9Y=2BqbhrdruJt6ZR0C=2FzuwOlO)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/yosemite-national-park-ca/2007/07/firefighters-closely-watching-fires-in-yosemite?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

"There are very positive things. A lot of trees depend on fire."
From the cabin of a helicopter that hovered over a forest, Yosemite National Park fire chief Kelly Martin studied the orange flames that danced across fallen pine trees. via The Modesto Bee (http://topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2X5weIgEd5E1BpLeRIhBphjNCR08m o3ZfFWttRheAzHIj6Y2BP5IEvDVK=2Fx0NKJY1y=2FH81O3rX9 I6lMnytYa7P9zXUMkaEDomQtVzBM4QFD7)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/yosemite-national-park-ca/2007/07/burning-for-the-best?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

"It's about as dry and the brush seems to be about the same this year as it was then"
We're in a bad situation here. Dry vegetation is at dangerous levels. Temperatures are hugging the 100-degree mark. via Sierra Star (http://topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2X5weIgEd5E1BpLeRIhBphjTxdljc nnJ47LWaFdJe9wptJpwLbMNo60p2FbAMwM1iGgYUeVU=2BxLrh SLtTPApwn8Hp134aHdSUmylnPbh99qq5asw8s9qfDJn0KvPJHI L4A=3D=3D)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/oakhurst-ca/2007/07/fire-prevention-is-a-team-effort?fromrss=1)

[Summer]

Today around 4:00 pm there were a lot of fire trucks going north on Hwy. 41. Anyone have info on what happened? Also, anyone have info on how the fire started in Oakhurst Park last week? We need rain - for so many reasons. Anyone want to get together for a rain dance? Whatever happened to "cloud seeding"?

[Dodgergirl]

Heard there was a fire over by Auberry today, but I'm not sure of the status. Also, there was a small fire on 426 near John West right before 5 pm today.

[Mysteefied]

I'm up for a good rain dance! you name the place. LOL

[Newcomer]

The fires were up in the mountains sparked by lightning, The high mountains received 4-5 inces of rain and Parts of Yosemite received about 2 inhes of rain they said on the news yesterday.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

and to think.. I used to pray for lightning strikes... cos that meant fires and that meant big bucks for me and other wildland firefighters. (I reckon only Poprocks would relate to this with me......and Surfy too)

[Sandman]

Wow. I could never wish for a fire to happen.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

thats cos you don't know the mentality of firefighters.

[Sandman]

thats cos you don't know the mentality of firefighters.
Very true. I don't. I just remember my Mom getting up in the middle of the night to go pack lunches for the fire crew. Sometimes I would go help her. For me, it's always sad to see a forest that was recently burned. I pray that no homes were damaged and nobody was injured.

IMO, A firefighter hoping for a fire to start is like a doctor wishing someone ill or a police officer wishing for more crime. It just doesn't make sense to me.

To each his own I guess.

Maybe I should start wishing for more computers to break since I repair PC's. That seems harmless enough. :lol:

[SheilaMae]

Maybe I should start wishing for more computers to break since I repair PC's. That seems harmless enough. :lol:

Don't EVEN Sandman!! Not unless you clarify it by wishing ONLY for the puters of folks who can AFFORD to have them repaired to break...but then they'd prolly just buy new ones....so just DON'T!

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Like I said... its the mentality of firefighters... they wish for quick and fast fires that don't threaten lives or homes... but once again.... As a RN I don't wish for patients to get Leukemia, but I am there to help when they do get it. Guess I am evil for being an Oncology RN. Being an RN and or a Firefighter is a calling... we don't ask to be these things... we are just born to do it.

[Sandman]

Your not evil. I have much respect for nurses. The hospital was my second home as a child and some nurses were like mothers.

Now back to topic... FIRES.

[Ironhorse]

I think I know what YW meant by her comment about fires. It's not that she wishes for them to happen, but if they do, it's a terrific feeling at being able to do your job as a firefighter, and do it well. My brother was a CDF employee for 20 years before he was forced to retire because of health problems. My dad was a volunteer fireman, and later Volunteer Chief for a city fire department for over 30 years. Neither one of them liked fires, neither one of them had any use for someone who set fires. But, my brother recognized the "good" that could come from a fire caused by Mother Nature, in an isolated place, because it burned dead brush and helped renew the forests, which is why sometimes those fires are allowed to burn themselves out. But if the need arose, my brother threw his whole being into saving property and people or animals in a wildfire that threatened homes and businesses. I remember him being gone for weeks at a time during fire season, and we never knew for sure where he was. He supervised the prison teams of firefighters. He was an Engineer and his job was made tougher by the fact that he not only had to watch and fight the fire, but he had to watch the inmates and what they did too. More than once he came home and told me about crawling under that little fire proof tent while the wildfire roared over him and his crews. It gave him an appreciation for life and for doing his job, doing it well and living to tell about it. Same with my dad and the city fires at businesses and homes. I was in law enforcement for over 20 years and I dispatched for many of those years. I would sit there at times and it was so slow and so boring that you find yourself wishing for something to happen, so you can feel like you're doing what you're paid to do. Then when it happened, invariably, it ALL happened at once. When I was in dispatch, we dispatched for Fire and Police, and it never failed that both got going at the same time. (I had one night that I rolled the fire department out so many times on graveyard that they brought me a box of jelly donuts as a bribe to let them get some sleep! :-D). Anyway, once it quieted down on any incident, you felt good, you knew you had done what you were trained to do, and had done the very best you could. People in those lines of work have a desire to help other people, same as nursing. Otherwise, you wouldn't survive the jobs. And the bottom line, a lot in fire, law enforcement, nursing and jobs like that are adrenaline junkies. BUT, if there's an arsonist, burglar, robber, murderer, believe me, we have no use for them. You might hear them go around mumble to themselves "job security" when talking about those yayhoos, but truly, we would rather not have had to deal with the problems they cause. Anyway, after all my rambling, I think I know what YW meant, and it wasn't what some people thought. Believe me, anyone who has dealt with a wildfire, house fire, car fire, etc. would never take the subject lightly.

[Sandman]

Thanks for putting the time into that last post. Very well put :applause:

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Thank you IronHorse. I must admit, that there are some "pyros" in the fire field.. but once discovered, they are shunned by other firefighters. Pyros are NOT accepted in firefighting. Ironhorse is 100 percent right about sitting around twidding one's thumbs, (and watching re-runs of Emergency).. that they often wish for some excitement. Also, if firefighting, fires, accidents, trauma etc was not a common attraction.. then we would not be watching shows like Scrubs, ER, Emergency, COPS, Trauma:Life in the ER, VenomER, etc etc.... So, before you jump to any conclusions that I "wish" for fires..... stop and think and remember what you watched on telly last nite.. was it ER? was it COPS? Working in nursing, firefighting etc etc does give a certain adrenaline rush... but when all is over, said and done.... one can relax and know that they helped someone, they saved someone's life. And let me tell you... It does chuff me to no end when I come back to work and a patient tells me that "I am their angel" b/c of my fast thinking and action. Ya should seen how happy a patient was the other day after I saved him a trip to the ICU and placement of a trach due to allergic reaction and throat swelling. Pretty damn scarey, and had I not acted.... he woulda died.. but I did not WISH for such an incident.. I am just damn glad that I am well trained and have the gut feeling to fix things before they get bad. The same goes for firefighting. I am sure that PopRocks understand this as well.

[Sandman]

Six firefighters suffered heat related injuries, and two of them had to be flown to a hospital for treatment. via ABC30.com (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxcLVmrZI wIgFf3cy=2FtkNJMDhn5Hc2pHdQNcXUKjOjsRNE=2FG2lydvGa vHqoBMiXIE9j8KkAlXwVxHNvtw6UcXSbA)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/09/wildfire-burning-near-auberry-is-fully-contained?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

A small army of firefighters this morning continued to battle a brushfire that erupted Tuesday afternoon near Highway 168 and the mountain community of Auberry in northeastern Fresno County (http://www.topix.com/county/fresno-ca). via Fresno Bee (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxdG1wP62 l=2Fcq44GnDoVCSXhSBUlKh7Q9i=2F=2BOaUAmrkrjCLXs1eld q9xCA3Z=2BG330Q0=3D)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/08/updates-crews-battling-auberry-blaze?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

A brush fire burning below Shaver Lake (http://www.topix.com/city/shaver-lake-ca) forced the temporary closure of a highway to the Sierra Nevada and briefly threatened homes before firefighters beat it back. via KTVU (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxcyG6w04 LTYcDRy=2BOXLSjhnmlaYcTadmGaW5d902QZFHwHzoM44vcLnJ iBgVCkP8KzhIblD2rdJ69t51UPSdWLM)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/08/firefighters-battle-wildfire-near-shaver-lake?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

NOTAM Number: FDC 7/4954 Issue Date: August 29, 2007 at 0043 UTC Type: Hazards Plain Language text is not available for this NOTAM. via Aero-News Network (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxfmv8x1F frtJGs=2B3YyUZpCtlrtm1ff7siomxeI2t=2BZe1viK=2B7VpT 3Pmh6sRx36ELpf=2BsPk9gNYRsrJlkK2sBtApONBXvE6pd47xR T8hmNYfJjhl5tFTg0YSMrvLxmUM9=2FE=3D)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/08/ca-firefighting-tfr-ufn?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

Crews have shut down roads in an effort to keep people safe. The fire started around 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in the mountains between Tollhouse (http://www.topix.com/city/tollhouse-ca) and Shaver. via ABC30.com (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxcLVmrZI wIgFf3cy=2FtkNJMDhn5Hc2pHdQNcXUKjOjsRNE=2FG2lydvGa vHqoBMiXIE9gOOFbRrPNfJI1B84mN1ujK)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/08/fire-in-fresno-county-closes-main-roads?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

"There's not that much contained yet. There's a lot of open line, a lot to be done"
The fire is 20% contained, and two lanes of 168 have since reopened. More than 150 acres burned Tuesday. via ABC30.com (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxcLVmrZI wIgFf3cy=2FtkNJMDhn5Hc2pHdQNcXUKjOjsRNE=2FG2lydvGa vHqoBMiXIE9iv6R7GQslLDRsWwm6Oefgb)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/auberry-ca/2007/09/dozens-of-firefighters-spent-a-long-night-trying-to-gain-control-of-a-wildfire?fromrss=1)

[SheilaMae]

Skies to the W/SW of me from my house in Indian Lakes are looking pretty smokey ---anyone know if there's a fire going and where????

[Michelle]

it is a Santa Clara fire...the cdf told a friend of ours that the winds are bringing the smoke.
http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current
<table class="incident_table" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="header_tr"><td colspan="3" class="header_td">Lick Fire Incident Information: </td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row" width="30%">Last Updated: </td> <td width="35%">September 4, 2007 8:00 am </td> <td align="center" width="35%">
</td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">Date/Time Started: </td> <td colspan="2">September 3, 2007 1:45 pm </td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">Administrative Unit:</td> <td colspan="2">CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit </td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">County:</td> <td colspan="2">Santa Clara County </td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">Location:</td> <td colspan="2">Henry Coe State Park, 2 miles north of Mt. Sizer </td> </tr> <tr class="even"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">Acres Burned: </td> <td colspan="2">5,000 acres </td> </tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="emphasized" scope="row">Containment</td> <td colspan="2">10% containment - 5,000 acres </td> </tr><tr class="odd"><td class="emphasized" scope="row">Structures Destroyed:</td><td colspan="2">1 Outbuilding </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row">Threatened: </td><td colspan="2"> 10 Residences, 5 Outbuildings </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Injuries: </td><td colspan="2"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Cause: </td><td colspan="2"> Under Investigation </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Cooperating Agencies: </td><td colspan="2"> California State Parks, South Santa Clara Fire Protection District, Santa Clara County Fire Department </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Total Fire Personnel: </td><td colspan="2"> 727 (699 CAL FIRE) </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Fire crews: </td><td colspan="2"> 26 CAL FIRE </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Engines: </td><td colspan="2"> 50 CAL FIRE </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Airtankers: </td><td colspan="2"> 7 CAL FIRE </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Helicopters: </td><td colspan="2"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Dozers: </td><td colspan="2"> 8 CAL FIRE </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row"> Water tenders: </td><td colspan="2"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="odd" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row">Major Incident Command Team: </td><td colspan="2"> Incident Command Team #2 </td></tr><tr class="even" valign="top"><td class="emphasized" scope="row">Conditions: </td><td colspan="2">The fire is burning within the Henry Coe State Park in a remote location which makes access difficult. Local camp grounds and trails have been evacuated. </td></tr> <tr class="odd"> <td class="emphasized" width="30%">Phone Numbers </td> <td colspan="3">(408) 779-0930 (Lick Fire Information) </td></tr></tbody></table>
We were wondering the same thing.

[Sandman]

The Bald and Babcock Fires continue to burn in Yosemite National Park. Park Rangers say that the Babcock Fire has experienced slow but steady growth since it's ignition, and is now burning approximately 220 ... via My Mother Lode (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxcIALf5n u1LU=2FTesZtmX87z2mpT3OQWWSbl77TZ=2Fdn99HtN9C8CEC= 2BjcE=2BC4VXQAA=2BsoKdOl=2FLoFobvYQVu4Jjg)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/yosemite-national-park-ca/2007/09/pair-of-wildland-fires-continue-to-burn-in-yosemite-national-park?fromrss=1)

[Sandman]

"We don't really have a cause on it - possibly heating equipment"
A plane headed for Columbia (http://www.topix.com/city/columbia-ca) and a Twain Harte (http://www.topix.com/city/twain-harte-ca) rental home went up in flames over Labor Day weekend, but lightning-sparked fires high in the Mother Lode were all controlled quickly. via The Union Democrat (http://www.topix.net/r/07lUe3DDGoDdEToce6O4L2eDlWpv2EqZbDcRkuhTUTxdC3LeTR UNZ4nLUmXRH9DweNcVtBgt9DuCU8L0uYQMLVmclfS9j6kPKaoG PEyFRw9XL8L729ge9g9Y3HD2LPI30)


More... (http://www.topix.net/city/groveland-ca/2007/09/weekend-fires-burn-home-plane?fromrss=1)

[Iris]

Yosemite Changes Policy, Works to Put Out Blaze

By Corinne Reilly / Merced Sun-Star
09/08/07 01:15:52

Prompted by this week's poor air quality, Yosemite National Park officials are sidestepping a longtime policy to allow natural wildfires to burn out on their own.

Instead, park firefighters are working to extinguish a week-old blaze that's charred about 300 acres of remote wilderness.

Yosemite officials expect the fire to be out by Monday.

Although the Bald fire poses no direct threat to people or property -- the usual threshold that must be met before the park will extinguish a fire -- park officials say smoke from the growing fire is enough to warrant putting it out.

"We always consider the big picture when we're deciding how to respond to a fire, and we're always concerned with air quality both in the park and in the surrounding communities," said Yosemite spokeswoman Adrienne Freeman. "With the other fires in the state right now, we're worried about the cumulative effect."

Smoke from the massive Moonlight fire that has been burning in the Plumas National Forest since Monday has blanketed the Central Valley for several days. A second fire burning in Henry W. Coe State Park east of Morgan Hill is also contributing to the Valley's problems, air-quality officials say.

In light of the other blazes, Freeman said, park officials decided late Wednesday to extinguish the Bald fire, which was ignited by a lightning strike Aug. 30.

While the Bald fire is minuscule by comparison, park officials say it could spread quickly. The fire is about three miles east of Bald Mountain, north of Tioga Road in a remote area thick with dry shrubs and underbrush.

"This is nothing compared to the other fires going on in other parts of the state," Freeman said. "But to allow it to grow could mean that we'd be contributing to all the smoke that's already out there."

Because park officials have been managing the Bald fire since it ignited, Freeman said it is already largely contained. She said about 50 firefighters, mostly from Yosemite's own crews, began working to extinguish it early Friday.

Besides the Bald fire, three other fires are burning in the park. Freeman said that so far there are no plans to extinguish them, since they aren't believed to be contributing to air-quality problems.

The Babcock fire, located just north of Merced Lake, has burned about 220 acres since it was ignited -- also by lightning strike -- in early July. Because that fire is at a higher elevation surrounded by granite, Freeman said the chance of it spreading is low.

Two other fires, one northeast of Mount Hoffmann and one west of Washburn Lake, have burned less than an acre each.

Brenda Eppler, who owns a bed and breakfast about 12 miles outside of Yosemite's south gate, said she saw little evidence of the fires until Friday.

"The park is so vast that there can be pretty big fires out there and we won't see a thing," Eppler said. "We weren't seeing anything, but then [Friday] it turned really hazy where we are."

Freeman said some visitors to northern areas of the park might see plumes of smoke, but that the fire isn't otherwise affecting tourists.

"Everything is open," she said.

Naturally ignited wildfires are common at the 747,000-acre Yosemite. Historically, the park has worked to put out all fires. In the 1970s, however, park officials adopted a policy of allowing natural fires -- those not started by humans -- to burn out on their own.

Natural fires, which are usually lower in intensity, are an important part of a forest's ecosystem, experts say. That's because they burn underbrush and forest waste that, if left unchecked, can fuel catastrophic fires later on. Natural fires also deposit nutrients back into the soil to promote new, healthy growth.
The reporter can be reached at creilly@mercedsun-star.com or (209) 385-2477.

[monkey]

I heard there was a fire on Miami Trails yesterday. We could smell the smoke and hear the planes, they jumped on it very quickly and got it put out, but still, it just scares the heck of of me!

[Iris]

Yikes!! Scares me too! :(

[Sandman]

Yosemite changes policy, works to put out blaze (The Fresno Bee) (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/yosemite+national+park/SIG=11i4c7qe5/*http%3A//www.fresnobee.com/263/story/132812.html)

Yosemite changes policy, works to put out blaze
By Corinne Reilly / Merced Sun-Star
<!--/STORYHEADLINE--> <!--STORYBODY--> 09/08/07 01:15:52


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<!-- end /pubsys/assets/ad_components/textads_storylevel_ibox.comp --> Prompted by this week's poor air quality, Yosemite National Park officials are sidestepping a longtime policy to allow natural wildfires to burn out on their own.


Instead, park firefighters are working to extinguish a week-old blaze that's charred about 300 acres of remote wilderness.
Yosemite officials expect the fire to be out by Monday.


Although the Bald fire poses no direct threat to people or property -- the usual threshold that must be met before the park will extinguish a fire -- park officials say smoke from the growing fire is enough to warrant putting it out.

[Sandman]

The air quality has been terrible lately. I hope they get those fires out soon.

[Ironhorse]

I've been choked up since Thursday. Friday was really bad, but yesterday was the worst for me. I was on a sneezing jag for 2 hours, couldn't quit, my nose keeps running and my throat stings.

[BGW]

I've been choked up since Thursday. Friday was really bad, but yesterday was the worst for me. I was on a sneezing jag for 2 hours, couldn't quit, my nose keeps running and my throat stings.

I was headed out the door of St. Agnes to go do a power walk around the hospital on Friday and the nurses stopped me...told me it was a very bad idea health wise to do any excercise out of doors. Fine with me...any excuse to not workout is a plus!!

[Ironhorse]

I've only been outside enough to go up to my mother's and to the grocery store. I've been staying in because of all the smoke, guess I shoulda stayed in more.

[Iris]

Smoke lingers across Valley

Air seems a little cleaner, but it's still thick with haze.
By Denny Boyles and Eric Lacayo / The Fresno Bee
09/09/07 04:40:52

The smelly, sooty haze from a Northern California wildfire that blanketed the Fresno area has moved south, but air-quality experts urged residents not to be fooled.

Though the air looks -- and smells -- cleaner than it did Friday, particulate matter concentrations continue to be much higher than normal, especially in Tulare and Kern counties, where officials are encouraging residents to postpone outdoor activities until air quality improves.

The problem is not just at ground level, either. Officials said pilots are reporting smoke all the way up to 10,000 feet.

Things are not likely to improve for several more days. Light winds and weather patterns are holding the polluted air in place, and officials said Saturday that the forecast will not change for several days.

To the north, fires continue to rage in Plumas County, and also in Santa Clara County to the west, though a shift in the wind is sending smoke from the fires away from the Fresno area, at least temporarily.

"Right now, we're not getting more smoke. In fact, the winds have shifted and the smoke is heading north to the Bay Area," said Jim Dudley, a National Weather Service meteorologist. "But that could change Sunday. And we're going to have to live with the smoke that's already here for a least a few more days."

Late Saturday, air-quality concerns had not prompted organizers to cancel today's Cross City Race, an annual downtown Fresno footrace that draws about 1,500 people. The first race was scheduled to begin at 7 a.m.

The two fires that are the main cause of the poor air lingering over the Valley continued to burn Saturday.

The Moonlight fire near Greenville in Plumas County expanded to 42,000 acres as winds blew the flames to the north and northeast, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Pandora Valle. That was up from an estimated 34,100 acres earlier in the day. The fire was just 16% contained.

In Santa Clara County, more than 1,900 firefighters continued to battle a blaze that has consumed 39,585 acres in Henry W. Coe State Park south of San Jose, said Wayne Rhoten, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fire, which started Monday, was about 45% contained Saturday morning, and full containment was expected today, Rhoten said. Those fires will send more polluted air into the Fresno area, at least until the fire is put out and wind patterns shift, Dudley said.

The forecast calls for a low-pressure system to move over the area Wednesday or Thursday. That system will essentially flush the polluted air out of the Valley, Dudley said.

"The problem has been that northwest winds, which would normally bring us cleaner air, have been carrying smoke instead," Dudley said. "They need to get the fires out, and then we need some winds to come sweep out the air we have, and give us cleaner air."

The particulate matter -- tiny bits of ash, soot and chemicals -- can lodge deep in the lungs and pass into the bloodstream, triggering asthma and heart attacks.

On Friday, poor air quality prompted school officials across the region to cancel or postpone athletic events -- including a varsity football game between Chowchilla and Le Grand. Chowchilla coach John Henson said the game was played without any problems Saturday in Le Grand.

Henson said he understands that air-quality officials were trying to protect residents, but he isn't sure postponing the game did any good.

"There was absolutely nothing to all of the concerns in terms of air on Friday night," Henson said. "In fact, I think we would have been better off playing Friday. We would have had cooler breezes and cleaner air than we had at noon today. Today, we had 90-degree heat and direct sunshine."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The reporters can be reached at dboyles@fresnobee.com, elacayo@fresnobee.com

[CatdaBrat]

I am very glad to hear about the change in policy, even if it's just temporary and isolated. The smoke has adversely affected everyone I know. But I am shocked...I thought we humans were to be ignored in policy decisions concerning the environment. I thought anything "natural," especially fires, was supposed to be left to Mother Nature.

Looks like flip-flops are not just footware. Bah to politics! Yay to firefighting!

[Sandman]

Fire Season: Officially Over (Santa Barbara Independent) (http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/search/mariposa+california/SIG=120g6p5qd/*http%3A//www.independent.com/news/2007/dec/20/fire_mffnmerZZZ/)

Friday morning marked the end of the 2007 fire season.â€UeHeightened concernâ€� about fire danger still exists, even in winter.