Winter Weather Watch in Effect, LA and Ventura County Mountains

OVERNIGHT A FAST MOVING FRONT WILL SWEEP INTO THE AREA. RAIN WILL BECOME LIKELY DURING THE EVENING ACROSS THE CENTRAL COAST...RAIN WILL THEN DEVELOP EVERYWHERE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND DAWN WITH THE POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF THE EASTERN HALF OF L.A. COUNTY WHICH MIGHT STAY DRY UNTIL DAWN. IT WILL BE WINDY AHEAD OF THE FRONT WITH SOUTHWEST ADVISORY LEVEL WINDS DEVELOPING OVER THE MTNS AND INTERIOR VLYS OF SLO AND SBA COUNTIES AS WELL AS THE ANTELOPE VLY.

Hazardous Driving Conditions will persist over MTN Passes:

SNOW LEVELS WILL LIKELY START OUT ABOVE 7000 FEET TONIGHT...BUT COULD BE A BIT LOWER ACROSS NORTH FACING SLOPES DUE TO COLD AIR TRAPPED IN PLACE. SNOW LEVELS ARE EXPECTED TO LOWER TO AROUND 5000 FEET BEHIND THE FRONT ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON...THEN PLUMMET QUICKLY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AS A SURGE OF VERY COLD AIR ENTERS INTO THE AREA FROM THE NORTH. THE GRAPEVINE ALONG INTERSTATE 5 WILL LIKELY BE IMPACTED BY SNOW SHOWERS BY WEDNESDAY EVENING...WITH SNOW FALLING AS LOW AS 2000 FEET BY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THIS TYPE OF LOW SNOW LEVEL WILL PUT AREAS SUCH AS THE CUYAMA VALLEY...CARRIZO PLAIN...FOOTHILLS OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY...AND PORTIONS OF INTERSTATE 14 THROUGH SOLEDAD CANYON AT RISK FOR A FEW SNOW SHOWERS. NORTH FACING MOUNTAIN SLOPES NEAR THE KERN COUNTY LINE...INCLUDING THE GRAPEVINE AREA...WILL LIKELY SEE MORE SUBSTANTIAL ACCUMULATIONS...POSSIBLY IN THE 4 TO 8 INCH RANGE. WITH THE SURGE OF VERY COLD AIR...ICY CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKELY ACROSS MOUNTAIN AREAS THAT RECEIVE PRECIPITATION WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING...ADDING TO THE TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. WINDS WILL ALSO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE MTNS OF L.A. AND VTA COUNTIES WITH ADVISORY LEVEL SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTS OF 55 MPH TO DEVELOP OVERNIGHT TONIGHT AND THEN TURN STRONGLY TO THE NORTH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. SO EVEN THOUGH THE SNOW AND WINDS ARE SOME WHAT OUT OF PHASE ISSUED A SINGLE WINTER STORM WATCH TO COVER ALL OF THE HAZARDS EXPECTED FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THAT BRINGS US TO THE WINDS...IN THE WAKE OF WEDNESDAY MORNING`S COLD FRONT A SURGE OF VERY COLD AIR WILL SLAM INTO THE AREA. GOOD COLD AIR ADVECTION IS THE ONE THING THAT ALMOST GUARANTEES A STRONG WIND EVENT...THE MORE COLD AIR THAT POURS IN...THE MORE WIND THAT DEVELOPS. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE SHARPLY ACROSS THE REGION DURING WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS WILL PEAK WEDNESDAY NIGHT...AND WILL REMAIN STRONG THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. A COLD AND DEEP UPPER TROUGH DIGGING INTO THE GREAT BASIN WILL HELP THE WINDS ALONG BY ADDING A PROLONGED PERIOD OF STRONG UPPER LEVEL WIND SUPPORT. DURING THE PEAK OF THIS WIND EVENT WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING...MOUNTAIN AREAS COULD SEE DAMAGING WINDS OVER 70 MPH. OTHER AREAS AT RISK FOR POTENTIAL DAMAGING WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH INCLUDE THE SANTA BARBARA SOUTH COAST...ANTELOPE VALLEY...AND SANTA CLARITA VALLEY. HIGH WIND WATCHES ARE IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR THE SBA COUNTY MTNS AND SOUTH COAST AND THE ANTELOPE VLY. MANY OTHER AREAS ESPECIALLY THOSE NEAR NORTH/SOUTH PASSES AND CANYONS WILL LIKELY NEED WIND ADVISORIES AS THE EVENT DRAWS NEARER. IN ADDITION...THE STRONG WINDS COMBINED WITH A VERY COLD AIR MASS COULD BRING THE COLDEST WIND CHILL READINGS OF THE SEASON SO FAR...PERHAPS REACHING DANGEROUS LEVELS IN THE MOUNTAINS.

Delray Beach Florida Invitation to all So Cal Members

You are cordially invited to attend the 43rd Annual Delray Beach Florida - International Fire Service - St. Patricks Parade, to be held on Saturday March 12th, 2011. With the Pre-Parade gathering and celebration on Friday March 11th.

This is the largest, most popular St. Patricks Parade in the state of Florida.

Uniformed marching Firefighters, Honor guards, Color guards, Fire service and civilian Bagpipe bands, Antique fire trucks..., Modern fire trucks, Motorcycles, Fire Safety Clowns, Dalmatians, Specialty groups, Civilian floats, 10 Ladder trucks from 10 different fire departments, paired into 2's and hanging 5 - huge 20' X 30' flags over the parade route.

Fire Engineering Magazine Editor and FDIC Hall Of Famer: Chief Bobby Halton is coming. Chief Halton is a strong proponent and advocate of keeping fire service traditions alive.

The Good Year Blimp has been invited to fly over the parade with "Good Year Salutes Firefighters" flashing on the Jumbo Tron screen, Randy Mantooth (Johnny Gage from the hot show of the 70's - EMERGENCY), Pre-Parade and Post Parade celebrations, staged band concerts, and more.

Honor Guard / Pipe Band / USAR / Combat Challenge / Extrication / Heavy Rescue - team members and other specialty groups, if you'd like official written letters of invitation to your Chief officer, e-mail us his/her name and address and we'll send them the invite for you @: fireman9722003@yahoo.com

Pipe bands - if you plan on coming as a complete pipe band, you may be offered the opportunity to march and play as a stand alone band, and lead your own column of uniformed personnel. A complete band will be at least 12 members, with a bass drum. Contact ASAP us to put your name on the list. fireman9722003@yahoo.com

Mark the date on your calendars (Saturday March 12th). Spread the word to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. If you're intending to march in your own St. Patricks Parade on on Thursday March 17th, you have plenty of time to spend a couple of days down here, catch a Florida sun tan, and make it back in time for your own parades.

Check back on the following website link for more information on directions, times, firefighter discount hotels, travel, firefighter registration, ect, and please send us your travel itinerary - arrival / departure information as soon as possible for airport pick ups and drop offs. (Airline / Airport / Times / Amount of people) .....

http://www.iaff2928.com/

If you'd like to be a parade sponsor, please call:

(561) 883-7763

If you're a vendor and would like to set up a booth / tent at the parade, please call (561) 279-0907

Fatal Shooting on Christmas, 85th West and Western

South L.A. woman gunned down on Christmas in front of 3-year-old daughter
Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 12/27/2010 08:31:07 AM PST
Updated: 12/27/2010 08:38:27 AM PST


SOUTH LOS ANGELES -- Police today said a woman shot to death on Christmas night was leaving the home of an acquaintance when she was gunned down, according to a sergeant releasing new information.

Kashmier Shari James, 25, had been visiting a male acquaintance at a home on the 1700 block of 85th Street, Sgt. Jim Lewis said. She was getting into her car at about 10:20 p.m. Christmas night when two men in a dark blue vehicle drove up and fired nine shots, striking her once in the head, before fleeing south on Western, Lewis said.

It has not been determined whether the male acquaintance was the intended target of the suspects, he said. There is nothing to indicate that the suspects were involved with a criminal street gang, he added.

Lewis said James had no criminal record.

Friends and family today mourned the death of the woman who was gunned down in front of her 3-year-old daughter in South Los Angeles.

Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene at 10:41 p.m. Lewis said.

Her daughter, who was in a carseat in the back seat of the vehicle, was unharmed. She was turned over to her father at the 77th Street station.

A candlelight vigil was held at the crime scene today, according to broadcast reports.

"This 3-year-old will never grow up to see her mama," James' boyfriend, Chris Jackson, said in broadcast reports. "I don't know how to explain it to her, to tell her, she's not here, she's not here."

Cousin Sharonda Conley was distraught. "I don't understand why they would take somebody's life in front of their kid on Christmas," she said.

Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to call LAPD detectives at (213) 485-4175.

Chrsitmas Night House Fire, LAFD Task Force 33

Los Angeles City Firefighters were called to a reported structure fire at 124 W 83 Street in South Central Los Angeles Christmas evening at approximately 11:08 hours. Upon arrival BC 13 and Task Force 33 found a single family dwelling with moderate smoke showing. Several occupants in stocking feet were assisted out of the building and were checked by LAFD paramedics for injuries. Aggressive interior attack had knock down in approximately 10 minutes. Unknown dollar loss.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Caution in Storm Run Off

We are expecting more rain on Christmas, which will make the roads very hazardous for travelers. Motorists should be encourage not to go through flowing creeks and debris dams. Swift water has a tremendous force associated with it and should be avoided at all costs. High water may also cause the engine to stall and cause serious damage to the vehicle.

Storm run off may contain pollutants such as sewage, motor oils, gasoline residues and pesticides, so human contact should be avoided if at all possible.

For children playing near creeks and over flowing storm drains there is a chance of drowning so please have youngsters supervised and told to avoid the water.

Storm Images, LA Times

Photos of record breaking storms, LA Times: http://framework.latimes.com/2010/12/22/series-of-storms-hits-southern-california/#/0

Flash Flood Warning for LA and San Bernardino 10:19 am

Flash Flood Warning for Burn Areas:A series of strong thunderstorms is forming over LA and Moving north east, embeded mesocylones in storms, thunderstorms moving towards La Canada Flintridge and towards San Bernardino County. Flash floods are possible, warning 10:19 am

Mesocylones Spotted on Radar, San Bernardino and Riverside County

19:21 PM: Strong thunderstorms over Big Bear and San Bernardino County, several mesocyclones are spotted on radar with reported hail at higher elevations, flash flood watch is in effect!

Breaking News, Traffic Collision 14 Freeway at Agua Dulce

Los Angeles County firefighters responded in torrential rain to a traffic collision with fire on the south bound 14 freeway just south of Agua Dulce Canyon Rd. Upon arrival shortly after 3 pm firefighters found a multi car accident, with one vehicle over turned, off the freeway and on fire. Several patients were seriously injured and were taken to local hospitals. The accident is under investigation by the CHP. Traffic was snarled in the area for 30 minutes.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Fatal Traffic Accident, Pear Blossom Highway

Our top story today in So Cal: Driving rain and gale force winds have created mud and debris problems and contributed to numerous accidents along CA busiest highways. Several inches of rain have fallen today in the Station Wildfire Burn area. Roads have been slick and several fire apparatus have been involved in accidents today. Supt 21 from LA County was hit head on at Foothill Bl and Aspen while responding to a mud flow in La Crescenta CA. Thankfully their were only minor injuries.

Several serious accidents today including this double fatal, with 2 major injuries along Pear Blossom Highway and Sierra Highway in Palmdale, the high desert district of LA County Fire Department.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Extreme Caution in Burn Areas

911 dispatchers are sending resources to La Canada and La Crescenta CA on several debris flows in the burn area, use extreme caution for potential flash flooding. Heavy rainfall continues across Southern California and hillsides are now saturated.

Forecast:SHORT TERM (TODAY-WED)...EXTREMELY MOIST FLOW OF AIR WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH MID WEEK. THE AFTERNOON RAINFALL ENHANCEMENT ARRIVED ON SCHEDULE AND IS NOW FOCUSING ON LA COUNTY WITH RAINFALL RATES PEAKING AT ONE HALF TO ONE INCH PER HOUR. THESE RATES WILL START TO TAPER OFF THIS EVENING IN MOST AREAS, THOUGH A FAVORABLE SOUTHWEST FLOW WILL MAINTAIN PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN ACROSS ERN LA COUNTY MOST OF THE NIGHT. IN ADDITION, ANOTHER BURST OF HEAVIER RAIN IS EXPECTED TO HIT SLO AND SBA COUNTIES LATER TONIGHT, AND INTO VENTURA AND LA COUNTIES MONDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWED BY AT LEAST TWO MORE BURSTS OF HEAVY RAIN THROUGH WEDNESDAY, THOUGH TIMING THESE IMPULSES BEYOND ABOUT 12 HOURS IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT SO CAL WILL REMAIN VERY MUCH UNDER THE GUN IN TERMS OF SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE MODELS ARE EXHIBITING RATHER EXTREME DIFFERENCES IN HANDLING THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE FORECAST, MOST NOTABLY WHERE THE PLUME OF HIGHEST MOISTURE WILL BE AND THE EXTENT OF LOW LVL SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST FLOW. AS AN EXAMPLE, THE GFS AND ECMWF ARE SHIFTING THE PLUME EAST OF LA COUNTY TUESDAY WHILE THE NAM HOLDS IT BACK FURTHER WEST OVER LA/VTU AND ERN SBA COUNTIES, RESULTING IN A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN RAINFALL POTENTIAL FOR THOSE AREAS. THE CURRENT FORECAST IS STICKING WITH THE WETTER NAM. AS SUCH, THE FORECAST THROUGH WED CALLS FOR ANOTHER 8-15 INCHES OF RAIN FOR THE FOOTHILLS AND SOUTH FACING SLOPES FROM SRN SBA COUNTY THROUGH ERN LA COUNTY AND 3 TO 8 INCHES FOR COAST AND VALLEYS. ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS NORTH OF PT CONCEPTION ARE EXPECTED TO BE 3 TO 5 INCHES.

Weather Warning for So Cal Burn Areas

Strong gusty winds and driving rain are possible today through Monday with rain totals of 2-4 inches in the south facing mountains. With the sub-tropical moisture hitting south facing slopes, orographic lifting is possible, with above average K values,(Potential for T-cell Develpoment) there is a chance for flash flooding in Southern California burn areas.

Mild to Moderate Offshore Wind Event

A NORTHERLY PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL STRENGTHEN THROUGH THE DAY...BRINGING GUSTY NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS TO THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SOUTH COAST...AS WELL AS THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS. WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO PEAK TONIGHT...THEN DIMINISH SOME THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE NORTH TO NORTHEAST SATURDAY EVENING AND STRENGTHEN AGAIN...AND WIND ADVISORIES MAY AGAIN BE NEEDED.

Israel Battles Forest Fire, LA Times Reports

International help pours in as Israel battles forest fire from Bulgaria to Jordan and Greece, even Turkey, send firefighters, equipment, helicopters and other help as a fire rages in Carmel Forest. The toll rises to 41 as officials hope to control the blaze by weekend.

A woman in the hills above Haifa has a clear view of the Carmel Forest blaze, the worst wildfire in Israel's history. About 17,000 of residents in areas around the forest have been evacuated. (Marco Longari, AFP/Gettyy Images / December 2, 2010)

Forest fire in Israel kills 37 prison guards trapped in fleeing bus
By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times

December 4, 2010

— From Jordanian firefighters to Greek aircraft, a rare outpouring of international support for Israel helped the nation battle its worst-ever forest fire Friday, but the blaze continued to rage out of control.

The death toll was revised to at least 41 people, according to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. They included 36 prison guards whose bus was engulfed in flames Thursday as they rushed to help evacuate a nearby prison.

The toll includes two police officers who were trapped in the same firestorm that ensnared the bus. One passenger car reportedly was able to escape only by speeding through the flames.

Four rescue workers remain missing, Rosenfeld said. Nearly 7,000 acres have burned and 17,000 people have been evacuated from towns around Carmel Forest, near the northern port city of Haifa.

Responding to an appeal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for help, Bulgaria and Jordan sent firefighters; Cyprus, Greece, Russia and the United States dispatched aircraft to ferry water and chemical retardant; Britain sent helicopters; and additional assistance came from Spain, Azerbaijan, Romania and Egypt, government officials said.

"This attests to the unprecedented international response to our appeal for international help and it is very important to Israel in every possible aspect," Netanyahu said during an emergency Cabinet meeting in Tel Aviv. "The extraordinary response from the world should offer some comfort to Israeli citizens at this difficult moment."

Fire officials hoped to have the blaze under control by the weekend.

Even Turkey sent two planes to assist in the emergency effort, despite the strained relations between the two countries since May, when Israeli commandoes raided a ship, killing nine Turkish activists, including a Turkish-American dual citizen, who were trying to break Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"We very much appreciate this mobilization and I am certain that it will be an opening toward improving relations between our two countries," Netanyahu said of Turkey's help.

Israel, which takes pride in its self-sufficiency and has few friends in the region, has seldom asked for outside help in coping with a natural disaster. It has frequently lent its support and expertise to other nations during times of need, such as during the Haiti earthquake.

As the fire raged out of control Thursday, however, Israeli officials made an unusually frank admission that the country lacked the resources to stop it.

Government officials and pundits debated Friday who should be blamed for Israel's unpreparedness for fighting fires, a shortcoming that had been repeatedly underscored in recent years by studies and commissions.

The nation has only 1,500 firefighters, though international standards call for four times that number for a country of Israel's size.

After a series of fires this year, the government nearly ran out of chemical retardant Friday. Israel has no emergency aircraft to ferry seawater to fire sites.

Questions were also raised about how quickly firefighters responded. A flight instructor who reported the fire to authorities Thursday morning said it took nearly three hours for crews to react, allowing the blaze to spread.

"A national failure," wrote Itamar Eichner in Israel's Yediot Aharonot newspaper. "The fire service was always the stepchild of Israel's emergency services. Even though firefighters around the world are esteemed and regarded as heroes, Israel has never taken them too seriously. "

edmund.sanders@latimes.com
Copyright © 2010, Los Angeles Times

Earthquake Predictions

New method predicts earthquakes with 80 percent accuracy
Posted By: Cameron Scott December 03 2010 at 10:47 AM


A new Spanish study that analyzed local earthquake data since 1978 found patterns in the data that can predict a medium to large earthquakes with 80 percent accuracy.


USGS

The key factor was the fault's resistance: less resistance leads to lots of small earthquakes, whereas more resistance leads to scarcer but bigger quakes.

Fascinatingly, another recent study, this one out of Israel's Hebrew University, focused on the similar principle of friction. It found that the laws of physics long thought to determine friction don't really hold true: Rather than two blocks — used to simulate tectonic plates in the laboratory — touching at every point along their adjacent faces, there are actually a discrete set of points at which they touch, and the contact points don't all break at the same time.

When contact breaks in a slow cascade from point to point, the conditions are set for a quake causing minimum damage. But contact points that break all at once correspond to supersonic earthquakes, which cause serious damage.

The Israeli scientists suggest that analyzing the way a particular fault ruptures in one temblor will allow them to better predict what might happen next along the same fault.

Looked at together, the studies suggest that we may be much closer to being able to predict, and therefore prepare for, major quakes.

Hazardous Occupancy to Be Burned

'Bomb factory' house in Escondido area to be burned down
November 30, 2010 | 10:01 pm
LA Times Article

Caution Area Residents, Explosive Devices In Home

The house just outside Escondido where massive amounts of explosive materials were found has been declared a public hazard and will be burned down, San Diego County officials told area residents Tuesday night.

A nearby stretch of Interstate 15 will be closed during the process, and some nearby residents will be evacauted, officials said.

The house, dubbed the "bomb factory" house by officials, was found to contain amounts of materials of the kind used by terroristbomb makers worldwide, as well as blasting caps, homemade grenades, and small-arms weapons.

The resident of the house, George Jakubec, a 54-year-old Serbian emigre, has been charged with 26 counts of possession of bombmaking materials and two counts of bank robbery. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail in lieu of $5 million bail.

The county has invoked its legal authority to declare a public emergency and to seize the house as a threat to public safety, a county lawyer explained to a town hall meeting of residents called by officials.

Bomb experts last week declared the one-story stucco house on Via Scott to be too dangerous to re-enter. On two occasions, they had entered the cluttered house and gathered evidence.

Sheriff Bill Gore said at the meeting that burning the house is the only safe way to rid the neighborhood of the explosive materials.

The materials include pentaerythritol tentanitrate (PETN), which is used by Al Qaeda terrorists and is the material that federal officials hope to discover through the new full-body screening and patdown procedures being used on airline passengers.

None of the charges against Jakubec involve the sale or use of explosives, and no motive for his alleged actions has been announced. His estranged wife suggested that he is mentally unstable.

The fire could be set between Dec. 8 and Dec. 10 but could be delayed depending on weather conditions, officials said. Safety barriers will be erected, some residents may be asked to leave and others to remain in their homes during the fire.

Jakubec was renting the home along the leafy, dead-end street. The owner of the home, who did not attend the town hall meeting, is discussing compensation with his insurance company, officials said.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/bomb-factory-house-in-escondido-area-to-be-burned-down.html

Old Fire Suspect Accused of Serious Crime in Jail

Suspected arsonist Rickie Lee Fowler charged with jailhouse sodomy
From Los Angeles Daily News
Updated: 09/10/2010 01:05:32 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA — Jailhouse sodomy charges have been filed against a suspected arsonist facing trial for a 2003 Southern California wildfire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes and led to five deaths.

San Bernardino County prosecutors say 29-year-old Rickie Lee Fowler is charged with three felony counts of sodomy by force and one felony count of sodomy in a correctional facility. A Tuesday preliminary hearing is scheduled on the latest charges.

Prosecutor Vic Stull told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin that Fowler forced himself on another inmate for sex on Aug. 21 at the county's Rancho Cucamonga jail.

Prosecutors claim Fowler set the 91,281-acre Old Fire that caused five deadly heart attacks. has pleaded not guilty to five counts of murder and two arson counts.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/wildfires/ci_16042025

Fire Season Closes in Santa Barbara County

Officials Announce A Change In Fire Season
Jim Bunner
KEYT-TV Santa Barbara

Story Created: Nov 28, 2010 at 6:37 PM PST

Santa Barbara - As fall turns to winter, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will begin the transition Monday of lowering the fire danger risk and fewer burning restrictions.

Beginning at 8 a.m., the County Fire Department will follow other local agencies by stepping down from a high-fire-season preparedness level to a lower one.

The U.S. Forest Service also reduced fire restrictions in the Los Padres National Forest. Campfires and charcoal barbecues are once again allowed in all areas of the forest, and prohibitions on smoking and target shooting were also lifted. Cal Fire, the fire agency for San Luis Obispo County, transitioned to low fire season back on November 8th.

Structure Fire LACOFD 37's P-8 and 10th Street East

Los Angeles County Firefighters responded to a reported commercial structure fire at P-8 and 10th Street East Saturday evening at approximately 11:15 PM in the City of Palmdale. Upon arrival Engine Companies 37 and 24 found a large commercial building well involved with fire and with flames shooting 50 feet into the air. The building appears to be a former storage facility and does not appear to be occupied at the time of the fire. Firefighting units took approximately 1 hour to extinguish the fire. The fire is under investigation, there are no reported injuries or damage to exposures.

Vehicle Fire LACOFD 80

Los Angeles County Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire on the North Bound 14 Freeway just north of Pear Blossom Highway today at approximately 3:00 pm today. Upon arrival firefighters found a vehicle well involved with fire on the right shoulder of the freeway. All occupants escaped injury. It took County Firefighters about 10 minutes to get the fire under control. Traffic was slowed for about 30 minutes until the vehicle could be removed from the freeway.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Family Rescued from Early Morning House Fire, Palmdale CA

Los Angeles County Firefighters were summoned to an early morning house fire at 37807Rose Marie in the City of Palmdale, November 23, 2010. Upon arrival firefighter paramedics from rescue squad 37 found six people still inside the burning single family dwelling. Firefighters rescued four children and two adults from the burning home while neighbors watched anxiously. Firefighters also rescued a small puppy that could not escape the flames. Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire simultaneously while squad 37 personnel were performing search and rescue functions. The home sustained serious smoke damage, fire damage appeared to be confined to the garage. All occupants appear to be uninjured thanks to the aggressive rescue efforts of Los Angeles County Firefighters.

Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Winter Style Storm In Southern California

SHOWERS AND GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH SUNDAY AS ANOTHER FRONTAL SYSTEM PASSES THROUGH THE AREA OVERNIGHT. SNOW LEVELS WILL FALL THROUGH THE NIGHT AS WELL...BRINGING EARLY SEASON SNOW TO LOWER MOUNTAIN ELEVATIONS. ADDITIONAL SHOWERS WILL BE POSSIBLE MONDAY AND TUESDAY...THEN SKIES WILL BEGIN TO CLEAR BY WEDNESDAY WITH HIGH PRESSURE BRINGING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES AND WARMER TEMPERATURES TO THE AREA THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

By Wednesday the offshore winds will return to So Cal with near advisory levels through Friday as high pressure builds over the Great Basin.

Physical Rescue Assignment South Los Angeles

Physical rescue assignment for Task Force 10, North Bound 110 Freeway Offramp near 8th Street, Task Force 10 members extricate a male patient from wreckage 03:27 am Saturday Nov 20, 2010.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

LACOFD Station 80 Vehicle Roll Over

Los Angeles County Firefighters responded to a report of an over turned pick up truck with entrapment on the South Bound 14 Freeway at Pear Blossom Hwy on ramp just before 2 pm today. Upon arrival both occupants of the pick up truck had self extricated and were found to have only minor injuries. The accident is under investigation by the CHP. Rain slickened roads probably contributed to the accident.
Photo Jeff Zimmerman

Winter Storm Warnings for Southland

FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE BURN AREAS OF LAX COUNTY. SNOW LEVELS WILL START OUT AROUND 7000 FEET LATE THIS EVENING...BUT ARE ANTICIPATED TO DROP TO 4500-5000 FEET BY SATURDAY EVENING. GIVEN THE SNOW LEVELS AND ANTICIPATED PRECIP AND WIND...WINTER STORM CONDITIONS WILL BE LIKELY AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. SO...WILL UPGRADE THE WINTER STORM WATCH TO A WARNING FOR LAX/VTU COUNTY MOUNTAINS. ALSO...AS THE EVENT UNFOLDS AND SNOW LEVELS DROP... WILL HAVE TO MONITOR THE SBA COUNTY MOUNTAINS FOR ANY SNOW ISSUES. FINALLY...AS THE FRONT MOVES THROUGH...THERE WILL BE SOME VERY GUSTY SOUTHERLY WINDS ON SATURDAY. AT THIS TIME...THERE WILL LIKELY BE ADVISORY LEVEL WINDS ACROSS MOST COASTAL/VALLEY AREAS...WITH WARNING LEVEL GUSTS POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE POTENTIAL HIGH WINDS FOR VTU/LAX MOUNTAINS IS COVERED BY WINTER STORM WARNING. HOWEVER...THERE COULD POSSIBLY BE SOME VERY STRONG WINDS ACROSS THE ANTELOPE VALLEY ON SATURDAY. SO...WILL ISSUE A HIGH WIND WATCH AND SEE HOW THINGS DEVELOP.

2008 Fire Storms Freeway Complex

2008: Santa Ana winds blew from 11.15 to 11.19.
Winds gusted over 70 mph in the Santa Ana Mountains and over 60 mph in the northern Inland Empire.

The Freeway Complex Fire burned from Corona through Chino Hills and Yorba Linda.
This fire destroyed or damaged over 300 homes and four businesses.
More than 30,000 acres burned and more than 40,000 evacuated.

Sayre Wildfire Anniversary

Title: 2008 Sayre Fire

Location: Los Angeles County
Notes: At about this time in 2008 a fire started in the hills on the northern margin of Sylmar in the Northern San Fernando Valley.

Santa Ana Winds with gusts of up to hurricane intensity fanned the fire into adjacent neighborhoods where it consumed 480 of the 600 mobile homes in the nearby Oakridge Mobile Home Park.

It also consumed nine single-family homes, ten commercial structures and 104 outbuildings. Over the next 24 hours it covered 11,262 acres.

This fire holds the distinction of burning the most homes in Los Angeles City history beating out the old record of 484 homes previously held by the Bel Aire Fir of 1961.

Tea Wildfire Anniversary, Nov 13, 2008

Location: Santa Barbara County - City of Montecito
Notes: Tonight in 2008 a brush fire began from a seemingly-extinguished campfire in the hills above Montecito during a Sundowner Wind event. The fire raged throughout the evening consuming 210 homes and charring 1,940 acres. Two people were critically-burned and Westmont College sustained heavy damaged with the destruction of multiple structures on the campus. Actor Christopher Lloyd lost his home in the fire.

East Bay Hills, Fire Weather Watch

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLSTHROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 1000 FEET...CAZ507-150500-/O.CON.KMTR.WI.Y.0010.000000T0000Z-101115T1800Z/NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS-

1033 AM PST SUN NOV 14 2010...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST MONDAY...A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM PST MONDAY.* TIMING: GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO MONDAY MORNING.

THE PERIOD OF STRONGEST WINDS IS EXPECTED TONIGHT.* WINDS: SUSTAINED NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS FROM 20 TO 35 MPH IN THE HILLS ABOVE 1000 FEET. LOCAL GUSTS FROM 50 TO 60 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE ABOVE 2000 FEET. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED OVER
NAPA COUNTY AND MOUNT TAMALPAIS IN MARIN COUNTY.* IMPACTS: A PROLONGED WIND EVENT IS FORECAST FOR THE HILLS. POWER OUTAGES WITH DOWNED TREES WILL BE POSSIBLE. BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH BARBECUES AND OTHER OUTDOOR IGNITION SOURCES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 35 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDSTHIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGHPROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Wildfire Riverside County Jurupa amd Sierra

EPN Alert, Wildfire Jurupa and Sierra, Riverside Fontana Area, EPN Channel 5

Bel Air / Brentwood Wildfire of 1961

1961 Bel Air Fire

Location: Bel Air-Brentwood/Santa Monica Mountains/Los Angeles County
Notes: On this morning in 1961 Santa Ana Winds blew embers out of a rubbish pile in Sherman Oaks and into brush where they became an inferno that was then pushed all the way over the Santa Monica Mountain and into Bel Air and Brentwood where it consumed 484 homes, including those of many famous Hollywood actors and actress.

Burt Lancaster and Zsa Zsa Gabor lost their homes to the fire while Fred MacMurray fought flames at his house and saved it although it was damaged and Maureen O'Hara fought the flames at her house and saved it from any damage as did Richard Nixon at a house he was renting at the time on North Bundy Drive (yes, the Bundy Drive of O.J. infamy).

190 other structures were destroyed and 6,090 acres were charred. There were no deaths or major injuries associated with this fire. At least 200 firefighters were injured, many by the tar from the roofs of the homes, but no one was killed and 78% of the homes were saved. Still, the fires were the fifth worst conflagration in the nation's history at the time, burning 16,090 acres (65.1 km2), destroying more than 484 homes and 190 other structures and causing an estimated $30 million in damage.

Bel Air is an affluent residential community in the hills of the Westside of the city of Los Angeles, California.[1] Together with Beverly Hills and Holmby Hills it forms the Platinum Triangle of Los Angeles neighborhoods.[2]

Bel Air is situated about 12 miles (19 km) west of downtown Los Angeles[3] and includes some of the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. It borders the north side of UCLA along Sunset Boulevard. At the heart of the community sits the Bel Air Country Club and the Hotel Bel-Air. The community was founded in 1923 by Alphonzo E. Bell, Sr.[4]

It is bordered by Brentwood on the west and southwest, Westwood on the south, Beverly Hills Post Office on the east, and Sherman Oaks on the north. Bel Air is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities and corporate executives.[citation needed]

Reche Canyon Wildfire

Riverside County: Firefighters near Colton Ca are working a vegetation fire with structural threat in Reche Canyon. Strong winds are hampering fire attack, initial reports are 10 acres near structures. 2 pm Saturday November 6, 2010

Update: As of 3:21 PM wildfire continues to grow hampered by strong winds nearing 40 acres with continued structural threat.

Update 4:57 PM Vegetation Fire: Reche Canyon @ Crystal Ridge area, Reche Cyn (Border of San Bernardino County and Riverside County - Colton area)
Currently at 60 acres with units making good progress towards suppressing the fire.

Riverside County Fire Department is in Unified Command with Colton Fire Department and Loma Linda Fire Department. Aircraft and hand crews are also on scene. San Bernardino County Fire Department is assisting operations with equipment and personnel.

Structures are threatened in the City of Colton at the Prado St and Michelle Rd areas. Structure protection is in place. No evacuations have been reqested.

As of 0031 hours the fire is reportedly contained at approximately 125 acres with extensive mop up.

Melee at Hollywood and Vine, LAFD asks for LAPD Assistance

LAFD Battalion 5 asked for Task Force 27 in Hollywood to respond to an over crowded condition at the Avalon Club at Hollywood and Vine just before midnight on Friday November 5, 2010. As attendees were asked to leave a few became violent throwing bottles and debris at police officers. LAPD quickly went into a tactical alert in the Hollywood Division and formed skirmish lines to move approximately 1,000 patrons out of the area. An assault requiring EMS occured on Cahuenga and a few arrests were made by LAPD officers. LAFD established a command post at Hollywood and Vine. LAPD provided security to firefighting resources. The incident concluded in about an hour.

Photos

Copyright Jeff Zimmerman

Old Topanga Cyn Wildfire of 1993

Title: 1993 Old Topanga (Malibu) Fire

Location: Los Angeles County
Notes: On this morning in 1993 the arson-caused Old Topanga Fire began on the north slope of the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles County and driven by strong Santa Ana Winds with gusts up to 70 miles per hour ran up and over the mountain range and down to the sea at Pacific Coast Highway.

Three people were killed and 369 homes were destroyed and at least 18,000 acres were scorched. One of the fatalities in this fire was Hollywood writer/director Duncan Gibbons (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0316496/) who was fatally burned when he went back to his house to rescue his cat, which ironically survived the fire despite being injured. Another irony is that Gibbons wrote the screenplay for a made-for-TV movie entitled "Third Degree Burn" which aired in 1989.

KTLA-TV's Jennifer York won an Emmy Award for her work reporting on this fire from KTLA's primary news helicopter.

A few years after this fire a couple of firefighters were falsely accused of starting this blaze while off-duty but were later cleared when their seemingly unlikely story was corroborated.

Here are some great links about this disaster:

http://www.malibucomplete.com/mc_history_malibucity_1993fire.php

http://www.lafire.com/famous_fires/931102_OldTopangaFire/110293_official_report_old_topanga_inci.htm

http://www.dasfilmfest.com/?id=94

Fire Weather

Record and near-record high temperatures are expected today around Southern California, with predictions of triple-digit heat in parts of the San Fernando Valley.

High pressure and winds out of the northeast will bring nearly cloudless skies, sunshine and breezy conditions.

With the high temperatures and dry conditions come the increased danger of a wildfire, despite the region getting three soaking rains in October.

Temperatures along the coast are forecast to be in the mid- and upper 80s.

The Valley is expected to see temperatures in the 90s on Thursday, with cooler weather forecast for the rest of the region.

Mild Santa Anas, Warming Trend to 90 Degrees in Valleys

CALIFORNIA THROUGH AT LEAST THURSDAY...UNSEASONABLY WARM TEMPERATURES WILL PERSIST ACROSS MUCH OF THEFORECAST AREA THROUGH AT LEAST THURSDAY...AS A STRONG UPPER LEVELHIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMBINED WITH OFFSHORE FLOW WILL BRING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF HEAT TO THE REGION. GUSTYNORTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING WITH LOCALGUSTS 30 TO 45 MPH EXPECTED ACROSS THE WIND PRONE PASSES AND CANYONSOF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES.

THE WEAK TO MODERATE SANTA ANA EVENT WILL INITIALLY BE STRONG ENOUGHTO CAUSE A WIDESPREAD WARM UP TO THE COASTAL AREAS TOMORROWAFTERNOON. THE WARMEST TEMPERATURES LIKELY REACHING THE LOWER 90SACROSS THE COASTAL AREAS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...WHILE THE VALLEYS WARM UP TO AROUND 90...WITH A FEW SITES POSSIBLYREACHING THE LOWER 90S. THE CENTRAL COAST WILL ALSO FEEL THE AFFECTSOF THE OFFSHORE FLOW...WARMING TEMPERATURES INTO THE UPPER 80S TOAROUND 90 DEGREES ON TUESDAY.

THE OFFSHORE FLOW WILL LIKELY WEAKEN A TAD ON WEDNESDAY...WHICH WILLALLOW THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS TO WARM UP TO THEMID TO UPPER 90S...WHILE THE COAST CONTINUES TO STAY IN THE LOWER TOMID 90S. EXPECT SOME HIGH TEMPERATURE RECORDS TO BE BROKEN OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS...ESPECIALLY ON WEDNESDAY. BY THURSDAY...TEMPERATURES SHOULD GRADUALLY BEGIN TO COOL AS ARETURN OF THE SEABREEZE IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE COASTAL AREAS BY THEAFTERNOON. VALLEY TEMPERATURES SHOULD REMAIN IN THE LOWER 90S...WITH COASTAL AREAS EXPERIENCING THE BEST COOLING WITH TEMPS RANGING FROMTHE MID 70S TO MID 80S.A MORE EXTENSIVE COOLING WILL LIKELY ARRIVE THIS WEEKEND AS ANAPPROACHING TROUGH WILL REPLACE THE RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE BRINGING
TEMPERATURES DOWN TO MORE NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

ALTHOUGH IT IS THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER...WITH TEMPERATURESEXPECTED TO REACH THE UPPER 90S...REMEMBER TO STAY HYDRATED BYDRINKING PLENTY OF FLUIDS...AND NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN...THE ELDERLY AND PETS IN ENCLOSED AUTOMOBILES...EVEN FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN...TEMPERATURES CAN QUICKLY RISE TO LIFE THREATENING LEVELS.

Wildfire Halted, Twelve Acres Burn in Agua Dulce CA

Los Angeles County Firefighters responded to a reported brush fire at approximately 5:45 pm on November 1, 2010 along the 14 Freeway just north of Soledad Canyon in Agua Dulce. Multiple alarms were sounded by the County Fire Department and United States Forest Service in order to catch three separate wildfires burning along the north bound 14 Freeway. Gusty winds of 15-20 MPH spread the fire in a southerly direction. Air resources including two fixed wing water dropping CL 415 tankers from Quebec Canada and four helicopters made quick work of the fire which was contained in approximately 1 hour. Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Copyright Zimmerman Media LLC

Off Duty Firefighter Shot and Killed

Riverside Firefighter Shot During Confrontation

Riverside, CA -- On Sunday, October 31, 2010, at approximately 0332 hours the Riverside Police Department Communications Center received numerous calls of shots fired in the 5900 block of Windemere Way.

Officers responded to the location and found Nick Barrios, a forty one year old off duty City of Riverside Firefighter, in the street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Barrios was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The officers also located an additional adult male inside a residence with what appeared to be a self inflicted gunshot wound. Rene Trejo, 36 years old from Moreno Valley, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives from the Robbery/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and were assisted in their investigation by personnel from the Forensic Evidence Unit.

Preliminary investigation indicates that Trejo ambushed Mr. Barrios in the street in front of the residence, and shot him multiple times. Trejo then entered the residence, where he shot himself.

At this point in the investigation the police department is not looking for any additional suspects.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Rick Wheeler at (951) 353-7134 or Detective Greg Rowe at (951) 353-7136.

Winds Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday

Watching for offshore flow to warm the So Cal area after the low pressure moves out on Mondy. Temps may hit ow 90's this week with gusty offshore winds. Wetting rain has increased fuel moistures but strong winds can reverse fuel moistures quickly. Happy Halloween everyone. Let's stay safe.

1993 Ortega Highway Wildfire

Title: 1993 Ortega Fire

Date: Wednesday October 27, 2010

Location: Ortega Highway/Cleveland National Forest (Riverside/Orange Counties)
Notes: Late this afternoon in 1993 a fire began in the Cleveland National Forest in Riverside County and driven by Santa Ana Winds burned over into Orange County destroying 22 homes and USFS cabins in Rancho Carrillo and burning over 10,000 acres.

1993 Big Bend Wildfire

Title: 1993 Big Bend (Laguna Beach) Fire

Date: Wednesday October 27, 2010

Location: Laguna Canyon/Laguna Beach/Orange County
Notes: The Laguna Fire (Big Bend Incident) began early in the afternoon on this date in 1993 near the junction of the Santa Ana Freeway and Laguna Canyon Road and driven by strong Santa Ana Winds burned all the way to the sea even jumping Pacific Coast Highway.
This arson-caused fire damaged or destroyed 441 homes and scorched 14,337 acres but fortunately killed or seriously injured nobody.

Steckel Park Wildfire

Title: 1993 Steckel Park Fire

Date: Wednesday October 27, 2010

Location: Santa Paula/Ventura County
Notes: Early this morning in 1993 Santa Ana Winds fanned this fire which burned 8 homes and ultimately consumed 26,500 acres between Santa Paula and Ventura.

Paradise Wildfire

Title: 2003 Paradise Fire

Date: Tuesday October 26, 2010

Location: Valley Center/San Diego County
Notes: Early this morning in 2003 this fire began and drive by fierce Santa Ana Winds it charged across 56,700 acres and destroyed 221 homes, 192 outbuildings, 2 businesses, and 75 vehicles.

Esperanza Wildfire, A Tragic Day

Title: 2006 Esperanza Fire

Date: October 26, 2010

Location: Cabazon/Riverside County
Notes: In the wee hours of this morning in 2006 an arsonist's fire began near Cabazon and strong Santa Ana Winds fanned it southward through 41,173 acres of wildland where a few hours into the incident it overwhelmed and wiped out an entire 5-person USFS engine company based on the San Bernardino NF (Engine 57) which at the time was conducting structure protection for an isolated compound located at the head of a drainage up which the fire rapidly burned through.
Ultimately, the fire consumed 34 homes and 20 outbuildings.

October a Dangerous Month for Wildfires

Title: 1993 Ortega Fire

Location: Ortega Highway/Cleveland National Forest (Riverside/Orange Counties)
Notes: Late this afternoon in 1993 a fire began in the Cleveland National Forest in Riverside County and driven by Santa Ana Winds burned over into Orange County destroying 22 homes and USFS cabins in Rancho Carrillo and burning over 10,000 acres.

Gusty North East Winds For Wednesday

Gust winds for LA, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties for WEDNESDAY. Hightened fire danger for the Southland. Todays fire on Interstate 5 was held at 17 acres. A fire in San Luis Obispo County on Hwy 46 near the Kern County line ran 350 acres.

Santa Ana's have Not Surfaced This Year Compared to Previous Years

On This Date In California Weather History....

2003: Santa Ana winds started on this day and ended on 10.27.
Gusts of 56 mph were measured at Descanso, 46 mph
in Anza, 45 mph in Ontario, 43 mph at Fremont Canyon, 41 mph in Beaumont, and 40 mph in Campo.
Unprecedented wildfires, including the Cedar, Paradise and Otay Fires consumed hundreds of thousands of acres, killed over 20
people and caused over one billion dollars in damage.
The Cedar Fire itself consumed more than 280,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire in California history, and killed 16.
This is the also the second costliest fire in U.S. History (the costliest fire was the Oakland Fire of 1991).

Title: 2003 Old Fire

Date: Monday October 25, 2003

Location: San Bernardino Mountains-National Forest-San Bernardino County
Notes: On this morning in 2003 an arsonist started a fire in Waterman Canyon on the south face of the San Bernardino Mountains which driven by powerful Santa Ana Winds pushed it down into foothill communities like Highland and Del Rosa and the northern reaches of the City of San Bernardino.

Subsequently, this fire ran up into the San Bernardino Mountains and burned into communities like Crestline, Running Springs and Lake Arrowhead.
Ultimately, it consumed 91,281 acres, 993 homes, and killed 6 people

Wind Warning Interstate 5 Corridor

IT LOOKS LIKE WINDS WILL INCREASE TO ADVISORY LEVELS FOR THE L.A./VTU MTNS LATE TONIGHT INTO MON...AND AGAIN ON TUE...BUT SHOULD REMAIN BELOW WARNING THRESHOLDS EXCEPT ON A LOCAL BASIS AS SOME WINDS GUSTS COULD REACH 60 MPH ESPECIALLY LATE TONIGHT AND MON. THE STRONGEST WINDS SHOULD BE ALONG THE I-5 CORRIDOR IN NW L.A. COUNTY. A WIND ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE L.A/VTU MTNS...PLEASE SEE LAXNPWLOX FOR DETAILS. IN ADDITION...NORTHERLY CANYON WINDS SHOULD INCREASE TO ADVISORY LEVELS BY MON EVENING AND AGAIN LATER TUE AND TUE EVENING OVER THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND ALONG THE SBA S COAST...WITH ADDITIONAL WIND ADVISORIES LIKELY TO BE ISSUED BY MON FOR THIS AREA. THE WINDS ARE FORECASTED TO SWING AROUND MORE TO THE NORTHEAST LATER TUE NIGHT AND WED...WITH GUSTY CANYON WINDS EXPECTED BELOW AND THRU THE FAVORED PASSES AND CANYONS.

Electrocution and Explosion

Man dies, woman injured, while trying to steal copper tubing, police say
By Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 10/23/2010 11:48:00 PM PDT
Updated: 10/23/2010 11:53:09 PM PDT


SOUTH GATE — A man died and a woman was critically burned Saturday, apparently while trying to steal copper wire from an electrical vault that exploded in South Gate, and their two young children, who were at the scene, were placed in protective custody, police said.

The explosion was reported at 4:14 p.m. near 3064 Firestone Blvd., according to the South Gate Police Department.

Arriving officers found two people next to a burning electrical vault, police said.

The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to St. Francis Medical Center with critical burns. She was later transferred to the Grossman Burn Center.

Investigators believe they were trying to steal copper wire from the electrical vault when the explosion occurred.

Two children, ages 3 and 6, were in a truck parked near the victims. They were taken into protective custody until relatives could be located.

Police believe the children were the couple's children.

Piru Wildfire Anniversary

2003 Piru Fire

Location: Piru/Fillmore/Los Padres NF/Ventura Co.
Notes: This afternoon in 2007 a fire began near Lake Piru and driven by fierce Santa Ana Winds pushed through the Topatopa Mountains to Hwy. 126 and bumped up against the town of Fillmore.

In all, 63,991 acres were consumed along with 8 strucutures.

Poomcha Wildfire

Title: 2007 Poomacha Fire

Date: Saturday October 23, 2010
Location: Palomar Mountain/San Diego County
Notes: In the wee hours of this morning in 2007 this fire began in a structure on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.Driven by fierce Santa Ana Winds it moved off the reservation and onto Palomar Mountain and beyond.

It ultimately charred 50,176 acres, 143 homes and 77 outbuildings.
This fire also injured 21 firefighters.

Healing from the Ashes Art Exhibit Benefits Station Fire Victims

Press Release: October 21, 2010

The closing ceremony and silent auction of Healing from the Ashes proved to be very moving and meaningful experience for all who attended. The dynamic art exhibit in Sunland Tujunga featured mixed media art created from remnants of homes destroyed in the Station Fire in 2009. The Station Fire was one of Los Angeles County’s most destructive wildfires impacting more than ninety homeowners who live in or who border the Angeles National Forest.

Naturalist Corina Roberts said that the Station Fire respected no boundaries; natural or man-made, it consumed everything in its path, no habitat was spared, it burned in creek beds, chaparral communities and every species of trees in the Forest. The fire grew into a monster destroying over 160,000 acres of watershed. Corina has documented the early recovery process as nature has intended, but she said the forest will look drastically different than before the fire. Many species are thriving but it will be years before we see the timber recover to a mature state. So far the recovery rate for the forest has been acceptable to Forest Service officials but the recovery efforts for homeowners who lost everything has been painfully slow.

In order to help fire victims, local artist and curator Ariyana Gibbon and several volunteers collected articles from incinerated homes in the Vogel Flats region of Big Tujunga Canyon shortly after the wildfire. Local artist were then asked to make art pieces from the ruins for public auction, in order to aid strugling fire victims.

Ariyana painstakingly collected chunks of molten glass and metal, ceramic tile, dishes, kick- knacks, charred wood, stone and other materials from charcoal pits of total destruction. She asked 30 local artists to assist her in the project; to donate their extraordinary talents in designing sculptures, paintings, mosaics and very unusual art pieces. The pieces were auctioned to collectors who were privileged to acquire one of kind art pieces of historical importance from the Station Fire.

Aryiana said that the proceeds are going to help fire victims who lost everything. One victim said, she had lost her home, her job, and has lost her sense of purpose and place following the fire. We know that the forest will recover from the fire, but the toll to human life, health and welfare is unimaginable and is a very slow and tedious recovery process.

It is difficult to look at innocent fire victims in the eyes to see their pain and suffering, they have lost everything. Their clothes, family heirlooms, their lively hoods and some patrons had been critically burned. We know that the small donations are just a start in the recovery process.

After videotaping the Station Fire for nine long days and narrowly becoming entrapped by the speed and intensity of the fire I am thankful to be alive. In an effort to help those in need, I purchased a few of the items during the silent auction.

The most notable is a unique piece of art called Cosmic Dancer from artist Edward Lee Goldstein. His concept was to take tiny pieces of glass from a shattered tiffany lamp and shards of mirror from the burned home of Ben and Jeanie Fury and form them into a sculpture of a dancer rising from the ashes. The dancer rests a top a piece of granite, portraying a graceful and elegant figure dancing her way to a new beginning. It is a truly one of a kind art piece that has such profound meaning not only to the artist but to the Fury family and myself. It is very strange to see such a beautiful piece of art come out of such a tragic event.

The artist, Edward Goldstein defines himself as a healer, educator, artist and student of life. His art piece, Cosmic Dancer will be prominently displayed in my home near a sculpture from Joyce Killebrew, who designed the Storm King Mountain Memorial in Glenwood Springs Colorado.

Inquiries regarding Healing from the Ashes can be made via email:HealingFromTheAshes@live.com, www.HealingFromTheAshes.org or by calling 818-445-1675. Healing from The Ashes is a Non Profit Organization.

Photos Pictured Jeanie Fury, Edward Goldstein and Jeff Zimmerman, special thanks to Max Warner for taking our picture at the reception.

Additional Photos of Vogel Flats as it appears today. Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman

Grand Prix and Old Wildfires

Title: 2003 Grand Prix Fire

Location: Inland Empire/San Bernardino County
Notes: On this afternoon in 2003 an arson-caused fire started in the hills above Fontana and burned up into the eastern San Gabriel Mountain foothills threatening Lytle Creek.

In three days strong Santa Ana Winds will drive it down into the the foothill communities of Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, and La Verne charring 59,448 acres and 135 homes.

Harmony Grove Wildfire

Title: 1996 Harmony Grove Fire

Location: Harmony Grove/Elfin Forest/Escondido/San Diego Co.
Notes: On this afternoon in 1996 a fire began at the western edge of Escondido.

Driven by strong Santa Ana Winds it burned through 8,600 acres and 100 homes before it was contained.

Buckweed Wildfire

Title: 2007 Buckweed Fire

Date: Thursday October 21, 2010
Time: 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Location: Santa Clarita Valley/Los Angeles County
Notes: This afternoon in 2007 an older child playing with matches started this fire which drive by hurricane-force Santa Ana Wind spread over 38,356 acres and destroyed 63 structures including many homes. This fire destroyed the Angeles Forest District office in Saugus CA. Four people were injured.

Aircraft Crash, Two People and Two Horses Dead

Agua Dulce CA: A light plane has crashed in Agua Dulce CA at 33214 Canyon Quail Trail. Two people and several horses have been pronounced dead at the scene. Animal control workers evacuated several horses for medical care. The air craft was flying in poor visibility and may have lost power on approach to Agua Dulce Airport. It is reported that the aircraft has struck a barn before hitting the ground Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC, 773 Vandal Way, Palmdale CA 93551 805-423-3499, photo payment of $50.00 per image made payable to Zimmerman Media LLC, 773 Vandal Way Palmdale CA 93551. Photographer Jeff Zimmerman

Caption Homeowners and family members help to check the welfare of horses struck by the downed aircraft at 33214 Canyon Quail Trail, Agua Dulce CA

Oakland Hills Disaster

Title: 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm

Date: Wednesday October 20, 2010
Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 am

Location: East Bay Hills of Alameda Co./Oakland/Berkeley
Notes: On this date in 1991 a powerful Diablo Wind Event featuring tropical storm force winds fanned a small smoldering fire on patrol status that had started and been contained the day before into a raging monster that killed 25 people (including both a firefighter and a policeman) and injured another 150 people, damaged or destroyed 3,354 single family dwellings and 437 multi-family dwellings, and scorched 1,520 acres costing a grand total of about $1.5 billion in 1991 dollars.

Harris Wildfire

Title: 2007 Harris Fire

Date: Thursday October 21, 2010
Time: 9:30 am - 9:30 am
Location: San Diego County

Notes: On this morning in 2007 hurricane-force Santa Ana Winds drove this fire from near the Mexican border over 90,440 acres to threaten Chula Vista and destroy 206 homes and kill one civilian and four members of a CalFire engine company and possibly four Mexican migrant workers.

Calabasas Wildfire

Title: 1996 Calabasas Fire

Date: Thursday October 21, 2010
Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Santa Monica Mountains/Malibu/Los Angeles County
Notes: This morning in 1996 strong Santa Ana Winds drove a small fire started alongside the south side of US101 as a result of downed powerlines over 13,000 acres to the sea.

As a result, 6 homes were destroyed and various parts of Malibu and Calabasas and isolated communities in the Santa Monica Mnts. as well as Pepperdine University were threatened. Damage and additional fire spread were limited by the Old Topanga Burn area adjacent to the east as well as fuel mitigation efforts prompted by that fire as well as the less populated nature of the burn area in comparison to previous and later fires in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Witch Fire

Title: 2007 Witch Creek Fire

Date: Thursday October 21, 2010
Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: San Diego County
Notes: On this morning in 2007, hurricane-force Santa Ana Winds drove this fire from its origin in Witch Creek Canyon to ultimately threaten Ramona, Escondido, Julian, Poway, Scripps Ranch and other areas. This fire charred 197,990 acres and destroyed 1,040 homes and 414 outbuildings while killing two people and injuring 41 others.

Ranch Fire Remembered

Title: 2007 Ranch Fire

Date: Wednesday October 20, 2010
Time: 9:45 pm - 10:45 pm
Location: Santa Clarita Valley/Los Angeles County
Notes: This evening in 2007 strong Santa Ana Winds fanned this fire which ultimately charred 58,401 acres straddling the LA/Ventura County lines as well as the Angeles NF/Los Padres NF forest boundary and surrounded Piru and threatened Fillmore.

This fire destroyed 1 home and 9 outbuildings.

Electrical Storms Striking Southland

Electrical storms have been striking Southern California as a very moist south west air flow is coming up from Mexico. Electrical storms have knocked out power and have struck buildings in the southland. Heavy rain and minor flooding issues have been reported. More storms are on the way for tonight for the Antelope Valley.

Images Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Firefighters Halt Brush Fire to Half Acre, Agua Dulce CA

A quick response by Los Angeles County and United States Forest Service Firefighters halt a brush fire at one half acre at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Pepper Tree Lane in Agua Dulce CA on October 17, 2010.

At approximately 10 am firefighters from County Engine 81 and Angeles Engine 33 found a fast moving grass and brush fire burning near an abonded house in the rural town of Agua Dulce. County and Federal Firefighters worked shoulder to shoulder to halt the blaze before it became a major incident. Contract Cl 415 air craft from Quebec Canada made several drops on the fire using class A injected foam.

Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman

Vehicle Accident, Entrapment Agua Dulce CA

Firefighters from Los Angeles County Stations 104 and 123 work to free a trapped driver in 100 degree heat on the north bound 14 Freeway near Escondido Canyon Rd on September 27, 2010. The driver lost control and went off the 14 Freeway, rolling several times, crushing the roof and coming to rest on its side in the thick brush. Firefighters were concerned about the threat of wildfire and ordered additional resources to help assist with the extrication. County Firefighters freed the driver using hydraulic rescue tools and saws alls at approximately 2:27 pm.

The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Vehicle Accident, Entrapment, Palmdale CA

Los Angeles County Firefighters from Stations 131 and 24 responded to a vehicle accident this morning just before 08:00 am on Pearblossom Highway at the intersection of Rodeo St. Upon arrival firefighters found that a pick up truck had sheared a telephone pole, a telephone utility box, smashed through a chain link fence and landed on its side. The patient was in critical condition. Firefighters using hydraulic rescue tools freed the driver and intitated advanced life support. The accident is under investigation by Los Angeles county Sheriffs Department.

Slight Chance of Lightning on Thursday and Friday

...SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH DRY LIGHTNING THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY ACROSS THE LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA MOUNTAINS AND ANTELOPE VALLEY...

NearRed Flag Condions for LA County

...GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND SINGLE DIGIT HUMIDITIES ACROSS PORTIONS OF THE VALLEYS...MOUNTAINS...AND DESERTS TODAY... .DISCUSSION...SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION THIS MORNING HAS GENERATED GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS ACROSS THE VALLEYS AND MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA...WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS FOCUSED BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS IN LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES. WIND GUSTS BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH WILL BE COMMON THROUGH EARLY AFTERNOON ACROSS THESE AREAS...WITH LOCAL GUSTS OVER 40 MPH LIKELY THROUGH FAVORED MOUNTAIN PASSES.

Lightning in Southern California

As monsoonal moisture funneled up the interior of California, lightning formed over the mountains and deserts as predicted. Small fires erupted however most have been contained. I am following this storm activity closely since it was an unusual event late in the season. Tracking the systems on radar provided use full information for monitoring future storms.
storms formed in San Diego, LA, Ventura and Kern Counties.

Severe Thunderstorms Predicted for LA County

Los Angeles County CA: Sevre Weather, Thunderstorms East LA County, Antelope Valley, Ssanta Clarita CA. Downstrikes in El Monte and Glendora at 10:00am Storming moving north/west. EPN Channels 1 and 6.

VERY VERY HOT EVERYWHERE...SUMS UP TODAY. FORECAST IN GOOD SHAPE...BUT MADE A MINOR UPDATE TO WARM UP A COUPLE OF PLACES SOME MORE TODAY AND TONIGHT. GRADIENTS TRENDING STRONGER OFFSHORE WITH A 592DM HIGH PARKED OVER THE REGION...AND WITH LOW TEMPERATURES VERY WARM THIS MORNING...DAYTIME TEMPERATURES HAVE A HEAD START. MANY RECORDS ARE LIKELY TO FALL...WITH TEMPERATURES A NUMBER OF DEGREES HOTTER THAN YESTERDAY. DOWNTOWN LA LOOKS LIKE A LOCK TO BREAK A RECORD FOR TODAY...WITH A HIGH AROUND 110 NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION...RESULTING IN THE WARMEST DAY IN OVER 20 YEARS. THE AIR IS REALLY DRY...AND HEAT INDICIES WILL REMAIN JUST UNDER EXCESSIVE HEAT THRESHOLDS...BUT THIS IS STILL A CONCERNING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEAT WAVE. TO NO SURPRISE...RED FLAG WARNINGS LOOK GOOD AS THEY ARE...BUT MOSTLY FOR PROLONGED HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS...AS OFFSHORE WINDS ARE LOCALLY BREEZY AT BEST.

Potential exists for dry Lightning in south west CA with fhunderstroms predicted for the Sierras and Kern County Mountains and deserts later this week. Fire weather concerns are for dry lightning storms.

Extreme Fire Weather, Red Flag Warning

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 930 AM PDT SUN SEP 26 2010 ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM PDT MONDAY DUE TO GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...THE VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS AND THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR THE SAN GABRIEL AND SAN FERNANDO VALLEYS... .DISCUSSION...UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO DOMINATE OVER THE AREA THROUGH TUESDAY...BRINGING VERY HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS TO THE AREA. INLAND LOCALES WILL EXPERIENCE AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 100 AND 110 DEGREES. AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS INLAND AREAS WILL FALL INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS AND LOW TEENS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS...WITH VERY POOR OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES. AS FOR WINDS...THE NORTHEAST WINDS ARE WEAKER THIS MORNING DUE TO A WEAKER PRESSURE GRADIENT. HOWEVER THE OFFSHORE GRADIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THIS EVENING AND MONDAY WHICH WILL HELP PRODUCE SOME STRONGER WINDS. THROUGH AND BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS...NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 25 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH SOME HIGHER GUSTS...ESPECIALLY TONIGHT. THROUGH MONDAY...THE COMBINATION OF VERY HOT TEMPERATURES... EXTENDED PERIODS OF LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND SOME GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...AS WELL AS THE VENTURA COUNTY VALLEYS AND THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. THEREFORE...A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THESE AREAS. ACROSS THE SAN FERNANDO AND SAN GABRIEL VALLEYS...CONFIDENCE IS NOT AS HIGH IN REACHING REQUIRED DURATION OF RED FLAG CONDITIONS. THEREFORE...THESE AREAS WILL REMAIN IN A FIRE WEATHER WATCH FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. VERY WARM TEMPERATURES ARE STILL EXPECTED ON TUESDAY...THEN SOME COOLING IS EXPECTED BY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AS THE UPPER LEVEL RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WEAKENS. AS THE HIGH WEAKENS...SOME MID LEVEL MOISTURE IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE AREA ON THURSDAY. THIS MOISTURE WILL LIKELY PRODUCE SOME AFTERNOON CUMULUS BUILDUPS OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS. AT THIS TIME...NO PRECIPITATION IS FORECAST FOR THURSDAY. HOWEVER...IF THE MOISTURE BECOMES MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN CURRENTLY FORECAST...SOME PRECIPITATION CHANCES MAY BE INTRODUCED. THE SITUATION WILL BE MONITORED CLOSELY.

Red Flag Warning in Effect for LA County and Ventura County Mtns.

Red Flag warning in effect, check www.NOAA.GOV LOX for Information.

Fire Weather Watch in Effect: Critical Fire Conditions

FIRE WEATHER PLANNING FORECAST FOR SOUTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LOS ANGELES/OXNARD CA 930 AM PDT FRI SEP 24 2010 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCHES IN EFFECT SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND VERY LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES... .DISCUSSION...UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD OVER THE AREA THIS WEEKEND...BRINGING HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS TO THE AREA. AFTERNOON TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY HOT...PEAKING ON MONDAY WITH MANY INLAND AREAS EXCEEDING 100 DEGREES. NEAR THE SURFACE...OFFSHORE FLOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP WHICH WILL HELP DROP AFTERNOON RELATIVE HUMIDITY INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS AND TEENS ACROSS INLAND AREAS. OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES AWAY FROM THE COAST WILL BE POOR. AS FOR WINDS...SOME GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH THE WEEKEND WITH THE STRONGEST WINDS LIKELY ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY. THROUGH MONDAY...THE COMBINATION OF VERY HOT TEMPERATURES...EXTENDED PERIODS OF LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND SOME GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS MAY PRODUCE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. THEREFORE...A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THESE AREAS.

Fire Weather Warning, So Cal, Critical Fire Weather Alert

FRIDAY GRADIENTS WILL BE TURNING OFFSHORE WITH SIGNIFICANT WARMING AND DRYING EXPECTED. ALTHOUGH SOME OFFSHORE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE MOUNTAINS FRIDAY, STRONGER OFFSHORE FLOW IS EXPECTED BY SATURDAY AND ESPECIALLY SUNDAY AND MONDAY. THIS WILL RESULT IN A LENGTHY PERIOD OF VERY DRY CONDITIONS WITH HUMIDITIES DROPPING INTO THE SINGLE DIGITS. ALTHOUGH THE STRONGEST OFFSHORE WINDS ARE NOT EXPECTED UNTIL SUNDAY, IT`S POSSIBLE THAT RED FLAG CONDITIONS WILL DEVELOP SOONER THAN THAT, PERHAPS AS EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. ALTHOUGH THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF TIME FOR THE SITUATION TO CHANGE, THIS APPEARS TO BE OUR FIRST SANTA ANA WIND EVENT OF THE SEASON AND FIRE AGENCIES SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE FORECASTS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND START PREPARATIONS FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF HOT, DRY, AND OCCASIONALLY WINDY CONDITIONS.

Fire Weather Discusssion

DISCUSSION...A COUPLE OF UPPER LEVEL TROUGHS WILL MOVE ACROSS THE WEST COAST TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THE FIRST TROUGH WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TONIGHT AND MONDAY...AND WILL GENERATE SOME GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. THE STRONGEST NORTHERLY WINDS WILL OCCUR THIS EVENING ACROSS THE USUAL LOCATIONS SUCH AS THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE AND THE I-5 CORRIDOR WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 40 MPH EXPECTED. ALONG WITH THE WIND...THIS FIRST TROUGH WILL USHER IN SOME COOLER AIR ACROSS THE AREA ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY ALONG WITH HIGHER RELATIVE HUMIDITY. ON TUESDAY NIGHT...A STRONGER TROUGH WILL MOVE ACROSS THE WEST COAST. THIS WILL PRODUCE A RAPID DEEPENING OF THE MARINE LAYER...WITH SOME DRIZZLE LIKELY FROM THE COASTAL SLOPES WESTWARD TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. THURSDAY WILL BE A TRANSITION DAY ACROSS THE AREA AS THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH MOVES TO THE EAST. TEMPERATURES ON THURSDAY WILL WARM BY SEVERAL DEGREES WITH AN ASSOCIATED DECREASE IN RELATIVE HUMIDITY ACROSS INLAND AREAS. FOR FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND...AN UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL BUILD OVER CALIFORNIA. THIS PATTERN WILL RESULT IN DRAMATICALLY WARMER AND DRIER CONDITIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA THROUGH NEXT WEEKEND. NEAR THE SURFACE...THERE WILL POSSIBLY BE SOME WEAK OFFSHORE FLOW WHICH WILL HELP LOWER RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND PRODUCE SOME WEAK NORTHEASTERLY WINDS.

Canyon Wildfire, Kern County

Incident Overview

The Canyon Fire was reported at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12,2010

The fire is located in the Lower Kern River Canyon, below, (and west) of Lake Isabella. The fire started near Delonegha on the south side of the Lower Kern River. The fire quickly spread to both sides of the Kern River, jumping over the Old Kern Canyon Road and back across Highway 178, resulting in active fire on both sides of the two roads. Within an hour the fire spread to over 200 acres calling for evacuations of recreational sites along the Lower Kern River, including Remington Hot Springs, Black Gulch, Mill Creek, Hobo, Sandy Flat and Miracle Day Use area. Several outfitter guide (boating) companies camp sites were also evacuated.

Highway 178 is now OPEN -Please observe all speed limits through the burned area off of Hwy 178 due to fire fighters and equipment on the road.

The fire is presently at 6,136 acres.

Evacuations: Myers Canyon south of Bodfish Canyon, and Rocky Road, and community of Havilah. Be advised, the American Red Cross shelter is now operating at the Kern River Valley Senior Center (6405 Lake Isabella Blvd.). The phone number is 661-333-0265. Kern County Human Services staff is onsite working with Red Cross volunteers. A second shelter has been established in Twin Oakes at 661-867-2550. Both shelters are available to help accomodate small and large animals.

Road Closures: Bodfish Canyon road and Caliente Bodfish road is closed from Bodfish to Havilah, Old Kern Canyon road.

1,565 personnel, Cost: 4.5 million

Basic Information
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Human -under Investigation
Date of Origin Sunday September 12th, 2010 approx. 01:54 PM
Location 8 miles west of Lake Isabella
Incident Commander David Cooper

Current Situation
Total Personnel 1,565
Size 6,136 acres
Percent Contained 50%
Estimated Containment Date Sunday September 19th, 2010 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved Grass, brush and timber.

Fire Behavior Interior areas of the fire continue to burn actively on the east half of the fire, the west side had some observed hot spot inside the line. Wind continues to affect the fire with occasional flare up near the line.

Significant Events Emergency road closures are in place on the "Old" Kern Canyon Road


Outlook
Planned Actions Continued line construction and start mop-up operations.

Growth Potential Medium

Terrain Difficulty High

Remarks Steep ground and active fire are still major concerns. Air resources continue to play a key role in keeping fire away from high risk areas. Some damage was sustained by the 66KV powerlines, local power company has started repairs.

Current Weather
Wind Conditions 19 mph SW
Temperature 86 degrees
Humidity 21%

Source: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2124/

EMS Accident

Terrible accident involving EMS Personnel. http://www.jems.com/video/news/3-dead-maryland-ambulance-cras

9-11 Services Today

We will never forgett 9-11.

Death Toll May Rise in Blast

By SUDHIN THANAWALA, Associated Press Writer Sudhin Thanawala, Associated Press Writer – 10 mins ago

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Fire crews tried to douse the remnants of an enormous blaze and account for the residents of dozens of homes Friday after a gas line ruptured and an explosion ripped through in a neighborhood near San Francisco, killing at least four people and likely more.

Emergency workers haven't been able to get into all the homes and said there could be more casualties. Earlier Friday, officials said at least six people were killed before revising the official number to four. At least 50 people were hurt, with three suffering critical burns in the explosion Thursday evening that left a giant crater and sent flames tearing through the middle-class neighborhood of 1960s-era homes in hills overlooking San Francisco, the bay and the airport

"Now that there is daylight, there is going to be even more heartache and more difficult times ahead. Individuals are going back and seeing the devastation of this fire," said San Francisco state Sen. Leland Yee, who was at the scene.

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. President Chris Johns said Friday morning a 30-inch gas pipe ruptured about three feet underground just before 6:30 p.m Thursday, but crews still haven't been able to determine the cause of the rupture or the blast because they can't get close enough. The blaze was 75 percent contained by midmorning, fire officials said.

Johns said the company has heard reports that some residents smelled gas in the area before the blast.

Two Sentenced in Corral Canyon Wildfire

Two of the five men accused of starting the 2007 Corral Fire in Malibu were sentenced to one year in jail plus probation. The Corral Fire destroyed 53 homes and burned about 5,000 acres. About 14,000 people had to be evacuated and six firefighters were hurt. Brian Anderson and William Coppock were sentenced Thursday. They will get credit for 200 days already spent in jail.

They also must apologize to victims and firefighters and pay restitution, which has yet to be determined but includes $7.7 million in firefighting costs.


Source: KABC-TV Los Angeles

Red Flag Warning, Los Angeles County

Red Flag Warning: Los Angeles County mountains. Additional aircraft on stand by at Van Nuys tanker base. Low Relative humidity and triple digit temps, low fuel moistures until 9 pm Saturday.