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Monday, May 31, 2010

Palmdale, Fire Ruled Arson, Attempt Homicide



Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies arrested a 42 year old man for attempted homicide and arson charges Sunday morning in Palmdale CA. Tony Stribling allegedly set his apartment on fire in an attempt to kill his girlfriend and infant daughter.

Firefighters from County Fire Station 37 wrestled with Tony Stribling in the 38700 block of 10 street East as he was trying to block access to firefighters during the fire. The suspect was found nude as County Sheriff Deputies took him into custody. The apartment sustained $5,000 damage. Crews from Fire Stations 37 and 24 had the fire controlled in 15 minutes.

Photos and Information Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Violence In Venice Beach, LAPD to Step up Patrol

LAPD steps up patrols in Venice Beach after brawl
May 31, 2010 | 8:07 am

The Los Angeles Police Department is stepping up patrols on Memorial Day along Venice Beach after a large brawl broke out Sunday evening.

Police are still trying to sort out what happened on Sunday night during the incident, which involved about 70 people.

Capt. Jon Peters, commanding officer of the LAPD's Pacific Division, said the fight erupted just before 8 p.m. on the boardwalk near 17th and Windward avenues. The fight moved north, breaking up and then starting again near that section of the beach.

Police officers, already heavily deployed to the area because of expected large crowds, flooded in on bikes, motorcycles and helicopters to break it up.

By 9 p.m. it was over, with no serious injuries reported and no weapons confiscated. About 20 people had been detained and one person was arrested, police said.

Hythum Kiswani, the owner of Santino's sandwich shop near Windward Avenue, saw the fight. "It was a bunch of kids," he said, guessing their ages at between 14 and 17 years old. "In a split second, it was mayhem."

Kiswani said that police arrived seconds later and that he counted 17 squad cars and eight motorcycle officers within minutes.

Peters said he did not know what had sparked the fight but police were investigating the incident as potentially gang-related.

-- John Hoeffel and Andrew Blankstein

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Update Griffith Park Wildfire

Fire burning near Hydrants 17-1, 17-2 and 17-3, request for arson investigator, helicopters making progress on fire, slow rate of spread in grass and brush. 409 unable to respond from Palmdale.

Wildfire Griffith Park

Vista Del Valle Wildfire, LAFD OCD 9 Mutual Aide LACOFD, EPN Channel 1

2nd Alarm Vegetation Fire Point Magu State Park

Ventura County: Wildfire Point Magu State Park, LACOFD Engine 99 to Staff Helispot, Santa Ana Wind Warning

Friday, May 28, 2010

Santa Ana Wind Warning

...GUSTY SANTA ANA WINDS AND SINGLE DIGIT HUMIDITIES ACROSS PORTIONS
OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES SATURDAY...

.DISCUSSION...A MODERATE SANTA ANA WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED SATURDAY
AS SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE DEVELOPS OVER THE GREAT BASIN. THIS WILL
BRING RAPIDLY DECREASING HUMIDITIES TO MOST OF THE FORECAST AREA,
WITH THE LOWEST HUMIDITIES AND GUSTIEST WINDS IN VENTURA AND LOS
ANGELES COUNTIES. HUMIDITIES IN THESE AREAS COULD DROP TO AS LOW AS
5-10 PERCENT FOR 4-8 HOURS DURING THE DAYTIME. OVERNIGHT RECOVERIES
WILL BE POOR ABOVE 1500 FEET BUT FAIR TO GOOD ELSEWHERE. IN
ADDITION, DAYTIME TEMPERATURES WILL WARM UP INTO THE 90S IN THE
VALLEYS, WITH HIGH 80S EXPECTED EVEN AT THE COAST FROM VENTURA TO
LONG BEACH.

High Wind Warning!

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO
MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT FOR AREAS BELOW MOUNTAIN PASSES AND
CANYONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING FOR AREAS BELOW MOUNTAIN PASSES AND CANYONS
REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT PDT TONIGHT FOR THE
SOUTHEASTERN KERN COUNTY DESERT.

* IMPACTS: HIGH WINDS COULD CREATE DANGEROUS TRAVEL THROUGH AND
BELOW THE PASSES OF KERN COUNTY...INCLUDING THE HIGHWAY 58
AND 14 CORRIDORS. THESE WINDS COULD ALSO CAUSE PROPERTY
DAMAGE.

* WINDS: GUSTS OF 60 TO 70 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE FRIDAY
AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

* LOCATIONS INCLUDE: MOJAVE.

* NEARBY AREAS: SURROUNDING AREAS SUCH AS EDWARDS AIR FORCE
BASE...RIDGECREST...ROSAMOND...AND TEHACHAPI WILL SEE LESSER
WIND GUSTS OF UP TO 45 MPH...CAUSING MINOR INCONVENIENCE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Traffic Collision, Entrapment Palmdale CA




Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel from Fire Stations 37, 24 and 134 in Palmdale responded to a serious traffic collision at 10th Street West and Palmdale Bl this morning. Firefighters found that 2 vehicles had collided and that people were trapped inside both vehicles. Three patients were extricated using the jaws of life, hydraulic spreaders and cutters. Three ambulances and a AMR supervisor were called to transport the critical patients to AV Hospital.

The accident is being investigated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC
Photos may not be reproduced or published without expressed written consent of Zimmerman Media LLC.

LACOFD Peablossom Highway and Sierra Highway





A serious traffic accident occured at the intersection of Pearblossom Highway and Sierra Highway this afternoon. Firefighters from Los Angeles County Fire Department had to extricate two critically injured patients from a vehicle. Additional resources including a paramedic helicopter were ordered to fly a critical patient to Providence Holy Cross Hospital. The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC.

Wildfire, Victorville CA




San Bernardino County firefighters had their hands full today as a wind driven wildfire scorched 100 acres of heavy brush and mixed timber in a riparian zone in the Mojave River near the intersection of the 15 Freeway and E Street in Victorville. The large plume of smoke could be seen in Hesperia, Phelan and all across Victorville. No structures were damaged in this fire. Strong winds hampered firefighting efforts which required 3 alarms to control. Units from San Bernardino County, Loma Linda, Colton and the Bureau of Land Management assisted with combating this wildfire. The fire took several hours to contain. Full control of this fire was expected to occur by 8 am. The cause of this fire is unknown and is under investigation by fire officials.

Photos Copyright, Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC, Southern California FIre Journal
Please ask for permission to use these images in any publications.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Vehicle Accident 14 Freeway North Bound at Pearblossom Highway



Four people were injured, two seriously in a vehicle accident on the North Bound 14 Freeway North of Pearblossom Highway this afternoon. A vehicle lost control and hit the east embankment.Freeway traffic was halted for a short time until LA County Fire Department Paramedics and AMR ambulance personnel could transport all of the patients to AV Hospital.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Wildfire, Corona CA

Approximately 200 acres have been consumed and structures are threatened near Mc Kinley and Indiana in Riverside as a fast moving wildfire is burning in light flashy fuels, winds are 10-15 mph temps are in the 80-s.

Wildfire, Palmdale CA, LACOFD 24





Approximately 1/2 acre of grass and debris burned today and threatened two homes in Palmdale at N-8 and 17th Street West. Strong winds pushed a small grass fire towards homes as homeowners used garden hoses in conjunction with Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel. Winds hampered firefighters as they tried to corral the fire burning behind the homes.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, EPN

Hazamat Acton, LACOFD 80



Los Angeles County Firefighters and Sheriff Deputies were alerted to a suspicious package that had been delivered to an occupancy at Crown Valley RD and Gellespie Rd in Acton CA at approximately 10:30 this morning. Upon arrival firefighters ordered a hazardous chemicals teams from the County Sheriff Department, County Fire Department and FBI. Hazardous chemicals entry teams moved in with full protective chemical clothing to mitigate the incident. The chemical has not been identified. Ten people were decontaminated at the scene as a precaution by Hazmat personnel. It is unknown as to how the package was delivered, however FBI and postal inspectors were at the scene. Hazardous chemical team members were decontaminated at the scene by the Los Angeles County Fire Department,

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC. copyright Jeff Zimmerman

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

WIldfire Watch, Wind Event

...WIND ADVISORIES IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWESTERN
CALIFORNIA...

.A STEEP NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST PRESSURE GRADIENT IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP
ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS BY THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY
NIGHT. THIS TIGHT PRESSURE GRADIENT WILL CAUSE STRONG AND GUSTY
NORTHWEST TO NORTH WINDS TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS OF SANTA
BARBARA...VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...EXCLUDING THE SANTA
MONICA RANGE. GUSTY WINDS WILL LIKELY SPREAD INTO THE SOUTH COAST
OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BELOW PASSES AND CANYONS...AS WELL AS THE ANTELOPE
VALLEY AND CENTRAL COAST. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH
THE INTERSTATE 5 CORRIDOR AND THROUGH THE PASSES AND CANYONS OF THE
SANTA YNEZ RANGE.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Garage Fire Compton CA





Compton firefighters under the command of Deputy Chief Marcel Melanson responded to a report of a garage fire in the 400 block of Magnolia with a cross street of Oleander, Friday evening May 14, 2010. Upon arrival firefighters found that three detached garages were well involved with fire with exposures. Firefighters ordered additional units and quickly contained the fire to the building of origin.

Photos Copyright, Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Wildfire, New Cuyama CA






A fast moving wildfire scorched 2000 acres of grass just west of New Cuyama on the north side of Highway 166. The wildfire was reportedly started by a moving van with a malfunctioning catalytic converter. Approximately 300 firefighters from BLM, United States Forest Service and Cal Fire are battling the blaze. ICP has been established at Richardson Park. The fire is on a south facing aspect, in light flashy fuels with steep slopes. Temperatures were in the high 80's with a westerly wind pushing the fire to the north east towards the Carizzo National Monument. As of May 16,2010 firefighters had the fire 40% contained.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Copyright Zimmerman Media LLC, Southern California Fire Journal.com

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Riverside County Wildfire Contained at 500 Acres

Five hundred acres have been blackened in the hills between Glen Avon and
Fontana, but fire crews fully contained the grass-and-brush blaze early this
morning, though some crews remain on scene extinguishing hotspots and
mopping up.

No injuries or damage have been reported, though deputy sheriffs temporarily
evacuated residents of 32 mobile homes yesterday in the 126-unit Santiago
Estates Mobile Home Park in Glen Avon. Cause of the fire hasn't been
determined.

The flames ignited at 1:31 p.m. Wednesday north of Highway 60 near Granite
Hill and Quartz Canyon Roads. The first fire crew to arrive reported that
two acres had burned and a 15-mph wind was helping to spread the flames.

At the height of the blaze, four air tankers and three water-dropping
helicopters were helping at least 215 fire fighters, including nine hand
crews.

The flames had blackened 300 acres by 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, and crews had cut
fire line around only 30 percent of the perimeter.

By 4:30 a.m. today, an additional 200 acres had burned, but crews had dug
containment lines around the entire perimeter.

As of 9:30 p.m. last night, the fire was 30 percent contained and burning
slowly northeast in the hills along the backside of Fontana, according to
Capt. Fernando Herrera, a spokesman for the Cal Fire. There was no estimate
on when it would be fully contained.

By late evening, although the fire was moving from an area with lighter
fuels in Riverside County toward denser fuels in San Bernardino County, the
wind had died down, which was helping firefighting efforts, Herrera said. No
evacuations were ordered as of 9:30.

However, firefighters were keeping an eye on a subdivision north of the
Jurupa Hills in case the flames threatened homes there. A large block wall
built around the hillside would provide protection, Herrera said.

Earlier Wednesday, authorities issued evacuation orders for 32 of 126 units
in the Santiago Estates Mobile Home Park. Residents were eventually allowed
to return.

More than 200 firefighters were deployed to the fire, along with 34 engines,
three helicopters and planes. The California Highway Patrol and Riverside
County Sheriff's Department controlled access to the scene and assisted with
evacuations.

Story continues below

Terry Pierson/The Press-Enterprise
A homeowner in Santiago Estates talks on the phone as a fast-moving grass
fire threatens homes in Glen Avon.
The CHP closed Pyrite Street north of the freeway and Granite Hill Drive
between Pedley Road and Pyrite Street. Access was limited to fire equipment.

The fire was visible throughout the Riverside area. One of those watching
was Giselle Santiago-Chanette, whose house was at the base of a hill near
the flames.

"(It's) very scary, especially when you're alone and disabled," she said.

Staff writer Jennifer Whitaker contributed to this report.

Reach Jeff Horseman at 951-375-3727 or jhorseman@PE.com
http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_wavon13.3a97660.html

Monday, May 10, 2010

House Fire, Palmdale, 38818 Elder Creek




Los Angeles County Firefighters responded to a reported house fire at 38818 Elder Creek in west Palmdale this morning. Upon arrival firefighters found a well involved 2 story single family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the garage and dark smoke pushing into the interior of the home. Firefighters controlled the blaze in approximately 25 minutes. Photos Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC.