Fire Weather for Antelope Valley Fire Areas

Caution in Fire Areas: UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM BUILDING OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY INTO FRIDAY:

This will bring a warming and drying trend through the weekend.

There are substantial wildfires burning in Los Angeles County: Acton and Agua Dulce areas:

Extreme Fire Behavior was observed yesterday in the Antelope Valley,homes and rural properties are threatened from the 14 Corridor to Bouquet Canyon all the way to the CA Aqueduct in Quartz Hill to 25th street west in Palmdale CA. Strong winds will create extreme burning conditions in light flashy fuels. Spotting, fire whirls and extreme flame fronts with strong thermal pulses were observed yesterday. Wear all PPE and drink plenty of water. Patients with Asthma should not remain in the fire area since the smoke plume is prevalent in residential areas.

Temperatures will remain reach 95 degrees with wind gust to 35 MPH, low RH near 10 per cent with near single digit readings are possible in the fire area later this afternoon.

Gusty winds with dry fuels and low RH are making for extreme fire conditions.

JJZ

Kern County, Wildfire, Bull Canyon

Kernville Wildfire, 4,500 acres, unofficial reports of structural loss, extreme fire behavior.

Lightning Wildfires:Lassen and Mono County

Update: While many resources are being dispatched to handle the Constantia Fire near Doyle, the recent lightning activity has caused dozens of smaller fires in outlying areas around Lassen County, according to Susanville Interagency Fire Center Public Information Officer Jeff Fontana.
As of 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, Fontana said there are roughly 56 lightning-caused fires in across several areas of SIFC's jurisdiction district. The largest of the fires is currently bheing labed as "3-9," a roughly 50-acre fire located approximately 15 miles northwest of Eagle Lake. Fontana said an incident command team has been assigned to the fire and should be seting up resources as of 8 a.m. on Monday, July 26.

As for the other fires in the region, Fontana said there are currently five being addressed by the Cal Fire personnel assigned to Susanville, 17 being handled by Cal Fire units near Bieber, and one by Cal Fire units in Alturas.

On the Lassen National Forest side, seven fires are being dealt with in the Hat Creek Ranger District, three in the Eagle Lake Ranger District and five in the LNF's Lake Almanor District.

The Bureau of Land Management's West Valley District has also reported 13 fires, with two fires seen in the Ravendale area.

Edis has posted a severe weather alert for Mono County for dry storms today. Our reporter states that there have been numerous strikes with strong winds in the Mono County region today along the 395.

Jeff Zimmerman

Dry Lightning

Wildland fire activity picked up over the weekend. Eight new large fires were reported yesterday in Arizona (1), California (2), Montana (2), Nevada (1), Utah (1), and Wyoming (1). Fire managers and firefighters are prepared for the possible dry lightning storms across the West today.

Weather: Significant fire potential is forecast for portions of Oregon, the Great Basin, and Northern Rockies for lightning today. Scattered to numerous thunderstorms, some of them initially dry, are expected to develop today in the Sierras, Northern California, the Northwest, Great Basin and Northern Rockies. Wet thunderstorms will continue over the Four Corner states. Above normal temperatures will continue across the West with significant fire potential in Montana, Wyoming and northwest Colorado due to hot and dry conditions.

Wildfires

The Escondido Canyon Fire (LACOFD 80) is now contained, some resources are going available.

A new fire in LAFD Task Force 1 District near Elysian Park is burning in grass and brush near Solano and the 110 Freeway. Helicopters are being used to halt the rate of spread.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC, Founder EPN

Escondido Canyon Wildfire, Acton

A fast moving wildfire has charred at least 20 acres of brush and grass near Acton CA. A vehicle fire extended into the brush at Hubbard and Escondido Canyon this afternoon. LACOFD crews are working the line towards containment at this hour, photos Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC 18:25 pm

Fire Weather Warning for Shasta Trinity, Dry Lightning

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR DRY THUNDERSTORMS IN EFFECT FROM
SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT FOR PORTIONS OF THE
SHASTA TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST...

Lightning Fire Indian Wells

Coming home from lightning hold over fire, Indians Fire on Highway 14 at Indian Wells RD, Owens Wilderness area, BLM Fire, Hot dry weather pushing fire close to 14 Freeway. Numerous strikes caused Sand 1 and Sand 2 wildfires, CDD/BLM/Kern County and USFS working the fire. Fire is growing in brush and grass, More to follow...

Weather Warning, Thunderstorms

Caution, Thunderstorms are predicted for today. Fires broke out in Kern, LA and Riverside County's. Orographic lifting and high temperatures with ample moisture will spark thunderstorms from Av North to Highway 395. Erratic winds are possible.

Lightning Bust Antelope Valley

Numerous lightning strikes and small vegetation fires erupted as lightning hit the Antelope Valley today. Hot temperatures are expected tomorrow as crews continue to mop up several lightning sparked wildfires. There is a substantial fire burning in Kern County near Lake Isablella in the Bodfish area. We will monitor the fire situation very closely.

In this photograph Jeff Zimmerman and Bernie Deyo watch as the electrical storm moves over Neenach CA. Photos Jeff Zimmerman

Weather Warning for Antelope Valley

A flash-flood watch is in effect until 6 tonight for portions of the Antelope Valley because of the possibility of heavy afternoon thunderstorms, officials said.

The National Weather Service in Oxnard issued the advisory, saying an increasingly unstable air mass could combine with moisture moving in from the southeast increased the likelihood for heavy precipitation.

Fire Weather Discusssion, Extreme Heat, Chance of Lightning

.DISCUSSION...HIGH PRESSURE OVER THE DESERT SOUTHWEST HAS EXPANDED
WESTWARD AND TAKEN A STRONG HOLD ON OUR WEATHER. THIS WEATHER GRIP
WILL CONTINUE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK AND UPCOMING WEEKEND.
WARM TO HOT TEMPERATURES AND LOW MINIMUM HUMIDITIES CAN BE EXPECTED
IN ALL AREAS EACH DAY. THE MARINE LAYER IS VERY SHALLOW AND WILL
HAVE LITTLE INFLUENCE AND ONLY BE AFFECTING THE IMMEDIATE COAST.
THE REMAINDER OF THE DISTRICT WILL SEE WARM TO HOT TEMPERATURES
WITH MINIMUM HUMIDITIES IN THE TEENS AND SINGLE DIGITS. OVERNIGHT
HUMIDITY RECOVERIES WILL BE MARGINAL AT BEST. TYPICAL DIURNAL WINDS
CAN BE EXPECTED THROUGH THE PERIOD...EXCEPT EVENING GUSTY CANYONS
WINDS ACROSS AND BELOW THE SANTA YNEZ RANGE.

SOME MID LEVEL MONSOON MOISTURE IS FORECAST TO WORK ITS WAY OVER LOS
ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND PERSIST THROUGH
FRIDAY. THIS MOISTURE COMBINED WITH AFTERNOON HEATING WILL LEND TO A
SLIGHT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENINGS
ACROSS THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST...THE SOUTHEASTERN LOS PADRES
NATIONAL FOREST...AND THE ANTELOPE VALLEY. HAVE JUST ADDED THE
SIERRA MADRE MOUNTAINS AND THE CUYAMA VALLEY ONLY FOR THURSDAY.

Firefighters Rescue Trapped Dog

In a harrowing act of bravery and with precision timing, Los Angeles County Firefighters risked it all donning flotation devices and safety harnesses to rescue a trapped dog from the swift current of the California Aqueduct today. Firefighters from Station 80, Truck 24 in Palmdale and Urban Search and Rescue Team 130 based in Lancaster responded after Forest Service Battalion Chief Kenny Ellison was flagged down by a civilian walking along the aqueduct asking for help. Chief Ellison quickly radioed the Angeles Forest Dispatcher for help.

Bystanders saw the dog trapped behind the huge steel gates that control the current of the aqueduct. The dog was stuck in churning water and finally made it to safety on a steel beam. County Firefighters were quickly dispatched to Barrel Springs and the Aqueduct crossing and were met by LA County Sheriff Deputies and Forest Personnel.

Specialty trained firefighters wearing rescue harnesses were hoisted and then lowered into the aqueduct to rescue the dog. Animal control members made a rope lasso to help hoist the animal to safety. Urban Search and Rescue Team Members were able to slip the rope around the dog and hoist it to safety. The rescue took the better part of an hour to perform in 102 degree temperatures.

Photos and Information Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Photo Credit: Jeff Zimmerman, Emergency Photographers Network

Weather Warning!

Fire Weather Warning! Extreme Heat for Antelope Valley Thursday through Sunday, Temps May hit 109 Degrees, south west moisture may also create thunderstorms east of the area. Extreme Heat Indexes predicted.

Lightning Chase, San Luis Obispo County

First lightning chase of the year! San Luis Obispo County near Parkfield Road and Highway 58. A staffing pattern was put in place by Cal Fire to handle the lightning fires.

Greater Alarm Structure Fire, LAFD

Greater Alarm Structure Fire
1609 S Oak St
WASHINGTON BOULEVARD CORRIDOR
Friday, July 9, 2010
TIME: 1:18 PM
INCIDENT #: 0568

On Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 1:18 PM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Kwame Cooper responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1609 South Oak Street in the Pico Union area.

Firefighters arrived on scene within three minutes to find a two-story four-plex with heavy fire showing. Additional personnel were summoned to provide a swift and well-coordinated attack on the flames. An aggressive entry was made into the residence with hose-lines, while others ascended ladders to the tiled roof and performed vertical ventilation.

Eighty-six Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 31 minutes and prevented any damage to nearby structures. No one was injured in this fire, although a total of ten persons, including 6 adults and 4 children were displaced. Those ten individuals were provided temporary shelter and disaster assistance by volunteers from the American Red Cross.
This devastating fire resulted from a five year old girl and a four year old boy that were playing with matches. Many are surprised to learn that the leading causes of fire deaths for children is from playing with matches and lighters.

The Los Angeles Fire Department along with our friends at FEMA would like to stress the following safety tips:

*Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight.
*When a child is curious about fire, calmly and firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for only adults.
*In addition, instruct toddlers to tell you when they find a match or lighters.
*Please never use matches or lighters as amusement for your children. They may imitate your actions.
The dollar loss to the 88-year old residence is still being tabulated.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, Copyright Zimmerman Media LLC

Grass Fire Burns Four Acres, Lancaster CA

Firefighters from Los Angeles County handle a small vegetation fire that broke out along Ave K and 15 West bordered on the east by the 14 Freeway. No structures were damaged in the blaze.

Photos:Copyright Jeff Zimmerman, Zimmerman Media LLC

Fire Weather Watch Dry Lightning:Update

Keeping an eye on the south west flow over the mountains and deserts from AZ to Ca deserts this weekend for the potential of dry lightning storms. Monsoonal moisture is predicted to move in from the south west and hot temps over the deserts and uplifting over the mountains may spark thunderstorms. More to follow... Lightning: 20% chance over Pear Blossom, Little Rock and into the Antelope Valley for Saturday and Sunday after 11 am with high temperatures at 101 degrees. Watching dew-points closely as moisture and instability converge with up lifting over the mountain ranges. Dry thunderstorms can produce erratic winds in fire areas should ignition occur. Strong down drafts influence fire behavior.

Sheared Hydrant LACOFD Light Force 170 and Engine 14

The driver ran from this accident at 90th and Normandie after shearing a hydrant and hitting a street light.

Driver Detained by Law Enforcement After Starting Brush Fire

LA County Firefighters controlled a small brush fire after a vehicle burst into flames on Ave D near 55th Street West on July 4, 2010. The driver was detained by law enforcement.

LA County Firefighters Rescue Dog From House Fire

Firefighters from Los Angeles County Fire Department Truck 24 rescued a small dog from a fast moving house fire in Little Rock CA Fourth of July evening at 75 Street East and U. The fire destroyed the garage and large portion of the single family dwelling home. As firefighters were working to halt the fire, magnesium inside a burning sport utility truck ignited showering firefighters with molten metal. The fire was contained in 30 minutes. Photos and Information, Jeff Zimmerman, Copyright Zimmerman Media LLC

TC Elizabeth Lake RD, LACOFD 24, Squad 37

A driver lost control of a vehicle and over turned after hitting the embankment on Elizabeth Lake Road two miles west of the Lazy T Ranch at approximately 2:15 PM. LA County Fire Department Paramedics treated one patient and transported her to Antelope Valley Hospital.