Fire Weather Watch for Sunday and Monday

Today will be mostly sunny and cool, with high temperatures in the upper 60s. But the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for drought-plagued Orange County, effective Sunday morning, due to the expected combination of dry Santa Ana winds, low relative humidity and temperatures in the mid-70s. The advisory lasts through Monday afternoon.

The advisory says, “Northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts to 40 mph, will develop below the Cajon Pass and in the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills Sunday morning, then shift south and east into portions of inland Riverside and San Diego counties during the day.

“Local gusts in excess of 50 mph are possible at times in the windiest locations. The humidity will drop below 15 percent or less for several hours, mainly in the valleys and on the lower coastal mountain slopes. The gusty winds will continue on Monday with inland humidities dropping below 10 percent at the lower elevations.

“A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.”

A fire weather watch is also in effect for Los Angeles County for Northeast winds to 45 MPH gust Sunday and Monday.

Up, Up, and Away!

Hot air balloonists Dan and Wendy Walsh land safely in Palmdale after circling above the Antelope Valley on Veterans Day near the intersection of Challenger Way and Sierra Highway. Leah Barnum age 4 looks onward with her Grandmother as the hot air balloon lands.Clear Skies with little wind made for a nice early morning flight.

Wildfire, 14 Freeway and Technology Drive, Palmdale

The Los Angeles County Fire Department received multiple calls of thick black smoke near the 14 Freeway and Technology Drive in the city of Palmdale, 5 engines and one chief officer were dispatched to the reported fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a 1/4 acre brush and large trash fire in the vacant field. Two engines from Palmdale Stations 24 and 37 and squad 37 took 30 minutes to control the fire.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, www.socalfirejournal.com www.zimmermanmedia.com

Fire Destroys Home In Palmdale

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to multiple calls of a house on fire, 2121 Moonlight Dr in Palmdale last night. Upon arrival Engine 131 found a two story single family dwelling well involved with fire . The fire originated in the garage and quickly extended into the other portions of the home. Numerous companies were called in to assist with the fire.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman, www.socalfirejournal.com

The Great Bel Aire Brentwood Wildfire

Title: 1961 Bel Air Fire

Date: Friday November 6, 2009


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.

Vehicle Accident With Fire, 14 Freeway at Pearblossom Highway, 1 Critical Injury

Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, two AMR ambulances and CHP responded to a reported vehicle accident on the South Bound 14 Freeway at Angeles Forest Highway/Pearblossom Highway on ramp. Upon arrival one vehicle was fully involved with fire in the HOV lane and it was determined there were 4 injured patients, 1 critically. Additional firefighting resources including a paramedic helicopter were ordered to transport 1 critical patient to Holy Cross Providence Hospital. An infant was assessed at the scene and was not transported to the hospital. The south bound 14 freeway was shut down for approximately 30 minutes until the accident could be cleared.

Photos Jeff Zimmerman

LAFD Engine 47 Comes Under Attack, Gun Fire Strikes Windshield En-route to Wildfire, Driver Operator Narrowly Missed

On Halloween evening a fast moving wildfire was reported in the 500 block of Avenue 28 near the intersection of Johnston in Mount Washington Are of Los Angeles. Engine 1 reported that they had at least 1 acre of grass moving up hill and ordered additional firefighting resources including 5 additional engines and a water dropping helicopter. While responding to this incident engine 47 came under gun fire on Mission Blvd, with a bullet narrowly missing the driver operator. The bullet came in from Engine 47 side window and exited out the front windshield. Remaining calm, engine 47 personnel continued into the fire and proceeded with fire attack.

During fire attack, a structure fire was reported down the street. Engine companies were re-assigned from the grass fire to assist with the structure fire. Two male subjects were questioned for starting the new fire by LAPD, it is unknown if any arrests were made.