DOCSLIB.ORG

An Ever-Expanding Disaster Risk Is Transforming the California Fire

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Ever-Expanding Disaster Risk Is Transforming the California Fire Volume 25 | No. 3 Third Quarter 2017 n the pre-dawn hours on October 9th, a Berkeley Fire Department strike team rolled into Santa Rosa, called in on a mutual aid response to what they thought was a large wildland fire. As they EVOLVING arrived in their assigned staging area – a Kmart Iparking lot in northwest Santa Rosa – they knew it was much bigger: The Kmart was completely up in flames. “Are you serious?” wondered one incredulous Engine 6 firefighter. Up the road, fellow Berkeley firefighter Josh Block UNDER FIRE had already seen the worst of it. He and his brother had been forced to flee the home they shared in Santa An Ever-Expanding Disaster Risk is Rosa. “The whole cul-de-sac was up in flames in like 10 minutes,” he later marveled. “Fifty-foot flame lengths … I’ve never seen anything like it.” Transforming the California Fire Service The North Bay Firestorm that would unfold in the blistering week that followed was, by many accounts, one for the ages: 43 deaths (most ever in a single fire incident in California history), more than 8,000 structures lost, total losses estimated in the billions. More than three dozen firefighters lost their own homes in the event – many of them while they were themselves on the fire lines. For the California fire service, cataclysmic events are starting to seem like just another day at the office. In just the second half of 2017, a string of incidents – far flung and close-to-home – have tested the capa- bilities, training, stamina and courage of the state’s first responders: JULY: A series of windblown wildland fires charred an area the size of New York City, sending tens of thousands fleeing from their homes. At the height of the fires, upwards of 10,000 firefighters were mobilized, with nearly three-quarters coming from hundreds of local agency departments. AUGUST: Hurricanes Harvey and Irma prompted mobilization of six of California’s eight Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces. More than two hundred Cali- fornia firefighters conducted the grim response effort – one Los Angeles City crew was on its way home from Harvey when it was redirected east to Florida. Continued on page 6 PRESIDENT’S MEMORIAL LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE COVERAGE UPDATE REPORTS Page 3 Pages 12-13 Pages 14-15 Pages 14-21 CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS SECOND QUARTER | VOLUME 23 NO. 2 1 LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT Dear Lou, you have any questions, please do not hesitate to President Paulson, call Sean Elsbernd, my State Director, at (415) During my many years of 393-0760. On behalf of the IAFF Char- public service, I have vis- Please thank everyone, over and over! itable Foundation, thank ited a number of urban you to all CPF members fires and natural wildfires. Sincerely, for your recent generous My visit this weekend to Dianne Feinstein contribution of $10,000.00 Santa Rosa, however, was United States Senator to our Disaster Relief Fund. unprecedented. I have never seen such devas- These funds went directly to providing food and tation, nor have I ever seen such devastation water, generators and fans, dry clothing, chain wrought so rapidly and all encompassing. saws, tarps and re-building help, direct financial While the damage was unprecedented, what Dear Lou, assistance, vaccinations, behavioral health support was proven routine at these events, yet never and anything else required to get our members taken for granted, is the tremendous amount of On behalf of the people of what they needed in the wake of Hurricanes Har- courage and dedication to public safety demon- California, I want to sin- vey and Irma. strated by our (your) firefighters. Most especially, cerely thank you for your In addition to these critical efforts, we have been I was touched by those firefighters who raced to leadership during the lat- assisting our members touched by a string of dev- fight the fire, while knowing that their own homes est round of devastating astating occurrences across the country. The mass had been lost, and their own families could still wildfires that hit our state. shooting in Clark County, Nevada on the end of the be in danger. The commitment to the safety and Your unwavering commitment and dedication Las Vegas Strip and the wildfires currently raging the protection of their community proved para- to your team of relentless firefighters is inspiring. in northern California that have destroyed dozens mount – an unbelievable characteristic for which We are all so proud of the men and women who of our members’ homes and have affected so many I am so tremendously grateful. are putting their own lives on the line to save make your help even more important during these Enclosed, please find a $10,000 contribution to others. Their courage, bravery, and selflessness trying times. your “Go Fund a Hero” organization. I trust that will forever be remembered. Your generosity demonstrated once again that these funds will go directly to the firefighters who Thank you, Lou, for your leadership and when we are faced with adversity, we truly have have lost everything as a result of these fires in friendship. each other’s backs. Northern California. Specifically, I request that these funds be directed toward firefighters with Sincerely, Fraternally, families and children. I want to make sure that Kamala D. Harris Harold A. Schaitberger the youngest amongst us are taken care of. Should United States Senator Foundation Chairman PERSONAL EXPOSURE REPORTING It’s a dangerous job, protect yourself MOBILE-FRIENDLY: Report exposures anywhere on tablet or smartphone STREAMLINED: Simple, intuitive data entry – no chemical names required ONE-TOUCH RECURRING EXPOSURES: Easily track diesel and other ongoing exposures IMMEDIATE ACCESS: Download exposure records anytime PRIVACY: Secure database give peace of mind – your records belong to you. INEXPENSIVE: Permanent records for the cost of a few cups of coffee BY FIREFIGHTERS, FOR FIREFIGHTERS: Our mission is to protect you – we work for nobody else. Protect yourself and your family. Sign up or report your exposures www.peronline.org 2 THIRD QUARTER | VOLUME 25 NO. 3 CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE LOU PAULSON HIGH STAKES IN THE YEAR AHEAD hen looking back at decide the offices of governor, as well the events of 2017, it’s as the seven other statewide constitu- hard to imagine that No matter the outcome, you can be tional offices. the coming year could The race for governor is of particu- bring challenges that lar importance to our union, as the Wwill rival what we’ve seen to date. sure that California Professional victorious administration will have In only the final three months of the opportunity to shape statewide this past year, our state experienced policy for the better part of a decade. devastation at an entirely unprec- Firefighters will remain strong, Issues such as collective bargaining edented rate. In the north, the Tubbs rights, retirement security and fire- Fire, the Nun Fire and several other fighter behavioral health all subject to blazes burning in unison claimed standing against the opponents of the upcoming administration’s politi- the lives of 44 Californians and cal will, as will decisions about mutual destroyed nearly 9,000 structures in the working class and advocating aid and training resources needed to a little over a week. It was the most combat the threat of wildfires like devastating series of wildfires in Cali- those seen in the latter half of 2017. fornia history, one that was capable for our members and their In the next few months, California of leveling entire neighborhoods in Professional Firefighters will be just a matter of hours. Only a few meeting for candidates for each of the months later, disaster struck the families, both on the job and off. contested statewide constitutional Southland, with the Thomas Fire, the as part of our endorsement process. Skirball Fire and others prompting When we do, the metric by which we evacuations and disaster declara- beyond. I can also say, again with represents one of the most brazen measure these candidates will be the tions in counties from Santa Barbara relative certainty, that when they do, attacks in their ever-growing war same as it always is – who will stand down to San Diego. At the time this the men and women of the California against organized labor. Should the with us on the issues that matter most message was written, many of these fire service will stand ready to answer decision not be in labor’s favor, union to firefighters. These issues, including blazes are still burning out of control, the call. solidarity will be tested across the staffing, on-the-job safety and retire- and our members from across the The fire ground, however, won’t nation, meaning that our organizing ment security, are what are important state are working around the clock be the only place we’ll face new chal- and union education efforts will more to our members, and so too must they to defend the lives and property of lenges in the coming year. important than ever before. be important to any candidate hoping those who live in the affected areas. At some point in 2018, the United No matter the outcome, you can for our support. Sadly, incidents such as these are State’s Supreme Court will hand down be sure that California Professional While the challenges of 2018 will quickly becoming the new normal in a verdict in the matter of Janus v. Firefighters will remain strong, test our ranks, California Professional our state. AFSCME, a case that aims to undercut standing against the opponents of Firefighters has demonstrated time While fires like the one’s described union rights for firefighters and mil- the working class and advocating for and time again that, through this soli- above may have seemed unimaginable lions of other public sector workers.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2017 Form 3805V
    2017 Instructions for Form FTB 3805V Net Operating Loss (NOL) Computation and NOL and Disaster Loss Limitations — Individuals, Estates, and Trusts References in these instructions are to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as of January 1, 2015, and the California Revenue and Taxation Code (R&TC). General Information For NOLs incurred in taxable years beginning Nonbusiness capital losses and gains are on or after January 1, 2008, California has losses and gains from other than a trade or In general, for taxable years beginning on or extended the NOL carryover period from 10 business. These include sales of stock, metals, after January 1, 2015, California law conforms taxable years to 20 taxable years following the and other appreciable assets as well as any to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as of year of the loss. recognized gain from the sale of your principal January 1, 2015. However, there are continuing For taxable years that began in 2002 and residence. differences between California and federal 2003, California suspended the NOL carryover Business losses: law. When California conforms to federal tax deduction. Taxpayers continued to compute You may deduct business capital losses only law changes, we do not always adopt all of and carryover an NOL during the suspension up to the total of business capital gains and the changes made at the federal level. For period. However, the deduction for disaster any nonbusiness capital gains that remain after more information, go to ftb.ca.gov and search losses was not affected by the NOL suspension deducting nonbusiness capital losses and other for conformity.
    [Show full text]
  • 4 12 19 Final Board Packet.Pdf
    SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS District Office, 18966 Ferretti Road Groveland, CA 95321 (209) 962-7161 www.gcsd.org AGENDA April 12, 2019 10:00 a.m. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call of Board Members Janice Kwiatkowski, President Nancy Mora, Vice President John Armstrong, Director Spencer Edwards, Director Robert Swan, Director 1. Approve Order of Agenda 2. Public Comment Members of the public are appreciated for taking the time to attend this meeting and provide comments on matters of District business. Public comments are subject to a 3- minute time limit; 10 minutes on an individual topic. Although no action can be taken on items not listed on the agenda, please know we are listening carefully to your comments. 3. Information Items Brief reports may be provided by District staff and/or Board members as information on matters of general interest. No action will be taken by the Board during Reports, however items discussed may be recommended for discussion and action on a future agenda. Public comments will be taken after each report is provided. A. Staff Reports i. Fire Department Report ii. General Manager’s Report iii. Operations Manager’s Report iv. Administrative Services Manager’s Report B. President’s Report i. Fire Services Evaluation and Funding 4. Consent Calendar Consent Calendar items are considered routine and will be acted upon by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a member of the Board, Staff or a member of the Public requests specific items be set aside for separate discussion.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of California Wildfire Evacuations from 2017 to 2019
    REVIEW OF CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE EVACUATIONS FROM 2017 TO 2019 STEPHEN WONG, JACQUELYN BROADER, AND SUSAN SHAHEEN, PH.D. MARCH 2020 DOI: 10.7922/G2WW7FVK DOI: 10.7922/G29G5K2R Wong, Broader, Shaheen 2 Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. UC-ITS-2019-19-b N/A N/A 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Review of California Wildfire Evacuations from 2017 to 2019 March 2020 6. Performing Organization Code ITS-Berkeley 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report Stephen D. Wong (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3638-3651), No. Jacquelyn C. Broader (https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3269-955X), N/A Susan A. Shaheen, Ph.D. (https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3350-856X) 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. Institute of Transportation Studies, Berkeley N/A 109 McLaughlin Hall, MC1720 11. Contract or Grant No. Berkeley, CA 94720-1720 UC-ITS-2019-19 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period The University of California Institute of Transportation Studies Covered www.ucits.org Final Report 14. Sponsoring Agency Code UC ITS 15. Supplementary Notes DOI: 10.7922/G29G5K2R 16. Abstract Between 2017 and 2019, California experienced a series of devastating wildfires that together led over one million people to be ordered to evacuate. Due to the speed of many of these wildfires, residents across California found themselves in challenging evacuation situations, often at night and with little time to escape. These evacuations placed considerable stress on public resources and infrastructure for both transportation and sheltering.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Fire Plan
    Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Fire Plan 2020 MMU Strategic Fire Plan Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Fire Plan 2020 UNIT STRATEGIC FIRE PLAN AMENDMENTS Page Section Date Numbers Description of Update Updated By Updated Updated 4/2020 Contents Page i-ii 2020 Update P4224 4/2020 Signature Page 1 Annual Update P4224 4/2020 Executive 2 Update C4200 Summary 4/2020 I Update P4224 4/2020 II None P4224 4/2020 III Update P4224 4/2020 IV Update B4220 4/2020 IV (B) Update F4208 3/2020 V Update All Battalions 4/2020 Appendix A Update P4224 4/2020 Appendix B None P4224 4/2020 Appendix C None P4224 4/2020 Appendix C-1 None P4224 4/2020 Appendix C-2 None P4224 4/2020 Appendix D None B4220 4/2020 Appendix E Update B4220 3/2020 Appendix F New P4224 4/2020 Appendix G Update B4211 3/2020 Appendix H None B4212 3/2020 Appendix I Update B4214 4/2020 Appendix J None B4215 4/2020 Appendix K None B16 4/2020 Appendix L None B17 3/2020 Appendix M Update B18 4/2020 Appendix N Update D4206 4/2020 Exhibits: Maps None GIS 4/2020 Accomplishments Update Various i Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Fire Plan 2020 Table of Contents UNIT STRATEGIC FIRE PLAN AMENDMENTS ............................................................. i Table of Contents .............................................................................................................ii SIGNATURE PAGE ........................................................................................................ 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Disaster Declarations in California
    Disaster Declarations in California (BOLD=Major Disaster) (Wildfires are Highlighted) 2018 DR-4353 Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows, And Debris Flows Declared on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 - 06:00 FM-5244 Pawnee Fire Declared on Sunday, June 24, 2018 - 07:11 FM-5245 Creek Fire Declared on Monday, June 25, 2018 - 07:11 2017 DR-4301 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides Declared on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 13:15 EM-3381 Potential Failure of the Emergency Spillway at Lake Oroville Dam Declared on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 14:20 DR-4302 Severe Winter Storm Declared on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - 14:30 DR-4305 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides Declared on Thursday, March 16, 2017 - 04:48 DR-4308 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Mudslides Declared on Saturday, April 1, 2017 - 16:55 DR-4312 Flooding Declared on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 - 14:00 FM-5189 Wall Fire Declared on Sunday, July 9, 2017 - 14:18 FM-5192 Detwiler Fire Declared on Monday, July 17, 2017 - 19:23 DR-4344 Wildfires Declared on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 - 08:40 2016 FM-5124 Old Fire Declared on Saturday, June 4, 2016 - 21:55 FM-5128 Border 3 Fire Declared on Sunday, June 19, 2016 - 19:03 FM-5129 Fish Fire Declared on Monday, June 20, 2016 - 20:35 FM-5131 Erskine Fire Declared on Thursday, June 23, 2016 - 20:57 FM-5132 Sage Fire Declared on Saturday, July 9, 2016 - 18:15 FM-5135 Sand Fire Declared on Saturday, July 23, 2016 - 17:34 FM-5137 Soberanes Fire Declared on Thursday, July 28, 2016 - 16:38 FM-5140 Goose Fire Declared on Saturday, July 30, 2016 - 20:48
    [Show full text]
  • Download Ordinance
    ORDINANCE NO. 1650 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA ADDING CHAPTER 8.86, CAMPING, TO THE SAN CLEMENTE MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 8, HEAL TH AND SAFETY WHEREAS, the City's climatic, topographical, circulation, seismic, geological, and l wildland-urban interface conditions create an increased risk of fires; WHEREAS, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports an average of 103 wildfires per year are ignited by illegal open fires, and, several fire departments in California have responded to such fires at, or caused by activities at, unauthorized camping; WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend the San Clemente Municipal Code to prohibit camping upon public property, private open space, and fire risk areas; and WHEREAS, the City, by virtue of the police powers delegated to it by the California Constitution, is authorized to adopt policies to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of its residents. NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of San Clemente does ordain as follows: SECTION 1. RECITALS. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council. SECTION 2. FINDINGS. The City Council finds and determines that: A Climatic Conditions. 1. San Clemente is located in a semi-arid Mediterranean type climate with an extensive urban/wildland interface. It annually experiences extended periods of high temperatures with little or no precipitation. Additionally, its coastal canyons can become very dry and promote the rapid growth of fires. Hot, dry (Santa Ana) winds which may reach speeds of 70 miles per hour or greater, are also common to the area.
    [Show full text]
  • PUBLIC SAFETY U Building a Safer Los Angeles 99
    MOTION PUBLIC SAFETY U Building a Safer Los Angeles 99 From time to time it is appropriate for the Council to review and update ordinances adopted in the past. The urgency to do this is compounded when those ordinances relate to public safety, and even more so when a natural disaster affects our City such as the recent wildfires. In recent years, the City has made strides in enhancing the protection and character of our hillside communities, specifically our hillside single family home communities. Both in 2011 and again 2017 the City adopted stricter Baseline Hillside Ordinances to better ensure public safety in those neighborhoods. Though these ordinances addressed out of scale development and neighborhood character, the secondary effects ensure safer communities and better design that reduces risk during catastrophic events such as wildfires. The City must ensure that our growing multifamily housing stock is being constructed safely with skilled labor, and is resilient in the face of growing threats from wildfires and other natural disasters. In late 2018 the risk and devastation from wildfires was on full display throughout California. The risk associated with wildfires has grown exponentially in recent years. The frequency and intensity of these fires has made them a serious public safety risk. Their speed and intensity have created an urgent need to address their impacts. Much of this increased risk comes from the growing impacts of climate change that has changed the ecological makeup of our forests and climatic shifts that have driven the region into drought year after year, as well as rapid growth of our urban-wildland interface.
    [Show full text]
  • Mariposa County CWPP FEB 2021 FINAL
    RES. 2021-80 Mariposa County Community Wildfire Protection Plan FEBRUARY 2021 TBA Page 1 Signature Page 6B3E6D14AD 02/17/2021 Mike van Loben Sels Date Unit Chief CAL FIRE, Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit Mariposa County Fire Department 6B3E6D14C1 02/18/2021 Marshall Long Date Chairperson Mariposa County Board of Supervisors 6B3E6D14D5 02/18/2021 Steve Engfer Date Chairperson Mariposa County Fire Advisory Committee Approved as to Legal Form: _____________________________6B3E6D14A3 Steven W. Dahlem, County Counsel Acknowledgments The following organizations and agencies provided invaluable time, input, and feedback to ensure the contents of the Mariposa County Community Wildfire Protection Plan update, and its associated outreach activities, were accurate and met the needs of the planning process: • Mariposa County Fire Safe Council – Barbara Cone, Executive Director • Mariposa County Planning Department – Steve Engfer, Senior Planner • Mariposa County Fire Department – John Morgan, Battalion Chief • Mariposa County Resource Conservation District – Melinda Barrett, Program Manager • Mariposa County Fire Advisory Committee • Mariposa County GIS – Ben Ogren • CAL FIRE MMU GIS – Jim Pearce Funding for this project was provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as part of the California Climate Investments Program. Funding was also provided by Mariposa County, California. This plan update was led by a consulting team, consisting of Wildfire Planning International LLC, Wildland Professional Solutions, Inc., and Anchor Point Group LLC. Internal review was provided by Atlas Planning Solutions. Photo credits are listed below: Cover, Executive Summary – Chief Bernie Quinn (CAL FIRE, retired) Introduction, Local Environment, Cohesive Strategy Approach, Action Plan and Implementation, Appendices – Molly Mowery (Wildfire Planning International) All other image credits are listed next to figures.
    [Show full text]
  • New Blaze Ignites Near LA As Fierce California Wildfires Rage 6 December 2017
    New blaze ignites near LA as fierce California wildfires rage 6 December 2017 the southwest were causing the fire to balloon, he said, warning Angelenos to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. "These are days that break your heart but also days that shows the resilience of our city," he said. The "Skirball" fire ignited before 5 am (1300 GMT) and quickly grew to engulf some 150 acres, with forecasters predicting that 25 mile-per-hour (40 kilometer-per-hour) winds could cause further spreading, threatening multi-million dollar homes and the acclaimed Getty Center museum. Firefighters battle flames on a hillside near homes in Santa Paula, California, as the Los Angeles region grapples with wind-whipped wildfires An inferno engulfed the Los Angeles region Wednesday, forcing more than 200,000 people to evacuate and threatening thousands of homes, including the luxe Bel-Air neighborhood dotted with mansions. The flames have swallowed some 80,000 acres (32,000 hectares) in just over a day since the "Thomas" fire, currently the state's largest, broke Firefighters work to save burning houses in the Skirball out, leaving at least one dead in an area about 45 Fire near Los Angeles minutes from downtown LA. High winds caused another wave of wildfires to erupt overnight, including one in Los Angeles' The Skirball fire—near a cultural center of the same affluent Bel-Air neighborhood. The area battled name and captured in apocalyptic images—also gridlocked heavy traffic as ash and smoke churned prompted authorities to close the 405 Freeway, a over the smoldering hillside.
    [Show full text]
  • SCAQMD Continues Smoke Advisory for Creek, Rye and Skirball Fires
    NEWS For Immediate Release Dec. 8, 2017 SCAQMD Continues Smoke Advisory for Fire Burning in the Lake View Terrace, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, and Getty Center Areas This advisory is in effect through Saturday morning, Dec. 9. SCAQMD will issue an update if additional information becomes available. A brush fire, named the Creek Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Lake View Terrace and Sylmar. The burn area is currently reported to be approximately 15,000 acres with 40 percent containment. Strong northeast winds are expected to continue through at least Saturday afternoon bringing smoke into the western portion of Los Angeles County. Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke. A second fire, named the Rye Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Santa Clarita. The burn area is reported to be approximately 6,000 acres with 35 percent containment. A third fire, named the Skirball Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County off the 405 freeway near the Getty Center. The burn area is reported to be 475 acres with 30 percent containment. Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthful air quality include portions of: West San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 6), East San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 7), Southwest Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 3), and Northwest Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 2). All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke. In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, older adults, and children should remain indoors.
    [Show full text]
  • The Detwiler Fire Is Active at Night, and a Scientist Says That's Relatively
    The Detwiler Fire is active at night, and a scientist says that’s relatively new By Lewis Griswold Modesto Bee, Saturday, July 22, 2017 A prolonged drought, tall grasses, steep terrain and erratic winds are making the Detwiler Fire in Mariposa County difficult to get under control, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. But something else seems to be at play – high temperatures and low humidity at night are keeping the fire going. It’s unclear if global climate change is to blame, but a professor of fire science at the University of California Center for Fire Research and Outreach said firefighters have been reporting in recent years that wildfires in California aren’t slowing down at night like they used to. The 70,000-plus-acre Detwiler fire burning near Yosemite National Park west of Mariposa can be seen from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite above. The satellite imagery shows wind pushing the smoke. The Detwiler Fire, which started July 16, had destroyed 60 homes and burned 75,200 acres as of Saturday morning and was 30 percent contained. Full containment is not expected until Aug. 5. But the evacuation order for Mariposa was lifted Friday. Meanwhile, smoke has been drifting into the San Joaquin Valley, prompting the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to issue a health caution. Last week, Cal Fire noted that a lack of higher humidity at night was allowing the Detwiler Fire to keep growing. For example, from the evening of July 18 to the next morning, the fire nearly doubled, expanding from 25,000 acres to 45,724.
    [Show full text]
  • Ferguson Fire Is Still a Major Threat
    California’s oldest weekly newspaper of continuous publication “Covering Mariposa County Like The Stars” Established 1854 — 163rd Year Official County Newspaper Mariposa, California • Thursday, July 19, 2018 • Issue No. 29 Photo by Nicole W. Little An empty bulldozer transport trailer was symbolic on Monday when an escort took place for Braden Varney, the local firefighter who was killed last weekend during the Ferguson Fire. Local residents lined the streets on Monday to pay tribute to the CAL FIRE firefighter. Varney was a 10-year employee of CAL FIRE, working as a dozer operator. MARIPOSA COUNTY MOURNS Death of firefighter Ferguson Fire is brings heavy hearts By GREG LITTLE Editor still a major threat By Gazette staff perich, chief of the CAL FIRE Even with heavy smoke hanging in the air, it was noth- Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit. ing compared to the heavy hearts throughout Mariposa It’s possible history is in the The reason, said Koerperich, is County following the death of a local firefighter. making in Mariposa County — because they have always focused Braden Varney, 36, a heavy equipment operator with and not in a good way. on making sure fire never gets CAL FIRE, died in a bulldozer accident last weekend The Ferguson Fire, which start- into that terrain, which is rug- near Jerseydale. ed last Friday night in the Merced ged, steep and has tree mortality Varney was a heavy equipment operator stationed at River Canyon near the Ferguson issues. the Merced-Mariposa-Madera CAL FIRE Unit Head- slide, has made its way into the The fire broke out just three quarters in Mariposa.
    [Show full text]