10.1.20 Statewide Fires Report
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Conservation Almanac & Annual Report
Conservation Almanac & Annual Report Trinity County Resource Conservation District Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2021 Vol. XXX No. 1 Behind the scenes of the Trinity County RCD What does the Trinity County RCD do? This is a ques on Some mes, we must change our way of thinking to fi nd the we get A LOT. The Trinity County RCD is a diverse team of best solu ons or assist with a project outside our tradi onal qualifi ed staff who are eager to learn and serve. Upon quick programs. It’s a general professional employment clause that glance, it may seem that we are departmentalized by specifi c states: “including, but not limited to, other tasks as assigned.” programs, but this relays an inaccurate image. Program Now you see us, now you don’t! You can o en catch us shmogram – while we lean towards diff erent fi elds depending working odd and long hours, scouring the forest for rare or on our work experience and educa onal studies, our real invasive plants, remembering our roots while leading youth strength comes from working as a team. Our “jobs” are on nature excursions, in the backwoods repairing a road connected in more ways than we can count, and it is cri cal that you never knew existed, being the ringleader at some that we work in a close intertwined web to bring all skill sets community events, dirty and greasy from working in the to the table for a holis c and landscape view on projects. brush, a bobbing head in a zoom mee ng, digging holes for Trinity County RCD is not just a job, it is a lifestyle. -
August Complex
August Complex Vegetation and Resource Rapid Assessment Mendocino, Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests December 2020 I) Introduction The purpose of the August Complex Post-Fire Rapid Assessment (Assessment) is to (1) evaluate short- term post-fire restoration opportunities as well as identify public safety, cultural, and natural resource concerns, and (2) integrate a short-term strategy with medium- to long-term strategic management of the post-fire landscape across forest boundaries. Establishing and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners is both a short- and long-term goal of this Assessment. Seeking public involvement in the plans and priorities for restoration efforts on the Mendocino, Six Rivers and Shasta- Trinity National Forests is an integral piece of the restoration process. A total of 1,032,648 acres burned in the August Complex, with approximately 612,634 acres on the Mendocino National Forest (MNF), 162,201 acres on the Six Rivers National Forest (SRF), and 139,760 acres on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest (SHF). Each of these forests have experienced substantial wildfire on the landscape in the past five years. In that time, the MNF has burned over 903,000 acres, the SRF over 308,701 acres, while the SHF has had wildfire affect more than 413,000 acres. Restoration efforts on the August fire footprint are even more critical given the recent fire history on these forests. The Rapid Assessment team was formed by the Forest Supervisors of the Mendocino, Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests, with employees from across the three forests. This course level “first look” at the restoration needs within the August Fire footprint will be a starting point. -
September 30, 2020
Valley air about to get worse as wildfire smoke has nowhere to go By Corin Hoggard and Dale Yurong Tuesday, September 29, 2020 FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Air quality is about to take a turn for the worse as a changing weather pattern will combine with wildfires to fill the Central Valley with smoke again. The last few months have produced a stretch of the worst air quality on record, according to the Air Pollution Control District. Satellite images show smoke gently blowing from several California fires out to the Pacific Ocean, a weather pattern keeping the Valley's air relatively clean for several days now. "Right now we're seeing the smoke aloft," said Maricela Velasquez of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. "It's above us. But as the week goes through, we'll continue to see that smoke come onto the Valley floor." Here's how: When you have a fire in the Central Valley -- which is essentially just a bowl -- the smoke can usually get out and air quality won't be bad everywhere. But when a high pressure system comes in, it essentially puts a lid on the bowl and the smoke has nowhere to go so it just collects on the Valley floor. "The blocking high, basically, once it sits over a certain spot it likes to stay there for quite a while," said meteorologist Carlos Molina of the National Weather Service in Hanford. Forecasters at the NWS say the lid will sit on our bowl for at least a week. Air Quality Science Director Jon Klassen of the Valley Air District said, "We're expecting that to continue in the coming days." By that time, our air will have collected smoke from the Creek Fire, the SQF Complex Fire, and even more recent fires to our west, like the Glass Fire in the Bay Area. -
Superior Court of California
1 INTRODUCTION 2 1. This Complaint arises from a fire caused by PG&E’s powerlines in Shasta County on 3 September 27, 2020, a wildfire now called the “Zogg Fire.” 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Flames of Zogg Fire – Photo by Ethan Swope of Associated Press via Los Angeles Times 18 2. The Zogg Fire started when electrical equipment owned, operated and/or maintained by 19 PG&E utility infrastructure contacted, or caused sparks to contact, surrounding vegetation. This 20 occurred because: (1) PG&E’s utility infrastructure was intended, designed, and constructed to pass 21 electricity through exposed powerlines in vegetated areas; (2) PG&E negligently, recklessly, and 22 willfully failed to properly, safely, and prudently inspect, repair, maintain and operate the electrical 23 equipment in its utility infrastructure; and/or (3) PG&E negligently, recklessly, and willfully failed to 24 maintain an appropriate clearance area between the electrical equipment in its utility infrastructure and 25 surrounding vegetation. 26 3. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), which is the 27 primary investigating agency in this case, has concluded that the Zogg Fire was caused by a pine tree 28 2 ZOGG FIRE COMPLAINT 1 contacting electrical transmission lines owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) 2 located north of the community of Igo. 3 4. The Zogg Fire burned more than 56,000 acres, destroyed over 200 structures, resulted in 4 multiple injuries and fatalities, and catastrophically impacted the local community. 5 5. -
Disproportionate Impacts of Wildfires Among Elderly and Low-Income
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article Disproportionate Impacts of Wildfires among Elderly and Low-Income Communities in California from 2000–2020 Shahir Masri 1, Erica Scaduto 2 , Yufang Jin 2 and Jun Wu 1,* 1 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; [email protected] 2 Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA; [email protected] (E.S.); [email protected] (Y.J.) * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: Wildfires can be detrimental to urban and rural communities, causing impacts in the form of psychological stress, direct physical injury, and smoke-related morbidity and mortality. This study examined the area burned by wildfires over the entire state of California from the years 2000 to 2020 in order to quantify and identify whether burned area and fire frequency differed across Census tracts according to socioeconomic indicators over time. Wildfire data were obtained from the California Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) and National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), while demographic data were obtained from the American Community Survey. Results showed a doubling in the number of Census tracts that experienced major wildfires and a near doubling in the number of people residing in wildfire-impacted Census tracts, mostly due to an over 23,000 acre/year increase in the area burned by wildfires over the last two decades. Census tracts with a higher fire frequency and burned area had lower proportions of minority groups on average. However, when considering Native American populations, a greater proportion resided in highly impacted Census tracts. -
OPR Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory
Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory General Plan Technical Advice Series 2020 Update Public Review Draft – November 2020 Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory State of California Gavin Newsom, Governor Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Kate Gordon, Director Agency Information Interagency Working Group Members Address Board of Forestry and Fire Protection 1400 10th Street Edith Hannigan Sacramento, CA 95814 California Department of Forestry and Fire Phone Protection (CAL FIRE) (916) 322-2318 Brian Barkley Carmel (Mitchell) Barnhart Website Gene Potkey www.opr.ca.gov Jeff Hakala Raymond Martinez OPR Project Manager Shane Vargas Erik de Kok, AICP California Natural Resources Agency OPR Report Contributors Jennifer Montgomery Beth Hotchkiss Debbie Franco Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Elliott Pickett Victoria LaMar-Haas Nikki Carevelli Nuin-Tara Key California Department of Housing and Community Development Paul McDougall California Public Utilities Commission Koko Tomassian California Department of Insurance Mike Peterson California Department of Justice Christina Bull Arndt Governor’s Office of Planning and Research Public Review Draft – November 2020 2 Fire Hazard Planning Technical Advisory Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................... 3 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 2020 Update ................................................................................................................................... -
Response to Order Requesting Information Re. Zogg Fire and Order
Case 3:14-cr-00175-WHA Document 1250 Filed 10/26/20 Page 1 of 16 1 JENNER & BLOCK LLP Reid J. Schar (pro hac vice) 2 [email protected] 353 N. Clark Street 3 Chicago, IL 60654-3456 4 Telephone: +1 312 222 9350 Facsimile: +1 312 527 0484 5 CLARENCE DYER & COHEN LLP 6 Kate Dyer (Bar No. 171891) [email protected] 7 899 Ellis Street 8 San Francisco, CA 94109-7807 Telephone: +1 415 749 1800 9 Facsimile: +1 415 749 1694 10 CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE LLP Kevin J. Orsini (pro hac vice) 11 [email protected] 12 825 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10019 13 Telephone: +1 212 474 1000 Facsimile: +1 212 474 3700 14 Attorneys for Defendant PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC 15 COMPANY 16 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 17 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION 18 19 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Case No. 14-CR-00175-WHA 20 Plaintiff, RESPONSE TO ORDER 21 REQUESTING INFORMATION RE 22 ZOGG FIRE AND ORDER FOR v. FURTHER INFORMATION RE 23 ZOGG FIRE PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, 24 Judge: Hon. William Alsup Defendant. 25 26 27 28 RESPONSE TO ORDER REQUESTING INFORMATION RE ZOGG FIRE AND ORDER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION RE ZOGG FIRE Case No. 14-CR-00175-WHA Case 3:14-cr-00175-WHA Document 1250 Filed 10/26/20 Page 2 of 16 1 Defendant Pacific Gas and Electric Company (“PG&E”) respectfully submits this 2 response to the Court’s October 12 and October 21, 2020 orders requesting information 3 regarding the Zogg Fire. -
1 Fires and Storms
Fires and Storms – Part 1, Rev c By John Benson October 2020 1. Introduction This is a major rewrite of this paper. I updated this paper a little over a year ago, however the conditions leading to wildfires in the Western U.S. have changed radically this year, and a major rewrite is needed. Although some of the prior version will be reused, we will start by describing how conditions have changed. As I’m writing this, I’m unsure whether I will update or rewrite parts 2 and 3 of this paper anytime soon. The Part 2’s subject is hurricanes, and the last part’s subject is sea-level rise. Both are heavily influenced by climate change, as are wildfires. 2. Changes 2020 is, by far, the worst year for wild-fires in the Western U.S. This is in spite of a major step we took in California to mitigate this (covered in the second subsection below). Climate change has stepped to stage-center as the primary cause of wildfires. 2.1. 2020 West Coast Wildfires There are several unique characteristics about this year’s wildfires. One is that they cover the whole west coast (California, Washington and Oregon) rather than being mainly California events. Although these areas are rather dry (see the map below), there have been years in the past decade where they have been dryer, especially California. 1 Another factor is the number and severity of the wildfires in the west coast states. See the chart below.1 The following CAL FIRE Chart from September 10 shows the severity of this year’s fires in California. -
Am-Incident-Update-Oak-Fire-9-9-2020
OAK FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE Date: 9/09/2020 Time: 9:00 am @CAL_FIRE @CALFIRE CAL FIRE MENDOCINO UNIT @CALFIRE_MEU @CALFIRE MENDOCINO UNIT Public Information Line: 707-459-7419 Media Line: 707-459-7425 INCIDENT FACTS Incident Start Date: 9/07/2020 Incident Start Time: 12:16 pm Incident Type: Vegetation Fire Cause: Under Investigation Incident Location: 5 miles north of Willilts, west of Highway 101--Big John Road x Skyview Road, Brooktrails Township and City of Willits. CAL FIRE Unit: MENDOCINO Unified Command Agencies: N/A Size: 863 acres Containment: 10% Expected Full Containment: Unknown Civilian Injuries/Fatalities: NONE Firefighter Injuries/Fatalities: NONE Residential Structures Threatened: 800 Structures Destroyed: 2 Structures Damaged: Unknown CURRENT SITUATION Situation Summary: Favorable firefighting conditions continue due to an inversion layer trapping smoke from the Mendocino National Forest August Complex fire. Firefighters are working in steep and rugged terrain. The fire is burning in a mix of grass, brush, oak and conifer trees. Crews will continue to complete and strengthen containment lines. Possible shifts in weather due to the inversion layer lifting, and a afternoon wind direction shift from the northeast to the southwest may challenge firefighting efforts. Indirect contingency lines are also being constructed outside the fire perimeter utilizing existing fuelbreaks. Evacuation Order: 3rd Gate (all), Brooktrails (all), Spring Creek (all), Schow Rd/Ryan Creek Rd, and Sleepy Hollow. Evacuation Warnings: Irmulco Rd, Sherwood Rancheria, Shimmins Ridge Rd, Hearst Willits Rd, String Creek, Willits Valley- north of highway 20. visit https://tinyurl.com/MendoEvac for map of evacuation orders and warnings Evacuation Center(s): Willits High School, 299 N. -
The CEO Report
MENDOCINO COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CARMEL J. ANGELO p REPORT TO THE BOARD JULY 13, 2021 The CEO Report July 13, 2021 Human Resources Update Inside This Issue WELLNESS PROGRAM 1 Human Resources Update Biometric Health Screenings: 2, 3, 4 Human Resources Update Don’t miss out! To date, over 450 people have scheduled their Biometric Continued Health Screening appointment for 2021 as a requirement of the Wellness 4 Social Services Update Incentive Program. Screenings provide vital information about your overall health and are worth 20,000 incentive points! Reserve your space 4 Oak and August Complex Fire by logging in to https://join.virginpulse.com/mcwow . Visit the Benefits page to learn more and schedule your FREE 20 minute appointment. Update 5 Revised Cal/OSHA COVID-19 **As always, your health and wellness is very important to us, so these Regulations screenings will be provided in a safe manner adhering to all COVID restrictions and safety measures. 5 Information Services Update 5 Board of Supervisors Directive 2021 Wellness Incentive Program: Participate in healthy behaviors and earn 48,000 points by November Update 15th to earn $500 off your 2022 health plan premiums! Over 600 6 Budget Update employees are currently participating in the Incentive Program, but there is still plenty of time to get started. 6 American Rescue Plan Act Update 7 Code Enforcement Update This year's required activities include a Biometric Health Screening (20,000 pts) and completing the online Health Risk Assessment (20,000 7 2011 Efficiency Audit and pts). Employees then have a range of activities to choose from to earn Mendocino County Sheriff Office their remaining 8,000 points. -
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA—NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION 455 MARKET STREET, SUITE 300 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94105 FAX (415) 904-5400 TDD (415) 597-5885 Th16a PWP-2-VTP-21-0002-2 (SAN MATEO COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT) JUNE 25, 2021 EXHIBITS Table of Contents Exhibit 1 – San Mateo County Resource Conservation District Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan • Section I: Introduction • Section II: Purpose and Need • Section III: Program Description o Maps 1 - 4: PWP Program Area • Section IV: CalVTP Protection Measures • Section V: Local Planning Context • Section VI: Summary of CalVTP Project Specific Analysis for Camp Butano Creek • Section VII: Administration, Approval Process & Program Review • Section VIII: Glossary of Terms • Exhibit A: Coastal Vegetation Treatment Standards (Coastal VTS) • Exhibit B: Summary of CalVTP SPRs and Mitigation Measures Exhibit 2 – Camp Butano Project Specific Analysis Exhibit 1 -Public Draft- San Mateo County Forest Health and Fire Resilience Public Works Plan (PWP) Project Proponent: San Mateo Resource Conservation District Date of Public Review Draft PWP: May 6, 2021 Date of Proposed RCD Public Hearing: June 17, 2021 San Mateo County Forest Health & Fire Resilience PWP I. Introduction This Public Works Plan (PWP) has been designed in collaboration with staff from the California Coastal Commission (CCC), County of San Mateo Planning Department, CalFire, and California State Parks. This PWP is based on in the requirements of Section 30605 of the Public Resources Code, which enables the CCC to “promote greater efficiency for the planning of any public works or state university or college or private university development projects and as an alternative to project-by-project review.” PWPs are meant to provide a single document that establishes a framework for comprehensive planning, reviewing, and permitting. -
Bulletin 2020-11 Mandatory Moratorium on Cancellations
RICARDO LARA CALIFORNIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER BULLETIN 2020-11 TO: All Admitted and Non-Admitted Insurers Writing Residential Property Insurance in California FROM: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara DATE: November 5, 2020 RE: Mandatory Moratorium on Cancellations and Non-Renewals of Policies of Residential Property Insurance After the Declaration of a State of Emergency As enacted by Senate Bill 824 (Lara, Chapter 616, Statutes of 2018) Insurance Code section 675.1, subdivision (b)(1) provides: “An insurer shall not cancel or refuse to renew a policy of residential property insurance for a property located in any ZIP Code within or adjacent to the fire perimeter, for one year after the declaration of a state of emergency as defined in Section 8558 of the Government Code, based solely on the fact that the insured structure is located in an area in which a wildfire has occurred. This prohibition applies to all policies of residential property insurance in effect at the time of the declared emergency.” (Emphasis added.) Section 675.1, subdivision (d) defines “policy of residential property insurance” as follows: “…policy residential property insurance” has the meaning described in subdivision (a) of Section 10087.” (Emphasis added.) Section 10087, subdivision (a) provides: “…’policy of residential property insurance’ shall mean a policy insuring individually owned residential structures of not more than four dwelling units, individually owned condominium units, or individually owned mobilehomes, and their contents, located in this state