DOCSLIB.ORG

Fire Management Today, Vol 78, No. 2, August 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

United States Department of Agriculture AUGUST 2020 • VOL. 78 • NO. 2 Forest Service The Camp Fire Optimizing Firefighter Assistance to Tragedy of 2018 Nutrition Ukraine Following the in California and more ... Chernobyl Disaster Fire Management Today is published by the Forest Service, an agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. The purpose of Fire Management Today is to share information related to wildland fire management for the benefit of the wildland fire community. Fire Management Today is available on the World Wide Web at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/fire-management-today. Victoria Christiansen, Chief Forest Service Shawna A. Legarza, Psy.D., Director Kaari Carpenter, General Manager • Hutch Brown, Editor Fire and Aviation Management In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD–3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected]. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Trade Names The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this publication is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement of any product or service by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Individual authors are responsible for the technical accuracy of the material presented in Fire Management Today. AUGUST 2020 • VOL. 78 • NO. 2 www.fs.fed.us #forestservice On the Cover: Satellite image of the Camp Fire in northern California on November 8 about 4 hours after the fire broke out. Source: National Aeronautics and Space Administration; photo— Joshua Stevens. IN THIS AUGUST 2020 • VOL. 78 • NO. 2 ISSUE Anchor Point: Responding to Disasters Fire Tanker: Potential New Tool for Around the World Wildland Firefighting Shawna A. Legarza, Psy.D. ............ 4 Phil D. Sadler ....................... 29 Forest Service Assistance to Ukraine The Fourth-Tier Dispatcher: Following the Chernobyl Disaster A Personal Perspective Rich Lasko, Alan Ager, and Shelia Slemp . 5 Randall C. Thomas .................. 32 The Camp Fire Tragedy of 2018 in California Educational Tool: Hutch Brown ........................ 11 “Era of Megafires” Presentation Matthew Burks. 34 Optimizing Firefighter Nutrition: Average Glycemic Index of Fireline Meals The Smoke that You Shouldn’t Have Ben McLane ........................ 22 Randall C. Thomas .................. 36 Pardon Our Smoke Special Newsletter on Forest Service Pete Lahm ......................... 27 Fire-Related Research ............... 37 Firefighter and public safety is our first priority. GUIDELINES for Contributors Fire Management Today 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ANCHOR POINT I am proud of the spirit of innovation and Responding discovery in the Forest Service and in the to Disasters broader wildland fire Around the community. World In November 2018, the Camp Fire was his issue of Fire Management Today By Shawna A. Legarza, Psy.D. the worst wildfire disaster in the United begins with articles related to Director, Fire States since the Cloquet Fire in 1918, major disasters—at Chernobyl and Aviation Management with 85 fatalities, nearly 19,000 buildings Tin Ukraine 34 years ago and in the Forest Service destroyed, and losses estimated at $16.5 northern Sierra Nevada of California just billion. In response, the Forest Service 2 years ago. In each case, Forest Service All this is part of a longstanding and our interagency wildland fire partners personnel have responded to the effects program of work that Forest Service mobilized thousands of firefighters of the disaster and its implications for International Programs has with within hours. Despite high winds and the future, and I am proud of the role we partners in the United States and extreme fire behavior, tens of thousands are playing in improving firefighter and around the world to sustain forests of residents were evacuated. Forest public safety, both at home and around and respond to wildfire-related and Service researchers have joined partners in the world. humanitarian disasters. Additionally, evaluating the effects of the Camp Fire to the Forest Service has had an ongoing highlight the importance of protecting the In April 1986, the worst nuclear reactor relationship with Australia and New wildland–urban interface. disaster in history occurred at the Zealand since the 1950s through joint Other articles in the issue highlight the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine, near efforts and coordination between the historical and ecological context of the border with Belarus. Wildfires in North American Forest Commission’s wildland fire, firefighter nutrition, and radioactively contaminated zones near Fire Management Working Group smoke management. Innovations in fire the Chernobyl reactor can redistribute (which includes the United States, equipment and the use of a repurposed contaminants in the air, posing health Canada, and Mexico) and the Forest military vehicle during a natural disaster risks to firefighters and the general Fire Management Group (which round out the issue. I am excited to share public. In response, Forest Service includes Australia and New Zealand). with you the great contributions that International Programs mobilized Particularly since winter 2019, when the research is making in helping us rise to partners in Ukraine and Belarus as United States sent firefighters and other fire-related challenges, both here at home well as in Forest Service Research and resources to help Australia during an and around the world. I am proud of the Development to assess the potential risks unprecedented fire year, we recognize spirit of innovation and discovery we find to human health and the environment the global importance of conservation today, both in the Forest Service and in and work to mitigate the risks. and the interdependence of people the broader wildland fire community— around the world in responding to fire- our willingness to learn from experience related challenges. for the sake of a better future. ■ Fire Management Today 4 AUGUST 2020 • VOL. 78 • NO. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Forest Service Assistance to Ukraine Following the Chernobyl Disaster Rich Lasko, Alan Ager, and Shelia Slemp n April 1986, the worst nuclear reactor disaster in history occurred at the Chernobyl power plant in IUkraine, about 60 miles (100 km) north of the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv (near the border with Belarus) (fig. 1). An explosion and a 5-day fire released airborne radioactive contamination across large parts of Europe before the accident was finally contained. In 2005, responding to a request from the National Agricultural University Rich Lasko, now retired, was the Deputy Director of Fire and Aviation Management for the Forest Service, Washington Office, Washington DC; Alan Ager is a Research Forester for the Forest Service, Missoula Fire Figure 1—Location of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in northern Ukraine. The map shows Sciences Lab, Rocky Mountain Research the extent of radionuclide contamination in 1986, when the accident occurred at the reactor, Station, Missoula, MT; and Shelia Slemp by radiocesium (137Cs) as well as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine and the Polesie is the Eastern Europe Program Manager, Radioecological Reserve in Belarus. Both are restricted areas of heavy contamination. (kBq/m2 U.S. Forest Service International Programs, = kilobecquerels per square meter, a measure of radioactivity.) Source: Ager and others (2019). Washington Office, Washington, DC. Fire Management Today 5 AUGUST 2020 • VOL. 78 • NO. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS of Ukraine, specialists from Forest Although much of the radiocesium has Service International Programs entered the mineral soil, radiocesium traveled to Ukraine to study natural in the duff layer is especially available resource issues and assess whether to combustion. Radionuclide half-lives Forest Service technical assistance range from 31 years (for radiocesium)
Recommended publications
  • For Fire Victims

    For Fire Victims

    FIRE VICTIM CLAIM PLAN TREATMENT SUMMARY PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IF YOU FILED A FIRE VICTIM CLAIM IN THE PG&E CHAPTER 11 CASES. THIS SUMMARY PROVIDES INFORMATION ON HOW YOUR CLAIM WILL BE PROCESSED AFTER PG&E RECEIVES BANKRUPTCY COURT APPROVAL OF ITS PLAN OF REORGANIZATION AND THE PLAN BECOMES EFFECTIVE. STEPS TO REORGANIZATION: PG&E’s and the Shareholder Proponents’ Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) will govern the terms of PG&E’s emergence from chapter 11. Enclosed with this summary is a copy of the Plan and the related Disclosure Statement that describes the Plan and how PG&E proposes to implement it, and a ballot for you to vote to accept or reject the Plan. Your vote is important. The Bankruptcy Court will conduct a hearing after all ballots have been tallied to determine whether it will approve the Plan. IF THE PLAN IS CONFIRMED BY THE BANKRUPTCY COURT, YOUR CLAIM WILL BE PROCESSED AND MAY BE PAID EVEN IF YOU DID NOT CAST A VOTE OR VOTED TO REJECT THE PLAN. IF THE PLAN IS NOT CONFIRMED, YOUR CLAIM WILL NOT BE PAID UNTIL ANOTHER PLAN IS CONFIRMED OR THERE IS ANOTHER RESOLUTION OF PG&E’s CHAPTER 11 CASES. YOUR VOTE COUNTS: You have the right to accept or reject the Plan if you or your attorney filed a claim against the Debtors. Ballots must be RECEIVED by May 15, 2020, in order to be counted. HOW TO VOTE: You have received a ballot with instructions that explain how you can vote.
  • P-19-CA-06-0DD2 January 1, 2021 Thru March 31, 2021 Performance

    P-19-CA-06-0DD2 January 1, 2021 Thru March 31, 2021 Performance

    Grantee: California Grant: P-19-CA-06-0DD2 January 1, 2021 thru March 31, 2021 Performance Grant Number: Obligation Date: Award Date: P-19-CA-06-0DD2 Grantee Name: Contract End Date: Review by HUD: California Original - In Progress Grant Award Amount: Grant Status: QPR Contact: $1,017,399,000.00 Active No QPR Contact Found LOCCS Authorized Amount: Estimated PI/RL Funds: $0.00 $0.00 Total Budget: $1,017,399,000.00 Disasters: Declaration Number FEMA-4382-CA FEMA-4407-CA Narratives Disaster Damage: 2018 was the deadliest year for wildfires in California’s history. In August 2018, the Carr Fire and the Mendocino Complex Fire erupted in northern California, followed in November 2018 by the Camp and Woolsey Fires. These were the most destructive and deadly of the dozens of fires to hit California that year. In total, it is estimated over 1.6 million acres burned during 2018. The Camp Fire became California’s deadliest wildfire on record, with 85 fatalities. 1. July-September 2018 Wildfires (DR-4382) At the end of July 2018, several fires ignited in northern California, eventually burning over 680,000 acres. The Carr Fire, which began on July 23, 2018, was active for 164 days and burned 229,651 acres in total, the majority of which were in Shasta County. It is estimated that 1,614 structures were destroyed, and eight fatalities were confirmed. The damage caused by this fire is estimated at approximately $1.659 billion. Over a year since the fire, the county and residents are still struggling to rebuild, with the construction sector pressed beyond its limit with the increased demand.
  • California Fire Siege 2007 an Overview Cover Photos from Top Clockwise: the Santiago Fire Threatens a Development on October 23, 2007

    California Fire Siege 2007 an Overview Cover Photos from Top Clockwise: the Santiago Fire Threatens a Development on October 23, 2007

    CALIFORNIA FIRE SIEGE 2007 AN OVERVIEW Cover photos from top clockwise: The Santiago Fire threatens a development on October 23, 2007. (Photo credit: Scott Vickers, istockphoto) Image of Harris Fire taken from Ikhana unmanned aircraft on October 24, 2007. (Photo credit: NASA/U.S. Forest Service) A firefighter tries in vain to cool the flames of a wind-whipped blaze. (Photo credit: Dan Elliot) The American Red Cross acted quickly to establish evacuation centers during the siege. (Photo credit: American Red Cross) Opposite Page: Painting of Harris Fire by Kate Dore, based on photo by Wes Schultz. 2 Introductory Statement In October of 2007, a series of large wildfires ignited and burned hundreds of thousands of acres in Southern California. The fires displaced nearly one million residents, destroyed thousands of homes, and sadly took the lives of 10 people. Shortly after the fire siege began, a team was commissioned by CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and OES to gather data and measure the response from the numerous fire agencies involved. This report is the result of the team’s efforts and is based upon the best available information and all known facts that have been accumulated. In addition to outlining the fire conditions leading up to the 2007 siege, this report presents statistics —including availability of firefighting resources, acreage engaged, and weather conditions—alongside the strategies that were employed by fire commanders to create a complete day-by-day account of the firefighting effort. The ability to protect the lives, property, and natural resources of the residents of California is contingent upon the strength of cooperation and coordination among federal, state and local firefighting agencies.
  • Brief Communication: Meteorological and Climatological Conditions

    Brief Communication: Meteorological and Climatological Conditions

    Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 3037–3043, 2018 https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-3037-2018 © Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Brief communication: Meteorological and climatological conditions associated with the 9 January 2018 post-fire debris flows in Montecito and Carpinteria, California, USA Nina S. Oakley1,2, Forest Cannon2, Robert Munroe3, Jeremy T. Lancaster4, David Gomberg3, and F. Martin Ralph2 1Western Regional Climate Center, Desert Research Institute, 2215 Raggio Parkway, Reno, Nevada 89512, USA 2Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA 92093, USA 3National Weather Service, Oxnard/Los Angeles, 520 N. Elevar St., Oxnard, CA 93030, USA 4California Geological Survey, 801 K St., Sacramento, CA 95814, USA Correspondence: Nina S. Oakley ([email protected]) Received: 20 June 2018 – Discussion started: 26 June 2018 Revised: 8 October 2018 – Accepted: 25 October 2018 – Published: 19 November 2018 Abstract. The Thomas Fire burned 114 078 ha in Santa rainfall intensity of 24 mm h−1 (USGS, 2018a; Fig. S1 in the Barbara and Ventura counties, southern California, during Supplement). December 2017–January 2018. On 9 January 2018, high- In the first significant rainfall event of the wet season on 9 intensity rainfall occurred over the Thomas Fire burn area January 2018, high-intensity rainfall occurred over the west- in the mountains above the communities of Montecito and ernmost portion of the Thomas Fire burn area between 11:30 Carpinteria, initiating multiple devastating debris flows. The and 12:00 UTC (03:30–04:00 LST).
  • The Northern California 2018 Extreme Fire Season

    The Northern California 2018 Extreme Fire Season

    THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 2018 EXTREME FIRE SEASON Timothy Brown, Steve Leach, Brent Wachter, and Billy Gardunio Affiliations: Brown – Desert Research Institute, Reno, Nevada; Leach – Bureau of Land Management, Redding, California; Wachter – USDA Forest Service, Redding, California; Gardunio – USDA Forest Service, Redding, California. Corresponding Author: Timothy Brown, [email protected] INTRODUCTION. The fire season of 2018 was the most extreme on record in Northern California in terms of the number of fatalities (95), over 22,000 structures destroyed, and over 600,000 hectares burned (https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/5511/top20_destruction.pdf; accessed November 24, 2019). The most deadly and destructive fire in California history, the Camp Fire, occurred in Butte County in the Sierra Nevada foothills in early November, and caused 85 fatalities and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures. The largest fire complex in state history, the Mendocino Complex, which included the Ranch fire, the largest single fire in state history, burned nearly 186,000 hectares. It occurred in July and August killing one fire fighter. In western Shasta County nearly 138,000 hectares burned from July through September in the Carr, Hirz, and Delta Fires. These fires caused multiple closures of Interstate 5 and exhibited some of the most extreme fire behavior ever observed in California. The Carr Fire caused eight fatalities, including two fire fighters and two workers supporting firefighting efforts, burned over 1,100 homes in west Redding, caused the evacuation of one-third of the city, and produced an extreme fire vortex with an Enhanced Fujita scale rating between 136 to 165 mph, making it arguably the 1 strongest tornado type event in state history, and one of the strongest documented cases in the world (Lareau et al.
  • Becerra Wants to Block Release of Woolsey Fire Origin Report

    Becerra Wants to Block Release of Woolsey Fire Origin Report

    dailyjournal.com Becerra wants to block release of Woolsey Fire origin report 4-5 minutes Seven months before the first trial is scheduled to begin related to the Woolsey wildfire in Southern California, Attorney General Xavier Becerra is seeking to block the release of a fire department report on the cause of the blaze. "Hastily allowing the premature disclosure of the contents of the criminal investigation file would significantly undermine the law enforcement process in this case," states a motion filed by Deputy Attorney General Alexander Fisch. The Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in November 2018. Southern California Edison Co.'s equipment has been blamed by some plaintiffs' attorneys for the fire, and the company is facing thousands of civil claims. All cases are coordinated and heard before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William F. Highberger. The Ventura County Fire Protection District, with the help of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, investigated the cause and origin of the fire. Fisch, who is representing Cal Fire, filed the motion to quash Aug. 30 and is joined by Baron & Budd PC lawyers Scott Summy, John P. Fiske and Victoria E. Sherlin, who are representing the county of Ventura, its fire protection district and other public entities. They argued the report should remain confidential until the state completes its review and determines whether criminal charges should be brought against Edison. The motion cited a case of parents who were suspects in the murder of their toddler and sued to get information relating to the investigation.
  • A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families

    A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families

    A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families JULY 2019 A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families July 2019 NOTE: This publication is a draft proof of concept for NWCG member agencies. The information contained is currently under review. All source sites and documents should be considered the authority on the information referenced; consult with the identified sources or with your agency human resources office for more information. Please provide input to the development of this publication through your agency program manager assigned to the NWCG Risk Management Committee (RMC). View the complete roster at https://www.nwcg.gov/committees/risk-management-committee/roster. A Preparedness Guide for Firefighters and Their Families provides honest information, resources, and conversation starters to give you, the firefighter, tools that will be helpful in preparing yourself and your family for realities of a career in wildland firefighting. This guide does not set any standards or mandates; rather, it is intended to provide you with helpful information to bridge the gap between “all is well” and managing the unexpected. This Guide will help firefighters and their families prepare for and respond to a realm of planned and unplanned situations in the world of wildland firefighting. The content, designed to help make informed decisions throughout a firefighting career, will cover: • hazards and risks associated with wildland firefighting; • discussing your wildland firefighter job with family and friends; • resources for peer support, individual counsel, planning, and response to death and serious injury; and • organizations that support wildland firefighters and their families. Preparing yourself and your family for this exciting and, at times, dangerous work can be both challenging and rewarding.
  • Preliminary Project Selection Results 2005-2006 Fire Safe California

    Preliminary Project Selection Results 2005-2006 Fire Safe California

    Preliminary Project Selection Results 2005-2006 Fire Safe California Grants Clearinghouse Org Name Project Name USDI Bureau of Land Management Projected Community Assistance Projects FFY 2006 Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Inc. Fuel Reduction and Fire Break for Hopland Band of Pomo Indians Cottonwood Creek Watershed Group (CCWG) R-Wild Horse Ranch Fuel Break RCD of Greater San Diego County Support for San Diego County Community Fire Safe Councils Mendocino County Fire Safe Council Inc. Brooktrails Township Fire Program El Dorado County Fire Safe Council Chrome Ridge Road Community Wildlife Protection Plan (Phase I) Kern River Valley Fire Safe Council Kennedy Meadows Doesn't Want to Burn Again Plan Fort Ross Volunteer Fire Department Fort Ross Fuels Reduction/Fire Education/Planning and Crucial Safety Project Lassen County Fire Safe Council Inc. River Bench Fuel Reduction Fire Safe Council of Siskiyou County Fire Safe Council of Siskiyou County Planning and Coordination Support Tehama County Resource Conservation District Tehama East Community Fire Plan Lower Mattole Fire Safe Council Wilder Ridge Phase II: Fuels Reduction for Neighborhood Safety Western Shasta RCD Walker Mine Road Shaded Fuelbreak Bishop Indian Tribal Council Bishop Paiute Reservation Hazardous Fuels Reduction Trinity County Resource Conservation District Poker Bar Community Fuel Reduction Project Yosemite Foothills Fire Safe Council Community Chipping Project Greater Tehachapi Fire Safe Council Bark Beetle Dead Fuels Disposal Project CCWG Bowman Biomass Modoc Fire Safe Council/ North Cal-Neva RC&D Modoc Recreational Estates Strategic Fire Safe Plan Council Fire Safe Council of Nevada County Red Dog - You Bet Neighborhood Fuels Reduction Extension Butte County Fire Safe Council Defensible Space Chipper and Special Needs Program So.
  • Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide

    Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide

    A publication of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide PMS 210 April 2013 Wildland Fire Incident Management Field Guide April 2013 PMS 210 Sponsored for NWCG publication by the NWCG Operations and Workforce Development Committee. Comments regarding the content of this product should be directed to the Operations and Workforce Development Committee, contact and other information about this committee is located on the NWCG Web site at http://www.nwcg.gov. Questions and comments may also be emailed to [email protected]. This product is available electronically from the NWCG Web site at http://www.nwcg.gov. Previous editions: this product replaces PMS 410-1, Fireline Handbook, NWCG Handbook 3, March 2004. The National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) has approved the contents of this product for the guidance of its member agencies and is not responsible for the interpretation or use of this information by anyone else. NWCG’s intent is to specifically identify all copyrighted content used in NWCG products. All other NWCG information is in the public domain. Use of public domain information, including copying, is permitted. Use of NWCG information within another document is permitted, if NWCG information is accurately credited to the NWCG. The NWCG logo may not be used except on NWCG-authorized information. “National Wildfire Coordinating Group,” “NWCG,” and the NWCG logo are trademarks of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names or trademarks in this product is for the information and convenience of the reader and does not constitute an endorsement by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group or its member agencies of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.
  • Wildfires City of Newport Beach, California SECTION 8: WILDFIRES

    Wildfires City of Newport Beach, California SECTION 8: WILDFIRES

    Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Section 8 – Wildfires City of Newport Beach, California SECTION 8: WILDFIRES Table of Contents Why Are Wildfires a Threat to Newport Beach? ............................................ 8-1 Historic Fires in Newport Beach and Vicinity ......................................................................... 8-1 Historic Fires in California ............................................................................................................ 8-2 Wildfire Characteristics ..................................................................................... 8-6 The Interface ................................................................................................................................... 8-6 Fuel ..................................................................................................................................................... 8-7 Topography ...................................................................................................................................... 8-7 Weather ............................................................................................................................................ 8-8 Urban Development ....................................................................................................................... 8-8 Wildfire Hazard Identification and Regulatory Context................................. 8-9 HUD Study System .......................................................................................................................
  • The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity

    The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity

    fire The 2007 Southern California Wildfires: Lessons in Complexity s is evidenced year after year, the na- ture of the “fire problem” in south- Jon E. Keeley, Hugh Safford, C.J. Fotheringham, A ern California differs from most of Janet Franklin, and Max Moritz the rest of the United States, both by nature and degree. Nationally, the highest losses in ϳ The 2007 wildfire season in southern California burned over 1,000,000 ac ( 400,000 ha) and property and life caused by wildfire occur in included several megafires. We use the 2007 fires as a case study to draw three major lessons about southern California, but, at the same time, wildfires and wildfire complexity in southern California. First, the great majority of large fires in expansion of housing into these fire-prone southern California occur in the autumn under the influence of Santa Ana windstorms. These fires also wildlands continues at an enormous pace cost the most to contain and cause the most damage to life and property, and the October 2007 fires (Safford 2007). Although modest areas of were no exception because thousands of homes were lost and seven people were killed. Being pushed conifer forest in the southern California by wind gusts over 100 kph, young fuels presented little barrier to their spread as the 2007 fires mountains experience the same negative ef- reburned considerable portions of the area burned in the historic 2003 fire season. Adding to the size fects of long-term fire suppression that are of these fires was the historic 2006–2007 drought that contributed to high dead fuel loads and long evident in other western forests (e.g., high distance spotting.
  • Fire Vulnerability Assessment for Mendocino County ______

    Fire Vulnerability Assessment for Mendocino County ______

    FIRE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY ____________________________________________ _________________________________________ August 2020 Mendocino County Fire Vulnerability Assessment ________________________________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION I- OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................... 6 A. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 6 B. Project Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 6 C. Mendocino County Description and Demographics ................................................................ 7 D. Planning Area Basis .................................................................................................................. 8 SECTION II- COUNTY WILDFIRE ASSESSMENT ............................................................ 9 A. Wildfire Threat ......................................................................................................................... 9 B. Weather/Climate ........................................................................................................................ 9 C. Topography ............................................................................................................................. 10 D. Fuel Hazards ..........................................................................................................................