Assessing the Effectiveness of Fire Management
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Geologic Hazards
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Assessment FINAL Specialist Report – GEOLOGIC HAZARDS Thomas Fire –Los Padres N.F. December, 2017 Jonathan Yonni Schwartz – Geomorphologist/geologist, Los Padres NF Introduction The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017, near the Thomas Aquinas College (east end of Sulphur Mountain), Ventura County, California. The fire is still burning and as of December 13, 2017, is estimated to have burned 237,500 acres and is 25% contained. Since the fire is still active, the BAER Team analysis is separated into two phases. This report/analysis covers a very small area of the fire above the community of Ojai, California and is considered phase 1 (of 2). Under phase 1 of this BAER assessment, 40,271 acres are being analyzed (within the fire parameter) out of which 22,971 acres are on National Forest Service Lands. The remaining 17,300 acres are divided between County, City and private lands. Out of a total of 40,271 acres that were analyzed, 99 acres were determined to have burned at a high soil burn severity, 19,243 acres at moderate soil burn severity, 12,044 acres at low soil burn severity and 8,885 acres were unburned. All of the above acres including the unburned acres are within the fire parameter. This report describes and assesses the increase in risk from geologic hazards within the Thomas Fire burned area. When evaluating Geologic Hazards, the focus of the “Geology” function on a BAER Team is on identifying the geologic conditions and geomorphic processes that have helped shape and alter the watersheds and landscapes, and assessing the impacts from the fire on those conditions and processes which will affect downstream values at risk. -
WRF Simulation of Downslope Wind Events in Coastal Santa Barbara County
UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara Previously Published Works Title WRF simulation of downslope wind events in coastal Santa Barbara County Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8h89t6zv Journal ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH, 191 ISSN 0169-8095 Authors Cannon, Forest Carvalho, Leila MV Jones, Charles et al. Publication Date 2017-07-15 DOI 10.1016/j.atmosres.2017.03.010 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Atmospheric Research 191 (2017) 57–73 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Atmospheric Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/atmosres WRF simulation of downslope wind events in coastal Santa Barbara County Forest Cannon a,b,⁎, Leila M.V. Carvalho a,b, Charles Jones a,b,ToddHallc,DavidGombergc, John Dumas c, Mark Jackson c a Department of Geography, University of California Santa Barbara, USA b Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, USA c National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Office, USA article info abstract Article history: The National Weather Service (NWS) considers frequent gusty downslope winds, accompanied by rapid Received 13 June 2016 warming and decreased relative humidity, among the most significant weather events affecting southern Califor- Received in revised form 6 March 2017 nia coastal areas in the vicinity of Santa Barbara (SB). These extreme conditions, commonly known as “sun- Accepted 9 March 2017 downers”, have affected the evolution of all major wildfires that impacted SB in recent years. Sundowners Available online 10 March 2017 greatly increase fire, aviation and maritime navigation hazards and are thus a priority for regional forecasting. -
Background Report No
DRAFT 3 City of Goleta, California May 24, 2004 BACKGROUND REPORT NO. 26 Fire Services City of Goleta, California Photo courtesy Santa Barbara County Fire Department BACKGROUND The City of Goleta receives fire protection and other emergency services through the Santa Barbara County Fire Department as part of its coverage for the Goleta area. The County Fire Department was established in 1926 and serves areas throughout Santa Barbara County. City of Goleta, California XXVI-1 General Plan Report: Fire Services Printed:3/21/2005 Originally, the department primarily responded to brush and grass fires. But, over time, the department’s responsibilities have greatly expanded. Today, the County Fire department is on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is now an “all risk” department which includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and trained personnel who are experts in various rescue techniques including confined space, trench and rope rescues, water and canine rescues, as well as the handling and containment of hazardous materials and “SWAT” situations. Its mission statement says the department is there “to serve and safeguard the community from the impacts of fires, emergency medical, environmental emergencies and natural disasters” which they will accomplish “through education, code enforcement, planning and prevention, emergency response, and disaster recovery.” City of Goleta, California XXVI-2 General Plan Report: Fire Services Printed:3/21/2005 Photo courtesy of Mike Schlags ORGANIZATION The County Fire Department is headed by the Fire Chief, John Scherrei. The Fire Marshal is Tom Franklin and the Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Goleta is Randy Coleman, who also acts as the liaison between the city and the fire department. -
(“BLWM”) Is a Regional Law Firm with Offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon
Bauman Loewe Witt & Maxwell, PLLC (“BLWM”) is a regional law firm with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, Nevada and Portland, Oregon. Its attorneys practice in the western United States, with attorneys currently licensed to practice law in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Texas and Washington. BLWM devotes its practice to investigation, resolution and management of complex litigation. Our goal is to provide our clients with cost-effective and creative solutions tailored to the client's needs, cost containment and unparalleled results. Included within our broad range of litigation services are our multi-state large loss property subrogation program, construction defect litigation, and general litigation for insurance companies and businesses. In addition to the substantive areas of law where they practice, our attorneys also are trained in forensic failure analysis, evidence acquisition and retention, forensic photography, property and liability insurance, products liability, code compliance, expert selection, and fire cause and origin determinations. We provide our clients with a full array of litigation related services ranging from oversight of forensic investigations, litigation in state and federal courts, mediations, and arbitration or trial services. We are not a traditional insurance firm. BLWM does not try to be everything to every client. Rather we limit our practice to areas that are complimentary of the other areas in which we practice. We leverage this experience to direct, contain and control the cases we handle to produce results consistent with our clients' expectations and entitlement. Our practice areas are described in detail in the pages that follow. In addition, you can learn more about our attorneys in the following pages, or by visiting www.blwmlawfirm.com. -
Evaluating the Ability of FARSITE to Simulate Wildfires Influenced by Extreme, Downslope Winds in Santa Barbara, California
fire Article Evaluating the Ability of FARSITE to Simulate Wildfires Influenced by Extreme, Downslope Winds in Santa Barbara, California Katelyn Zigner 1,* , Leila M. V. Carvalho 1,2 , Seth Peterson 1, Francis Fujioka 3, Gert-Jan Duine 2 , Charles Jones 1,2, Dar Roberts 1,2 and Max Moritz 1,2,4 1 Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; [email protected] (L.M.V.C.); [email protected] (S.P.); [email protected] (C.J.); [email protected] (D.R.); [email protected] (M.M.) 2 Earth Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; [email protected] 3 CEESMO, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92866, USA; [email protected] 4 University of California Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources Division, Oakland, CA 94607, USA * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 12 June 2020; Accepted: 7 July 2020; Published: 10 July 2020 Abstract: Extreme, downslope mountain winds often generate dangerous wildfire conditions. We used the wildfire spread model Fire Area Simulator (FARSITE) to simulate two wildfires influenced by strong wind events in Santa Barbara, CA. High spatial-resolution imagery for fuel maps and hourly wind downscaled to 100 m were used as model inputs, and sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the effects of ignition timing and location on fire spread. Additionally, burn area rasters from FARSITE simulations were compared to minimum travel time rasters from FlamMap simulations, a wildfire model similar to FARSITE that holds environmental variables constant. Utilization of two case studies during strong winds revealed that FARSITE was able to successfully reconstruct the spread rate and size of wildfires when spotting was minimal. -
Fire Protection
3.6 FIRE PROTECTION 3.6 FIRE PROTECTION The following section describes fire protection resources and issues for the existing conditions of the subject site and vicinity; and evaluates impacts of the proposed project on these resources. Fire protection resources include the entities tasked with combating fires, infrastructure that assists those entities, and site conditions that contribute to or diminish the danger of fire. Fire protection issues in the eastern Montecito consist of high fire hazards related to wildfires and the distance of existing residences from fire stations, as well as their length of emergency response times. Assessment of fire protection issues is based upon a range of sources. These include the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments. In addition, information and standards were also obtained from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), as well as the Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCFD) and Los Padres National Forest. Montecito Fire Protection District (MFPD) staff was consulted regarding fire protection and response time issues. Finally, this section also includes updated information from the MFPD’s 2014 Standards of Coverage Study and Risk Assessment (MFPD 2014). 3.6.1 Existing Conditions 3.6.1.1 Regional Fire Danger On average, a major wildland fire occurs in the Santa Barbara area approximately every 3.5 years (Table 3.6-1). As a result of weather conditions, plant types, and past fire management policies, the Santa Ynez Mountains and surrounding area have a very high risk of fire. -
RVFD Annual Report 2008
Table of Contents: Letter from the Chief 2 Communities Served 3 Year in Review 4 Department Goals – 2009 5 Personnel by Shift 6 Personnel Achievements 7 Organizational Chart 8 Department Personnel – by years of service 9 Apparatus and Equipment Report 10 Training Division Report 11 Prevention Bureau Report 12 CERT and Get Ready Update 13 Incident Response Statistics 14 Incident Response Maps 16 Mutual and Auto Aid Report 19 Strike Team Assignments 20 Photos of Our Year 22 Published in May, 2009 Design, Editor, Layout: JoAnne Lewis, Administrative Assistant Review and Editorial Input: Roger Meagor, Fire Chief All photos included in this report were taken by Ross Valley Fire Department personnel. 1 Letter from the Chief Fire Chief Roger Meagor May 14, 2009 To Members of the Fire Board and the Ross Valley Community: On behalf of the members of the Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD), I am pleased to present the 2008 Annual Report. This is the first Annual Report produced by our department in many years. We felt that it was important to bring this back to illustrate just how our department works. In 2008, RVFD entered a new chapter in its history. After the devastating floods of December, 2005, and moving into “temporary” trailers behind our uninhabitable fire station, 2008 saw the beginning of the reconstruction and remodel of Station 19. The department is excited at the prospect of moving back into the Station. The addition of new office space, dorms, shop, and storage space will assist the department in moving forward. In January, another series of storms battered our jurisdiction which brought us dangerously close to flooding once again. -
Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project
GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor WADE CROWFOOT, Secretary for Natural Resources June 18, 2019 Chief Porter, Director Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 1416 9th Street, Suite1505 Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project Dear Chief Porter, On March 22, 2019, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency involving forest conditions near vulnerable communities. The proclamation enables the Secretary for the California Environmental Protection Agency or Natural Resources Agency to suspend State environmental statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements to the extent necessary to complete priority fuel management projects started this calendar year. In considering whether to suspend any requirements, the Secretaries must determine that the proposed activities are eligible to be conducted under this suspension and will take protection of the environment into account while ensuring timely implementation. CAL FIRE has requested suspension of Division 13 (commencing with section 21000) of the Public Resources Code and regulations adopted pursuant to that Division, commonly known as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), for the Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project, which is one of the thirty-five priority projects identified in the Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Report (February 22, 2019). Project Description The Painted Cave Defensible Space Emergency Project is a 67 acre, 6.8-mile long project of roadside fuels reduction and strategic fuel breaks to protect Painted Cave and neighboring communities in Santa Barbara County. This project focuses fuel reduction efforts in a community that has been threatened by multiple fires over the years including the Zaca, Whittier, White, Rey, Gap and Jesusita Fires. The 1990 Painted Cave Fire started just south of this community destroying 660 homes. -
A Defensible Community?
A Retrospective Study of Montecito Fire Protection District’s Wildland Fire Program during the 2017 Thomas Fire October 23, 2018 A DEFENSIBLE COMMUNITY? | P a g e This page intentionally left blank. i | P a g e Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................1 Methods .................................................................................................................................................................1 The Community of Montecito ................................................................................................................................3 History of Montecito’s Wildland Fire Program Policy and Actions ........................................................................5 Existing Emergency Preparedness Programs and Community Education ..........................................................7 Structures ...............................................................................................................................................................8 The Wildfire Environment – pre-Thomas Fire ............................................................................................................8 Weather ..................................................................................................................................................................8 -
Wildland Urban Interface Fire Protection Research Colloquium
This space for GIS map depicting WUI Fire impacted states to be on inside cover Proceedings of the Wildland Urban Interface Fire Protection Research Colloquium California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA June 17-18, 2009 Cover photo: San Diego Union-Tribune Reference herein to any specific commercial products, processes, equipment, or services does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United states Government or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), or any of its employees or contractors. This material is based upon work supported by the US Department of Homeland Security under Award Number: 2008-ST-061-ND 0001. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the US Department of Homeland Security. Wildland Urban Interface Fire Protection Colloquium Preface The Wildland Urban Interface Fire Colloquium, held June 17-18, 2009, was one in a series of four hazards colloquia co-sponsored and funded by two Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology (DHS S&T) Directorate organizations, the Infrastructure and Geophysical Division (IGD) and the Office of University Programs (OUP). Other Colloquia in this series addressed coastal hazards (December 2008), geotechnical earthquake engineering (July 2009) and tsunamis (October 2009). Each hazards colloquium convened scientists, academics, and policy-makers to discuss the current state of research and identify knowledge gaps. Topics centered around the phenomenology of natural hazards and the impact of natural hazards on the built and natural environment. The outcomes of the colloquia were used to assemble individual Proceedings reports similar to the document you are about to read. -
Introduction
Introduction Personnel Assigned to Air Operations • Air Operations Chief • Director of maintenance • 3 Shift Captains • 3 Senior Pilots • 9 Pilots • 18 Firefighter Paramedics • 3 Lead mechanics • 9 Mechanics • Qualified relief • Additional support staff Aircraft Assigned to Air Operations • 5 B-412’s (360 gal tank MGW 11,900) • 3 S-70 Fire hawks (1,000 gal tank MGW 23,500) • Multi-mission configuration • Hoist capable • IAW L.A. County DHS defined as Air Ambulance • 3 person Crew (2 FFPM, 1 Pilot) • 3 Air Squads daily • Augmented staffing during fire season Flight Operations conducted 24/7 Los Angeles County Demographics: • Population 10,393,185 • Most of Population Lives on the Coastal Plain Between the Pacific Ocean and the San Gabriel Mountains • 4081 Square Miles • 75 Miles of Coastline plus Catalina & San Clemente Islands • 50% of County is Mountainous Terrain Highest Point – Mount Baldy at 10,064 feet • Northern Third of County is Part of the Mojave Desert • Total Hours Flown: 2,700-3,000 annually • NVG Hours flown: • Hoist Rescues: average 80-100 annually • Trauma calls: • Vegetation Fires: 1335 Surrounding Agencies with Night Vision Goggle Programs • LA City Fire • Ventura County Sheriff/Fire • Santa Barbara County Sheriff/Fire • Kern County Fire • Orange County Fire • San Diego City Fire • USFS H-531 ANF Air Operations NVG History 1976- Generation I Night Vision Goggles utilized through a joint program with the USFS 1977- Mid-Air collision with a USFS contract helicopter at night on the Middle Fire, LAC stopped the NVG program -
Coastal Vulnerability Under Extreme Weather
Your article is protected by copyright and all rights are held exclusively by Springer Nature B. V.. This e-offprint is for personal use only inand shall not be self-archived electronic repositories. If you wish to self-archive your article, please use the accepted manuscript version for posting on your own website. You may further deposit the accepted manuscript version in any repository, provided it is only made publicly available 12 months after official publication or later and provided acknowledgement is given to t he original source of publication and a link is inserted to the published article on Springer's website. The link must be nied by the following text: "The final on is available at link.springer.com”. accompa publicati 123 Author's personal copy Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy https://doi.org/10.1007/s12061-020-09357-0 Coastal Vulnerability under Extreme Weather Alan T. Murray1 & Leila Carvalho1 & Richard L. Church1 & Charles Jones1 & Dar Roberts1 & Jing Xu1 & Katelyn Zigner1 & Deanna Nash1 Received: 7 January 2020 /Accepted: 14 July 2020/ # Springer Nature B.V. 2020 Abstract Communities like Santa Barbara, California appear to have it all – beaches, mountains, sunshine, moderate temperatures, small urban population, and close proximity to the large metropolis of Los Angeles. What is not to love? Climate change, drought, flammable vegetation, and naturally prevailing weather conditions make a significant portion of the population vulnerable in many ways. Earthquakes and tsunamis might come to mind, but perhaps more of a threat is fire and/or flooding at, on or near the wildland-urban interface. The recent Thomas fire in December of 2017 and subsequent flooding, debris flow and mudslides in Montecito that followed in January of 2018 highlight what coastal vulnerability means under the new normal of extreme wildfire and flooding danger for this region.