LA County, CA - "Station Fire" - Major Wildland Fire w/ LODD Updates 09/01/09

[RescueKujo 130]

Incident Overview

The Station Fire started off Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) about one mile above Angeles Crest Fire Station around 3:30pm Wednesday August 26, 2009. Angeles Crest Highway, Tujunga Canyon and Big Tujunga Canyon roads are closed. As a result of extreme fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, Angeles National Forest officials implementinged an area closure for lands in the vicinity of the fire. This closure is in effect until cancelled. Please see "closures" for the complete closure order.

3 injuries have been reported. Be ready to evacuate if you are near the fire boundary. Do not hesitate to move to an evacuation center.

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,804

Size 35,200 acres

Percent Contained 5%

Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM

Fuels Involved Very heavy fuels of ceanothus, chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.

Fire Behavior Fire behavior was extremely active with rapid rates of spread and flame lenghts up to 80 feet. A early morning inversion is possible. There is a potential for Sunday's fire behavior to increase significantly with the potential to develop a convection column and spread actively on all fronts. Upslope winds are likely. Drainages may have erratic and gusty winds. Spotting may occur from 1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile.

Significant Events Mandatory Evacuations are in effect for over 10,000 homes. The fire is threatening the Mount Wilson Communications Facilities and Observatory and may reach these locations this burning period. Unified Command has expanded.

Incident Info InciWeb

Various WebCams

Mt Wilson Webcam

Altadena WeatherCam

[RescueKujo 130]

I will be updating the fire info soon, but breaking news off the Station Fire: A LA County Fire Department vehicle overturned on Mount Gleason killing 2 Firefighters. Info has not been released but officals have announced the deaths...

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Another day, more bad news on the national front. Here's your confirmation link; two firefighters LODD in CA. where it appears the proverbial is really hitting the fan:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-New..._Out_Of_Control

[RescueKujo 130]

As of 2100 PDT 08/30/2009

Current Situation

Total Personnel 2,575

Size 42,500 acres

Percent Contained 5%

Estimated Containment Date

Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM

Fuels Involved Very heavy fuels of ceanothus, chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.

Fire Behavior

Fire behavior was extremely active with rapid rates of spread and flame lenghts up to 80 feet. All thresholds in place for determination of active fire behavior have been exceeded. Inversions to settle in after 4:00 am. Ridgetop winds will be relatively steady and light. Spotting may occur from 1/4 mile up to 1/2 mile.

Significant Events

Mandatory Evacuations are in effect in many locations. The fire is threatening the Mount Wilson Communications Facilities and Observatory and may reach these locations this burning period. Unified Command has expanded.

Outlook

Planned Actions Prepare and protect structures when and where necessary. Air operations may be limited because of convection columns.

Growth Potential Extreme

Terrain Difficulty Extremely steep and inaccessible

Remarks 18 homes have been destroyed. 10,000 homes threatened. 500 commercial properties and 2,000 other stuctures threatened.

1 other note of concern...Mt Wilson, home of an observatory and multiple communications and TV antennas is under extreme threat..expected to be overun during the night of 08/30 into 08/31...

[RescueKujo 130]

Here's tonight's update:

Incident Overview

A Red Flag Warning will remain in effect due to high temperatures and low humidity until 9:00 p.m. this evening. Fire behavior will be much the same as last night with activefire behavior spreading North/Northeast towards Pear Blossom and Little Rock and towards the subdivisions along I-215. The greatest fire activity is expected in the Big and Little Tujunga areas. Fire is expected to spread towards Mt. Wilson and the San Gabrial Wilderness.

The Station Fire is now estimated to be 105,296 acres. The fire is spreading east and north with some northwest spread. Firefighters are making some progression on the NW edge of the fire. Small scale firing operations to help in suppression efforts are taking place north of La Canada Flintridge and Glendale. A hotshot crew and engines from Glendale Fire Department and LA County are reporting that they are experiencing success with the mission. 65 personnel have been pulled back from Chileao Flats for safety reasons. Crews, engines, water tenders are working in the Mt. Wilson area.

The Station Fire continues to burn within the Angeles National Forest and near surrounding foothill communities of La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Acton, Soledad Canyon, Pasadena and Glendale. The goals of the firefighters are to keep the fire west of Highway 39 and Angeles Crest Highway, east of Interstate 5, south of Highway 14, Pearblossom Highway, and Highway 138, and north of the foothill communities and the Angeles National Forest Boundary. Steep terrain, decadent old growth brush and hot dry weather are factors that drive fire activity. Firefighters are working to build fireline and protect structures within areas affected by the fire.

Approximate Personnel Assigned:3,655

Helicopters 13

Air Tanker 8 (3 additional aircraft available as needed)

Engines 399

Hand Crews 44

Dozers 48

Water Tenders 43

The Forest Service (Lead Agency) with support of Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sherriffs Department, California State Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Los Angeles City Fire Department and other agencies is working to contain the Station Fire

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire

Cause Under Investigation

Date of Origin Wednesday August 26th, 2009 approx 03:30 PM

Location Los Angeles River Ranger District / Angeles National Forest

Incident Commander Michael Dietrich

Current Situation

Total Personnel 3,655

Size 105,296 acres

Percent Contained 5%

Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM

Fuels Involved Very heavy fuels of ceanothus, chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.

Fire Behavior

Fire behavior was extremewith long range spottin and plume dominated fire behavior on two fronts, North and West.

Significant Events

Mandatory Evacuations are in effect for the Verdugo Crestline North area in the City of Los Angeles and Glendale.

[RescueKujo 130]

UPDATE 09-01-2009 2215 PDT

Incident Overview

After 6 days, the Station Fire is now at 127,513 acres. The Station Fire continues to burn within the Angeles National Forest and near surrounding foothill communities of La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Acton, Soledad Canyon, Pasadena and Glendale. Steep terrain, decadent old growth brush and hot dry weather are factors that drive fire activity. Evacuations and a forest closure order remain in effect.

Current Situation

Total Personnel4,128

Size 127,513 acres

Percent Contained 22%

Estimated Containment Date Tuesday September 08th, 2009 approx 06:00 PM

Fuels Involved Very heavy fuels of ceanothus, chamise, scrub oak and manzanita across the entire fire area, 15 to 20 feet in height with Big Cone Douglas Fir in the drainage bottoms. Fuels have not experienced any significant large fire activity in the past 40 years.

Fire Behavior Fire behavior was moderated today by a weather change. Fire showed low to moderate intensity. Firing operations continued to be successful.

Significant Events Firing operations and line construction continued to be successful. These tactics will continue if conditions allow.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Crews will prepare, and protect structures when and where necessary. Additional crews will construct handlines, improve existing lines, burnout as needed, build dozer lines and protect critical communication sites. Firefighters will continue firing and burn operations to help contain the fire.

Growth Potential Extreme

Terrain Difficulty Extreme

Remarks

Angeles Crest Highway remains closed and is the primary access route for camps , numerous private residences, and the Mount Wilson Communication Facility and Observatory. Multiple evacuation centers have been established. The Mount Wilson Communications is directly threatened. This facility is a major communications hub for all of Southern California.

[RescueKujo 130]

Here's a time lapse video of the Station Fire as it blew up on Sunday...

Station Fire Video

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Some really hot shots of the LA wildfire sent in by readers on this site:

I read this has become the largest fire EVER in recorded history out there?

Disclaimer: Leftist, liberal website

Good pix though:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/03/h...b_n_276165.html

[helicopper 1,050]

Some really hot shots of the LA wildfire sent in by readers on this site:

I read this has become the largest fire EVER in recorded history out there?

Disclaimer: Leftist, liberal website

Good pix though:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/03/h...b_n_276165.html

Definitely not the biggest fire ever. There have been fires four times the size in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska for sure. This is significant because of the urban interface issues but geographically speaking it's not the largest. The Biscuit wildfire in Northern California and Oregon was 500,000 acres as an example.

[efdcapt115 1,511]

Definitely not the biggest fire ever. There have been fires four times the size in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska for sure. This is significant because of the urban interface issues but geographically speaking it's not the largest. The Biscuit wildfire in Northern California and Oregon was 500,000 acres as an example.

Maybe it was the largest in southern California history..........I don't exactly remember, only thing I can say for sure; this is one hell of a big/bad fire with two LODDs, big freakin mess.......

[mkronick 0]

Maybe it was the largest in southern California history..........I don't exactly remember, only thing I can say for sure; this is one hell of a big/bad fire with two LODDs, big freakin mess.......

Historically Significant Wildland Fires

Date Name Location Acres Significance

October 1804 Fire recorded by Lewis and Clark North Dakota NA A prairie was set on fire which resulted in 2 lives lost and 3 injuries. A mother saved her son by covering him with a green buffalo skin which acted like a fire shelter.

March 1805 Fire recorded by Lewis and Clark undetermined undetermined It was common for the Native Americans to ignite fires on the plains every spring to benefit the horses and buffalo.

October 1825 Miramichi and Maine Fires New Brunswick and Maine 3,000,000 160 lives lost Large amount of acreage burned

1845 Great Fire Oregon 1,500,000 Large amount of acreage burned

1853 Yaquina Oregon 450,000 Large amount of acreage burned

1868 Coos Oregon 300,000 Large amount of acreage burned

October 1871 Peshtigo Wisconsin and Michigan 3,780,000 1,500 lives lost in Wisconsin

1871 Great Chicago Illinois undetermined 250 lives lost 17,400 structures destroyed

September 1881 Lower Michigan Michigan 2,500,000 169 lives lost 3,000 structures destroyed

September 1894 Hinckley Minnesota 160,000 418 lives lost

September 1894 Wisconsin Wisconsin Several Million Undetermined, some lives lost

February 1898 Series of South Carolina fires South Carolina 3,000,000 Unconfirmed reports indicate 14 lives lost and numerous structures and sawmills destroyed

September 1902 Yacoult Washington and Oregon 1,000,000 + 38 lives lost

April 1903 Adirondack New York 637,000 Large amount of acreage burned

August 1910 Great Idaho Idaho and Montana 3,000,000 85 lives lost

October 1918 Cloquet-Moose Lake Minnesota 1,200,000 450 lives lost 38 communities destroyed

September 1923 Giant Berkley California undetermined 624 structures destroyed and 50 city blocks were leveled

August 1933 Tillamook Oregon 311,000 1 life lost Same area burned again in 1939

October 1933 Griffith Park California undetermined 29 lives lost and 150 injured people

August 1937 Blackwater Wyoming undetermined 15 lives lost and 38 injured people

July 1939 Northern Nevada Nevada undetermined 5 lives lost First recorded firefighting fatality in a sage brush fuel type

October 1943 Hauser Creek California 10,000 11 US Marines killed and 72 injuries Fire was started by a gunnery practice

October 1947 Maine Maine 205,678 16 lives lost

1949 Mann Gulch Montana 4,339 13 smokejumpers killed

July 1953 Rattlesnake California undetermined 15 lives lost

1956 Inaja California 43,000 11 lives lost

November 1966 Loop California undetermined 13 El Cariso Hotshots lost their lives

1967 Sundance Idaho 56,000 Burned 50,000 acres in just nine hours

September 1970 Laguna California 175,425 382 structures destroyed

July 1972 Moccasin Mesa New Mexico 2,680 Fire suppression activities destroyed many archeological sites, which resulted in a national policy to include cultural resource oversight in wildland fires on federal lands

July 1976 Battlement Creek Colorado undetermined 5 lives lost

July 1977 Sycamore California 805 234 structures destroyed

November 1980 Panorama California 23,600 325 structures destroyed

1985 Butte Idaho undetermined 72 firefighters deployed fire shelters for 1 to 2 hours

1987 Siege of 87' California 640,000 Valuable timber lost on the Klamath and Stanislaus National Forests

1988 Yellowstone Montana and Idaho 1,585,000 Large amount of acreage burned

September 1988 Canyon Creek Montana 250,000 Large amount of acreage burned

June 1990 Painted Cave California 4,900 641 structures destroyed

June 1990 Dude Fire Arizona 24,174 6 lives lost 63 homes destroyed

October 1991 Oakland Hills California 1,500 25 lives lost and 2,900 structures destroyed

August 1992 Foothills Fire Idaho 257,000 1 life lost

1993 Laguna Hills California 17,000 366 structures destroyed in 6 hours

July 1994 South Canyon Fire Colorado 1,856 14 lives lost

July 1994 Idaho City Complex Idaho 154,000 1 life lost

August 1995 Sunrise Long Island 5,000 This fire woke up many to the fact that the East can have fires similar to the West.

August 1996 Cox Wells Idaho 219,000 Largest fire of the year

June 1996 Millers Reach Alaska 37,336 344 structures destroyed

July 1997 Inowak Alaska 610,000 Threatened 3 villages

1998 Volusia Complex Florida 111,130 Thousands of people evacuated from several counties

1998 Flagler/St. John Florida 94,656 Forced the evacuation of thousands of residents

August 1999 Dunn Glen Complex Nevada 288,220 Largest fire of the year

August - November 1999 Big Bar Complex California 140,947 Series of fires caused several evacuations during a 3 1/2 month period

September - November 1999 Kirk Complex California 86,700 Hundreds of people were evacuated by this complex of fires that burned for almost 3 months

May 2000 Cerro Grande New Mexico 47,650 Originally a prescribed fire, 235 structures destroyed and Los Alamos National Laboratory damaged

July 2001 Thirtymile Washington 9,300 14 fire shelters were deployed4 lives lost

June 2002 Hayman Colorado 136,000 600 structures destroyed

June 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Arizona 462,000 426 structures destroyed

July 2003 Cramer Idaho 13,845 2 lives lost

October 2003 Cedar California 275,000 2,400 structures destroyed15 lives lost

2004 Taylor Complex Alaska 1,305,592 Alaska fires during 2004 burned over 6.38 million acres

June 2005 Cave Creek Complex Arizona 248,310 11 structures destroyed largest fire ever recorded in the Sonoran Desert

March 2006 East Amarillo Complex Texas 907,245 80 structures destroyed12 lives lost

Largest fire during 2006 fire season

April 2007 Big Turnaround Complex Georgia 388,017 Largest fire for the US Fish & Wildlife Service outside of Alaska

July 2007 Murphy Complex Idaho 652,016 One of the largest fires in Idaho

Fire Information - Wildland Fire Statistics

http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/fire_stats.htm

[RescueKujo 130]

The fire is now over 144,000 acres. Per the PIO for the fire this is now the largest fire in the history of the Angeles national Forest and LA County. For perspective, here's the list of the 20 largest fires by acreage in California history...by the list this would put the Station Fire #11 by tomorrow...

20 Largest California Wildland Fires (By *Acreage Burned)

FIRE NAME/CAUSE DATE COUNTY ACRES STRUCTURES DEATHS

1 CEDAR (HUMAN) October 2003 SAN DIEGO 273,246 2,820 15

2 ZACA (HUMAN) July 2007 SANTA BARBARA 240,207 1 0

3 BEAR WALLOW/ KLAMATH THEATERCOMPLEX (LIGHTNING)June 2008 SISKIYOU 192,038 0 2

4 MATILIJA (UNDETERMINED) September 1932 VENTURA 220,000 0 0

5 WITCH (POWERLINES) October 2007 SAN DIEGO 197,990 1,650 2

6 MARBLE CONE (LIGHTNING) July 1977 MONTEREY 177,866 0 0

7 LAGUNA (POWERLINES) September 1970 SAN DIEGO 175,425 382 5

8 BASIN COMPLEX (LIGHTNING) June 2008 MONTEREY 162,818 58 0

9 DAY FIRE (HUMAN) September 2006 VENTURA 162,702 11 0

10 MCNALLY (HUMAN) July 2002 TULARE 150,696 17 0

11 STANISLAUS COMPLEX (LIGHTNING) August 1987 TUOLUMNE 145,980 28 1

12 STATION FIRE (UNDER INVESTIGATION) August 2009 LOS ANGELES 144,743 91 2

13 BIG BAR COMPLEX (LIGHTNING) August 1999 TRINITY 140,948 0 0

14 CAMPBELL COMPLEX (POWERLINES) August 1990 TEHAMA 125,892 27 0

15 WHEELER (ARSON) July 1985 VENTURA 118,000 26 0

16 SIMI (UNDER INVESTIGATION) October 2003 VENTURA 108,204 300 0

17 HWY. 58 (VEHICLE) August 1996 SAN LUIS OBISPO 106,668 13 0

18 IRON ALPS COMPLEX (LIGHTNING) June 2008 TRINITY 105,805 2 10

19 CLAMPITT (POWERLINES) September 1970 LOS ANGELES 105,212 86 4

20 BAR COMPLEX (LIGHTNING) July 2006 TRINITY 100,414 0 0

[efdcapt115 1,511]

"The Station fire is the largest blaze in Los Angeles County's modern history and is continuing to grow, said county Fire Department Capt. Jerry Meehan.

"This is the biggest ever," Meehan said.

He said the fire was unusual for other reasons as well, including that it was not wind driven and that flames reached reported lengths of 300 to 400 feet. Meehan studies the history of fires in the county and describes himself as "the wildfire guy".

"This is the hottest-burning, most damaging I've seen," he said.

The Station fire passed what had been the county's biggest blaze, the 1970 Clampitt fire.

But the Station fire is still much smaller than some of the biggest fires in state history."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009...ty-history.html

[RescueKujo 130]

US Forest Service just announced this is an arson fire. LA County Sheriff's Department starting a Homicide investigation due to the deaths of Capt Hall and FF Quinones... :angry: :angry: