Central Zone Sends Strike Teams to Parched Northern California

Lakeside, CA -

As a result of three years of exceptional drought, Northern California is seeing a siege of devastating fires burning in pristine forest land. So far this year the bulk of strike team deployments have been to Northern California.

Recently, a number of new fires have broken out. One of the more ominous fires is the King Fire burning east of Placerville, CA. This fire (much like last year's Rim Fire) is burning in prime forest with exceptionally poor access. For a period of time, the community of Pollock Pines was threatened as were many communities along Highway 50.

Strike Team 6440C: Central Zone Type III Strike Team

 On September 16, 2014, the Central Zone received a request to respond a strike team of brush type engines to the King Fire. This strike team consists of engines from Lakeside, Santee, Alpine, Sycuan, and Viejas fire agencies.

Due to the compact nature of brush engines they have a broad scope of capabilities and adapt well to unimproved roads commonly found in the national forests. They can also conduct structural defense in areas not accessible by the larger structural (Type I) engines.

This will likely be an extended assignment due to the explosive growth of the King Fire.

9/17/14: Strike Team 6440C has arrived in Placerville and is awaiting an assignment.

Central Zone Strike Team 6440C in Placerville, CA

9/17/14: The members of strike team 6440c were assigned to prep structures that could be threatened in the near future. Crews were also tasked with line cutting and putting in a contingency hose lay that can be used by crews to cut off the spread of the fire near these structures. Once again the fire had explosive growth today.

The King Fire with a pyrocumulus cloud towering above the very active fire.

Crew members from strike team 6440c work with a CalFire hand crew to improve a firebreak and put in a contingency hose lay.  

Firefighters line-up for chow at the King Fire base camp.

The crew assigned to Lakeside Brush 1 is (left to right) Captain Blane Darby, Engineer Robert Williams, and Probationary Firefighter Chad Murray

Strike Team 6840A: State of California OES Type I Strike Team

In the very early hours of September 17, 2014, the OES Strike Team 6840A formed up and started the trek to the King Fire. This strike team consists of state-owned OES engines assigned to agencies throughout San Diego County. Lakeside Fire has sent OES 305 on this assignment with Strike Team Leader Chuck Tockstein (Lakeside). Also from the East County is Heartland Fire and Rescue's OES 292. Other San Diego County agencies involved are San Diego Fire and Rescue, Rancho Santa Fe, and Poway.

These engines have a short wheel base and exceptional ground clearance which allows them to navigate the roadways in rural settings.

Like the other strike team this is likely a long deployment that can be as long as 14 days.

9/17/14: OES Strike Team 6840A has reached the Placerville Fairgrounds. They will soon receive orders and deploy to their assigned work location.

Firefighter Todd Welch captured this image of the pyrocumulus cloud above the King Fire. The image was taken near Sacramento near Highway 99/ 

 9/18/14: OES Strike Team 6840A has been assigned to the "West Structure Group". They will be establishing defensive positions on structures that are within the threat-zone.

We will update information about the strike teams as information is received.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 

Central Zone Strike Teams on the Move Again

Lakeside, CA -

Having just returned from the Lodge Lightning Complex Fire on August 16, 2014, the Central Zone received a request to start a brush strike team northward towards the Junction Fire. The Junction Fire was located in the steep terrain just outside of the community of Mariposa, CA.

Assigned to the strike team were units from Lakeside, Santee, Alpine, Viejas, and Sycuan. The Strike Team Leader is Chief Kremensky from Barona, assisted by Acting Division Chief John Hisaw from Lakeside.

The team started the trip north on the morning of August 19, but as the team arrived in Fresno they received orders that they were being diverted to the Way Fire in Kern County. While in the Fresno area the strike team came across an injury accident on Highway 41. Crews treated the injured while awaiting the arrival of Fresno Fire.

Three hours after receiving the new orders, the crews arrived at the Way Fire incident base camp.

The Way Fire is a 3,000 acre fire burning next to Lake Isabella. The strike team has been assigned to Division A.

Strike Team 6440C at the Way Fire base camp.

Way Fire from local web cams in the Sierra range.

8/20: Central Zone Strike Team 6440C has been assigned to Division A on the Way Fire. The crew was working around properties that had been affected by the fire. This is an essential job to make sure that there is no further property loss. (Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic David Csik)

Fire damage to a property on Division A.

Firefighter-Paramedic David Csik mops-up on a property affected by the fire.

The crews were then assigned to a 6000' hose lay to reinforce control lines. They are working in locations so remote that supplies are being delivered by helicopter.

Lakeside Brush One working high above Lake Isabella.

Members of Strike Team 6440C punching in a 6000' hose lay.

Crew members replenish supplies flown in by helicopters. 

Lakeside Sends Engines to Northern California

Lakeside, CA

While Southern California swelters under tropical conditions the same cannot be said for the northern part of our state. Within the "exceptional drought" portion of the state a number of lightning fires have started in a swath of area from the coastal redwoods, to the Shasta area.

On Saturday, August 2, 2014, the request for assistance started to roll into San Diego County. Upon that request Lakeside has deployed three engines as part of regional strike teams.

Lakeside stations remain fully staffed.

Shasta-Trinity-Eiler Fire
OES Strike Team

On August 3, 2014, around midnight, OES 305 was requested to respond to the Shasta-Trinity area. This strike team consists of engines from Lakeside, Heartland Fire & Rescue, Poway, San Diego Fire & Rescue, and Rancho Santa Fe. The strike team is being led by a SDFD Chief officer.

8/3 (9:00 p.m.): OES 305 has arrived at the staging area near Burney, California. The fire has consumed 22,788 acres as of today.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

8/4 (9:00 a.m.) The OES strike team has been assigned to structural protection on Branch 1, Division I. They are currently working 24 hour rotation. The burning indexes in they area they are working are at historical levels.

The OES strike team is working in heavy fuels and timber on the Eiler Fire. (Photo By: Captain Jerry Daoust)

A forest heavily damaged by fire. (Photo By: Captain Jerry Daoust)

Lakeside firefighters take action on a spot fire that had crossed the control line. Crews are working in heavy ground cover. (Photo By: Captain Jerry Daoust)

8/5: The OES strike team is still committed to the Eiler Fire near Burney, California. The crew is in the process of constructing fire line. In addition they are providing much needed structural defense. Changing weather conditions caused some concern as a band of thundershowers moved through the area. This can create erratic fire behavior.

8/7: OES Strike Team 6840A was released from the Eiler Fire on 8/6. The team should be back in San Diego County late on 8/7.

Mendocino National Forest-Lodge Complex
Central Zone Type III

The Lodge Complex fires consist of two major fires burning in the area near Laytonville, California. This fire saw explosive fire behavior yesterday that nearly doubled the size of the fire. Currently it is estimated to be 1,800 acres of timber. The fire is burning in steep terrain with difficult access.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

On August 2, 2014, around 10 p.m. the Heartland Communications Center received a request to send a strike team of brush engines to the fire. Strike team 6440c consists of engines from Lakeside (Brush 1), Barona, Alpine, Santee, and Viejas. This strike team is being led by an Alpine Division Chief.

8/3 (1:30pm): Strike Team 6440c has arrived at the base camp in Laytonville.

Strike Team 6440c at the base camp in Laytonville, CA. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

8/5: Strike Team 6440C has been keeping busy working line control. The crew has been working with falling crews on Division G putting in control lines and firing operations. The crew is working 24 hour shifts.

Lakeside Brush 1 working night operations. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Strike Team 6440C at their work location on Division G. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Slightly different fuels that we typically see in Southern California (Photos By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Raczka lays down fire on a firing operation. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

8/7: Strike Team 6440C continues to work in the back country with firing operations intended to cut off the forward spread of the fire. Much of the work is being conducted on narrow forest roads, or dozer trails. The crew is working a 24 hour on/24 hor off rotation.

Lakeside fire crews monitor a large snag burning. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Strike Team engines work their way down narrow forest roads with overhead fuels. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Lakeside Brush One on a dozer trail used for access. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

8/9: Strike Team 6440C is still assigned to mop-up operations on Division K. The crew continues to work on a 24 hour rotation. The crew stumbled upon Division Chief Ron Laff (a recent Lakeside retiree) who is working on the fire as a Division Supervisor with Viejas Fire.

The fire is reported to be 7,100 acres with 30% containment.

The crew of Brush One. (L to R) Captain Ian Lowe, Division Chief Ron Laff (Lakeside retired), Engineer Steve Schleif, and Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Raczka.

8/13: Strike Team 6440C is currently working in the Eel River area of the wilderness on Division K/L. The crew has laid contingency hose lays and is conducting patrols to make certain the the fire does not spot in this pristine area. Fire is reported to be 11,000 acres and 45% contained.

The crew of Lakeside Brush One near the Eel River area. (Photo By: Scott Larson, Santee Fire)

Crew from Brush One patrolling the area for spot fires. (Photo By: Josh Raczka, Lakeside Fire)

8/15: Strike Team 6440C spent the last 24 hours working on Division L. The team was assigned to perimeter control and holding operations. The crew saw lots of fire but were able to hold it to pre-established control lines. The crew has been informed that they will start the demobilization process today and begin the trip home to Lakeside.

Backing fire on Division L. (Photo By: Captain Ian Lowe)

Shasta-Trinity: Eiler Fire
Central Zone Type I

On August 3rd, 2014 around 5 p.m. the Central Zone sent a third strike team to the Eiller Fire which is burning close to the community of Burney, California. The strike team includes units from Lakeside, Santee, Heartland Fire & Rescue, Barona, and Bonita Fire. The strike team is being led by Lakeside Division Chief Jim Kirkpatrick.

8/7: Central Zone Strike Team 6840A was released from the Eiler Fire on 8/6. The team should be back in San Diego County late on 8/7. The crew conducted structural defense and line construction during their time on the fire.

A forest lost to fire. (Photo By: Captain Eric Stamm)

Central Zone Strike Team 6441A (Photo By: Captain Eric Stamm)

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

As of August 16th all Strike Teams have returned to San Diego County.

Submitted: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Sterling Fire Threatens area Structures

Glenview-

On Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 4:59 p.m. the Heartland Communications Center received a report of a vegetation fire in the area of the 12900 block of Highway 8 Business in the Glenview area. Given the severe weather conditions, a high wildland response was dispatched which sends multiple resources to the fire.

Fire jumps Highway 8 Business and starts it's uphill run towards homes. (Photo By: Ken Kremensky, Barona FD)

On the arrival of Lakeside Division Chief Chuck Tockstein, he found a fire on the south side of the highway making a run towards the north. Within minutes the fire had jumped Highway 8 Business and was making an uphill run towards multiple homes in the Sterling Drive and Jackson Hill Drive areas. An immediate request was placed for a strike team of engines to respond to those areas and take up structural defense positions.

Fire approaches homes off Sterling Drive. (Photo By: Ken Kremensky, Barona FD)

An engine from Heartland Fire & Rescue takes up a position on a structure on Sterling Drive. (Photo By: Todd Welch, Lakeside FD)

Firefighters took up positions to start hose lays to cut off further extension of the fire. But in the midst of the fire attack there was a wind change which now sent the fire towards homes in the 13000 block of Highway 8 Business. Another strike team was requested and took up structural defense positions in a nearby mobile home park.

Lakeside Brush 201 arrives at the Sterling Fire. (Photo By: Nathan Price)

Lakeside crews putting in a hose lay on the eastern flank. (Photo By: Todd Welch, Lakeside FD)

Due to multiple campaign fires in the San Diego County area there was no air assets or hand crews available to assist.

Crews continued to advance hose lays around the fire and at 6:57 p.m. the Incident Commander declared that the forward progress of the fire had been stopped. Although the active burning had stopped, firefighters now faced the task of an extensive overhaul. A number of crews spent the night on the line overhauling hot spots and patrolling the fire area.

A firefighter in the "green" as the fire front approaches. (Photo By: Todd Welch, Lakeside FD)

Overhaul extended well throughout the daylight hours the next day. Crews continued to overhaul hot spots and remove trees that had created a hazard. The Lakeside Logistic Volunteers provided fire support throughout the incident.

This burn pattern is know by firefighters as "Moonscaping." It's when everything in the fire's path is consumed. This is normally seen in August, not May.

During this incident Lakeside Fire received assistance from:

• Barona Fire
• Alpine Fire
• Heartland Fire & Rescue
• Santee Fire
• Sycuan Fire
• Bonita Fire
• Viejas Fire
• USFS
• Lakeside LVG's
• San Diego Sheriff Department
• California Highway Patrol

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District.
Photos Provided By: Fire Chief Ken Kremensky, Barona Fire Department and Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire Protection District, Nathan Price
Video By: Bill Prorok

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

Central Zone Firefighters Engaged at the Bernardo Fire

Central Zone-

Shortly before 11:00 a.m. a vegetation fire broke out in the City of San Diego near Del Norte High School. San Diego Fire resources responded to the wind driven event and found the Santa Ana winds were pushing the fire front faster than crews could react. Soon a call went out for assistance in controlling the fast moving vegetation fire.

At 12:30 a.m. the Heartland Communications Center received a request to send a strike team of brush engines to the fire. Engines from Barona, Sycuan, Santee, Alpine, and Lakeside assembled as Strike Team 6440C. The team would be led by Fire Chief Ken Kremensky and Battalion Chief Todd Feneis.

The fire continued it's westward push towards Rancho Santa Fe and Fairbanks Ranch. With ideal canyon alignment to the northeast winds the fire would make fast runs through the light, and medium, fuels. When it became obvious that the fire would run through the canyons on the east side of Rancho Santa Fe a request was made by fire managers for structural engines.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

 At 2:36 p.m. another request was received to send urgently needed engines to the fire. Five structural type engines from Lakeside, Heartland Fire & Rescue, and Santee were sent to the fire as Strike Team 6441A. Battalion Chief Steve Swaney from Heartland Fire & Rescue would lead the team.

Off-duty personnel quickly filled voids left behind, and staffed reserve apparatus. At this time it is unknown how long crews will be committed to this fire. But given the expected fire weather it's likely they will remain till a high degree of confidence exists that this fire has been brought under control.

At this time the fire exceeds 700 acres and has 5% control.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Information: Why are strike teams numbered with a letter?

Strike teams have a numerical identifier that denotes the area where the team originated from. From a management standpoint it's easier to talk to a single chief running five engines than each individual engine. The letter simply identifies the type of engines. Strike teams with an "A" indicate large structural type engines while a "C" indicates smaller brush type engines. 

Fast Response Keeps Fire out of Lakeside

Poway, CA -

On Thursday, August 1, 2013, firefighters from Lakeside Fire Station 2 and Station 1 were dispatched to reports of a vegetation fire on Highway 67 near Iron Mountain Dr.  Lakeside units arrived on scene simultaneously with resources from Poway and CAL FIRE and found a fire that was under an acre and burning up the hillside.  The fire was located in Poway, but only a few hundred yards from the Lakeside Fire Protection District.

A view of the fire from Highway 67

Lakeside Engine 2 began a progressive hose lay up the side of the southern flank of this fire with crews from CAL FIRE 3398.  The vegetation was burning at a slow rate of spread as it climbed the hill so crews were able to catch the head of the fire before it grew much larger.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

From this map you can see the Poway border (darker brown) and the unincorporated area of Lakeside (lighter brown).  Incidents like this show why the mutual aid system we work under is so beneficial.  This fire was suppressed before it burned into Lakeside; however, had resources not arrived on scene as quickly as they did, this fire could have had a much different outcome.  Resources responding to this fire included units from Poway Fire Department, CAL FIRE, Lakeside Fire Protection District, and Santee Fire Department.

A view back down towards Highway 67

The fire was on the west side of Highway 67, which was beneficial to firefighters because there were no structures on this side of the road that were immediately threatened.  As you can see from the photos, had the fire been on the other side of the highway there may have been homes that could have been impacted by the fire.  The fire was held to under an acre and no structures were lost.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Crews "mop up" the fire to make sure there are no hotspots left.

 Lakeside Engineer Vasquez using 3 engines to keep enough water going to the hoselay

Story by: Captain Bernie Molloy
Photos by: Chief Andy Parr and Captain Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Units Assist with Vegetation Fire in Ramona

Ramona:

On July 13, 2013 Lakeside Fire units were called to assist Cal Fire and U.S.F.S units with a vegetation fire just off of Main St. in Ramona.  Lakeside E2 and WT 7251, both from Lakeside Station 2, went to assist with the suppression efforts.

The body of the main fire from Hwy 67 looking south.

The fire had started along Hwy 67 and moved quickly, spotting ahead of the main body of the fire and causing an additional fire.  The second fire was accessed off of Dye Rd.

A panoramic view of the second fire.  This was the smaller of the two fires.

E2 and WT7251 were assigned to Division B, off of Dye Rd, and assisted with mop up activities for several hours.  The water tender was utilized to wet down the burn area, making quicker work of the mop up.  It is rare that we have topography such as this that allows us to use this function of our apparatus.  As the water tender drove by the crews mopping up with hose lines it was met with applause.

 Water Tender 7251 uses it's bumper nozzles to make quick work of overhauling the fire.

The quick work of Cal Fire and USFS resources, with the aid of Aircraft, were able to quickly extinguish the fire, holding the two fires to a total of 64 acres.  The fire burned through populated areas but no structures were lost, a testament to the effective suppression efforts of the crews on scene.  Cal Fire is investigating the cause of the fire.

Photos and Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Central Zone Strike Team Assists CalFire on the Chariot Fire

Mt Laguna- 

On the afternoon of July 6, 2013, CalFire received reports of a new fire off of Highway S-2 near the Butterfield Ranch. Arriving units found a well established fire burning in some of the most challenging terrain in San Diego County. Burning in the near inaccessible Chariot Canyon area fire crews struggled to make access.  Over the next few hours the terrain driven fire would start making runs upward towards the Cleveland National Forest along Sunrise Highway.

Crews watch as the fire crests the ridge line near Sunrise Highway.

As the fire continued its southward push some important infrastructure found itself threatened. Concerned that the fire could make a significant run towards Mt Laguna fire planners prepared for the worst. A request for strike teams from throughout Southern California was made in anticipation of significant fire growth.. Part of this request was filled by the Central Zone when five brush rigs, and a chief officer, made their way toward the fire in the predawn hours of July 8th.

The upward slope from the desert is evident in this picture. This type of terrain made control difficult.

Units from Lakeside, Santee, Barona, Alpine, and Viejas responded to base camp where they quickly received orders to support operations in the Sunrise Highway area. Crews were sent there because the fire had established itself in an area known as Storm Canyon, and would soon make a hard run towards the pine covered hills around Garnet and Monument Peaks.

While it  looks like the moon now, give Mother Nature some time and see what happens.

A "Dust Devil" makes it way through the burned area. These weather phenomena are problematic as they can carry hot ash into unburned areas. They can also be a sign of unstable weather to come...

The strike team supported a number of operations to stop the fire's progress west of the highway. Crews worked for 24 hours until the following morning when they were relieved by other fire crews. Eventually through hard work, and a little help from mother nature, the forward progress of the fire slowed. Fire planners felt that enough control had been achieved that strike team 6440c could be released. Currently 7055 acres have been consumed and 120 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

CalFire and USFS crews will continue to work this fire for days. The fire is currently being managed in unified command between CalFire and USFS.

Photos By: Fire Engineer Robert Williams, and Probationary Firefighter Kyle Zauss.

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map