STRIKE TEAM 6440C REASSIGNED TO ROUTE COMPLEX

Lakeside, CA -

Strike Team 6440C has been reassigned for the second time to the Route Complex which consists of the Buck Fire, Johnson Fire, Kerlin Fire, and Chance Fire. The Complex resides in Humboldt and Trinity Counties. The fires started July 30th from lightning strikes.

Crews continue to build fire containment lines or use existing road systems for a future burnout operation. Burnout is setting fire inside a control line to widen it or consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line.

16,798 acres have been affected and a loss of two outbuildings. There are no mandatory evacuations but Highway 36 is under a hard closure (no one allowed to travel, including residents.) The fire is currently 15% contained. 

Strike Team 6440C was initially mobilized in the late evening of July 29th. This is what firefighters train for on a daily basis, and we appreciate their steadfast dedication in ensuring our safety and protection of our property.

Post by M. Brown, LVG

Strike Team 6440C Update

Lakeside, CA -

Strike Team arrives at Rocky Fire after a
five hour drive from the Willow Fire

Strike Team 6440C has arrived at the Rocky Fire near Clear Lake in northern California.  The crews have been assigned line construction on the fire line. So far, 39 residences and 52 outbuildings have been destroyed. The temperatures have been hot and relative humidity is low, which increases fire activity in the area.

Rocky Fire, August 3, 2015
Photo by Matthew Henderson

As of 6 pm, August 5th, a total of 69,600 acres have been burned with 30% containment. Mandatory evacuations are still in effect and the cause is under investigation.

Post by M. Brown, LVG
Strike Team photo by Capt, I. Lowe

UPDATE AUGUST 7

As of today's date, the fire attack has held the acreage at 69,600 and is now 45% contained. Structure loss increased to 43 residences and 53 outbuildings.

Captain Lowe of Brush 1, Station 1, taking time
 out for a refreshment

Lakeside Personnel Head to River Complex in Northern California

Lakeside, CA -

Lakeside OES 305 was mobilized early this morning as part of an OES strike team headed to the River Complex near the communities of Dailey Ranch, Hoboken and Denny in Northern California. The River Complex is managing a total of five (5) fires due to the fires merging together from the Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National forests. 7,059 acres have been involved and mandatory evacuations are in effect. The initial fire was started by lightning on July 30th.  

OES 305

OES (Office of Emergency Services) 305, out of Station 26, Blossom Valley, is being manned by Captain C. Palmore, Engineer D. Leetch, Firefighter T. Welch, and Firefighter/Paramedic S. Duanis.

While Lakeside Fire Protection District is assisting in firefighting activities in the northern part of the State, community services (medical/fire protection) will not be impacted.

Post by M. Brown, LVG

UPDATE - FRIDAY, AUGUST 7

Strike Team OES

The River Complex fire is at 12,524 acres with containment at 8%. Line construction will be the main objective in the next few days. 

Crews heading up steep terrain

Photos by Engineer D. Leetch and Captain C. Palmore

Strike Team 6440C Reassigned to Rocky Fire

Lakeside, CA -

On Monday, August 3, 2015, Strike Team 6440C, Lakeside Fire's Brush 1 and 4107 (Capt Hisaw), was demobilized from the Willow Fire and reassigned to the Rocky Fire. The Rocky Fire has charred over 60,000 acres, destroyed 24 homes and 26 outbuildings. The fire started July 29th and is 12% contained. The area has no fire history and very heavy fuels. Mandatory evacuations are in place for over 5,530 homes. Fire official's are calling this fire unprecedented.

CAL FIRE is managing the wildfire and up-to-date information can be found here.

Post by M. Brown, LVG
Photo: CAL FIRE

Strike Team Mobilized for Willow Fire

Lakeside, CA -

Around 0100 last night Strike Team 6440C,  with Heartland resources including Lakeside Brush 1, was mobilized to aid in the fire attack on the Willow Fire (Sierra National Forest) located near Bass Lake and northeast of North Fork, California. The fire started July 25th and has affected 3,383 acres and is currently 30% contained. A total of 1,545 personnel are on the fire lines. Weather forecast today is for dry thunderstorms and possible monsoonal moisture Friday and Saturday. Personnel from Station 1 and assigned to Brush Rig 1 are Captain Ian Lowe, Engineer Shawn McKenna and Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Battaglia. Captain John Hisaw is also assigned as a Strike Team trainee.

Post by M. Brown, LVG

Lakeside Fire Joins Attack on Cutca Wildfire

Lakeside, CA -

In the early morning of July 25, 2015, Water Tender 7251, out of Station 2, was called up to be a part of a multi-agency attack on the wildfire in the Cleveland National Forest. The Cutca fire began at 4:00 pm on Friday, July 24. The fire is located in a steep and inaccessible terrain east of Cutca Valley and south of Long Canyon, two (2) miles north of the Palomar Observatory. No structures have been threatened.  This area has no history of fire activity. The fire is currently 50% contained and crews are mopping up.

Water Tender 7251 was released last night as the fire started to wind down.

How is your defensible space?

Lakeside, CA -

While we enjoyed the recent rains, the impact of a four year drought is still with us. Historically, our fire season is in the months of September, October and November. Maintaining defensible space is a year long effort during this potential dangerous drought. Now is the time to take a look around your property to ensure you have protected your home. Removing dry leaves from the yard, roof and gutters helps to decrease the chance of flying embers igniting your home. There are many other tips found in the above flyer. Remember, if there is a fire, firefighters can safely access the perimeter of your home and defend the property. Make sure you have a wildfire evacuation plan that includes a family communication plan. Additional tips on developing a plan can be found at Ready For Wildfire Website.

Strike Team Dispatched to North Fire

Lakeside, CA -

BR-1 along with crews from Heartland Fire and Barona Fire have been sent to the North Fire (off 1-15) where the fire has burned 3,500 acres and is currently 5% contained.  Good luck to all personnel involved and stay safe!

For information on the fire, click here.

Update 7/19/15:

North Fire is now 60% contained and evacuations have been lifted. Strike Team is being demobilized and heading home.