Teaching Fire Safety

Yes, the news media are real people too. And they need training just like everybody else to be safe in their chosen work environment. That environment is wherever the story is. Subsequently that can take them to areas where their safety is not assured such as wildland fires. For the last seven out of eight years, I have had the privilege of teaching news media fire safety to the news staff at NBC4 in Los Angeles, California.

The four hour basic class or the 2 hour refresher class includes a review of California Penal Code section 409.5d the news media access law, fire behavior and terminology, fire ground injuries, fire ground safety, driving tips and techniques, and the fire safety rules (Ten Standard Firefighting Orders, 18 Situations that shout watch out and Lookouts, Communications, Escape routes, and Safety zones).

This week, more than 60 members of the NBC4 news staff including anchors, reporters, photographers, editors, producers, and assignment desk staff attended the four days of classes.

CAL FIRE Fire Engines Return to the Mountain Top

The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit is placing fire engines and personnel on the mountain top in the San Bernardino Mountains with a target date of July 02, 2012. The last time CAL FIRE resources were stationed in the San Bernardino Mountains was in 2002 to 2004 when CAL FIRE joined with the United States Forest Service/San Bernardino Naitonal Forest, San Bernardino County Fire and the local mouintain top fire departments to increase resources in the wake of a continuing drought and increasing bark beetle epidemic.

This current repositioning of two CAL FIRE engines to the Crestline and Running Springs areas is designed to enhance operational response to the mouintain top commkunities. The firefighters will respond to fire activity and will be available to assist local fire agencies when requested. They will also be working to coordinate Public Resources Code 4290 and 4291 property inspections as well as other fire prevention activities in cooperation with our partner agencies. "Proper clearance and creating defensible space is very important in maintaining fire safe communities" said CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Chief Tim McClelland. You can find more safety information at www.readyforwildfire.org

The engines will be moved from current two engine CAL FIRE stations in Phelan and Yucaipa. The fire engines will be located at the CAL FIRE facility in Crestline and by agreement in the Running Springs fire station.

California Region 1 and 6 Fire Season Meeting

Fire Chiefs from throughout most of Southern California and as far north as San Luis Obispo met today for their annual fire season meeting. The meeting was held in Diamond bar. There was also a Fire Season Opening News Conference conducted by the Chiefs.

CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott was one of the speakers. After the news conference he took some time to visit with CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Chief Tim McClelland and the crew of engine 3568 out of Lucerne Valley'

Little Fire Remains Under Investigation

The Little fire which burned 88 acres of land and briefly threatened some homes in Summit Valley south of the city of Hesperia yesterday remains under investigation by CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Fire Investigators. The fire was reported shortly before 8:40 am Thursday, June 14, 2012. The first arriving fire engines found not one but three small fires which eventually burned together. The fire was located south of Summit Valley Road east of State Highway 173.

The fire burned on State Responsibility Area and CAL FIRE was assisted with resources from the San Bernardino National Forest, San Bernardino County Fire and numerous local fire departments. Over 100 firefighters and fire crew members with the support of helicopters and CAL FIRE air tankers had stopped the forward spread of the fire before noon. The fire was reported 100% contained at 6:00 pm last night.

Today, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit has two fire engines and two fire crews on scene to take care of any hot spots that might develop.

Two homes were immediately threatened during yesterday’s fire. However, both properties had good defensible space which enabled firefighters to adequately defend the homes. No damage to structures and no injuries were reported.

Last month, firefighters and crews from the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit and other departments spent most of the month participating in preparedness exercises designed to get ready for exactly what they faced yesterday. Extended hose lays, cutting containment line and working with close support from the helicopters, air tankers and bulldozers. The abilities polished in a month of training resulted in a fast, safe and efficient knock down of the fire.

Fire in Summit Valley

A wildland fire was reported shortly before 8:40 am this morning in the Summit Valley area south of the City of Hesperia, California. The fire was located south of Summit Valley Road east of Highway 138 near Little Horsethief Canyon road.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered not one but three small vegetation fires burning in close proximity to each other. Resources from CAL FIRE, The San Bernardino National Forest, the San Bernardino County Fire Department and various local fire departments responded to keep the flames in check. There were also two water dropping helicopters and two CAL FIRE S-2 air tankers assigned to the fire along with two bulldozers. More than 100 firefighters and fire crew members fought the fire as the three small fires burned into one.

The fire for a time threatened two homes as the flames driven by the wind raced up the dry hillsides but the homes had excellent defensible space and firefighters were able to defend the homes with no damage to any of the structures.

The sparse but dry vegetation caused some trouble for awhile, but about two hours after the fires were reported, the forward spread of the flames were stopped. The crews spent the rest of the day working along with bulldozers from CAL FIRE and the USFS to complete the containment line around the fire. The 82 acre fire was expected to be fully contained as of 6:00 pm this evening.

Last month, firefighters from CAL FIRE and the other departments spent most of the month participating in preparedness exercises designed to get ready for exactly what they faced today. Extended hose lays, cutting containment line and working with close support from the helicopters, air tankers and bull dozers. The lessons polished in a month of training resulted in a fast, safe, and efficient knock down of today's fire.

No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation.

CAL FIRE BDU's Blog Selected as a Top Blog

Congratulations! Cal Fire Inyo-Mono-San Bernardino Unit has been selected by California Casualty as a TOP BLOG Firefighters and EMTs! We selected the top bloggers to recommend to our Fire and EMT network based on blog writing, content, design, and post frequency. We really enjoyed your inclusion of relevant and useful statistics and fire tips, conversational writing style, and use of photos.

Due to the outstanding quality of your blog, we would like to invite you to participate in our Top Fire & EMT Blog competition as a Finalist.

Please vote for the top blog...by clicking on the Top Blog shield. If the BDU blog wins, California Casualty will donate $200 to Muscular Dystrophy in the Unit's name. The BDU blog will be profiled on Friday, June 15th.

Mt. Baldy Pancake Breakfast

CAL FIRE was present at this year's annual Mt. Baldy Pancake Breakfast. CAL FIRE was represented by an engine and Captain Debbie Chapman, who teamed up with Smokey Bear.