panel examines wildfire threat

[Kid A]

IRVINE, Calif. - Rapid housing development in wildfire-prone areas and continued bone-dry weather have alarmed California firefighters, who began a sweeping assessment of fire risk and what's needed to meet it.

Catastrophic wildfires that burned across the state last month and in 2003 were of an intensity that should happen rarely - perhaps once a century, they say. The proximity of those fires has raised fears that furious blazes could become more frequent.

"We've had our second 100-year fire in four years. So, if you are going to have a 100-year fire every four years, it seems that you need to dramatically change your definition of what the fire danger is in California," said Carroll Wills, a spokesman for the California Professional Firefighters.

"Where they build the homes has a lot to do with whether or not they will be lost," added Wills, a member of the state task force that on Tuesday began a broad review of firefighting during last month's blazes, which left seven people dead and destroyed more than 2,000 homes from Los Angeles County to the Mexican border.

In a statement after its first meeting, the group said the October and 2003 fires show California "is faced with a new kind of fire threat" and urged the state to immediately find funding for 150 new fire engines and more firefighters.

"We're going to tell it like it is, and like it should be," the statement said. "We're not going to hold any sacred cows."

The group also said the state and Congress need to determine whether there are enough air tankers - large aircraft that can dump thousands of gallons of fire retardant - to deal with growing fire risks. Other proposals urge the state to push more rigorous zoning and construction rules that recognize fire threats.

Corona Fire Department Chief Mike Warren, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, appointed state and federal officials to examine the use of military planes and helicopters, and well as state and federal aircraft, in the recent fires after criticism that some were left grounded because of bureaucratic rules and inadequate planning.

The Associated Press reported Oct. 25 that Marine, Navy and National Guard helicopters were grounded for up to a day, possibly longer, because state personnel required to be on board were not immediately available. The National Guard's two newest C-130 cargo planes also could not help because they had yet to be outfitted with tanks needed to carry thousands of gallons of fire retardant.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed the task force to determine if California has enough fire engines and personnel, as well as to look at whether the state should allow homes and businesses to be built in areas with high wildfire risk.

"The governor believes the state did a great job in its response to the fires, but we should always be asking ourselves what additional steps we need to take to do even better," Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear said.

Warren said Monday he expected to complete a report in early 2008, but indicated Tuesday it could take longer.

The Blue Ribbon Task Force was set up after the 2003 fires that destroyed more than 3,600 homes, many in the same areas. The task force, made up of fire chiefs and state appointees, issued dozens of recommendations to improve firefighting. Part of its work will be to see if those recommendations were followed and, if so, what worked.

For days after the fires grew out of control on Oct. 21, Schwarzenegger said the state's disaster response was textbook. Only after Southern California fire officials clamored for additional support and the AP revealed government rules delayed dozens of water-dumping aircraft from reaching the blazes did he acknowledge the state may have been able to do better.

Among the recommendations the task force may have to revisit is better coordination to quickly begin aerial attacks on wildfires.

Three years ago, panel members said finding ways to quickly get military helicopters and planes airborne to battle raging wildfires should be a "high priority." Yet, delays launching aircraft revealed a system still suffering from communication and planning shortfalls.

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Associated Press writer Aaron C. Davis in Sacramento contributed to this report.
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press Writer

[ghixon]

As someone who almost lost their home to the fires, I think the FF's did an incredible job. One thing that I took from talking with some fire fighter friends who were on the ground in Running Springs was that there really wasn't anything that the air tankers could have done to help up there. I'm not sure that San Diego couldn't have used the support, I can't really comment, but with the situation in RS, it had to be fought on the ground.

The biggest factor in keeping most of the air attack on the ground wasn't the bureaucrats, but the weather. Heap's Peak recorded wind gusts of over 115 mph on second day of the fire. The previous Monday they recorded gusts of around 90 mph. As soon as the wind subsided and the planes could get back up, they were there until dark.

One other thing that my FF friend was saying is that normal staffing in the mountain areas is usually around 4-5 hand crews at any given time. That's between 80-100 people. To mobilize enough people and equipment when faced with a situation like they were this year and in 2003, takes at least 24 hours. The drought that Ca is in now is only going to make things worse.

I knew the risks of fires here when I decided to move to the mountain. Most folks who live in wilderness zones know this. I take it as a trade off to be able to live in such a wonderful place.

[kanga]

I grew up in fire country and my dad is a volunteer firefighter. His home on 18 acres is surrounded by state reserve on three sides.

Some time ago I remember reading about an invention that was essentially a heat and smoke-sensitive box that sat on top of a home. When it sensed heat and smoke, the box would explode, enveloping the home in fire-retardant foam.

I'm wondering why technologies like this have never been developed. It seems that there is a great need for something that would automatically protect a structure from fire.

Thanks for posting the article.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by kanga

I grew up in fire country and my dad is a volunteer firefighter. His home on 18 acres is surrounded by state reserve on three sides.

Some time ago I remember reading about an invention that was essentially a heat and smoke-sensitive box that sat on top of a home. When it sensed heat and smoke, the box would explode, enveloping the home in fire-retardant foam.

I'm wondering why technologies like this have never been developed. It seems that there is a great need for something that would automatically protect a structure from fire.

Thanks for posting the article.

Where'd you grow up?

There are still some things like that around. We can actually by FOSCHEK foam for the home and apply it in case of a fire. The major problem with some of these designs is that the foam has to be continually rehydrated every few hours to remain effective. If you're evacuated, it really becomes a problem. I preach keeping a defensible space and fire resistant roofing.

[queenwilhelmina]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed the task force to determine if California has enough fire engines and personnel, as well as to look at whether the state should allow homes and businesses to be built in areas with high wildfire risk.

I think they need to cool it on the new housing tract developments for more reasons than one.

[Fired Yo Momma]

I think they need to cool it on the new housing tract developments for more reasons than one.

Could have not said it better.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by queenwilhelmina

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has directed the task force to determine if California has enough fire engines and personnel, as well as to look at whether the state should allow homes and businesses to be built in areas with high wildfire risk.

I think they need to cool it on the new housing tract developments for more reasons than one.

AMEN!

[stinkyrider]

Sounds like politicians just trying to sound off and beat this drum to further their own political careers. I think the fire fighters did a damn good job considering the circumstances.

If anything I think the problem does not lie with the fire fighters but with fire prevention. That means state and federal funding for removing dead and dry brush in high risk areas adjacent to homes and businesses. Legislation to require homes and business to cut fire breaks around their property might be an idea. Sure it costs time and money to do, but I'm sure some people wouldn't mind doing it themselves in the own self interest of saving their property.
I've heard that many of the homes that were saved in the Arrowhead area were homes that had all the trees and shrubs cleared around their properties while others near by were burnt to the ground.
Just my opinion.

[ghixon]

Originally Posted by stinkyrider

That means state and federal funding for removing dead and dry brush in high risk areas adjacent to homes and businesses. Legislation to require homes and business to cut fire breaks around their property might be an idea.

It's already a mandate for people who live in fire prone areas. What's actually holding up the majority of forest preservation is the environmentalists (tree huggers). They sue the forest service and the USDA everytime they try to cut down a tree. Then they complain when it burns down because of overgrowth.

If you have a large enough plot of land, you actually qualify to have your trees thinned and be reimbursed for 75% of the cost of removal. For most folks up here, the equals out to about $300-$400.