Fire in Cleveland National Forest

From an Article in the OC Register Online, seen at 6:02 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/low-cleveland-firefighters-2196453-blaze-forrest

"Firefighters battling fire in Cleveland National Forest

OCFA crews called to fire near 91 and 241.

By KIMBERLY EDDS

The Orange County Register

CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST – Dozens of firefighters are battling a brush fire in the Cleveland National Forest about a half mile south of the 91 freeway.

Thick black smoke could be seen for miles as Orange County Fire Authority helicopters flew over the flames dropping water and trying to snuff out the blaze in the remote area near Sierra Peak. The blaze broke out just before 4 p.m. amid high temperatures and dangerously low humidity.

Firefighters have set up a command post at the Green River Country Club, and were making quick work of the blaze, which had scorched an estimated 18 to 20 acres, according to OCFA reports.

OCFA was working with fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service and Anaheim Fire Department to keep the flames from getting out of control. More than 20 fire engines, two water-dropping helicopters, two hand crews, four water tenders, two bulldozers and one fixed-winged aircraft were called in to battle the blaze, according to OCFA reports.

Crews had been on standby around the county this week in anticipation of the high fire danger weather and erratic Santa Ana winds.

The 91 freeway remains open at this time.

Wildfires that raged earlier in the week began to finally lie low Wednesday as the Santa Ana winds faded, but warnings of risky conditions continue through Friday because of low humidity, which makes it easier for brush to burn."

More to come.

All OC Parks Reopened; Red Flag Warning Remains

From the www.ocparks.com website: http://www.ocparks.com/newsroom/default.asp?Show=1001885&subshow=A

All Parks Reopened; Red Flag Warning Remains

Four parks closed due to high winds on Monday.

by Marisa O'Neil, Public Affairs Manager on 10/14/2008


Four OC Parks facilities that closed due to high winds reopened to the public on Tuesday morning.

Rangers on Monday closed Laguna Coast and Aliso & Wood Canyons wilderness parks and Irvine and Santiago Oaks regional parks as a fierce Santa Ana windstorm blew across Orange County. Though the parks reopened on Tuesday morning, the County remains under a red flag warning, meaning a high fire danger, until 6 p.m. Tuesday night.

Park visitors are asked to exercise caution and to remain aware of their surroundings. Report any wind damage, smoke or fire to the Park Ranger.

Rangers will be keeping a close eye on areas of dry brush.

Monday's windstorm damaged trees and signs in some OC Parks.

Check your park of choice's page on this site for the most up-to-date information on conditions and closures.

From the OC Register: "Fire watchers on alert in the canyons"

From the OC Register online:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fire-volunteers-canyons-2178206-county-watch (Article below):

Fire watchers on alert in the canyons

Volunteer force says it will be well prepared when winds whip up fire danger.

By MARK EADES and PAT BRENNAN

The Orange County Register

| Recommend 2

The fire watch volunteers in the canyons are ready for the upcoming fire season.

Wearing bright green vests, with "Fire-Watch" signs on their car doors and toting radios, volunteers from the canyons will be on patrol this year watching for any potential arsonists, careless smokers and other fire dangers during times of high winds and peak fire danger.

Devastating fires have occurred throughout the western United States already this year, said Orange County Fire Authority chief Chip Prather. The agency is working with the volunteer programs in all the canyons and with a group with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

"We can't do this alone," Prather said. "We need the help of these volunteers."

The volunteers from each group will work with each other and with groups such as the Inter Canyon League in the county's eastern canyons.

During times of fire alerts, the volunteers will make their presence known, talk to members of the public – and do things like note down license plates of cars in wild land areas in case a fire breaks out later.

The fall months, especially October, are the Santa Ana wind months, and the fire-watch volunteers are expecting an active season. Dry conditions are making Orange County's vegetation especially vulnerable.

"I think that just our appearance of being there makes people aware of the danger," said volunteer Judy Andreosky. "Hopefully, our presence will be a deterrent to people who are not there for the right reasons."

Volunteers don't act as law-enforcement officials, but can report suspicious activity to authorities.

To be better prepared for future fires, OCFA is in the process of acquiring 11 "brush" engines for wildfires, and training helicopter pilots with night vision goggles. The agency has purchased seven of the compressed air fire-retardant foam units, which can spray homes ahead of wildfire, with five more on the way. One unit has been deployed in Silverado Canyon, and another in Coto de Caza.

Contact the writer: meades@ocregister.com or 949-454-7352

Google Maps has Major Fires displayed

Visit: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=103014136534897026967.000459297be1421fde023&ll=37.492294,-118.937988&spn=8.57416,14.0625&z=6 to see the major fires in California at the moment.

Fire in Newport Beach

From KTLA's news online, seen here: http://www.ktla.com/content_landing_page/?Brush-Fire-Threatens-Homes-in-Newport-Be=1&blockID=97895&feedID=171 at 5:58 PM

October 13, 2008

NEWPORT BEACH -- A brush fire burned at least 100 acres in the Bonita Canyon area of Newport Beach Monday afternoon.

Four water-dropping helicopters and 15 ground crews were battling the blaze, which was reported around 3:30 p.m. The fire broke out somewhere off Bonita Canyon Drive, according to Newport Beach Fire Department spokesperson Jennifer Schulz.

An evacuation was issued for homes in the neighborhood east of San Miguel Drive, but the order was later halted, according to Schulz.

She said the fire was contained, with just some spot areas of flames remaining.

Keep our Natural Parks Safe: REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, STAY VIGILANT!

If anyone has any photos of this fire, or has extra information to share, please comment!

UPDATE 6:27 PM: THE OC REGISTER HAS ARTICLES ONLINE, such as THIS ONE

Red Flag Weather Conditions - Wilderness Parks Closed

Due to a high risk of FIRE (low humidity + Santa Ana winds), our Wilderness parks have been closed. Please be extra vigilant when driving through sensitive areas, refrain from smoking or any activity that could set off sparks, and do not visit the parks until the county and rangers announce their official reopening.

For more information on the status of your favorite regional/wilderness park, visit: http://ocparks.com