Tag Archives: cal fire

Local News

NEW FIRE IN LONE PINE

Fire crews respond to a wild fire in Lone Pine.

August 9th
By Seth Conners

Fire crews from numerous agencies are responding to a fire reported along Horseshoe Meadows Road.  It is estimated to be approximately ten acres in size.  Responding agencies include Inyo National Forest, Inyo Sheriffs Office, Lone Pine Fire, Cal Fire, BLM, and CHP.
There is a mandatory evacuation of Horseshoe Meadows Campground (Cottonwood Lakes, Cottonwood pass, and the Equestrian Camp)- hikers and campers will be escorted out.  There is also a hard closure of Lubkin Canyon Road and Horseshoe Meadows Road.
We’ll provide more details as they roll in.

Horshoe Meadows, Lone Pine, Cal Fire, Fire Crews, BLM, CHP

 

Local News

MONO LAKE FIRE

Fire crews respond to The Wilson Fire.

August 3rd
by Seth conners

Fire crews are responding to the Wilson Fire.  This new fire is north of Mono Lake, along the south of Highway 167 and three miles East of Highway 395.
The fire is 16 acres and is 5% contained at this time.  Fire crews have constructed an initial fire line around the Wilson Fire.  Crews will continue to strengthen the fire line today and will work towards a complete mop-up of the fire.  Responders include U.S. Forest service, BLM, Mono City Fire Department, Lee Vining Fire Department, June Lake Fire Department, Mammoth Lakes Fire Department and CalFire.
Fire Managers advise travelers along Highway 167 to slow down near the fire area since crews will be working along the road corridor.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but it appears to be human made.

Wilson Fire, Cal Fire, Mono City Fire Department, June Lake Fire Department, Highway 395, BLM
Local News

Small Fire Puts East Bishop On Alert

Bishop Fire Department makes quick work of fire in East Bishop

July 15th
by Seth Conners

Thursday afternoon, in Bishop, a small brush fire broke out shortly after 1 o’clock.  It was located between the airport and the canal just North of Line Street.  As a result, Line Street was closed for about an hour.

20160714_142539

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.  Cal-Fire, Bishop Fire Department, and The Inyo National Forest Service responded to the fire which has been 100% contained at just over half an acre.

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Bishop fire, canal fire, bishop fire department, bishop police department, cal fire, inyo sheriff

 

 

Local News

Walker Fire Update

Thursday Walker Fire Update

Significant progress continues with containment lines on Walker Fire burning approximately two miles southwest of Lee Vining the Walker Fire remains at 3,715 acres. This is a human-caused fire that is still under investigation.

Crews will continue to improve containment lines as well as mop up, which includes extinguishing hot spots to ensure that the fire does not re-ignite. Mitigation efforts also continue on the 65-acre spot fire.

Tioga Pass (Highway120) is open without an escort. However, there will be no stopping along the eastern four miles of the road. This will be strictly enforced. The fire remains active to the south of the road and this is essential for firefighter and public safety.

The fire is burning in mixed conifer, mahogany, and brush. Critical sage grouse habitat is also threatened. Visitors and residents should expect to see smoke from the June Lake and Lee Vining areas and along Highway 395.

For the safety of our firefighters, effective air operations and continued containment efforts, please keep drones away from the Walker Fire and near heliports.

Closures and Evacuations:
⦁ Walker Lake “Fishing Camp” has been evacuated.
⦁ A CodeRed Emergency Alert notice has been issued for Lee Vining and everything north of Double Eagle in June Lake (including Silver Lake and Grant Lake areas) for potential evacuations.
⦁ Campgrounds in the Lower Lee Vining Canyon have been evacuated and are closed, including Lower Lee Vining, Moraine, Boulder, Aspen Grove, and Big Bend Campgrounds.
⦁ The Walker Lake Road (1N17), the Parker Lake Rd. (1S25), the Upper Horse Meadows Rd. (1N16), and the Gibbs Road (1N18) are closed for fire operations and public safety. All of these roads are accessed via the northern end of the June Lake Loop. All spur roads off of these roads are also closed. The trail to Mono Pass (trailhead is at Walker Lake) is closed.

Approximately 477 firefighters are on scene as well as numerous aircraft, dozers, and engines. Resources from Mono County, local fire departments, Cal Fire, neighboring forests, BLM Bishop Field Office, and the Mono County Sheriff’s Office are assigned.  For more information on the Walker Fire you can go to the following sites: Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4515/

Date Started: 8/14/2015
Cause: Human Total Personnel: 477
Injuries/Illnesses to Date: 0
Size: 3,715 acres Structures Threatened: 235
Percent Contained: 45%
Resources: 3 Helicopters, 0 Seats, 0 Air Tankers
34, Engines Crews, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Dozers Structures Lost: 0
Estimated Containment: 8/23/2015

walker fire, drought 2015, cal fire, us forest service, mono county
Local News

Thursday, August 13 Fire Map

Daily Fire Map

Today’s fire map shows California’s active incidents.  The map updates the size of the Rough Fire on the Sierra National Forest north of Hume Lake.  That lightning caused fire from July 31st continues to grow and produce smoke and haze in the Eastern Sierra.

Bridgeport’s Eagle 2 fire started around noon Wednesday, and as of mid-morning Thursday is listed at 126 acres.  The Eagle 2 fire has not been added to the map.

Statewide_Fires_20150813_0800

us forest service, cal fire, rough fire, cabin fire, drought 2015
Local News

Paradise Fire Department Fundraiser is a success

Paradise Fire Says Thanks

The fundraiser this past weekend at Hidden Creeks Ranch was a big success.  Organizers have pinned a letter of thanks.

The Paradise Fire Protection District‘s First Annual Fire Engine Red Fundraiser on Saturday, June 6, 2015, was a great success.  The weather was gorgeous and everyone enjoyed a lovely outdoor evening at Roxanne Tallman’s Hidden Creek Ranch with fabulous food prepared by Classy Cowgirl Catering and breads from Great Basin Bakery, fine wines by Eberle Vineyards, Mastro Scheidt Family Cellars, and Shadow Ranch Winery, delicious beer by Mountain Rambler Brewery, and lively music performed by the Idle Hands String Band.

We are most grateful to our Event Sponsors who gave our fundraising efforts a big boost: Lions Clubs International Foundation, Bishop Welding Supply, Evan & Kathie Russell, Lorraine Heneghan, Tom & Laura Talbot of the Bishop Veterinary Hospital, Debbie & Steve Blair of Chalfant Big Trees, and Jerry & Debbie Core of Inyo Mono Title Company.

We would also like to thank the more than 80 businesses and individuals who supported our efforts by donating to the Silent Auction and Raffle.  We are very grateful to everyone who attended the Fire Engine Red Fundraiser, bid in the Silent Auction, and purchased raffle tickets.

Thanks to all of the tremendous support from this community, we more than attained our goal of matching funds for the Cal Fire Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program to purchase new wildland firefighting equipment for the Paradise Fire Protection District.

Thank you ALL for making the PFPD’s First Annual Fire Engine Red Fundraiser such an outstanding success!

Ann Klinefelter
PFPD Board Chair

cover photo by Gary Young, taken after the round fire

paradise fire department, eastern sierra news, hidden creeks ranch, cal fire, round fire
Community News, Local News

Cal Fire Suspending Burns

CAL FIRE Suspends Outdoor Residential Burning

CAL Fire press release:

Inyo and Mono Counties – As drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region, CAL FIRE has suspended all burn permits for outdoor open residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of Inyo and Mono Counties. This suspension takes effect at 6am, June 1st, 2015 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris including branches and leaves.

CAL FIRE Division Chief Paul Melendrez says, “The conditions we all experienced in February during the Round Fire in Mono County, reminds us all of the importance of defensible space and being prepared in the event of a wildland fire.”

“Through our Public Education, Fire Prevention Programs, Defensible Space Inspections and Homeowner compliance in Inyo County and Mono County, this all hands on deck approach will assist CALFIRE during this heightened fire threat” says CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Chief Darren Feldman.

“With record-setting drought conditions we must take every step possible to prevent new wildfires from starting,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire.”

Similar to last year, CAL FIRE has already responded to significantly more wildfires than in an average. CAL FIRE is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires including maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home.

Here are some tips to help prepare your home and property:
Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet around all structures.
Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants
Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or  hauling it to a biomass energy facility

The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health, safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.

Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property that are otherwise permitted will be allowed if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland.
For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

cover photo by Gary Young, air support during the “Round Fire”.

cal fire, drought 2015, eastern sierra news, inyo county news, mono county news
Community News, Local News

Burning set for Inyo

Prescribed Burns begin this Week

The LADWP and CAL Fire to Conduct Series of Prescribed Burns for Range and Habitat Improvement.  The burns to occur this week through March 13, 2015.   The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and CAL Fire crews will be conducting a series of prescribed burns for range and habitat improvement purposes in the Bishop and Independence areas from January 12- March 13, 2015.  The first prescribed burn will occur northeast of Independence this week. Burning will take place throughout the morning, and smoke will be visible in and around the Blackrock area.
The public is asked not to report the smoke and fire in the controlled burn areas.  Crews will monitor the fire throughout the burn, and will take precautions to keep smoke away from area communities.

Photo Courtesy of Gary Young Photography

bishop news, eastern sierra news, ladwp, cal fire