State and Local Fires (8/28/03)
Fire Name: Santa Clara Complex (CA SCU 3581)
Location: Four area branches have been established for fires along the Diablo Range in Santa Clara County.
1. Branch I (Southeast of Livermore)
Devil 510 acres, 55% contained; burnout of indirect lines continues
Pine Ridge 263 acres, 100% contained.
Hamilton Mountain 610 acres, 40% contained, fire made short runs in brush and chamise.
2. Branch II (East of Lick Observatory)
Jump 3,832 acres, 95% contained (Packard Ridge); much of the fireline is re-enforced with hose lays.
3. Branch III (East of Morgan Hill)
Kincaid 760 acres, 50% contained; very remote area ; dozer lines and hose lays encircle the fire; good progress.
4. Branch IV (10 miles northwest of San Luis Reservoir)
Annie 11,200 acres, 35% contained; spreading toward Interstate 5 in grass.
San Felipe 35 acres, 100% contained.
County: Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Alameda
Start Date and Time: 08/25/03 @ 2200
Fire Cause: Lightning
Acres burned to date: 18,457
% Contained: 50 (see above information regarding specific fires)
Structures Destroyed: 0
Structures Damaged: 0
Est. Containment Date: 09/03/03 @ 2000
Est. Control Date: N/A
Declared Control Date: N/A
Resources Committed: Firefighting resources: 2,723 firefighters (2,283 CDF), 203 engines (138 CDF), 86 fire crews (80 CDF), 45 dozers (28 CDF), 13 helicopters (5 CDF), 7 airtankers (6 CDF), 12 watertenders (0 CDF), 355 overhead (326 CDF).
Current Threats: 40 residences, 15 outbuildings
Injuries: 2 (see below)
Deaths: None
Costs to Date: $3,454,142
Fire Information Phone #: (408) 778-1893
Comments:
The Incident Base is at Camp Parks Regional Park, Dublin, near the interchange of Highways 580 and 680. A support base is established in Gilroy
The helibase is at San Martin Airport, Morgan Hill
Two CWN fixed-wing aircraft have been staffed with ATGS.
18 fires have been contained as of 08/29/03
Highly flammable brush fuels combined with low humidity and steep, treacherous terrain are dictating indirect suppression action. Direct attack is being used on the less active portions of the fires where terrain is moderate.
During a firing-out operation on the Devil Fire early Friday morning the fire made a run necessitating fifty firefighters to deploy their fire shelters. There were no serious injuries; two individuals suffered minor burns. Two crews from Mountain Home Conservation Camp were involved in the operation.
An investigation team is being dispatched to review the shelter deployment on the Devil Fire. Chief Fred McVay (TCU) is the Investigation Team Leader.
A demobilization plan is being crafted. Demobilization will occur at Dublin.
All vehicles will receive decontamination prior to leaving the incident.
Lightning Activity
The Siskiyou Unit experienced lightning last night. Four fires have been confirmed on SRA lands. Due to the Santa Clara Complex Incident resources have been drawn down. There are three engines currently in the unit and three more from neighboring units are being sent to assist. There will be an observation flight today to detect additional lightning fires.
Sacramento Consider including preliminary information regarding the death of two Forestry Aides and serious
injury to a third Aide who are seasonal employees at Jackson State Demonstration Forest.
Current information:
Three Forestry Aides at JSDF were in a private vehicle, off duty near Fort Bragg early this morning. About 0200 hours Friday, the vehicle went off the road and struck a tree. Fort Bragg Fire Department and Mendocino County Sheriff Deputy responded. Two Forestry Aides, Nicholas Raphael and Jamie Westoby did not survive the crash. Alex Holton was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa. Alex is in critical condition.
Next of kin have been notified by the Mendocino Sheriffs Office. Alexs family is at the hospital. MEU Division Chief Bill Baxter will liaison with the family.
Flags are to be flown at half staff until further notice