on Nov 12, 2018
[Update: Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. EST - Since Monday's post, the Camp Fire has destroyed over 9,700 residential homes and 290 commercial structures. It currently stands at 141,000 acres burned with 40% containment. 63 fatalities are attributed to the fire. The Woolsey Fire has destroyed 548 residences and is at 98,362 acres burned with 62% containment. The Hill Fire is now 100% contained. As these and other fires burn, see the shared links below for updated information.]
[Update: Nov. 14, 4:45 p.m. EST - Since Monday's post, the Woolsey fire has destroyed hundreds of structures in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, causing three fatalities. and the Camp Fire in Northern California has become the deadliest fire in the state's history, with 48 fatalities. As these and other fires burn, see the shared links below for updated information.]
As three separate wildfires burn across California, reports on stretched suppression operations, massive structural losses, and tragic fatalities dominate the news.
According to an L.A. Times briefing (as of Monday 24 November, 10:45 a.m. PST):
“The Woolsey fire has scorched more than 85,550 acres, burning homes in Malibu, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks while threatening parts of Simi Valley and West Hills...
The Hill fire pushed through canyons to the edge of Camarillo Springs and Cal State Channel Islands.
The Camp fire in Northern California’s Butte County has destroyed more than 6,700 structures and killed at least 29. It's the state's most destructive fire and is tied for the state’s deadliest fire.”
It can be difficult to follow the unfolding events presented by the various outlets. Some that we have found helpful as we follow the wildfires are:
- The Los Angeles Times Live Feed on the fires is providing up to the minute information on the fires and response. They also have an active map of current fires to understand where they are impacting residents and an important article on how to talk to kids about the destruction of wildfires.
- The Sacramento Bee Wildfire Section provides additional coverage of the fires in Butte County, California, which has become the most destructive singular wildfire based on structural loss in California history.
- On Twitter, follow the hashtag: #WoolseyFire and #CampFire for breaking updates and local information.
- On Facebook, CAL FIRE’s account is sharing their official press updates and operational reports.
Earlier today, the Firewise USA® Program shared on social media: “More than 7,800 firefighters continue battling the Camp, Hill and Woolsey CA wildfires. Our heartfelt thanks to all those men and women.”
There are Firewise USA® sites impacted and those residents remain close to the heart of the program as these fires continue to burn. The resiliency of California residents will once again be tested in the coming days and months but there is no doubt as to their ability to stand up to the challenge.
If you are in California, remember to pay close attention to the official social media accounts, alert systems, and media updates of your local emergency response agencies for the latest fire and evacuation news.
Photo credit: Getty Images, pulled 12 November 2018
These fires do not have to mature to the point of such destruction. My Evaporated Nitrogen Gas Cloud fire control should end these burns. So far, after 15 years, both the US Forest Service and CAL-Fire have refused to test the technique or to allow our crews on the fire lines. Evaporated Nitrogen Gas Clouds are evaporated from liquid Nitrogen and form a transparent, cohesive, inert, cryogenically cold to start, pure N2 Nitrogen cloud which starts at 230 times the liquid volume and expands as it warms cooling the fuel, and displaces all but N2 Nitrogen including Oxygen which puts the flames out instantly. What a delight this should be to those whose homes and communities are threatened by these fires. NFPA Code 2001 edits are in for the IG100 - Nitrogen - here in the pure form, not compressed gas which mixes with the air diluting the Oxygen level. I'm glad to have returned as a member of NFPA. As Chief Trainer, I'll prepare first responders and specialty crew members to use these Nitrogen methods. Two specialties needing crews soon handle wildfires and coal mine fires. Ending enough coal mine fires here in the USA and abroad can halt sea level rise by 2021. It cools the earth's crust to allow the ocean waters to cool. This stops the melting of the ice packs in Arctic regions, north and south. It might also bring reduced severity to natural disasters progressing Climate Change hopes.