CA: Southern California Fires still burning ~ offshore winds continue

Accuweather ^ | Oct 27,2006 | Accuweather and NWS

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

FIREFIGHTERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAMPERED BY WINDS & LOW HUMIDITY

High pressure today has sent more gusty east winds into the mountains, passes and canyons of Southern California as firefighters attempt to gain the upper hand on a fast-moving wildfire in Riverside County. Fox News Channel is reporting another brush fire has erupted in Orange County.

Wind Advisories are in effect through this evening. The combination of winds gusting up to 45 mph and extremely low humidity will keep the fire danger at an extreme level into Saturday. By Sunday, an onshore flow will calm the winds and bring moist marine air into Southern California. The calmer winds and slight increase in humidity will offer marginal relief for firefighters.

Four U.S. Forest Service firefighters were killed Thursday morning and a fifth was critically injured while battling the Esperanza fire about 15 to 20 miles southwest of Palm Springs, Cal. Fire officials say the blaze was quickly spread by gusty winds after it was deliberately set at about 1 a.m. PDT Thursday.

The five firefighters were attempting to protect a house when the winds shifted suddenly, engulfing them in a wall of flames. Three firefighters were killed at the scene and the other two were hospitalized. One died several hours later and the fifth firefighter remains in critical condition with burns over 95 percent of his body. Doctors say his chances of surviving are low.

Fire Chief John Hawkins told Associated Press the arson "constitutes murder." Riverside County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives and FBI agents are investigating and a $10,000 reward has been offered. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an emergency proclamation that will free up state resources to help fight the fire and provide financial assistance to Riverside County.

Over 1,200 firefighters, along with several firefighting aircraft, are working to contain the blaze, which has already consumed more than 24,000 acres. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for hundreds of residents of Twin Pines, Poppet Flats, Vista Grand and South Banning, just west of Palm Springs.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Your original thread ....looks like wind shifts on Sunday

Update: Now 4 Firefighters Perish Battling Cabazon Blaze (Investigators: Arson Fire Palm Springs)

[P-40]

Do they do control burns there? Are the firefighters equipped with flamethrowers or some other device capable of creating a backfire in a hurry?

[CaliGirl-R]

I read they are starting backfires along Hwy 79. In fact, I saw the firemen doing it on our local news.

I'm here in Hemet and it's not windy. Beaumont is windy though.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I'm down here south and east of Long Beach and there is a NW breeze ....10+ mph is my guess.

Humidity is at 7 %...according to accuweather....

[G8 Diplomat]

Didn't this happen 3 years ago? It's a good thing I'm not still living in California, but Maryland isn't much of a better choice.

[WalterSkinner]

..the local Community College is open today after having shut down yesterday afternoon because of severe smoke...

[ArmstedFragg]

They do so-called 'prescription burns' here as an off-season activity to reduce fuel loads. As far as actual incidents, backfiring is a pretty common and valuable activity when you can locate a spot to fire from. A lot of the news media shots we see of 'an out of control wildfire' are actually backfire areas where one flame front's meeting the other. The usual device is a 'drip torch'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driptorch

On the current fire, they're doing extensive firing on the west side today.

[P-40]

The usual device is a 'drip torch'.

Thanks for the information. It is certainly interesting. I just wonder if that in an emergency situation, a flame thrower would be a good tool to have. It would certainly set off a lot of close by fuel quickly, but in a relatively 'cool' way.

[ArmstedFragg]

Part of the idea of backfiring is to have the fire small and easy to control while it's near you, so I'm not sure a flamethrower'd meet that requirement. It'd definitely impress the tourists, though!!