Tag Archives: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Community Events, Nevada County Information

Nevada County Fairgrounds Becomes a Command Post and Fire Camp for Cal Fire; Animal Evacuation Center

July 27, 2015 jd

July 27, 2015

Nevada County Fairgrounds Becomes a Command Post and Fire Camp for Cal Fire; Animal Evacuation Center — Lowell Hill Fire Photo by John J. O’Dell

Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds

(530) 273-6217; Rea@NevadaCountyFair.com

Due to the Lowell Fire, currently burning in Nevada and Placer counties, Cal Fire and assisting agencies have set up a command post and fire camp at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Additionally, the Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team has set up an evacuation center at the Fairgrounds for large and small animals.

Due to the large number of resources utilizing the fire camp, the Fairgrounds will be closed to walkers and bicyclists until further notice.

During the duration that the camp is set up, Gate 1 will be open to Fair employees and Fair business (those visiting the Fairgrounds’ administration office) only, Gate 4 will be open to campers, Gate 8 will be open for animal evacuation, and all other gates will be closed to the public and restricted to authorized fire personnel only.

These closures and restrictions do not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Additionally, limited RV camping will be available by contacting the Main Office.

During this time, the Nevada County Fairgrounds is also being used as an evacuation center for small and large animals. The Fairgrounds are open and equipped to handle large and small animals brought to the Fairgrounds. Several animals are already on the grounds, and the Fairgrounds will continue to receive and house animals as needed. Those with animals impacted by the fire, or those who need to remove animals to a safer location, are encouraged to use the Fairgrounds. If you need information or have questions regarding animal evacuations, contact Pat, Nevada County Veterinary Disaster Response Team (Animal Evac), at (530) 913-6506.

According to Mike Mohler, Public Information Officer with Cal Fire Incident Management Team 1, the fire camp, which was established on July 25, currently houses more than 700 individuals, as well as large equipment required to fight the fires.

For updated fire information and evacuation updates, contact the Cal Fire information line at (530) 823-4083 or visit Cal Fire’s website at www.fire.ca.gov.

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Community Events

U.S. Forest Service and Partners Talk Wildland Firefighting in Connection with Disney’s Movie Planes: Fire & Rescue; July 18 & 19

July 17, 2014 jd

httpv://youtu.be/Uk0D5L0TT30#aid=P977Ifve6EA

Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue” Trailer 1 – Courage

On Friday, July 18, 2014 from 12:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The U.S. Forest Service’s Smokey Bear will be at Sierra Cinemas located at 840 E. Main Street in Grass Valley, for the matinee premiere of Disney’s Planes: Fire & Rescue. Smokey will greet movie goers before the 12:30 p.m., 2:35 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. showings.

Then, on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. the USFS, along with Cal Fire, will host visitors at the Grass Valley Interagency Air Attack Base located at 13083 John Bauer Ave, Grass Valley. There will be guided air base tours and firefighting aircraft on display. In addition, a Helitack Crew, Smoke Jumpers and other firefighting professionals will be on hand to answer questions.

httpv://youtu.be/9XMJ1D7AXYQ#aid=P977Ifve6EA

Disney’s “Planes: Fire & Rescue” Trailer 2 – Thunder

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O’Dell Realty
(530) 263-1091
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Environment, Lakes in nevada county, Nevada County Information

Heavy Smoke Over Scott’s Flat Lake

August 12, 2013 jd

Smoke over Scotts Flat Lake August 12, 2013. Picture taken by John O'Dell from my deck. — Smoke over Scott’s Flat Lake August 12, 2013. Picture taken by John O’Dell from my deck.

I woke up this morning and looked out my window to discover that Scotts Flat Lake was covered with smoke. Wondering where the fire was and hopefully not near my house, I looked at the Cal-Fire website to determine the location of the fire. Since the fire is in the Tahoe National Forest, I linked from Cal-Fire’s website to InciWeb for farther information

The fire started last Saturday around 4:10 pm. Judy and I were at a wedding in Forest Hill at that time and we noticed smoke in and around Forest Hill.

The American fire is burning in a heavily forested area of very steep terrain on Deadwood Ridge, approximately 17 miles northeast of Forest Hill in Tahoe National Forest. Access to the fire is limited, and firefighter safety is a concern due to difficult terrain.

Fire size is estimated at 800-1,000 acres, with heavy smoke making it difficult to obtain precise numbers. The fire has crossed the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River and is burning toward the Last Chance area. Firefighters reported a moderate rate of spread with short uphill runs yesterday, and more of the same is expected today. Firefighters were able to make some progress on line construction overnight.

Multiple Forest Service and Cal Fire engines, crews, dozers, air tankers, and helicopters are committed, with additional resources on order. Smokejumpers are being utilized. Efforts are being focused mainly on the Deadwood Ridge and Last Chance sides of the fire. While firefighters are working to protect cultural resources from the fire and from suppression impacts, firefighter and public safety are the first priorities.

The Central Coast #7 Type II Incident Management Team is en route and expected to arrive today.

Smoke in the areas of Foresthill, Auburn, Nevada City, and the valley will likely continue over the next several days.

There are no current road closures, but people are being asked to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of firefighting personnel.

The town of Foresthill is not endangered and there are no evacuations ordered.

Fire Location

View Larger Map

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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
O’Dell Realty
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Environment

Burn Permits Suspended June 1st Tahoe National Forest Initiates Fire Restrictions

May 31, 2013 jd

Effective Saturday, June 1, 2013, residential burn permits will be suspended for Nevada, Placer, and Yuba Counties and fire restrictions will go into effect in the Tahoe National Forest announced both Brad Harris, CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Chief and Tom Quinn, Tahoe National Forest Supervisor. “Despite the recent, light rain, conditions in the foothills and the high country remain unseasonably dry for this time of year. Warming temperatures, dry winds, and very dry fuel moisture levels have prompted this early fire season response,” stated Quinn. “We have already seen fire activity that is not normally observed until late July or August. The unusual lack of rain this past winter and spring, prompted the early burn ban and fire restrictions,” said Chief Harris.

Beginning June 1, the burn permit suspension applies to areas in Nevada, Yuba and Placer counties that fall within state responsibility area and local jurisdiction under contract with CAL FIRE. Anyone who burns in violation of the suspension will be subject to appropriate civil or criminal action and could face cost recovery charges for the fire suppression response. All fires or smoke reported will be considered a wildfire and a full suppression response will be dispatched to the scene.

In the Tahoe National Forest, beginning June 1, campfires are not permitted in the backcountry but only in developed campgrounds and other designated sites (in the metal rings/grills provided). Portable stoves, including those that use gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are permitted in backcountry areas with a valid campfire permit. Propane-type Bar-B-Q’s can be used outside designated sites where camping is permitted, but charcoal Bar-B-Q’s can only be used in designated campgrounds. Smoking is only permitted in an enclosed vehicle or developed recreation site. Internal combustion engines, including off highway vehicles (OHV’s) can continue to be operated on roads or motorized trails and within the Prosser Pits OHV area. The personal wood cutting program will continue to operate, as long as individuals have a valid woodcutting permit and follow the conditions on the permit. Campfire permits are free and are available at all Forest Service, BLM, or CAL FIRE offices.

Continue reading Burn Permits Suspended June 1st Tahoe National Forest Initiates Fire Restrictions →

Community Events, Nevada County Information

Get a 2013 Firewise Calendar for Completing a FREE Defensible Space Advisory Visit

November 17, 2012 jd

The 2013 Firewise Calendar features native plants.

The Fire Safe Council of Nevada County in cooperation with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and National Firewise Communities are offering residents in Nevada County free defensible space advisory visits to educate citizens about Defensible Space.

California Public Resources Code 4291 requires every landowner to “maintain around and adjacent to the building or structure a firebreak made by removing and clearing away, for a distance of not less than 100’ on each side of the building or structure or to the property line, whichever is nearer, all flammable vegetation or other combustible growth”.

In addition, this code allows insurance companies to require landowners to maintain the firebreaks.

We live in a wildland urban interface area which has the potential for catastrophic wildfire.

Receive custom advice about:

Building materials.
Fire facts.
How to manage the vegetation on your property.
Plant species considered “high fire risk.”
Proper clearance from structures.
Proper signage for your property.
Answers to any questions you might have about the defensible space around your structures.
And a variety of other helpful information.

In addition, you will be provided with referrals for contractors and other resources that could help you complete your fuel reduction project.

Advisors will inform citizens about:

The burn permit process.
The California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP).
The FSCNC Chipping Program.
The FSCNC Special Needs Assistance Program.

Learn how to make your home and property more fire safe and get a 2013 Firewise calendar!!

For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE#00669941

Education, Nevada County Information

California Wildfires 2012

September 14, 2012 jd

httpv://youtu.be/asA_MGOQK24

No Time To Burn

This video shows breathtaking images of several of this year’s wildfires, including point-of-view aerial footage from specially-equipped California National Guard Blackhawk helicopters dropping hundreds of gallons of water on flames. It also takes viewers along with Cal EMA Secretary Mark Ghilarducci, California National Guard General David Baldwin and CAL FIRE Director Ken Pimlott as they visit a special “helitack base” near the massive Ponderosa Fire in Tehama County. There’s also footage from a strategy session with federal and state coordinators at a regional emergency operations center in Redding, Calif. Officials also included an interview with two residents of Manton, California who were evacuated from their homes, expressing the grim reality of destruction caused by the Ponderosa Fire.
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com

DRE#00669941