July 22, 2006 - Lessons still to be learned?

Lessons still to be learned?

Wildfires spark probe into response efforts in high desert

July 22, 2006

News Article/Desert Sun

Erica Solvig
The Desert Sun

YUCCA VALLEY - Two years after a Blue Ribbon Fire Commission presented its 245-page report and recommendations on battling California wildfires, some improvements haven't been made.

Year-round staffing is not mandated by law. Aging helicopters and fire engines haven't been replaced. And not all firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention have received specialized training on battling brush fires in urban settings.

It's impossible to know how these changes, proposed in the aftermath of the state's 2003 devastating wildfires, would have helped the crews fighting the Sawtooth and Millard complex fires north of Palm Springs that devoured some 86,000 acres and killed one Pioneertown resident earlier in July.

But some argue that more must be done to bolster firefighting efforts, especially in such fire-prone areas as the high desert.

"We're very vulnerable," said state Sen. Nell Soto, a Pomona Democrat who was on the fire commission. She described the lack of action as "disappointing. I can't understand why everyone is so lackadaisical about this."

CDF officials say they have made major strides since the deadly 2003 fire season, when blazes, including San Bernardino County's Grand Prix and Old fires, scorched more than 750,000 acres statewide and destroyed more than 3,000 homes.

Most of the recommended changes, they argue, have been handled or are in the works. But critics say some recommendations, such as equipment replacement, are possibly years from completion. And some proposals were outright discarded: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2004 vetoed four of the five bills lawmakers passed to propel the commission's ideas forward.

Darrel Ng, the governor's deputy press secretary, referred all questions to CDF.

"We feel like we have adequate resources to meet the needs," said Michael Jarvis, CDF's deputy director of communications.

Terry McHale, public policy director for the CDF Firefighters, the union that represents the crews, said Schwarzenegger has made some improvements by stretching limited resources. "These fires are a constant reminder. But the truth is the budget comes out in January, the revise comes out in May. Memories are short. When your feet aren't burning and you're making these decisions, it's easy to say, 'Well, maybe we won't have the big fire this year.'"

Deadly 2003 fires

In the deadly 2003 wildfire season, California did have the big fire, and fire safety became a major focus. Brought on by drought and a bark-beetle infestation, that year's 14 major wildfires killed 24 people, destroyed about 3,000 homes and scorched hundreds of thousands of acres. State, local and federal agencies joined forces to figure out how to avoid a repeat of what had transpired. And there was certainly momentum.

On Sept. 10, 2004, California Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman praised "31 action steps" to "enhance the ability of California's fire and emergency preparedness agencies to more effectively respond to and prevent devastating wildfires." Later that month, Schwarzenegger vetoed four of five bills lawmakers presented to boost resources. Some say not enough has been done in critical areas and the fire threats that existed in '03 still exist, as this month's wildfires proved.

Staffing

One of the major pushes was for CDF to staff at least four people on fire engines during the non-fire season. In the '90s, staffing had been higher, state budget cuts had scrunched it by '03. Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, sponsored a bill in '04 to mandate the new staffing levels. Schwarzenegger vetoed it, saying an executive order in May '04 set the same policy. Ducheny says under the order, "any day, someone can decide we're not going to do it." Last winter, 50 engines in CDF's Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego units were staffed because of the order.

Communications

Not all fire crews across the state use the same radio frequency to communicate.

Communication wasn't a problem during the Sawtooth Complex Fire, said Battalion Chief Mike Sweeney with CDF's San Bernardino unit.

This was the first major fire using a new computer system that tracks the planes, ground crews, engines and other backup fighting the fire.

Equipment

An air attack was vital in fighting the Sawtooth and Millard fires. At some points, ground crews couldn't get to the flames because of the mountainous desert terrain. But many helicopters date back to the Vietnam era, said Terry McHale, public policy director for the CDF Firefighters union'. A proposed replacement study is in the works, CDF officials say. A study done in recent years showed about 50 percent of fire engines were also beyond the 20-year life span, McHale said.

CDF officials say they're in the process of buying 42 new engines.

Training

The vast desert region - and such high fire-prone areas as Morongo Valley and Pioneertown - are quickly becoming more urban. But not enough training has focused on this changing demographic and the Wildland Urban Interface, McHale said.

The state Fire Marshal's Office offers a 40-hour specialized course. But the focus of CDF is not urban firefighting. "We're doing whatever it takes to make sure we have a really effective fire force that can attack," said Michael Jarvis of CDF.

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Lessons still to be learned?

Wildfires spark probe into response efforts in high desert
July 22, 2006 News Article/Desert Sun Erica Solvig The Desert Sun YUCCA VALLEY - Two years after a Blue Ribbon Fire Commission presented its 245-page report and recommendations on battling California wildfires, some improvements haven't been made. Year-round staffing is not mandated by law. Aging helicopters and fire engines haven't been replaced. And not all firefighters with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention have received specialized training on battling brush fires in urban settings. It's impossible to know how these changes, proposed in the aftermath of the state's 2003 devastating wildfires, would have helped the crews fighting the Sawtooth and Millard complex fires north of Palm Springs that devoured some 86,000 acres and killed one Pioneertown resident earlier in July. But some argue that more must be done to bolster firefighting efforts, especially in such fire-prone areas as the high desert. "We're very vulnerable," said state Sen. Nell Soto, a Pomona Democrat who was on the fire commission. She described the lack of action as "disappointing. I can't understand why everyone is so lackadaisical about this." CDF officials say they have made major strides since the deadly 2003 fire season, when blazes, including San Bernardino County's Grand Prix and Old fires, scorched more than 750,000 acres statewide and destroyed more than 3,000 homes. Most of the recommended changes, they argue, have been handled or are in the works. But critics say some recommendations, such as equipment replacement, are possibly years from completion. And some proposals were outright discarded: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2004 vetoed four of the five bills lawmakers passed to propel the commission's ideas forward. Darrel Ng, the governor's deputy press secretary, referred all questions to CDF. "We feel like we have adequate resources to meet the needs," said Michael Jarvis, CDF's deputy director of communications. Terry McHale, public policy director for the CDF Firefighters, the union that represents the crews, said Schwarzenegger has made some improvements by stretching limited resources. "These fires are a constant reminder. But the truth is the budget comes out in January, the revise comes out in May. Memories are short. When your feet aren't burning and you're making these decisions, it's easy to say, 'Well, maybe we won't have the big fire this year.'" Deadly 2003 fires In the deadly 2003 wildfire season, California did have the big fire, and fire safety became a major focus. Brought on by drought and a bark-beetle infestation, that year's 14 major wildfires killed 24 people, destroyed about 3,000 homes and scorched hundreds of thousands of acres. State, local and federal agencies joined forces to figure out how to avoid a repeat of what had transpired. And there was certainly momentum. On Sept. 10, 2004, California Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman praised "31 action steps" to "enhance the ability of California's fire and emergency preparedness agencies to more effectively respond to and prevent devastating wildfires." Later that month, Schwarzenegger vetoed four of five bills lawmakers presented to boost resources. Some say not enough has been done in critical areas and the fire threats that existed in '03 still exist, as this month's wildfires proved. Staffing One of the major pushes was for CDF to staff at least four people on fire engines during the non-fire season. In the '90s, staffing had been higher, state budget cuts had scrunched it by '03. Sen. Denise Ducheny, D-San Diego, sponsored a bill in '04 to mandate the new staffing levels. Schwarzenegger vetoed it, saying an executive order in May '04 set the same policy. Ducheny says under the order, "any day, someone can decide we're not going to do it." Last winter, 50 engines in CDF's Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego units were staffed because of the order. Communications Not all fire crews across the state use the same radio frequency to communicate. Communication wasn't a problem during the Sawtooth Complex Fire, said Battalion Chief Mike Sweeney with CDF's San Bernardino unit. This was the first major fire using a new computer system that tracks the planes, ground crews, engines and other backup fighting the fire. Equipment An air attack was vital in fighting the Sawtooth and Millard fires. At some points, ground crews couldn't get to the flames because of the mountainous desert terrain. But many helicopters date back to the Vietnam era, said Terry McHale, public policy director for the CDF Firefighters union'. A proposed replacement study is in the works, CDF officials say. A study done in recent years showed about 50 percent of fire engines were also beyond the 20-year life span, McHale said. CDF officials say they're in the process of buying 42 new engines. Training The vast desert region - and such high fire-prone areas as Morongo Valley and Pioneertown - are quickly becoming more urban. But not enough training has focused on this changing demographic and the Wildland Urban Interface, McHale said. The state Fire Marshal's Office offers a 40-hour specialized course. But the focus of CDF is not urban firefighting. "We're doing whatever it takes to make sure we have a really effective fire force that can attack," said Michael Jarvis of CDF.
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