Bridge to Nowhere Fire

[gus]

There is a fire near the bridge to nowhere in the east fork of the San Gabriel river. Full response by forest service. More details when they are available

[Stitches]

I thought something was going on in the south.   I saw smoke as I was driving into town and helicopters flying around.

[RobertW]

Los Angeles County Fire chopper is now complaining about the lack of organization for air attack between multiple agencies.  IC asked they run into the canyon to search for hotspots. While doing so, another agency chopper told them to get out. 

IC isn't giving them instructions, nothing seems organized other than bringing crews into the canyon via helos, and multiple tankers and helos on the way.

Freq:  135.9750

[Wildman]

Many initial attacks can appear less then organized.  Takes a bit to sort things out and some IC's are more organized then others.  This is in the same area that the Narrows Fire started and would probably run into that burn at some point.  Could also just retrace the Narrows Fire path burning on the new growth.

Time will tell. 

[Wrightwood]

[RobertW]

Isn't this just down canyon from where all the Search and Rescue activity is going on?  Possibly related?

[Calindy]

View of fire from Phelan:

[KW]

Isn't this just down canyon from where all the Search and Rescue activity is going on?  Possibly related?

That was my first thought. Maybe the missing hunter started a fire to help rescuers find him?

[Wildman]

Possible.  The area is heavily traveled up to the Bridge itself and is very popular on weekends when it is warm....like today.  Once you come above the bridge, the canyon gets narrow and steep and most don't continue.

[RobertW]

Isn't this just down canyon from where all the Search and Rescue activity is going on?  Possibly related?

That was my first thought. Maybe the missing hunter started a fire to help rescuers find him?

The chances that the hunter is alive after a week with the temperatures being what they were overnight is slim considering the way he was dressed. 

Of course, it was said that he was an experienced hiker, and survival in those conditions is entirely possible if you know what you're doing.  There is plenty of water and food (berries) in that area.  It's the temperatures that are of concern.

Being very familiar with that area, it is VERY rugged with steep slides and canyon walls.  It would be easy to take a fall that would prove to be fatal.

[Wrightwood]

I just returned from viewing the Nowhere Fire and the Lost Hunter CP (Command Post) and the two are not related.

[Wrightwood]

[snowave]

Los Angeles County Fire chopper is now complaining about the lack of organization for air attack between multiple agencies.  IC asked they run into the canyon to search for hotspots. While doing so, another agency chopper told them to get out. 

IC isn't giving them instructions, nothing seems organized other than bringing crews into the canyon via helos, and multiple tankers and helos on the way.

Freq:  135.9750

What is it relevance of posting something like this?  

[kew]

A fire can spread very rapidly and anything that gets in the way of an organized response is very revelent.

If our fires are not handled in an organized manner we need to know about it.

[angelwolf326]

Thanks for the pics John, they are great.  And Calindy...  I got up there but it was a bit too dark and I did not have my good camera.  I saw John and he said he got some great shots earlier which he did.  There are personnel up at Inspiration Point watching the fire....

Great Thanks to all these people who watch over us!!!!

 

[RobertW]

Los Angeles County Fire chopper is now complaining about the lack of organization for air attack between multiple agencies.  IC asked they run into the canyon to search for hotspots. While doing so, another agency chopper told them to get out. 

IC isn't giving them instructions, nothing seems organized other than bringing crews into the canyon via helos, and multiple tankers and helos on the way.

Freq:  135.9750

What is it relevance of posting something like this?  

Just relaying info as it was happening.  I can assure you that I did not intend to give the impression that the response and administration of this fire was being botched or mishandled.  As Wildman will attest to, Southern California is the forerunner in multi-agency cooperation when it comes to wildfires.  It just seemed rather peculiar to me that the incident happened as it did. 

I have a rich history in my family of firefighters and policeman and have nothing but respect for the job they do.  I have been monitoring police and fire transmission for over 40 years and I've never heard the type of conversation I posted.  It was just interesting to me.  It seemed rather peculiar that a Los Angeles County chopper was chased from the scene and ended up returning to base.  I'm sorry you were offended by the post or didn't find it intersting.  Please just ignore the post, but many of us that monitor the responses find this type of radio traffic intersting.

[snowave]

OK, I understand your point now.. and appreciate your explanation. I never doubted your intentions from the beginning were good.. I just get a bit bent out of shape sometimes with some dictation of scanner traffic..  and how it sometimes creates problems/misperceptions of what may be going on..  (with the general public and their understanding).


thanks. 

[RobertW]

The Los Angeles County Fire Chopper that was returning to base was not so much complaining as trying to warn the other County choppers that were responding that they needed to make sure the IC gave them clear instructions.  It was getting close to nightfall and the Helos and Tankers would have to get in fast and quick as they would have to suspend their efforts with darkness.

If you have ever listened to these Chopper and Tanker pilots, they are nothing short of proffesional.

[FSfirefighter]

All of the aerial resources on the fire are working for an air tactical group supervisor (ATGS). Beneath the ATGS is a lead plane that serves as the Airtanker coordinator. The aerial resources never contact the IC directly unless there is some sort of safety issue, or they cannot contact the ATGS (often called "Air Attack").

What you heard was not confusion, just a HUGE attack from the air post Esperanza Fire. There was a large number of airtankers and helicopters, one ATGS platform, and one lead plane operating within a very small airspace.... on a relatively small fire.... in the East Fork of San Gabriel Canyon.

The USFS and the LACoFd work together on fires year-round.

[RobertW]

Thanks for the clarification.