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Public Forums => Disaster Awareness & CERT => Topic started by: Surfer_Dude on Jul 10, 06, 06:27:18 PM

Title: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Surfer_Dude on Jul 10, 06, 06:27:18 PM
I thougth I heard a gun shot in E. Canyon about 6:25.  Anyone see hunters or were closer?  Sounded clearly like a hunting rifle but who knows at distance?
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: twinkie on Jul 10, 06, 06:48:16 PM
We heard it too.   Now we're seeing smoke from Lone Pine Canyon.  Anyone have any info?
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 10, 06, 07:01:34 PM
My husband called and said he called 911 because he also saw smoke at the top of Lone Pine.  A bunch of emergency crews just headed up that way a few minutes ago.  Anyone know what's going on?
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 10, 06, 07:10:52 PM
Anyone?
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: twinkie on Jul 10, 06, 07:13:26 PM
I've been listening to the scanner.  Sounds like there has been a fire, about 100x150 feet in medium brush.  No  one sounds frazzled and I see the smoke has calmed down.  I wonder what the loud bang was just prior to the smoke.  Firecracker or gun?
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: twinkie on Jul 10, 06, 07:15:08 PM
Just heard they have the fire "knocked down" and are going to cancel extra units.
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 10, 06, 07:15:21 PM
Title: Fire on Lone Pine
Post by: WWDREAMN on Jul 10, 06, 07:23:39 PM
My mom just dropped off my daughter and said that is a fire burning near the top of Lone Pine, I have been hearing fire trucks for about 45 minutes now, does anyone have any news about this?
Title: Re: Fire on Lone Pine
Post by: twinkie on Jul 10, 06, 07:24:40 PM
Check under Around the Village - Shots fired.
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: KWBoy on Jul 10, 06, 07:34:12 PM
i cant stand stupid people  ;D
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: RobertW on Jul 10, 06, 07:35:41 PM
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: WWDREAMN on Jul 10, 06, 08:03:50 PM
pretty sure I saw a vehicle belonging to our illustrious forum master when I went by, there was no smoke or flames that I could see from Lone Pine. Hopefully we will get some pictures later.
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: RobertW on Jul 10, 06, 08:05:43 PM
That is what his press credentials are for, to get the story and show us the pictures...  ;D
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 10, 06, 08:08:52 PM
Photos pending...........

Fire knocked down
Title: Re: Shots Fired
Post by: WWDREAMN on Jul 10, 06, 08:10:42 PM
I hope I didn't sound like I was bashing Mr. Wrightwood. He is awesome! Thanks for all you do!
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 10, 06, 08:16:58 PM
Not at all WWDREAMN  ;)
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 10, 06, 09:59:46 PM
Multiple dispatches took place with the first coming at 6:32 pm.

RobertW gave a good rundown of the chain of events (above).

Wrightwood residents should feel fortunate as favorable conditions prevented this fire from spreading. Very quick response by SB County Fire Station 101 and Brush Patrol 102 (in Wrightwood restocking supplies), moderate humidity and no wind to speak of.

When crews arrived at the very end of Helicopter Hill the fire had split in two or three piles of rubbish and pine needles and was burning on both sides of the road with native vegetation slowly catching. A slight breeze had fire and smoke headed towards the East Canyon area of Wrightwood.

Cause is under investigation by the forest service.

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06a.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06b.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06c.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06d.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06e.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06f.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06g.JPG)

SB County Fire Captain Wilkins assumes Incident Command and calls Comm Center with size up of fire and called it the Hill Incident.

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06h.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06i.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06j.JPG)

SB County Battalion Chief Hultquist and IC Captain Wilkins discuss the fire.

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06k.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06l.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06m.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06n.JPG)

The circled cigarette and cigar butts are an example of how careless people are in the our forests. (The butts are all over Helicopter Hill and not necessarily the cause of this fire)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06o.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06p.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06q.JPG)

USFS Captain from Angeles Forest inspects area (forum member Tall Trees)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06s.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06t.JPG)

Unrelated to the fire this is some of the other recent trash that people from Wrightwood have been dumping in our forest!

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06r.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06u.JPG)
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: KWBoy on Jul 11, 06, 03:37:38 AM
(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06u.JPG)

looks like some one missed the pine needle drop off!
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: kk_gizmo on Jul 11, 06, 06:53:14 AM
Quote
looks like some one missed the pine needle drop off!

Looks like someone needs to have it dropped off back in their front yard with a hefty ( :) ) citation!
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: KW on Jul 11, 06, 06:56:05 AM
Wrightwood, amazing photos - as always. Thanks
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: K9luvr on Jul 11, 06, 06:57:18 AM


USFS Captain from Angeles Forest inspects area (forum member Tall Trees)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06s.JPG)

He is not a Captain, but the Crew Superintendent for Valyermo Crew 4.  (When the crew is filled, he has two captains working for him).  Since the decision was to not fill the crew, he is acting as Battalion 35 for now.  That would be a lateral position for him.  Hey, gotta give people credit where credit is due!  ;)


Unrelated to the fire this is some of the other recent trash that people from Wrightwood have been dumping in our forest!

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06r.JPG)

(http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/HeliHill/HeliHill7_10_06u.JPG)


 :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall:  :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall: :brickwall:
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: MountainGrizzly on Jul 11, 06, 09:18:59 AM
How sad that someone could load up their vehicle with trash, and, instead of going down to the dump, go into the forest.  All because they were too lazy to drive to Phelan.
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: BOS#1FAN on Jul 11, 06, 09:30:38 AM
I thought the Hand Crew in Valyermo was disbanded?  Atleast I thought I read that in the paper. 
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 11, 06, 09:34:40 AM
Like there's no better options for trash bags full of pine needles.

1) There was a free pine needle drop off in town
2) Leave them by the curb and the trash guys pick them up
3) Dump (and if they don't have a dump card I'd offer the use of one)
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: LoriAnn on Jul 11, 06, 09:43:50 AM
Lots of new trash has been dumped in the forest near Desert Front Rd. since Hwy 138 closed.  Sadly, it's local people.
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 12, 06, 08:31:15 AM
The day that this happened, I had said that my husband had called 911 to report it.  The lady that he spoke with had told him not to worry and that it was a prescribed burn and that it had been going for a couple of days.  My husband told her "I don't think so, not in this area".  But she still insisted that it was.  Wish he could have got her name. 
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 12, 06, 08:40:57 AM
The day that this happened, I had said that my husband had called 911 to report it.  The lady that he spoke with had told him not to worry and that it was a prescribed burn and that it had been going for a couple of days.  My husband told her "I don't think so, not in this area".  But she still insisted that it was.  Wish he could have got her name. 

Was that 911 call made on a cell phone or by land line?
Where was the call placed from? Wrightwood
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 12, 06, 08:58:48 AM
He made the call from his cell.  He had pulled off the road right at the entrance to see if he could catch someone leaving the sight. 
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 12, 06, 09:12:50 AM
In the past all 911 cell calls were routed through CHP but that's slowly beginning to change as now some calls are routed through Comm Center. I know SB County Fire is watching this post and I'm sure that information will be checked into.

Here's a posting I made in Dec 13, 05 that seems appropriate to repost:

Yesterday a few of us had the opportunity to visit the San Bernardino County Fire Communication Center. This facility better known as Comm. Center is where Wrightwood 911 calls are routed for emergency services.

The managers of Comm. Center asked that we pass on an alternate phone number to our forum visitors if you ever have issues connecting to a 911  call. Just remember that when you dial 911, from a standard phone line, your street address automatically pops up for the dispatcher. Cell phone locations are not known to the dispatcher when 911 is dialed.

The alternate 911 phone number for this area is: (909) 822-8071
Try 911 first!!
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: angiepoo on Jul 12, 06, 09:15:25 AM
So is it better to call from home or from your cell?
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: kew on Jul 12, 06, 10:48:06 AM
.......San Bernardino County Fire Communication Center. This facility better known as Comm. Center is where Wrightwood 911 calls are routed for emergency services.

The managers of Comm. Center asked that we pass on an alternate phone number to our forum visitors if you ever have issues connecting to a 911  call. Just remember that when you dial 911, from a standard phone line, your street address automatically pops up for the dispatcher. Cell phone locations are not known to the dispatcher when 911 is dialed.

The alternate 911 phone number for this area is: (909) 822-8071
Try 911 first!!

Is this number good for all emergency services or just fire? Also, Is it a good number for the entire tri-community area?
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 12, 06, 11:50:27 AM
Quote
Is this number good for all emergency services or just fire? Also, Is it a good number for the entire tri-community area?

Yes the Comm Center number can be used for all emergency services that involve Fire in San Bernardino County.  For instance: medical emergencies, fire and accidents.

The Comm Center number would not be used for Sheriff incidents such as robbery, domestic violence, prowler, gunfire, fight in progress, etc.

It cannot be stressed enough to use 911 if on a land line as it identifies your location and saves time.
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 12, 06, 11:53:41 AM
So is it better to call from home or from your cell?

A hard wired phone (land line) would be the choice if at home. If you're in a vehicle you really have no choice.
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: kew on Jul 12, 06, 03:10:28 PM
Do you have a number for the Sheriff Dept dispatcher center, other than 249-3212 / 868-1006 which I believe are only manned during the day?
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 12, 06, 05:23:40 PM
kew,
I'm fairly sure that those two numbers roll over and are answered by the Victorville office.
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Mikeswave on Jul 14, 06, 06:03:34 AM
Was the cause of this fire ever determend?
Title: Re: Vegetation fire - Helicopter Hill 7-10-06
Post by: Wrightwood on Jul 14, 06, 04:58:14 PM
I haven't heard anything.