Author Topic: Ventura County Wildfire - Thomas Fire 12/4/2017 (Read 58939 times)

Jim Wilkins · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 12, 17, 08:57:26 PM »

They have a very organized system of trying to keep their lines secure from fire which includes clearance. With the scope and scale of their grid system...it is a massive job. Edison has a rep at every fire command helping with information and planning to keep grids operating. They have an impressive group of retired USFS and CalFire wildland firefighters working who have a life time of knowledge and speak the language of the firefighters.

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 12, 17, 09:52:13 PM »

Something to consider - I learned recently that things like dense fog or even high amounts of blowing dust can cause lines to arc. We actually saw the Edison helicopter doing inspections of lines in Santa Barbara (probably technically Goleta or unincorporated) a few days before this fire.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 14, 17, 05:35:12 PM »

Date: Thursday, December 14, 2017
Time: 12:10 PM

THOMAS FIRE PRESS RELEASE
I am very saddened to report that a firefighter fatality has occurred on the Thomas Incident. The incident is still unfolding, but in this world of fast moving information, it is important to me that only factual information be shared. To that end, I can confirm a fatality of a CAL FIRE Engineer from the San Diego Unit has occurred. IMT 4, CAL FIRE Local 2881 and Southern Region leadership are working to support the Unit and his family, who have been notified.

More details will be made available as they are confirmed. In the meantime, please join me in keeping our fallen firefighter and his loved ones in your prayers and all the responders on the front lines in your thoughts as they continue to work under extremely challenging conditions.

Chief Ken Pimlott CAL FIRE Director

www.CountyofSB.org www.ReadyVenturaCounty.org

SAFETY MESSAGE The public is reminded to stay vigilant on current fire conditions. Please continue to adhere to road closures and evacuation orders. Please drive slowly and yield to emergency personnel

Wrightwood · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 14, 17, 07:32:31 PM »

Not sure how well this will show.

Jim Wilkins · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 14, 17, 09:35:17 PM »

CalFire has released the name of the Cal Fire Engineer who died in the line of duty on the Thomas Fire. It's one thing to hear on the news that another firefighter died in the line of duty....it's another to look him in the eye and see his wife and two year old daughter who are left behind.

This is CAL FIRE San Diego County Engineer Cory Iverson.

This is CalFire Engineer Iverson...his wife and two year old daughter.

Along with 7,000 other firefighters,who battle the massive Thomas Fire, Engineer Iverson willingly put himself into harm's way for the good of us all. From the time he died today until the time when he is laid to his final rest....he will never be alone. He will be escorted by an Honor Guard of fellow firefighters and law enforcement from many agencies. Once again, the Fire Community will gather to honor CAL FIRE Engineer Cory Iverson and share their respects, comfort and love to his family in the time honored tradition. The thousands of firefighters who remain on the Thomas fire will go out on their shifts and continue to try to bring this monster under control.

RIP. You've earned your eternal rest.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 15, 17, 11:31:27 AM »

Wrightwood · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 16, 17, 11:06:47 AM »

Currently live

http://www.keyt.com/livestream

Wrightwood · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 16, 17, 11:27:43 AM »

Twitter
VCFD PIO?Verified account @VCFD_PIO
43 minutes ago

#ThomasFire -total cost: $103,912,000.00 - Current Acreage: 259,000. with 40% perimeter containment. 8370 total personnel in the FIGHT !!

Wrightwood · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 16, 17, 11:31:12 AM »

Another live feed link:
https://livestream.com/accounts/19285506/live

Wrightwood · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 16, 17, 03:35:45 PM »

Joe Schmoe · « **Reply #30 on:** Dec 17, 17, 02:44:33 AM »

Wind has picked up again. This looks likely to turn back into a really bad deal. The weather just wont relent. In my line of work I had a phone conversation with a very nice lady a few years ago who lived up on Camino Cielo (a ridge top road above Santa Barbara). Hopefully her home makes it.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #31 on:** Dec 17, 17, 09:29:45 AM »

Continuing live coverage:
https://livestream.com/accounts/19285506/live

Wrightwood · « **Reply #32 on:** Dec 18, 17, 06:55:00 PM »

Twitter
CAL FIRE
39 minutes ago

#ThomasFire [update] north of Santa Paula (Ventura and Santa Barbara County) is now 271,00 acres & 50% contained. Unified Command

Wrightwood · « **Reply #33 on:** Dec 23, 17, 09:45:16 AM »

Twitter

Los Padres NF
?13 hours ago

12.22.2017 Good Evening from the #ThomasFire. The fire is 273,400 and 65% contained. The Thomas Fire has now become the largest fire in California's recorded history.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #34 on:** Jan 05, 18, 09:15:00 AM »

Ventura County
Class Action lawsuit filed in Thomas Fire
50 Clients from Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties
By:Beth Farnsworth
Posted: Jan 04, 2018 04:41 PM PST

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A Westlake attorney who filed a class-action lawsuit blames Southern California Edison (SCE) for starting the Thomas Fire.

Alex Robertson, the head of Robertson and Associates, LLP, told NewsChannel 3 that he has roughly 50 clients impacted by the devastating wildfire and expects to represent many more.

"It's really a tragic story and just a catastrophic loss for the community," Robertson said Thursday by phone.

Robertson said the lawsuit alleges SCE started the fire in a canyon near Anlauf Canyon Road, above Steckel Park, He said SCE crews were working in the canyon weeks before the flames broke out on December 4, he believes, replacing poles.

"Our client said she saw this power pole with the blown transformer on it taken out," Robertson said. "There were two Cal Fire trucks in the lead and the Edison flatbed with the evidence of the pole and two Cal Fire investigator trucks behind and it was a whole procession that came down the canyon."

Robertson said power lines/poles are the second leading cause of wildfires in California and by law, power companies must preserve evidence of "the ignition source of wildfires."

Robertson said he is representing roughly 40 clients in Ventura, 10 in Upper Ojai and two in Santa Barbara County; one in the Toro Canyon area of Montecito and one in Carpinteria.

The trial attorney also filed suit against the City of Ventura for failing to have backup generators to operate the pumps when the power went out.

"We allege that's why so many neighborhoods were completely destroyed, every house is gone," Robertson said. "There was no water."

Robertson says firefighters simply had no water pressure for the hillside hydrants when the fire came roaring over the hill into the city between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning on December 5.

Robertson anticipates representing even more residents impacted by the Thomas Fire.

http://www.keyt.com/news/ventura-county/class-action-lawsuit-filed-in-thomas-fire/681504606

ad astra · « **Reply #35 on:** Jan 06, 18, 11:57:08 PM »

Wrightwood · « **Reply #36 on:** Jan 07, 18, 09:56:59 AM »

Statement from SCE:

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171211006278/en/

The causes of the wildfires are being investigated by CAL FIRE, other fire agencies and the California Public Utilities Commission. The investigations now include locations beyond those identified last week as the apparent origin of these fires. SCE believes the investigations now include the possible role of its facilities.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #37 on:** Jun 01, 18, 01:10:21 PM »

Wrightwood · « **Reply #38 on:** Mar 13, 19, 01:44:57 PM »

ad astra · « **Reply #39 on:** Mar 20, 19, 06:00:04 PM »