ojai news at The Ojai Post :: blog, newspaper, events in Ojai, California

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There were twelve speakers, each introducing the next officer to speak. Included are notes and photos of each speaker (more photos coming soon). The session concluded with a ten-question audience Q&A session. These notes are not perfect, so please include corrections and additions in the comments below, or email to: tyler -at- ojaipost dot com.

Sam Wilbanks - Public Info Officer, US Forest Service [photo]
He was impressed by the coordination of local officials, fire, sheriff; everyone's efforts are to be complemented.

Steve Bennett - County Supervisor [photo]
The overall goal is a unified command - the US Forest Service, California Department of Forestry, Ventura County Fire Department, and all other agencies. There are challenges with communication between the agencies, and emergency services have been working for weeks and are tired.

Jeanne Pincha-Tulley - Chief, Incident Commander [photo]
The team has been on the fire since September 7. The Day Fire has burned 107,685 acres. They are now transitioning to two teams, dividing the command in a way that protects all threatened communities. They have built over 100 miles of line, multiple contingency lines. There are still 59 miles of open line. There are 2128 people on the fire. All utilities into Ojai have been saved thus far. There are 63 firefighting agencies all under one command, including LA County, Ventura County, California Department of Forestry and more.

Mike Dietrich - Fire Chief, San Bernardino National Forest [photo]
Weather Update: not favorable - There will be a moderate Santa Ana wind, beginning Fri morning through Sun 6pm [ed.note: everyone else said it begins Friday night]. A moderate Santa Ana event means up to 60mph winds. This event is expected to start with winds out of the north moving to northeast, then true easterly vector. Last week the fire moved six miles in 24 hours with similar wind speeds.

MAP:
The fire in the Sespe has fire tankers and air tankers deployed. The west flank is being worked vigoriously with helitankers, and crews walking into the bottom, trying to hold in place when the winds hit. The contingencies: there is a dozer line on Nordhoff Ridge between Div O and Div K - hoping to complete it tonight. The threats: as winds come from the north, it tests the south flank, and as it rotates to the east, it begins to push west edge, up to six miles.

If winds increase to 40MPH+, we could lose the west flank. In high winds, air tankers have a very hard time flying at winds over 25MPH, helicopters slightly more. The winds but pilots and planes at risk and thus aircraft may have to be shut down. 175 engines were ordered last night, extra dozers, and additional personnel focused on Fillmore, Santa Paula and Ojai.

Kelly Zombro - California Department of Forestry Battalion Chief from San Diego [photo]
No fire department can do it alone - it takes extensive cooperation. There are more resources in route.

Bob Roper - Chief, Ventura County Fire Department (and Ojai resident) [photo]
Last Sunday morning, the Supervisor and city council met. The winds are coming Friday night; on Saturday, the town will be laid over with smoke, which then goes over the ocean, and parks over the Channel Islands. When east winds let up, it comes back into town until west winds push it out to the Lancaster area. The middle of next week, another east wind is set up. The fire is not going out overnight. Ventura County has never had a fire last this long (in his 28 years). The Wheeler fire in 1985 blew up, came down Foothill Rd, travelling uphill during the day, and downhill at night - the impact can be tremendous. But we will be safe. If fire doesn't stop at the primary break at Nordhoff Ridge, it will be stopped at Shelf Road, and structures will be protected. We will help each other, and we'll get through this together.

Bruce Norris, Captain, Ventura County Sheriff Department [photo]
The Sheriff Department is working closely with the Fire Department. The SD is in charge of evacuations and protecting property in that instance. 1) If there are precautionary evacuations, the fire is about 6 hours away. 2) if there are recommended evacuations, fire is within 3 hours of a residential area. Deputies can knock on the door anytime, and will be notifying people in person. Forms with contact info will be filled out, as a coordination measure. There are approximately 40 law enforcement personnel patrolling streets and notifying residents in Ojai. The American Red Cross of Ventura County has shelters set up in Ojai (Nordhoff High Gym), Ventura (Missionary Church), Santa Paula and Fillmore.

Sgt Brummett - California Highway Patrol [photo]
Handling traffic control, there is one closure: Highway 33 near Wheeler Gorge - only residents are being allowed in, with proof. They may close Highway 150 again. If so, residents only, but possibly a wider evacuation. Regarding parking, there is lots of equipment, so if needed, there may be some towing. A note on the 911 system - cell calls are automatically dispatched into the CHP dispatch call center. Please only call with true emergencies, not warnings about weather or smoke.

Kathy Jenks - Director, Ventura County Animal Regulation [photo]
Ongoing horse rescue has been underway, along with three camels and a zebra. if you plan on evacuating animals, get out early, not at the last minute - it is easier on the animals. Call 888-223-PETS for help from Ventura County Animal Regulation. The Humane Society on Bryant is for small animals and pets. There are evacuation and assistance units staged at the Summit in Upper Ojai, and units in Lockwood Valley. If you need help, give as much time as possible. There is no cost for animal evacuation

Norm Plott - Battalion Chief, County Fire Incident Commander to Unified Command [photo]
There are a lot more fire trucks coming in to protect and hold the fire, and provide structure protection. There are several sites for equipment including Soule Park, Steckel Park, and up Hghway 33. If you're in the weed abatement zone, you can do additional weed clearance. Make sure your street address is visible, even if its a cardboard sign. Anything flammable will burn - overstuffed chairs, wood piles, wood palettes - move them away from the house. If you have pine, eucalyptus, oak trees - clean out your gutters and roof.

John Bridgewater - Ojai District Ranger [photo]
Keep an eye on the Ojai Fire Safe Council, which has been very helpful. The aftermath of the environmental issues of the forest is significant. We are approaching a "truly episodic event" - acreage will be much bigger than 1985 Wheeler Fire. The fire thus far has consumed a significant portion of the Piru Drainage and the Sespe Drainage. For Ojai it may not have a direct impact if the strategy that's plotted out works, keeping it behind the Nordhoff Ridge. Next Stage (fall and spring) Burned Area Emergency Rehab (in Piru Fire there were 35 agencies, including flood control, biological agencies, Fish & Game, and others interested in an efficient recovery of the ecosystem). There will be volunteer opportunities later.

Barry Parker - Fire Captain, Ventura County Fire Department. [photo]
led the Q&A, selecting various representatives to answer different questions.

Q&A:

Q: What's happening in the wildlife preserve, endangered species, condor sanctuary?
A: The condor is a survivor with plenty of "dinner options". The majority of animals have the ability to get out of the way.

Q: Shelter info?
A: Nordoff High Gymnasium is OPEN, accepting volunteers. Santa Paula shelter is OPEN

Q: Lockwood Valley?
A: There are controlled burns underway, fire breaks being set up.

Q: Inciweb is slow, their maps are useless.
A: Use the other web resources

Q: Where are volunteers needed?
A: Hold onto your interest - the recovery will be multiple years, that's where volunteers are most needed. Meanwhile, help your neighbors. Also, call the local Police Station, your info will be taken: 805-646-1414

Q: What is the deal with parking on public streets?
A: the CHP is not currently towing, but if space is needed, tows will occur at the request of the Fire Department. As much as possible, use garages and driveways, and stay off pavement

Q: Radio station?
A: KVTA AM 1520 - up and running with local updates and live reports.

Q: Where do we want to hold the fire based on fire history?
A: if it comes up by the Topa Topa bluffs, it will be a backing fire - slow fire coming down. Of most concern, if it comes out of Rose Valley down Highway 33 (like the Wheeler in 1985), because of water drainage, at night the fire comes downhill. The concern that it hooks around and comes down the canyon. Over time, vegetation management at Camp Ramah, and up Foothill has lessened the danger that occurred in 1985.

Q: What about smoke and respiratory problems?
A: Stay indoors, out of smoke. Close windows and doors. Keep pets inside. If driving, keep windows up. Use air conditioning in the home and the car. Limit physical exertion outside, particularly kids and elderly. Masks: dust particle masks can help. Handkerchief - do not get it wet, as it limits air flow. Also protect eyes.

Q: How far is the fire?
A: Yesterday it was nine air miles, now moving at 3/4 miles a day. When Santa Ana winds hit it becomes a problem. The bluffs have been coated with retardant, which lasts 30days. Even with easterlies, onshore flow helps.