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If you wish to contribute to this record,
please send additional comments, material, corrections or media to |
| South Fork of Oak Creek: four inches of ash. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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THE
INDEPENDENCE CIVIC CLUB WILL DONATE $12.50
FOR EACH T-SHIRT SOLD |
We have a few
dozen T-shirts left over from our 4th of July event. These T-shirts
have the Dehy Park Narrow Gauge Train, Engine
#18 by artist Mike Kotowski, on the back.
Size: Small, Medium, Large and XL = $25 each Size: 2XL and Long Sleeve (limited sizes) = $27 each If we need to mail these to you, please add $5 for one t-shirt and $10 for two or more. These will be shipped priority mail. Send orders to jedenning@cebridge.net if you are local (Independence). Please mail all other orders to: We sincerely thank you, The Independence Civic Club |
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| Deer feed in the pristine oak forest of the
upper South Fork of Oak Creek. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
| FRIDAY JULY 6, 2007 LIGHTNING STRIKES |
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| Early Friday afternoon, a dry thunderstorm ignites 10 fires along the Eastern Sierra between Independence and Mammoth Lakes. North of Independence, the Oak Fire (right) spreads from dry brush to the high oak forest at Tub Springs on the South Fork of Oak Creek above Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| As the flames grow in the hills around them, the Bright Family begins gathering precious items from the Bright Ranch on the South Fork of Oak Creek, one of the earliest evacuations. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| T.G.I.F. At 7:00 p.m. Friday, the "Seven Fire" devours Onion Valley as the Department of Water and Power equipment yard in Independence stands idle behind a locked gate. In a boondoggle that held back firefighting resources during the critical early stages of the conflagration, DWP immediately offered their help but were told by the interagency dispatch that their assistance wasn't needed -- but they mobilized early Saturday morning anyway, when it became apparent that the town could be in danger. Photo: Dave Mull |
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THE BATTLE FOR ONION VALLEY |
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| 7:30 pm Fire crews attempt to stop the Seven Fire from heading down the mountain from Onion Valley and burning the cabins at Seven Pines Campground. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 7:37 pm As fire fighters struggle to keep the flames from crossing below Onion Valley Road and burning the cabins at Seven Pines Campground, the wind begins to rise, pushing the flames northward toward Tub Springs. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 7:40 pm Suddenly the wind rages from the south, driving the choking smoke and flaming embers of the Seven Fire northward toward the Oak Fire that is ravaging the oak forest of the South Fork of Oak Creek, an environmental treasure of Owens Valley. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| Beneath the thick fingers of smoke rising from the combined Seven and Oak Fires, the world turns red. Close to tears, Nancy Masters calls her husband. Describing a fireball she witnessed moments before, rising from her childhood home on the South Fork of Oak Creek, she says "I think we just saw the Ranch go up." Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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VIDEO CLIP 0 10:00 pm After dark, periodic explosions of flame continue to erupt from the South Fork of Oak Creek. Video: Dave Mull |
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| 11:00 pm K. Alden Peterson makes this time-lapse photograph from Manzanar. "It was such a somber and bizarre night. The major part of the fire (to the north) is providing all the light on Independence Peak for the image." Photo: K. Alden Peterson |
| SATURDAY JULY 7, 2007 THE BATTLE FOR THE MT. WHITNEY FISH HATCHERY |
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| 2004 The Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery was built in 1916 and has provided Golden Trout to California's streams and lakes for 90 years. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| 2004 Entering the Bright Ranch below Tub Springs. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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10:31 am Looking north from
Breckenridge Mountain above Lake Isabella, a Fire Cam captures the
towering plume from the combined Oak and Seven Fires rising thousands of
feet above the Sierra where it is carried eastward by high altitude winds.
Photo courtesy of Ronald Lipking |
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| Saturday
morning, the high column of smoke from the Oak Fire is pushed by westerly
winds across the Owens valley and over Mazourka Peak on the Inyo Range.
Photo: Nathan Reade |
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| By noon on Saturday, the Oak Fire consumes thousands of acres as flames climb into the mountains and hurl flaming embers, driven by a rising westerly wind, eastward onto the tinder-dry sage of the alluvial fan. The roiling smoke below the main cloud is rising from the Sierra flank above burnt-out Tub Springs and the desolate upper South Fork of Oak Creek, now covered in four inches of white ash. Photo: Dave Mull |
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Cal Fire GREEN SHEET California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Informational Summary of Serious CAL FIRE Injuries, Illnesses, Accidents and Near-Miss Incidents Burn-Over and Shelter Deployment Nine Injuries One Fire Engine Destroyed One Fire Engine with Major Damage July 7, 2007 Inyo Complex Seven Oak Fire Incident Number CA-INF-000784 Accident Investigation Incident Number CA-CSR-000068 A Board of Review has not approved this Summary Report. It is intended as a safety and training tool, an aid to preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because it is published on a short time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed. SUMMARY The following information is a preliminary summary of an incident that occurred on the "Seven Oak" Fire in which nine firefighters suffered minor burn and smoke inhalation injuries. One fire engine was completely destroyed and a second had major damage. CONDITIONS Location: Four miles northwest of the town of Independence off of North Oak Creek Road near the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Fuel: Type: Fuels in the general area are a mix of widely spaced low shrubs dominated by Black Brush, Rabbit Brush, Great Basin Sage, California Buckwheat, Mormon Tea, Burro Brush, and other isolated shrubs with very sparse grass. The fuels at the accident site are heavy riparian with mature trees ranging from 10' to 100' in height with closed canopy. Tree species include Cottonwood, Live Oak, Poplar, Willow, Pine and Cypress. Also present were a heavy duff layer and other surface fuels. Loading: Fuel in general area range in height from one to three feet. Loading is estimated at three to five tons per acre. Fuels in the riparian where the accident occurred create an extreme fuel load; no estimate of tonnage is available. Also present in the accident area and contributing to the fire load were multiple structures and stored man-made material of various types. Continuity: Fuels in the general area are sparse, requiring winds for fire to spread. Fuels in the riparian are contiguous with 100% closed canopy. Live Fuel Moisture: No live fuel moisture readings are taken for the area involved. Based on observed fire behavior, drought conditions and appearance, fuels are at critical levels. Riparian areas have normal fuel moistures but are historically very flammable according to local fire managers. Dead Fuel Moisture: Fine dead fuel moisture indicated one hour time-lag fuel moisture of 1-2%. The ignition probability of a firebrand landing in receptive fuel is 100%. Weather: Temperature: 97 degrees Fahrenheit Relative Humidity: 5% Winds: Southwest 13 mph, gusts 32 mph (weather observations from Oak Creek RAWS one mile NW of site) Topography: Slope at the accident site averaged 7%. Steep slopes and escarpments 4000' to the West contribute to strong erratic winds in the afternoons. Drainages to the West also influenced wind direction changes that occurred during accident. Fire Behavior: Burning conditions observed on the incident were extreme at times. Causes of this extreme behavior include very low live fuel moisture due to drought conditions, high temperatures, low relative humidity's, and strong and gusty winds; though extreme, conditions were not unexpected. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS July 6, 2007, at approximately 2200 hours, Strike Team 9442C left Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit enroute to the Owens Valley Inyo Complex. The Strike Team consisted of engines E-4455, E-4461, E-4452, E-4480, and E-4466. They arrived at Owens Valley Camp at approximately 0200 hours and were assigned to the Seven Oak Fire. They were instructed to be at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, located northwest of the community of Independence, at 0800 hours; so, they slept for a couple of hours on the camp lawn. STL 9442C received an in the field briefing by the Cal Fire Incident Commander who had worked the incident since ignition the day before. The Strike Team was assigned to Division "A" and notified that resources were limited. His area of responsibility, Fish Hatchery Road along with North and South Oak Creek Roads, was evacuated the previous day and the evacuations were still in place. The protection of historic Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery was a high priority for the Strike Team. STL 9442C conducted a thorough safety tailgate session with his crews before assigning them their tasks. He familiarized himself with the fish hatchery and then began scouting out other structures in the area. He was able to look at every structure in the area except for an old homestead just west of the fish hatchery. At approximately 1030 hours, his attention was drawn to an increase in fire activity up towards the end of South Oak Creek Road beyond the Bright Ranch. STL 9442C moved some engines into that area to address the threat. Division "A" came into the area and did a face-to-face with STL 9442C. They formulated a contingency plan to possibly burn out the vegetation between the North and South Oak Creek Roads to reduce the threat to the fish hatchery if the fire continued to travel in that direction. |
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| 12:25 pm Three California Department of Forestry crews, part of a Strike Team from the Tuolumne/Calaveras Unit, allow the fire to advance down the South Fork of Oak Creek at the Sheriff's Shooting Range as their supervisors weigh a plan to save the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. By creating a backfire at this point, which would burn northward to meet the fire at the North Fork of Oak Creek, they could establish a burned zone to act as a buffer against the fire predicted to move downslope on the afternoon westerlies. The fire had entered the oak forest at Tub Springs and burned its way down the creek, through the Bright Ranch. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 12:25 pm Two miles to the west, smoldering embers above Tub Springs are brought to life by a freshening early afternoon breeze. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 12:25 pm Two CDF crewmen discuss strategy at the Sheriff's Shooting Range. Although Keith Bright, who had already lost several buildings on his ranch farther up the South Fork, had called on Inyo County Supervisor Bilyeu to pressure the fire fighting agencies to extinguish the Oak Fire at this narrow point, a decision would be made to start a backfire instead in a broader strategy to save the historic Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. In three hours, nine of the Tuolumne/Calaveras fire fighters would be trapped by flames at the nearby Ashworth Ranch as strong southwest winds turned the entire area into a raging inferno. Six would end up at the burn center in Fresno. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 12:30 pm The forth Tuolumne/Calaveras fire crew at the Bright Ranch, far up the South Fork of Oak Creek. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 12:35 pm Miracle at the Bright Ranch: Surrounded by absolute devastation, the home of former Inyo 4th District Supervisor stands unscathed. although the barn, shop and several outbuildings were destroyed. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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1:00 pm A Forest Service helicopter pilot makes the dangerous work of lifting water from a small pond at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery look easy. Another firefighting helicopter would crash in the Southern California Los Padres fire the next day, injuring both pilots. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| 1:15 pm Smoke from the Seven Fire begins to blow over the south ridge (left). The helicopter pilot is heading for the leading edge of the flames which are burning in parallel with the Oak Creek blaze, possibly complementing the backfire strategy but also threatening to ignite the entire drainage. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| 1:32 pm A helicopter scoops water from a pond at the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery to drop on the approaching Seven Fire, only a mile away. Photo: Dave Mull |
| Cal Fire Greensheet (cont.) At approximately 1400 hours, the fire crested a nearby knoll and continued its northerly travel towards the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery and other nearby residences. The afternoon winds were picking up and it was just a matter of time before the fire reached the Hatchery. Division "A" authorized the use of fire on the South Oak Creek Road near the Bright Ranch to reduce the fuel along the road. |
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2:14 pm The swirling southwest
winds invigorate the backfire on Oak Creek just as the Seven Fire,
which
the helicopter has been attacking unsuccessfully for the past hour, reaches
the crest of the moraine (left), casting embers onto the dry brush below.
Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 2:15 pm A gust from the south fans the fire at the Sheriff's Shooting Range where crews have fired the thick brush. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 2:20 pm The strengthening south wind lays the smoke column from the Oak Fire flat. The the flames race north along Oak Creek and climb into the hills, creating the burned area fire fighters hoped would protect the hatchery from fire carried down the mountain onthe afternoon westerly winds. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 2:27 pm As seen from the edge of Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, a band of wind-driven smoke and fire from the approaching Seven Fire tops the moraine and drops down into the tinder-dry sage on the fan between the creek and the hatchery, paralleling the Oak Creek blaze and throwing all plans to the wind.. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| 2:38 pm Stopped in traffic on Highway 395 north of Independence, professional photographer Steven Bourelle of Bishop captures this moment the Seven Fire crosses into the Oak Creek drainage. Photo: Steven Bourelle |
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| 2:40 pm At the Sheriff's Shooting Range, the lower South Fork of Oak Creek erupts in flame as fire fighters watch the raging backfire. Meanwhile, a new wall of smoke and fire approaches from the south (left). Photo: Dave Mull |
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2:40 pm At this point the helicopter is no doubt feeling outgunned by the spreading flames. Photo: Dave Mull |
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Greensheet (cont.) Division "A" arrived at the scene and utilizing a Los Angeles County hand crew began burning out North Oak Creek Road. The burning started approximately a ¼ mile from the North & South Oak Creek intersection and they took fire to the southeast towards the intersection. The wind conditions were favorable, and they continued burning around the intersection and up South Oak Creek Road a short distance. E-4480 and E-4466 were directed to support the burning operation. E-4455 and E-4452 were directed to enter the hatchery and prepare for any possible extension. E-4461 was directed to stage at the intersection to watch for spot fires. |
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| 2:40 pm From Highway 395, five miles northeast of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery, Nate Reade snaps a photo of the smoke columns, driven by the stiffening south wind, laying almost flat just as the fire approaches the firefighters trapped at the Ashworth Ranch. The white smoke is driven from the dry brush burning to the south and along the western edge of the hatchery. The black smoke is rising from the trees along the backfire on the South Fork of Oak Creek. The object at the juncture of the smoke columns is a bug on Nate's windshield. Photo: Nate Reade |
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2:43 pm
Trees at the hatchery show strengthening wind out of
the southwest. |
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| 2:44 pm Two CDF fire crews monitor the backfire from above the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Photo: Dave Mull |
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2.50 pm A smaller truck heads down the hill above the two waiting CDF trucks as the helicopter, after dropping its load of water, banks above the backfire flames now escaping the South Fork drainage and moving unexpectedly downslope toward the hatchery. To the south (left), flames are cresting the ridge and embers are riding the wind, peppering this area. Photo: Steven Bourelle |
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VIDEO CLIP 1 Fanned by gusting south winds, the backfire speeds down the South Fork of Oak Creek just beyond the Sheriff's Shooting Range, and begins climbing up the hillside. Video: Dave Mull VIDEO CLIP 2 As the Oak Creek backfire moves up the hillside, embers flung by the second band of flames cresting the moraine to the south ignite the dry brush and head directly toward the Ashworth Ranch. Video: Dave Mull |
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Cal Fire Greensheet (cont.) Division "A" directed STL 9442C to carry fire further up North Oak Creek Road towards the campground. The winds were still favorable, and STL 9442C instructed the LA County Crew to go in 50 feet and fire parallel to the road. His hopes were to add depth to the fire break. The crew followed instructions and began burning out. Almost immediately the winds changed to a southwest wind, carrying the fire across the road into a riparian area just west of the hatchery which contained houses.
STL
9442C directed E-4480 to try to catch the slop-over. He directed E-4452 to
come in and give 4480 a hand. E-4480 entered a driveway they had not been
in before with the hopes of picking up the fire. Engineer 4480 backed in
over a wooden bridge and positioned his engine in a small open area. He
surveyed the area and felt uncomfortable with it, choosing not to go in
any further. Engineer 4480 pointed out a small pond to his crew members
and identified it as a safety zone. He directed his crew to stretch out
two hose lays to pick up the fire. The crew members began laying hose when
a private vehicle came out from around a structure. At about this same
time, E-4452 was entering the property to assist. Both engines had to move
out of the way to let the 77-year-old female civilian escape. |
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3:30 pm Deadly flames spread by flying embers race past the Mt. Whitney Fish
Hatchery and engulf the Ashworth Ranch, just up the North Fork from the
hatchery and shrouded in smoke (right), where
nine firemen seek shelter from the inferno in a pond, desperately covering
themselves with emergency fire blankets as the fire roars all around them.
Photo: Dave Mull |
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VIDEO CLIP 3
VIDEO CLIP 4 3:40 pm As seen from Oak Creek near Highway 395, the broad sage fire south of the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery is erupting, creating a huge whirlwind of smoke, cinders and ash. A finger of this fire has breached the crest of the moraine at Oak Creek and dropped down into the drainage to parallel the fire at the Sheriff's Shooting Range and race toward the hatchery and Ashworth Ranch. To the north, over the crown of the alluvial fan, it appears to onlookers that both the hatchery as well as the Ashworth Ranch are burning. At this moment, two fire crews, overrun by the flames are desperately fighting for their lives, immersed in the Ashworth pond but breathing searing air that is burning their lungs and hands as they shield their heads with fire blankets. Video: Dave Mull |
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3:45 pm At the height
of despair, knowing they were about to lose the hatchery and fearful for
their men, trapped -- perhaps lost -- at the Ashworth Ranch, the remaining
fire fighters readied to save themselves and their equipment. Suddenly an old Lockheed P2V Neptune,
the largest of the twin-engine "Borate Bombers", skirted a fire
tornado to the south of Oak Creek and dropped 2700 gallons of ammonium fire
suppressant along the back of the hatchery, saving it and quelling the
flames around the trapped crews. Photo: Dave Mull |
| Cal Fire Greensheet (cont.) In the pond, roll call was taken and the crews continued to communicate with each other and STL 9442C. Structures, vehicles, and trees were burning all around them as they attempted to stay calm. Captain 4452 maneuvered his engine around trying to keep it away from the heat. He would periodically exit the vehicle and utilize his hard-line in an attempt to keep things cool. Air support arrived and began dropping on the area. |
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| The P2V Neptune that saved Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery and the firefighters trapped at the Ashworth Ranch was Neptune Aviation Tanker #09, piloted by Chris Holm with Andy Harcombe as co-pilot. Letters of appreciation may be sent c/o Neptune Aviation Services, 2 Corporate Way, Missoula, MT 59808. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| Neptune Aviation Service operates out of Missoula, Montana, under an aerial fire suppression contract with the U.S. Forest Service. The people who keep these fine old tankers flying play a vital role in knocking down wildfires across the western United States. Larger Photo Photo: Neptune Aviation Services |
| Cal Fire Greensheet (cont.) After things calmed down, the crew exited the water and moved towards E-4452. They gathered in a group and used their fire shelters around them as a shield. Those who had lost their shelters in the water were placed in the middle, protected by the group. They reached E-4452 and assembled here. The house adjacent to the engine was on fire and fire was burning the trees to the north. The decision was made to return to the pond, and Captain 4452 joined them. Eventually, things cooled off enough for the crew to exit the pond and they discovered E4452 had been consumed by the fire. The crew then walked out to the road. At 1551 hours, it was announced over the radio, that those involved in the entrapment were out and OK. After determining that the injuries were minor, Engineer 4480 retrieved E-4480 and drove it out. The crews were loaded in the remaining engines and transported to the Independence Airport for a medical evaluation. The personnel involved were examined by local paramedics at the airport. After being evaluated, it was determined to transport two firefighters and Engineer 4480 to the burn center in Fresno. Arranging air transportation was difficult and timely due a mechanical failure with one aircraft and response times from Fresno for the helicopters. Those injured were taken by ground ambulance to Lone Pine to await a flight. Two of the crew members were picked up by a Mercy Air helicopter at 1940 hours and the last by a CHP helicopter at 1955 hours. July 9, 2007, Safety Officers from the Serious Accident Investigation Team arrived at Mammoth Lakes to inspect the PPE involved in the burn-over. The TCU Unit Chief and Division Chief were also at the motel. During discussions, other minor burns were discovered and some crewmembers complained of having difficulties breathing. Collectively, the decision was made to seek additional medical attention for the remaining six employees involved in the burn-over. They were taken to the local hospital for evaluation then flown to the burn center in Fresno as per CAL FIRE policy. July 10, 2007, the remainder of the Strike Team was released to return to their home unit. INJURIES/DAMAGES Injuries · One firefighter suffered inhalation injury and eye irritation, and was transported to Fresno University Hospital · One firefighter suffered a minor burn to the right earlobe, and was transported to Fresno University Hospital. · One firefighter suffered a minor burn to the left cheek, and was transported to Fresno University Hospital. · Six firefighters suffered delayed symptoms including minor burns and inhalation injuries. They received initial evaluation and treatment at Mammoth Lakes Hospital, and were subsequently transported to Fresno University Hospital. · All firefighters have subsequently been treated, released, and have returned to full duty. Damage · E-4452 was a total loss · E-4480 suffered major damage estimated at $20,000. SAFETY ISSUES FOR REVIEW · Identify escape routes and make them known to all employees. The LT FAE on E4480 had observed a small pond adjacent to his engine and made it known to all firefighters that this was their safety zone if their position was compromised. However, the Accident Investigation Team has identified the pond as a "REFUGE OF LAST RESORT" meaning the pond does not meet the definition of a "safety zone." Eventually, their position was compromised and the crews had to retreat to the pond. The crews jumped into the pond, deployed shelters and road out intense heat and fire conditions. Their core training, the command presence of the Company Officers keeping everyone together allowed them to survive a deadly situation with relatively minor injuries. · Supervisors need to be sure all employees are aware of critical fuel conditions and associated fire behavior, and modify tactics accordingly. The Strike Team Leader had briefed his strike team on the fuel and burning conditions at the incident. The Strike Team had the opportunity to observe the extreme burning conditions prior to the two engines being assigned to attempt to pickup the slop-over and spots from the firing operation. · Back equipment in for a quick escape if necessary. Park in a cleared safe area. · Utilize 1½" nozzles on active fire. · Examine bridge load limits and watch for wooden bridges that may ultimately be consumed by fire. |
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THE BATTLE FOR INDEPENDENCET |
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| A helicopter guided by a spotter plane (left) try to stop the advancing Seven Fire as it burns down Independence Creek toward Independence. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| The Seven Fire approaches Independence as bulldozers clear brush at the edge of town. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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VIDEO CLIP 5 Volunteers make a last ditch stand as flames near Independence. But suddenly the wind stopped and the town was saved. Video: Dave Mull |
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SUNDAY JULY 8, 2007 LOSING THE NORTH FORK OF OAK CREEK |
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| A cinder block vacation cabin on the North Fork of Oak Creek. Photo: Bill Mathews |
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| Unmanned fire trucks parked by exhausted firefighters line Highway 395 in Independence at 10:30 am on Sunday morning. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| Only the fireplace remains to mark the Ashworth home. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 10:45 am Sunday morning, fire suppressant from the P2V Neptune coats the rocks at the smoldering ruins of the Ashworth Ranch where two fire engines burned and nine trapped fire fighters sought shelter in the pond. No fire fighters remain in this area and the residents are not allowed in pending an investigation. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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10:50am Path of the flames that crested the moraine from the south (left), threatened the hatchery and burned the Ashworth Ranch. Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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| 11:15 am At the Bright Ranch, the hulks of the lathe and mill mark the site where the shop once stood. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| 11:15 am Miracle at Bright Ranch: Across the driveway from the ashes of the shop, an automatic 100 psi fire-fighting sprinkler (right) played a role in saving the original ranch house. Photo: Dave Mull |
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| On the South Fork of Oak Creek, members and friends of the Bright Family spend the morning and early afternoon dousing embers until they are asked to leave because the North Fork has erupted in flames. Photos: Rosemary Masters |
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| The afternoon winds rekindle the blaze above the Ashworth Ranch and it marches up Oak Creek, devouring the remaining oaks of the North Fork. Photo: Rosemary Masters |
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| Helicopters work through the afternoon, confining the fire to the creek and preventing the flames from spreading into the dry brush. Photos: Richard D. Masters |
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| A burned-out
cabin in the ashes of the oak forest on the North Fork.
Photo: Bill Mathews More North Fork photos: http://www.mathewsfamily.org/inyocountyfire.htm |
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| The Bright Ranch miracle, looking south. Photo: Hang Glider pilot Scott Beery |
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| At a community meeting, angry
former Inyo 4th District Supervisor Keith Bright questions the Command &
Control effectiveness of the fire fighting agencies.
Photo: Richard D. Masters |
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AFTERMATH |
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| The Bright
Ranch on the South Fork of Oak Creek, looking east. Photo: Hang Glider Pilot Scott Beery |
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| A red line of
ammonium fire suppressant, dropped by the P2V Neptune, runs north of
Independence Creek. At lower right, the line where fire fighters held the
fire at Onion Valley Road and saved Seven Pines is clearly seen. At lower
left is Tub Springs with the dark burn of the South Fork of Oak Creek
running continuously through the Bright Ranch and down to the Ashworth
Ranch beside the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Lower photo in high resolution Photos: Hang Glider Pilot Scott Beery |
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NEWS ITEMS |
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Burned Bodies Found
Near Independence:
Site of Marijuana
Plantation Houston Chronicle/Associated Press July 25, 2007 |
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INDEPENDENCE, Calif. — The burned bodies of two people were found near a marijuana plantation where police discovered 50,000 plants and arrested five people this month, authorities said. The bodies found Tuesday appeared to have burned in a wildfire that consumed about 35,000 acres in the Inyo National Forest this month, Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze said. more |
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InciWeb Report |
West Under Highest Wildfire Alert |
