Drones Interfere With Firefighting Efforts During Weekend
By Terry Miller
Firefighting aircraft pilots identified multiple intrusions by drones over the San Gabriel Complex fire during last weekend.
The dangerous use of drones caused a temporary halt to air operations. The San Gabriel Complex remains under a Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) and any private aircraft or drone that violates the TFR could face serious criminal charges.
Even without a TFR, anyone who hampers firefighting efforts could face charges. It is important to keep hobby aircraft from the area, to allow firefighters the ability to utilize aircraft to fight fires.
Conditions on the Fish Fire [San Gabriel Valley Complex Fire] continue to improve, allowing crews to go more direct with line construction. The west side of the fire near Stone Cabin Flat continues to burn due to the fuels available and steep terrain.
Hand crews successfully accessed the fires edge in the steep and rugged terrain above Spinks Canyon Road. Crews were able to build a direct fire line and reinforce the existing line.
Hotshot crews are one of the few firefighting units capable of this task. By posting lookouts and observing fire behavior, they were able to successfully complete this mission safely. This action provided additional security to the homes in the area.
Hotshots bring a high level of fitness and expertise to wildfire management. They are highly mobile and trained to be self-sufficient, with their own vehicles, gear, and specialized firefighting tools.
On the eastern edge of the Fish Fire, firefighters have continued to make significant progress. Some crews spent the night in place. This is referred to as “spiking out” or “coyote tactics.” These crews are self-sufficient and capable of staying in the field unsupported for up to three days.
Visit the following links for update fire information:
– http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4801.
– www.fire.lacounty.gov/home/home-alt.
San Gabriel Complex Fire Basic Information (current as of June 26 at 6:26 a.m.):
– Incident type: wildfire.
– Cause: under investigation.
– Date of origin: Monday, June 20, at approximately 11 a.m.
– Incident commander: Mike Wakoski, commander, Southern California Incident Command Team 3.
– Total personnel: 923.
– Size: 5,285 acres.
– Percent of perimeter contained: 72 percent.
– Fuels involved: chaparral, brush, and short grass.
