Yesterday I posted the link to an article announcing the semi-retirement of Mike Dietrich, the Incident Commander on the Station Fire. I didn't write anything because I was in a hurry, and because I don't know anything about this man.
However, I do know that experienced firefighters drop like flies around Jody Noiron, which could be the reason a fire on The Angeles needed to borrow a commander from the San Bernardino National Forest. And I can't help but wonder if this most recent encounter with Jody had an affect on his desire for a break from it all.
Mike Dietrich is the one that announced at the beginning of the fire that they were going to fight it "in a frugal manner" and then quickly backpedaled. This doesn't sound like the words of an experienced firefighter (resume here »), but Jody Noiron has a track record of not spending enough money on fire suppression. I imagine that Mike was just doing as he was told. Did you notice how defensive he got when the press asked "Whaddya mean, frugal"? It sounded like he didn't know what to say - probably because it didn't make sense to him either. And Jody never once came to his defense. She threw him under the bus.
Update: Be sure to read the comments...
Another One Bites The Dust
Mike Dietrich, Station Fire Incident Commander, announces his retirement...
http://www.fdnntv.com/news.asp_Q_articleID_E_6913_A_title_E_United_States_Forest_Service_Fire_and_Aviation_Management_Chief_Mike_Dietrich_Announces_Retirement
http://www.fdnntv.com/news.asp_Q_articleID_E_6913_A_title_E_United_States_Forest_Service_Fire_and_Aviation_Management_Chief_Mike_Dietrich_Announces_Retirement
Station Fire - 2nd Day Video
Video sent to me by Matt, shot from Mt. Lukens Road. This is the second day of the Station Fire. You hear him mention Dark Canyon. The fire is moving eastward into the Arroyo Seco and Bear Canyon. This is just below the point of origin and the station for which the fire was named. I know, and have long known, that the last time a fire went through there was the 1954 Woodwardia Fire, which moved in the same direction - down into The Arroyo and on to Bear Canyon, burning the cabin of Will Thrall's San Antonio Hiking Club. If a Joe like me knows that the growth into which the fire was burning was 55 years old, and that it was on a path similar to the previous fire, shouldn't there have been someone working on the Angeles that had the same information? Oh yeah! That's right! Jody repelled them all with her obnoxious ways, and the few remaining are new to the forest, replacing those that have quit!
Hey Gigi, you know fire, you know Dark Canyon... gregsweet4@yahoo.com
Hey Gigi, you know fire, you know Dark Canyon... gregsweet4@yahoo.com
Gimme A Break!
This is the craziest thing I have heard about the Station Fire or the mountains in general...
A friend of a friend in Sierra Madre said that "crews" were in the mountains today above said village. The Station Fire did not pass through there, but 'dozer lines were cut in defense of the neighborhoods. Now that the fire danger has passed, somebody has decided that they should take the brush that was cut for the firebreak and toss it back onto the area from where it was cut.
It was suggested by a friend of mine that fire crews had gotten themselves into trouble with environmental groups, but I know better. First of all, the exigent circumstances of fire supersede other concerns, and that cut brush isn't going to root and grow again. This sounds more like the hysteria of the Sierra Madre FireSafe Council and their secondary obsession of mud. They were up there trying to use the branches as water dams. None of the firebreaks above other communities had crews "replacing" the brush cut for firebreaks.
You yentas over at Mary's Market ought to get out more often.
A friend of a friend in Sierra Madre said that "crews" were in the mountains today above said village. The Station Fire did not pass through there, but 'dozer lines were cut in defense of the neighborhoods. Now that the fire danger has passed, somebody has decided that they should take the brush that was cut for the firebreak and toss it back onto the area from where it was cut.
It was suggested by a friend of mine that fire crews had gotten themselves into trouble with environmental groups, but I know better. First of all, the exigent circumstances of fire supersede other concerns, and that cut brush isn't going to root and grow again. This sounds more like the hysteria of the Sierra Madre FireSafe Council and their secondary obsession of mud. They were up there trying to use the branches as water dams. None of the firebreaks above other communities had crews "replacing" the brush cut for firebreaks.
You yentas over at Mary's Market ought to get out more often.
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fondue
The reason I took time off from this blog, after getting such a running start, was that some friends of mine, and some that probably aren't, were angry with me upsetting the apple cart. I am not talking about any employee of the Angeles National Forest, because they would all like to see Jody Noiron disappear. Of course, I am speaking of folks in Big Santa Anita Canyon - they are the ones that I have known for six years.
Jody, as usual, she has gotten a bee in her bonnet, or a burr under her saddle, if the former sounded sexist, about cabin owners entering the forest when it is supposed to be closed. This is old news. She has been trying to lock out permitees since she arrived on this forest, and this latest excuse to close the forest is just another of many. It had nothing to do with me trying to get her ousted. And I am tired of getting the blame for things I have not done, and for not getting credit for things that I have done. Besides, the permitees want to see her go too.
That's all personal stuff, and I wanted to see if I would cool down and change my mind. Well, I have cooled down, but I have not changed my mind. Jody Noiron has got to leave the Forest Service, the whole Service, and everyone knows it. The thing is that I am now one of the few that knows the dirt, but doesn't have a permit or a job depending on her good favor; and apparently the only one with the fortitude to stand up to her. I will admit that it is easy for me to say now that I am Joe Citizen, but no revolutions were won by looking the other way.
So for my 'friends' in Big Santa Anita Canyon, I refer you to the article I wrote about Big T & Bouquet (http://sgmountains.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-about-cabins-that-burned.html), and remember how you are different. You know the difference - you talk about it at every cabin-owners' association meeting and you bring it up whenever you have a sit-down with Angeles management.
I'm a bigger Libertarian than all o' y'all put t'gether, and you know the story of my efforts to keep the pack station alive, so I appreciate the sentiment behind your rebellion. But now is the time to stand up and make your opinions be known, or forever hold your panties in a bunch.
Jody, as usual, she has gotten a bee in her bonnet, or a burr under her saddle, if the former sounded sexist, about cabin owners entering the forest when it is supposed to be closed. This is old news. She has been trying to lock out permitees since she arrived on this forest, and this latest excuse to close the forest is just another of many. It had nothing to do with me trying to get her ousted. And I am tired of getting the blame for things I have not done, and for not getting credit for things that I have done. Besides, the permitees want to see her go too.
That's all personal stuff, and I wanted to see if I would cool down and change my mind. Well, I have cooled down, but I have not changed my mind. Jody Noiron has got to leave the Forest Service, the whole Service, and everyone knows it. The thing is that I am now one of the few that knows the dirt, but doesn't have a permit or a job depending on her good favor; and apparently the only one with the fortitude to stand up to her. I will admit that it is easy for me to say now that I am Joe Citizen, but no revolutions were won by looking the other way.
So for my 'friends' in Big Santa Anita Canyon, I refer you to the article I wrote about Big T & Bouquet (http://sgmountains.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-about-cabins-that-burned.html), and remember how you are different. You know the difference - you talk about it at every cabin-owners' association meeting and you bring it up whenever you have a sit-down with Angeles management.
I'm a bigger Libertarian than all o' y'all put t'gether, and you know the story of my efforts to keep the pack station alive, so I appreciate the sentiment behind your rebellion. But now is the time to stand up and make your opinions be known, or forever hold your panties in a bunch.
LA Times: Station Fire's Strength Was Miscalculated
I my article two weeks ago entitled 'Pride Comes Before A Fall' I told you how the Forest Service let the Station Fire get away from themselves on the first day. I sent that article to the news desk of, among others, the Los Angeles Times. Here is a Times article yesterday that asks for answers about that first day...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fire27-2009sep27,0,6025715.story
I think the headline is too kind and the County is being apologetic for the Forest Service. Not to blame the county, it is simply professional courtesy, I suppose, or just trying to stay out of the controversy. In fact, I heard that the new Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell ( that's the guy from D.C.), has been in town looking into the matter for himself.
The article cites a "miscalculation" on the part of the Forest Service. A major miscalculation, I might add, and the incompetence alone should be enough to investigate the handling of this fire. But I am telling you now, possibly first, this is about politics and corruption, but mostly about corruption. And anyone that wondered if I am some kind of crack-pot, you can see that what I have said is being reinforced.
I told you that the refusal of help was a cover-up of sorts. A preemptive strike against any further allegations of incompetence on the part of Angeles management, and the lack of fire suppression spending. Spending is the operative word here, not allocation. We will get into detailed questions about what is happening to all the money that was supposed to be spent on suppression and, more importantly, in my opinion, on prevention; and who is scaring away all the firefighters. If only we'd been liberal with the water buckets ten years ago...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fire27-2009sep27,0,6025715.story
I think the headline is too kind and the County is being apologetic for the Forest Service. Not to blame the county, it is simply professional courtesy, I suppose, or just trying to stay out of the controversy. In fact, I heard that the new Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell ( that's the guy from D.C.), has been in town looking into the matter for himself.
The article cites a "miscalculation" on the part of the Forest Service. A major miscalculation, I might add, and the incompetence alone should be enough to investigate the handling of this fire. But I am telling you now, possibly first, this is about politics and corruption, but mostly about corruption. And anyone that wondered if I am some kind of crack-pot, you can see that what I have said is being reinforced.
I told you that the refusal of help was a cover-up of sorts. A preemptive strike against any further allegations of incompetence on the part of Angeles management, and the lack of fire suppression spending. Spending is the operative word here, not allocation. We will get into detailed questions about what is happening to all the money that was supposed to be spent on suppression and, more importantly, in my opinion, on prevention; and who is scaring away all the firefighters. If only we'd been liberal with the water buckets ten years ago...
OH! What a world, what a world!
Lil' Sister Jenny & Me On Echo Mountain
You can guess by my hair, lapels and pant legs what era this was, and Dad musta spent some bucks on those boots! (click to enlarge)...
I remember this trip well. We went with my father, Walt, and his brother, John. Uncle John had the bright idea not to use the Sam Merrill Trail and go up the old Incline Railway bed instead. This was a rough climb, but even in the 70's you could still find old bottles and spoons and other litter from the White City to make it fun. We don't look any worse for the wear.
Today is Jenny's birthday. Nowadays she calls herself 'River'.
I remember this trip well. We went with my father, Walt, and his brother, John. Uncle John had the bright idea not to use the Sam Merrill Trail and go up the old Incline Railway bed instead. This was a rough climb, but even in the 70's you could still find old bottles and spoons and other litter from the White City to make it fun. We don't look any worse for the wear.
Today is Jenny's birthday. Nowadays she calls herself 'River'.
Still Here
I haven't forgotten my blog, just catching up on school studies, and reloading the ammunition. I will talk a little about the impending closure of The Angeles. That is, the one after this current closure order ends at full containment of the Station Fire. Here is a clue as to my opinion, a George Carlin routine that Petrea over at Pasadena Daily Photo reminded me of...
Why Not An Ivory Tower?
Forest Service employees and their families are still living in motels or bunking on couches while Queen Nero builds herself a new castle.
Read here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/projects/docs/Arcadia-SO-Replacement-EA-Aug09.pdf
Read here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/projects/docs/Arcadia-SO-Replacement-EA-Aug09.pdf
You Didn't Challenge The Legality Of Adventure Passes, Now Bend Over!
May I remind you people that you ARE the government? And that the Angeles National Forest is YOUR land? For over a decade now, you have been quietly paying your five or thirty dollars to park alongside a road or in a parking lot that you built with your own tax dollars without ever asking whether it is legal, or why the other 151 National Forests in The Country, besides the four in Southern California, don't require an Adventure Pass. And what did all that money get you? The biggest F-ing fire in 111 years!
Now they want to take the money and run. They want to take one of the last strongholds of democracy and turn it into a money making opportunity; a revenue office with the acreage of Rhode Island. They want to turn the San Gabriels over to the National Parks system. This would effectively take away many of your rights while turning our mountains into another Disneyland. Look at Yosemite National Park. Do you think it jives with John Muir's vision? It is now just another tacky California tourist trap.
Why do they think they can get away with this? Because you have proven to them that you will happily pay what ever they ask to access your land. Don't let it happen again. It is currently your right to freely access the Angeles National Forest, but it would be your privilege to pay to access the Angeles National Park.
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!! READ & RESPOND TO:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectId=12203&docType=public&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=sangabriel%5Fsrs%5Fnewsletter4%2Epdf&clientFilename=sangabriel%5Fsrs%5Fnewsletter4%2Epdf
Now they want to take the money and run. They want to take one of the last strongholds of democracy and turn it into a money making opportunity; a revenue office with the acreage of Rhode Island. They want to turn the San Gabriels over to the National Parks system. This would effectively take away many of your rights while turning our mountains into another Disneyland. Look at Yosemite National Park. Do you think it jives with John Muir's vision? It is now just another tacky California tourist trap.
Why do they think they can get away with this? Because you have proven to them that you will happily pay what ever they ask to access your land. Don't let it happen again. It is currently your right to freely access the Angeles National Forest, but it would be your privilege to pay to access the Angeles National Park.
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!! READ & RESPOND TO:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/showFile.cfm?projectId=12203&docType=public&MIMEType=application%252Fpdf&filename=sangabriel%5Fsrs%5Fnewsletter4%2Epdf&clientFilename=sangabriel%5Fsrs%5Fnewsletter4%2Epdf
Pride Comes Before A Fall
I have a rumor to report, but this type of rumor is usually true. But first a fact. Many employees of the Angeles National Forest are very upset by the handling of the Station Fire, especially in the beginning. It could easily have been stopped before it moved into the decadent growth.
Now for the rumor. It has been said that when the fire was first reported, Los Angeles County Fire Department offered help, but Jody Noiron refused.
Here are some things to keep in mind. The Morris Fire in San Gabriel Canyon was active at the time and air operations were already in effect. It would have been no problem for one of the Sky Cranes to come make a couple of drops to put the thing out. Now, the Angeles Forest only has one helicopter, and it is mostly used for helitack purposes (delivering personnel, tools & supplies). It can be outfitted with a small water bucket, but... a) why use a little bucket when the Sky Cranes were offered and already in the neighborhood? and b) since the dedicated water droppers were already on scene at the Morris Fire, the Angeles helicopter was being used by helitack crews, and not immediately ready to drop water.
So why would Jody refuse help? It could be because she has received tremendous criticism for not spending enough on fire suppression, and she has been blamed for a dwindling fire crew. Here is a letter (pdf) sent to Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron in December 2007, signed by six local members of Congress, requesting answers on the retention of firefighters within The Angeles...
http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2007/8.3.07ANFfirefighters.pdf
I would be willing to bet that with so much assistance already in play at the Morris Fire, she wanted to prove that she could handle a fire on her own, that they were not really under-staffed. After all this was a little fire, right? It started close to Angeles Crest Station, probably right near the highway, and was just down the road from Mill Creek Station. It should be easy to put out, right? She could take a stand and do it safely, couldn't she?
The rest is history.
Now for the rumor. It has been said that when the fire was first reported, Los Angeles County Fire Department offered help, but Jody Noiron refused.
Here are some things to keep in mind. The Morris Fire in San Gabriel Canyon was active at the time and air operations were already in effect. It would have been no problem for one of the Sky Cranes to come make a couple of drops to put the thing out. Now, the Angeles Forest only has one helicopter, and it is mostly used for helitack purposes (delivering personnel, tools & supplies). It can be outfitted with a small water bucket, but... a) why use a little bucket when the Sky Cranes were offered and already in the neighborhood? and b) since the dedicated water droppers were already on scene at the Morris Fire, the Angeles helicopter was being used by helitack crews, and not immediately ready to drop water.
So why would Jody refuse help? It could be because she has received tremendous criticism for not spending enough on fire suppression, and she has been blamed for a dwindling fire crew. Here is a letter (pdf) sent to Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron in December 2007, signed by six local members of Congress, requesting answers on the retention of firefighters within The Angeles...
http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2007/8.3.07ANFfirefighters.pdf
I would be willing to bet that with so much assistance already in play at the Morris Fire, she wanted to prove that she could handle a fire on her own, that they were not really under-staffed. After all this was a little fire, right? It started close to Angeles Crest Station, probably right near the highway, and was just down the road from Mill Creek Station. It should be easy to put out, right? She could take a stand and do it safely, couldn't she?
The rest is history.
Something's Bugging Me
I really want to go hiking, but the forest is closed. So, if figure if I go in a Bark Beetle costume I will go unnoticed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
