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KENSINGTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEMORANDUM

July 2008
TO: President and Board Members, Kensington Fire Protection District
FROM: Lance Maples, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Fire Chief's Report

Fire Department Promotions

I am pleased to announce the promotion of Teresa Pace to the rank of Fire Captain and David Yun to the rank of Engineer/Paramedic. These promotions will be effective on July 27, 2008.

Captain Pace will continue to work closely with the Fire Marshal to provide Public Education Programs for our Department. Engineer/Paramedic David Yun will take over the Department's Rescue Equipment Program.

Accidental Structure Fire

At 3:32 p.m. on July 12, 2008, fire units from Kensington, El Cerrito and Richmond were dispatched to a structure fire at 6811 Cutting Blvd. Initial dispatch stated there was smoke and flames seen from the garage. B/C 71 arrived on scene and noted light smoke showing. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the fire had been extinguished by a passerby with a garden hose. E71 overhauled the fire area and determined that the fire was caused by rags that were coated in oil-based stain and discarded in a plastic container. This is the second time this year that we have responded to a structure fire where the cause was due to spontaneous combustion of oil coated rags used for staining.

2008 California Fire Season Outlook

The fire season has begun with a very early and active start in California. This has been most evident to date in the above-average acreage burned in the Sacramento Valley Foothills, the Bay Area and portions of the Coast. Most of the large fires prior to June 20-21 lightning storms occurred during periods of time with very dry north winds.

After a very dry late February to April, and no significant precipitation in May, in combination with a 2008 spring that has been generally breezy in much of Northern California, there is a great potential for large fires in lower elevations throughout the State. As the season progresses, it is forecasted that as the higher elevations dry out, the State will have a greater potential for even larger fires.

With this being said, it is absolutely certain that the 2008 wildland fire season will be very busy and possibly one of the longest seasons on record in Califonria.

El Cerrito-Kensington Fire Resources Deployed to Three Different Incidents in CA

On June 21 at approximately 9:00 p.m., OES 300 with Captain Jarl Grunseth, Captain Tom McCullagh, Engineer/Paramedic Mathew Alexander and Engineer/Paramedic David Cesmat responded to the Hummingbird Fire in Gilroy. At the time of their dispatch, the fire was 10% contained with 1,200 residences threatened. At this point OES 300 has been relocated to the BTU Lightning Complex in Butte County where they have 5% containment of 24 separate fires. Also, on June 21 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Battalion Chief David Gibson responded as a single resource Strike Team Leader to the Gridley Fire, working 24 hour shifts due to a lack of resources.

On June 22 at approximately 5:00 p.m., Captain/Paramedic Kevin Janes also responded as a single resource Communications Manager to the Lime Complex Fire in Humboldt County. At the time of dispatch, this fire was 0% contained and 50 separates fires were burning. Captain Janes will be tasked with setting-up and managing communications for this fire.

Fire Administration anticipates these members of our department being deployed at least until June 29, possibly longer.

Fuel Break News

I am happy to report an enormous amount of fuel reduction work along the boundary of El Cerrito, Kensington and the East Bay Regional Park District. This season brings widening and maintenance of existing fuel breaks along the canyon rim. This work has been completed working together with EBRPD and the neighborhoods along this area. It's projects like these that will significantly reduce the fire threat to our communities.