LIGHTNING PLAN
Submitted by seahawk190 on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 18:48.
Please read and be prepared if you are in the Lookouts:
USDA- FOREST SERVICE
ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
LOS ANGELES RIVER RANGER DISTRICT
LIGHTNING PLAN
(REVISED JUNE, 2008)
INTRODUCTION
Historically, storm patterns have moved onto the District from the east and northeast. Occasionally, though rare a storm moves into the front country from the southeast or southwest. The Forest has a history of multiple fires simultaneously occurring on other districts. These situations create dispatching and radio usage problems that can be partially mitigated by implementing a “Lightning Plan”. By developing a plan that assigns resources to historical trouble areas automatically, radio traffic and dispatching congestion can be reduced.
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
The District Duty Chief is responsible for implementing the Lightning Plan. When significant cumulus buildups are observed, the Duty Chief will contact prevention, patrol and other suppression units to insure their fire readiness, discuss modification to this Lightning Plan, preplan move-ups, radio frequencies and procedures.
The District Duty Chief will be the sole point of contact for the EOC once the plan is implemented. This includes reporting fire locations resource assignments and request for additional resources. Field units will contact the Forest EOC directly if unable to establish contact with District Duty Chief.
PLAN ACTIVATION
The following procedures will be implemented in the event of an immediate threat of a lightning storm or storms in progress. The District Duty Chief will activate the District Lightning Plan as needed through the Forest EOC.
v Detection units will report the following:
§ The first ground strike in the area to the dispatcher. All other strikes will be logged but not reported except on request.
§ Smokes or fires are to be reported to the District Duty Chief in charge of the Lightning Plan or the Forest EOC if the District Duty Chief is not available.
§ When the storm is over.
§ When going in service or out of service.
RESOURCE ASSIGNMENTS
For storms moving into LA River Ranger District high country.
DISTRICT DUTY CHIEF
District Duty Chief – will move up to the High Country or vicinity to run the District Lightning Plan. If two Duty Chiefs are available, one will stage at Mill Creek and one at Chilao.
PATROLS
1st Patrol 16 – will move to detection points on Mt. Pacifico, Eagle Roost or Williamson Rock area, depending on pattern of storm.
2nd Patrol 14 – will move to detection points on Mt Gleason or Santa Clara Divide area, depending on pattern of storm.
3rd Patrol 12 - will move into the Vetter Mountain or Red Box area, using Vetter Lookout, Mt. Disappointment or Mt. Wilson as a detection point dependent on cell movement and other weather considerations.
4th Patrol 11 - will move into the Red Box area, using Mt. Disappointment as a lookout or Mt. Wilson dependent on cell movement and other weather considerations.
5th Patrol 13 – will move to detection points in Lukens, Mendenhall Ridge or Kagel Mtn area, depending on pattern of storm and status of other patrol Units.
CREWS
Ø Bear Divide Hot Shots – will stage at Mill Creek station heliport and prepare to be organized into 4 squads in the event splitting the crew is necessary and qualified overhead are available.
Ø Little Tujunga Hot Shots – will stage at Chilao station helibase and prepare to be organized into 4 squads in the event splitting the crew is necessary and qualified overhead are available.
ENGINES
Ø Engines – will stage in quarters until dispatched to a fire or detection assignment.
LOOKOUT
Ø Vetter Mt. (if staffed) can also be used to assist in the location of down strikes, smokes and fires.
RESOURCE ASSIGNMENTS
For storms moving into LA River Ranger DISTRICT from the Front Country.
CHIEF OFICER
District Duty Chief – will move up to the storm area to run the District Lightning Plan. If two Duty Chiefs are available, one will stage at Mill Creek and one at Chilao.
PATROLS
1ST Patrol 13 - will move to detection points on top of Mt. Lukens, Mendenhall Ridge, Yerba Buena or Kagel Mtn.
2nd Patrol 12 - will move into the Mt. Disappointment or Mt. Wilson area dependent on cell movement and other weather considerations.
3rd Patrol 11 - will move into the front country and patrol an area from Santa Anita Ave. to the Newhall Pass depending on storm movement.
4th Patrol 14 - will move to detection points at Mt. Gleason, Roundtop or Pacifico if storm track moves cells onto district high country.
5th Patrol 16 – will move to detection points on Mt. Pacifico, Eagle Roost or Williamson Rock area, depending on pattern of storm.
CREWS
Ø Bear Divide Hot Shots – will stage at Bear Divide station heliport and prepare to be organized into 4 squads in the event splitting the crew is necessary and qualified overhead are available.
Ø Little Tujunga Hot Shots – will stage at Chilao station helibase dependent on cell movement and direction from District Duty Chief. They will prepare to be organized into 4 squads in the event splitting the crew is necessary and qualified overhead are available.
ENGINES
Ø Engines – will stage in quarters until dispatched to a fire or detection assignment.
LOOKOUT
Ø Vetter Mt. (if staffed) can also be used to assist in the location of down strikes, smokes and fires
GENERAL OPERATIONS
Ø Chain saws and Portable radio sets shall be kept and maintained in working condition.
Ø Large chain saw and felling kits will be kept on the District. There will be 2 kits at Mill Creek, 1 at Chilao (lock combination 0088).
Ø Portable Mark III pump kits will be kept and maintained on the District. 1 at Little Tujunga, 1 at Big Tujunga and 1 at Chantry.
Ø Good Judgment must be used by everyone since storms may be of limited intensity and it is impossible to predict when, or how much lightning will occur. The Forest EOC or District Staff Officer may direct personnel or detection points differing from this plan as needed.
Ø Normal dispatching procedures will be used in the event lightning storms occur during off-duty hours.
Ø Once you are assigned as part of the Lightning Plan, you should remain in the designated area to which you are assigned until notified otherwise.
Ø Keep radio traffic to a minimum. Utilize tactical frequencies and local forest net whenever possible. Avoid using Mountain top repeaters.
Ø For significant lightning activity contact Forest EOC to obtain BLM lightning detection information.
SAFETY
Ø Every employee, prior to lightning season, will review Section 54.23 (Lightning and Thunderstorms) on pages 50-42 and 50-43 of the Forest Service Health and Safety Code.
/s/ Will Spyrison
Division Chief
