Caught The Fire Bug

02/20/2025

PILE BURNING UPDATE

Pile burning operations have been ongoing on the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District at Horn Gap and the Flumet area near Palmer Creek. Fire crews are working closely with adjacent private landowners as they burn piles to ensure maximum efficacy in the work to remove fuels and make these areas more defensible when wildfire season hits.

Please watch for firefighters and use caution in these areas as smoke may impact visibility and air quality.

02/20/2025

US Drought Monitor 2-20-25

For the 50 states and Puerto Rico, the US Drought Monitor shows 33.41% in moderate drought or worse, compared to 36.46% last week.

02/20/2025

02/20/2025

Avalanche Incident in Deschutes County: Sheriff’s Office Response

On February 17, 2025, two backcountry skiers were found deceased after an avalanche near Trail 8 in Deschutes County. Authorities warn of considerable avalanche danger in the area. Officials on Wednesday identified a couple killed in an avalanche in central Oregon.

Terance Olaf Skjersaa, 57, and Susan Renee Skjersaa, 52, were from Bend, Oregon, about 140 miles east of Eugene, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office said.This is just a stock photo.

02/20/2025

The bitter subzero temps and fresh snow make great conditions for much needed pile burning in areas of the Hills that haven’t had much snow this winter.
This week SDWF firefighters have been bundling up and taking advantage of the safe conditions to burn as many piles as possible.
These images are from today near Black Hawk. SDWF’s Black Hat Hand Crew began burning here Tuesday and by tonight they expect to have safely burned 200+ piles in 2 days.

02/20/2025

Between 150 and 200 homes in Southwest Detroit were impacted after a massive 54-inch water main break early Monday morning left streets flooded with several feet of frozen water.. It happened in the area of Lafayette Boulevard and Beard Street. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the 54-inch Great Lakes Water Authority main broke around 4 a.m. Monday.. We were on the scene as residents had to be evacuated from their homes. Many residents called 7 News Detroit Monday morning reporting they were stuck inside their homes as they filled up with water. Boats were used by firefighters who rescued families from their homes.. 📸 Yeni Sevilla349

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

2 dead after planes collide mid-air in Marana northwest of Tucson this morning. The Marana Police Department responded to the scene of an aircraft crash at the Marana Regional Airport around 8:30 a.m. near Avra Valley and Sandario roads, just west of Interstate 10. The National Transportation and Safety Board said the mid-air collision involved a Cessna 172S and a Lancair 360 MK II. The Cessna model is described as a four-seat, single-engine plane, while the Lancair is a two-seat, single-engine aircraft kit.The Federal Aviation Administration says two people were on board each plane. Marana police have since confirmed that two people have died, but the status of the other two people is unknown.

02/19/2025

Test fire successful on the Dead Horse Ranch State Park pile burn operation in Cottonwood.

This is another 25-acre pile burn project to support Arizona State Parks with their park and community protection projects.

This is a one-day project and once ignitions are completed, state crews will monitor the piles over the next few days for residual heat.

📸 Az Forestry

02/19/2025

ROMANA, Calif. — An off-duty Cal Fire captain was found fatally stabbed inside her Ramona home Monday evening, and sheriff’s detectives are investigating the homicide.

Deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon shortly before 9 p.m. at a home on Rancho Villa Road near Quest Road, north of state Route 78. When they arrived, they found 49-year-old Rebecca Marodi suffering from multiple stab wounds, sheriff’s investigators said.

Deputies performed life-saving measures until CAL FIRE paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, Marodi died before she could be taken to a hospital, sheriff’s Lt. Michael Krugh said in a statement.

Marodi worked as a captain at a CAL FIRE station in French Valley in Riverside County, according to a CAL FIRE spokesperson. Marodi was hired by CAL FIRE in 2005 and first promoted to captain in 2014, according to public records.

02/19/2025

02/19/2025

The victims killed in a Wyoming I-180 tunnel crash have been identified by officials.The three victims have been identified as 20-year-old Christopher Johnson from Rawlins, 22-year-old Quentin Romero from Rawlins and 30-year-old Harmanjeet Singh of Nova Scotia. The gentleman who took this video escaped without injury.. 📸 Tophauler

02/19/2025

It is with great sadness that CAL FIRE reports the off-duty death of Fire Captain Rebecca “Becky” Marodi. Captain Marodi served over 30 years with CAL FIRE, primarily in Riverside County, but also serving time in San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. The tragic loss of Captain Marodi is mourned by her family, friends, and her CAL FIRE family. 🙏🫡

02/19/2025

Australia.

02/19/2025

The Kern River Ranger District is looking to burn approximately 8 machine piles off of Breckenridge Road tomorrow 02/19/25. All piles are within the Borel fire scar with most of them surrounded by snow. Smoke may be visible for a couple days from Lake Isabella and Walker Basin areas.

02/18/2025

We lost another brother in the 🔥 service, it is unknown on how he passed. Keep Joshua Riggins family and the Mad River Hotshots in your thoughts and prayers while they deal with this tragedy. Thank you for your service rest in peace captain.

02/18/2025

Just weeks after the Palisades and Eaton fires are contained residence return back to their neighborhoods to be evacuated again for flooding. 📸 Ryan Carter.