Tag Archives: cal fire

Cal Fire Riverside Promotes New Division Chief

New Northwest Division Chief, Silvio Lanzas (Photo Courtesy: Cal Fire)

New Northwest Division Chief, Silvio Lanzas (Photo Courtesy: Cal Fire)

Staff Reports

Riverside County – On Mon., Dec. 1, 2014, Cal Fire’s Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins, proudly announced the promotion of Silvio Lanzas to Division Chief, during their Executive Staff Meeting.

Lanzas began his career with Cal Fire (then CDF) as a Fire Explorer in 1992 in the San Bernardino Unit. He then furthered his career in the positions of Firefighter I and Firefighter II serving the communities of Highland, Devore, Chino Hills and Yucaipa.

Between fire seasons, Lanzas worked in Cal Fire Riverside’s Perris Emergency Command Center. He remained in the unit as a Fire Apparatus Engineer assigned to fire stations in Menifee, Sun City, Canyon Lake and Moreno Valley. He also worked two special assignments at the Perris Emergency Command Center.

Lanzas promoted to Fire Captain and held assignments in the San Bernardino, and later Riverside, Units.

In 2009, Lanzas promoted to Battalion Chief where he was assigned to the Moreno Valley Battalion prior to his final assignment as a Battalion Chief overseeing the Perris Emergency Command Center.
Lanzas now oversees the Northwest Division, which includes unincorporated areas of Riverside County, the Cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and the Rubidoux Community Services District. His additional responsibilities include operational and administrative supervision of the Cal Fire/CDC Norco Conservation Camp. Lanzas holds two Associate’s Degrees and is a California State-Certified Chief Officer.

Lanza is married to wife, Kara, and they have two sons – Isaiah, 16, and Jakob, 4.

Riverside County: Cal Fire Riverside Promotes New Division Chief

Staff Reports

silvio-lanzas

New Northwest Division Chief, Silvio Lanzas (Photo Courtesy: rvcfire.org)

Riverside County – On Mon., Dec. 1, 2014, Cal Fire’s Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins, proudly announced the promotion of Silvio Lanzas to Division Chief, during their Executive Staff Meeting.Lanzas began his career with Cal Fire (then CDF) as a Fire Explorer in 1992 in the San Bernardino Unit. He then furthered his career in the positions of Firefighter I and Firefighter II serving the communities of Highland, Devore, Chino Hills and Yucaipa.

Between fire seasons, Lanzas worked in Cal Fire Riverside’s Perris Emergency Command Center. He remained in the unit as a Fire Apparatus Engineer assigned to fire stations in Menifee, Sun City, Canyon Lake and Moreno Valley. He also worked two special assignments at the Perris Emergency Command Center.

Lanzas promoted to Fire Captain and held assignments in the San Bernardino, and later Riverside, Units.

In 2009, Lanzas promoted to Battalion Chief where he was assigned to the Moreno Valley Battalion prior to his final assignment as a Battalion Chief overseeing the Perris Emergency Command Center.

Lanzas now oversees the Northwest Division, which includes unincorporated areas of Riverside County, the Cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and the Rubidoux Community Services District. His additional responsibilities include operational and administrative supervision of the Cal Fire/CDC Norco Conservation Camp. Lanzas holds two Associate’s Degrees and is a California State-Certified Chief Officer.

Lanza is married to wife, Kara, and they have two sons – Isaiah, 16, and Jakob, 4.

 

County Fire Chief Closes Hazardous Hiking Areas Due To Fire Danger

Cal Fire Press Release

Posted Date: 6/18/2014 9:30 AM

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins received approval from the Riverside County Board Supervisors to close seven hiking areas throughout Riverside County on June 17, 2014. The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas:

  • Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
  • North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)
  • Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)
  • Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
  • Minto (Sage)
  • Reinhardt Canyon (north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
  • Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast Hemet)

Riverside County Ordinance 787.6 restricts public access to these identified hazardous fire areas unless private property access is required. Public roadway travel is permitted, providing travel is confined to those surfaces within hazardous fire areas. Those violating the Ordinance may be subject to a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses. Future closures may be implemented based upon weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased wildland fire threat. For additional information on the closure of these hazardous fire areas, please contact the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs Bureau at (951) 940-6985.

 

Chino Valley Fire Participates in S.O.L.A.R. Training

fire crews

Fire crews training in Tonner Canyon (Photo Courtesy: Chino Valley Fire)

STAFF REPORTS

The Chino Valley Fire District joined neighboring fire agencies this week from San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties for the annual Tonner Canyon S.O.L.A.R. drill hosted by CAL FIRE/Riverside. The three day drills took place from May 12th-14th. Tonner Canyon is located across the borders of LA and Orange counties and is a mutual threat area for neighboring cities of Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Corona and Brea. The acronym S.O.L.A.R. stands for the fire agencies of San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles and Riverside counties.
This is the fourth year of the S.O.L.A.R drills which were developed in 2010 following the 2008 Freeway Complex Fire. The fire burned over 30,000 acres and reached areas of Corona, Yorba Linda, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Chino Hills and Diamond Bar. The S.O.L.A.R program was developed to create a unified communications plan among the different fire agencies and coordination of the agencies to work under a Unified Command during a fire situation.

helicopter-water-drop

Helicopters perform water drops as part of S.O.L.A.R. training. (Photo Courtesy: Chino Valley Fire)

The recent Santa Ana wind conditions provided a perfect opportunity to train in a real-life scenario of high winds, high temperatures and low humidity. The firefighters were briefed on parameters of a fictional fire and then dispatched to the hills to attack the fake fire. The training incorporated the S.O.L.A.R communication plan to direct water drops from helicopters, multiple fire crews cutting back vegetation, and firefighters working hose lines over the rugged terrain of Tonner Canyon.

With several fires already ablaze in parts of Southern California, the training was a great opportunity for local firefighters to prepare for what appears to be a very hot and dry summer ahead.

Eastvale: Mira Loma Thoroughbread Farm Becomes Cal Fire Training Ground

By JENNIFER MADRIGAL

mira-loma-thoroughbred-farm-goes-up-in-flames

The old Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm up in flames. (Photo Courtesy: James Brantley)

Eastvale – If you grew up in or around Eastvale and Mira Loma, then you probably have fond memories of seeing the gorgeous horses running along the miles of white fences that used to surround the Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm. The 100-acre property located just east of the 15 Freeway on Bellegrave and Wineville streets, was officially sold in 2005 for industrial development, but remained somewhat intact until April 19.

The once glorious home on the property was used in a variety of training and fire exercises by Cal Fire throughout Easter week, and was ultimately engulfed in flames. Eastvale residents were warned about the smoke and given updates throughout the week, but the final sight of the house being consumed caused many to reminisce. Tiffany Howard, an Eastvale resident who grew up in this area said, “I grew up wanting to live there and will miss that house”.

According to the June 2005 issue of Blood Horse Magazine, the Southern California real estate boom that peeked in 2005 was one of the main reasons that the popular thoroughbred farm shut down operations. The Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm was purchased by Pete Valenti and partners from Verne Winchell in 1977, and nicknamed “Little Calumet” by Valenti. In its peek it was home to nearly 400 horses per year with about 100 foals born there annually.

Famous for its glistening white fences and red-roofed barns, it was a sight that many remember passing on the 15 Freeway. According to real estate reports, it housed a state-of-the-art training center with 124-stall barn and a five furlong training track, which took up 25 acres in the southeast corner. Besides its beauty, the farm raised many champions, but none as famous as Larry the Legend, owned and trained by Craig Lewis. During Legend’s career earnings of $652,825, he won three consecutive stakes at Santa Anita and according to track records, also earned Horse of the Meeting honors. Other famous horses like Native Storm, King Glorious, Valiant Pete and others also spent time at the Mira Loma Thoroughbred Farm.

Pete Valenti passed away unexpectedly in 1998 after undergoing heart bypass surgery and the ranch was left in the care of his wife and four children. When house values began to rise and the property‘s value escalated, it became difficult not to sell and according to Larry Lewis in an interview in the June 2005 issue of Blood Horse, they had to find a place to relocate the horses within a few weeks.

After the property was sold in 2005 it was occupied by various people, but the structures began to fall into disrepair. Cal Fire had been eyeing the property for the last month, and approached the developers about using it as a training facility. As soon as the current occupants left, Cal Fire was able to get in and begin the process of clearing out the carpet and plastics as required by the Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Cal Fire was granted just ten days to conduct all of their prep and exercises, so coordination and efficiency were important.

Tony Mecham, Division Chief with Riverside County Cal Fire said that training exercises began as soon as the property was ready. Firefighters from Rubidoux, Lake Elsinore, Jurupa Valley and Eastvale were all able to get live fire training. Mecham said, “That’s over 150 firefighters that we were able to get through the exercises in six days. This exercise provided an excellent opportunity for all of them”.

In addition, the vast amount of clear space around the structure made it the ideal place to house these training exercises. They came to a conclusion when the structure was completely engulfed in flames and allowed to basically burn down. Usually these training exercises end with demolition, but, according to Mecham, the fire got a little out of control and the decision was made to pull the firefighters out for safety and allow the structure to burn down.

According to the Jurupa Valley City Hall, no permits or plans have been made for the large parcel of land. The property is owned by IDI Development and the area is still zoned for industrial use, so there is a good chance that something will appear in the not too distant future.

Although the massive amounts of smoke and large flames could be seen from the 15 Freeway, causing many traffic delays, the experience for firefighters to be a part of such a unique training experience was unparalleled. For some Eastvale residents this property will be missed, but others feel that the training exercise really helped increase their respect for firefighters. Eastvale News Facebook friend, Julie Eskandari, expressed it best by saying, “Seeing these pictures really makes me admire our firefighters even more. Only the bravest men and women would choose to enter that [structure]”.