-- PSRG-FUN Sidebars --

▼

Sunday, August 30, 2015

ARES/RACES Wildland Fire SITREP - August 30, 2015

http://www.arrl.org/ares
From Monte Simpson [AF7PQ]
WA State RACES Officer (SRO):
ARES/RACES Wildland Fire 
Situation Report (SITREP) - August 30, 2015

IMPORTANT UPDATE (19:00)
IDAHO CALLOUT FILLED -- PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND!

    Here is a solicitation for help from Idaho.
    I don’t recommend volunteers hopping in their cars and just showing up so please reach out to Mr. Biedermann before heading east.
    Also, I’d look at the task book mentioned to see if the interested ham meets the requirements.
    “ARES Amateur Radio Callout
    We have received a call for assistance from the National Fire Fighter Communications Techs for ARES Radio Operators.
    This is the big one folks, and these are the exact type of call-outs we look for.
    Here are some of the things they are looking for:
1. ARES Operators in good standing
2. Self-contained operators with their own equipment VHF, HF, whatever you have.
3. Assignments up to 14 days, 15 hours a day (or as long as you can stay).
4. Operators will be given a Communications Task Book.
5. Upon completion you will be considered as Qualified Fed Radio Operator.
6. They will feed you well.
7. Some expenses may be covered (I told him we work for food)
8. Deployment to Central Idaho, McCall-Council Area.
    If you have the metal and equipment for such an adventure, please call; Mr. Brad Biedermann (WA7HHE) at 720-466-9455 (Colorado number).
    This is a Statewide Call-out of ARES Operators wishing to and that can assist with Wildfire Communications.
    We need people ASAP.
    Please also contact your EC.
    Michael N. Meier
    WB7RBH
    ARRL Idaho SEC-PIC
    Sent 2015-08-30 02:36:43 UTC by Michael Meier (WB7RBH), Section Emergency Coordinator”
IMPORTANT UPDATE (19:00)
IDAHO CALLOUT FILLED -- PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND!
    I’ve reviewed the WebEOC log for ESF2 today and do not see any requests for amateur radio communications assistance.
    I do see there’s commercial phone support in Chelan County.
    Steven’s County was having power outages, but no reported communications issues.
    Stevens County seems to be status quo there are some discussion as to the impact if Stensgar Mountain is damaged.
    It appears the Stevens County EOC is operating 0800 to 1800 daily.
    Still no requests for Amateur Radio Communications Support.
    Ferry county is being impacted by fires with many level 3 evacuations, but still no requests for Amateur Radio Support.
    Okanogan County doesn’t have information posted and there has not been a report from ARES/RACES.
    I didn’t see anything further on the fire in Columbia County.

     Here's a good link for information on the weather’s impact on the fires:  http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/
  
 If you have information about the fires or communications needs, please share the information with us. 
Thank you to the amateur radio operators living in the impacted areas and helping their communities.
Thank you to amateurs standing by to help if they can our friends in Eastern Washington certainly need help.

 Consider a donation to one of the many organizations caring for those who have been impacted.

 Regards,
 Monte, AF7PQ  WA State RACES Officer (SRO)
 ARRL Sections - Western Washington
 Amateur Radio Emergency Service® (ARES)
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/30/2015 06:30:00 PM
at

PSE & Seattle City Light Service Alerts -- Aug. 30, 2015

 ++ Current PSE Outage Map ++
(Report a PSE outage call 1-888-225-5773)
Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 6PM
-- 52,140 outages --
------------
Seattle City Light -- System Status
Seattle City Light -- Mobile Outage MAP 
(Report an Outage: 206.684.3000 or 206.684.7400)
Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 6PM
Outages: 246 Affected: 6297
(including AE7ZZ!)
PSE Service Alert -- As of 10 a.m., Sunday Aug. 30
(75930 customers affected)

We’re estimating power will be restored to all customers on or before the following times. We expect most customers to have power restored sooner.
 Customers in isolated areas or areas with heavy damage will have power restored closer to the estimated time listed below.
  • South King County: Monday Aug. 31 at 6 a.m.
  • Pierce County: Monday Aug. 31 at 6 a.m.
  • Thurston County: Monday Aug. 31 at 6 a.m.
  • Whatcom and Skagit Counties: Monday, Aug. 31 at midnight
  • North King County: Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
  • Kitsap County: Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
More specific information will be added throughout the day to the outage map. 
Our outage map and call center have the same information for our customers.
Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them.
Outage information
 Read more on our Updates page.
  • Use the myPSE app or PSE.com/outagemap for outage information and restoration times.
  • Report your outage online via the app or myPSE Account or call 1-888-225-5773.
  • Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them.
https://pse.com/accountsandservices/ServiceAlert/Pages/Outage-Map.aspx
++ Current PSE Outage Map ++
(Report a PSE outage call 1-888-225-5773)
Seattle City Light -- System Status
Seattle City Light -- Mobile Outage MAP 
(Report an Outage: 206.684.3000 or 206.684.7400)
PSE Service Alert As of 6 p.m., Saturday Aug. 29
We’re continuing to respond to widespread power outages created by a strong wind storm across our entire service area -- from Thurston County to Whatcom County, and from Kitsap County to the Cascades. We’ve opened all of our storm bases, which allow us to respond more quickly to localized restoration efforts. Our Emergency Coordination Center has also been activated.
Read more on our Updates page.
PSE Service Alert -- Saturday Aug. 29, 2015 6PM -- 223,889 outages
Get the myPSE app!
To report and track power outages, download the free PSE mobile outage app. 
Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand, such as extra batteries, flashlights, and food. 
Have a battery-powered radio ready to go and charge phones and mobile devices
in case the power goes out. 
If you see a downed power line, stay away and report it by calling PSE at 1-888-225-5773. or calling 9-1-1.
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/29/2015 07:35:00 PM 
Updated by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/30/2015 09:00:00 AM
Updated by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/30/2015 06:00:00 PM
at

PSE Service Alert -- As of 6 a.m., Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 -- 84,747 outages

PSE Service Alert -- As of 6 a.m., Sunday Aug. 30, 2015 -- 84,747 outages
PSE Service Alert

As of 6 a.m., Sunday Aug. 30
Our crews worked throughout the night last night to restore power to customers affected by Saturday’s strong wind storm that swept across our entire service area. As of 6 a.m. more than 97,000 customers in more than 2,200 locations are without power across our service area. We’ve restored power to nearly 75 percent of affected customers.
We’re working on restoration times for our customers. We started helicopter patrols again this morning and have damage assessors in the field. Read more on our Updates page.
  • Use the myPSE app or PSE.com/outagemap for outage information and restoration times.
  • Report your outage online via the app or myPSE Account or call 1-888-225-5773.
  • Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them.

Outage information

https://pse.com/accountsandservices/ServiceAlert/Pages/Outage-Map.aspx
++ Current PSE Outage Map ++
(Report a PSE outage call 1-888-225-5773)

Seattle City Light -- System Status
Seattle City Light -- Mobile Outage MAP
(Report an Outage: 206.684.3000 or 206.684.7400)
PSE Service Alert As of 6 p.m., Saturday Aug. 29
We’re continuing to respond to widespread power outages created by a strong wind storm across our entire service area -- from Thurston County to Whatcom County, and from Kitsap County to the Cascades. We’ve opened all of our storm bases, which allow us to respond more quickly to localized restoration efforts. Our Emergency Coordination Center has also been activated.
Read more on our Updates page.
PSE Service Alert -- Saturday Aug. 29, 2015 6PM -- 223,889 outages
Get the myPSE app!
To report and track power outages, download the free PSE mobile outage app. 
Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand, such as extra batteries, flashlights, and food. 
Have a battery-powered radio ready to go and charge phones and mobile devices
in case the power goes out. 
If you see a downed power line, stay away and report it by calling PSE at 1-888-225-5773. or calling 9-1-1.
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/29/2015 07:35:00 PM 
Updated by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/30/2015 09:00:00 AM 
at

Saturday, August 29, 2015

ARES/RACES Wildland Fire SITREP - August 29, 2015

From Monte Simpson [AF7PQ]
WA State RACES Officer (SRO):
ARES/RACES Wildland Fire 
Situation Report (SITREP) - August 29, 2015
    There have been no statewide ARS mobilizations that I’ve been notified of or seen on WebEOC today.
     Early this evening a fire mobilization was approved for Columbia County. Unfortunately, Columbia County does not have ARS support so I hope they will use adjacent county help if it is needed.
     We still haven’t received information about what is happening in Okanogan County so that’s status quo.  The public safety Telecommunications Emergency Response Taskforce has secured it’s two teams that had been in Okanogan County.
    In regards to Region 7, the following information was posted on the ARRL website: 
(ARRL) Amateur Repeaters Fall Victim to Washington Wildfire    08/28/2015
    Two Central Washington repeaters, owned and operated by the Lake Chelan Amateur Radio Club, have been destroyed by one of the wildfires raging in that state. The co-located machines, one on 2 meters and one on 6 meters, were sited on Slide Ridge near Manson, Washington, in Chelan County. On August 27, the First Creek Fire completely leveled the building housing the repeaters. Scorched antennas and support structures are still standing but are likely beyond repair. The club’s Roger Odorizzi, W7CH, said the repeaters had been offline for several days.
    “We knew the fire had wiped out the power going to our site, but we hoped for the best, that our mountaintop building was possibly spared,” he said. “Now we have confirmation this was not the outcome.” Odorizzi said the area remains closed, and the club likely will not have access to it “for a long time.”
    The club’s Ken Rau, K7YR, said the loss, in addition to the building, included the two repeaters, duplexers and antennas. The repeaters provided coverage in North Central Washington. Rau told ARRL that it’s unlikely that the building housing the repeaters would be replaced. It once housed radio and TV broadcast translators, most no longer in use. Topography is also a factor. “This is a mountain site — 4900 feet above mean sea level — with power lines that were installed on a very steep slope.”
    Rau said a lot of fire remains in the area and predicted that access to the repeater site probably would be limited for several weeks and that the site could remain off limits until first snowfall.
    The First Creek Fire covers more than 6000 acres and has been threatening hundreds of homes, destroying a dozen houses along with seven “other structures,” according to the National Interagency Fire Center. It is only 25 percent contained. (From: ARRL News:  08/28/2015 | Amateur Repeaters Fall Victim to Washington Wildfire)

    Chelan and Douglas Counties do not have ARES/RACES support and I’d like to thank the Lake Chelan ARC for support the Emergency Managers in those two counties.
    Thanks to W7CH and K7YR for this great report.

     The Ferry County EC Sam Jenkins, WA7EC, filed this report late last night:
   “The level 3 Evac area has now been moved to the Pendry Road, just about 1/2 mile South of Republic, which now covers
         everything from Pendry road South into the Colville Reservation.
    We have moved our SAR/CERT/ARES Base back to the airport, which was where we began on the 13th of Aug.
    We are now 6.5 miles North West of the current Level 3 line.
    We will be watching for the smoke as the fire continues its march toward Republic. 
    We will bug out to the North if we need to when the fire reaches within 2 miles of us, 
         unless the burning embers begin to fall on us."

    We have lost another of our important Ham operators this afternoon when she left her home for safer areas.
    I am hoping that the City of Republic might make a request on their own so we can coordinate support sooner than too late.

    Our OES, Edison Shaw N7GCW has come from his mountain top today and we began selecting safe positions in our area for ARES mobile relay stations to help with the Gaps in communications throughout the county.
    Tomorrow about 0900 we will run a 2 meter net from the OES to see how many check ins are still out there.

    Stevens County EC Dave Klimas, WD7K, provided this Facebook link last night. His wife Bert, KE7MAK, is keeping this Facebook page up to date.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/tri-county-fire-danger-news/fire-information-links/1630258727245870
    Hat’s off to Bert for this fine work.

    I am grateful to Bob Wiese, W7UWC, the Region 9 RACES Regional Coordinator for the hard work he’s doing to keep in touch with the ROs in his area and staying up to date.
    Bob is keeping me apprised of happenings in Region 9 so I can keep the ESF2 pod at the State EOC up to date.
    If you have information about the fires in EWA and particularly how communications is helping or impacted, please send me an email.
     The hard work and effort each of you are doing for the people of the State of Washington is very much appreciated. Thank you hardly seems enough.
     Regards,
     Monte, AF7PQ  WA State RACES Officer (SRO)
    ARRL Sections - Western Washington

Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/29/2015 09:37:00 PM
at

PSE Service Alert -- Saturday Aug. 29, 2015 6PM -- 223,889 outages

PSE Service Alert -- As of 6 p.m., Saturday Aug. 29, 2015 -- 223,889 outages
PSE Service Alert
As of 6 p.m., Saturday Aug. 29
We’re continuing to respond to widespread power outages created by a strong wind storm across our entire service area -- from Thurston County to Whatcom County, and from Kitsap County to the Cascades. We’ve opened all of our storm bases, which allow us to respond more quickly to localized restoration efforts. Our Emergency Coordination Center has also been activated.
Read more on our Updates page.
  • Use the myPSE app or PSE.com/outagemap for outage information and restoration times.
  • Report your outage online via the app or myPSE Account or call 1-888-225-5773.
  • Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them.
Outage information
Get the myPSE app!
To report and track power outages, download the free PSE mobile outage app. 
Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand, such as extra batteries, flashlights, and food. 
Have a battery-powered radio ready to go and charge phones and mobile devices
in case the power goes out. 
If you see a downed power line, stay away and report it by calling PSE at 1-888-225-5773. or calling 9-1-1.
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/29/2015 07:35:00 PM 
Updated by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/30/2015 09:00:00 AM 
at

Friday, August 28, 2015

Seattle NWS: National Weather Service Spotter Activation Requested (Aug 28, 2015)

SPOTTER ACTIVATION REQUESTED
National Weather Service, Seattle WA
Subject:     ACTION: National Weather Service Spotter Activation Requested
Date:     Sat, 29 Aug 2015 00:10:16 GMT
From:     nws.seattle@noaa.gov
There is a threat of strong or damaging wind in your area
beginning around 8 AM, Saturday Aug 29, 2015.

  Now is a good time to make sure you have your weather reporting criteria information available. If possible, you should also have your spotter identification number available.
  Please call the National Weather Service at (800) 882-1431 if you observe weather conditions that meet reporting criteria.
  A frontal system will bring rain and windy conditions to most of Western Washington for Saturday. For rainfall, 0.5 to 1 inch is expected for the lowlands, with 1 to 3 inches for the coast and mountains. Most of the lowlands are under Wind Advisories, starting at 8 AM for the coast, to 11 AM or noon for the interior. Southerly winds of 20 to 35 mph, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible. These winds could break tree branches and cause local power outages.
   Give us a call if you receive heavy rain (1" in less than 12 hours, or 2" in 24 hours). Also call us if you have significant wind damage or experience high winds.
   Thank you for volunteering to be a spotter for the National Weather Service. Your information is quite important to us during significant weather events.
Web Site: http://www.weather.gov/seattlehttp://www.weather.gov/seattle
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Seattle.govhttp://www.facebook.com/US.NationalWeatherService.Seattle.gov
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWSseattle
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/28/2015 09:26:00 PM
at

Jessica [KF7UHK] Reports Republic Cabin is A-OK (Aug 28, 2015)


Here is the Measuring tool, in yellow, from the Closer Edge of the Fire to the South, In Red.
The Valley and the Down Hill, and the Wind, have all been in our Favor....
Lightning is the Next Worry with the Rain Coming in and the temperature Changes.....
Lightning is Like a Roll of the Dice, Especially for the Mountain tops,....
Jessica KF7UHK
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/28/2015 10:34:00 AM
at

ARRL Letter: Fire Near Republic WA -- Amateur Radio Volunteers Face Fire Threat While Supporting Emergency Communication

Amateur Radio Volunteers Face Fire Threat
While Supporting Emergency Communication
[from: ARRL Letter for Aug 27, 2015]

The North-Central Washington town of Republic touts "air you can't see" on its website. That's not the case this week. Wildfires in the US Northwest have not only hampered the air quality and visibility, but led

The Kettle Complex Fire comes over a ridge on August 13. [Photo courtesy of InciWeb.gov]
to a Level 2 evacuation order in the Ferry County community of about 1000 residents. That could rise to Level 3. Amateur Radio volunteers in Ferry County have been on the front lines of the wildfire emergency there. In Republic, a combination of Ferry County Search and Rescue (SAR), Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and ARES/RACES volunteers have been supporting communication for a shelter housing some 4 dozen evacuees -- with more to come, according to Ferry County ARES Emergency Coordinator and RACES Radio Officer Sam Jenkins, WA7EC.

"We are now close to our maximum support level for local volunteers," Jenkins told State RACES Officer Monte Simpson, AF7PQ, who also is ARRL Western Washington Section Manager. "We are now expecting to operate for several weeks at the Republic High School. The firefighters say they are going to attempt to defend our emergency operations center/emergency shelter at all costs," Jenkins added. "We are standing our ground."

A view of Republic, Washington, via the town's webcam on August 26, shows how smoke from the wildfires has reduced visibility and air quality.
In addition to being the Ferry County ARES EC and RACES RO, Jenkins explained, he also heads the SAR component of the dual Ferry County SAR-CERT contingent. "I have networked these three units together over time to increase the effectiveness of our small, poor, but valiant teams," he told ARRL. At present, he's working under the RACES banner.

Firefighters from several states and British Columbia, Canada, have been working the Kettle Complex of three fires in Ferry County, which covered nearly 60,000 acres as of August 26. No injuries have occurred and no homes have been lost. Support teams from the Washington National Guard are assisting fire managers to ensure safety. West of Republic near Omak, the Okanogan Complex at more than 280,000 acres is now the largest fire complex in the state's history.

An August 26 MODIS satellite image indicates the extent of the wildfire situation in Washington. [Image courtesy of the USDA Forest Service]

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), wildfires continue to burn actively across the West. The NIFC reports that 66 large fires -- or complexes -- have burned nearly 1.6 million acres in 11 states. Twelve fires are burning in Washington alone.

Jenkins said his team of volunteers would like to have additional support, but, he told Simpson, "I would expect that it is asking a lot for anyone to leave the comfort of their home to travel to a place where the smoke is so thick you can cut it with a knife, and not know if they would escape."
Radio amateurs responding to the wildfire emergencies have been using VHF repeaters as well as HF on 75 and 40 meters, including SSB and digital modes, and IRLP.

"We are doing our best at doing our thing," Jenkins said. "I am concerned about what is happening in our sister counties."
 [from: ARRL Letter for Aug 27, 2015]
DIsclosure: Pending "Reprint permission of the ARRL. Copyright ARRL."
(NOTE: Please let PSRG know that you are an ARRL Member -- if you're a NEW Ham with PSRG) 
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/28/2015 03:41:00 PM
at

Kevin [KG7KNS] -- Ferry Across the Sound (Summer 2015)

Kevin [KG7KNS]'s 2015 Summer on the Sound
Thanks Kevin for sharing!
[Click to enlarge]
M/V Wenatchee
[Click to enlarge]
So ferry 'cross the Sound
'Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay
 
[Click to enlarge]
[Click to enlarge]
 People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care
So ferry 'cross the Sound
And always take me there
The place I love
[Click to enlarge]
[Click to enlarge]
[Click to enlarge]
 Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way
[Click to enlarge]
[Click to enlarge]
 [Click to enlarge]
Radio Central
[Click to enlarge]
 [Click to enlarge]
[Click to enlarge]
People around every corner
They seem to smile and say
We don't care what your name is boy
We'll never turn you away
[Click to enlarge]
Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way

So ferry 'cross the Sound
'Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay

People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care
So ferry 'cross the Sound
And always take me there
The place I love

People around every corner
They seem to smile and say
We don't care what your name is boy
We'll never turn you away

So I'll continue to say
Here I always will stay

So ferry 'cross the Sound'
Cause this land's the place I love
And here I'll stay
And here I'll stay
Here I'll stay

(derived from: Ferry Cross The Mersey by Gerry & the Pacemakers)
Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 8/27/2015 10:26:00 PM
at

Emergency Services LISTS (August 2015)

911 | PSE / SCL Power | NOAA | TRAVEL
Emergency Services LISTS
National Weather Service - NWS Seattle
Seattle  (162.550 MHz)
LIVE Audio
Recorded Seattle Audio Files
 (see below for other WA NWR stations)
-----------------
Seattle Fire Department
[links from KOMO]
real-time dispatch log online
http://www.public911.com/app/#/seattle
 Public911.com (with map) 
-----------------
-----------------
Seattle City Light -- System Status
Seattle City Light -- Mobile Outage MAP
(Report an Outage: 206.684.3000 or 206.684.7400)
-----------------
++ Current PSE Outage Map ++
(Report a PSE outage call 1-888-225-5773)

 
Get the myPSE app!
To report and track power outages, download the free PSE mobile outage app. Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand, such as extra batteries, flashlights, and food. Have a battery-powered radio ready to go and charge phones and mobile devices in case the power goes out. If you see a downed power line, stay away and report it by calling PSE at 1-888-225-5773. or calling 9-1-1.
NWR Stations and Signal Coverage
 Printable Flyer (.pdf)
1) Neah Bay 162.550 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Neah Bay Audio Files 15) The Dalles, OR 162.400 MHz
2) Forks / Mt. Octopus 162.425 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Forks/Mt. Octopus Audio Files 16) Richland / Tri-Cities 162.450 MHz
3) Astoria, OR 162.400 MHz 17) Plymouth 162.425 MHz
4) Capitol Peak / Olympia 162.475 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Olympia Audio Files 18) Pendleton, OR 162.400 MHz
5) H Street - Blaine  162.525 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Blaine Audio Files 19) Bonners Ferry, ID 162.500 MHz
6) Puget Sound Marine 162.425 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Puget Sound Marine Audio Files 20) Spokane 162.400 MHz
7) Seattle 162.550 MHz | LIVE Audio | Recorded Seattle Audio Files 21) Dayton 162.525 MHz
8) Randle / Cowlitz Valley 162.425 MHz | Recorded Randle Audio Files 22) Lewiston, ID 162.550 MHz
9) Davis Peak / Woodland 162.525 MHz
10) Portland, OR 162.550 MHz NOT SHOWN ON MAP:
11) Okanogan 162.525 MHz Mt. Rainier N.P. (kiosk) LIVE Audio
12) Wenatchee 162.475 MHz Aldergrove, BC 162.550 MHz
13) Cle Elum 162.400 MHz Victoria, BC 162.475 MHz
14) Yakima 162.550 MHz Vancouver, BC 162.400 MHz

===========================
WSDOT
WA State Traveler Information
Traffic
(Home)
Cameras
Mountain Passes
State Travel Alerts
Weather
Ferries
Rail
Puget Sound Traffic
Travel Alerts Puget Sound Area
--------
WSDOT Ferry VesselWatch
Get your own
WSDOT - Mobile Apps
===========================
Originally Posted by PSRG FUN BLOG at 11/25/2014 08:00:00 AM
REISSUED August 28, 2015
at