Plague-infected Squirrel Found in Los Angeles-area Campground

Squirrel tests positive for plague in Angeles National Forest North of LA

A ground squirrel has tested positive for plague after it was trapped in the Angeles National Forest during “routine surveillance activities,” said the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The LA County has released the following health advisory:

HEALTH ADVISORY: Closures Posted for Broken Blade, Twisted Arrow, and Pima Loops of the Table Mountain Campgrounds Due to Plague Found in a Ground Squirrel

Closure signs posted in the Angeles National Forest near Wrightwood

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and U.S. Forestry Service officials have closed the Broken Blade, Twisted Arrow, and Pima Loops of the Table Mountain Campgrounds in the Angeles National Forest after tests confirmed that one ground squirrel trapped on July 16, 2013 during routine surveillance activities tested positive on July 23, 2013 for plague. The sites were officially closed at 1:00 p.m. today, and will be closed for at least 7 days. Campers at the site have been notified of the closure by Forest Service officials. The campgrounds and recreational areas are located near Wrightwood. In coordination with the Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures, the squirrel burrows in the area will be dusted for fleas. Further testing of squirrels will be done before the area is re-opened to the public.

“Plague is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, which is why we close affected campgrounds and recreational areas as a precaution while preventive measures are taken to control the flea population,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “It is important for the public to know that there have only been four cases of human plague in Los Angeles County residents since 1984, none of which were fatal.”

Plague has been known to reside in the ground squirrels population in the San Gabriel Mountains. Previous routine surveillance identified one plague-positive ground squirrel in 2010 from the Los Alamos campgrounds in Gorman; one in 2007 and two in 1996 from the Stoneyvale Picnic Area near La Cañada/Flintridge; and one plague- positive ground squirrel from an adjacent campground in Vogel Flats in 1995.

Transmission of plague through flea bites causes bubonic plague, with symptoms including enlargement of lymph glands (buboes) near the flea bite and rapid onset of fever and chills. Untreated bubonic plague can progress to infection of the blood, or rarely, the lungs, causing pneumonic plague. All forms of the disease can be fatal if not treated; however, most patients respond well to antibiotic therapy.

Individuals visiting recreational areas near the Broken Blade, Twisted Arrow, and Pima Loops of the Table Mountain Campgrounds need to take certain precautions to avoid contact with wild animals that could be carrying plague- positive fleas. Visitors to recreational areas should not feed wild animals, not leave edible trash out where wild animals can get to it, avoid camping or picnicking in the immediate vicinity of ground squirrel burrows, and should avoid taking pets into areas where they could be exposed to fleas. If you must take your pet into areas with fleas, please ensure your pet has appropriate flea control and vaccinations, as recommended by a veterinarian.

“Protection with an insect repellant containing DEET is also recommended for persons visiting the Angeles National Forest and engaging in outside recreational activities in other areas of LA County,” said Dr. Fielding. Insect repellant can help protect people against fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. Products containing DEET are not safe for use on pets.”

Members of the public who see dead ground squirrels in recreational areas, or who want more information about precautions should contact the LA County Department of Public Health, Vector Management Program at (626) 430-5450.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. […]

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More Rain in the West, Snow in the East

Another storm is expected to hit Southern California today

More rain would spell more mudslides and misery for the hill side communities in California.  The new system is likely to move in Tuesday with a 40% chance of showers starting Tuesday afternoon, lasting into Wednesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

The storm is expected to be less severe than the ones that buffeted the area on Friday and Saturday, triggering mudslides which caused much destruction in the  foothills communities of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Forecasters say the coastal and valley areas should expect about  1.5cm (1/2 inch) of rain, with up to 4cm (1 1/2 inches)  in the mountains areas Tuesday through Wednesday.

So far about 31cm (12 inches) of rain has fallen in downtown Los Angeles, compared with a norm of 21cm (8 inches) during this time of year, NWS said.

Weather Forecast  (Click Images to enlarge and update)

Winter Weather Advisory

Storm Warning from NWS

As of posting, a winter storm warning is in effect for the following counties

• In Oklahoma: Adair, Sequoyah and Le Flore.
• In Arkansas: Benton, Sebastian, Washington, Carroll, Madison, Crawford and Franklin.

Winter storm will continue to impact much of the mid south tonight.

Snow will continue mainly north of a Wynne Arkansas to Lexington,  Tennessee line tonight. A mixture of snow, sleet, and rain will continue along interstate 40 from Forrest City Arkansas to the Memphis metropolitan area to Jackson and Decaturville, Tennessee. Rain will occur across north Mississippi.

Current NWS Weather Hazard Warnings (U.S.)

• Tornado
• Hurricane
• Severe Thunderstorm
• Flash Flood
• Flood
• Winter Storm
• Special Marine
• Non Precipitation
• Tsunami
• Space Weather
• All Warnings

Click image to enter NWS portal

• List of  Saturday’s Storm Total Snowfall
• Wilmington, OH Base Reflectivity Radar

GOES IR Satellite image of N America. Click to enlarge and update.

Related Links:

• Humongous Snowstorm Paralyzes Eastern U.S.
• Snow covers 70 pct of the U.S.
• Phil says ’six more weeks of winter’
• 6 feet of snow blankets the Alps
• 2010 Disaster Calender – January
• The Storms Attack on California
• California: Powerful new storm sails ashore

• Transitory Impact of AO is the ‘Good News’
• December Snowstorm Only a Cat 3 on NESIS Scale
• United Kingdom of Ice
• State of Emergency in Oklahoma, S. Dakota, Texas
• ‘Humongous’ storm spreads across the US

• You Don’t Bring A Gun To A Snowball Fight!
• Winter Officially Starts Today!
• Deadly Winter Storm Paralyzes United States

Sheep Fire and Silence of the Lamb

Fire Chases 4,000 From Their Homes

Sheep fire forced thousands of residents to evacuate the mountaintop town of Wrightwood about 130km (80 miles) east of Los Angeles, according to state officials.

Having blackened 7,500 acres since Saturday, the blaze reached the outskirts of Wrightwood, a scenic resort town of 4,000 in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The blazed has destroyed at least 5 structures, but officials said they they could most probably save the town. The cause of the fire is still unknown/ undisclosed.

The fire containment, as of posting, was 20%.

Photo: Smoke rises Saturday evening over the San Bernardino Mountains. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times. Image may be subject to copyright.

Details of Sheep Fire:

• Incident Type:  Wildfire
• Cause: Under Investigation
• Date of Origin:  Saturday October 3, 2009 02:11 PM PCT
• Location:  Between Lytle Creek & Lone Pine Canyons

Current Situation:

• Total Personnel: 936
• Size: 7,500 acres
• Percent Contained: 20%
• Fuels Involved: Chaparral and timber
• Fire Behavior: Extreme fire behavior with rapid rates of spread, fire is fuel, topography, and wind driven
• Significant Events:  Numerous helitankers and fixed wing air tankers dropped water and retardant on the fire yesterday and back fires were set to protect homes at the eastern edge of Wrightwood. The fire has not crossed Hwy 138 or Hwy 2 at this time.

Outlook:

• Planned Actions: Crews are constructing direct fireline and numerous engine strike teams are in place for structure protection for the eastern portions of Wrightwood.

• Growth Potential:  Extreme

• Terrain Difficulty: Extreme

Remarks:

• The Forest Service is in unified command with San Bernardino County Fire and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Resources assigned to the fire are:
  • 24 handcrews,
  • 80 engines,
  • 4 dozers,
  • 7 water tenders,
  • 6 helicopters and
  • 9 airtankers (including the DC-10 and the Martin Mars).

Evacuations:

• All residents of Wrightwood are under a mandatory evacuation. Mandatory evacuations remain for residents in Swarthout and Lone Pine Canyons, Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hess Road, and residents on the east side of Lytle Creek Road including Applewhite Campground and Mountain Lakes Resort. Road Closures: Hwy 2, Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hwy 2, Lone Pine Canyon Road, Lytle Creek Road. Lytle Creek road is open to residents only.

Current Weather

• Wind Conditions: 19 mph SW
• Temperature:  45 degrees F
• Humidity: 45%
• Source:  InciWeb

Incident Overview [from InciWeb]

The Sheep Fire started near Sheep Canyon Road near Lytle Creek at about 2:11 pm on Saturday October 3, 2009. It burned northeast to Swarthout Canyon Road, then northwest up Lone Pine Canyon. It is currently burning near the top of Lone Pine Canyon near Wrightwood, CA. It has not crossed Hwy 138 at this time. The fire is about 1/4 mile from Hwy 2 and homes in the area. Firefighters are cautiously optimistic at this time about keeping the fire from burning into Wrightwood. Numerous helitankers and fixed wing air tankers dropped water and retardant on the fire yesterday and back fires were set to protect homes at the eastern edge of Wrightwood. Engines are also continuing to do structure protection and hand crews are constructing fire line.

Mandatory evacuations are still in place for all Wrightwood, Swarthout Canyon, Lone Pine Canyon, and areas along Hwy 138 between I-15 and Hess Road. Mandatory evacuations also remain in place for the following areas in Lytle Creek: Applewhite Campground, Applewhite Picnic Area, and areas east of Lytle Creek Road up to and including Mountain Lakes RV Park. Evacuation Centers are located at Eisenhower High School in Rialto and at Victorville Fairgrounds. Small animals can be taken to the Devore Animal Shelter. Large and small animals may be taken to the Victorville Fairgrounds.

Related Links:

• Calif Fire Looks Like Volcanic Eruption
• SoCal End-to-End Corporate Arsons Blaze On!
• Calif Fires 2009 – Part 2 ‘We’re Watching You!’ [includes entries up to September 22, 2009]
• California Fires 09 – Part 3 ‘Pile on the Manure, Sheriff!’  [for entries dated after September 22, 2009]

• Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Product [Links to Satellite Images]
• Our Forecast for 2009 California Fires
  
• Thought for the Day: The Car Salesman & SoCal Fires
• Tell Schwarzenegger Damage from Fires Is Preventable!
• Shock and Awe Southland Fires Take No Prisoners
• California Fires: Not Hard to Understand!
• The War on Wildfire
• Links to FEWW SoCal Fires Entries