WELCOME!
As a full-time firefighter, my passion for serving my community and helping others is an integral part of my life. This website is dedicated to my career in firefighting and the many challenges and rewards that come with it. But firefighting is not just a job to me, it's a way of life. When I'm not at the fire station, I love to explore the great outdoors through hiking, camping, and mountain biking. These hobbies help me stay physically and mentally fit, which is crucial in this demanding profession.
On this website, I will be sharing my experiences as a firefighter, as well as my love for the outdoors and the various DIY activities that keep me grounded. I hope that through my website, you will gain a better understanding of what it means to be a firefighter, and also discover some of the amazing sights and experiences that nature has to offer.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy your time here!

Resources

I plan to keep this site updated with relevant resources and topics relating to the fire service. These are sources that I have found essential and/or informative during my career.

Current Lightning Strikes

This map shows recent cloud-to-ground strikes within the past hour. White indicates within 15 min, fading eventually to red at 60 min.

Data is obtained from volunteer based data collection network Blitzortung.org. 

I help contribute to the network and you can view my lighting detector data on my Lightning page.

Current Watches/Warnings

Fire Outlook

Wildfire Intel - CA - Initial Attack

CA-SNF-September Lightning 2023

Saturday, September 9, 2023, 02:09 PM

CA-CZU- Edgewood

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 06:12 PM

CA SCU-Saw Mill

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 05:18 PM

CA-SCU-Shady

Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 02:53 PM

CA-SCU-Scenic 2023

Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 04:44 PM

CA-SBC-Plant

Saturday, August 19, 2023, 05:54 PM

Wilfire Intel - CA - Continuing

CA-STF-September Lightning Complex 2023

Saturday, September 9, 2023, 06:25 PM

CA-SRF-Smith River Complex

Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 11:02 AM

Smith River Complex

Sunday, August 20, 2023, 07:26 PM

CA-SRF-Lightning Complex

Sunday, August 20, 2023, 10:12 AM

CA-KNF-Happy Camp Complex 2023

Thursday, August 17, 2023, 04:11 PM

CA-RRU-Bonny

Thursday, July 27, 2023, 06:03 PM

Latest News

DailyDispatch - California

Fire destroys Lemon Grove home that helped people in need

Friday, September 29, 2023, 03:00 AM

PHOTO: A predawn house fire in a neighborhood near Chollas Lake displaced 11 residents Wednesday and left a firefighter injured, authorities reported. The blaze erupted about 5 a.m. in a detached garage next to a home in the 3100 block of Chateau Way in Lemon Grove, Heartland Fire & Rescue spokesman Andy McKellar said.
- PUB DATE: 9/29/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KNSD-TV NBC 7 San Diego

Construction worker killed in San Francisco trench collapse

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 08:57 PM

VIDEOS: A construction worker in San Francisco died Thursday when a trench collapsed on him, burying him under several feet of dirt, fire officials said. Emergency crews spent roughly two hours trying to rescue the worker in the area of Oak and Divisadero streets, but when they finally reached him, it was too late.
- PUB DATE: 9/28/2023 5:57:27 PM - SOURCE: KNTV NBC 11 San Jose

The Governor's Wildfire Task Force will be in Redding next week

Friday, September 29, 2023, 12:31 AM

The Governor's Wildfire Task Force is planning to show off new fire prevention tools next week in Redding. Task Force Director Patrick Wright told Action News Now these tools are designed to collect information from every piece of land in California, so both the state and communities can better understand, prepare for, and prevent wildfires.
- PUB DATE: 9/28/2023 9:31:00 PM - SOURCE: KNVN-TV NBC 24 Chico

San Diego Fire Department to receive new, custom made $1.25M fireboat

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 03:00 AM

VIDEO: The San Diego Fire Rescue Department will receive a boat similar to the "Triton," a high performance fireboat thanks to a $1.25 million dollar check from the State of California. "I was able to get it out in this last budget. It's been a need for a long time to replace a boat that's been in service since the early 90s.
- PUB DATE: 9/28/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KFMB-TV CBS 8 San Diego

Southern California could lose thousands of structures to wildfires this year, report estimates

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 03:00 AM

Three Southern California counties have the nation's highest wildfire risks, according to a report released last week. The First Street Foundation, a non-profit research and technology group, found that the annual expectation of structures destroyed by wildfires has grown from 3,000 structures in 2016 to 17,000 structures expected to be destroyed in 2023.
- PUB DATE: 9/28/2023 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles

Salinas Fire Department awarded nearly $5 million

Wednesday, September 27, 2023, 09:26 PM

The Salinas Fire Department is set to receive $4.7 million over the next three years. The grant was awarded as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's staffing for adequate firefighter response or "SAFER" program, which Salinas fire Chief Sam Klemek says was much needed. “The $4.7 million allows us to hire 9 firefighters.
- PUB DATE: 9/27/2023 6:26:00 PM - SOURCE: KSBW-TV NBC 8 Salinas

FireRescue1 - Top Articles

Pa. fire company celebrates 125th anniversary with focus on hand-drawn ladder wagon

Saturday, September 30, 2023, 12:00 PM

The 1899 ladder wagon built by American LaFrance Fire Engine Co. will be the centerpiece of the weekend celebration

Daughter of fallen N.Y. firefighter throws out first pitch

Saturday, September 30, 2023, 08:00 AM

The 6-year-old daughter of Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno threw out the first pitch at a Buffalo Bison's game

Innovations in turnout gear: How to pick the best options for your department

Friday, September 29, 2023, 12:46 PM

Selecting new garments can be simple when done in a methodical way

Photo of the Week: Calif. fireboat ride-along

Friday, September 29, 2023, 12:38 PM

A police officer gets the opportunity to watch San Rafael firefighters train on the water

Cleveland mayor proposes sweeping change to building, fire codes for abandoned properties

Friday, September 29, 2023, 11:51 AM

Mayor Justin Bibb's "Residents First" program will overhaul 23 codes and allow the city to issue tickets, fines

The unwritten rules of trading shifts

Friday, September 29, 2023, 10:54 AM

Understanding shift culture and respecting it can go a long way in navigating the first responder lifestyle
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