LIvetweeting the #CZULightningComplex ops briefing in this thread

Humidity above Ben Lomond right now is 9%! THat's SUPER DRY

Winds will gust up to 20mph this afternoon coming from W

50% chance of getting a direct hit from thunderstorms in the fire area today, not precipitation but lightning and winds. Storms will happen this afternoon through midnight moving from south to north, lots of gusty outflow winds.

LIghtning and wind will almost certianly affect fire behavior today.

All of today is a red flag warning, all of tonight too.

Even if we don't get a direct hit winds will affect fire behavior.

Fuel conditions are prime for new fire starts outside the main area

Expectation of active fire behavior in the SLV, including in places that haven't burned yet

Critical fuel conditions due to dought esp at higher elevations. Everything away from the coastline is super dry, very high

Expect steady fire spread. Gets most active after midnight as humidity drops.

Can't plan for air support

You should expect the big trees that have been burning for days to start falling apart with no warning, this is a big hazard today

Safety for FF is absolutely critical today, today will be dangerous, all FF crews need to have plans for where they can be safe in adverse conditions.

Remember even though you're more comfortable here, gotta be slow and aware of changing conditions

MUST be conscious that fatigue is setting in and FFs must care for themselves to avoid injury

Fire is “still a beast” but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Today's priorities are the Hwy9 corridor and Bonny Doon.

We have seen good progress thanks to the good weather, but the weather's going to change, be prepared in the North Zone and the West Zone because they could pick up

More resources going into Branch 2 (SLV), use your tactics to hold the line on the ridge

MANY fewer losses in Bonny Doon, let's maintain that

"Lots of potential for things to go crazy out there” with the weather changes today

[]

While @CALFIRECZU calls roll I do a little prayer of love for every team answering “here”. Do whatever Santa Cruz woowoo spiritual things work for you to send love, support, and protection to the fire crews.

Back to briefing.

Need to also focus on stopping any new fires that start today as the weather changes, be super conscious

There will be a few tactical pauses to retrench and get ready for the new weather.

Emphasis on preparation and having all 3 of your safety plans ready to go.

“Let's fight fire like champions"

Air operations will start as soon as the air clears, 8 water dropping helos

[Inside baseball communications update]

[Note that the thunderstorms will make communications even harder, this is so dangerous, bless all these folks for saving our towns]

[Inside baseball medical update]

[Logistics and training, same situation]

[I would like to HIGHLIGHT that a lot of the folks up there are TRAINEES, this is a properly brutal way to learn on the job, let's all give them a little bit of special love]

Once again, 71k acres, 8% containment, 1349 responders.

For photos and press info, go to the information shop don’t release directly.

[Note to folks with @CALFIRECZU, this applies UNLESS IT’S TO ME, happy to exchange kisses for tips and media from the fire line]

Chief Larkin points out the extraordinary size and intensity of the fire, urges folks to be empathetic to locals even if they're in the way making the job harder

Reminders:
[shop talk]

Marathon, not a sprint
24k threatened structures, this is obviously chaos so stick to plan

Be ready to move, be adaptable, be ready to cope with the red flag warning conditions.

End of ops briefing.