BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again

Subject: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 08:19 PM

here are several wildfires on the East and South edges of San Diego County. At present none of these is anywhere near my area. I don't know of anyone who is affected, either. But them as are are in a heap of panic just now; 1 civilian has been killed, 4 people airlifted to the Emergency Burn Unit at Scripps, and a range of neighborhoods being evacuated.

ABC News' story:

by NOAKI SCHWARTZ Associated Press Writer
MALIBU, Calif. Oct 21, 2007 (AP)
More than a half-dozen wildfires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds spread across Southern California on Sunday, killing one person near San Diego and destroying several homes and a church in celebrity-laden Malibu.

No details were immediately available about the death in San Diego County, but four firefighters and four other people were injured and taken to hospitals, said Roxanne Provaznik, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry.

The fire was among at least eight blazes stretching from north of Los Angeles to San Diego, as hot weather and strong winds marked the height of the traditional wildfire season.

The fire responsible for the death and eight injuries burned about 2,500 acres near a highway. A second charred about 3,000 acres in northern San Diego County and was threatening homes near Witch Creek, Provaznik said.

Meanwhile, in Malibu, about 500 firefighters worked to protect about 200 homes in several upscale communities nestled in the hills, officials said.

The blaze, which started in Malibu Canyon, had charred at least 1,000 acres and destroyed a church and several homes, one of them a landmark castle. No residents or firefighters were injured, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said...."

And from KPBS:

"Two major wildfires are burning on opposite sides of San Diego County.A 2,500-acre fire is burning in southeast San Diego. It has killed at least one civilian and burned four more. Four firefighters are also hurt. There are emergency evacuations in place.

The western most point of the fire is Barrett School Road and Highway 94. Dry, hurricane-force Santa Ana winds are pushing the flames west. The Sheriff's department has ordered mandatory evacuations for residents of Barrett Junction and Dulzura.
Another fire, this one in northeast San Diego, west of Julian, has burned 3,000 acres. Structures are threatened, but it's not clear how many. The Sheriff's department has advised evacuations of more than 5,000 families in San Diego Country Estates. That's in Ramona.

Residents with an emergency are advised to call 9-1-1. If you're looking for information but it's not an emergency, call 2-1-1.

Again, two major wildfires in San Diego County. A 2500-acre fire near the Mexican border in southeast San Diego. That has killed one person and injured several more. A 3000-acre fire is burning in northeast San Diego, west of Julian."

---

So fat, so good. There are some predictions the Santa Ana winds that cruise this county this time of year may climb to unprecedented gale strength. But the weather predictions are often loopy around here. We shall see.


A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Rapparee
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 08:47 PM

Stay calm, keep the roof wet, and if they come near prepare to evacuate. It's really about all you can do.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: bobad
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 09:01 PM

Some of that slimy, fire-retardant gel that JinK posted about would be handy.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 10:07 PM

Too late for that slime; and fortunately, we have a nearly-new shingle roof, not a shake one. But if it comes close I will put the hoses on it.


A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Janie
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 10:18 PM

Glad you checked in, Amos. Hope you are able to stay out of harm's way.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Oct 07 - 10:35 PM

I was down there visiting my daughter when a horrendous fire season just would not quit (1994?). It was October, as I recall, and we could see the flames and heavy smoke across to the east- it was at the Wild Animal Park at that time. Before it was done it also devastated Laguna Hills and wiped out a whole lot of hillside brush. I remember it even jumped a highway.

Scary stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:06 AM

Ebbie:

Dang! That was the weekend we had a visit from Aine from Texas and took her down to Mexico to see the Bufadora (blowhole). When we got back to San Diego the sky was completely ashen and we had to scramble around readying evacuation gear just in case. It got closer to us than this one probably will, I think. But you missed a fun trip!!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:17 AM

Sounds like it! Must have been a shock coming home, though, with a possible evacuation staring you in the face.

Thinking of the Santa Ana- one time I had been at my daughter's for just a few days before I told my son in law that I thought I was coming down with a cold. He asked me about my symptoms then said that it probably was the winds. He said that the Santa Ana coming off the desert makes many people sneeze and sniffle and wheeze.

I do like the desert though. They have taken me out there a number of times. I like the whole area actually. If only there weren't so many other people who felt the same way!

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 03:56 AM

Latest update. No gains yet.


|A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:39 AM

Lawn sprinklers on the roof work well and require less work.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 10:00 AM

Getting worse == the fire, pushed west by high winds, has jumped the I-15 interstate; major communities of Poway and Rancho Bernardo are on evac orders.

The Del Mar Faire grouonds is being used as an evac center for the thousands of evacuees, as are several other sites.

No good news yet.


A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Alice
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 12:22 PM

I saw some of the footage of the fire going through Malibu on tv last night. The winds where you are sure make it scary.
Good luck and take care.

Alice

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 01:01 PM

The local PBS station is filling the air with updates; there are large area evacs, and gusts up to 60 mph are preventing aircover for the fire-fighting effort; I15 is closed, in one 17 mile stretch. Evac extended as far west as I-5 north of 76. 250,000 evacuations, county wide.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 01:07 PM

Just got an email from my daughter in north Escondido. They can see the smoke and flames but it's not traveling in their direction yet. My grand daughter is housesitting in east Escondido and my daughter is going over there to be with her in case they have to evacuate their friends' house.

Scary.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 01:33 PM

"Last updated: October 22, 2007 10:29 AM

San Diego County Fires:

At least 7 fires are burning around San Diego County
Officials are ordering mass evacuations between I-5 and I-15
Officials are not able to fight the fires with air support because of the dangerous conditions
Flames are approaching the Wild Animal Park; Some animals are being moved
Qualcomm Stadium has been opened as an evacuation center
County Supervisor Ron Roberts:
"100,000 acres have burned and 250,000 people have been evacuated"

San Diego Fire Chief Tracey Jarman
"Emergency officials are stretched thin in San Diego"

360 firefighters
75 engine companies
10 ambulances
That leaves the city with 3 engines, 7 trucks and 2 batallion chiefs
Mayor Sanders:

The fire is moving quickly and fire officials are unable to use air assets because it's too dangerous.

The strategy is to evacuate areas ahead of the fire. The Witch fire is burning in a north-west direction and moving quickly. Many homes are burning, but no official count. San Diego residents are asked to stay off the roads, stay at home and minimize cell phone usage.

Fire Chief Bill Metcalf

The Witch fire is getting worse. The wind has increased during the last hour (between 9-10 a.m.). This fire is the most active and dangerous, but there are fires in other areas around the county, including: Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, North Poway, Forest Ranch area, and fire has crossed the I-15 north of Lake Hodges.

The Harris fire is at 20,000 acres burned."

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 02:31 PM

Lake Arrowhead at the top of the rim is on fire and blowing down hill. Fires are within 7 miles of downtown San Diego. CNN is showing only old video now.

3 days ago a guy named Mohammed from San Diego told my friend that he was coming to visit for 2 weeks. He arrived yesterday and we were talking about the drought conditions out here. He was not clear as to why he is visiting either to my friend, me or my wife.
Just because he is from Saudi Arabia doesn't make him a arson terrorist

does it.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 04:22 PM

Just letting you know I'm thinking of you, Amos. Hope you are ready to pull out of there if need be.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Donuel
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 04:26 PM

The military is hpoing to give special help to the 19,000 families that are in the evacuation zone.

Its your call Amos but if your call involves other souls its best to err on the side of caution with good planning.

Subject: BS: California Fires
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 05:55 PM

SAN DIEGO - Wildfires fanned by fierce desert winds consumed huge swaths of bone-dry Southern California on Monday, burning dozens of buildings and threatening hundreds more from Malibu to San Diego, including a jail, a hospital and nursing homes.

More than a dozen wildfires had engulfed the region, killing at least one person, injuring dozens more and forcing hundreds of thousands of evacuations. Overwhelmed firefighters said they lacked the resources to save many houses.

"We have more houses burning than we have people and engine companies to fight them," San Diego Fire Captain Lisa Blake said. "A lot of people are going to lose their homes today."

Nearly 250,000 people were forced to flee in San Diego County alone, where hundreds of patients were being moved by school bus and ambulance from a hospital and nursing homes, sheriff's spokeswoman Susan Knauss said...

The fires have burned about 100,000 acres, or 156 square miles, in San Diego County, said county Supervisor Ron Roberts. Across the region, 40,000 acres, or 62 square miles, had burned by Sunday.

"This is a major emergency," Roberts said.

In many cases, crews couldn't begin to fight the fires because they were too busy rescuing residents who refused to leave, fire officials said.

"They didn't evacuate at all, or delayed until it was too late," Metcalf said. "And those folks who are making those decisions are actually stripping fire resources."...

The fires were being fueled by stronger than usual Santa Ana winds roaring out of the region's canyons, scientists said Monday. The powerful, dry winds typically blow between October and February and peak in December.

Typically, Santa Ana conditions last about a day, but the ones that flared up over the weekend were expected to last through Tuesday.

"For it to be this strong for so many days is unusual," said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

-snip-

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071022/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires


**

My prayers are with those in that area-those who are evacuating and those who are helping others and fighting these fires.

May they be safe.

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:02 PM

Here's a California Wildfires Mothership - Liveblog
by Miss Blue
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 09:45:13 AM PDT

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/10/22/121255/53

Here's a clip of that diary:

"The California wildfires are still burning out of control. Zero containment, with fierce Santa Anna winds as of 11:30am CST.

Please use this diary as your go-to resource for emergency info. We have many Kossacks in CA and in the fire zones providing invaluable information, which can be accessed through these Wildfire diaries...

To volunteer to help: 858-306-1266

If you have animals or livestock that you cannot evacuate yourself or that need to be rescued, call [phone] and press Š1‰ for emergency services.

If you have a stable or other areas that are safe and can house a number of large animals and livestock that need to be evacuated, please call the San Diego Humane Society at [phone]. SDHS is also in need of portable livestock panels for temporary corrals. If you have these available for use, please call [phone].

KLSD - 1360 am radio.

-snip-

Are there Mudcatters who live in this area? If so, if they are able, I hope they'll check in to let us know that they and their loved ones {including their pets} are okay.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:02 PM

I sent a long post which hit a down-spot and failed. Basically the county is in pretty dire straits. So far they are not impinging on our region and the winds around here are running NW, away from us.

We are ready to pull out if the occasion is forced n us.

Scripps/Poway area is under evacuation. South of State 78 is still clear. We're well south of there.

Qualcomm Stadium has been pressed into service as a evac center; Del Mar Fairgrounds is already full, including all their stables, filled with evacuated horses.

250,000 residents around the county are evacuating or already evacuated.

Hundreds of homes have gone up in flames in the path of the major fires.

So far, so good. We all have our fingers crossed.

A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:04 PM

Az:

See the contemperaneous thread on San Diego Wildfires.

As for other Catters, I have not heard from Banjoest and am not sure where he is located.

A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:04 PM

Sorry, I just noticed that there is already a current thread about the San Diego fires.

Would a moderator please combine my first two comments with that other thread?

Thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:07 PM

We've had the car loaded with tools, tents and sleepingbags since last night. There are two large areas between us and the fires -- one being the Miramar AFB, and the other being Mira Mesa which is a great lot of concrete, which will slow down any encroachment.

There are 75 engine companies deployed from San Diego County, and a thousand trucks on their way from other regions and states.

The Governator just held a press conference relaying offers of help from President Bush, Diane Feinstein and a lot of other good will, but I have heard no substantive statements other than the above. I would expect to see B-17s overhead with huge loads of foam and retardant, but the wind power in the fire areas is awesome.

800 National Guards are being pulled off border patrols to help evac and vicitims. The professionals are stunned at how fast the north end of the County is being swept with flame.

Fallbrook is being evacuated.

So far all sites of danger are still ten miles away and not coming in our direction.

Donuel, I always lean in the side of caution. Right now, the position at home is safe.

The winds may not die before the end of Wednesday, and the north county westward blown fires may not stop until they reach the Pacific.

They have reported 5% containment on the southern Harris fire.

Precious little given the time, an indicator of how voracious these conditions of dry atmosphere, high winds and high temps are.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Janie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:34 PM

And thoughts and prayers from all over Mudville that the occasion will NOT be forced upon you.

I'm also watching the Malibu fire.   I have friends who live up Topanga Canyon Rd., right outside of Pacific Palisades, and close family who live up a short, dead-in canyon whose property ajoins Will Rogers State Park (your Governator lived across the street from them before he was governated.) Will Rogers abutts Topanga Canyon Park. Nothing but dense, dry brush for acres and acres all around them. They are about 15 miles from Malibu and less than 5 miles from Topanga Canyon. The Malibu fire is moving in their direction.

They are not in harm's way at present, but are readying themselves, just in case.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:40 PM

My prayers are with all affected folks in San Diego Cty who are suffering because of the those fires. Too, I feel bad for the residents and wildlife in the hills and mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino. Be safe, all.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:40 PM

THey need to. A leap in the wrong direction could accelerate the situation very rapidly.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:42 PM

Gosh me old Santee, hope things get better for you and your neighbours. Thinking of you, here in Scotland.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Goose Gander
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:45 PM

Very smoky and hot around where I live . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:53 PM

Where are you, Michael?


A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 06:54 PM

Ta, Giok. Peace has promised to send a Canadian warship down to pull us out of here if the occasion warrants.


A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 07:03 PM

Sorry, Amos.

I didn't mean to step on your thread.

Shouldn't this thread be closed and combined with yours?

I hope you and Michael Morris, and Banjoest are safe.

Shucks, I hope that everybody is safe.

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 07:04 PM

Astro drove over to LA today for the week -- he's down in the Long Beach area and no fires there, but high winds and lots of smoke and stuff in the air as he was coming across, from the fires north and east.

We've got high winds in Tucson, but no fires, thank goodness. We are ripe for them, though since we had an unusually wet summer here in the desert. It's cool here; astro says it's hot over there from the Santa Ana winds.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: open mike
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 07:14 PM

wow! i hope you stay safe, Amos, and do keep us posted if you can. I
think Butte County has sent some resources toward the south. There seem
to be multiple fires raging in the area at this time. these sites are supposed to have info...not working for me right now..
http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current
www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/
http://inciweb.org/state/5/

If you need a place to take refuge, there is elbow room here!

Laurel

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 07:36 PM

Thanks so much, Laurel! We may have some landing places nearer by -- one friend on Coronado has invited us in. I doubt any wiuld fire will jump across the bay. But greatly appreciated, anyway!



A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Goose Gander
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:04 PM

In Southern California, but I'm safe - far from fire areas. Thanks for your concern.

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: astro
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:18 PM

Well, was supposed to observe tonight with my classes, but it's too smoky. The air is bad here. It was extremely windy and gusty coming in today. Bad dust storms.


Astro in Cypress.....

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: annamill
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:19 PM

Amos, you ok? Glenn had to go work up at Barona tonight to relieve
Security that have been up there since yesterday. Right on Wildcat Canyon Rd! I'm a little worried for him up there. I'm right on Mission Bay, out of danger for now. How about you, Amos?

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:23 PM

I think we're going to pull through. There have been no offical announcements of containment, but the number of air drops has gone up dramatically from both rotary and fixed-wing, and there are TV scenarios of parts of the northern fire being beaten back. The air drops will stop any minute now, as it is sundown, but the ground forces will be on the attack all through the night. If the winds settle a little we have a fighting chance of beating this thing within 36 hours, is my personal guess.

Meanwhile, down south, the Chula Vista city area is being threatened but is still under "Voluntary Evacuation" alert.

QualComm stadium is full of people helping each other, settling in, getting cots and blankets, or showing up with donations. The morale there seems high in spite of the extreme stress of dislocation.

Although the Miramar AFB command has announced they are relocating their aircraft as a precaution, I haven't seen further encroachment since Scripps Ranch was put on evac notice a few hours ago.

Fingers crossed and the good Lawd willin', we'll have daylight come sunrise.

A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:28 PM

I'm peachy, Annamill!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:28 PM

I started rhis thread thread.cfm?threadid=105712&messages=8 on the California fires before seeing this one.

I'm sorry about that.

I've asked for that thread to be combined with this one. But some people are still posting to that thread. I'm not sure that we need both current threads, but if the moderators don't want to combine them, so be it.

That thread has a link to this live blog on the San Diego fires:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/10/22/16056/919

Just in case people here need that information, here's a repost of what I had quoted from that dailykos blog:

Here's a California Wildfires Mothership - Liveblog
by Miss Blue
Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 09:45:13 AM PDT

"The California wildfires are still burning out of control. Zero containment, with fierce Santa Anna winds as of 11:30am CST.

Please use this diary as your go-to resource for emergency info. We have many Kossacks in CA and in the fire zones providing invaluable information, which can be accessed through these Wildfire diaries...

To volunteer to help: 858-306-1266

If you have animals or livestock that you cannot evacuate yourself or that need to be rescued, call [phone] and press Š1‰ for emergency services.

If you have a stable or other areas that are safe and can house a number of large animals and livestock that need to be evacuated, please call the San Diego Humane Society at [phone]. SDHS is also in need of portable livestock panels for temporary corrals. If you have these available for use, please call [phone].

KLSD - 1360 am radio.

-snip-

Please be safe, everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:32 PM

I hope you and your neighbors make out okay, Amos. Hell of a scary situation. I'll check in tomorrow and see how you're doing down there.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: annamill
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:32 PM

I hope all goes well for you, Amos! Sa I said in other thread, Glenn is up there working to relieve other Security Guards. I'm a little worried for him, but I think he'll be ok. I'm on Mission Bay, safe. If you need a place to run to, please let me know. Just IM me.

Good wishes to us all here in Paradise.

Love, Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Azizi
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 09:44 PM

A poster on that blog I mentioned indicates that this radio station is providing the best live coverage of the fires:

http://www.knx1070.com/

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 10:07 PM

KPBS has been doing a good full ime coverage too.


A

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 10:16 PM

Here's a Google map of the fires -- the news is that the fire in Orange County (south end of LA) is arson. Crazy.

click

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: beardedbruce
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 10:56 PM

I keep seeing the fires on CNN-

Amos, take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Janie
Date: 22 Oct 07 - 10:58 PM

I can't help but think of long avenues lined with exploding Eucalyptus trees.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: California Fires
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 12:10 AM

Go jump in, gg.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diegos Wildfires Again
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 01:00 AM

Seems there should be a punchline about exploding (koala) bears.

Amos, how is the air quality in your area, even if the flames seem to be keeping their distance?

SRS