BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:17 PM

Thanks, George, for the high-velocity flash-back!! And everyone for their kind thoughts.



A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: open mike
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:27 PM

One suspected arsonist in this area who had 20 fires attributed to him was caught and while in jail he hung himself...we will never know for sure about the questions he could have answered. Must have been a very troubled soul. 50-60 other fires were being investigated as potentially caused by this same person.

http://www.sacbee.com/288/story/347651.html

http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/showthread.php?t=1495

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Greg B
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:30 PM

Sorcha, is 'Mr.' a ham radio guy?

When I was active in amateur radio and living in the Silly-cone
Valley, I got called out on fire duty, as comm shadow to the CDF
incident commander. Very interesting duty; hams were the bridge
between incompatible and/or non-functional radio systems. We had
the only stuff that would work everywhere, all the time, between
teams from different jurisdictions.

Got REAL close to some serious fire (actually, a flare-up
crossed a road we were going down). The pictures don't do it
justice, nor the courage of the people who get out in the
middle of that stuff. It's real big and real hot.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 01:54 PM

President gets air and ground tours of damage
Posted @ 10:22 AM
"President Bush touched down at San Pasqual High School in Escondido shortly after 10 a.m. following an aerial tour of the fire danger surrounding Lake Hodges.

Outside the windows of the helicopter convoy, you could see patches of scorched earth below, but you could also see rolling green golfcourses and houses that escaped the damage.

The president's motorcade took him toward neighborhoods where he will tour more damage. A couple dozen people lined the road near the high school with cameras."

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 02:00 PM

2007 Wildfire fatalities update
Posted @ 8:39 AM
"The County of San Diego announces this morning that 10 fire-related deaths of San Diego County residents have occurred during the 2007 Wildfires. This includes three deaths directly related to the fires, three that occurred during evacuation activities and four that happened after the people were evacuated, a county spokeswoman said in a press release.

The most recent fatalities included in these statistics are:
Robert M. Sibbison, an 86-year-old male under hospice care, experienced shortness of breath while being evacuated via ambulance on the morning of Oct. 24. He died at Grossmont Hospital.

Priscilla Frias, a twenty-year-old female who had serious medical problems, evacuated with her family to Tijuana when she had difficulty breathing. Her family transported her to San Diego for medical attention when her breathing condition worsened. She was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital-Chula Vista during the early morning hours of Oct. 24 and pronounced dead.

Two sets of unidentified charred remains were found in the rubble of a destroyed house on Highland Valley Road in unincorporated Poway during the evening hours of Oct. 24. (Cause of death is pending, the spokeswoman said.)"

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 02:02 PM

If the fires were deliberately set, I hope the people who did it face life--real life--in jail.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 02:04 PM

Several photo galleries of the various scenes in SoCal over the last few days.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: gnu
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 02:13 PM

Ya know. That there jet water bomber must be a hoot to be in. I have been close to three forest fires, and, at one....

Once, in Labrador, we were headed for work and got pulled over at an RCMP roadblock. A very large RCMP (even the small ones look large when you get pulled over) asked, "Do any of you have any health problems which would stop you from helping fight a forest fire?" I was driving and replied, "Well, I would be scared shitless." Said officer was not amused and said, rather sternly and while looking me straight in the eyes with a glaring stare, "If so, you must explain in writing what they are on this form (duly produced) and sign it. You will be checked out and prosecution may result from any false statements. Everyone else on the bus immediately."

Well, I did get one the bus, but, I WAS scared shitless. As luck would have it, by the time we got to the fire, it was raining and the fire was under control. I won't go into a long explanation, but, my electrical inspector, a Navy vet, got me and himself on a Canso water bomber for the last bit of the fire. When that Canso opened up and the water dropped, I nearly dropped water. I can't imagine being in one of those jet water bombers when it takes a leak!

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 09:36 PM

MAyor Sanders has announced that QualComm Stadium will stand down from service as an evac center tomorrow at noon -- a sure sign the worst is over. More deaths have been found among the ashes -- about six people. President Bush dropped by and shook hands with a slough of weary dfire fighters and mouthed all the right mouth music. After San Diego had self organized to such a high degree of success he is now offering a 1-900 FEMA number, which I am sure will work like gangbusters. Nothing like a few layers of wooden-headed bureaucracy between those who need help and the help they need.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Peace
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 10:33 PM

Good news to hear, A.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 01:42 AM

thanks for the photo link - & it's good to read things are getting better (fingers crossed, especially where bureaucracy is concerned)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: GUEST,George
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 09:10 AM

You are welcome Amos.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Riginslinger
Date: 01 Nov 07 - 11:22 PM

Hey, that was really good!

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Susan A-R
Date: 02 Nov 07 - 10:38 PM

I've been off at my sister's with very sporadic internet, but have been thinking of you Amos, and Dave Swan and your fire fighters. Things sounded pretty terrifying.

I live in the land of the asbestos forest, so the most we see is smoke out of Canada now and then. I clench just seeing television footage.

Be well guys.

Susan

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Donuel
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:20 PM

I've seen video of 2 water bombers that snapped off their wing/s by climbing too rapidly under a full load.

The Richard Drefus movie about smoke pilots was good.

IT is a most dangerous and heroic occupation.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 09:26 PM

Ye gods. What happened to the two water bombers? Any fatalities?

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 05:22 PM

The two bombers in question dropped like unguided missiles, as you might imagine. Film shot of one of them was in Colorado, I believe, some time ago.

Having worked on forest fires crews for two years as a young man, and having lived through three major santa ana wind-driven fires (1970, 2003 and 2007), I am glad to now live near the ocean. We are recovering slowly, but it will take 2-3 years, minimum, for all the rebuilding. Even after the people are helped, some of the back country will never be the same - habitats destroyed, animal populations displaced or killed, old oaks gone, etc. Sad, and all too preventable.

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: gnu
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 05:50 PM

"... all too preventable." ?? How so?

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Amos
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:45 PM

One way is by enforcing the 100-yard clearing around homes, which though on the books is not enforced.

Another is by doing controlled maintenance burns to reduce the tinder. It is much more affordable than letting it stack up until another wildfire comes through and uses it.

A

Subject: RE: BS: San Diego/California Wildfires Again
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:53 PM

To TJ...no, the back country will never be 'the same' but fire is one of Mother's tools...and the back country WILL recover. It just takes more time than humans want to wait.

Mother has a REASON for fire. Called rejuvination, but She didn't figure on arson either. Or little boys playing with matches.