SoCal Fires..

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » October 22, 2007 8:24 pm

all of our spare fire resources have now left for SoCal.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » October 22, 2007 8:28 pm

at lunchtime CNN was reporting 100,000 acres have burned. the wind has finally died down here. sat night & sunday the wind was blowing in the 30 mph range with gusts into the 40s.

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » October 22, 2007 8:29 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:at lunchtime CNN was reporting 100,000 acres have burned. the wind has finally died down here. sat night & sunday the wind was blowing in the 30 mph range with gusts into the 40s.

damn....

Dezdmona · Post by **Dezdmona** » October 22, 2007 8:30 pm

While I can't send you rain, I can send my prayers.

Stay safe.

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » October 22, 2007 8:31 pm

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:all of our spare fire resources have now left for SoCal.

WoooHooo! Thanks AZ!

It sukks that our closest neighbors really aren't in the position to send too many resources. Conditions all throughout the west are awful, and resources are stretched to the max. Know that we are grateful for whatever we can get.

redwinemaker · Post by **redwinemaker** » October 22, 2007 8:41 pm

NorCal Strike teams are on the way down. Marin County alone has sent 22 teams w engines. Napa Co will likely send 3 or 4. Son #2 Tom just came in and his instructors in the fire academy have been busy all day arranging strike teams to depart and at least one of his instructors is on the way. He wishes students could go ...

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » October 22, 2007 8:43 pm

Brown Eyed Girl wrote:Last word from my cousin was that the fire crews were cutting down trees around his home to try to help save it....creating defensible space. I know they evac'd...but we don't know where to and can't get in touch.

(((((((Erick, Linda and kitties)))))))

Thoughts and prayers for them Kat!

redwinemaker · Post by **redwinemaker** » October 22, 2007 8:44 pm

San Benito and Monterey Counties (south of the Bay Area) didn't get the rain we did so they are still in red flag warnings. Here's hoping the a**holes who started these things dont drive north. I think the Death Penalty should apply for arsonists

TropicalTroubador · Post by **TropicalTroubador** » October 22, 2007 9:02 pm

redwinemaker wrote:San Benito and Monterey Counties (south of the Bay Area) didn't get the rain we did so they are still in red flag warnings. Here's hoping the a**holes who started these things dont drive north. I think the Death Penalty should apply for arsonists

Death by slow roasting might be apropos...but I am not a violent person, so I shouldn't even be thinking that...

I've been listening to http://www.knx1070.com on and off this afternoon. It sounds pretty horrible. And my guess is that the places we're getting the least detailed news out of are the worst hit - just like after an earthquake.

310K acres, 16 or more fires as of a half hour ago. Pretty darn bad. I used to live in SoCal, and saw my share of fires, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

My best wishes to everyone who's down there, that they and their stuff be as safe as possible and that things get back to what passes for normal soon.

TheSecretsInTheCrust · October 23, 2007 2:09 am

Here is the latest. 1st, me and my family are safe as of right now. nearly 11pm. There are several fires but 3 main large fires. The Witch fire burning most of central SD county has damaged or destroyed some 600 homes and 100 business. It has caused the evacuation of the entire city of Ramona and much of Poway. Poway is very upscale and where many high profile sports celebrities live. So far evacuated have been Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, LaDanian Tomlinson, Bruce Bochy, Marlon McCree and about 10 others. It is threatening to move into parts of SD that could really be extremely devestating wit large popluations. The Harris Fre, from the Mexican border to the far southern edge of El Cajon and moving west. It is threatening Chula Vista and the area that the Coor's Ampitheater is. The latest report is "several Structers" damaged or destroyed. Daylight will give a better more accurate detail. This fire is coming from a rural area into a populated area and could be very bad by morning. The Rice Canyon fire is in the far north part of SD county. It is also moving east to west and is threatening Fallbrook and has put Camp Pendelton Marine Base on alert. It is also just outside Del Mar and has moved into Rancho Sante Fe...one of the top 10 most exspensive neighborhoods in the USA. All 3 fire are 0% contained. There are several smaller fires with various degrees of containment. Flying home from Las Vegas this evening was horrifying. So much smoke and the flames could be seen for miles on end. So far and estimated 300,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 300,000 acres burned in SD county alone. LA and Orange county are having an equally difficult time. More tomorrow...pray for all those effected

whitepelican · Post by **whitepelican** » October 23, 2007 2:15 am

We are not really that far to the north, Vancouver BC. and we have just had torrential rains and flooding. What is wrong with this world.
Sorry we can not share this rain.
Thoughts and prayers to all of you in S. Cal.

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » October 23, 2007 2:46 am

TheSecretsInTheCrust wrote:Here is the latest. 1st, me and my family are safe as of right now. nearly 11pm. There are several fires but 3 main large fires. The Witch fire burning most of central SD county has damaged or destroyed some 600 homes and 100 business. It has caused the evacuation of the entire city of Ramona and much of Poway. Poway is very upscale and where many high profile sports celebrities live. So far evacuated have been Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, LaDanian Tomlinson, Bruce Bochy, Marlon McCree and about 10 others. It is threatening to move into parts of SD that could really be extremely devestating wit large popluations. The Harris Fre, from the Mexican border to the far southern edge of El Cajon and moving west. It is threatening Chula Vista and the area that the Coor's Ampitheater is. The latest report is "several Structers" damaged or destroyed. Daylight will give a better more accurate detail. This fire is coming from a rural area into a populated area and could be very bad by morning. The Rice Canyon fire is in the far north part of SD county. It is also moving east to west and is threatening Fallbrook and has put Camp Pendelton Marine Base on alert. It is also just outside Del Mar and has moved into Rancho Sante Fe...one of the top 10 most exspensive neighborhoods in the USA. All 3 fire are 0% contained. There are several smaller fires with various degrees of containment. Flying home from Las Vegas this evening was horrifying. So much smoke and the flames could be seen for miles on end. So far and estimated 300,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 300,000 acres burned in SD county alone. LA and Orange county are having an equally difficult time. More tomorrow...pray for all those effected

Poway is where my cousin lives. Still no word.

Another new fire just broke out in Santa Clarita (LA County) and reports from fire crews are that the 3 biggest LA county fires will merge together within 48 hours.

The government finally released military aircraft to help fight the fires. We have C 130s coming in from as far away as North Carolina to provide much needed air support. It is complete BS that the equipment and crews have been available but unable to come due to all the damb paper pushing and promise making. Have we learned NOTHING from previous disasters? I pray it's not too little, too late.

200 NorCal CHP officers are also on their way down to help.

Glenn, I was just talking to a friend who has flown those approaches into SAN and CRQ during previous firestorms...he knows all too well the hell you witnessed....coming out of the overcast/smoke to see houses blazing away.

flipflopgirl · Post by **flipflopgirl** » October 23, 2007 6:24 am

More thoughts and prayers for everyone in Cali affected by this!!!!!

RAIN IN CALI PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

daddymention · Post by **daddymention** » October 23, 2007 10:05 am

Hello everyone. We had to evacuate around 6am yesterday (Monday) from 4S Ranch (just west of Rancho Bernardo). We heard the fire came across our area but about 1/4 mile away. We are not out of danger yet because of the winds. I am now worried about my workplace which is in Del Mar. It looks like the fire could be moving this way. We got out of town last night and are staying at my wife's sister's house in Orange County. Keep us in your prayers and we will do the same for all of those that are affected.

David, Stefania, Shane, & Emma

creeky · Post by **creeky** » October 23, 2007 10:15 am

Reminds me of what I am going home to .... my mother has already had fires one street from her house .... ours are gonna be as bad as the SOCAL ones as the entire state is in drought and ready to go up this summer

(though, no doubt it will not get telecast in the US)

Wino you know · Post by **Wino you know** » October 23, 2007 10:22 am

daddymention wrote:Hello everyone. We had to evacuate around 6am yesterday (Monday) from 4S Ranch (just west of Rancho Bernardo). We heard the fire came across our area but about 1/4 mile away. We are not out of danger yet because of the winds. I am now worried about my workplace which is in Del Mar. It looks like the fire could be moving this way. We got out of town last night and are staying at my wife's sister's house in Orange County. Keep us in your prayers and we will do the same for all of those that are affected.

David, Stefania, Shane, & Emma

You'll absolutely be in my prayers, David.
Please let me know if there are any tangible items you need that I could send.
And, for God's sake, you and your family stay safe.

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » October 23, 2007 10:24 am

daddymention wrote:Hello everyone. We had to evacuate around 6am yesterday (Monday) from 4S Ranch (just west of Rancho Bernardo). We heard the fire came across our area but about 1/4 mile away. We are not out of danger yet because of the winds. I am now worried about my workplace which is in Del Mar. It looks like the fire could be moving this way. We got out of town last night and are staying at my wife's sister's house in Orange County. Keep us in your prayers and we will do the same for all of those that are affected.

David, Stefania, Shane, & Emma

Thank you for checking in, David. I know 4S Ranch did suffer some losses, glad to hear that it appears your place is safe....but most importantly, that all of you are safe. Hopefully you are well away from Santiago Canyon in OC.

I was almost afraid to turn on the TV this morning, since the winds haven't been laying down at night. I hope that they can get all those air resources up ASAP and really hit all these fires hard.

This is some cool video of Tanker 10 making its drop in Arrowhead. Unfortunately he didn't get as low on his drop as he did on his first test run, I wish they had video of that. I swear he was barely above the treetops. To fly a plane that big, that low.....in those conditions...wow. Unfortunately he was only able to get one run in. Hopefully we'll get more today.

http://video.knbc.com/player/?id=170479

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » October 23, 2007 10:25 am

I'm so glad our local BN'ers have been able to check. This is all just horrifying.

Brown Eyed Girl · Post by **Brown Eyed Girl** » October 23, 2007 11:41 am

OES has just confirmed that over 1000 homes and businesses in San Diego county have been destroyed.

2 of the biggest fires have merged.

Firefighters have worked valiantly in Santa Clarita and Stevenson Ranch and seem to have gained the upper hand there for the moment. It's a testament to just how critical air support is. Without it that entire area would have been destroyed.

Evacs continue....

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » October 23, 2007 11:51 am

Don and I have been watching this for several days - it's simply awful. Thanks to those that have checked in - glad to see you're safe and tons of prayers for So Cal peeps.