California Wildfires Blaze Path Of Destruction »
Posted By MyWayOnNow 11 months, 2 weeks ago in NewsThe wind-fueled fires that have burned more than 700 homes and chased away 265,000 residents may be only the start of the destruction in Southern California, where Tuesday's forecast called for hotter temperatures and more explosive gusts.
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MyWayOnNow11 months, 2 weeks ago
"The blazes bedeviled firefighters as walls of flame whipped from mountain passes to the edges of the state's celebrated coastline, spreading so quickly that even hotels serving as temporary shelters for evacuees had to be evacuated."
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TimALoftis11 months, 2 weeks ago
CNN is now reporting that upwards to 1000 homes have been burned by the flames with many being totally destroyed.
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ACTeeple11 months, 2 weeks ago
I live in one of the safer areas (at this point) of San Diego and I am amazed by the extent of these fires. There are several fires just in San Diego County. Although over 550,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, the rest of the county has pulled together and the efforts are amazing. If there is ANY good that can be taken from this fire, it should be the way the community has rallied together.
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
Ya got that right. I got out of Poway yesterday morning. Luckily my house wasn't hit and I returned tonight.
Its amazing how smooth things have gone in this disaster. As bad as it is I haven't heard anyone bitching about it.
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nostalgia11 months, 2 weeks ago
Are residents clearing the dried brush around houses?
I was reading in the LA Times that areas where homeowners are required to clear dead brush within so many feet of the house are not having as many problems
"Safety experts, however, say it's not a coincidence that counties and developers that created fire-resistant envelopes around homes fared dramatically better in wildfires."
"San Diego County also requires a 100-foot buffer in fire-prone areas, but budget problems have restricted enforcement."
Fire-retardant roofs and 200-foot buffers appear to be the most effective according to the article
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DanmLiberals11 months, 2 weeks ago
I think the big story is that you dont see the Republican governor crying for help and saying that it's Bush's fault that we lost a few houses and people are dying like we saw in Katrina. People here actually realize that they cant always count on the government to do everything for them so they have banded together to make it through these tough times.
My friends from San Diego have not even spoke of government assistants because they are used to doing things themselves unlike the welfare baby's in New Orleans.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
Sometimes of course you cannot clear that large of an area.
I live in the foothills at the north end of San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles. Yes we must clear brush, especially in property like mine cut into hillsides, but our property is only 150X75 feet and that is all I can deal with.
Here the Fire Departnment comes by during the summer. If they see dry brush you get an order to clear it, if you do not they come in clear it and bill you the cost. Also in droughts in our area we are not restricted in water use as it is critical to keep the ground cover on the slopes around the house green all year long and that takes water.
Yes we also have fire resistant roofs by law.
If these fires ever get into San Diego City or San Fernando Valley populated areas it would make the chicago fire look like childs play. Fortunately that has never happened and with winds dying down somewhat looks like it won't happen this time either.
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
"Are residents clearing the dried brush around houses?
I was reading in the LA Times that areas where homeowners are required to clear dead brush within so many feet of the house are not having as many problems "
That's mainly out in the sticks were that clearing brush may help. This fire is down into residential neighborhoods or suburban areas. However with the winds it really doesn't matter if brush is cleared or not.
During the Cedar fire 10 lanes of freeway was no problem for the fire to jump it.
The goggle fire maps if you click on hybrid it will give both streets and satellite views. The satellite views are not real time. Some of those are years old.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/firemap/
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joeblowe11 months, 2 weeks ago
I still haven't seen anything about HOW these fires got started. And there are a LOT of them. Is no one else wondering if maybe this is a terrorist attack? There are a LOT more people directly affected here than was the case on 9/11, and it appears as though the direct costs are likely to be higher. Everyone -- don't mention this notion to any terrorist groups because if it's NOT a deliberate attack, it sure seems like it would be a cheap, easy, and effective way to create a lot of damage. A WHOLE lot easier than trying to manufacture and aim a hurricane, for example.
Nice to see that Ahh-nold is on top of it, though. And I don't see much mention of FEMA. Maybe they are actually just going about doing their jobs this time instead of screwing it up so royally that THEY become the news.
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crghss11 months, 2 weeks ago
So I guess that they prayed to Allah for the wind to, which is the real problem.
FEMA didn't screw up the Katrina hurricane. N.O. did. The mayor and governor (who just lost re-election) where the start of it. And then the people just sitting there doing nothing but looting including the police. Why are we rebuilding N.O.?
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joeblowe11 months, 2 weeks ago
Winds in that area are - at least SOMEWHAT - predictable. Anyone paying attention would know that there are periodic problems with fires in that area. Although I don't remember ever seeing THIS MANY at one time before. It's all just PFS anyway.
There's PLENTY of blame to go around for the N'Awlens debacle. And I don't KNOW why it's being rebuilt. Certainly not my idea. And, from all reports, it pretty much ISN'T anyway.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
One fire so far has been determined as Arson. That is the Santiago fire in Orange county with 3 different points of origin.
The Malibu fire, one of the earliest, has been estimated as being started by power lines downed by the wind and the sparks that creates.
The Buckweed fire, the largest in Los Angeles county is estimated as being started by sparks caused by a construction work crew.
All will be investigated but I believe there will only be 1 or 2 due to arson. Very dry brush from massive rains a couple years ago, high winds/low humidity, and heat create a perfect environment and fires do start with much man made help. Within a few weeks of putting them out we will know the cause and origin point of each and every one.
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
"I still haven't seen anything about HOW these fires got started. And there are a LOT of them. Is no one else wondering if maybe this is a terrorist attack?"
Not terrorist but it is highly likely that Illegal Aliens camp Fires start these things. It's the Santana winds that have driven the fires west.
Also some nut cases take an opportunity like this and arson.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
The Santiago fire has been ruled arson. Just this morning a man was arrested for arson suspected of starting one of the two, or maybe both, fires around Lake Arrowhead in San Bernadino County.
Current estimates are the Canyon (malibu) and Buckweed fires were of accidental causes (downed power lines/construction crew sparks).
Be days or weeks before we know on the others but we will know eventurally.
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hsaleem11 months, 2 weeks ago
I don't understand why are we being fooled by the propaganda every time. Use brains!
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
"This is frightening - the scope of these fires - one fire marshall spoke out - said they didn't have the resources that they should have"
There is no amount of resources in the entire USA that could really make a difference
" sounds like the Santa Anna winds also played a big part as far as helicopters not being able to lay water or fire retardants - but I have to wonder though - was the FEMA budget stripped significantly? Because this is truly a natural disaster and IF FEMA was stripped to the bone - then this should not have been able to get as bad as it has become."
Fema doesn't have a dang thing to do with this. First and foremost it's local control, then state and then federal. In all honesty it is the people of San Diego that have evaced when and how they should that has helped the most.
Unless there is some amount of money that FEMA could have spent to control the weather I have no idea what you're referring too?
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SpazMat11 months, 2 weeks ago
I read that one issue for air dropping water and fire retardants is that it is so hot and dry that the liquids never hit the ground.
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Truzseeker11 months, 2 weeks ago
Dump the DC10 and convert a military transport to a water bomber. For example see...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsWgk_fj2so
http://www.aeroworld.net/1ra02177.htm
http://members.tripod.com/kheeley/sw_sub3.htm
http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/media/2004/news...
This should have been thought of a long time ago.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
There is a misnomer constantly used by the media and even fire officials. These are not Santa Ana winds. Santa Ana was a mexican general and is a city in Orange County.
The actual term is Santana which is a california indian term for 'devil wind'. You can be sure these are true devil winds and them come every year from October through sometime in December with the peak normally in mid December.
There will be more fires this year but maybe not as fierce and destructive as the most readily burnable areas have now been burned over. Hate to say that but it is the truth.
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
IanFraigun said
"There is a misnomer constantly used by the media and even fire officials. These are not Santa Ana winds. Santa Ana was a mexican general and is a city in Orange County."
Actually if ya want to get technical they are called katabatic winds AKA
Chinook, Santa Ana, Bergwind or Diablo
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markmawn211 months, 2 weeks ago
FEMA was created to create controls on local governments, not actually provide support. That's why it is failing. Those who hate government cannot govern.
Funny thing I heard Bush say to the press that "the government is coming to help".
It was Reagan who said the 9 most feared words are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
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puffin11 months, 2 weeks ago
The worlds' largest water bomber is here in B.C., and has headed down to help out.
http://www.680news.com/news/national/article.js...
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Truzseeker11 months, 2 weeks ago
U.S. needs to keep fire tanker funding
http://news.propeller.com/story/2007/10/24/us-n...
WHILE trying to slash billions of dollars from the federal budget to help cover the costs of the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina, the Bush administration wants to cut funding, a move that would ground much of the federal fire-fighting tanker fleet.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
Here are some of the latest information as of before noon today pacific time.
Buckweed Fire - 37,800 acres - 15 homes/15 outbuildings/2 bridges/40 vehicles destroyed. 4 inuries. 80% contained.
Canyon (malibu) fire - 4500 acres - 6 nomes, 2 businesses/1 church destroyed - 9 homes, 1 business damaged. 75% contained.
Witch fire - 196,400 acres - 500 homes/100 businesses/50 outbuildings destroyed -250 homes/125 businesses damaged. 14 injuries. 1% contained (yes only 1%)
Rice (Fallbrook) fire - 7500 acres - 206 homes/2 businesses destroyed. 1 injury. 10% contained
Poomasha (Camp Pendleton) fire - 3000 acres. 10% contained.
Ranch - 47,250 acres - 3 homes/4 outbuildings destroyed. 10% contained.
Santiago - 19,200 acres - 6 homes/8 outbuildings destroyed - 8 homes/12 outbuildings damaged. 4 injury. 30% containted.
See next post for last 2 fires as running out of space here.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
Additional latest information.
Slide (E. Arrowhead) fire - 4,000 acres - >200 homes destroyed - 15% contained.
Gras Valley (NW Arrowhead) fire - 1,000 acres - > 100 homes destroyed - 5% contained.
For those not living in fire areas contained is the about of the fire around which they have lines or natural barriers defined. Once an area is contained then and only then can the move to control and destroy the fire. If you can't get lines around it of firefighters and equipment you can't control and stop it.
Yes that is correct only 1% containment on the big fire in No East San Diego County.
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joeblowe11 months, 2 weeks ago
You know, since this is a recurring problem, one might start to wonder why they don't institute controlled burns in wide "belts" around high population density areas when it ISN'T windy to greatly reduce the amount of flammable material available? That sure seems like it would be a lot easier and cheaper than waiting for a huge conflagration during a windstorm. Also, it would be good training for when something like this DOES happen. Maybe they could work out some fine new procedures for getting better control of large fires? I suppose a bunch of the California fruits and nuts would object on environmental grounds, but even they should know that an occasional burn off doesn't really harm the landscape. In fact, it may be beneficial.
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IanFraigun11 months, 2 weeks ago
A good thought but undoable.
First the land burning at this time is less than 1% of the brush covered hills in So. California. Second even it not only windless but often rainy weather when ground and brush is wet those controlled burns get out of hand and can be as dangerous and deadly as the wildfires. Just a couple of years ago we had a controlled burn get out of hand and destoy dozens of homes across several canyons.
It unfortunately is too risky to do controlled burns near residential areas and doing them father away does nothing to protect the homes.
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Truzseeker11 months, 2 weeks ago
Glenn Beck: Hooray for California Fires!
http://donoevil.propeller.com/story/2007/10/24/...
I think there is a handful of people who hate America. Unfortunately for them, a lot of them are losing their homes in a forest fire today.
Hey Glenn - go to hell !
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Truzseeker11 months, 2 weeks ago
Seasonal firefighters laid off just before fires
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21443093/
Shorthanded, California recalls some crews to battle wildfires
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nostalgia11 months, 2 weeks ago
Reuters
California wildfires created an electricity "island" of San Diego County on Wednesday as one major power transmission link to the U.S. West grid was shut and the other flickering on and off
This makes the San Diego area susceptible to major blackouts unless customers conserve power, said Michael Niggli, chief operating officer of SDG&E.
Never before has California faced as many shutdowns on the big power lines that are strung across the state and link it with the rest of the U.S. Western grid, said California Independent System Operator spokeswoman Stephanie McCorkle
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Mr-opinion11 months, 2 weeks ago
And the real storry, which I can't find in print - but is fact, is that the CDF is refusing to use the 3dz or so military firefighting aircraft, which were willing ( and able) to fly in the high wind the CDF contractors would not -- it was an issue in the '03 Cedar fire and was ordered to not happen again but they are doing it again - only the 4 DoF C-130's were allowed to join. 1500 homes burnt - how many could have been saved if the CDF wouldn't keep protecting their buddy relations with their contractors.
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/fires/200407...
Chaney said his agency and the Forest Service are adapting themselves to the military rotation process. They will seek to have other military pilots returning from Iraq or Afghanistan certified for fire duty, after the ones they've already certified leave for Iraq, he said.
"We're already setting up to start some training with the ones coming back," Chaney said.
The training itself is not that time-consuming รข;; one or two days of classroom work, followed by a day of practice water drops in which the military pilots are evaluated, Chaney said.
The Navy and Marines already train their chopper pilots to fly with external loads slung beneath their aircraft, so flying with a "Bambi bucket" doesn't pose much of a challenge, he said.
So why bother with the certification?
"We need to make sure the pilots are trained about the fire traffic area,"
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injest11 months, 2 weeks ago
Chaney said, "what altitude to come in on, what radio frequency to use, what firefighting tactics are being used."
Chaney is one of CDF's air bosses, coordinating helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers with firefighters on the ground. With the airspace above a fire zone as dangerous as the fire itself, that coordination is a life-and-death issue, he says.
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