Michele 1 #1 October 26, 2003 North San Bernardino has been devastated by what is thought to be an arson fire which has spread to something like 17,000 acres. Power outages to many communities in the hills is the least of the problems...road closures, the entire San Bernardino National Forest is closed, and firefighters are coming in to the area from all over the state, and indeed from the nation (I think we have some folks from Montana on their way) to help out. We simply don't have the manpower to handle this. It has hit residential areas now, and the worst is over 200 homes have been destroyed, and an additional 1000 are being threatened. The fire is about 20% contained. Thankfully, no people have been killed, and only three minor injuries have been reported - a bee sting, a sprained ankle, and embers in an eye. Additional fires include the Val Verde fire, which has jumped Route 126 and is heading toward Simi Valley and Moorpark, and one that is in the Waterman area. Several thousand acres in each of these fires are estimated. There are ashes and embers as far west as Huntington beach. In my neighborhood, we have ash coating everything. The Burbank Hills are easily the driest I've seen in years, and I expect them to go up in flames too. And the winds are ferocious. Estimated steady at 30, with gusts up to (and by one report, exceeding) 68 mph. These are the Santa Ana winds, the dry, hot winds which flow through the canyons and passes from the high desert. The person who set the first fire is a motherfucking asshole. Vibes to all those affected. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 #2 October 26, 2003 Michele, have I told you lately that I Love You Keith Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #3 October 26, 2003 15 is closed right now thru the pass. if i can't get to the air show in the a.m. i'm gonna be pissedI hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #4 October 26, 2003 Quote Michele, have I told you lately that I Love You Do you know that made my day? Me loves the Keithster, too! FYI... 15 is closed... 128 is closed... 15 and 215 may be closed soon...(Devore area) They are escorting people through. 5 is escorting people. 2 deaths are now being reported...elderly people, one who died while evacuating, and another dying while trying to save his home. A 6th fire is burning up in Crestline, near Arrowhead. Evacuations have been ordered for the entire area (something like 40,000 people, with exactly 1 road to use to get out). That was set at 6:51 last night. Two teenagers were seen leaving the area, but no arrests have yet been made (at least there). Several of the fires have merged, with miles upon miles of firewalls being reported. Priority is not containment, but structure protection is. However, there really aren't enough firefighters available, because of all the other burning areas in Southern California. 250 businesses are being threatened, as well as another 7,000 homes are at risk in San Berdo. Something on the order of 45,000 acres have burned with this fire (including the merges). The "old fire" has now burned through a 17 mile area. La Verne has been burning, Fontana, Simi Valley/Thousand Oaks (the Val Verde fire is now up to soemthing like 45,000 acres, too), and so on, and so on. San Dimas is at risk, Clairmont, Glendora as well. Santa Ana winds are forcasted to be steady from 30-40 mph, with gusts expected over 70 mph. I went through the firestorm in 93, when the Topanga hills burned to the ocean. I've seen wild fires come close to residential areas... I remember when I was a young child being terrified of the hills 6 miles away burning, and imagining the fire coming into Burbank. I've seen a whole lot...but this is the worst I've ever seen. I've never seen residential areas destroyed like they are being now. It is horrible. And whomever set these fires, may you find yourself surrounded by flames, with no-one to even pee on you to help. Motherfucking asshole. Godspeed and vibes to those fighting this amazing maelstorm, and those fleeing and risking losing everything but the clothes on their backs. Godspeed and vibes. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #5 October 26, 2003 All of the Mt. Baldy area has been evacuated as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,998 #6 October 26, 2003 Down here, too. Looks like no skydiving for us this weekend. There are 3 fires burning; one is 4 miles from our house. Can't see the flames yet but the southern sky is black with smoke. Winds are starting to gust from the east which is a bad sign. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropdeded 0 #7 October 26, 2003 Got friends in near Val Verde Cant get em on the phone. This shit sucks. dropdeded------------------------------------------ The Dude Abides. - Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themitchyone 0 #8 October 26, 2003 As of this morning, the news says that two people have lost their lives due to the fires. I live in Huntington Beach, fifty miles from any of them, and everything around here is coated with ashes. Very devastating... it doesn't seem like the end is sight. "If the Bible has taught us nothing else, and it hasn't, it's that girls should stick to girl's sports such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing." - Homer Simpson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowbird 0 #9 October 26, 2003 Damn. Serious ///VIBES\\\ to everyone affected. In August we had fires here on the same scale; it was horrific, compared to a war zone by many. There is no quick recovery from this kind of devastation, just be there for each other, and treat your fire crews like gold. They deserve it. And any arsonist they might catch should get an up-close view of the leading edge of the fire... Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 #10 October 26, 2003 Now it's raining ash where I live.Keith Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #11 October 26, 2003 Vibes to those affected. Many prayers and hopes sent that the fires will be put out soon.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jayruss 0 #12 October 26, 2003 I grew up in Lake Arrowhead, which is right near Crestline. My "non-biological" mother's house is gone and so too is my brother's in laws house. I'm sure the house I grew up in will be gone soon, which is really sad because I always wanted to go back and buy that house, I was so mad when my dad sold it! I guess the lighter side is that now I could buy the lot for cheap __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lewmonst 0 #13 October 26, 2003 agreed. here in elsinore yesterday the smoke made it's way all the way down to us, i felt like my head was in a chimney all day, my eyes hurt. This morning we woke up to clear skies, but as the Santa Ana winds are picking up, we can see the layer of smoke engulfing areas north of us, and it's getting closer. i wonder if i'll make it home to s. pas... peace lewhttp://www.exitshot.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #14 October 26, 2003 All you need now for a really memorable weekend is an earthquake.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,998 #15 October 26, 2003 And some rain so we can get the fire put out and start the mudslides. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katecooper 0 #16 October 26, 2003 Now Bill, you know full well that monsoon season doesn't start for at leaat a month, and Kallend, earthquake season was over in August. This is fire season. and they say we don't have recognizable seasons down here.... kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #17 October 26, 2003 QuoteThis is fire season. Argh. My son called earlier this afternoon. Fire bombers had been going over the house every few minutes for the last hour - apparently there is a new fire going within 10 miles or so of the house and the winds were howling. He asked what of my remaining stuff I want him to take if he has to evacuate. I told him his skin and his dog. He tends to be a worrier though... kinda takes after his mom that way... Since I don't have TV, does anyone have a particularly good (i.e. frequently updated) news website that I can keep hitting refresh on? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sducoach 0 #18 October 26, 2003 Michele, I love you two. I just would not kiss that mouth with all that filthy language coming out of it! Blues, J.E.James 4:8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #19 October 27, 2003 QuoteI love you two. I just would not kiss that mouth with all that filthy language coming out of it! Aw, J.E....most of the time it's not so bad. I just lose my temper when I see what they do, for whatever twisted reasons that they have. Kiss me anyway! Lessee, where to start. No earthquakes just yet (or rather, nothing we can feel...) Lisa, the Temecula fire is bad, but not like San Berdo, San Diego or Simi Valley bad. It started near Lake (Skinner) just north of Temecula, and they are working very hard to handle it. If Dave needs a place, let him know he can come here. And yes, he must bring the dog. The cats will survive. South of Hemit, voluntary evacuations are taking place, so if that includes you, let me know to expect guests. Lew, if you come up the 15 to the 60 to the 57 to the 210, you will get through lots of smoke, but nothing burning and make it to S. Pas. That's part of the route I took home, and while it was nasty, it was driveable. It was also pretty crowded, so fill your tank and bring along water. It might take longer than usual. Simi Valley East is burning. They have made a stand on the 118, so that it doesn't cross into the San Fernando Valley at Chatsworth or Porter Ranch. It has become huge, and something along the order of 14 homes have been lost or damaged. The Ronald Regan Museum on the other side of the valley has been in danger for a long time, but the firefighters are making a serious stand, and have so far been able to protect it. The winds are erratic, changing direction frequently and creating a seriously hazardous situation. Val Verde is doing all right, considering. Ed, the phone lines are really crowded, similar to right after an earthquake, so just be patient and keep dialing. There will eventually be a free line. Jay, I feel really bad for your loss. If there's anything I can help with, let me know. As far as the Crestline/Arrowhead fires, it's pretty bad. The situation is exacerbated because of the dead trees (killed by a beetle infestation), so the fire is moving rapidly through the dead wood. It's been burning very hot. 25 homes there have been lost. The "old" fire (Waterman) is now merged with the San Berdo fire, creating a nearly 30 mile long fireline. There is 0% containment. (This is now blending with the Crestline fire). Malibu had a brief fire, 25 acres. They believe it was arson. There are spot fires pretty much everywhere. Stats at 6:00 ~Winds are expected to continue but lessen to 30 mph. ~6 fires are burning. ~Nearly 265,000 acres have been burned. ~14 dead, mostly down in the San Diego area. ~614 homes destroyed (??) (I am NOT sure I heard that number correctly) ~Burbank, LAX, and I believe Ontario airports are closed. ~School closures include some of San Berdu, and all of the Rim of The World district. Arrowhead, Simi, Moorpark, Etiwanda will not hold classes on Monday. ~Power is out to at least 50,000 people in various areas. At least 3 main power lines are down. Some power was interrupted intentionally in Crestline area, and in Idylwild. ~Road closures in this area are: 118 (partial) 126 (total) 5 (intermittant, and only in the north areas/Santa Clarita for smoke occlusion) 15 at the 210 210 at the 15 215 is shut down completely in the Devore area. 189 is partially shut down at highway 18 and Lake Gregory. Personally...I went to Elsinore, and as I was driving down, I was being blown in my 6 cylinder Jetta. That's a fairly heavy, low profile car. I spotted the sun, and it was blood red. Very very very spooky. The lights alongside the freeways were on, at 9:00 in the morning, that's how dark it was. At one point on the 60 freeway, visibility was, in my estimation, about 50 yards, with blowing smoke and debris. Elsinore was fairly clear, but the winds were wonky, so I didn't jump. It was spooky watching the smoke wall approach, and come over the lake and up to the Ortegas. I have been in many fires - or perhaps it's better to say, I have seen many fires in the hills surrounding me. I have never experienced something like this. Never. There is nothing anyone can do - everything is being done that they can do. If anyone wants to help, the Red Cross is in desperate need of clothes and other essentials (but bring them to the locations - they don't have any volunteers available to come get it). Cash donations would also be accepted. More as it happens. [eidt]: Not sure what's going on, but no less than 5 engines just hauled down the street, screaming sirens. That's more than what usually responds to accidents, etc. Sigh. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #20 October 27, 2003 Hope that the fires will be put out soon."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racenic 0 #21 October 27, 2003 QuoteAll you need now for a really memorable weekend is an earthquake I pray every day for the big one (8.5 Earthquake) I don't want any loss of life, I just want a million people to move out of California. The Traffic is not getting any better and this is our only option.... Nick Nick D The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racenic 0 #22 October 27, 2003 We need to change the laws regarding Arsonist. Set a fire and your looking at the death penalty regardless if a structure or a life is loss Set a fire and you get the chair. On a side note: The Desert was Awesome today..... I attended the Edwards AF Airshow 1. Little to no breeze (under 10 mph) all day 2. A High of only 85 3. Clear Blue Skies (no smoke) 4. California City Skydiving was open for business as usual. Nick Nick D The key to Immortality is- first living a life worth remembering” Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sducoach 0 #23 November 7, 2003 Okay.........................James 4:8 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
