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Topic: California fires worsening.... (Read 285 times)

MzWings
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California fires worsening....
« on: Oct 26^th, 2003, 4:16pm »

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I've tried to call all my family out there and I get nothing - no answers. The phones just ring and ring. My son's answering machine wasn't on when I called. He never forgets about that.

I needed to verify my uncle's phone number in Rancho Cucamonga. Apparently phone traffic is high as I called three times before an operator answered.

I've been sending them em's too - I'm deparate for news about their safety. I realize too - that if the areas I'm calling have lost power, my em's won't get through either.

Calif. Fires Raging Out of Control

Ferocious firestorms elsewhere burn more than 300 homes; two killed while trying to flee blaze in San Diego County; university campus, casino and state mental hospital evacuated

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. From San Diego County to the mountains east of Los Angeles entire neighborhoods were evacuated Sunday as ferocious firestorms swept through burning hundreds of homes to the ground.

At least eight people were killed in one San Diego County wildfire, authorities said Sunday afternoon.

(ED. Death numbers have risen)

Just northeast of San Bernardino between 40,000 and 50,000 people spread over a mountainous 30-mile stretch from Crestline to Big Bear were evacuated north into the desert because flames were leaping over roads leading to the valley below.

Another wildfire forced the evacuation of a Federal Aviation Administration (search) control center, disrupting air travel across the nation.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,101220,00.html

My cousin's daughter and her husband, own and run an Alzheimer's center in San Diego. I've been trying to call her for over two hours - I'm only getting a busy signal.

Lord, please help the firepeople stop these monsters.

« Last Edit: Oct 26^th, 2003, 4:20pm by MzWings »

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east
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #1 on: Oct 26^th, 2003, 7:55pm »

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oh wingsy! i will be praying for all affected too!

may you have peace,

east

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rcs_mum
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #2 on: Oct 26^th, 2003, 9:44pm »

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Wings, do any of your family have cell phones?
I just reached my son Bobby on his cell. He was called home from work by his neighbor, and was in his car trying to get to his house. There is a fire in the canyon where he lives and the Latigo Canyon Rd., the main road into his neighborhood is closed by the fire dept. He is frantic because his dogs are in the house!
So try a cell number to reach them if you can.
I am praying for everyone out there.
Has David checked in yet? Is he in a fire area?

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MzWings
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #3 on: Oct 27^th, 2003, 7:52am »

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At least I rec'd an em from one of my cousin's in the Rancho Cucamonga area. She said she feels they're safe at this point. She's the only one I've heard from so far, but that em was a Godsend!

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"Senility Prayer"...God grant me...
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The good fortune to run into the ones that I do
And the eyesight to tell the difference."

Pocket
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #4 on: Oct 27^th, 2003, 12:12pm »

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Wings, I hope your family members are all OK. These fires are horrendous.....frightening to see on TV, even. I can't imagine living in the area. If only the Santa Ana winds would die down, it would help. God help the firefighters.....and punish the firebugs who start these things.

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david
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #5 on: Oct 27^th, 2003, 12:22pm »

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One of the fires is close enough here for us to get ash on the car and we have smelled smoke for days. Our local radio station has been off the air due to fires for three days now

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Rhune
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #6 on: Oct 27^th, 2003, 10:09pm »

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MzWings
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #7 on: Oct 28^th, 2003, 8:48pm »

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I posted this at SC:

Controlled fires are frequently used at this time of year to keep a forest vibrant."

I lost track of my thoughts when I posted what you (above) replied to.

The day that fire started in June 1990, I was video taping a baseball game my bf's team was playing. The guys were warming up and I noticed a bit of black smoke coming from atop the mountains. Someone said not to worry about it because it was a dump fire the firemen had started and were attending to it. In my mind, I thought that was sheer stupidy because we were having mild Santa Ana's.

Not halfway into the game, I zoomed in on the mtns. and could see flames. Suddenly we all heard fire trucks coming from everywhere. Thank goodness the came was called on account of smoke, soot and ashes. Quite frankly I think they should have not started the game because the smoke was already getting heavy and of course, wouldn't you know it but the winds were getting hard and hot.

Dave and I hopped into my car and I told him to put the camera on his shoulder, leave the setting alone and don't dare turn it off. I took off for the hills where I knew I could get some great shots. That fire - was racing up and down every hill in it's path. People were coming down San Marcos Pass road (Hwy 154) with their horses and precious belongings.

The fire already had a name - Painted Cave Fire. See on the map where the number 154 is - that's approximately where the fire had started and it wasn't the dump fire. It was deliberately set. If you look again at the map you'll find Lake Cachuma (kah-'choo-mah) and that's primarily where the water bombers would catch the water to dump on the fire.
www.sbcfire.com/OES/fire6.gif

(The picture is too big and I don't know how to make it smaller - )

Not too much later, the fire ate its' way across the mountains and across Hwy 101, towards the ocean. Much of Santa Barbara was without power. A few days later (seemed like weeks) San Marcos pass was reopened so I took off through the burned areas. I was sobbing and had to pull over and turn off the camera. It's hard to describe the image of what I saw - everything blackened - dead deer and a rabbit. I was still in town so I to took off up the Pass.

There was an odd "haze" on the blackened hills so as soon as I spotted a safe turn-out I pulled over. The stench was acrid. It was amazing what this fire did in 90 mins, traveling three miles. But more amazing than that, the haze wasn't that at all. It was new growth of grasses. I could see tiny buds on burned brush.

I was crying so hard I didn't hear the patrol car pull up. I was on my knees praying and giving Thanks when I heard footsteps and "MA'AM - what are you doing" and he told me to stay still. I looked to my right and another CHP officer was standing behind the open door and had his weapon aimed at me. Another CHP unit arrived from the opposite direction. I wasn't the least bit frightened then, but it scares the crap outta me when I think back on it.

Anyway, the search me and the car and opened my camera. Guess they were looking for a weapon/gun. They even went so far as to rewind the tape and ran the battery dead. I had a spare battery and they pretty much killed that one too. But they were kind to me and gave me a warning slip. One guy said they had to account for their time in writing.

They also told me the Chief of Police and the head of the SB fire department were going to be on KEYT at 5PM. They were going to put out a plea to anyone who was anywhere in the vicinity (of the fire) who took pictures or film or video to contact them immediately. So they told me I could go.

I starting making a copy of my tape (they sure as hell couldn't have my original). The officers told me not to cut out the baseball game because during my recording I had the date and time on - they needed that. Later I called the numbers the Fire Chief gave and he begged me to let him see the tape. I told him he could have the copy anytime. He sent a police officer to pick it up.

There were other fires happening during this time - much like now. Stacey Keach was host of a show called Missing: Reward and his network sent a letter asking for a copy of my tape. His producers were gathering as much footage of all the fires in Southern CA for an upcoming production. How cool! Much of my footage was used. I'm pretty sure these fires will also be documented for production.

(Four hours later and I'm still trying to finish this post. I just received word from my L.A. and San Diego family that all is well.)

Why the folliage began coming back so fast is because the last few passes from the water bombers - some kind of seed and fertilizer in a gel-like form was added. When they get the fires out in So. CA they'll have to reseed as soon as humanly possible. The winter rains out there usually start about January and I see some disastrous flooding around the corner.

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"Senility Prayer"...God grant me...
The senility to forget the people I never liked
The good fortune to run into the ones that I do
And the eyesight to tell the difference."

MzWings
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #8 on: Oct 29^th, 2003, 3:34pm »

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From http://www.keyt.com/

Piru Fire
By KEY Staff
Oct 29, 2003, 14:24:00

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The fire is now burning near the City of Fillmore and north of the City of Piru in Ventura County.

So far flames have charred 56,000 acres and threaten 300 homes, one building has been destroyed and 7 people have reported injuries fighting the fire.

The fire damaged part of Sespe Wilderness and Sespe Condor sanctuary. :cry2:

Piru and parts of Fillmore are under a voluntary evacuation notice.

Evacuations are now being planned for Santa Paula where the fire is currently 8 miles outside of Magic Mountain.

Fire officials say they have this fire about 30% contained.

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"Senility Prayer"...God grant me...
The senility to forget the people I never liked
The good fortune to run into the ones that I do
And the eyesight to tell the difference."

Rhune
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #9 on: Oct 29^th, 2003, 5:14pm »

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Ramona Residents Advised To Evacuate; Firefighters Die

POSTED: 2:14 p.m. PST October 29, 2003
UPDATED: 3:10 p.m. PST October 29, 2003

SAN DIEGO -- As many as three firefighters have died and two more injured while fighting the Cedar Fire in the community of Wynola, while more evacuations are being advised, 10News reported.

The official word is that one firefighter was killed and two were injured. However, sources told 10News that three firefighters have been killed and two injured.

The Fire Department has not made an official statement. The medical examiner is on its way to the scene of the accident.

According to 10News, firefighters were battling the blaze near Highway 78 and Orchard, Calif. Soures told 10News that the fire suddenly raged out of control and overtook the ridge the firefighters were protecting.

It is unknown which units the firemen were from.

The winds are blowing in an easterly direction. Firefighters have placed a ring of fire retardent around Santa Isabel in order to protect the community.

Meantime, the Sheriff's department is advising Ramona residents to evacuate. This is not a mandatory evacuation. High winds have changed the course of the Cedar Fire and could head to Ramona, where it ignited four days ago.

Residents should head south on Highway 67 or west on Highway 78.

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Rhune
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Re: California fires worsening....
« Reply #10 on: Oct 29^th, 2003, 5:20pm »

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http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/news/2582596/detail.html

More Evacuations, More Destruction
Firefighters Battle To Save Mountain Towns

UPDATED: 1:58 p.m. PST October 29, 2003

SAN DIEGO -- County officials said Wednesday that the Cedar Fire has charred 250,000 acres, destroyed 960 structures and completly wiped out an entire town, 10News reported.

Firefighters are trying to tame the worst fire in San Diego County history are making a stand to save the town of Julian, 10News reported.

Fire officials have 100 engines and 300 firefighters in Julian, but remained concerned since the fire has recently jumped nearby Highway 79. They said the Julian Post Office may be threatened.

Julian was evacuated Tuesday, along with Cuyamaca, Descanso, Laguna, Pine Hills, Pine Valley, Wynola, Guatay, Lake Henshaw, Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain.

Officials Wednesday also had residents of Santa Ysabel evacuated.

Crews sprayed streets in downtown Julian with foam fire retardant, which helped save the historic town. Also, the winds shifted away from the town. However, officials said 200-300 homes around Julian and in the Kentwood-in-the-Pines areas had burned Tuesday night, 10News reported.

The rustic mountain hamlet of Cuyamaca was not as fortunate as Julian. Despite the efforts of firefighters, 90 percent of the community was destroyed by the Cedar Fire, said Bill Clayton of the Department of Forestry.

"The community of Cuyamaca, basically, there's not much left," Clayton told 10News.

Altogether, the fires have destroyed 455,000 acres in San Diego County and have killed at least 13 people. Officials say as of Wednesday 1,071 homes have been destroyed and 32,000 people were still without power.

Sheriff Bill Kolander called the crisis the "greatest fire tragedy in the history of this county."

Kolander asked that everyone "cooperate with deputies, as the evacuations continue, to ensure that everyone gets out safely."

At an evening briefing, Rick Martinez, chief deputy director of the state Department of Homeland Security, echoed Kolander's remarks.

The 29-year fire service veteran from Sacramento called it a fire siege "like none of us can remember."

Improved weather conditions -- including lighter winds and lower humidity -- are expected to help firefighters contain the blazes.

"Winds will continue to be light as high pressure pulls out of the area. An onshore flow will begin to develop Wednesday creating a thick marine layer with cooler temperatures and increased humidity. This will help firefighting efforts tremendously," 10News weather anchor James Quinones said.

Kolander said the county will try to get back to some sense of normalcy Wednesday, though Superior Court facilities will remain closed. All public schools in the county also will be shut down again.

The sheriff said the fire tragedy would have been far worse if not for the cooperation of every sector of the San Diego community.

Paradise Fire

The Paradise Fire -- which forced the Palomar Mountain community to evacuate -- has burned more than 40,000 acres. The fire has consumed 111 homes and 100 outbuildings.

The La Jolla Indian Reservation has been evacuated.

Residents can go to the Red Cross shelter at Valley Center High School in Fallbrook, or at Emmanuel Faith Chapel in Escondido.

Escondido officials say City Hall, libraries and the Josyln Senior Center remain closed Wednesday.

The fire is 20 percent contained as of Wednesday morning and full containment is expected by Saturday.

Scripps Ranch Residents
Authorities have reopened sections of Scripps Ranch where about 350 were destroyed, according to 10News.

The Scripps Ranch Civic Center posted a list of homes destroyed in the Scripps Ranch area. Visit www.scrippsranch.org to view the list.

Sections of Tierrasanta and San Carlos were also approved to reopen. Also, residents of the East County neighborhood of San Diego Country Estates, east of Ramona, have returned to their homes.

One of the first major mobile insurance processing vans will be set up Wednesday morning. State Farm will set up at the new Vons in Scripps Ranch at 9:30 a.m.

Firestorm Relief Telethon
KGTV Channel 10 thanks everyone who donated money to the fire victims through its phone bank with the American Red Cross Monday night. A total of $1,277,334 was raised.

Another thank you goes to the volunteers who helped answer phones, including Gov. Gray Davis.

All donations will stay in San Diego County, despite a report from The San Diego Union-Tribune published Tuesday. The paper reported that the National Red Cross officials rejected a plan to earmark donations for San Diego.

Bob Morris, spokesman for the local chapter of the Red Cross, assured 10News that the funds will stay in San Diego County.

"If a donor contributes their money to San Diego fire relief, it will go into a segregated, I don't want to say account, but it will be segregated and totally accounted for, and the money will be spent only on relief for local San Diego fire victims," Morris said.

It's not too late to give.

Call the Red Cross directly at (619) 542-7400 or visit www.sdarc.org to make your donation to "Firestorm Relief."

The Red Cross is also asking for food or clothing donations to St. Vincent de Paul.

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