Posted on 12/03/2006 4:42:30 PM PST by bd476
MOORPARK, California (AP) -- A fire driven by strong Santa Ana winds Sunday destroyed five homes and a storage building and endangered hundreds of others in canyons and hillsides, authorities said.
The blaze burned about 4,100 acres, or six square miles, destroying five homes and damaging five others, Ventura County Fire Capt. Barry Parker said.
Fire officials called for voluntary evacuations as hundreds of residents packed up valuables while dozens of trailers used to transport livestock were lined up on a road.
"The sheriff's said if you see flames, leave," said Dave Hare, who was at a home on the site of a recycling business he owns.
Some residents, however, stayed put and said they saw flames as high as 35 feet. In one neighborhood, the fire came within 100 yards of homes.
"I'm kinda nervous," said Arturo Huerta, 88, who got on top of the family's home with hose in hand and watched for burning embers.
The blaze began at 2:30 a.m. and burned through heavy brush, eucalyptus groves and orchards in the northwest section of Moorpark, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Several hundred firefighters and water-dropping helicopters were hampered by 70 mph winds that were expected to last through the end of Sunday. Water-dropping helicopters also were used. (Watch flames light up the California night)
"We are in a structure protection mode," Parker said. "It's smoky, it's dusty and it's hard to breathe."
There was no containment figures and no injuries were reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
More info and photos here:
Calif. Wildfires Destroy Two Homes (Update: 4,100 acres 10 bldgs destroyed)
It's good we can still do the acres to square miles conversion. If we ever go to hectares, all bets are off.
Under investigation, huh? Are the Muslims behind these fires? I have my suspicions, even though I never expect investigations to lead to this, even if true.
|
Shekell Complex Fire Update |
|
(December 3, 2006, 4:22 p.m.) - A fire started at approximately 2:30 a.m. on December 3, 2006 in the area between Shekell Road, Grimes Canyon Road, Balcom Canyon Road and Stockton Road in Moorpark. North East winds have been predicted through Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The wind is blowing at 20-25 mph with wind gusts of up to 70 mph.
|
Nah!, but it's going to be something a lot worse than that.
It will be.......... a smoker.
Our national security forces are misdirected.
FYI, Moorpark is very near the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA.
am watching a local LA station update right now....wind advisory through tomorrow...red flag warning through 5pm Tuesday...many homes destroyed....
G-d bless and keep safe any FReepers -- heck, anyone! -- out there in this fire's path. And of course may it not spread to the Reagan Ranch area.
LOL!
winds were sustained at 40mps gusts to 70mph in Moorpark...evacuations recommended as they do not have mandantory evacs....5 structures destroyed....5 damaged....some are homes...70,000 sq ft warehouse fully engulfed in flames right now and will be left to burn itself out...
70000 sq foot warehouse on fire now....
06-0003643 2006-12-03 08:00 Vegetation 1900 W POTRERO RD Undefined 13 On scene
06-0003618 2006-12-03 07:05 Vegetation - HAPPY CAMP RD / BROADWAY RD MRPK - NAME? 12 On scene
06-0003565 2006-12-03 02:05 Vegetation - Grimes Canyon Rd / Los Angeles Ave MRPK - NAME? 58 On scene
Thanks Karl. Yes, I just heard that on KABC TV.
Not good. The winds are wild yet the high wind warnings were cancelled earlier this afternoon.
I'd guess odds of it being in danger are slight. The fire (which I've been trying to get information on all day!) is located west of the library and the Santa Ana winds are blowing it hard toward Ventura and us. I'm in Camarillo and we've been experiencing very heavy smoke all day.
We're concerned the fire could burn toward us overnight via Somis but there appears to be a strong fire line along Los Angeles Ave./west Hiway 118 which we hope will hold through the night. Say a prayer for the folks in Moorpark where 3,000 or more homes are currently threatened.
The cause of the fire isn't yet known but I'm guessing arson. Can Freepers get behind legislation that would require the death penalty for arson?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
4Liberty, the Reagan Library in Simi Valley is closer to the fire than say, Oxnard, but the Library is safe and far from this fire.
The center of Moorpark is West of the 23 and Northwest of the Library.
It's still kicking where I am. A few times today it sounded like the roof was going to come off.
I would really love the Santa Anas if they didn't toss so many allergens into the air, if they weren't so dry, if the wind gusts didn't knock over trees... ;-)
Does there appear to be much chance of it crossing 118 and getting to the Mountain Meadows area?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
