More than 2,000 flee California wildfire

Reuters/YahooNews ^ | 8/14/09 | Peter Henderson

[Kartographer]

A California wildfire forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people near the surfing town of Santa Cruz, emptying wineries and rustic homes on Friday.

Billowing white smoke, punctuated by orange flames, covered rolling hills in television footage of the coastal mountain fire about 80 miles south of San Francisco.

[Kartographer]

Does California have the money to fight a major fire?

[matginzac]

By-passers near the fire need to be careful - one deep breath and you’ll be higher than a kite...lots of dope growers in them thar hills...(I used to live close by...)

[rahbert]

“While wildfires in California are more likely to occur during warm, dry weather ... “

Well duh.

Sounds like the fire is NW of town between Bonny Doon and Felton. The SC Mts have fires like this on a regular basis.
I just hope that everyone is able to get out OK.

[greatdefender]

More than 2,000 flee California “wildfire”

I guess they can’t take the heat with their recent budget cuts.

[Jagdgewehr]

Isn't that about the average number of Californians leaving the state per month because of the economy?

Isn't that the average number of California businesses going under or leaving the state because of excessive regulation or taxation?

Isn't that the average number of illegals crossing the border per day?

Isn't that the average cost in taxes and fees paid by the average family living in California per month?

/tongue-in-cheek

[martin_fierro]

	Cruzio
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I can see smoky clouds over Santa Cruz, but so far haven't smelled any burning.

[super7man]

My reaction too. Think of all that pot getting smoked before its time.

[Carry_Okie]

It started in knobcone pine and manzanita, as combustible a mixture as I can contemplate, and similar to the Summit Fire last year and the Croy Fire six years before that.

This fire threatens the homes of many of the people at Big Creek Lumber, particularly the McCrary family. Prayers are in order, as they've been fighting this all night. These are good people.

[twistedwrench]

Prayers Up, We used to do a lot of work for Big Creek.
Great people to work with.

[leilani]

More specific stuff about precise coordinates of the fire, mandatory evacuation areas, plus info on animal & people shelters for those in the path of the Lockheed (SC) fire is here at the WISE fire tracker page.

Also, here's the CALFIRE incident page

[americanophile]

thanks for the links.

[tajgirvan]

Prayers will be said for the Mc Crary Family and everyone fighting this fire. I love California and miss it and the great people that live there.

I hope people respect this thread and the fact that fire is just as horrible as a hurricane or a tornado and not to start talking about the California Nuts!I am in Georgia now and people are just as nutty here as they were in California!:)

[tajgirvan]

Prayers will be said for the Mc Crary Family and everyone fighting this fire. I love California and miss it and the great people that live there.

I hope people respect this thread and the fact that fire is just as horrible as a hurricane or a tornado and not to start talking about the California Nuts!I am in Georgia now and people are just as nutty here as they were in California!:)

[DB]

I’m in central California and it is smoked out right now. It has been since around 2 am this morning. Nasty to go outside and breath...

[La Enchiladita]

Thank you. Wildfires are always a horrific experience. I am south of the ones now active but we have them in SoCal too, and hope they get the Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara fires under control soon.

[dragnet2]

You could probably cut California's fire resources in half, and it would still be much better than any other state could provide.

It's a big place, and much undergrowth hasn't burned in years, and needs to burn...Sometimes structures get in the way. Just the way it is.

[dragnet2]

I love California and miss it and the great people that live there.

Had friends that moved to Phoenix..They could not wait to get back...After they returned, they said they felt like they lived in a nuclear test site for 4 years.

I am in Georgia now and people are just as nutty here as they were in California!:)

Of course....Just read the bizarre news stories and events that occur in every state, daily. California just makes a good target for those that are jealous, unhappy with their own venue, or for what ever reason.

Bet the rent, the libs won't always been at the wheel. Like everything else, politics are cyclical.

[sasquatch]

Hey,

I talked to Kristen in Forestry this afternoon. The choppers were dousing Bud and Emma’s...
Prayers are up.
D.

[glock rocks]

I join you in prayer for those in the path of this fire.

[WVNan]

I’ve been worried about you guys. Hope you’re not in the line of fire (bad pun). Mother nature showing how right you are once again. I know it must be heartbreaking for you, knowing that if they would just listen and learn.......

[Carry_Okie]

We're about fifteen miles from the fire line. That doesn't make it impossible for it to get this far, but it is unlikely. The volunteers out there know what they're doing, probably better than a lot of the CDF people, although they haven't got the fancy equipment.

As to the heartbreak. much of this land is private, so it wasn't in bad hands (at least to the degree that they're allowed to do anything). Some of it is also ranch land, so a fair bit of it will come through fine. Knobcone pine has no commercial value, so the losses will be less than they might have been. The fir in this area is usually not good for much either. For the most part, the redwood has been thinned, although if the fire gets into Big Basin State Park, it could blow big.

[WVNan]

Fifteen miles is not real comfortable, the way fires can blow so big out there. Be alert.

[tajgirvan]

I lived in South Cal. since I was born and I have never seen so many fires as I have in the last ten years. I have a nephew and a brother in law that are in Fire Service so I know the risks they take and live under everyday. My nephew is with L.A. Fire Dept. and he said they are laying off newly hired Fire Fighters!! My prayers and part of my heart is with you in SoCal.

You can take the girl out of California but you can't take California out of the girl!!!

[tajgirvan]

Just read the bizarre news stories and events that occur in every state, daily. California just makes a good target for those that are jealous, unhappy with their own venue, or for what ever reason.

Truer words were never written! Thanks for the support! Enjoy your sunset!

[La Enchiladita]

(((Hugs))) to my fellow California girl!!! I am a native also and so proud of it, born right here in Los Angeles. It was completely different when I was kid/growing up, etc. I’m sure you remember before all the freeways, cars and people from every corner of the galaxy, haha.

Yes, fires on the increase it seems. 4 years ago in the fall, from Santa Barbara down to the U.S./Mexico border: it was horrific. We followed that here.

Yes, I got a mailer about possible LAFD layoffs and to contact City reps. Unbelievable. God bless your fire-fighting family!!

[tajgirvan]

(((Hugs))) right back at you sweet Dita! Oh, what I remember about my beloved Los Angeles County! I remember the Orange Groves, I am really dating myself here but I don't care! It was so beautiful ,open and green. I miss my Foothills something fierce! There are no Mountains near where I live and I can't get my bearings!Everyday of my life wherever I looked I saw Mountains! I told my husband this is not natural!:)

Thank you for your blessings on my FF Boys, they need it!

[La Enchiladita]

Nice!! The mountains do it for me, too. I have lived in sight of the Santa Monicas nearly all my life. I could not live somewhere without sight of a mountain range.

Currently, from the Mar Vista/Palms area, we have a great view ENE towards the San Gabriels with San Bernardinos in the distance, then Santa Monica Mtns. to NNW.

It’s great to talk to someone with the same feeling for the Foothills!!

[tajgirvan]

I do hope and pray “our” beautiful Mountains stay that way this year! I haven’t heard anything about the Fires lately. I need to call my Mom in Glendora for the latest. She doesn’t listen to the local news anymore just the weather and the sports when then the Dodgers are playing,that is another California “thing” I miss! Vin Scully and the Dodgers..what a great year they are having! Enjoy your view ,sweetie!

[La Enchiladita]

You, your Mom and I have that in common also!! I am True Blue, have been since they hit town in 1958 and I am enjoying this season and our team. I spend more internet time on Dodger forums than anywhere else, LOL. Vin Scully, what a doll and a classic. We are so blessed!!

[tajgirvan]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for this season! My Husband, the B.ball expert(!) says his beloved Dodgers will NOT MAKE it into the series due to their lack of a serious,mature pitching staff. I hate it when he right! But Dodger Miracles have been known to happen! Go Blue! You are a real sweetheart,Dita! See you over at Amy’s!
(((HUGS)))