SoCal Fire News Live Thread 10/27 - News updates/pics only!

My personal list of news and info on the California firestorms | 10/27/2003 | ladypixel

[Ladypixel]

Scanner info from spectr17 (thanks for listening to the scanners!!):

FF commander repositoning to take another look at Lake Arrowhead Fire, off hwy 18

FF reporting fire made it's run and is now laying back down

[Ladypixel]

BurbankKarl reports (I'm guessing this is a scanner report?):

"Spot fires in Devore at Palm and Oak Hill"

[Ladypixel]

Also reported by BurbankKarl:

"fire is in the trees on both sides of Strawberry Peak....advising to send sheriffs to Twin Peaks and give one last warning to leave for holdouts...."

[archy]

KFI has Art Bell on now. Where's a good source for info.

KFI. You'll find his first guest, Joseph Farah, has some fire-related information the networks refuse to discuss.

-archy-/-

[archy]

That's an amazing picture. It looks like another planet.

The view from Space:

This image was taken Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, with a digital camera equipped with a 400mm lens from the Earth Observation Lab on the International Space Station (news - web sites) showing billowing clouds of smoke from the fires north of San Bernardino, Calif. Lake Arrowhead is visible at the lower left with Lake Silverwood at the lower right. (AP Photo/NASA

[RoarkMan]

The one time I listened to AB he had some "expert" on talking about impending Y2K doom. I don't need bs right now. I got kabc radio streaming and the internet and the TV on. I'm set. Hope the wind doesn't shift...

[archy]

The one time I listened to AB he had some "expert" on talking about impending Y2K doom. I don't need bs right now. I got kabc radio streaming and the internet and the TV on. I'm set. Hope the wind doesn't shift...

While you're hoping the wind doesn't shift, you'd better also be hoping that whoever set the last dozen or so fires doesn't decide to set a dozen or two more.

-archy-/-

[Ladypixel]

From http://www.rimoftheworld.net (which also has an excellent map showing the area of the Old Waterman fire):

Latest Updates:

Monday 10:24 PM: San Bernardino County Sherrif Department has just issued a press release with a composite sketch of the suspect in the Old Fire. If anyone has access to this sketch, please let us know. I am unable to get in touch with the Media Relations Department and I don't want to bother the overloaded dispatchers.

Monday 10:13 PM: FIRE HAS JUMPED HIGHWAY 18 NEAR RIMFOREST ACCORDING TO VIDEO SHOWN ON KCAL 9. FIRE TRUCKS WERE SEEN PULLING OUT OF RIMFOREST. IT IS NOT KNOW IF OTHER FIRE TRUCKS HAVE TAKEN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS IN RIMFOREST. [THIS IS ONLY A SINGLE POINT-OF-REFERENCE REPORT. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RIMFOREST.]

Monday 9:20 PM: According to KCAL 9, portions of East Highland is currently being evacuated.

Monday 6:06 PM: "Official" burn maps are online. Reports on CBS 2 state that heavy fire activity is below Rim of the World Highway. Before sunset, airtankers painted the top of the ridgeline with fire retardant. Firefighters are hoping to hold the fire there.

Monday 5:12 PM: UPDATE: We finally got a copy of the fire maps. They are NOT as dire for Cedarpines Park as earlier reported. I will have those online as soon as possible. I haven't slept in three days, so please bear with me.

Monday 4:18 PM: A Mandatory Evacuation for Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, and Running Springs has been issued.

Monday 3:15 PM: We're trying to get a copy of this map This information was relayed to us and we do not have a copy of this map. Hopefully, we'll have a copy by this evening.

Monday 2:45 PM: According to a USFS map, most of Cedarpines Park has burned. As of 6 AM, the fire was about 1/2 mile south of Jobs peak. The fire line also extended along Waters Drive into Valley of Enchantment, but just short of the commercial area by the 138.

Monday 1:25 PM: The CHP and Sheriff's Department is in the process of evacuating the remaining residents of Running Springs. Fire is making an aggressive run along the 330 toward Oak Hill.

Monday 12:11 PM: According CBS 2 News footage the fire is behaving very aggressively along the slopes below Rim of the World High School. The fire is spreading rapidly uphill and displaying firewhirls. According to the helicopter reporter aerial tankers are preparing to drop Foscheck retardant in the line of the fire.

[daviddennis]

I went over to Chatsworth to see the fire, and filed this report.

I hope you and the others on this thread find it of interest.

D

[Ladypixel]

This entry is from the blog of a teacher from Rim Forest. The blog can be found at: http://homepage.mac.com/joeurbz/iblog/index.html

"Updates as of 10:35pm

The fire has hit 18 & 189.

- Not much from TV; HOWEVER, from the scanner and message boards:

- The fire has jumped 18 at Strawberry Peak, 189, North, Lake Gregory, and Rose Lane (our home). They are having problems in these locations. For now, the reporters by Rim Forest are being relocated. It has hit the tree tops in Twin Peaks. Strike teams are trying to get in.

- "The loss of the Towers." was posted on the scanner. Another post was "a red glow" and "don't believe the towers are gone."
- This relates to the cell and microwave towers.

- They have shown the sketch of the suspect on TV.

- The fire is on both sides of Strawberry Peak "holding ltself" at the moment. However, it might surround the peak. [10:34pm]

- it is so frustrating; TV is not helping much at all, no matter the station. :-( "

[Ladypixel]

From Freeper wildbirdhunter:

"New hot spot in east lakeside by Flinn springs Fire crews are all over it had reinforcements come in so that’s good. This is part of the Blossom Valley fire that’s blowing back on it’s self."


From Freeper BurbankKarl:

"CHP confirms Strawberry Peak is destroyed. All comms and phone microwaves gone"
[Editor note: This means that the fire dept. scanners that many of us have been listening to for information no longer exist.]



From KABC radio, Mr. KABC show, reports state that this is being considered the worst series of wildfires in California history, and the worst wildfire season in terms of cost and loss of homes in California history.

[Ladypixel]

From the teacher's blog mentioned a couple posts prior:

"Crestline update...


This letter from Brenda Meyer.


I have recently spoke to Mike Chilson, owner of Mtn Pawn, who stayed in Crestline to assist firefighters with the fires. I am passing his personal account of information onto others that have been patiently waiting.

First to answer several people that have emailed me directly. The dome house across from hwy 18 and Crestforest Dr. is safe. The homes on Playground, Top Town, 1000 Pines, the entire area of homes east of Crestforest Dr, homes above 7-11, VOE, all homes surrounding Lake Gregory and homes on both sides of Lake Gregory Dr. are all safe. Spot fires have ignited pine needles but overall have not caused loss of structures in these areas.

There are three homes on Crestforest Dr. that have full views of the SB valley that have direct access and are level with Crestforest Drive. Two of these homes were lost to fire.

In the Skyland area. On Toll House Pass, Big Tree Lane, Venus and Juniper the homes were saved. Entering Skyland Dr. from Top Town; homes on Mercury, Mars Inspiration and Skyland up to Jupiter were saved. Unfortunately, homes on Skyland past Jupiter were lost. Also, on Jupiter, the first approx. 7 homes were saved. I regret to relay that homes to the South and East of this area could not be saved. This includes homes on Saturn and Neptune. My sincere regret is that this information arrives by email and not in person. I will pray for all my Skyland neighbors this evening who have lost their homes.

At this hour, firefighters battle flames in the Devil's Canyon area. The fire has crested over the mtn from Devore and threatens homes in this area. Fire crews are waiting on Crestforest Dr. just past the canyon entrance if they are needed to protect homes in the upper Cedarpines Park area. There is fire in the Monument Peak area entering a private ranch at the far end of Sawpit Canyon. If the fire persists beyond this ranch, then homes in Sawpit are in danger. Homes above the Hilltop where Waters meets Crestforest Dr. are threatened by fire that approached from Devore.

If anyone would like to see Mike as he escorts a news-crew through burn areas, tune into Ch 5 at 10pm. I am thankful that Mike has kept me informed of the danger and changes to the area, but I am eternally grateful that he along with many others are fighting a battle to save our community.

My family and I are blessed to still have our home, but the pain I feel for the families that are not as fortunate out weighs any relief I may have knowing my home is safe. My prayers are with you all this evening.

Brenda

Posted at 09:55 PM"

[Ladypixel]

From Freeper sf4dubya:

SB Scanner: Rim of The World High is threatened. Units are enroute. Update in 15 mins.

SB Scanner: Fire has crossed *garble* Creek.



From Freeper spectr17:

3 hour ETA for Verizon to San Saveine (SW 1 mile from Lytle Creek) to get microwave link up to HEaps

[Ladypixel]

CHP reports Twin Peaks on fire

Incident: 1928 Type: Report of Fire Location: TWIN PEAKS Zoom Map: 517 3E Info as of: 10/27/2003 11:22:38 PM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
11:20PM - THE FIREFIGHTERS IS THEIR PRI FIREFIGHTERS FRM ANOTHER FACILITY
11:16PM - FIREFIGHTERS ENRT TO HELP W/ FIRE AT THE CHURCH, RP SPOKE TO 101-S2 WHO ADVISED THAT HE WOULD ASSIST TO GET THEM UP THE HILL
11:15PM - LOCATED IN TWIN PEAKS, HAS 10 FIREFIGHTERS AND 1 ENG ENRT

[cgk]

[Ladypixel]

From Freeper spectr17:

"the fire over here that was running down the mtn toward us in Highland and Redlands has layed down."

[cgk]

Burn Map of Grand Prix fire. (Burn areas outlined in red)

Burn Map of Old Fire:

[Ladypixel]

From http://homepage.mac.com/joeurbz/iblog/index.html :


Updates as of 11:30pm


The fire has hit Twin Peaks and other places with homes.


- Not much from TV; HOWEVER, from the scanner and message boards:

- Monday 11:05 PM: ALERT: THIS IS CONFIRMED BY MULTIPLE NEWS AGENCIES... FIRE HAS CROSSED HIGHWAY 18 INTO RIMFOREST... FIREFIGHTERS HAVE EVACUATED FROM RIMFOREST... STRIKE CREWS HAVE BEEN SENT INTO LAKE ARROWHEAD FOR STRUCTURE PROTECTION... THE COMMUNICATION TOWERS SERVICE CELLPHONE SERVICE AND ALL OF THE FOREST SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS ON STRAWBERRY PEAK HAVE BEEN LOST. [rimoftheworld.net]

- The fire has jumped 18 at Strawberry Peak, 189, North, Lake Gregory, and Rose Lane (our home). There are not enough resources to fight in Twin Peaks right now. The crossover has been confirmed. They are requesting 5-10 strike teams; but the crews are "thrashed". They just can't fight it. [11:28pm]

- ABC7 reports a mixed bag of news. East Highland is being hit again, as well as, Twin Peaks and Running Springs (30 houses).

- The scanner reports that there is a severe threat at the High School [11:10pm].

- They have shown the sketch of the suspect on TV.

- The fire is on both sides of Strawberry Peak "holding ltself" at the moment. However, it might surround the peak. [10:34pm]

- it is so frustrating; TV is not helping much at all, no matter the station. :-(

- "unconfirmed by officials... a individual that has stayed on the hill and has been reporting information to us had this to say... REGARDING THE FIRE JUMPING 18 - the fire crossed over 18 at rim forest and landing within the canopy about the animal hospital on bear valley road and started burning towards strawberry peak STAYING HIGH WITHIN THE CANOPY. Firefighters instructed all, including reporters to (leave NOW) as they themselves withdrew. REGARDING CPP - they are currently lighting back fires at devils canyon in hope to defend that area from the threat of devore fire reaching those areas. This contact is now evacuating himself as the danger has become too great. They will also be clearing the mountain of all reporters as the danger has esculated... Jayson Callahan"

- "My husband is a [works for one of the agencies] and I just called him. He's staying at the resort in Lake Arrowhead. He confirmed that Strawberry Peak is engulfed, as well as flames in the Pinecrest Camp area on 189). He was unable to talk too long; they are probably not able to go back to the Twin Peaks station because he also said there were reported flames on Bear Springs rd... so he's hopefully getting off that mtn soon. Just wanted to let you know."


Posted at 10:04 PM (edited later)

[Ladypixel]

From weblog of last entry:

From:
Richard Whited, Strawberry Peak Lookout Leader
Sent:
Monday, October 27, 2003 3:35 PM
"I am the Lookout Leader for Strawberry Peak Lookout. I staffed Strawberry Saturday night as long as I could until I was given orders from District Ranger, Allyson Stewart, to evacuate. With the help of three visitors watching the fire, I dropped the shutters, removed the Osborne Fire Finder, grabbed the radio, and evacuated to our lookout office at CDF headquarters in San Bernardino. I personally asked the tanker base coordinator yesterday to paint the mountain at the first opportunity. I wish I could be up there to help further, but I''m back at work in Culver City (I live in Torrance). The tower is nothing compared to all of you who call the mountaintop home. I would prefer them to save your homes and businesses, instead of the tower, but I suspect that due to the communications equipment there, the lookout and radio towers on the peak will survive, as some of you lose your homes. Many of the volunteers who staff the lookout are your friends and neighbors. I suspect that they feel the same way. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of you who have visited Strawberry, and have supported it and the six other towers through your donations of money and time. I feel great fear and sorrow for those who have lost, or will lose, their homes and businesses. I watched helplessly from Redrock Wall Overlook (sorry for closing it off - we were under orders) as the Del Rosa neighborhood burned. I had a brief drive through the area Sunday morning. I wish it had never happened. My condolences to all who lost their homes." Richard Whited