SoCal Fires Live Thread 10/28

10/28/03 | Myself

[spectr17]

SoCal Fires Live Thread 10/28

[lainie]

From my vantage point on the valley floor, I see brown billowing smoke heading ENE right now. OK, what do you see?

[onyx]

OMG! Again, I am STUNNED!

I've pinged PKM --- she is livid and has further info regarding Gray's sorry and perhaps criminal action in the handling of the fires.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Cedar fire now heading east fast into hard to reach areas not much more then that. Otay fire 80% contained per the news that’s good new. Paradise fire still going strong Palomar MTN is on voluntary Evc. at this point.

So Lake Henshaw is a distinct target...wish I could contact my relatives there..

[PhiKapMom]

When lainie and I saw the panaromic view earlier you could see the fires far to the east and someone said that fires were near Big Bear -- I am thinking they are doing this as a precaution if there is a wind shift because HW 38 would be shut-off.

This morning I heard on the TV that a windshift would occur this morning and there would be an onshore flow which would help everywhere but in the Inland Valley. Wonder if that is happening now?

[lainie]

The LA City fire guy they're interviewing on KTTV sure sounds chipper.

[oceanperch]

Hey have you gotten any shut eye spectr17.

We don't need any tweekers around here!(sarcasm)

[baseballmom]

KOGO talking about using C130 for firefighting. Until you have exhauseted civilian forces, you can't use military. Says this was done yesterday. GWB has done his part. Gray Davis not telling truth. The resources will be here in time to watch the flames go out. Tragedy is that, Yes there is a fed. red tap, etc, reluctance to use fed assets for civilian use, private contractors have contracts with feds and must be used first before military. Private owners have a lot on congress(? i missed part), even if not available the *potential* of being available hinders the used of using fed, because of beauracratic inertia. Hunter got CDF in touch with gov deps. and finally got these resources (talking about legislation) Fact is in SoCal, FF budgets were cut, .....

Gov will not ussue to order to use C130's to be used because he doesn't want to pay for them - wants Feds to pay for them.

This guy is pissed. Sorry I'm trying to type as I listen.

It's Rodger Hedgecock I didn't realize.

[lainie]

It sure seems to be happening. The humidity level will rise with it but not right away. Wish we had access to a meterologist :)

[PhiKapMom]

You and me both -- irresponsible if you ask me! I now have on KFI radio which updates every 15 minutes on the status of the fires and road closures!

The link is at:

http://cc.liquidviewer.com/LosAngeles/KFI/playerframe.php?fname=http://ccdig.liquidviewer.com/kfi

[lainie]

Gray Davis -- LATE. as usual.

[Fitzcarraldo]

"...devore...evac...they are all huddled over there at the entrance of that school..."

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for the info on the incompetent head of CDF -- should be first person fired by Arnold IMO!

[Travis McGee]

A Seahawk (Navy Blackhawk) is not exactly a Hughes 1000 Little Bird!

And Navy Seahawk pilots who land on pitching destroyers in high winds at night are not exactly "Bob from Channel 8, your traffic eye in the sky" when it comes to flying hairy missions.

[ArmstedFragg]

Wild Animal Park. ArmstedFragg knows better if they succeeded.

So far, so good.

[Conservative4Ever]

Everyone should have to drive Rim of the World drive from Arrowhead to Big Bear at least once in their life!

I agree! New Year's Eve of 2000 my husband's band was playing at Arrowhead Resort. Band members were gonna convoy up the mountain together. I watched the sky and told Mr. C4E we are gonna have to leave now [about 2hrs earlier than planned]or we were not gonna make it as it will start to snow any time up there. We just made it to the resort snow began falling as we pulled up under the port cochere (sp) with the others following close behind as they heeded my warning to leave early. Another band playing there in another ballroom didn't have their horn section for two hours as they got caught on 38 and had to put on chains. Mandatory CHP stop. We had comp rooms for the night so we were cozy in this great resort...food out of this world due to the holiday...great time and great memories. To summerize..the weather up there can change in a new york minute. :)

[Fitzcarraldo]

Is there a growing danger to the Lake Henshaw area?

[GOPrincess]

Here's a choice passage on Davis from the mornings TIMES, showing that he has been ever the strong leader (not):

"Some elected officials complained bitterly that Davis did not formally request military aerial tankers on Sunday before fire destroyed hundreds of homes...County Supervisor Greg Cox said that he encoutered a 'nightmarish tale of red tape' while seeking the governor's help in asking the Pentagon to authorize the use of military-owned helicopters and tankers. Davis...said it was the duty of the U.S. Forest Service, not the governor's office, to ask for the assistance. And he reminded San Diegans that residents elsewhere were also begging for fire protection. 'People want a firetruck the minute their house is under siege...Sometimes we can do that, sometimes we can't.'"

[SCalGal]

Fact is in SoCal, FF budgets were cut, .....

And cut, and cut, and cut... right along with the police. But we can't expect the politicians to stop the waste, now can we? (/Sarcasm) Instead, they just take away the services that we pay for.

[Travis McGee]

If anyone can call Hedgecock or any other SoCal talk hosts, please ask him

"Why are 100 Navy Seahawk helicopters sitting idle at North Island, ten minutes from the firestorm???????

[spectr17]

A Seahawk (Navy Blackhawk) is not exactly a Hughes 1000 Little Bird! And Navy Seahawk pilots who land on pitching destroyers in high winds at night are not exactly "Bob from Channel 8, your traffic eye in the sky" when it comes to flying hairy missions.

Granted. Just cinch that chinstrap down a notch more and Yehaw!

Back to work here for reals this time