(Update: 9,700 acres 0% containment) Fire burns 5 California homes; hundreds more in danger

Associated Press and CNN ^ | 3 December 2006

[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.

[BurbankKarl]

Recommended Evacuations:

Grimes Canyon Corridor
Broadway between Stockton and Highway 23
Gabbert Road north of Poindexter
Happy Camp Lane
Charles Street
College Heights neighborhood

Precautionary Evaucations:

Moorpark Home Acres

[kstewskis]

pictures like that are yet another reason I don't miss living in So. Cal.

Keep safe out there, everyone. Make sure your water pressure is up and hose down your roofs.

[bd476]

Karl, thanks for posting those photos. They give a good perspective on how big the fire really is.

Are you hearing much? Other than what I found on the VCFD site and the obligatory "breaking news" mentions on KABC, the LA Times, KCBS, Fox etc., I'm not hearing much more than what I've already posted.

Someone on KABC said something about it being difficult to get a helicopter up because of the winds, which makes sense.

[BurbankKarl]

A structure in Egg City turns into an inferno as Ventura County firefighters keep a close watch on it.

Dorann LaPerch, 45, weeps as a fire destroys her 1800 square foot, two bedroom home atop a hill off Spring Road in Moorpark. The fire also destroyed her mother's home, a motorhome, and three horse trailers on her 26 acre horse ranch.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Prayers and good wishes for the people in the path of these fires.....main thing is that lives are not lost......please get out before danger fully arrives.

[Kimmers]

Prayers for you and anyone affected by this fire.....be safe.

I am there with you on the death penalty...they start fires without regard to human life and property destruction...you can't treat evil with a slap on the wrist

[BobS]

Moorpark is 7 miles from the Reagan library. I'm in Chatsworth and the wind is blowing 70-80 MPH. 15% relative humidity. Your nose, ears and lungs dry out.

[BurbankKarl]

The railroad line suffered some damage...and is closed. All Amtrak and Metrolink service cancelled for now....

[bd476]

BobS wrote: "... and the wind is blowing 70-80 MPH. 15% relative humidity. Your nose, ears and lungs dry out."

Well said, BobS. It's still windy here, too.

[bd476]

Irene Torres, right, flees her home as relatives rush to remove items outside that may burn Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, in Moorpark, Calif. A fire driven by strong Santa Ana winds threatened hundreds of homes Sunday as wary residents, some armed with garden hoses, watched flames race through canyons and over hillsides.

Wildfire Destroys Five Homes, Threatens Others in Ventura County

[Bernard Marx]

Does there appear to be much chance of it crossing 118 and getting to the Mountain Meadows area?

I really don't know. Our inability to get any real info on the fire has been maddening. We're keeping tuned to the emergency channel on TV but everything there is hours out of date.

[kstewskis]

Moorpark is 7 miles from the Reagan library. I'm in Chatsworth and the wind is blowing 70-80 MPH. 15% relative humidity. Your nose, ears and lungs dry out.

Hey you're in my old hometown! (give my regards to Los Toros). I don't miss those Santa Ana winds blowing off the hills above Chatsworth one bit. I remember them reeking havoc on our (then) shingle roof, and pool.

[BobS]

Give her a little hug and a kiss and she will climb all over you:)

[kstewskis]

Does there appear to be much chance of it crossing 118 and getting to the Mountain Meadows area?

Just got off the phone with a friend of mine who lives just west of the 23, off New L.A. Avenue (south of the fire). So far, the 118 line is holding it's own, but the winds keep shifting directions. It will be hard to predict.

[Cobra64]

Y'all need one of these:

[NaughtiusMaximus]

ROTFLMAO!

(Probably a nonvegan toasting a weinie!)

[bd476]

Photos from County of Ventura Public Information

[BobS]

Did you know that FOX likes to film episodes for 24 around here? I joked around with Lowie. That's the nice looking blond woman. She's very funny:)

[bd476]

Sunday, December 03, 2006

LAFD Helps Battle 'Shekell' Fire Near Moorpark

Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned one Strike Team of Firefighters to assist the Ventura County Fire Department and other agencies battling a brush fire in rugged terrain near the City of Moorpark, California in east Ventura County, 29 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

These twenty-two members of the Los Angeles Fire Department have been dispatched to the wildfire in accordance with California's Fire & Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System, administered by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services. The system is designed to ensure that additional resources are provided to local jurisdictions whenever their own resources are committed or insufficient for a specific emergency incident.

The City of Los Angeles remains fully protected by the use of additional staff and reserve apparatus to cover forseeable local needs, and we remind local residents that these resources can be recalled to our City as necessary.

The men and women of the LAFD ask motorists to remain watchful for these and other convoys of emergency apparatus, and to be mindful of the space necessary for them to safely maneuver on local roads and highways.

Pursuant of protocol, all public and media information regarding this incident, including the actions of assigned LAFD personnel, will be provided by the Ventura County Fire Department, which maintains daily jurisdictional authority of the area where the fire is burning.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Tags: LA, Los Angeles, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department

posted by LAFD Media and Public Relations @ 12/03/2006 11:15:00 AM