Live Updating Thread: 2007 Southern California Firestorms

LA Times ^ | 9:35 AM PDT, October 21, 2007 | Associated Press

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

UPDATE: The city of Malibu is advising residents in Puerco Canyon to begin evacuating due to a wildfire driven by powerful winds. This area is north of Pacific Coast Highway and about 1 mile west of Pepperdine University. Residents along the beach on Malibu Road may soon be evacuated. Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Kanan-Dume Road and Topanga Canyon. Residents are advised to head to the west. Evacuation centers are being set up in the Zuma Beach area.

A wildfire driven by powerful winds in the Malibu Hills this morning threatened a university, destroyed at least one home and forced the evacuation of hundreds more, authorities said.

Related Stories
-	Wildfire burns 500 acres near Interstate 5
-	Santa Ana winds are sweeping the region

[socal_parrot]

Fire reported this morning in the Grass Valley area of Lake Arrowhead. Evacuations underway in the Deer Lodge Park Area south towards the Country Club.

Wnds at 13 mph out of the north.

http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/3608

[steve86]

Of course, some of the celebs have 3, 4, 5 other homes to choose from. I do worry about pets.

[fatnotlazy]

And here too. Guess I pray for all. The homes can be replaced. Lives cannot.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

Good live coverage here,

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/videostream/11724377/detail.html

[mfccinsd]

I evacuated with flames in my parking lot. I don’t expect my home to be there later.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

Very sorry to hear that. Our prayers.

Where is your home?

[mfccinsd]

You ok? I’m down in Mission Valley. Flames were on your side of the freeway too...let me know. I’ll freepmail you.

[Myrddin]

I was living in Chula Vista in 1970 when we had a 120,000 acre brush fire. It rained ashes like snow. The ice plant in my front yard still had a large volume of ashes when we removed it in 1972. Our pool filter could hardly keep up with the amount of ash. We cleaned the filter 4 times during the week of the fire. You could see flames on the eastern ridge of Otay mountain from my front lawn near L St & Telegraph Canyon Rd. The sun was a dark orange dot in a pall of gray smoke.

[Myrddin]

Diolch yn fawr! I haven't heard from them this morning. Checking threads to determine whether their houses are still standing.

[Rte66]

Oh, no! Bless your heart! Godspeed; prayers going up that things will work out.

[pollywog]

I’m so sorry mfccinsd. Where is your home?
I am assuming by your ID you live in San Diego.
Prayers for your property!

[Mrs.Liberty]

Stay safe..you are in my prayers this morning.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

POI on live.

New Advisory Evacuation for “Green Valley” area West of Pomerato Road.

Also. Pomerato Hospital being evacuated.

Reverse 911 calls being made to affected residents.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/videostream/11724377/detail.html

[Myrddin]

Before we left San Diego, my wife was a dispatcher for the SD Sheriff's Dept. She's also a licensed ham and was active with Animal Rescue Reserve. She operated the "emergency" van during fires as she was licensed to operate every radio in the van. During Harmony Grove, she had the "coast" radio and handled 60 deputies when the communications tower burned down in north county. Neither of us are in the "fray" for this event. There are lots of active hams that jump right into emergency services. Hang in. It's going to be a long siege by the looks of the news.

[Mrs.Liberty]

My boss lives up in the Rancho Bernardo area. SHe is evacuating now.

[Mrs.Liberty]

South County (CHula Vista area)—not too much ash...smell of smoke minimal when I left for work this morning. DOwntown San Diego—you can really smell the smoke.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

I am an ARES/RACES responder here in SE WI. We never see anything like the fires in SO. Cal.

Most of our work is severe weather spotting, damage assessment and flood events.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Prayers are with you. And for all those in fire paths.Sounds horrible out there. I grew up in Los Angeles county. So I know how bad these Santa Ana wind driven fires can be.

[Mrs.Liberty]

Did you evacuate to Mission Valley?