Posted on 10/22/2007 8:06:14 AM PDT by Sleeping Freeper
SAN DIEGO -- With fire spreading quickly westward, San Diego County officials ordered the evacuation of a huge area east of Interstate 15 between Del Dios Highway and Highway 56 early Mon"This is the worst fire this county has ever seen -- worse than the Cedar Fire [of 2003]," Sheriff Bill Kolender said.
At a news conference shortly after 6 a.m., officials said fires had spread dramatically overnight, whipped by fierce Santa Ana winds. They said fire had jumped Interstate 15 at Lake Hodges and was burning in parts of Rancho Bernardo. Because of the explosive and unpredictable nature of the blazes, all residents living between Interstate 15 and Interstate 5 from Del Dios Highway in the north to Highway 56 in the south were told to begin evacuating.
"This fire is moving very quickly," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "Watch TV, listen to the radio and have your car prepared to leave."
Among the communities in the evacuation area are Rancho Sante Fe, Carmel Highlands, Rancho Bernardo, Del Mar Heights and Fairbanks Ranch and parts of Rancho Penasquitos.
Officials have opened Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley to handle the large number of evacuees.
Sanders asked everyone in San Diego County to minimize the use of cell phones to leave the airways free for the use of emergency personnel.day.
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcsandiego.com ...
How wonderful that his house was spared! I'm very sorry for those who lost their homes, but it is good to hear that some escaped the flames. Will continue to pray for all who are in danger or who have lost homes, pets, etc.
I so appreciate your posting the Witch Creek Fire map, but unfortunately my organization has blocked it, as well as the link you provided. My brother's home is only a couple hundred yards south of the evacuation area, and I haven't been able to reach him. I assume he and his family have gone to safety, but I'd also like to know whether the fire is near his home. I'll try to find a map somewhere else.
Both maps are from the San Diego Union-Tribune website.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/
However, it is being hammered and I can’t get it to come up right now.
I'll try that, Dave. Thank you!
Dave, thanks so much! I was able to get to that link, and the map’s zoom feature enabled me to see that the fire is about 5 miles north, and 10 miles east, of my brother’s house. If the firefighters succeed in keeping Poway safe, my brother should be safe, too—he’s directly west of Poway.
they could buy some hose and a few pumps, install some tanks, you dont need a big shiny fire truck, all you really need is a pickup truck and a few thousand feet of 1-1/2" hose to getterdun
and I know from experience,(six years with the forest service) that city engine do not like getting their hose dirty or going more than a few hundred feet from their engine
Our socialist government is lame and incompetent to say the least
in disasters we are on our own
like red dawn
It’s irony at it’s best. Nice to see civility among civil people, even in the direst of circumstances. Of course, it’s not politically correct, but if you live that way you will teach your children to live that way and so on an so on...
Demanding an apology from someone for the way he chose to exercise his right to vote? Calling him a coward for the reasons he chose to share with you as to why he voted a particular way? Pinging the posse in an attempt to embarrass and bully him further? These are the hallmarks of a true coward, in m opinion.
Southack has his opinions. You have yours. Both of you are entitled to your own point of view. Arguing over a vote that took place years ago is pointless anyway.
As for me, I wish I could get an apology from those who shoved that recall down this state's throat. I was against it from the get-go, and believe it has been a disaster for CA, for the state GOP, and most of all, for CA conservatives. But such an apology will never be forthcoming and would be useless anyway. All we can do is move forward from here. Going back is not an option. And, as we move forward, it would be lovely if we could learn, at long last, that circular firing squads never kill the enemy, but only ourselves.
I’ve just received good news—my brother and his family evacuated to Anaheim on Sunday night (and of course he didn’t think to TELL anyone), and are fine. Their neighborhood was already getting thick smoke then, so they decided to get out early. Big relief!
“...circular firing squads never kill the enemy, but only ourselves.”
Did you just make that up?? That’s very profound, and I’ve never heard it before.
Various items requested for evac shelter centers:
Sanitizer, soap, trashbags, sharpies, tents, cots bedding, dust masks, bottled water, packaged food, games&magazines
add sunscreen, depends, diapers for qualcomm stadium
Yesterday at 9:30 AM, we packed up and took the dogs to Oceanside Harbor. We wanted to breathe better air for them and for us. Our area was getting pretty smoky. We spent the night in the parking lot of the Jolly Roger Restaurant near all the boats in the harbor and were able to use their harbor "facilities."
Other than bizarre sleep last night, we're all fine, and San Marcos is remarkably clear--just a bit smoky, but no falling ash, yet. The sun is out, and we can see it. We are very blessed. There are fires all around us - but a ways away.
San Diego has evacuated about 500,000 people with only a handful of injuries. We are hearing reports of people being very kind to others and donating time and supplies as needed. There are 2300 horses staying where they can only take 1800 at Del Mar Racetrack. (That's a lot o' poop! ;-) San Diegans are handling this well. It's like a really bad movie though. The embers catch the wind and fly over freeways. It's nuts.
There are approx. 8 separate fires raging down canyons and miles of terrain to get down to the coast. Over 1000 homes have been lost.
We just packed the important stuff, and left to be wise. We came back when the ash was falling at the coast. Now, we're watching TV and answering e-mails.
Soon, we'll turn the computers off as we are trying to help conserve energy, as requested.
Thanks for all your prayers for ALL San Diegans!!!! Thanks again for your concern! Lynne and Jim And dah Kidz
My little brother is fighting fires today in El Cajon. Prayers out to everyone in CA....
My little brother is fighting fires today in El Cajon. Prayers out to everyone in CA....
Thanks for your post—from a lurker who has only posted on the News/Activism forum about 6-8 times in about 15 months.
We in the Lurker’s Gallery may not post but we certainly do read and we do form opinions.
Ron Roberts now announcing that SD has evacuated 513,000 people.
The fire is still moving towards the coast (not good news) There are areas that are being opened up, parts of Poway and Scripps Ranch...
Listening to SD news conference — saying two fires are going to join up later today and run down a canyon. All firefighters have been directed to leave for their own safety. Didn’t catch names of fires or the canyon which FF’s are leaving.
Did you catch the names in my post #779?
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