FBI Sent Alert on Al Qaeda Forest Fire Plot in Western US)(FLASHBACK: July 2003)

FoxNews ^ | July 12, 2003 | AP

[FairOpinion]

PHOENIX, Arizona

[Cindy]

INFO Ping.

[FairOpinion]

"What's the running tally on how many of the current fires have been considered arson?"

==

I don't know, but in the process of trying to determine that, I ran across an article about disastreous fires in 1993, some of which were set by arson. It was the same year that Al Qaeda attacked the WTC for the first time. I wonder if those fires were set by terrorists, but nobody made the connection. Note the timeframes are similar: Oct. 26 to Nov. 7 in 1993. The current fires started a few days ago.

Victims recall deadly Southern California fires 10 years ago

"The fall of 1993 was one of the most disastrous in Southern California's long history of wildfires. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 7, more than 20 fires sparked by arson, campfires and fallen power lines roared through six counties.

Four people died and 162 were injured. More than 1,000 homes and other buildings were destroyed, and 193,814 acres burned, according to the governor's Office of Emergency Services."

The current fires alread burned more than 260,000 acres, more than what was destroyed in the great fires 10 years ago.

Wildfires' Toll Spreads in California

[Cindy]

FYI Reference Liink:

"Southern CA fires - Live Thread 10/26 (4 separate major fires, incl. 1 new arson fire)
KCBS/KNBC/KABC/KTTV/KCAL/KTLA/KCOP/KMEX - Los Angeles | 10.26.03
Posted on 10/26/2003 5:24 AM PST by mhking"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1008314/posts

[Cindy]

"Arsonist started Waterman Fire
Various News Sources | 10-26-03 | BonesMcCoy
Posted on 10/26/2003 8:59 PM PST by bonesmccoy"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1008690/posts

[Bobibutu]

Not ELF style ... from a knowledgable person in SD emailed me a few hours ago ...


As I think most of those I am writing know, we have a series of fires here in Southern California. Rancho Cucamonga, about 100 miles north of San Diego and where the fires began, has suffered a spate of fires since Tuesday last.  Santa Ana winds helped sustain the last, and most successful, fire on Friday 24 October.  On Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 October, a series of fires erupted along the inland route from Rancho Cucamonga to the Mexican Border.  At this point, there are at least one dozen people dead, thousands of acres and dozens of homes burned.  According to one of my contacts inside the San Diego Fire Department the fires are almost certainly arson.  The weather was clear and lightening was not a factor.  It is unlikely that these fires are related to recent fires set by Earth Liberation Front as the M.O. is wrong: land is being burned and not just buildings.


 


I have a report this hour that there may have been a related incident in Big Bear, a mountain community just North East of the Cucamonga area.  Officials there report that at least one, and perhaps two, vehicles were seen firing signal flares in that area.  One was reported as a grey van and the other a sedan.  One official called to inquire whether the fires could be traced to terrorism, not an unusual question today.  However, he put that question in context with his report of the flares being fired and also asking if Ramadan does not start in a few hours.  The official refused to answer a question asking the description of anyone seen in the vehicles saying that they did not want to call any group or ethnicity into question.  He did, however, ask further questions about the possibility of the incident with the flares being linked to the fires and other questions about Ramadan.  I have asked the location of the vehicle or vehicles and any other information they would care to share that wouldn’t upset their P.C. little hearts.  If relevant information becomes available, I will let you know.  Meanwhile, may I suggest that we take another look at the idea that this is either some kind of low level terrorist attack or that there is an organized group involved and not just an individual. 

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Al Qaida Planned Forest Fires in West -- The Arizona Republic, 7/12/03

[flamefront]

Then:

FBI Sent Alert on Al Qaeda Forest Fire Plot in Western US)(FLASHBACK: July 2003)

Now:

FBI urges increasing vigilance for Ramadan

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oct 25, 2003

WASHINGTON - The FBI is urging extra vigilance for possible terror attacks and violence against Muslims during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

In its weekly bulletin to 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies, the FBI says it has no credible information that an attack is planned by al-Qaida or any other terror group during the period of fasting and reflection that begins next week.

But attacks overseas have been timed in the past to coincide with symbolic dates, the FBI says, adding that "the possibility of such an attack in the United States cannot be discounted."

At the same time, the bulletin says local police should step up outreach efforts to Muslim communities to guard against potential violence or hate crimes. Of special concern are Islamic sites, such as mosques, businesses or offices.

Ramadan begins with the sighting of a new moon, expected tomorrow, and lasts for four weeks.

Perhaps the FBI is asleep.

[John H K]

The Ramadan connection is meaningless unless you think Al Qaeda is controlling the weather...

Of the various variables for large forest fires there, dry hot weather and a strong Santa Ana wind are more "dependent" variables than people actually running around starting fires.

Also, arson has been a major cause of forest/scrub fires for years and years and years and years....

[Prime Choice]

One official called to inquire whether the fires could be traced to terrorism, not an unusual question today. However, he put that question in context with his report of the flares being fired and also asking if Ramadan does not start in a few hours.

Interesting. I recall also that there were multiple reports of power lines being tampered with, damaged and destroyed. Any connection? It makes one wonder.

As for Ramadan, I got an early start on that "holiday" (sic) by cleaning and prepping my firearms. Even did some laser sight scoping with my 30.06 Winchester.

I figure if some al Qaeda wing nut wants to start something, I might as well do the Christian thing and do something spiritual for him...like help him meet his Creator. ;)

[Prime Choice]

At the same time, the bulletin says local police should step up outreach efforts to Muslim communities to guard against potential violence or hate crimes. Of special concern are Islamic sites, such as mosques, businesses or offices.

That's funny...I don't recall Americans violently killing nearly 3,000 Muslims on 9/11. Could have sworn it was the other way around!

[tubavil]

Seattle radio talk show host talking about terrorism now. It seems there are *15* separate fires.

[flamefront]

Oh, sorry, nevermind. Multiple simultaneaous arsons on the beginning of the Ramadan is no coincidence. Ignore there is a WOT going on.

I just find it amazing how quickly people overlook even being a little bit suspicious of such things today while 2 years ago, it would have been the first thing on people's minds.

[Finalapproach29er]

Bump

[FairOpinion]

"Multiple simultaneous arsons on the beginning of the Ramadan is no coincidence. Ignore there is a WOT going on. "

===

And the FBI issued a warning, based on the interrogation of an Al Qaeda detainee.

If you put the pieces together, I would say that it's very likely that at least some of the fires are terrorist acts.

I think the government doesn't want to play up the terror angle for obvious reasons, so as not to scare people and give satisfaction to the terrorists. I can understand that, but you can't put your head in the sand.

The big power grid failure was never explained either, and by now they surely had enough time to find out what caused it.

[Mr. Mojo]

BTTT

[Mr. Mojo]

BTTT

[tubavil]

Current Fires Active list for California
(If you have updates, feel free to post 'em; I'm trying to keep this list as up-to-date as I can. San Diego fireline area information welcome; I'm overfrantic on just the LA/Ventura/San Bernardino fires alone.)

Most recent total update: 850 homes lost in the southland. 270,000 acres burned.


Hemet fire, Riverside county. As of last heard report, 6500 acres burned.

Simi Valley fire, Ventura county/northern Los Angeles county - 80,000 acres. Six homes destroyed, eight damaged. Containment: 0 percent. Start: Oct. 25. Firefighters trying to save Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Voluntary evacuations for Moorpark. Personnel: 599 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation. Fire is now in Chatsworth in Los Angeles county.

Piru fire, Ventura county - 1,300 acres. Containment: 85 percent. Start: Oct. 23, west of Lake Piru in Ventura County. The fire in Los Padres National Forest is threatening the Sespe Wilderness and Sespe Condor sanctuary. There are no condors currently in the refuge. Voluntary evacuations in Piru and parts of Fillmore. Personnel: 780 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation.

Verdale fire, Los Angeles county - Also known as Santa Clarita or Val Verde fire. 9,000 acres. Containment: 50 percent. Start: Oct. 24 west of Santa Clarita in northern LA county. Voluntary evacuations for community of Val Verde Park and parts of Piru. Blaze sparked the Simi Valley fire. Personnel: 500 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation.

Grand Prix fire, San Bernardino & Los Angeles counties - 40 mile fireline from LA to San Bernardino county (includes Old Waterman fire) - Fire line is 40 miles long including the Old Waterman fire. 35,000 acres. 62 homes destroyed. Containment: 23 percent. Mandantory evacuations in Lytle Creek, Mt. Baldy, Rialto, and parts of Claremont, Upland, and other foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mtns. Personnel: 2,427 firefighters. Cause: Arson.

Old Waterman fire, San Bernardino county - Size: 15,000 acres. 300 homes and ten commercial buildings destroyed. Deaths: 2. Containment: 5 percent. Start: Oct. 25 near San Bernardino National Forest. Evacuations in foothill areas of San Bernardino and mountain communities, including Crestline and Lake Arrowhead. Personnel: 917 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation, suspicious origin.

Crestline fire, San Bernardino county - Burning towards Lake Arrowhead currently, with evacuations in Big Bear, Running Springs, and other close areas. Acreage unknown. Grand Prix fire is burning up the mountain to join with it, slowly but surely. Approx. 30 structures in Crestline burned.

Valley Center fire, San Diego county - See Paradise Fire

San Clemente/Camp Pendleton fire, San Diego county - Freeper reports that it was just south of San Onofre power plant, a couple miles inland from the 5 freeway. Size: 4,695 acres. Containment: 67 percent. Started Oct. 21st on the base north of San Diego. Key facts: Authorities are downplaying early reports that fire was ignited by live ammo exercises on the base. Personnel: 999 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation.

Rancho California fire, Riverside county (formerly Black Mtn & Anzo fires). Some structural damage.

Mountain fire, Riverside county - 1,000 acres. Two homes damaged or destroyed. Containment: 0 percent. Evacuations ordered for homes near Lake Skinner. Two civillian injuries. Personnel: 250 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation.

Malibu fire, Los Angeles/Ventura county region - FIRE OUT! Hooray!

Escondido (Dixon Lake area), San Diego county.

Otay Lakes fire, San Diego county. Still active, and there is concern to the westerly direction that could push the fire into Eastlake and Chula Vista. Voluntary evacuation of Eastlake Tails and Woods began this afternoon.

East Lake fire, San Diego county.

Crest (El Cajon) fire, San Diego county.

Cedar fire, San Diego county. Approx. 260 homes destroyed, nine deaths, started Oct. 25 in eastern San Diego County. 100,000 acres burned. Personnel: More than 800 firefighters. Containment: 0 percent. Extends to Scripps Ranch (150 homes lost in this area, current flareups there), Poway, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, portions of Santee, Lakeside, Ramona, and Blossom Valley. Cause: Authorities believe a hunter set a signal fire when he got lost.

Dulzura fire, San Diego county. 15,000 acres. Containment: 0 percent. Personnel: 300 firefighters. Started Oct. 26 in southern San Diego county. Fire crossed the border into Mexico, but no structures were threatened in Tijuana. Cause: Under investigation.

Paradise fire, San Diego county. At least 3,000 acres. 36 homes destroyed, two deaths. Containment: 0 percent. Started Oct. 26 in Valley Center area near Interstate 15. Valley View Casino evacuated. Personnel: More than 500 firefighters. Cause: Under investigation.

Poway fire: See Cedar fire.

Ramona fire: See Cedar fire.

Alpine fire, San Diego county.

[Cindy]

Just read your post no. 29. Here is an assorted selection of LINKS OF INTEREST:

REDDING.com: "SUSPECT PREACHED PEACE - FBI Links Man to Possible Sabotage of Power Lines" by Alex Breitler, Record Searchlight (ARTICLE SNIPPETS: "Michael Devlyn Poulin preached nonviolence and took part in anti-war rallies earlier this year. That made it all the more shocking to his friends Thursday that Poulin, 62, was the target of an FBI investigation into two acts of sabotage at transmission line towers in Anderson and in southern Oregon." ... ""I'm as dumbfounded as anyone else that his name is being linked with what appear to be destructive acts," said Rusty Nelson, co-director of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. "I'm just kind of astounded that he's got the FBI looking for him."") (October 24, 2003) (Read More...)

BUSH COUNTRY.org: "TERRORIST STOPPED IN THE PROCESS OF SABOTAGING POWER STATION" (October 24, 2003) (Read More...)

SFGATE.com - SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE: "ELECTRICAL TOWER HIT BY MYSTERY VANDAL 13 Bolts Removed From Base Before Man Scared Off" by Matthew B. Stannard" (October 23, 2003) (Read More...)

SEATTLE PI.com - SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER: "WEAPONS UNCOVERED IN STORAGE LOCKER - FBI SEES DISTURBING PARALLELS TO D.C. SNIPER" by Paul Shukovsky (ARTICLE NOTE: The suspect is identified as James Wilburn, age 51, "a convert to Islam.") (October 23, 2003) (Read More...)

GOOGLE Search Term: "James Ujaama"

[tkathy]

The fact that multiple fires started on the first day of Ramadamned can hardly be a coincidence.

[Amerigomag]

that an Al Qaeda terrorist had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires.

Probably not realistic. The purpose of terrorism is to create terror.

If LA burned to the ground half of the state would think it a positive improvement in the state and most of the country would yawn.

It's the same reason San Francisco, Hollywood and East Los Angeles were never terror targets. Attacks on these locations simply wouldn't create terror and panic among the state's and the nation's citizens.