Southern California Fires -- Live Thread 10/29

[nicmarlo]

18 people killed, 2000 homes destroyed in California fires
Agence France-Presse
Los Angeles, October 29

More than 11,000 firefighters were on Tuesday battling California's worst ever wildfires that have killed at least 18 people, destroyed 2,000 homes, and forced tens of thousands into shelters.

The sky over the second largest US city, Los Angeles, was painted an eerie hue of orange as a thick pall of smoke from fires burning over at least 217,200 hectares (543,000 acres) blocked out the sun.

Giant plumes of smoke stretched miles up into the sky and were visible from space, as up to 50,000 more residents of mountainous areas east of here fled their homes as flames exploded through fire cordons.

"This may well be the worst disaster the state has faced," outgoing California Governor Gray Davis said of the 14 fires, many of which are now thought to have been sparked by arsonists.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_437428,00050001.htm

[nicmarlo]

18 people killed, 2000 homes destroyed in California fires
Agence France-Presse
Los Angeles, October 29

More than 11,000 firefighters were on Tuesday battling California's worst ever wildfires that have killed at least 18 people, destroyed 2,000 homes, and forced tens of thousands into shelters.

The sky over the second largest US city, Los Angeles, was painted an eerie hue of orange as a thick pall of smoke from fires burning over at least 217,200 hectares (543,000 acres) blocked out the sun.

Giant plumes of smoke stretched miles up into the sky and were visible from space, as up to 50,000 more residents of mountainous areas east of here fled their homes as flames exploded through fire cordons.

"This may well be the worst disaster the state has faced," outgoing California Governor Gray Davis said of the 14 fires, many of which are now thought to have been sparked by arsonists.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_437428,00050001.htm

[Ladypixel]

Shhhh... don't invite OJ back! We finally got rid of 'im!

:)

[nicmarlo]

SO SORRY FOR DOUBLE POST-----my computer is acting up.

[nicmarlo]

California Fires: An Open Letter to the Environmentalists By J.J. Johnson In case the rest of you are living in a cave, there are fires raging out of control in the Los Angeles/San Diego Area. They are so serious that many of us here in Southern Nevada are checking bed space and hotel rooms in case of major evacuations from the Los Angeles basin. As of the time of this writing, over 50,000 homes are threatened, and the situation is changing by the minute. At least 17 people are dead and it has consumed more than 800,000 acres stretching from the Mexican border to the suburbs northeast of Los Angeles. And The southwestern part of the Unites States is gearing up for war against fire, smoke, ash, and wind. And so while everyone wonders what the rest of the week will bring, we'd like to take this opportunity to ask some Californians a question. Maybe some of you are victims, reading this message from a shelter somewhere: Are you one of the people that sent a contribution to the Sierra Club? Are you among the people that thought protecting the environment was among the most important issues in politics? You see, much of this carnage that is affecting all of us...could have been prevented. A little brush clearing, downing a few bark-beetle infested trees, and a few more cows being allowed to graze down much of what is burning could have been done, and was in fact advocated for years. But what do we know? We're just that bunch of rural country bumpkins that were written off by politicians since we were too busy working and paying taxes to fill our coffers with enough 'guilt money' to lobby for green policies - that helped cause all of this. This was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. After all, before this, we'd been dealing with a rash of arsonists torching anything they didn't like, to punctuate their warped message about how we're 'killing the environment'. So, you think maybe it's gone a bit too far? It will be interesting to see how long before politicians will start throwing these green lobbyists right out of their offices if/when they show up again. The policies of the so-called 'environmentalists/preservationists' have finally met the law of diminishing marginal returns. In other words, 'the chickens have come home to roost' - or maybe I should say...roast. California, is burning, America - the 'greenest' state in the Union.. In this more perfect, and more enlightened society called California, they began to listen to people who thought they were smarter than no less than 5000 years of human history. They took time tested practices and threw them out of the window for the sake of environmental loudmouths and sympathizers. Go ahead, Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, Earth First - try to deny it - that is if you have a home or office left to put out a press release. C'mon - tell us how all of this is Bush's fault. Tell us how those eeevil corporations are behind all this; and please tell us how your 'green religon' didn't spawn thugs who start fires like these. Sow the wind - reap the whirlwind, and those Santa Ana's are a killer, huh? And so here's our message for the green freaks that are reading this and spitting nails right now: a.. When our local communities decide it's time to clear the brush in old growth forests, we don't want to hear 'jack' from you folks anymore. b.. When it's time to cut down those insect infested trees, sue us all you want - we're gonna do it anyway. c.. Humans have more rights that animals and plants. d.. Anyone in California wanting to 'save the forest' will gain about as much respect as Islamic terrorists. e.. We still don't negotiate with terrorists. America, witness the wreckage of a the once again failed concept - Government trying to play god. Ironic that it had to be California, but Montana, Arizona, Oregon, and Colorado are just a few of the states that can say 'been there - done that'. They too, have had to deal with fire prevention efforts being squashed in courts due to the actions of green obstructionists. Hopefully, rain may come soon and help squelch this growing inferno (firefighters can only do so much). After that, perhaps some common sense about the environment may rise out of the ashes. But until then, you green groups need not send out any fund-raising letters for a while. ....they'd only be more fuel for the fire. http://www.sierratimes.com/03/10/29/article_jj.htm

[Ladypixel]

From http://www.ci.hesperia.ca.us/ :

Updated: October 29, 2003 1:58 am

The Old Fire has crossed over the ridge and is currently burning toward Summit Valley. At this time there is a mandatory evacuation of Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon & Las Flores area and a voluntary evacuation of Oak Hills. Residents should evacuate to Hesperia High School.

Evacuations

There is a mandatory evacuation order for Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon & Las Flores area; the entire mountain including Big Bear.

Voluntary evacuation order for Oak Hills.

Residents being evacuated can go to:
Hesperia High School - 9898 Maple, near Main Street
Apple Valley High School, 11837 Navajo Road, Apple Valley (cross street Bear Valley Road)


Hesperia Lake has no facilities for evacuees without RV's.

Animals are being housed at the Apple Valley Animal Shelter Horsemen's Center, 24320 Highway 18, Apple Valley - 760-240-7000 x7555) and the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville.

Hesperia Schools will be open.

All donations must be made through the High Desert Red Cross at (760) 245-6511 in the form of cash or grocery store gift certificates. Click here for on-line donation form or checks may be mailed to 16248 Desert Knoll Drive, Victorville, CA 92392.

Non-perishable food and used clothing will be accepted at the Hesperia Unified School District offices, 9144 Third Avenue.

Caution:

Eliminate prolonged, vigorous outdoor work or labor.
Discontinue all vigorous outdoor activities regardless of duration.
Have susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, avoid outdoor activity entirely.
Those who are bothered by the smoke should leave areas where smoke is present.
Those who are bothered by the smoke who cannot leave the area should remain indoors.
Indoors, air conditioning should be used to recirculate air, not to bring outside air indoors.
Particle masks or a damp cloth placed over the nose and mouth can reduce the effects of wildfire smoke.

Road Closures:

I-15 is open and closed intermittently due to wind and smoke shifts.
330 Northbound at Highland, Southbound at the 18
Hwy. 38 closed at Bryant (will allow parents to pick-up their children at Forest Falls)
Hwy. 138 East Bound closed at the 15 Traffic allowed West bound 138 and North Bound 15
SR 30 - Baseline off-ramp closed
South bound I-15 in now open with escorts
Residents are asked to conserve electricity and may face fire-related power outages.

[nicmarlo]

[prairiebreeze]

Great letter. I hope the greens get nailed to the wall on this one

Prairie

[nicmarlo]

I do too; sorry about no paragraphs.....apparently because I bolded the title, I had to format the rest of the letter, as well.....I forgot about that.

[nicmarlo]

Incident: 0107 Type: Pedestrian on the Roadway
Location: WB SR30 JEO E HIGHLAND AV (San Berdu area)
Zoom Map: 576 3C
Info as of: 10/29/2003 4:48:21 AM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:23AM - WMA OR HMA W/GAS CAN CLIMBING UP THE ENBANKMENT W/ FLASHLIGHT - VEH ON RS 1/4 MILE JEO PED

[Ladypixel]

For those out there who might theoretically be evacuated at some point in the next few days (provided by a friend of mine from Australia, who went through the Canberra fire not too long ago):

Can I evacuate my home in less than 10 minutes?
11 Points to Preparedness for Evacuation

1. PEOPLE: Have a plan for getting out of the house and make sure everyone knows it. Have an emergency bag of food and water for your family. Include wholesome snacks and treats for the children: dried fruit, nuts, peanut butter, crackers and granola bars.

2. PETS: Keep pet carriers and leashes readily available to lead pets to safety. Also take pet food with you.

3. PICTURES: Keep negatives or CDs of pictures in a lock box or at a family member's home. Have picture albums in one place ready to grab and go at a moments notice.

4. PAPERS: Have all your important papers in a lock box at a bank and only keep copies at the house. This keeps you from panicking. If you have them at home then put them in a folder that you can easily grab if you have to move fast. Color code it so you can find it!

5. PRESCRIPTIONS: Take your medications with you. Don't forget the ones that have to be refrigerated like insulin. Have small ice chest and cold packs readily accessible to pack and go. If you have babies; remember their formula or medications.

6. PURSES and GAS: This is where you keep your identification, credit cards and cash. Keep a stash of cash for emergencies and grab it. You may not be able to use an ATM in the event of a power outage. Make sure your car always has a half a tank of gas.

7. PROPER CLOTHES and COMFORT ITEMS: According to the weather conditions; gather up a change of clothes along with outer clothing: coats, rain gear, boots, gloves and hats. If you have babies remember diapers. Remember to grab your children's favorite blanket, stuffed animal or toy. A game or a deck of cards could keep them occupied and calm too.

8. PLANNER/CALENDAR/PDA/CONTROL JOURNAL: These documents have all the information you will need from phone numbers, insurance numbers and important dates. They are small and filled with things you don't have to try to remember.

9. PERSONAL PROTECTION: Many of us still have that time of the month. Be sure and grab a box of your preferred protection. It may be hard to find if you have been evacuated. Stress can cause our bodies to do strange things too. So be prepared. Take medication for cramps too.

10. PHONES and RADIOS: Many of us have cell phones now. Always keep them charged up and have a charger in the car or an extra battery. They may not work in the event of power outages, but then they might. Know which local radio station has emergency bulletins. Keep your battery powered radio tuned to that local station and have plenty of batteries for it.

11. PATIENCE: This is one of the most important things to pack. Keep it inside of you so that you have a clear calm head. Having your P's to Preparedness list guiding you will keep you patient. In the event of an evacuation there will be lots of displaced people. Being patient will make things less stressful. Your children need to see you calm and collected. This will help keep them calm too.

[nicmarlo]

Incident: 0089 Type: Structure or Grass Fire
Location: EB SR52 JWO SANTO RD (SD area)
Zoom Map: 1229 6F
Info as of: 10/29/2003 4:50:17 AM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:38AM - SM FIRE ON RS

RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
4:41AM - CHP Unit Assigned

[Ladypixel]

.....!

Get 'em, boys. Go, police, go! Get another firebug while he's out and about!

[nicmarlo]

Update on Julian area fire:

Incident: 0010 Type: Structure or Grass Fire
Location: DESCANSO / JULIAN
Zoom Map: Click Here
Info as of: 10/29/2003 4:53:40 AM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:50AM - FD WANTS TO OPEN THE LNS AT 0530
4:49AM - WILL LEAVE WB 8 CLOSED SO THAT FD CAN MONITOR THE FLARE UPS
4:49AM - 108-S9 HAS CONTACTED THE FD COMMANDER LAST OF YOUNG, HE S ADV THEY CAN OPEN THE EB 8 ONLY
4:16AM - PER S9 THIS IS A SM FLARE UP FIRE ONLY
4:13AM - S9 ADV WILL RE EVAL THE SWEETWATER BRIDGE FIRE IN A FEW

[nicmarlo]

0119 4:52AM Report of Fire SB I215 JSO I15 San Bernardino

[nicmarlo]

Incident: 0119 Type: Report of Fire
Location: SB I215 JSO I15 (San Berdu)
Zoom Map: 515 6C
Info as of: 10/29/2003 4:56:20 AM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
4:55AM - R16 EMBERS FROM EARLIER FIRE - FIRE TRK IS ON SCENE

[Ladypixel]

Update to Hesperia's website info (CONTAINS HESPERIA EVAC INFO):

Evacuations

There is a mandatory evacuation order for South Hesperia (west of the railroad tracks, south of Ranchero, Oak Hills, Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon & Las Flores area; the entire mountain including Big Bear.

Voluntary evacuation order for Oak Hills.

[Ladypixel]

Forcing self to go to bed now that I know that the evac order for Hesperia didn't hit my friend's house. This doesn't make it any better, mind you... but it eases the burst of panic which kept me awake this extra hour and a half, which made me realize just how tired I am.

Will catch up on reading this later, so this is my bookmark. Keep on posting updates - we're far better here than any television news could ever be!

[CathyRyan]

Good night!

[nicmarlo]

Good night.