Ashes, ashes all fall down, Firewall in California

[Sparrowhawk]

Southern California,



A wildfire leaped through dense housing tracts in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains on Saturday, destroying more than 200 homes, threatening 1,000 others and forcing thousands of people to flee under a sky thick with smoke and tinged orange-red by flames.

Ashes are falling like crazy all around us, the air is thick with smoke, and the sky has an orange glow to it.




The two major fires have now merged.

One of my daughters was going to go with a group of church people to the mountains for the week-end, we wouldn't let her go, because of the fires and now those that went are being asked to evacuate the area. All electrical power is down in the area.

Don't know how it will affect us, the heat is causing down electrical power lines to shut down. Then they can't be clicked on, until, they are checked for breakage.

Two persons are dead so far, and the winds are beginning to stir up again, causing the fire to leap over neighborhoods.


Last night on our way back from dinner fire was raging all along the freeway, with its eerily glow. Not enough fire fighters around, several homes are burning without any firemen around to fight the fires.

Our streets are filled with ashes, falling like rain...

[CAS3]

Cookie, I hope you and your women will be all right. Looks like its coming right at ya.
Thoughts and prayers,
Love ya all,
Collen

[thedrifter]

Cook You know My House is Always Open to You and Your Family.....Might be a little tight fitting....but we can handle.....


Prayers are with you....


Sempers,

Roger

[Sparrowhawk]

Is now stuck near Morpark, it seems the railroad traacks up ahead are on fire.

Called around and wife finally got through to someone and they were not aware of it.

Wife was worried, thank God for cell phones, daughter wasn't worried, said fires, small ones were all around them, power lines were on the track so, there's a two hour delay.



Amtrack usually dispatches buses to pick up their passengers, hope they do so soon. She doesn't seem to be in any danger.

Give them a bit more time, then will call nearest relative to pick her up. They are only about half an hour away we are two hours away.

[Osotogary]

My prayers and best wishes for all concerned are heading your way. I hope that you and yours do not have to re-locate. Be safe.
By the way. Have you spotted any redhead women firefighters?

I hope that last sentence wasn't in bad taste. It certainly wasn't meant to be that way. It's just my nervous humor in a very serious situation.

Gary(osotogary)

[Sparrowhawk]

But with the color of the fire I have to knock them down, remove their cover before I can tell if they are a redhead...

haven't found one yet.

LOl

Sister-in-law called, she lives in San Diego, said the Camp Pendelton fires have dropped ashes all over their home, no reported houses burning there.


Mira Mar air station has been shut down..
and evacuated.

[lurchenstein]

My prayers are also with you during this time. If I can be of service to you & your family, let me know. -Chris

[Sparrowhawk]

New fire has startred up near Pendelton.

My daughter is out of harms way....

train backed down into LA, and my other daughter picked her up, and a friend from her school is picking her up to take back to Santa Barabara. Phewww


Kids.....

[Sparrowhawk]

[Sparrowhawk]

[thedrifter]

Cook glad to hear daughter is out of harms way........


Brush fires burning across county

By JEFF DILLON
SIGNONSANDIEGO
1:50 p.m. October 26, 2003

Firefighters struggled Sunday to limit death and destruction as three massive wildfires raged out of control across San Diego County, charring at least 98,000 acres and 100 structures and killing at least 10 people.

As the Cedar Fire burned an 80,000-acre path of destruction from Ramona to Clairemont Mesa and threatened densely populated San Diego neighborhoods, the 3,000-acre Paradise Fire sent thousands fleeing as it raged through the Valley Center area.

A third fire, dubbed the Mine Fire, had burned 15,000 acres in the Marron Valley area near the Mexican border and was spreading north toward Dulzura.

Authorities weren't sure where or whether they would be able to halt either blaze and were focused solely on trying to protect lives and property.

State and local officials declared a state of emergency for the region and were seeking federal assistance.

"This is a very significant disaster," County Supervisor Greg Cox said.

Ten people were confirmed dead from the fires, said Jennifer Thompson, investigator with San Diego County medical examiner. Details were not available.

Frustrated fire officials said they don't have enough people or equipment to deal with the blazes and have only two air tankers available.

Area residents were asked to stay off major roadways to leave them clear for emergency equipment. San Diego issued a call for all first- and second-watch officers to immediately report for duty.

Defying the efforts of thousands of firefighters, the Cedar Fire burned dozens of homes in rural areas and canyonside neighborhoods in Scripps Ranch and spread south and west into Tierrasanta and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

"This is a very fluid fire," San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman said. "It changes with the wind direction and the wind is created by the fire itself."

The Paradise Fire also was spreading unchecked in the Valley Center area.

"We can't do anything to get around it," California Department of Forestry Division Chief Bill Clayton said. "We're trying to save every single house and every single life we can."

Residents in fire-threatened areas were urged to pack some emergency possessions in case officers came to their door or neighborhood – but not to call emergency officials for evacuation advice.

"If you feel like there's danger, you should leave," San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender said.

Residents were also urged to watch local television coverage or listen to the radio.


"It's very important that people do their very best to stay calm," San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy said.

A huge plume of smoke towered over much of the county, raining a thick layer of ash stretching to the Pacific Ocean.

County residents were urged to stay indoors, avoid strenuous physical activity, stay hydrated and to use air conditioning or air filters to reduce the affects of smoke.

"Take care of yourself," County Health Officer Dr. Nancy Bowen said.

The blazes erupted after days of "red flag" alerts that the weather was creating ideal conditions for wildfires. "It's hot, it's dry and it's windy: The bad things," said Lora Lowes of the California Department of Forestry.

Air traffic into San Diego's Lindbergh Field and other Southern California airports was held on the ground at originating airports after the FAA's Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Controle had to be evacuated as the Cedar Fire spread onto MCAS Miramar.

Valley Center was a scene of chaos as the Paradise Fire spread under a leaden sky. Some residents were forced to flee only minutes after receiving fire warnings from sheriff's deputies.

An evacuation center was set up at Valley Center Middle School – and then relocated to Valley Center High School when the fire drew near.

Goats, pigs and dogs roamed loose as some rural residents lead horses away.

Three people were found dead in the wake of the fire.

Two teenagers were found dead in their burned-out car off Station Road after it apparently went off the road as they were trying to flee.

Another woman was found in the ruins of her home on Yellow Brick Road.

The Cedar Fire, which began around midnight near Ramona and burned several homes in the region, spread southwest during the night and surprised Scripps Ranch residents around dawn, burning several canyonside homes.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union-Tribune reporter Elizabeth Fitzsimons contributed to this report.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/f...0-sdfires.html

Sempers,

Roger






A view from Brookview Lane in Scripps Ranch looking east.

[Sparrowhawk]

California wildfires have scorched more than 24,000 acres and about 1,700 people have left their homes in San Bernadino county east of Los Angeles. NBC's Jeanie Ohm has the latest.









Fighting flames from above
An air crane makes a water drop on the fireline during the Grand Prix Fire in Lytle Creek, Calif, on Friday

[greybeard]

I hope everyone out there is safe. I'm worried about some friends out there that I haven't heard from in a couple of days-I usually hear from them daily. Can anyone tell me if any of these areas are in danger?
Laguna Woods-Orange County.
Livermore.
Rancho Santa Margarita.
Camp Pendelton Marine Base houising.
Have any of these areas been evacuated? I have no idea as to the gorgraphical locations in regards to where the fires are.
Thanks

[Sparrowhawk]

California Wildfires at a Glance


CEDAR FIRE: (San Diego County)

Size: 100,000 acres.

Homes: About 260 destroyed.

Deaths: Nine.



Containment: 0 percent.

Start: Oct. 25 in eastern San Diego County.

Key facts: Extends to Scripps Ranch, Poway, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, portions of Santee, Lakeside and Blossom Valley, Poway and Ramona. Air traffic nationwide was disrupted when the fire forced evacuation of a Federal Aviation Administration control center.

Personnel: More than 800 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: No data available.

Cause: Authorities believe a hunter set signal fire when he got lost.

---

DULZURA FIRE: (San Digeo County)

Size: 15,000 acres.

Homes: None destroyed.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 0 percent.

Start: Oct. 26 in southern San Diego County. Fire crossed the border into Mexico, but no structures were threatened in Tijuana.

Personnel: 300 firefighters.

Suppression costs: No data available.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

CAMP PENDLETON: (San Diego County)

Size: 4,695 acres.

Homes: None.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 67 percent.

Start: Oct. 21 on the base north of San Diego.

Key facts: Authorities are downplaying early reports that fire was ignited by live ammunition exercises on the base.

Personnel: 999 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: Not available.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

PARADISE FIRE: (San Diego County)

Size: At least 3,000 acres.

Homes: 36 destroyed.

Deaths: Two.

Containment: 0 percent.

Start: Oct. 26 in Valley Center area near Interstate 15.

Key facts: Valley View Casino evacuated.

Personnel: More than 500 firefighters.

Suppression costs: No data available.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

GRAND PRIX FIRE: (San Bernardino County)

Size: 35,000 acres.

Homes: 62 destroyed.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 23 percent.

Start: Oct. 21 near San Bernardino National Forest.

Key facts: Mandatory evacuations in Lytle Creek, Mount Baldy, Rialto and parts of Claremont, Upland and other foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Personnel: 2,427 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: $6.5 million.

Cause: Arson.

---

OLD FIRE: (San Bernardino County)

Size: 15,000 acres.

Homes: 300 homes and 10 commercial buildings destroyed.

Deaths: Two.

Containment: 5 percent.

Start: Oct. 25 near San Bernardino National Forest.

Key facts: Evacuations in foothill areas of San Bernardino and mountain communities, including Crestline and Lake Arrowhead.

Personnel: 917 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: Unknown.

Cause: Under investigation, suspicious origin.

---

SIMI VALLEY: (Ventura County)

Size: 80,000 acres.

Homes: Six destroyed, eight damaged.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 0 percent.

Start: Oct. 25.

Key facts: Firefighters are trying to save Ronald Reagan Library. Voluntary evacuations for Moorpark.

Personnel: 599 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: $25,000.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

PIRU FIRE: (Ventura County)

Size: 1,300 acres.

Homes: None.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 85 percent.

Start: Oct. 23 west of Lake Piru in Ventura County.

Key facts: 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.

Suppression Cost: No data available.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

VERDALE FIRE: (Los Angeles County)

Size: 9,000 acres.

Homes: None.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 50 percent.

Start: Oct. 24 west of Santa Clarita in northern Los Angeles County.

Key facts: Voluntary evacuations for community of Val Verde Park and parts of Piru. Blaze sparked the Simi Valley fire.

Personnel: 500 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: $1.3 million.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

MOUNTAIN FIRE: (Riverside County)

Size: 1,000 acres.

Homes: Two damaged or destroyed.

Deaths: None.

Containment: 0 percent.

Start: Oct. 26 in southern Riverside County.

Key facts: Evacuations ordered for homes near Lake Skinner. Two civilian injuries.

Personnel: 250 firefighters.

Suppression Cost: No data available.

Cause: Under investigation.

---

Source: California Department of Forestry and local fire officials.

[greybeard]

Thanks-I'll check that out on a map.