So-Cal Fire Thread -- BYOP*

[Angola!]

Re: Malibu burning

What's the latest on the fires? Are they still raging?

 

[Birdscribe]

Re: Malibu burning

They are still raging. Raging hard.

At one time, there were ELEVEN fires raging through SoCal. One of those was in Devore, where the 215 and 15 meet by Glen Helen Regional Park and Blockbuster Pavilion.

On my way to Loma Linda to get my father -- who was in the hospital -- I drove right through it. It was on both sides of the freeway. I could feel the heat against my car as I went past.

One of the evacuation sites from the Canyon Country fire is at the high school a mile from my house.

The winds here this weekend have been insane: 50 mph where I live, upward of 70-plus in some areas and clocked at more than 100 mph in the Grapevine and one mountain area above Malibu.

 

[buckweaver]

Re: Malibu burning

Winds were pretty awful where I'm at, too. Took down the chimes and brought in a few other items off the porch after my bike got knocked over this morning by the wind. Driving this afternoon, the dust was especially awful around Chino Hills.

I haven't had to drive through any flames this time, luckily, but I'm concerned for those who do. I did that last summer in the Esperanza fire -- not a fun experience.

Highest wind gusts I've heard about were 108 mph near Malibu. That's ****ing insane.

 

[SoCalDude]

Re: Malibu burning

The Santiago Canyon fire is too close for comfort. My daughter is freaking (so my wife is freaking) and some friends are taking off. The fire won't reach us, but the smoke is almost unbearable. I don't know where to go to get away from that.

 

[Angola!]

Re: Malibu burning

The Santiago Canyon fire is too close for comfort. My daughter is freaking (so my wife is freaking) and some friends are taking off. The fire won't reach us, but the smoke is almost unbearable. I don't know where to go to get away from that.

That sucks man. Hope everything is OK for you and your family.

 

[Firstime Caller]

Re: Malibu burning

Wow, so many things make so much more sense now after reading this thread.

We were in Vegas/Death Valley on Saturday. In the late afternoon, it started getting REALLY windy in Death Valley. Throughout the night it was really windy in Vegas.

Then tonight (Sunday) at about 10 pm we were driving back on I-15 just before we reached the Inland Empire there was an electronic sign about high profile vehicles should use I-215 insead of I-15 because of the winds. We'd gotten stuck in late night construction traffic a few times before on 215 so we went with 15, and it was REALLY windy. So much so that it was hard to drive. And then I encountered dust blowing across the road and it made it hard to see. But we had no idea about the fires until we go back.

It was wierd because when I was driving I noticed that it was kind of hazy, but I was thinking that it was fog in the valleys or something since it was late. When we got back, we noticed a smokey smell. But we still didn't know what it was, so we thought it was somebody had had a good BBQ. We noticed that the moon was a little wierd looking though, giving off a bright yellow glow. And we're pretty far south in San Diego county, near the coast and the smoke is enough to bother my eyes, nose and throat.

Strangely though I didn't see any of the fires driving back and, reading this, it seems like we were pretty nearby.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

The 15 just south of the 215-15 interchange down to Corona is a big-time wind tunnel because it's at the base of Cajon Pass and the winds just come howling through there. You always see lots of trucks tipped over in the north Fontana region there because of how powerful the winds are. And it sounds like these are extra rough Santa Anas, which aren't a lot of fun to begin with. I can remember some gusts to 100 mph (I remember school getting canceled a few times, too, because of the wind with downed power lines and such) and it's not fun.

 

[Claws for Concern]

Re: Malibu burning

It sucks everywhere in SoCal. It's awful just walking out the door and to smell the hazy smoke. I'm wishing the best for everyone who is being affected by this horrible stuff, from L.A. to Orange to San Diego counties

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

There are 12 fires burning in SoCal. Qualcolmm Stadium has been set up as an evacuation center.

 

[Birdscribe]

Re: Malibu burning

The 15 just south of the 215-15 interchange down to Corona is a big-time wind tunnel because it's at the base of Cajon Pass and the winds just come howling through there. You always see lots of trucks tipped over in the north Fontana region there because of how powerful the winds are. And it sounds like these are extra rough Santa Anas, which aren't a lot of fun to begin with. I can remember some gusts to 100 mph (I remember school getting canceled a few times, too, because of the wind with downed power lines and such) and it's not fun.

There was one tipped over right before the Devore turnoff on the 215 yesterday afternoon. This was just south of the fire I mentioned earlier that I drove through.

By the time I drove back through there at 6:30ish, the fire was out, but the truck was still on its side and a total mess.

The winds are still raging, but my drive into work was ridiculously easy. I was expecting a slog; instead it was my easiest day in quite some time on the 14.

That said, Canyon Country is under a massive cloud of smoke and that fire has become Priority No. 1 because of its size and what it's threatening: a lot of homes and businesses, as well as Canyon High.

And SoCalDude, let me echo Angola's sentiments. Hope everything's OK with you and your family.

 

[SoCalDude]

Re: Malibu burning

Thanks guys. We're OK. School is closed, so my kid is overcoming her fear of the fire and smoke over the joy of not having to go to school today.
Saddest thing is it's being reported they found 3 incendiary devices at the origin of this fire, the Santiago Canyon/Portola Springs. Arson. How could that still happen in this day and age? Some people are just incredibly stupid.
Fire is moving away from us, hitting Foothill Ranch now and heading toward a wilderness area.
We all hope for the best.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

Lots and lots of firebugs out there. They get that first whiff of the Santa Ana coming and they're out there.
Good luck, SoCal.

 

[Angola!]

Re: Malibu burning

Found this part of the AP story to be interesting:

In many cases, crews couldn't begin to fight the fires because they were too busy rescuing residents who refused to leave, fire officials said.

"They didn't evacuate at all, or delayed until it was too late," Metcalf said. "And those folks who are making those decisions are actually stripping fire resources."

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

250,000 evacuated in San Diego County. Yes ... 250,000.

New fire in Green Valley/North Lake Arrowhead threatening 2,000 homes. Some already have burned. Running Springs, Arrowbear, Deer Lodge and Green Valley under mandatory evacuations.

Lake Arrowhead took a massive hit in 2003.

 

[buckweaver]

Re: Malibu burning

Fires also now burning in <a href="http://www.sbsun.com/ci_7248078?source=rss_viewed">south Ontario</a>, <a href="http://www.sbsun.com/ci_7249026?source=rss_viewed">Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake</a>, <a href="http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/22/news/top_stories/10_15_2210_22_07.txt">Ramona, San Marcos and Fallbrook</a>, Santiago Canyon ...

I-15 is closed between Temecula and Escondido, along with a dozen other road closures in north S.D. County. (I-15 is also closed in the Cajon Pass, from Hwy. 138 to the 215.)

High winds have knocked down a few trees near our place, but no fire damage around here right now. The Wildcat definitely won't be able to get to work if the roads stay closed. I don't know bad my drive is going to be today, either, but at least it's kinda between all the fires and not through them.

****.

Let's be careful out there. Especially SoCalDude, Birdie, Firstime. Dunno if Claws and poindexter are in any danger, too, but I hope not.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

Just found out my sister-in-laws parents are being evacuated out of Running Springs, but the fire is about 20 miles from them. Sister-in-law also has a cousin coming to their place from San Diego. My brother is stuck in the High Desert after I-15 got shut down.

Yes, be careful out there.

 

[MileHigh]

Re: Malibu burning

Lots of Chargers and Padres players have had to evacuate. Too early to tell if the Chargers game Sunday will be affected. Four years ago, they moved a home game to Arizona on a Monday night against the Dolphins.

 

[Gold]

Re: Malibu burning


There were wildfires in several places. the Malibu is the big one, but there was also one in Ontario, which is about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. There are also reports of fires in the Lake Arrowhead area and people were evacuating. That is a mountain area which is more than one mile high - the fires in 2003 were very damaging and a lot of people lost homes in that area.

I have also heard about evacuations in San Diego county.

We aren't real close to the fires, but you can feel the smoke in the air.

The firefighters seem to be doing a heroic job trying to control the fires, and the fact that, when I checked earlier, only one person had died, is a testament to their efforts. However, the winds calming down and, hope against hope, rainfall might be the best blessing the area could receive.

 

[Angola!]

Re: Malibu burning

250k evacuated is an insane number. Just insane. I just saw a headline on Yahoo! that said the fires are 0 percent contained.
Stop and think about that for a second.
This is going to get really bad I have a feeling.
Stay safe all of you California SportsJournalists.commers. Keep us updated on how things are in your area.

 

[Gold]

Re: Malibu burning

Just found out my sister-in-laws parents are being evacuated out of Running Springs, but the fire is about 20 miles from them. Sister-in-law also has a cousin coming to their place from San Diego. My brother is stuck in the High Desert after I-15 got shut down.

Yes, be careful out there.

for those who aren't in southern California, this might require some explanation.

Even though it might be 20 miles away, Running Springs is a mountain community and there are only a couple of roads up and down. So an evacuation probably is necessary caution. Best wishes for your relatives, Mile High.