SoCal Fires

[Moonliner]

Well hell. I just heard that Aunt Moonie and family is having to evacuate from the La Canada fire. From what I can tell, the fire is a little more than a mile from their house, the same one we just had the reunion in.

[mousepod]

The wind changed last night... the smell of fire is thick in the air.

[Moonliner]

Update:

I have a little better information. For the moment, they are outside the evac area but not out of danger just yet. Here's hoping they get this thing contained soon.

[Betty]

My boss has a home in Idyllwild.... wonder how he's coping with the fire up there.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

My boss has a home in Idyllwild.... wonder how he's coping with the fire up there.

That's the Cottonwood fire (http://inciweb.org/incident/1865/). Voluntary evacutions in Bee Canyon.

[BarTopDancer]

How do the fires know when "fire season" starts?

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current

When I went to work there were 2 fires. Now Camp Pendelton is on and there are 5 or 6 more going.

Bleh.

[Chernabog]

The Valley is stinky today!

[Chernabog]

The Valley is stinky today!

More so than usual, I mean.

[wolfy999]

The season is starting early this year.

[Not Afraid]

I'm surprised I'm not under a layer of smoke. The RPV fire is not far away. The wind must be coming from the South West and I can still breath.

I got confused yesterday thinking it was October already. That's when things usually get really bad.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Yep, we're lucky there are no Santa Anas yet. Still too early for them.

[wolfy999]

Supposed to be this weekend....ugh!

[Betty]

I hear there's a fire over near Tom's Farms in Corona. I live in Corona. Have a friend/co worker that lives right down the street from Tom's. SCARY!

And I have a headache.

[alphabassettgrrl]

I hope everybody stays safe. And they get the fires under control.

[Mousey Girl]

Our sky is weird up here. I don't know if we are getting smoke, or if it is just hazy. It seems strange that Bakersfield is about 10* cooler than Riverside right now.

[Alex]

Every year you're all on and on about the fires and so far (at least to my memory) not one of you has been burned up in a fire.

You can only cry wolf so many times. This year somebody better die or next year I'm not going to pay any attention.

[Gemini Cricket]

"The wind changed last night... the smell of fire is thick in the air."
~ mousepod as Legolas

[alphabassettgrrl]

I shocked a woman in the airport coming home to CA one October. The tv in the airport was tuned to the CA wildfires, and it looked like the entire state was on fire, a wall of flame from ocean to mountain. I looked at the screen and declared that that was home and I'm glad to be going home.

The woman next to me about fell over.

It's kind of interesting to watch the dynamics. Some people panic, others adapt, and some ignore it completely. Outside the state, people don't understand what it's like to live under a fire. Sure it's obnoxious, with the bad air and the ash, but it's not like it gets reported. The news media alternately amuses me and angers me with how they report these things.

[CoasterMatt]

I wonder if that's what Murphy's been up to since he can't perform for Fantasmic?

[BarTopDancer]

Outside the state, people don't understand what it's like to live under a fire.

At my previous company we had global employees. During the massive fires (2 years ago I think?) when they were in Foothill coming towards RSM (to the point where we had smoke in our office) people were shocked we were at work (so were we, but aside from the smoke in the building we weren't in imminent danger).

It also hits home when there is a fire in SB or LA and people want to know how close that is to Disneyland and if Disneyland will be closed.

[Mousey Girl]

The smoke is coming into the SJ Valley through Tehachapi. I was seeing the Western sky, but it wasn't until I went out in the front yard that I saw the East and all of the brown and purple of smoke. I had to look up our news just to make sure our foothills weren't burning.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Yeah, we had fires across the freeway from our office, a couple of miles away, and we were still at work. Not in imminent danger, so we stayed.

[Moonliner]

Every year you're all on and on about the fires and so far (at least to my memory) not one of you has been burned up in a fire.

You can only cry wolf so many times. This year somebody better die or next year I'm not going to pay any attention.

Hey, Good news! Auntie Moonie was just given the evacuation order.

Would major loss of property be enough to keep you coming back?

[BarTopDancer]

Hey, Good news! Auntie Moonie was just given the evacuation order.

Would major loss of property be enough to keep you coming back?

Oh Moonie, I think Alex is just being Alex. Not malicious.

If you remember, a few years ago NM was evacued. (http://loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=6821&highlight=fire) Fire was essentially in his back yard.

But it's sure different when it hits that close to home, eh?

Hope everyone is safe and no property is lost.

[Alex]

Hey, Good news! Auntie Moonie was just given the evacuation order.

Would major loss of property be enough to keep you coming back?

Probably not since I don't know Auntie Moonie. There are already plenty of stories of anonymous people being put out. Get her to join the board.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Moonie, I hope your aunt and her house stay safe.

[RStar]

Every year you're all on and on about the fires and so far (at least to my memory) not one of you has been burned up in a fire.

You can only cry wolf so many times. This year somebody better die or next year I'm not going to pay any attention.

You mean like you people in the Bay area belly acheing about pesky those earthquakes? You'd think the world was ending to hear them talk about them.

(I'm posting this..;) .... because I know Alex won't see it) :D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Best of luck to the Moonie family.

We saw lots of towering smoke in our wanderings today, and the edge of hillside fire itself was visible for a moment on our drive home this evening. It's kind of crazy, being close enough to see how freaking huge it is, but far enough away to not worry about it at all. "Oh yeah, that? That's the fire. I'm sure there are evacuations and brave firefighters and all that. Good luck to 'em. I'm going home, far from the edge of it."

[Morrigoon]

We drove up a hill on the way back to Cherny's from the Hollywood Bowl tonight so we could kinda see the fires. But Princess Dala and I ended up getting a better view driving the 101 away from Cherny's later. A very bright line of flame along a hillside. Kinda reminds me when I drove up El Toro to get a better look at the Irvine/Foothill Ranch fire (except for the part about driving close to an evacuated area and all that)

[wolfy999]

So you one of the ones that just drives by to see the flames....;)

[Morrigoon]

When it was close to home, yeah.

The ones going on right now we were just seeing from a distance, when we were high enough to see over the near foothills to the ones behind them where the flames were just barely over the ridge. Still, for the valley, that's pretty darn close. Reminds me of the fires in the hills around Chatsworth back in the early 90's.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

A new fire started up in Oak Glen. Here are some pictures we took:


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YSx4fz6QXLk/SpsO-ksaEdI/AAAAAAAAEBk/PBW0qKPFpoo/s640/IMG_5891.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YSx4fz6QXLk/SpsPJNaS1mI/AAAAAAAAEB0/6hEcqFm5SsY/s640/IMG_5894.JPG

[Not Afraid]

Oh no!

[Mousey Girl]

Where is Oak Glen?

The only fire I can find info about is the Station fire, that it is heading towards Acton and Santa Clarita.

[lindyhop]

Latest news I heard was that firefighters were abandoning Mt Wilson and the observatory along with a bunch of TV/radio transmitters are in danger. There's a lot of history up there.:(

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm continually in awe at the terrain that they do fight for- that's some rough territory and they're right in it, digging and fighting the fires. So I guess I'm not surprised when they do have to abandon something.

Sad, but not surprised.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Where is Oak Glen?

The only fire I can find info about is the Station fire, that it is heading towards Acton and Santa Clarita.

Oak Glen is by Yucaipa (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=yucaipa,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.681389,89.121094&ie=UTF8&ll=34.033884,-117.038727&spn=0.33345,0.696259&z=11&iwloc=A)

We did see the DC-10 go by (not my picture)


http://www.rimoftheworld.net/images/gallery/11082.large.jpg

more info here (http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1873/)

[BarTopDancer]

This site (Cal Fire)
(http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_current) is a good resource. They have info on the Oak Glenn fire and all the others.

Latest news I heard was that firefighters were abandoning Mt Wilson and the observatory along with a bunch of TV/radio transmitters are in danger. There's a lot of history up there.:(

That's not good. I remember when a radio station lost it's transmitter in the fires a few years back. I know NBC has theirs on Mt. Wilson.

Some info on the Station Fire (http://inciweb.org/incident/1856/).

[Not Afraid]

I've been getting up to date fire news from LA Now (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/wildfires/) (The Times' blog)
The National Weather Service has extended the red-flag fire warning until Monday at 9 p.m., bad news for firefighters who hoped cooling temperatures would help them control the out-of-control Station fire.
The red-flag warning was supposed to end Sunday. But the NWS extended the warning to Los Angeles mountains, citing continued heat, low humidity and increasing winds.
"Many areas should still continue to experience relative humidity around or slightly below 10% for several hours," the NWS said in a statement. "In addition, afternoon gusty winds will exacerbate fire weather conditions, especially on south-to-west facing slopes and over the ridgetops."


Two TV stations said tonight that their transmitters are threatened by the Station fire, which is burning near the communications center atop Mt. Wilson.
KCBS-TV Channel 2 and KABC-TV Channel 7 said that viewers with cable and satellite TV will still be able get the signal if the transmitters are damaged. Those without cable or satellite might lose their signal.
"If you receive ABC7 by off-air antenna, you could lose our ABC7 signal," KABC said in a e-mail bulletin.Most TV stations and many radio stations have transmitters on Mt. Wilson, as do some cellphone carriers.


And, VERY sad news.

Two Los Angeles County firefighters battling the Station fire were killed this afternoon in a vehicle crash.
Officials announced the death at an emotional news conference, saying that the families of the fallen firefighters had been notified and that department chaplains were with them.
The accident occurred near Mt. Gleason earlier this afternoon. Details of the crash were not immediately available, but TV footage showed a truck rolled over on a mountainside.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Sad about the firefighters.

BTD's link led me to the cause of the Gloria Fire (http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=374), Agricultural Fireworks (http://licenseinfo.oregon.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=license_seng&link_item_id=14293). You learn something new every day.

[BarTopDancer]

NBC just shared some info about some morons who decided to stay. Two of them tried to hide from it in their jacuzzi then had to run to a ranger station - a helicopter had to fly into the smoke to rescue them. Another moron drove their truck through a wall of flames to escape.

I'm glad the news is sharing that deciding to stay isn't turning out well. I still think those who choose to ignore the evac warnings and stay be left to fend for themselves.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It rained here last night. I hope that the fire areas also got some rain.

[BarTopDancer]

NBC is reporting that it's a 'when', not 'if' Mt. Wilson goes.

I hope they are wrong.

At least it's not a populated area.

[Mousey Girl]

KTLA showed firefighters are back on top of Mt Wilson. It didn't look like a lot, but that there are some there must mean that it was safe enough for them to return.

[wolfy999]

It rained here last night. I hope that the fire areas also got some rain.

Rain? Couldn't have been much....??

[Kevy Baby]

Oak Glen is by Yucaipa (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=yucaipa,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=40.681389,89.121094&ie=UTF8&ll=34.033884,-117.038727&spn=0.33345,0.696259&z=11&iwloc=A)And is the home of Riley's Apple Farm (http://www.rileysapplefarm.com/), which has been discussed in this thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=8620).

[Betty]

A new fire started up in Oak Glen. Here are some pictures we took:


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_YSx4fz6QXLk/SpsO-ksaEdI/AAAAAAAAEBk/PBW0qKPFpoo/s640/IMG_5891.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_YSx4fz6QXLk/SpsPJNaS1mI/AAAAAAAAEB0/6hEcqFm5SsY/s640/IMG_5894.JPG

Are you jeepers? I had no idea!

[Betty]

And is the home of Riley's Apple Farm (http://www.rileysapplefarm.com/), which has been discussed in this thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=8620).

So if they burn down - it's God's wrath for them being such bigots?

[BarTopDancer]

And is the home of Riley's Apple Farm (http://www.rileysapplefarm.com/), which has been discussed in this thread (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=8620).

If Riley's Apple Farm burns then is God punishing them for being homophobic a$$holes?

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Are you jeepers? I had no idea!

yep, we drive them from time to time.

[JWBear]

So if they burn down - it's God's wrath for them being such bigots?

If Riley's Apple Farm burns then is God punishing them for being homophobic a$$holes?

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking those thoughts... :evil:

[Ghoulish Delight]

You've got it all wrong. They clearly haven't been bigoted enough and God is punishing them for having thus far failed to wipe out homosexuality. The same way the fact that Katrina affected just about every part of New Orleans except the heavily gay populated section was to punish everyone else for their acceptance of the evil doers.

[Not Afraid]

The fire is 1/4 mile from Mt. Wilson.

Also:


L.A. Now (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/)

Southern California -- this just in

Category: Wildfires

Big cat animal preserve in Acton readies for fire (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/shambala-preserve.html)

August 31, 2009 | 9:41 am
Lions, tigers and fire -- oh my!
Flames are roaring across the street from the Shambala Preserve, an exotic animal center in Acton. But the 64 lions, tigers, leopards and other big cats that live here are staying put.
As firefighters beat back flames and helicopters fly overhead, a big male lion is sunning himself, said Chris Gallucci, vice president of operations.
The area around the preserve is under mandatory evacuation order, Gallucci said, but the crew at the preserve has decided to stay and fight the fire, if necessary.

"We have everything to fight fires on this property," Gallucci said. "Our plan is to hold in place. We have done this for 40 years. We are very good at what we do."
The preserve has dozens of steel evacuation crates ready to go in case the 64 big cats need to be moved. It also has equipment to beat back flames: A 22,000-gallon water tank, a lake and a complete fire road around the 80-acre site, Gallucci said.

[Chernabog]

Yeah my office in Encino smells like smoke. Looking out the windows (from the 16th floor) it is really, really nasty out. :(

[wolfy999]

Been to Shambala.....I hope all goes well there!

[BarTopDancer]

Oh no! Those poor animals!

[BarTopDancer]

You've got it all wrong. They clearly haven't been bigoted enough and God is punishing them for having thus far failed to wipe out homosexuality. The same way the fact that Katrina affected just about every part of New Orleans except the heavily gay populated section was to punish everyone else for their acceptance of the evil doers.

Is this why Las Vegas hasn't been destroyed in a natural disaster? After all it's Sin City. They don't care who does what there.

[Not Afraid]

View of the fire from space. (http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2009/08/view_of_fires_from_space.php)

http://www.laobserved.com/assets/firesfromspace83009.jpg

[alphabassettgrrl]

I hope the cat preserve stays safe, and the observatory.

[JWBear]

Wow... That picture gave me vertigo! Aerial photos have never had that effect on me before.

[Moonliner]

I saw Aunt Moonies house on a live feed from the KTLA copter this morning. So far it's still standing but the fire is getting close and I did not see any firefighting equipment in the neighborhood. Although it was admittedly a quick shot.

[innerSpaceman]

What about skakey aerial cam?

[Disneyphile]

My dad called last night to say that he can smell the smoke in Vegas and that the air is fairly bad there too. Dude! :(

I think Riley's Apple Farm would be a great sacrifice to appease the fire gods though.

[mousepod]

Yeah. Heather is in Vegas for a trade show. Her plane almost didn't leave Burbank yesterday - and she also reported the smell of smoke from LV.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I saw Aunt Moonies house on a live feed from the KTLA copter this morning. So far it's still standing but the fire is getting close and I did not see any firefighting equipment in the neighborhood. Although it was admittedly a quick shot.
Remember, they choose those shots to make it seem as dire a situation as possible. They know how to play clever tricks with angles and zoom to make the first look closer than it is.

[Alex]

If Riley's Apple Farm burns then is God punishing them for being homophobic a$$holes?

Careful, cause now if they don't burn down we'll have to admit that God is on their side.

[Moonliner]

Remember, they choose those shots to make it seem as dire a situation as possible. They know how to play clever tricks with angles and zoom to make the first look closer than it is.

Generally yes, but in this case I was watching the raw feed where they were basically flying around looking for the "right" angle. The fire was coming down the Mtn towards a house at the end of their street.

Red Line = Fire
Green Circle = Aunties House.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Moonliner/fire-2.jpg

[blueerica]

Strange, this morning a number of us thought it seemed smoky last night - wonder if... ?

Here... haz a hurricane (http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/weather/08/31/hurricane.jimena/index.html?eref=rss_topstories).

Too bad it'll be tiny by the time it gets there.

[BarTopDancer]

There is a layer of brown east, towards what I presume to be FHR/Lake Forest/El Toro area. I'm directionally challenged but the mountains are that direction so I'm going to say I'm safe with east.

[Ghoulish Delight]

There is a layer of brown east, towards what I presume to be FHR/Lake Forest/El Toro area. I'm directionally challenged but the mountains are that direction so I'm going to say I'm safe with east.That could be the result of the Ridge fire (north edge of Pendelton), the Morris Fire (east of the Station fire, still in Angeles National Forest), or a combination of all 3.

[Chernabog]

It's times like these that I miss Jerry Falwell, blaming the flaming gays for starting the fires. All those perverts rubbing their sticks together, coating them in hot oil and.... *ahem* Yeah, those were teh days.

[€uroMeinke]

Wildfires and Brian Eno (http://vimeo.com/6356422)