Fire

by Achilles on Oct 23, 2007 5:28 PM PDT in Off Topic

There isn't much to say that isn't already being better said elsewhere.

The fires raging across Southern California from Ventura County to the international border are the lead story on every news web site and in every newspaper -- at least the ones in my neighborhood.

I consider myself fortunate. My own Los Angeles-area home is in no immediate danger. But even though I can't see the flames from my backyard, the sky above my house is dark with smoke and the air is palpably thick with soot and ash.

It's difficult to breathe.

With so many of our readers either residing in Southern California or having some SoCal roots, the publisher and writers of this site decided it would be important to have an open thread today, where readers can share their own experiences with the region in flames.

All of us certainly hope that everyone is safe and sound. If you are, look for ways to help your neighbors who aren't.

Football is important.

Some things are more important.

ABC News

Be safe ...

UPDATE -N: LAT is posting constant updates over here .

UPDATE II -- M: If you want to help, please contact the American Red Cross. The ARC has already set up nearly a dozen shelters with blankets, cots, food, and emergency supplies for thousands of people.

They can use monetary donations. They can use blood donations, especially for those who have suffered serious burns. The toolbars on the left-hand side of each page on their site can help you locate the Red Cross facility closest to you.

If you are one of the folks who had to evacuate, or know of someone who did, the ARC has also set up "Safe and Well" lists, so people can track down their loved ones. Hundreds of people are already signed up.

Prayers of the BruinsNation go out to everyone out there. -- M

UPDATE III - N: Some useful links courtesy of Gaslamp Ball, our SBN friends who blog about their beloved Padres.

UPDATE IV - N: Another post has gone up over at Clips Nation (yes there are enough Clippers fan apparently to form a "nation." j/k Steve! Steve is good guy who also went to Pepperdine U). -N

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Thanks so much A

All I can do right now is watch it on TV from thousands of miles away. Mrs N and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone back home.

GO BRUINS.

by Nestor on Oct 23, 2007 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

Fortunately, I'm safe in the South Bay

but to everyone in San Diego, Santa Clarita, Santiago Canyon, Lake Arrowhead, and anywhere else I may accidentally be omitting, stay safe!

by Odysseus on Oct 23, 2007 10:39 AM PDT reply actions

Disaster

This is a true disaster folks. The wife and I were evacuated from two different locations in SD yesterday and ended up driving to northern OC before we ended up at the in-laws' house. Every hotel in SD and in most of OC had already been booked.

One of the many fires is presently headed toward our home and all of our belongings, so we don't know what will be left whenever we get back to SD.

I know a lot of members of BN live in SD and obviously, we hope everyone is safe.

Nothing much else seems very important right now.

Be safe everyone.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 23, 2007 11:13 AM PDT reply actions

Barnes2JJ, hope all will be well

once you get home. I have a close friend near Rancho Santa Fe and he was forced to evacuate.

by bluegold on Oct 23, 2007 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Please be safe Barnes2JJ*

by bluestreet on Oct 23, 2007 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

God be with you, Barnes.

Stay as safe as you guys can, drink plenty of water (to help with both the heat and the soot in the air) and make sure the car has a full tank of gas.

All our prayers are with you, man.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Oct 23, 2007 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

help

Barnes, if you're in the area and need anything, let me know.

by tasser10 on Oct 23, 2007 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm in Santa Clarita...

where there have been 5 fires as of 4am this morning.

Dorrell and a couple assistants live out here in the Stevenson Ranch area where a new fire started at about 2pm yesterday.
A few years ago when we had the fires out here, if I am not mistaken he was evacuated.

If anyone knows Dorrell's email address I will email him telling him how concerned we are for him and his family and that the Bruins Nation would completely understand if he had to resign immediately and move back to Colorado.

by UCLA Jay on Oct 23, 2007 11:20 AM PDT reply actions

Yes, we want nothing but the best for him.

Especially his sleep.

by bluegold on Oct 23, 2007 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

I am one of the biggest Dorrell hater on BN

But I don't find fire related jokes funny.

I hope Dorrell and all other coaches' families (and everyone else in Southern California) are safe.

by bluestreet on Oct 23, 2007 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

It absolutely pisses me off

when I hear that some of these were arson related. What kind of sick fuck gets off on that shit? trOJans are generally A-holes but whoever started these things are like trOJans squared.

by Tydides on Oct 23, 2007 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

I hope everyone is okay

The hotels in SD are booked partly due to the local situation, but also because there are huge conferences this week (American Society of Human Genetics) and after next week (Society for Neurosciences).

I personally believe that arsonists and corrupt politicians deserve the most severe of our punishments because their crimes affect hundreds of thousands to millions of lives.

Disagree about the trojan comment though, if one of their star football players became a professional arsonist they would probably still worship him.

by dokein on Oct 23, 2007 12:25 PM PDT reply actions

The latest

is 2 have died because of the fire. The arsonist(s) should be tried for murder.

by Tydides on Oct 23, 2007 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions

In Some Jurisdictions Arson Is a Capital Crime

In others, and IIRC CA is one of them, an arson caused death can be tried under the felony murder rule which means that a loss of life as a result of committing a felony is punishable as a murder. However, not all felony murders are capital crimes.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 23, 2007 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions

This is Bad

My parents just bought property in Twin Peaks. It looks like that's a gonner. THey also live in Mission Viejo. They're safe, but a lot of what they know are in serious danger of burning down and, as of right now, I think the Saddle Back Valley Unified School District is closed. The fire jumped the 241 freeway in Portola Hills and my sister got caught right in the middle of it. Very scary. She was immediately led of the freeway to safety.

I have to meet in SD tomorrow for a legal clinic. Hopefully we are still scheduled to go. If so, I can tell you what I see.

God bless those fire fighters.

by BruinFan1 on Oct 23, 2007 12:44 PM PDT reply actions

If anyone is so inclined...

... the Red Cross is seeking help in the form of blood donations and via other means.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Oct 23, 2007 12:47 PM PDT reply actions

All clear in the SF valley so far

But wow... some of you guys are dealing with some intense stuff right now.

Take care and be safe...
-Leanne

by bruinchick on Oct 23, 2007 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

Roared Past Stevenson Ranch

Yesterday, I watched the "Magic" fire scream past near may place in Stevenson Ranch. Never was in any danger but the fire was impressive. Too bad it was started by accident...who welds outside in a windstorm.

by 90Bruin on Oct 23, 2007 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

From near campus

It is pretty much just dirty sunlight out here. The air isn't unbreathable yet. The sky was nice and blue this morning, with just one line of brown haze near the horizon, but when I left my office for lunch, it was definitely hazed over with smoke and the sunlight streaming down was orange in color.

Be safe everyone and get out when they tell you to get out!

Also, listening to the news this morning, they managed to catch a guy who was walking in his neighborhood. He did not receive the reverse 911 call to evacuate because the power had gone out in his house, and he only had cordless phones that were plugged in. Perhaps everyone should think of having at least one phone that doesn't require electricity plugged in, in case of emergency.

by freesia39 on Oct 23, 2007 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

I've been here 42 years...

and have never seen the Santa Ana winds so bad. We lost half of our huge prized lemon tree. I can't imagine what the people in the fires path have lost or what they are experiencing.

by pocho on Oct 23, 2007 1:21 PM PDT reply actions

Stay safe

I hope everyone in the area is safe.

Not even a month back in Cali and already I get a natural disaster. El Nino can't be far behind.

My uncle in San Marcos was evacuated but luckily his house was spared. May all those in danger stay safe and keep their house. May all the arsonists burn in hell for eternity, but not before suffering every minute they still have on earth. And to the morons who accidentally start fired: get a clue.

I still don't get why, when the Santa Ana winds are forecast, there aren't planes and helicopters circling the area to catch the first hint of a fire. It can't be that difficult.

by tasser10 on Oct 23, 2007 1:26 PM PDT reply actions

I imainge it would be like trying to find...

... a burning match on the field at the Rose Bowl while standing on a seat in the top row. Probably a lot harder than one might imagine.

"Because I'm tired of it. Year after year after year after year having to choose between the lesser of 'Who cares?'"

by Meriones on Oct 23, 2007 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Many Forest Fires Are Spotted by Airplanes

This summer, I flew from Oxnard to Contra Costa to Reno in a client's plane. I sat up front with the pilot and had a head set on.

We heard someone pinpointing a forrest fire somewhere in the Sierra around Merced.

The pilot told me that most of the fires in the remote areas of CA are spotted, first, by pilots.

Obviously, in the populated areas, that's not the case.

Just a little useless factoid.

sjh

by Class of 66 on Oct 23, 2007 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

The Mad Bruin, like the Dude, abides

3 evacuations later, the homestead is still standing - so is the rest of the 'hood. LOTS of folks here are not so lucky. Kudos to the SD emergency responders who have moved tons of people out - preemptively in many cases, and this has helped the Fire fighters get access and make great things happen. Thanks to good friends and family, who have opened home and heart to Mad and family.. Hope all the rest of you BN folks are left intact when this craziness is over . . .

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Oct 23, 2007 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

Glad to hear it

Good points, too--the fire fighters did a tremendous job, as best I can tell.

Glad your home came through ok.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 24, 2007 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions

My dad is in N. SD County...

He hasn't got the evacuation order yet, so he has about 4 other families and their pets at his house.

They think the call could come any time...

by Ajax on Oct 23, 2007 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Ajax. it must be coastal NSD?

Carlsbad, O'side, Encinitas, Vista have been (knock wood) pretty insulated from e-vac, up til now at least. Those of us out in Dukester land (Escondido, that is) have been "out" since late Sunday, very early Monday. Hoping to get back in tomorrow, very grateful that we've avoided the harm that many in SoWest Esco have endured . . .
Best of luck to your ol' man and his extra residents.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Oct 23, 2007 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup, Vista

I heard that San Marcos is being evacuated though. Getting close...

by Ajax on Oct 23, 2007 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Vista

I think, and hope, Vista made it through ok. I haven't heard anything recently except about the fire near the border and the one way out in East County.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 24, 2007 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Close friend sent down to fight the fires

Nor sure if he's in the LA area or SD county, but he's somewhere in the region. CDF, tends to get sent to the big fires a lot.

by bruinhoo on Oct 23, 2007 5:39 PM PDT reply actions

Tampa is a long way from California

but it all still seems pretty personal to me. My prayers are with everyone out there. Let's get the fires stopped and get the clean-up moving, without anyone else getting hurt.

by Fox 71 on Oct 23, 2007 6:31 PM PDT reply actions

Deep thanks

to Bluegold, Bluestreet, Meriones, Tasser and everyone at BN for your kind words, thoughts, prayers, well-wishes and offers to help. You all are the greatest despite being "haters." :)

The wife and I (and two cats) made it back tonight, exhausted, to a home still standing. It's still hard to breathe and we can't stop sneezing and our eyes are red, but thousands of others would love to have our problems right now.

The area around our home is still a ghost town and there are National Guardsmen everywhere. It is incredibly eerie. Just seeing the glow from the fires in Camp Pendleton at night is enough to give you nightmares.

I know many, many others have not been so lucky. The coastal communities of SD, many of which had received either "voluntary" or mandatory evacuation orders, appear to be in the clear now. Many inland areas are still in danger.

The danger now appears to be over for us but I cannot describe the incredible feeling we had when so many of our friends called, out of the blue, to offer us lodging when the evac orders came down in our neighborhood. By that time, we had already determined that there was no availability in any SD hotel, and we were speeding up through Camp Pendleton toward OC.

Not to sound preachy, but it's worth the time, and the minimal expense, for everyone to have an emergency "kit" in order. We had one--about 75% complete--with some basic supplies, some clothes, snacks, basic medical kit, etc. in a suitcase, ready to go. All we had to do was throw it in the car. When you get the order to evacuate, the last thing you want to think about is packing a kit--your time is more valuable than that.

Thanks again to this community for your support. Based on the comments on this board, I know there are many others out there who are not yet out of the woods yet. Our prayers go to everyone during this time.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 23, 2007 10:37 PM PDT reply actions

That's good news

Glad to see you're back Barnes.. I just returned to my home in Poway. It's covered with ash and soot but still standing. I feel very lucky today.

by Class of 86 on Oct 23, 2007 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Yowza

That is good news. Glad to hear you are ok and your home was spared, too.

The whole thing is just surreal, isn't it?

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 24, 2007 6:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks for the update Barnes

Relieved to hear you guys are doing all right. Be safe out there and hopefully all your neighbors and folks up and down the coast can find relief through some decent weather soon.

by Nestor on Oct 24, 2007 4:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

Looks like we came back at the right time, too. After hearing that the two Pendleton fires were "contained," apparently, they may have spread and the CHP stopped all traffic north and south on the I-5.

If we hadn't come back last night, we would have been stranded longer in OC--not that there is anything wrong with that. :)

Stay safe everyone. It's not over.

by Barnes2JJ on Oct 24, 2007 6:17 AM PDT up reply actions

kudos . . .

. . . for getting back and finding most things intact. Still waiting for the area near the San Diega Wild Animal Park (my kid says "nobody knows what 'WAP' stands for Dad) to be given the all-clear. News around the grapevine is that nobody in our 'hood lost a home. So waiting a little longer is a really small price to pay.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Oct 24, 2007 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Knock on wood

Glad you guys are home safe. Wishing for the best for everyone else.

by tasser10 on Oct 24, 2007 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Home, home again

I like to be here, when I can (SLAPPP!, and I don't even like Pink Floyd all that much)

Firefighters are amazing. Some downed trees, a lot of ash, but all 500+ homes out here at the wildneress' edge are still standing and un-singed.

Best to all of you and yours. Hope y'all fare so well.

The Mad Bruin

by lostnacfgop on Oct 24, 2007 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Good news, B2JJ

Cooler moist air is supposd to be moving in. I really hope the worst is over.

by bluegold on Oct 24, 2007 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Some useful google map links

San Diego KPBS
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571

San Diego (blogger)
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=107592071260393044446.00043d12d7e7e7af51aaa

OC Register (SoCal)
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=107327873899641045650.00043d1c2702f027c6600

La Times (SoCal)
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d21de dd02f5ae1f7&om=0&ll=33.651208,-118.146973&spn=2.199313,4.405518&z=8&source=embed

If these maps interest you, you can click on the name by "Created By" and that will give you a listing of any new maps created by that source.

The Malibu fires are pretty close to my work (~5 minute drive), but we're separated by a hill, so fortunately all I've had to deal with has been the poor air quality. My best wishes go to everyone affected by the fire.

by sfatoo on Oct 24, 2007 12:00 AM PDT reply actions