Thread: CALIFORNIA IS ON FIRE : AGAIN ......... Part 2

Reardon wrote on Oct 22, 2007 8:33 PM:

" Ch. 9 has confirmed that the Navy had 8 helos on the tarmac awaiting orders from CalFire to launch today. CalFire asked for only 2 Helos -- and six remained on the ground. This is criminal. Last time, in the Cedar fire, CDF/CalFire said that the Navy copter pilots (who land on the back of pitching destroyers in bad seas and high winds) were not "qualified." Absolute stupidity! Further, Navy planes are much more powerful than civilian planes and can fly in much higher winds. Can you imagine a copter pilot who flew in dust storms in Iraq being told he was not qualified to fly in high winds in San Diego County? In the Cedar fire then, Ron Roberts of the County Board of Supervisors said CDF had a "turf battle" and never asked for Navy help that was available. Ron Roberts said that CDF/CalFire told him "They (the Navy) don't ask for our help in battle readiness, and we don't ask for their help in fighting fires!" Ron Roberts also said that CalFire has a list of commercial firefighting planes "available," and they are reluctant to "jump" the commercial planes by using the Navy! CDF/CalFire is losing my support with such stupidity. If your home was threatened, would you put up with such activity? I think not. I thought we had this one worked out after the Cedar Fire! The military has HUGE assets, but as in the Katrina kerfuffle, the State must ask for help -- then it must accept it! "

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10 ... 2_07.1.txt

Skip, thanks for all your updates!
I'm very sorry to hear about your shipmates losing their homes.

As the world has their attention on the terrible wildfires in California, Senator Harry Reid has brought the Bad Dream Act Amnesty back and is using procedures designed to vote it into law before the nation can react.



More than 346,000 homes evacuated

By: Staff and Wire Reports -

At least 346,000 homes have been evacuated in San Diego County, sheriff's officials said Monday morning. The total number could be much higher, and state officials were still struggling to estimate how many people had fled.

President Bush declared a federal emergency for seven Southern California counties, a move that will speed disaster-relief efforts. He also sent federal disaster officials to California. He did not plan to visit the area himself, fearing his visit would detract from firefighting efforts.

"All of us across this nation are concerned for the families who have lost their homes and the many families who have been evacuated from their homes," Bush said Tuesday. "We send the help of the federal government."


Deputies arrested two men for looting in Ramona, and there were a handful of other looting cases reported, said San Diego Sheriff's Lt. Mike McClain.

The fires continued to shoot embers in all directions with sporadic reports of new hillside fires, preventing crews from forming traditional fire lines and severely limiting aerial bombardment, officials said.

"Lifesaving is our priority. Getting people out from in front of the fire -- those have been our priorities," said Capt. Don Camp, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10 ... ogcomments

So far over a half a million people have been evacuated in San Diego county. Many of the evacuation centers are full.
Several elderly homes are being evacuated as well so this requires a lot of ambulances, people are very busy out here.

More than 346,000 homes evacuated

Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Skip wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:35 AM:

" As the world has their attention on the terrible wildfires in California, Senator Harry Reid has brought the Bad Dream Act Amnesty back and is using procedures designed to vote it into law before the nation can react. "

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10 ... ogcomments

More than 346,000 homes evacuated

At least 346,000 homes have been evacuated in San Diego County, sheriff's officials said Monday morning. The total number could be much higher, and state officials were still struggling to estimate how many people had fled. 1 comment(s)
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10 ... ogcomments

North County Times reporters will answer more questions Tuesday 100 comment(s)
Fallbrook fire 'unpredictable" 206 comment(s)
Space available for people, pets at fairgrounds evac center 3 comment(s)
Limit power use, customers asked Post your Comments
De Luz fire advances to 411 acres 4 comment(s)

http://www.nctimes.com/

We've got fires in SoCal from Malibu all the way down to San Diego. There's a fire burning in Irvine that has covered my car w/a fine coating of ash. I'm betting a lot of these fires are arson.

More than 346,000 homes evacuated

Comments On This Story

Note: Comments reflect the views of readers and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff.

Skip wrote on Oct 23, 2007 11:35 AM:

" As the world has their attention on the terrible wildfires in California, Senator Harry Reid has brought the Bad Dream Act Amnesty back and is using procedures designed to vote it into law before the nation can react. "

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10 ... ogcomments

I took a lot of flak for that last post.

R/ Skip

Take care of yourself Skip, the photos and announcements are excellent. We appreciate the up close view and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Psalm 139:14

Ag Industry in Path of Southern Fires
Len Richardson lrichardson@farmprogress.com
October 23, 2007


There are 16 active fires in Southern California. The priority for fighting fires is the Witch, Santiago, Rice, Harris, Ranch, Buckweed, Canyon, and Magic Fires. This report however focuses on the Witch, Harris and Rice fires in San Diego County because of their proximity to farming activities and areas. Avocado/citrus orchards, nurseries, chicken ranches, and vineyards stand in the wildfires' path. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the farming community of Fallbrook.

Office of Emergency Service (OES) has committed the following: 104 OES Engines; 12 OES Water Tenders; 329 Local Government Engines; 24 Local Government Water Tenders; and 7 National Guard Helicopters.

There are approximately 321,000 evacuees.

WITCH FIRE, San Diego County:
Acres Burned: 145,000
Percent Contained: 0%
Structures: 6,800 threatened; 375 damaged; 650 destroyed
State/Federal Assistance Granted: Governor’s Proclamation 10/21/07

The Witch Fire, a State Responsibility Fire, is east of Ramona near Julian. The evacuation center is Poway High School located at 15500 Espola Road. Evacuations are in process for the town of Ramona and surrounding neighborhood on the north & east side of Ramona. Approximately 36,000 people have been evacuated in Ramona.

The southern edge of fire is near San Diego County Estates and mandatory evacuations are in progress.

The fire is also moving toward the direction of Poway and Lakeside. California Command Team 10 took over the fire 0600 hours on 10/22/07. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reports San Diego County EOC advised that they have 2 horse shelters open at this time: 1) the Horse Park Center (East of Hwy 5 in Del Mar), which can hold up to 400 horses; and 2) the San Diego Fairgrounds, which will have stalls available with an unknown capacity at this time.

San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) reports about 378 homes without power in the Santa Isabel area and 12 homes without power in Potrero area.

The cause is under investigation.

HARRIS FIRE, San Diego County:
Acres Burned: 22,000
Percent Contained: 5%
Structures: 600 threatened
State/Federal Assistance Granted: Governor’s Proclamation 10/21/07.

The Harris Fire, a State Responsibility Fire, is burning toward the town of Tecate at the Mexico Border. The cause is under investigation.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Potrero area. Reverse 9-1-1 was used to notify 760 homes of the fire. The San Diego Sheriff conducted mandatory evacuations of Tecate on the U.S. side and Barratt Junction, Dulzura, Potrero area, and Emory Road and has issued an advisory evacuation for north of 78, south of Cleveland National Forest.

CalFire reports that the fire has burned through travel routes used by undocumented immigrants. Several people have sustained burn injuries and have been transported to local area hospitals. A coordinated effort by the San Diego Sheriffs Department, U.S. Border Patrol and CalFire personnel is underway conducting search and rescue operations. It is estimated that this effort will continue through the next several days.

Hwy 78 is closed at Santa Isabel and various other road closures in the area. Steele Canyon High School is a shelter for people and small animals. San Diego Humane Society set up a shelter at Jamul Fire Station for large animals.

Two structures have been lost and due to the wind activity, there is a potential for additional structure loss. There has been one civilian fatality reported at this time and one civilian injury. A 500kv transmission line that is part of the South West Power Link is currently threatened; however no power emergency exists at this time.

RICE FIRE. San Diego County:
Acres Burned: 6,100
Percent Contained: 0%
Structures: 2,500 threatened; 30 damaged, 500 destroyed
State/Federal Assistance Granted: Governor’s Proclamation 10/21/07.

Per CalFire, the Rice Fire, a State Responsibility Area, is burning in the Rice Canyon area in north San Diego County. The cause is under investigation.
Threatened communities include Rainbow Heights, Fallbrook and Oceanside.
The fire has jumped Interstate 15 and State Route 395. Mandatory evacuations are in place for Fallbrook.

BUCKWEED FIRE, Los Angeles County:
Acres Burned: 37,812
Percent Contained: 27%
Structures: 55,400 threatened; 3 damaged; 32 destroyed
State/Federal Assistance Granted: Governor’s Proclamation 10/21/07

The Buckweed Fire is located in the area of Mint Canyon Road and Sierra Highway. This is a Local Responsibility Area fire.

There are mandatory evacuation orders underway for the Agua Dulce and Acton Communities. Currently, 800 people have been evacuated along with 3,800 homes under mandatory evacuation orders for Forest Park Avenue.

Evacuation centers have been opened at the Quartz Hills High School and the Saugus High School.

Per the OES Southern Duty Officer, there are mandatory evacuations in place for Bokay Canyon at Vasquez Canyon and Spunkey Canyon and Francisquito at Copper Canyon and Spunkey Canyon. The Saugus High School shelter is currently occupied by 80 people, and the Golden Valley High School has 120 occupants.

Road closures are currently in effect for Sierra Hwy from Soledad Canyon to Davenport due to down power lines. The bridge at Vasquez and Bokay Canyon road has been destroyed. There have been a total of 3 civilians and 1 firefighter injured at this time.

There is a report of 20 structures burned and numerous others threatened. There are currently 900 residences without power. The Pardee-Vincent, Santa Clara-Vincent and Eagle Rock-Pardee 220KV lines continue to be threatened.


http://californiafarmer.com/index.aspx? ... 8&fpstid=2