[SD_Phil]

Things are going from bad to worse. Everyone okay? It had been hazy all day and it smelled like smoke. I had this very bad recollection of 4 years ago.

The entire city of Ramona is under evacuation orders!

---
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) - Nearly a dozen wildfires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds spread across Southern California on Sunday, killing one person near San Diego, destroying several homes and a church in celebrity-laden Malibu, and forcing hundreds from their homes.

The Malibu fire was among at least 10 blazes that burned more than 35,000 acres, stretching from north of Santa Barbara to San Diego, as hot weather and hurricane-strength winds marked the height of the traditional wildfire season.

Four firefighters and at least 10 other people were injured and taken to hospitals in connection with the fire near San Diego, said Matt Streck, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry. Details on the death were not immediately available.

The blaze burned more than 14,000 acres - or about 22 square miles - near a highway about 70 miles southeast of San Diego, just north of the border town of Tecate, Streck said. Some of the injured were hikers, and others may be illegal immigrants, Streck said.

In northeastern Los Angeles County, a fire that started near Agua Dulce, a fire burned about 10,000 acres, or nearly 16 square miles, in just a few hours as about 250 firefighters tried to get a handle on it.

Ten buildings were destroyed, but it wasn't clear how many were homes, said county Fire Inspector Ron Haralson. Between 500 and 800 people fled the area, and three people were injured.

``There are several hundred homes in the path of this fire,'' Haralson said.

Meanwhile, in Malibu, about 700 firefighters worked to protect about 200 homes in several upscale communities nestled in the hills, officials said. About 1,500 people fled the fires, officials said.

The blaze, which started in Malibu Canyon, had charred at least 1,200 acres and destroyed a church and several homes, one of them a landmark castle. No residents or firefighters were injured, Los Angeles County Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman said.

The winds carried embers across the Pacific Coast Highway, closing the popular road and setting fire to cars and trees in the parking lot of a shopping center where a supermarket, drug store and other shops were damaged. It briefly threatened Pepperdine University.

TV footage showed several buildings in flames in the area, including clusters of beach-side homes.

``This fire is zero percent contained, which means we're at the mercy of the wind,'' acting Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich said.

In all, five homes and two commercial buildings had been confirmed lost throughout the Malibu area, Freeman said. Nine more homes were damaged, he said.

The fire is expected to burn for another two to three days, he said. Until the blaze is extinguished, ``there will literally be thousands of homes that will be threatened at one time or another,'' he said.

Fire crews early Sunday found downed power lines, which may have started the fire, Capt. Mike Brown said.

Late Sunday morning, palm trees bent in half and embers were carried through the air as winds gusted to 60 to 65 mph. Thick smoke obscured the sun.

Susan Nuttall sat in her black Mercedes in a cul-de-sac just off the Pacific Coast Highway, saying she had fled her condo just below Pepperdine.

``We're all scared to death, and we have nowhere to go,'' said Nuttall, 51, still wearing a bathrobe and holding her Chihuahua.

Flames consumed the landmark Castle Kashan, a stately fortress-like home with turrets and arched windows. Chunks of brick fell from the exterior of the burning building overlooking the ocean.

Erratic wind gusts hampered efforts to drop water from aircraft and pushed flames toward HRL Laboratories, a research and engineering facility owned by Boeing Co. and General Motors Corp. One outbuilding caught fire, Boeing spokeswoman Diana Ball said.

Flames engulfed Malibu Presbyterian Church, which had been evacuated, said youth pastor Eric Smith. ``That's the really good news, that everyone's out and safe,'' Smith said.

Faculty and staff at the 830-acre Pepperdine campus had been urged to evacuate in the morning, and students were told to gather in the cafeteria and the basketball arena. But by early afternoon, the campus was ``secure,'' Freeman said.

The 138-acre, well-manicured campus sits is surrounded by rocky bluffs covered with trees and brush. Wildfires threatened the campus in 1993 and 1996, and in January a blaze came within a mile of the school.

About 200 homes had been evacuated in the communities of Malibu Colony, Puerco Canyon, Monte Nido and Sweetwater Canyon, Brown said.

Malibu, home to about 13,000 people, including many celebrities, stretches along 27 miles of Pacific coastline. A Santa Ana-driven wildfire in January destroyed the home of actress Suzanne Somers and three other multimillion-dollar residences.

Several other blazes kept firefighters busy Sunday in Southern California, including one near Piru, a town of 1,200 in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles. A condor preserve was also potentially threatened.

In San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, three fires burned, officials said. One vacant home was destroyed, and five to 10 homes were threatened.

A second blaze near San Diego charred nearly 13 square miles in northern San Diego County near an area ravaged by two fires in 2003 and was threatening homes near Witch Creek, authorities said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7014185,00.html

[rocketman_95046]

I'm in sorrento valley right now and the wind is going nuts... the smoke is insane and im at least 15 miles away! Hope all goes ok for those in the mountains!:(

[SD_Phil]

This is just terrible. I'm in a very built up area but 7 or 8 miles north of me people are being evacuated!

---

RAMONA, California (CNN) -- Helping residents who ignored evacuation orders diverted fire crews away from firefighting efforts Monday as wildfires burned out of control in the San Diego area, officials said.


Pepperdine University student Matthew Miller submitted this photo of glowing haze over the skyline.

"We've been unable to do any suppression effort because, in most cases, the fire resources are being used ... to do rescues," said Bill Metcalf, chief of the North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook.

Metcalf said the wildfire situation in the San Diego area "has gotten dramatically worse overnight."

As the sun rose in Southern California, "we're faced with a situation ... which is worse than many of us could've imagined," Metcalf said.

Authorities ordered thousands of Southern Californians to evacuate Sunday and Monday as at least 12 wildfires, driven by hurricane-force winds, set trees, cars and buildings on fire.

Officials reported at least one death and 17 injuries Sunday.

A long line of vehicles streamed westward out of Ramona, northeast of San Diego, on Monday morning after the mandatory evacuation order as flames of the Witch wildfire closed rapidly on the San Diego County community of 10,000 homes.

The 2003 Cedar fire remains fresh in residents' memories. It killed a dozen people south of Ramona four years ago this week, consuming more than 280,000 acres near the town.

The Witch fire was one of several major wildfires to ignite Sunday around Los Angeles and San Diego, fueled by hot, dry conditions and pushed by fierce Santa Ana winds. The blaze threatened thousands of homes.

Large fires bore down on Malibu, Santa Clarita and two rural communities east of San Diego early Monday as thousands of firefighters battled the blazes.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven counties. See where fires burn across Southern California »

The Witch fire moved much faster than expected, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said, and it penetrated the San Diego city limits early Monday.

Sanders urged San Diegans in the fire's potential path to "collect important belongings so they can evacuate immediately." He said San Diego police would make reverse 911 calls to inform residents to leave their homes.

The Harris fire straddling Highway 94 east of San Diego caused the death and injuries -- including burns to four firefighters. Starting Sunday morning, the blaze had spread more than 20,000 acres by late Sunday, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. It was 5 percent contained, he said.

Thirteen civilians had burns from the Harris fire, said spokeswoman Roxanne Provaznik.

While smaller fires burned late Sunday around Los Angeles, major wildfires threatened the beach community of Malibu and the city of Santa Clarita.

About 1,400 firefighters battled the Malibu fire that started Sunday morning. By late evening, it had spread more than 2,200 acres, destroying 25 structures -- including five homes, a glass company and Malibu Presbyterian Church. Several hundred homes -- including those of movie director James Cameron of "Titantic" fame and singers Olivia Newton-John and Tanya Tucker -- were evacuated.

"All my stage clothing, boots, belts and wardrobe is in that house," Tucker said. "I have so much memorabilia since I just moved from Nashville to Malibu."

The Malibu flames "laid down" a bit, slowing their spread overnight, a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said.

The Pacific Coast Highway remained shut down in Malibu.

A larger fire, fueled by wind gusts up to 80 mph, spread more than 12,500 acres around Santa Clarita about 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. See photos of the fires »

Officials deployed at least 400 firefighters to battle the fire, which destroyed an estimated 17 buildings and threatened 3,800 Santa Clarita Valley homes. Several communities faced mandatory evacuations. E-mail to a friend

[Upward]

I'm surprised there's no mention of the fire in Irvine. Here are two pictures I took yesterday:

http://webfiles.uci.edu/cfagan/ssp/oc/IMG_8446.jpg

http://webfiles.uci.edu/cfagan/ssp/oc/IMG_8351.jpg

[bmfarley]

Fire perimeters for both Witch and Harris Fires as of late Sunday night from teh County GIS folks. Obviously the fires are much larger now.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/1021072200WitchFire.jpg

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/1021072230HarrisFire.jpg

[bmfarley]

Another update from the SD County GIS folks. This one was the estimated perimeter of each fire as of 9am Monday morning. Or, 3 hours ago.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/1022070900SDFires.jpg

[SD_Phil]

^Thanks! This explains why the area west of the 15, east of the 5 and north of the 56 was being evacuated. I've seen reporters in that area taping houses on fire.


@ Upward. Those photos are amazing but they look really close. Hope all is well!

[ltsmotorsport]

You can really smell and see the smoke all the way up here in San Luis Obispo. I can't imagine what it must be like down there.

[SD_Phil]

Update:

http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/US/10/22/wildfire.ca/art.satellite.nasa.jpg

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- A quarter-million people fled their homes amid wildfires that had burned 100,000 acres around San Diego County, officials said Monday.


This photograph from space shows smoke rising from the wildfires in Southern California.

"The situation continues to deteriorate," fire chief Bill Metcalf said at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with numerous structures lost across the county.

"I think there's a very good possibility it will reach the coast before it's finished," Metcalf said of one of the fiercest blazes.

"It's a tragic time for California," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday, declaring a state of emergency in seven counties.

"The wind is our number one enemy right now," he said.

The fast-moving fires are threatening the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. The park was closed Monday and some of the animals, like endangered condors, are being moved to a safer location, according to zoo spokeswoman Yadira Galindo.

Video from the Lake Arrowhead area in San Bernardino County showed dozens of homes charred as huge plumes of smoke filled the sky.

Lake Arrowhead resident Michael Beamis said that several houses in the area are on fire, but there are no firefighters around. Officials believe the fire was started when winds blew down power lines.

Two fires are burning in the area: the Grass Valley Fire, and the Slide Fire, each covering about 300 acres with no containment.

The U.S. Forest Service said 1,500 homes are threatened by the Grass Valley Fire and 400 are threatened by the Slide Fire. The U.S. Forest Service confirmed some homes already have been claimed by the fire, but it did not know how many.

KABC has reported that their chopper pilot has seen 40 to 50 homes on fire.

Metcalf said the fires were consuming homes in the communities of Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, Forest Ranch and Lake Hodges.

One fire jumped Interstate 15 around noon, threatening Fallbrook, a community of 45,000 people, according to Holly Crawford of the San Diego Department of Emergency Services.

"We have more houses burning than we have people and engine companies to fight them," San Diego Fire Capt. Lisa Blake said, according to The Associated Press. "A lot of people are going to lose their homes today."

On one cul-de-sac in the San Diego suburb of Rancho Bernardo, five of six homes burned to the ground, leaving flames from gas lines flickering amid the ruins, according to a KGTV report.

Authorities pleaded with residents Monday to follow evacuation orders and stay off cell phones.

A nursing home and Pomerado Hospital in Poway were evacuated along with 700 Navy personnel and their families in military housing in Lakeside and Ramona.

Qualcomm Stadium, home of the NFL's San Diego Chargers, along with schools across the region were opened to take evacuees.

Fixed-wing firefighting aircraft were grounded by the strong winds, officials said, making the jobs of fire crews on the ground even harder.

A smaller fire that merged with the Witch Fire -- one of the biggest in the region -- entered the San Diego city limits Monday, said Mike Mohler with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender said at a news conference the Witch Fire "will probably be the worst fire this county has ever seen -- worse than the Cedar Fire."

The notorious Cedar Fire killed a dozen people south of Ramona four years ago this week as it moved swiftly through the hilly terrain, eventually consuming more than 280,000 acres near the town northeast of San Diego.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered as the fires moved rapidly, Kolender said. "Please, when you are called, when you are notified, do what you were instructed to do," he said.

Crews that could be fighting flames have been tied up helping residents who didn't evacuate promptly, Metcalf said.

"We've been unable to do any suppression effort because, in most cases, the fire resources are being used ... to do rescues," said Metcalf, chief of the North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook.

Authorities said cell phone lines are often clogged, which hurts rescue efforts. They're also asking people to hold off on 911 calls unless there is clearly an emergency.

The winds driving the flames are expected to stay strong, coming out of the northeast, at least through Tuesday, according to CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano.

A long line of vehicles streamed westward out of Ramona early Monday in response to a mandatory evacuation order as the front-line flames of the Witch wildfire swept rapidly closer to the San Diego County community.

The Witch Fire was one of several major wildfires to ignite Sunday around Los Angeles and San Diego, fueled by hot, dry conditions and pushed by fierce Santa Ana winds.

Large fires also bore down on Malibu and Santa Clarita north of Los Angeles as thousands of firefighters worked into Monday morning in the struggle to protect lives and homes.

About 1,400 firefighters battled the Malibu fire that started Sunday morning and had spread more than 2,200 acres, destroying 25 structures, including five homes, a glass company and Malibu Presbyterian Church. Officials ordered the evacuation of several hundred homes, including those of James Cameron, director of the movie "Titantic," and singers Olivia Newton-John and Tanya Tucker.

"All my stage clothing, boots, belts and wardrobe is in that house," Tucker said. "I have so much memorabilia since I just moved from Nashville to Malibu."

The Pacific Coast Highway remained shut down in Malibu.

A larger fire, fueled by wind gusts up to 80 mph, has spread more than 12,500 acres around Santa Clarita about 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Officials deployed at least 400 firefighters to battle the fire, which destroyed an estimated 17 buildings and threatened 3,800 Santa Clarita Valley homes. Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for several communities.


Los Angeles County fire officials said the intensity of the blazes was staggering.

"You do not expect something to stretch our resources to this magnitude," Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Sam Padilla told The Associated Press. "To try and staff something this big, you cannot predict it."

[navyweaxguy]

As much as I love the city of San Diego, you guys watch your butts and be safe!!! I will keep some happy thoughts for you all.

[bmfarley]

As of Monday 4:30pm...

San Diego County GIS folk... http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/newsreleases/102207_1630_allfires.pdf

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/102207-1630.jpg

[bmfarley]

Zoomed-in images of that Monday 4:30pm estimated fire perimeter map.

Witch/Guajito Fire; western edge
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/102207-1630zoom1.jpg

Harris Fire; western edge
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n71/farleybrandon/102207-1630zoom2.jpg

[bmfarley]

Wow! It's difficult to believe, but the entire city of del mar is advised to evacuate as of monday 6:15pm. Crazy stuff!

[Derek]

The entire area south of the 78 to the 56 is pretty much being evacuated.

[bmfarley]

The entire area south of the 78 to the 56 is pretty much being evacuated.
Numbers wise, about 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 county residents are forced to evacuate. Amazing.

I know my boss's family had too from East Lakes area of Chula Vista. Of the top 6 brass at my work, at least 3 of them have had to evacuate. 1 or 2 may have already lost their homes (Rancho Bernardo).

From a different/business perspective, if you assume the executive staff of area companies and agencies live in the more affluent areas... like Poway, RB, Pensaquitos, Del Mar, etc... a lot of companies could be without their leadership this week.

[Derek]

Fox 6 reported at least 300 homes in Rancho Bernardo destroyed.

My mom and dad had to evacuate from Rancho Bernardo, but I think their house is alright. I'm having them stay with me for now.

[SD_Phil]

^Hope your parents are alright Derek. I drove out to a lookout in la jolla today 5 minutes from my apartment and couldn't see farther than University City. Everything else was shrouded in brown haze. It was amazing!

The news is more and more depressing.

[Derek]

Thanks Phil. :)

[trvlr70]

Terrible, terrible news. Throwing y'all some hugs from North Carolina. Keep safe!

[bmfarley]

Excellent Google Map maps:

from/managed by KPBS (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ll=32.994843,-116.924744&spn=1.029693,1.867676&z=9&om=1)

from mbfreight (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?uid=103734099241550080511&hl=en&gl=us&ptab=2&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107592071260393044446.00043d12d7e7e7af51aaa&z=11&om=1)

[ltsmotorsport]

Newer satellite image.

http://www.kcra.com/2007/1023/14404445.jpg

[SD_Phil]

Excellent Google Map maps:

from/managed by KPBS (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ll=32.994843,-116.924744&spn=1.029693,1.867676&z=9&om=1)

from mbfreight (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?uid=103734099241550080511&hl=en&gl=us&ptab=2&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107592071260393044446.00043d12d7e7e7af51aaa&z=11&om=1)

I've been using the KPBS map to keep track of all this. It is very well maintained and updated.

Incidentally, has anyone heard anything from Temecula? My sister lives in southern Temecula and tells me that there is a fire not too far from her house. It doesn't show up on the google maps or the news. She says that she called the fire department and was told (no exagerration) that they were "too busy" right now and "couldn't get to it." :shrug:

She decided to pack up just in case.

[Derek]

513,000 evacuees.

That's insane.

[Derek]

So far, I know at least six of my friends who have lost their house.

[nschmoyer]

I'm not too familiar with the San Diego area, but I've got a friend who lives in La Jolla. I haven't been able to contact him in the past couple days. How is La Jolla doing as far as the fires are concerned? Is it in the middle of everything, or a safe distance away?

I'm assuming my friend was one of those over a million that had to evacuate...

[SD_Phil]

La Jolla is just fine and was not in any danger.

Derek, that's terrible! I sincerely hope that your friends had insurance and will be able to get reimbursement for their losses.

My sister evacuated (voluntarily) from Temecula today. The rice fire is a few miles to the southwest of her house but it is sending a lot of heavy black smoke on top of them (I was there this morning).

[Derek]

One of them was in Minnesota and couldn't get anything out of his house and he literally lost everything.

[SD_Phil]

Anything we can do? (I mean it) I have lots of free time right now.

[Ex-Ithacan]

Geez guys, I can't imagine how concerned and kind of helpless you must feel. Hope all SSPers come out of this OK. I hope everyone does, but that horse has already left the barn. As tough as the property losses are, at least the death toll seems quite minimal at this point. Take care folks.

[bmfarley]

Geez guys, I can't imagine how concerned and kind of helpless you must feel. Hope all SSPers come out of this OK. I hope everyone does, but that horse has already left the barn. As tough as the property losses are, at least the death toll seems quite minimal at this point. Take care folks.

Mostly, I was just bored. Getting back to work has been a relief. Monday and Tuesday I found myself pretty-much glued to the TV. After several hours it got pretty boring. I am sure I was not the only one.

Anyway, with about 10-15% of the population directly affected with either voluntary or mandatory evacuations, most every county resident knew someone that was wondering if they were going to loose their home. Between co-workers and friends.... there must have been over 10 for me. Some got burned (yard or something), but none lost their home.

Anyone else local suffering from mild headaches? Maybe fro the dirty air?

[Derek]

It's up to eight now. Eight of my friends lost their homes. Luckily, they are in good spirits.

[vanhattan]

Good luck down there with all of the fires and smoke. Sure glad the death count was minimal. God speed for a quick recovery for all!

[vanhattan]

Just saw this article in the Vancouver Sun;
http://http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=9c6684d4-5a09-40fd-883f-d45c461a5f1b&k=88783

Gordon Hamilton, Vancouver Sun
Published: Friday, October 26, 2007
LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - British Columbia's Martin Mars waterbomber, loaded with 30,000 litres of water, flew out of this California lake early this afternoon on its first mission to fight the wildfires that have devastated southern California.

A pall of heavy smoke hanging over the lake had kept the world's largest flying boat idle all morning but it took a call to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to get it airborne once afternoon winds cleared the smoke.

Lake Elsinore Mayor Bob Magee said he made that call when he grew frustrated when the Mars had yet to be deployed.


View Larger Image
Crews of the Martin Mars waterbomber prepare the giant aircraft on Lake Elsinore, Calif., to help fight the massive blazes in southern California.
Mark van Manen/Vancouver Sun

Email to a friend

Printer friendly
Font:****"People are in danger, damage is occurring," he said. "To have this asset sitting here is frustrating. We want to be part of the solution."

Magee wasn't the only one calling the governor's office to get the Canadian plane airborne.

"I am sure the govenor is keeping in close touch and doing all he can," said Bill Atson, of the San Diego fire department.

San Diego sponsored the Canadian flying boat, owned by Port Albernie logging entrepreneur Wayne Coulson, but it was under contract to the California Department of Forests and Fire Prevention, creating an administration slowdown in getting the Mars airborne.

Magee said the arrival of the Mars in Lake Elsinore had attracted broad attention. The Second World War vintage aircraft is one of the largest forest fire-fighting machines in the world; only a prototype Douglas DC10, fighting fires near Los Angeles, is larger.

People wanted to see the Mars in action said Coulson. He is hopeful that the aircraft can become a regular part of southern California's fire fighting arsenal.

On its first mission today, the Mars target was the 40,000-hectare Harris fire, one of 16 burning in the region that have destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes.

"The Mars is ideal for this type of work," said Coulson. "It can fly in low and slow and drop its water with precision. That's a key."
:previous:
I hope it helps!

[Derek]

From a forumer at SSC. He actually posts here, too.
Satellite view of the Fires
http://signonsandiego.lamphost.net/albums/general/071024terra2.jpg

Some Interesting Vids

Time Lapse
Harris Fire 2007(near my hood in San Diego)
TD5kopoJb7w

Cedar Fire (from 2003)
rHtXqog_cSs

Smoky San Diego Skyline 2007
TLNtvcEods4