CA - Wind-Driven Thomas Fire Explodes to 31,000 Acres; 150 Structures Destroyed, 2017

[Miss Magnolia]

For heavens sakes it's December.....this shouldn't be happening.
It's all so heartbreaking...
I can't bear the news about all the loss, and all the horses... ...and the wildlife.....

My daughter and son in law lost their beloved horse Oreo due to flooding last year. Oreo was a rescue horse and got out of the barn but went back to check on another old horse, and his friend Minnie. Both perished in the water. It happened so quickly. My family was devastated. The photos of the fires are just heartbreaking, prayers for safety for all.

 

[Spellbound]

I have this as permanently open:

Crisis Map.

thanks for this.... it makes it easier for me to keep track of friends not far from the fires.

Thinking of all affected in any way by this situation. Sure hope it all settles down soon.

 

[coastal]

Checking in this morning, also in my pjs, safe and warm and grateful for so much. All is well in San Diego city.

 

[DakotaMayi]

Checking in this morning, also in my pjs, safe and warm and grateful for so much. All is well in San Diego city.

Safe in your pj's is what we want to hear

 

[DakotaMayi]

thanks for this.... it makes it easier for me to keep track of friends not far from the fires.

Thinking of all affected in any way by this situation. Sure hope it all settles down soon.

You're welcome. Your friends are in my thoughts. Let us know how they get on.

 

[Niner]

I lived in the San Fernando Valley from 1965 to 1980 - and know most of these areas!

snipped by me....
Thursday 11:34 a.m.:*Authorities continue to monitor the Rye Fire in Santa Clarita, which is holding steady north of Simi Valley. The fire is not considered a threat to Simi Valley and Moorpark. Over night, the blaze stayed within containment lines.

Good to hear this - I have friends that live in Simi Valley!! And thanks for ALL the updates Margarita!

:hug: to IQuestion! Hope you & your DH are doing okay today! Another :grouphug: for you both!!

Is there an arsonist running around down there??? Just way too many fires it seems like!

 

[Niner]

Everyone I know from Thousand Oaks to Northridge have a go bag packed. A fire can start anywhere, any second. Since now we see how quickly things can go bad, I think everyone sleeps with one eye open. Where is Highland Park?

re bold - my parents used to live there! Shoot - the whole valley will be on fire!!??!!!

I just read your post about the arsonists.... :gaah: what is WRONG with these people???!!! grrrrr....

 

[margarita25]

Southern California ‘like a war zone’ as raging wildfires grow
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...r-through-communities/?utm_term=.af8d79983e3f

"CARPINTERIA, Calif. — Wildfires continued to ravage Southern California for a fifth day Friday, with growing blazes and new fires sending rivers of flames through communities and injuring several people.

The largest of the fires spread across more than 200 square miles by Friday morning and crept toward the college town of Santa Barbara, while a new blaze in San Diego County grew quickly and dangerously, forcing a new round of evacuations."

Snip

“"We are nowhere near the end of this,” Lane said.*“There are thousands of homes that are within the path of these fires.”"

 

[margarita25]

"Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) cautioned that it was “still an insecure time” and warned that high winds could pick up again at any time. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Ralph Terrazas said the forecast of the city’s weather and humidity conditions for Friday still put it in the “extreme range” of fire risk.

The Creek Fire, the largest blaze threatening that area, had grown to more than 15,000 acres by Thursday evening and it was 20 percent contained, officials said.*That fire had destroyed more than 60 structures, half of them homes, and still threatened another 2,500 other buildings."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...r-through-communities/?utm_term=.af8d79983e3f

 

[margarita25]

California fires: Blazes stretch from Ventura to San Diego County
www.cnn.com/2017/12/08/us/california-wildfires/index.html

"Residents should be ready to evacuate even if they don't live in areas immediately affected by flames, Cal Fire Division Chief Nick Schuler said Thursday night.

"They need to prepare as if they will be impacted. Where are they gonna go? What are their escape routes? What is their communication to their families?" he said."

Snip

"Declarations:*Gov. Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation for Santa Barbara and San Diego counties. The declarations help free state resources such as the National Guard to support response efforts. He's also requested federal assistance to supplement state and local emergency response.

•*Fast winds:*Wind gusts in the region will be 35 to 55 mph through Sunday, which can fan the fire, Aissen said."

 

[citigirl]

Everyone I know from Thousand Oaks to Northridge have a go bag packed. A fire can start anywhere, any second. Since now we see how quickly things can go bad, I think everyone sleeps with one eye open. Where is Highland Park?

South of the Valley, kind of nestled between Pasadena and Glendale.

 

[margarita25]

The Latest: Winds to return as newest California fire burns
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/12/08/latest-winds-to-return-as-newest-california-fire-burns.html

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California Struggles To Gain On Fires As New Ones Appear Daily
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...les-to-gain-on-fires-as-new-ones-appear-daily

"Meanwhile, the newly spawned Lilac Fire, which has scorched 4,100 acres in San Diego County, has already claimed 20 homes and threatens 5,000 more. It is moving to the west, rapidly, authorities say, and it could soon burn a corridor all the way to the ocean.

Alison St. John of member station KPBS says the front line of the Lilac Fire is at the northern edge of San Diego's urban area, and it is burning in the direction of the Camp Pendleton Marine Base.

"Cal Fire is exercising its agreement with the military to use its helicopters for the firefighting operations," Alison says.

Cal Fire Division Chief Nick Schuler told reporters Thursday evening that "People need to be ready because this fire could make it all the way through Oceanside to the coast if it continues.""

*NASA tweets at link

 

[margarita25]

Fleeing the California Wildfires: What to Take and When to Evacuate
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/us/fire-evacuation-california.html

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In a Warming California, a Future of More Fire
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/climate/california-fires-warming.html

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Fire Alert Sent to Millions of Cellphones Was California’s Largest Warning Yet
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/us/cellphone-alerts-california-fires.html

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‘It Burns and It Keeps Burning’: Scenes From Southern California’s Wildfires
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/us/southern-california-wildfires.html

 

[DakotaMayi]

margarita, are you nearby to CA? You are providing us with all of these updates but I have to check on you too!

 

[margarita25]

margarita, are you nearby to CA? You are providing us with all of these updates but I have to check on you too!

(All good here up in Colorado, knock on wood. Thanks for asking, Ana!)

 

[margarita25]

Fires Continue to Spread in Southern California
Firefighters make some progress near Los Angeles, but blazes grow in Ventura County
https://www.wsj.com/articles/fires-continue-to-spread-in-southern-california-1512747388

"VENTURA, Calif.—Firefighters gained some control of blazes near Los Angeles Friday, but new fires sparked overnight in Southern California and the main fire in Ventura County continued to grow."

 

[Hraefn]

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/on-air/...s-Burning-in-Bonsall_San-Diego-462660123.html

https://www.google.com/maps/@33.31621,-117.161103,807m/data=!3m1!1e3

The homes destroyed by the Lilac Fire

 

[margarita25]

Southern California Fires Live Updates: Trump Declares an Emergency as Blazes Spread
9:07 AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/us/california-fires-ventura-los-angeles.html

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Chelsea Handler, Lea Michele, more celebrities flee homes as California fires rage
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life...s-flee-homes-california-fires-rage/933923001/

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Essential California: Fires rage from San Diego to the San Fernando Valley
http://www.latimes.com/newsletters/la-me-ln-essential-california-20171208-story.html

"What’s different about the Santa Ana winds this year? The air is the driest it’s been in recorded history, said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain. Los Angeles Times"

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5 major fires are now raging in Southern California — here's the latest size, location, and damage of each
http://www.businessinsider.com/cali...ldfires-locations-news-updates-damage-2017-12

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Near a wildfire? Not every mask will help keep out harmful pollutants
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech...s-wont-keep-out-harmful-pollutants/931463001/

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Smoke from Southern California fires moves into Bay Area
http://kron4.com/2017/12/07/smoke-from-southern-california-fires-moves-into-bay-area/

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Air experts: Smoke from Southern California fires drifting into Bay Area
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Air-experts-Smoke-from-Southern-California-fires-12414680.php

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Hundreds Helping to Save Horses in Southern California Fires
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...s-in-Southern-California-Fires-462713613.html

 

[margarita25]

(Really hard to read about the horses, I've actually been refraining from posting those articles. )

 

[margarita25]

How you can help fire victims in Southern California
http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-me-california-fires-20171208-story.html

"Humane Society of Ventura County:*More than 100 animals are being housed at the Humane Society location. They’re in need of alfalfa hay, Timothy hay, cat food, rabbit food, flashlights, headlamps, lanterns, water troughs, bottled water, fruit, snacks, hoses and power generators, as well as snacks for their volunteers. Donations may be dropped off at the shelter at 402 Bryant St. in Ojai."