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

[margarita25]

Intense Santa Ana winds returned, but not as bad as firefighters had feared
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fire-winds-20171207-story.html

*******

When It Comes to Wildfires, How Many Times Can We Say the Same Things?
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_t...p_saying_the_same_things_about_wildfires.html

*******
From yesterday:

California Today: Outlier Fires Are Becoming the Norm
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/us/california-today-outlier-fires-are-becoming-the-norm.html

*********
Southern California wildfires burn across communities as officials warn of ‘extreme fire danger’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-of-increasing-danger/?utm_term=.5e7dd05678b6

******

Southern California fires force 200,000 people to flee
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...res-force-200000-people-to-flee-idUSKBN1E117Q

*******
Southern California Fires Surpass 115,000 Acres As Santa Ana Winds Drive Flames
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo...ers-say-even-stronger-winds-could-stoke-fires

*******

Despite strained resources, firefighters persist in battle with Southern California fires
http://www.dailynews.com/2017/12/06...st-in-battle-with-southern-california-blazes/

*******

Creek Fire Crews Battling ‘Hurricane-Force’ Winds*Thursday
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2017/12/07/santa-ana-winds-creek-fire/

*******
The story behind the photos: How a group of friends saved a stranger's house in Ventura
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-marcus-yam-ventura-fire-photos-20171207-story.html

 

[DakotaMayi]

Intense Santa Ana winds returned, but not as bad as firefighters had feared
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-fire-winds-20171207-story.html

*******

When It Comes to Wildfires, How Many Times Can We Say the Same Things?
http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_t...p_saying_the_same_things_about_wildfires.html

Finally, some better news x

 

[margarita25]

Finally, some better news x

But unfortunately not even close to being out the woods yet, I'm afraid....
(Good to see you, Ana and FindHG)

Katy, any news from your daughter in law?

IQuestion, how are you holding up? Are you in a shelter?

Mistivon, what's going on with you?

 

[DakotaMayi]

But unfortunately not even close to being out the woods yet, I'm afraid....
(Good to see you, Ana and FindHG)

Katy, any news from your daughter in law?

IQuestion, how are you holding up?m are you in a shelter?

No But I'll take what we can get

 

[margarita25]

Ventura fire rages, threatening communities both coastal and inland; body of woman found
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ventura-fire-20171206-story.html

"The return of powerful winds Thursday pushed the destructive Ventura County fire closer to several communities, prompting new evacuations.

Communities both on the coast and inland were under threat. At 4 a.m., officials closed the 101 Freeway between Routes 126 and 150. According to theCalifornia Highway Patrol, that left no open routes between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The freeway was reopened around 7 a.m.

A woman’s body was found in a burn area near Ojai.

The Thomas fire has scorched about 96,000 acres and carved a path of destruction that stretches more than 10 miles from Santa Paula to the Pacific Ocean."

 

[margarita25]

Thomas Fire: List of evacuations, school and road closures in Ventura County
http://abc7.com/thomas-fire-evacuations-school-road-closures-list/2739409/

SANTA PAULA, Calif. (KABC) --

The Thomas Fire is leading tothousands of mandatory evacuations as well as road and school closures in the Santa Paula area.

Mandatory evacuations:

-- Areas east of Santa Paula and north of Highway 126, which includes Timber Canyon Road, Toland Road and Hall Road all meeting Highway 126

-- All areas in Ojai east of Highway 33 and north of Highway 150, with exception of Ojai Valley Commuity Hospital and the evacuation center at Nordhoff High School

-- Areas of Carpinteria east of Highway 150 from Rincon Hill Road south to the 101 Freeway, including Bates Road and Rincon Point

-- Ventura County North Coast Area - Boundary of Hwy 33 on the north to Casitas Vista Road

-- Northwest to Hwy 150

-- Areas west of Highway 33, north of West El Roblar Drive

-- Hwy 150 (Casitas Pass Road), west to US 101 and south on US 101 (including Pacific Coast Highway) to Emma Wood State Beach

-- Ventura Avenue from Canada Larga to Foster Road

-- Creek Road at Ventura Street

-- Creek Road north to Camp Comfort

-- Ventura Street north to Montgomery

-- Creek Road south of Camp Comfort

-- Persimen Hill

-- Norweign Track

-- Casitas Springs

-- McAndrew Road, Thatcher Road, Canada Road, Reeves Road

-- Foster Park

-- Everything east of Say Road in Santa Paula to the north city limits

-- State Route 150 west of Peck Road north of Virginia Terrace

-- Foothill Road, Telegraph Road, Ashwood Hill

-- County Inn Estates mobile home park at Wells and Telegraph roads

-- Encino Road

-- Alto Road

-- Feliz Road

-- Thacher School

-- La Conchita and Emma Woods State Beach area

-- All of Rancho Vista Road, north of Foothill Road from closure

-- 4 miles of State Route 140, north of 101 Freeway

-- Grand Avenue to Carne Road

-- Reeves Road to Carne Road

-- All of Casitas Pass Road

*volunteer evacuations at link

 

[LaborDayRN]

Charming, katy, IQ, etc, (still behind but sounds like stuff is going down fast, as it usually does) is there something in particular I/we can do to help you guys right now, technically, I/we can will link all resources I can find re: the current situation, maps. Shelters, etc...I'm half asleep trying to wake up here...

Great idea Margarita!

 

[margarita25]

Great idea Margarita!

LaborDay, how are you? Are you safe? What's the deal...

 

[margarita25]

Charminglane, what's the latest with you? Did you have to evacuate? Also, same questions for coastal. Tia.

 

[margarita25]

Why California's wildfire season has been so long and destructive
http://www.businessinsider.com/ventura-county-los-angeles-wildfires-california-2017-12

 

[margarita25]

Qmfr:

But unfortunately not even close to being out the woods yet, I'm afraid....
(Good to see you, Ana and FindHG)

Katy, any news from your daughter in law?

IQuestion, how are you holding up? Are you in a shelter?

Mistivon, what's going on with you?

It seems they agree with me, unfortunately: (from yesterday, though)

"We are not out of the woods by any means,” Kruschke said."
http://www.dailynews.com/2017/12/06/thomas-fire-day-3-new-evacuations-more-shelters-open-overnight/

I followed the NorCal fires intensely enough to know that this likely is going to take some time, especially considering the winds and other index factors...

Again, sending positive thoughts to everyone affected.
(Was going to light a candle, probably should find another smiley...

raying: )

 

[margarita25]

The New York Times
California Fires Live Updates: More Areas Under Siege as Wind Gains Strength
7 mins ago
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/us/california-fire-ventura-county.html

*****

The New York Times
Los Angeles Traffic Woes: Here Are the Roads Closed by the Fires
16 mins ago
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/us/traffic-fires-wildfire-road-closures.html

******

Rams' Hekker among those lending a helping hand at Thomas Fire shelters
http://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/...-helping-hand-thomas-fire-shelters/927941001/

 

[DakotaMayi]

 

[coastal]

Are you near any of the fires, coastal?

Not this time! So far, anyway. I'm just worried about my neighbors to the north!

 

[margarita25]

Mariah Carey
✔@MariahCarey

Sending love and prayers to all those affected by the fires in California. Be safe everyone!**Thankful for our incredible firefighters and rescue-workers*#Heroes

11:58 AM - Dec 7, 2017
*4040 Replies*
*282282 Retweets*
1,0811,081 likes

Malibu menaced by the wildfires that have been ravaging Southern California
https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/w...ave-been-ravaging-southern-california-n827386

"Some 200 firefighters were able to douse a blaze that erupted by a cluster of homes not far from Malibu High School, officials said.

But with tinder-dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds whipping through the mountains and canyons of northwest Los Angeles County, they remained ready for fresh conflagrations."
*

 

[margarita25]

Not this time! So far, anyway. I'm just worried about my neighbors to the north!

(Glad to hear. I see you're in San Diego (o/t, I need to check in on the Hepatitis thread ):
California / Hepatitis A Outbreak 2017
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?352479-California-Hepatitis-A-Outbreak-2017 )

 

[margarita25]

Ventura County fire: Here are the latest updates
Staff reports*|Updated 1 minute ago
http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/lo...reaches-100-acres-near-santa-paula/921986001/

(More at link re: Wed timeline):

Thursday 11:40 a.m. Faria Beach:*Downed power lines across Highway 101 have stopped traffic in both directions, CHP confirmed. The incident was reported about 11 a.m.*Cars may resume driving once the power lines are cut and cleared from the roadway.

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.

Thursday 10:38 a.m.:*The fire is headed toward Carpinteria, according to Sgt. Tim Lohman of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Another problematic area*is north of Ojai.

Thursday 10 a.m. Ojai:*There was no wind and no visible fire near the Manor of Ojai assisted and independent living center, reported Dan Feeney, administrator of the facility on Ojai’s Eucalyptus Street. At about 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feeney decided the fire was “uncomfortably close” and*it was time to evacuate. A dozen of the facility’s residents were evacuated in staff members’ personal vehicles to a shelter at the Oxnard College gymnasium.

Other people chose to go and stay with families. “I felt I didn’t want me and my people to be part of the problem,” said Feeney of evacuating, also complaining about the lack of information regarding the fire. On Thursday, Feeney was trying to figure out next steps “I’m waiting here to get off the phone with you to inspect it,” he said of the building.

Thursday 8:08 a.m.*Officials at Ojai Valley Community Hospital reported that many of the patients at the hospital and skilled nursing home were transferred about midnight Wednesday. In a tweet, officials said 48 people were transferred to their sister facility, Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura. They were resting comfortably. All patients were moved from the Ojai hospital’s skilled nursing facility and 27 people remain in the Ojai hospital.

More:*Containment hopes elusive for Thomas Fire as winds strengthen, pose more challenges

Thursday 8 a.m.*Caltrans reported Highway 33 from Villanova Road*to Highway 150 in the Ojai Valley has reopened.

Thursday 7:50 a.m.*Firefighters were in La Conchita Thursday morning where one abandoned structure had burned. "We are calling this a success," said Rich Macklin, a spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department. The*fire crept up a hillside behind the beach community in northern Ventura County about 2 a.m. was burning east of La Conchita Thursday morning. The community was under a mandatory evacuation order that went into effect Wednesday.*

Thursday 7:15 a.m.*The California Highway Patrol has reopened Highway 101 between Ventura and Carpinteria. The highway is open in both directions with motorists being escorted by the CHP.

Thursday 7:08 a.m.*Acreage for the fire has increased to 96,000 and it is 5 percent contained, according to Ventura County Fire Department. There are 2,500 personnel currently battling the fire. According to CalFire, 15,000 structures are threatened.

Thursday 4 a.m.*Santa Barbara officials confirmed the mandatory evacuation of approximately 300 residents near the Rincon Point area of Carpinteria. Evacuations were issued to residents along Bates Road, Camino Carreta, Rincon Point Road, Rincon Point Lane, Buena Fortuna, and Rincon Hill Road.

Highway 101 remained closed from Highway 126 in Ventura to Highway 150 in Carpinteria.

More:*How did Thomas Fire start? Investigation of cause for Ventura County fire could take time

Thursday 3:30*a.m.*Railroad traffic*is being shut down between the Ventura Amtrak station and Bates Road. Smoke was expected to clear enough by 4 a.m. for traffic to resume.

Thursday 3*a.m.*A firefighter at Rincon Mountain Parkway and Casitas Pass Road needed medical assistance due to chest pains. An ambulance was requested.*

Thursday 2 a.m.*The California Highway Patrol is shutting down both directions of Highway 101 in the Ventura area between Highway 33 and Bates Road. Visibility is low due to smoke, and the fire is burning in the median. At one point, it was reported to have crossed the highway. Traffic is being diverted at the State Beaches exit on the northbound side and at Bates Road on the southbound side. Almost as soon as this closure was ordered, the 101 was reported impassable north of La Conchita and a shutdown was requested as far north as Highway 150 on the edge of Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County.

Thursday 2 a.m.*A mandatory evacuation order has been placed on the area west of Highway 33 and north of West El Roblar Drive in the unincorporated Ojai Valley community of Meiners Oaks, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Thursday 1:15 a.m.**La Conchita, a small unincorporated community along the coast north of Ventura, has been issued an urgent mandatory evacuation as the fire threatens to encroach. The community was already under a mandate to evacuate, but crews said it was important to reinforce that.

More:*Near the origin of the Ventura County fire, a family waits to learn the fate of their home

Thursday 12:23 a.m.*Authorities requested shutdown of power lines near Fairview Road and Highway 33 because of flames.**

Thursday 12:20 a.m.*The California Highway Patrol is assessing a possible closure of northbound Highway 101 in Ventura from Main Street to Seacliff due to smoke on the roadway.

 

[charminglane]

I'm here in Monrovia, safe as I can be. We had no heavy wind last night or today as of yet.
Thank you for including me in the Cali group.
What a service you provide Margarita, posting links, updates, and maintaining contacts!
You all here are true gems and friends.

 

[margarita25]

EVACUATION CENTERS

Sylmar Recreation*Center 13109 Borden Ave.;
Branford Recreation Center, 13306 Branford St., Arleta;
Sun Valley Recreation Center, 8133 Vineland Ave.;
Granada Hills Recreation Center, 16730 Chatsworth St.;
Stonehurst Recreation Center, 9901 Dronfield Ave., Sun Valley;
Valley Plaza Recreation Center, 12240 Archwood St., North Hollywood;
North Hollywood Recreation Center, 11430 Chandler Blvd.;
Chatsworth South Recreation Center, 22360 Devonshire St.;
Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center, 14201 Huston St., Sherman Oaks;
Mason Recreation Center, 10500 Mason Ave., Chatsworth;
Woodland Hills Recreation Center, 5858 Shoup Ave.;
Delano Recreation Center, 15100 Erwin St., Van Nuys;
Balboa Recreation Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino;
Victory Vineland Recreation Center, 11117 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood;
Yosemite Recreation Center, 1840 Yosemite Drive, Eagle Rock;
Glassell Park Recreation Area, 3650 Verdugo Road; and
Chevy Chase Recreation Center, 4165 Chevy Chase Drive, Atwater Village.
All of the centers were accepting evacuees and pets.

ANIMAL SHELTERS
ANTELOPE VALLEY FAIRGROUNDS - (661) 948-6060
2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536
Animal shelter only: Accepting large animals, including horses

WEST VALLEY*ANIMAL SHELTER*- (888) 452-7381
20655 Plummer*Street, Los Angeles, CA 91311
Small animal shelter only

EAST VALLEY*ANIMAL*SHELTER - (888) 452-7381
14409 Vanowen St, Los Angeles, CA 91405
Small animal shelter only

LOS ANGELES EQUESTRIAN CENTER -- AT CAPACITY / CANNOT ACCEPT NEW ANIMALS
480 Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91506
Animal shelter only

PIERCE COLLEGE -- AT CAPACITY / CANNOT ACCEPT NEW ANIMALS
6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91371
Animal shelter only

Instructions:
If you are in the evacuation zone, please do NOT delay. Take critical items and safely depart the area. If you live in an area bordering the current evacuation zone, please ensure you are getting READY SET GO. This erratic fire will carry embers and create spot fires which we can not predict. Have your vehicle packed, animals secured and car facing out the driveway ready to depart.*

http://www.foxla.com/news/local-new...-of-current-evacuations-shelters-and-closures

 

[DakotaMayi]

Ventura County fire: Here are the latest updates
Staff reports*|Updated 1 minute ago
http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/lo...reaches-100-acres-near-santa-paula/921986001/

Thursday 4 a.m.*Santa Barbara officials confirmed the mandatory evacuation of approximately 300 residents near the Rincon Point area of Carpinteria. Evacuations were issued to residents along Bates Road, Camino Carreta, Rincon Point Road, Rincon Point Lane, Buena Fortuna, and Rincon Hill Road.

Highway 101 remained closed from Highway 126 in Ventura to Highway 150 in Carpinteria.

RSBM.

I'm so glad Natalie is on the move.