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

[margarita25]

Elite Thoroughbred Racehorses Killed in Lilac Fire
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...acehorses-Killed-in-Lilac-Fire-462701273.html

****

San Diego Firefighters Using Secret Weapon to Battle Blazes
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...ecret-Weapon-to-Battle-Blazes--462685213.html

"As the Lilac Fire rips through North County, the Super Scooper is back in San Diego to help fight the flames.

The amphibious firefighting aircraft can fly at speeds up to 233 mph and scoop up to 1,600 gallons of water in just 12 seconds from an ocean or lake. Then it drops it onto raging wildfires.

Two Super Scoopers are currently stationed at Brown Field Airport in San Diego.

According to Fire Chief Brian Fennessy with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, the aircraft has not been stationed in San Diego since 2008."

 

[LaborDayRN]

(I feel so guilty being here in my comfie jammies in my own home eating a hot meal )

Oh Margarita! You have such a big heart and have shared so much important information here with all of us. Don't feel guilty my friend...............just thankful! :yourock:

 

[margarita25]

“"The recession hit and quite frankly it was difficult to fund,” said Fennessy. “They cost about $1,600 a day each just to be available, and $1,107 per flight hour.”

Mayor Kevin Faulconer decided to bring them back after the heat wave this year.

The Canadian aircraft is leased to San Diego, as well as Los Angeles, where firefighters have been using it to battle multiple wildfires in the area."

San Diego Firefighters Using Secret Weapon to Battle Blazes
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...ecret-Weapon-to-Battle-Blazes--462685213.html

 

[LaborDayRN]

Now evacuating portions of Fillmore as the OTHER side of the Thomas fire spreads.
MULTIPLE instances of arson today. WTF is wrong with People??? About noon some crazy person in a pickup through something on fire out of his truck window and started a brush fire in Moorpark. Like 2 miles from the only highschool and a middle school. My kids go there!!!
Now tonight, it seems that someone has been lighting trees on fire throughout Oxnard and El Rio. One of them was right on 101. As soon as one goes out, more trees a couple miles away catch on fire.
What horrible disregard for human life. I have not read back in the thread and have only glanced at the news...I saw a fire in SD I think earlier...all sleuths ok? IQ I never heard back and can't get you off my mind. Katy, how are your friends and family? I am going to volunteer somewhere this weekend so please let me know if I can help you first.
Margarita thank you so much for the updates and your care and concern.
Sending love to everyone.

I've been trying not to think that this horrible chain of fires could be arson, but it's been in the back of my mind. The Santa Paula (Ventura) fire started off the 126, then the Santa Clarita fire started not far from the 126/I-5 interchange, THEN the Sylmar fire stared 20 minutes south there near the 1-5/210. I can't get the image out of my mind of someone driving down the 126, onto the 1-5 then onto the 210. :maddening:

 

[margarita25]

Brush Fire Sparks Along Interstate 5 in Chula Vista
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...ng-Interstate-5-in-Chula-Vista-462683923.html

"A half-acre brush fire sparked along a busy freeway in Chula Vista Thursday evening--one of three fires that broke out in San Diego County.

The fire began in the brush alongside the southbound Interstate 5 at E Street, the Chula Vista Fire Department confirmed."

 

[margarita25]

Facebook Activates Safety Check Feature for Destructive Lilac Fire
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...y-Check-Feature-for-Lilac-Fire-462685183.html

 

[whitelilac]

Lilac Fire.
friend just posted on FB (with a pic of heavy smoke outside her home) that she has evacuated (mandatory now)....Oceanside, not Bonsall.

“This fire could make it all the way through Oceanside to the Coast if it continues,” Schuler said.(CalFire spokesman)

It appears to be happening.

She went to her brother's place closer to the ocean with her two cats, and now her brother's place is stated as a a pre- evacuation area.

This is awful. Danger everywhere.

 

[margarita25]

"A 1-acre brush fire sparked in Oceanside Thursday, burning north, fire officials confirmed.

The fire began at 3:38 p.m. on El Camino Real, south of Oceanside Boulevard, according to the Oceanside Fire Department. The fire was burning north with heavy fuel.

Fire officials do not anticipate the fire getting out of the area but they are bringing in extra resources as a precaution.*

The fire is next to a retaining wall. Firefighters are prepared in the event it jumps the wall and threatens structures on the other side, fire officials said."


https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/lo...e-Brush-Fire-in-Oceanside-462650853.html[/url

 

[margarita25]

"A fire from a homeless encampment was the cause.

San Diego County is under an unprecedented fire threat Thursday.*

Millions of cellphones buzzed loudly Tuesday night from San Diego to Santa Barbara with a sound that usually means an Amber Alert, but this time meant*a rare weather warning*for strong winds making extreme fire danger."

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Fire-Reported-in-Mission-Valley-San-Diego-462534093.html

*I learned that many homeless encampments have been established to help battle the Hepatitis A epidemic in San Diego:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?352479-California-Hepatitis-A-Outbreak-2017

 

[LaborDayRN]

I do, too, Margarita. Survivors guilt. I just need a breath. I have been the designated reporter lol for several FB groups and have been listening to the scanner round the clock for the last 72 hours. I need to step back...then I think how lucky I am to have the luxury to do that.
I feel guilty, also, because I was very involved in Mariahs case and then missed her viewing. I don't even know if there were more arrests...i feel like I've let her down too.
I just feel like I need to help. Now that my family is safe (barring a new and close fire) I want to do what I can to help anyone who needs it.
My heart just hurts.

(((((Mistivon))))) Please don't feel guilty. I've read your posts and you give your heart and soul to the cases you follow. I think we're all feeling pretty blue sitting in our warm houses while other suffer.

 

[margarita25]

Wildfire destroys mobile homes in California retirement park
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-southern-california-fires-20171207-story.html

"A brush fire driven by gusty winds that have plagued Southern California all week exploded rapidly Thursday north of San Diego, destroying dozens of mobile homes in a retirement community and killing race horses at an elite training facility.

The fire exceeded 6 square miles in a matter of hours and tore through the tightly packed Rancho Monserate Country Club community in the small city of Fallbrook, known for its avocado orchards and horse ranches. Three people were burned trying to escape the flames, said Capt. Nick Schuler of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection."

(Battery dying again, stay safe folks, see you tomorrow!)

 

[LaborDayRN]

Lilac Fire.
friend just posted on FB (with a pic oh heavy spoke outside her home) that she has evacuated (mandatory now)....Oceanside, not Bonsall.

“This fire could make it all the way through Oceanside to the Coast if it continues,” Schuler said.(CalFire spokesman)

It appears to be happening.

She went to her brother's place closer to the ocean with her two cats, and now her brother's place is stated as a a pre- [FONT=Arimo, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]evacuation area.

This is awful. Danger everywhere.[/FONT]

Oh no. I'm so sorry your friend had to evacuate, but I'm thankful she is in a safe place.

 

[whitelilac]

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.....

 

[LaborDayRN]

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.....

:tears: :grouphug:

 

[FindHG]

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Southern-California-Wildfires-205975171.html

http://www.cbs8.com/story/37021253/...-training-center-in-bonsall-during-lilac-fire

You're all good, as far as I can see, and of gracious and good will, no reason to feel guilty. I think all our hearts go out to IQ, especially, and others who have lost so much and all those fighting the fires.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

I can't bear the news about all the loss, and all the horses... ...and the wildlife.....

I know. That's why amidst all the human drama, I thought it worth posting that video of the motorist saving the wild rabbit. As they say:

"Saving One Animal Won’t Change the World But It Will Change The World For That One Animal"

 

[DakotaMayi]

Has anyone heard from IQ? and good to see you check in mitsivon.

I'm waiting on the next update from my friend, Natalie. She has her three nieces while her in laws try to work out just how bad things are for them. (That's the last I heard anyway).

 

[DakotaMayi]

Btw, THANKYOU to all for the updates everyone. I come here for update first every time. I couldn't get online for a little bit and I'm super tired now but determined to get caught up.

 

[DakotaMayi]

I have this as permanently open:

Crisis Map.

 

[DakotaMayi]

Little update: I think, my friend made it back to Calabasas.

(I say I think because the VM she left us in our group chat was grainy AT BEST. That's what the other 6 of us pieced together).