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

[whitelilac]

Not good....at all. So much 'extreme" purple.

http://www.oesnews.com/extreme-fire-danger-socal/

 

[katydid23]

Oh really?
I didn't know that (about outside fires being illegal)!

To Clarify:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/home/?cid=stelprdb5401877

Current Fire Restrictions - Level III
Level III Fire Restrictions Take Effect July 17, 2017

**ALERT** NO CAMPFIRES IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
** NO TARGET SHOOTING ALLOWED**
Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire use sites (developed car campgrounds)

Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect immediately. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf).

You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.

Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)

 

[FindHG]

Hiya ANAPISCES I am glad we crossed paths now! (Sometimes I just make people "cross" lol.) I tried to provide valuable updates....some that will be ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY....please share.
#1) The state and county will clean/remove all the HAZARDOUS WASTE AT NO COST TO THE HOMEOWNERS!!!! This is absolutely amazing and a safety requirement for future construction or sale. Ash from a structure fire is much more toxic than ash from a forest fire. A structure fire can leave asbestos, arsenic, cadmium, lead, paints, solvents and flame retardants.

#2) While "boil water" warnings were issued, all tests have come back "AT NO TIME DID THE TESTS DETECT HARMFUL CONTAMINANTS." Yahoo!!
#3) Ventura normally has 6 fire houses with 22 first responders each....we currently have 4000 first responders working the area.
#4) We will probably experience "STRESS, GRIEF, GUILT & ANGER", according to the directer of behavioral health. (Bullseye on that call!)
#5)The wind gusts were 60 to 80 MPH when the fire first reported at 6:50 PM and moved 13 miles in the first night!! No brakes on that freight train of destruction consuming dry vegetation at a rate of 270 feet per minute.
#6) The fire and police departments, realizing the fast moving danger.....EVACUATED 27,000 HILLSIDE RESIDENTS IN ONE HOUR!!! They ran through the neighborhoods with bullhorns, banging on doors, and getting people moving to safety.
One thing we shall always remember....their actions is what saved the life of every man, woman and child from a structure related death. (One lady died in a single car accident as she tried to evacuate. RIP dear Lady.) So far, 537 structures destroyed and 118 damaged. This fire has exceeded 230,000 acres making it the 5th largest fire in Calif history.
(Everything above is a synopsis of community meeting which lasted about an hour, entire video link supplied here.)
http://www.capsmedia.org/thomas-fire-incident-community-meeting/
I've got to get ready to meet with "insurance field adjuster" later....the 4th one we have been handed-off-to. (I have read this is normal, so not panicking yet.) Hubby and I spent $38.94 at the Goodwill on Sunday...3 pairs of jeans, 1 pair khakis, and 2 shirts...
and we giggled like sophomores on a budget. NO DRESSING ROOMS, but they do have a 7 day return policy....we looked at each other and screamed, "Deal!"
Will report more in a couple days....

IQ! Been thinking of you. What a trooper you are. Thank you so much for sharing how you're doing and how your dealing with it all. So brave and admirable, you are. Nice to see you splurging at the Goodwill. It's our favorite brand by virtue of the finds being so much more fun! I hope the stress diminishes asap for you and all those affected, as recovering from the fires, it seems, will take time. Here's hoping the insurance companies make it real easy for you throughout the process! Take good and gentle care :heartbeat:

ps
I'm not sure how to describe following the fires from here is like. But the distance and unfamiliarity doesn't take away from the concern, the wanting to help, the learning, the awe of how the fires are fought, and the hope one finds in such a spirited community response. Will stay tuned...

 

[DakotaMayi]

[h=1]After wildfires, Southern California faces risk of mudslides [/h]
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/12/13/after-wildfires-southern-california-faces-risk-of-mudslides.html

 

[ilovepierre]

Not good....at all. So much 'extreme" purple.

http://www.oesnews.com/extreme-fire-danger-socal/

I know (or I guess know of) people who live in the purple areas.

 

[charminglane]

Freaks me out to live in the purple.
Pantone's co!or of the year.

 

[katydid23]

I know (or I guess know of) people who live in the purple areas.

We live in the middle of the purple. My daughter does too. And my son and his family.

 

[Spellbound]

Hoping you all stay all right with your homes and your safety. Please, be prepared to leave if it is necessary. Take no chances.

 

[ilovepierre]

We live in the middle of the purple. My daughter does too. And my son and his family.

:O
Stay safe!

 

[FindHG]

areas that have burned over the last 12 hours in red
a good firefighting day today, no homes lost (I think?)
http://www.keyt.com/news/thomas-fire-continued-live-coverage-at-1000-pm/670698437 livestream. not precise paraphrased
fire history map
Tremendous impact on agriculture. the smoke and ash, econ. environment,
sales are down, profits down in area markets
i.e., ash goes into lettuce, some produce goes to waste.
a current small fire, a ways up in the a hills over Montecito

8000 firefighters. 33 helicopters battling the blaze, on day 10
~

After announcing increased containment on one of the biggest wildfires in California history, officials warned that communities remain at risk and the threat could increase as unpredictable winds whip up again.
...

Still No End In Sight For Thomas Fire As It Threatens Seaside Communities
CBSNew LA
December 13, 2017 at 5:25 pm

~


Firefighters made some progress Wednesday on corralling the so-called Thomas Fire, which has spread into national forest land northwest of Los Angeles. However, they warned that the fire would continue to spread west as it eats up parched brush.
...
By Wednesday evening, state fire officials said the blaze was 30 percent contained but it continued to threaten Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito
...
AP 8:18 pm PT updated since
http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/article189483484.html

~

Thomas Fire held at bay while residents still feel effects
VC Star/USA TODAY
Dec 13 17 ~ 7:30pm PT

http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/20...g-real-time-video-over-thomas-fire/950914001/


Witnesses saw snapped, sparking power line at start of destructive L.A. wildfire
LA Times
12/13/17

http://www.independent.com/news/2017/dec/14/why-good-thomas-fire-map-was-hard-find/

 

[everybodhi]

Yes, nice sunrises and sunsets. I hadn’t realized until you posted that SoCal fires are causing the haze here in Southern Oregon. I used the website AirNow during August and part of September when our air quality ranged from “moderate” as it is now to “very unhealthy.” I stayed inside mostly and wore an approved mask if I went out. I have mild asthma and never had to use my inhaler. So take precautions everyone!!

Seattle’s current yellow “moderate” is worse than our “moderate” and it recommends that sensitive people need to avoid heavy or prolonged exertion.

https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=853

https://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=258

Sending another batch of hugs to all affected. :heartbeat:

Beautiful skies in Echo Park

 

[FindHG]

unofficial, but give a sense of where the fire was fought. red - present to last twelve hours. orange last 24 hours.

current status of flare way up over Mont., seen from Ortega Ridge, miles apart, seem closer and more alarming at night. but firefighters on it. LE on every corner checking IDs

image from the fire fought last night, in...?

http://www.keyt.com/news/thomas-fire-continued-live-coverage-at-1000-pm/670698437 livestream
red flag warning for Ventura for the weekend and possibly Santa Barb. too
air quality, parking rules for the week below

 

[FindHG]

Evacuation Lifted at this time

The edges of the fire.

http://www.keyt.com/news/thomas-fire-continued-live-coverage/670698437


Wishing you all as little whoosh as possible. Stay safe. Thank you for all the updates. Good to know how you're doing.

Everybodhi, thanks for this!

 

[DakotaMayi]

Beautiful skies in Echo Park

How beautiful. Thanks for posting, everybodhi.

"Even in the darkness, there is light."

 

[MelmothTheLost]

unofficial, but give a sense of where the fire was fought. red - present to last twelve hours. orange last 24 hours.

I'm relieved to see that the fire is not further encroaching onto Ojai. It's not good that it's spreading in any direction of course, but it would be particularly grim if it reached what is supposed to be a safe place for animals brought there to shelter from the fire.

 

[ilovepierre]

http://www.kmir.com/story/37064598/firefighter-fatality-reported-at-huge-california-wildfire

 

[Spellbound]

http://www.kmir.com/story/37064598/firefighter-fatality-reported-at-huge-california-wildfire

oh no,,,,. They work so hard to save people’s,lives and possessions, This s so sad to read. :rose:

- A firefighter died Thursday while working a colossal wildfire burning in coastal mountains northwest of Los Angeles that has become the fourth largest in California history.
The death, but no details of the circumstances, was confirmed in a statement from Chief Ken Pimlott of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

 

[FindHG]

Cal Fire family mourns San Diego firefighter killed in Thomas fire
The San Diego Union Tribune

:rose:​

 

[Jax49]

Cal Fire family mourns San Diego firefighter killed in Thomas fire
The San Diego Union Tribune

:rose:​

So sad. From your link:

Iverson, 32, had been with Cal Fire since 2009 and is survived by his wife and a 2-year-old daughter, officials said at a press conference.

 

[shana]

So sad. From your link:

Yes, and his wife is expecting their second daughter.

Thank you for your service, Cory. Rest in eternal peace.