Huge Fire In Malibu (ca) *merged threads*

[JBean]

I live in Canyon Country near Camp Plenty & Soledad Canyon Rd. We didn't think we were close enough to the fires but out of no where the smoke started to get really thick. We started throwing things in boxes and in the cars with the rest of the neighbors. Within about 20-30 minutes of the thick smoke, some guy came down the street blaring his horn to let us know the fire was on the hill basically in our backyard. We threw the kids in the car and left. So far, the last I heard, our house was still ok. How it missed us, I don't know. There were 30-40 feet of flames shooting straight up over the houses as we left. I thought for sure our house was gone. We still aren't allowed back in the neighborhood though. What really upsets me through out all of this is that not once did the fire department or the police department come by to tell us to evacuate. Had the guy not come down the street honking, a lot of people wouldn't even have known to leave. No phone calls came, no loud speaker warnings.... nothing. My husband & sister stayed behind to water down the houses. They put out several fires on the hill side with the hoses. Not once did any fire truck come down in the neighborhood when the fire was approx 200 feet from the houses. 2 and a half hours later, one truck finally shows up. Then shortly after that, about 30 police cars came in the neighborhood forcing a mandatory evacuation. I am praying our house is still standing in the morning. At least my family is safe at this point. That is all that really matters. Everything else is replaceable.

The Canyon Country Fire looks terrible..please stay safe. The winds are still gusting up there 60 plus mph.

 

[STEADFAST]

I'm looking at pictures on the news this morning, and just feeling awful for you WS members who live or have family in Southern California. These fires are just so huge and unpredictable, I can hardly imagine what it would be like to be there during this. It's such a heavenly area, too, beautiful and wonderful in so many ways. All my best hopes and thoughts for all of you.

 

[JBean]

Canyon Country is 15k acres and growing! geez.
I still haven't heard from my friends in Ramona. They must have been evacuated.
ETA: My gf has had a lung transplant, so I would think they have gotten her out of there pretty early.

 

[JBean]

calling for temps in the mid to high 90's up through Thursday. That is not helpful.

 

[IdahoMom]

I'm praying for lots of rain for So California. I hate to see these awful fires get out of control like this.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071022/D8SE899O0.html

It seems like Malibu is affected by fires all the time- more so than other areas.

 

[JBean]

I'm praying for lots of rain for So California. I hate to see these awful fires get out of control like this.


It seems like Malibu is affected by fires all the time- and more than other areas.

Rain? What is that?

Regarding Malibu:

Malibu, with its dry chaparral brush and north-to-south running canyons, makes ideal turf for Santa Ana wind-driven flames. The Malibu area hosts one of the most combustible types of brush in existence, the chaparral ecosystem. Chaparral consists of many small, woody plants that are full of oils and are extremely flammable. These plants also tend to occur in very dry climates, and are drought-resistant. But the vegetation's most dangerous trait is its tendency to burn every 15 to 45 years in its own natural reproductive cycle, to eliminate old growth and begin the regenerative process. Inhabitants make the problem worse. Small fires are extinguished in the Malibu hills as soon as they threaten homes. But preventing the remaining plants from burning causes large amounts of old, dry brush to build up in Malibu's canyons, providing massive quantities of flammable material.
The Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon corridor provides a fertile playground for wildfires, with its steep walls and high-velocity winds. The growing population north of the canyon creates many opportunities for accidental triggers or arson to start a major fire.
During the fall and early winter months, strong Santa Ana winds take regular trips through Malibu and out to the ocean. As the Santa Ana winds blow through, evaporating whatever moisture is left in the chaparral after the long dry summer, relative humidity can drop below 10 percent. Once a fire starts, it is nearly impossible to contain, until the Santa Ana winds die down. Malibu has a history of wildfires which "historically follow well-defined wildfire corridors. When large and damaging fires occur you'll find the wind and fire corridors perfectly aligned." (report 4) This makes it even more difficult to fight a fire.

http://www.malibucomplete.com/mc_hazards_fires.php

 

[Camper]

OMG, so sorry. Holding good thoughts and prayers that there will be no loss of life.

JBean, these 60 mph winds are the Santa Ana winds you mentioned, right?

Noted in your post just above that the cause is 'Unknown'. No rains and no lightning, hmmm, right? What is your best guess on the cause?

Didn't the other big fire last year or so, come when the Santa Ana winds were prevalent? Sounds as if maybe that group of people that do not like increased use of land for development 'could possibly' plan such destructive efforts to coinside with the winds. I am just doing my brand of sleuthing.

I never hear of LE catching these culprits, course I don't get much CA news here in the west of that sort. I cannot remember the name of the group at this moment. IF I am near to right, it is absolutely insane!!!!

:blowkiss:

.

 

[Gina_M]

:laugh:

Rain? What is that?

It's that water that falls out of the sky in like February :dance:

 

[Camper]

Rain? What is that?

Regarding Malibu:

Malibu, with its dry chaparral brush and north-to-south running canyons, makes ideal turf for Santa Ana wind-driven flames. The Malibu area hosts one of the most combustible types of brush in existence, the chaparral ecosystem. Chaparral consists of many small, woody plants that are full of oils and are extremely flammable. These plants also tend to occur in very dry climates, and are drought-resistant. But the vegetation's most dangerous trait is its tendency to burn every 15 to 45 years in its own natural reproductive cycle, to eliminate old growth and begin the regenerative process. Inhabitants make the problem worse. Small fires are extinguished in the Malibu hills as soon as they threaten homes. But preventing the remaining plants from burning causes large amounts of old, dry brush to build up in Malibu's canyons, providing massive quantities of flammable material.
The Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon corridor provides a fertile playground for wildfires, with its steep walls and high-velocity winds. The growing population north of the canyon creates many opportunities for accidental triggers or arson to start a major fire.
During the fall and early winter months, strong Santa Ana winds take regular trips through Malibu and out to the ocean. As the Santa Ana winds blow through, evaporating whatever moisture is left in the chaparral after the long dry summer, relative humidity can drop below 10 percent. Once a fire starts, it is nearly impossible to contain, until the Santa Ana winds die down. Malibu has a history of wildfires which "historically follow well-defined wildfire corridors. When large and damaging fires occur you'll find the wind and fire corridors perfectly aligned." (report 4) This makes it even more difficult to fight a fire.

http://www.malibucomplete.com/mc_hazards_fires.php

--->>>JBean, we just posted at the near exact time, you have answered my questions I posted in sync with your post.

Thank you for this most enlightening post on the winds and tinder growth.

.

 

[Gina_M]

OMG, so sorry. Holding good thoughts and prayers that there will be no loss of life.

JBean, these 60 mph winds are the Santa Ana winds you mentioned, right?

Noted in your post just above that the cause is 'Unknown'. No rains and no lightning, hmmm, right? What is your best guess on the cause?

Didn't the other big fire last year or so, come when the Santa Ana winds were prevalent? Sounds as if maybe that group of people that do not like increased use of land for development 'could possibly' plan such destructive efforts to coinside with the winds. I am just doing my brand of sleuthing.

I never hear of LE catching these culprits, course I don't get much CA news here in the west of that sort. I cannot remember the name of the group at this moment. IF I am near to right, it is absolutely insane!!!!

:blowkiss:

.

Fires are very common here in CA because it is very hot and dry, and when the Santa Ana winds kick up, it often causes fires. Nope, no rain. We hardly ever get rain, and the most likely time for it is winter (January/February).

 

[Just Jules]

Prayers for all affected by these fires. :blowkiss:

I have just been watching footage on our news.

It is truly frightening, so much devastation.

 

[Love_Mama]

BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING......MONDAY OCT. 22

As I'm posting they're asking people to stay off the roads if you don't HAVE to be at work.....
I live at the beach and the air quality here is horrible. The horrible wind's are blowing toward the WEST. Right now, inland a little the gust's are at 50 miles per hour. The fire just jumped I-15..........OMG!
They're opening Qualcom Stadium and maybe the Fairgrounds. All school's are closed east of I-15.

xxxxxxxxxoooo
mama
:blowkiss:

My daugher is scheduled for a C Section this Thurs. so I'll be busy but will try to keep posted. I'm sure this is on every major channel.

----------

Massive Evacuation Ordered West Of I-15

Qualcomm Stadium Opened For Evacuees

POSTED: 6:43 am PDT October 22, 2007
UPDATED: 7:20 am PDT October 22, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- With fire spreading quickly westward, San Diego County officials ordered the evacuation of a huge area east of Interstate 15 between Del Dios Highway and Highway 56 early Monday.


LIVE COVERAGE
NEW IMAGES: Night Fire In Ramona | Harris Fire

At a news conference shortly after 6 a.m., officials said fires had spread dramatically overnight, whipped by fierce Santa Ana winds. They said fire had jumped Interstate 15 at Lake Hodges and was burning in parts of Rancho Bernardo. Because of the explosive and unpredictable nature of the blazes, all residents living between Interstate 15 and Interstate 5 from Del Dios Highway in the north to Highway 56 in the south were told to begin evacuating.
"This fire is moving very quickly," San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said. "Watch TV, listen to the radio and have your car prepared to leave."
Among the communities in the evacuation area are Rancho Sante Fe, Carmel Highlands, Rancho Bernardo, Del Mar Heights and Fairbanks Ranch and parts of Rancho Penasquitos.
Officials have opened Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley to handle the large number of evacuees.
Sanders asked everyone in San Diego County to minimize the use of cell phones to leave the airways free for the use of emergency personnel.
Fires Spread Dramatically Overnight

The situation has gotten dramatically worse overnight," said Chief Bill Metcalf, the area fire coordinator for the county. Instead of calming, winds increased overnight, pushing the fire westward with flames shooting up to 200 feet in the air, he said.
The Witch Fire spread into Ramona overnight, Metlcalf said. It now has two fronts: one in the San Pasqual Valley and a southern front that is threatening the Barona Indian Reservation and Lakeside, he said. In San Pasqual Valley, is has combined with a smaller fire called the Guajito Fire, which is threatening the San Diego Wild Animal Park, he said.

 

[Love_Mama]

Canyon Country is 15k acres and growing! geez.
I still haven't heard from my friends in Ramona. They must have been evacuated.
ETA: My gf has had a lung transplant, so I would think they have gotten her out of there pretty early.

Bean, everyone in Ramona was evacuated last nite.

xxxxxxxxo
mama
:blowkiss: :blowkiss:

 

[hockeymom]

This is horrible. I pray for your safety and everyone in So.Cal.
I know how dry those Santa Ana winds are . I can't imagine trying to combat a fire when they are quicking in. Keep us posted as best you can. Even though it is on the news,we don't really get a full picture.

 

[PaperDoll]

It has been horrible where I live. It has been so horribly windy. It's like a fog of DIRT. It's so gross. You don't dare go outside. Do not open windows or doors or you house will be full of dirt. It's bad!

Lilpony :blowkiss: When hubby and I were driving back from Vegas, we were on the 15 freeway and the winds were brutal and ugly. Dirt everywhere along with other things that were coming at us. I was driving, hubby needed a rest, but there were parts that scared me. We saw trucks pulled over the side of the road. One thing for sure, I'm glad we were not flying in. That would scare me.. We flew once when we were having the high winds and we were coming into John Wayne Airport, I thought we were going to crash the winds were bad..

It's ugly outside.. Usually these winds bring a beautiful clean day but not this time. It's smokey out

Praying for rain...

 

[nanandjim]

Lilpony :blowkiss: When hubby and I were driving back from Vegas, we were on the 15 freeway and the winds were brutal and ugly. Dirt everywhere along with other things that were coming at us. I was driving, hubby needed a rest, but there were parts that scared me. We saw trucks pulled over the side of the road. One thing for sure, I'm glad we were not flying in. That would scare me.. We flew once when we were having the high winds and we were coming into John Wayne Airport, I thought we were going to crash the winds were bad..

It's ugly outside.. Usually these winds bring a beautiful clean day but not this time. It's smokey out

Praying for rain...

We were worried about the winds when we left Palm Springs yesterday. They didn't really appear to be a problem, though. My prayers are with the individuals who are affected by this weather and the fires. How tragic and scary!!

 

[JBean]

The Irvine fire was arson. Started in 3 places at once.

 

[hockeymom]

The Irvine fire was arson. Started in 3 places at once.

That is so awful.Why does anyone get a thrill over such distruction? I hope they catch the SOB that did it.

 

[CaliKid]

The Witch Creek Fire split into 2 heads overnight and is devastating central San Diego County. News crews say it could be worse than the 2003 Cedar Fire because Santa Ana high wind conditions are expected to last 2-3 days rather than the 18 hours of four years ago.

The southern flank has overcome neighborhoods in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos and eastern Rancho Santa Fe, jumping I-15 which is now closed between Deer Springs Road north of Escondido and Hwy. 52. The northern flank is threatening the Wild Animal Park and southern Escondido (San Pasqual area).

In the meantime, two fires have sprung up in San Marcos, including one directly behind Cal State San Marcos. The fire in San Elijo hills is growing and burning towards the coast in Leucadia/Encinitas and southern Carlsbad. Another fire is burning in Fallbrook.

Schools are closed all over San Diego County, including my own children. They are going through their things in case we have to evacuate, but I don't think we're in any immediate danger. I'm gathering together photos, important papers and jewelry on my bed, but I live in an urban area that isn't surrounded by high brush and hope we'll be safe.

For all of my fellow Websleuthers in the county, God watch over and bless you. This is so scary.

 

[PaperDoll]

The Irvine fire was arson. Started in 3 places at once.

:furious: :furious: :behindbar