Well, we're on fire again (official State of Emergency)
Brea Fire
Sylmar area
Here's a thread to post collective thoughts, updated news, etc. Hopefully it won't be as big as last time's June fires, but to get the ball rolling here are some useful resources. I certainly don't know everything yet or have access to all the knowledge on the fires, so feel free to contribute as well (the last thread was really informative with a lot of people providing great resources etc).
Fires are currently active in Montecito, Yorba Linda/Brea, Sylmar, and probably more places more north but I'm not too sure.
Those are some pretty disturbing images, the second one looks like the end of the freaking world. Sucks that this type of thing seems to occur year after year after year. =(
edit: Wow PUNisher, I don't know whether to love you or hate you. Nice theme. haha.
floods, fire and droughts, are god's way of showing displeasure new orleans was flooded, now california burns, where will the drought come? god does not like sin.. + Show Spoiler +
On November 16 2008 08:31 FzeroXx wrote: How do these get started/sustain themselves in November?
Santa Ana winds were blowing at like 70-100mph or something really crazy like that, which fan the fires really well. That's really the crux of socal's fire problems, having sick winds to fuel it.
i live near the yorba linda area. luckily im at my friends house at irvine but all the major freeways are closed. there is a fire that is currently moving towards riverside as well. as long as theres strong winds and this dry weather i think the fires will be just as bad as last years
One of my ex's was originally from California. I feel sorta bad, because just a few weeks ago we were teasing each other, and I definitely said something along the lines of "I hope ur state catches fire again," to him.
I live in SoCal (LA area). The smoke + ashes are near and it was hot all day. I can't complain though. The people that live closer to it have it much harder.
Fall Rally for Key Club (High School Kiwanis) was supposed to happen to day. It was canceled because of these fires. D:
I live in Anaheim, the air quality right now is horrible. It's also very hot. The only thing to do is close all door and windows and turn on the fan/air conditioner.
On November 16 2008 10:03 LOcDowN wrote: I live in Anaheim, the air quality right now is horrible. It's also very hot. The only thing to do is close all door and windows and turn on the fan/air conditioner.
That's the opposite of where I live. It's freezing cold so the heater is on. The air quality is fantastic from all of our trees and dry cold weather. At least we both keep our doors closed .
Hope the fires don't claim too many people's houses.
dang, i saw the houses burning on tv. i can't image how i would react if i saw my house burning to the ground. but i would be fine i guess as long as i got all my family photos and family members out. those are priceless. dang.
is there any chance that someone can find a list of the highways that are closed down? One of my friends just called me trying to get from irvine to northern la- apparently at least highway 91 is closed down.
I'm in irvine, other than the air being dry, everything is good. by tomorrow all of the smoke and ash should get here><;;
The google map link in the OP shows where the fires are and which highways are closed, and is being updated fairly often. Not sure how accurate the locations are, though.
Two days ago while I was in the bathroom taking care of business, my phone rings and the answering machine picks up. It was one of my neighbors calling - "Hello?! Hello? I'm calling to warn you that there's a fire near your place. It's near your backyard. Be careful!"
Now, I live in SE San Diego, but last year even we had ash floating around our streets. At the time, I wasn't aware that there were already fires up north. Knowing what could happen, I was so scared that I got the hell out without cleaning myself up. As I was dashing to my backyard, I was thinking so many things --"Where are the firetrucks? Why can't I hear their sirens? What do I take? Where do I go?" There was, indeed, a fire about 100 yards away. Thankfully, it was a small one, and there was little wind to spread it around as the canyon is all dry brush. It took two firetrucks, two helicopter drops, ~10 firemen, and about 25 minutes to extinguish it. Despite how small it was, I couldn't move or stop watching out of fear. Seeing a fire ablaze so close to your sanctuary is one hell of a scary sight. I heard from my neighbors later in the day that it was a nearby highschool student who started it. Punks.
I can't imagine what the people up north are feeling. I'm praying that it'll all be put out soon, and also for the safety of everyone up there.
On November 16 2008 07:54 Mikilatov wrote: Those are some pretty disturbing images, the second one looks like the end of the freaking world. Sucks that this type of thing seems to occur year after year after year. =(
FYI, a number of wildfires start naturally, and in places where they occur regularly, the natural life living there has adapted to it. In fact, in some cases life has evolved to NEED the regular wildfires. E.g. there is a species of tree that reproduces only after a fire: its pinecones are designed to open only after the extreme heat of a fire.
So although this is tragic for humans, it is probably a normal part of the life cycle for the animals and vegetation living there, and may even be necessary for some of them. Kind of like how floods can be very beneficial in nature. So the fact that they occur regularly might actually be a good thing, even if we don't fully understand how.
By the way, where are all the people who posted about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, saying the people living there were stupid for building in such a vulnerable place, in a region prone to hurricanes and situated below sea level? And saying that you did not want to waste more tax dollars to help those families rebuild in New Orleans, only to have to rescue them again in the future? Where are you guys now to apply your logic here, to the regular wildfires in Cali?
Anyway, I hope you guys with family in the area will find out that they are safe and sound, and I am sorry for your losses (of houses, etc. assuming everyone evacuates safely).
On November 17 2008 02:43 Bill307 wrote: By the way, where are all the people who posted about Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, saying the people living there were stupid for building in such a vulnerable place, in a region prone to hurricanes and situated below sea level? And saying that you did not want to waste more tax dollars to help those families rebuild in New Orleans, only to have to rescue them again in the future? Where are you guys now to apply your logic here, to the regular wildfires in Cali?
Anyway, I hope you guys with family in the area will find out that they are safe and sound, and I am sorry for your losses (of houses, etc. assuming everyone evacuates safely).
That makes no sense. Hurricanes and shit are act of nature. This fire was started by a kid.
I'm not gonna lie The sky/scenery looks soooooooooooooooooooo amazing. Beautiful. I really want to see it. But it really is bad news. I hope it will turn out well...
I'm in Santa Barbara and I could see the fire from my dorm, which was kind of crazy. Luckily, we weren't forced to evacuate, but a lot of the surrounding community was. It does happen every year, so you do kind of become complacent towards it, especially if it's not directly affecting you. Apparently a few of the fires are confirmed as arson, just so you guys know.
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