Southern California Fires

[Virgil]

I've been watching on the news the fires in southern California. And today Lily Adams who lives in the area posted a couple of pictures in the Pictures Taken By You thread. I understand the fires are completely out of control and the Santa Anna winds will be gusting for a few days. This is terrible news in terms of fighting the fire. My prayers are with anyone who lives in the area. Please take care of yourselves and evacuate if told. Here's a picture I picked up off google images.

http://blogging.la/archives/images/2007/01/malibufire1.jpg

[applepie]

My thoughts are with people in the area. A friend just e-mailed us pictures of the sky in their area, and it was completly red in the middle of the day. I've not been able to watch the news, so I was clueless until she sent the images. I'm hoping they will evacuate if told.

[Lily Adams]

Oh, thank you for your concern, Virgil. We have fires a lot, but I've never seen anything like this. I'm fine, as the fires aren't really close, but I worry about the people whose houses have been destroyed and whose lives are at stake. One person has already been killed. :(

I think things are clearing up. The sky looks less orange outside.

[Niamh]

hope everythings okay Lily!

[thelastmelon]

I actually hadn't even heard of these fires..
But, by the look of it, it seems like it's been out of control.

I hope it calms down.

[Gadget Girl]

Yes, I just saw that a while ago on the news! I saw the video that the fire did spread and it was terrible. I hope the people living there are safe!

[grace86]

Apparently there are a bunch of fires around here. One in Malibu, down near San Diego, and then in Arrowhead behind where I live. They have pretty much caused the air to look very hazy. I hope everyone is doing okay.

I guess there are a bunch of idiot's out there that on top of the natural fires, they think it is some bright idea to go and start one of their own. Why...it's beyond me.

How are things going where you are at Lily...clearing up? Yesterday it was just windy where I am at, but today, there is smoke everywhere (no ash yet).

[thelastmelon]

I just saw it on the news here in Sweden as well.
And the pictures that were taken.. It's hard to understand how the fire can spread that way. What caused it? Heat? The fact that it's dry?

[Virgil]

Apparently there are a bunch of fires around here. One in Malibu, down near San Diego, and then in Arrowhead behind where I live. They have pretty much caused the air to look very hazy. I hope everyone is doing okay.

I guess there are a bunch of idiot's out there that on top of the natural fires, they think it is some bright idea to go and start one of their own. Why...it's beyond me.

How are things going where you are at Lily...clearing up? Yesterday it was just windy where I am at, but today, there is smoke everywhere (no ash yet).

Grace, I heard yesterday that a power line had ripped and fallen and started the fire. I don't know if that is true. But I have not heard this started by human mistakes or pranks.

[Lily Adams]

Apparently there are a bunch of fires around here. One in Malibu, down near San Diego, and then in Arrowhead behind where I live. They have pretty much caused the air to look very hazy. I hope everyone is doing okay.

I guess there are a bunch of idiot's out there that on top of the natural fires, they think it is some bright idea to go and start one of their own. Why...it's beyond me.

How are things going where you are at Lily...clearing up? Yesterday it was just windy where I am at, but today, there is smoke everywhere (no ash yet).

Yeah, pyromaniacs. Lame.

Yes, the sky hasn't turned orange again since yesterday afternoon, but there is still smoke in the air. I think the ash is gone.


It's hard to understand how the fire can spread that way. What caused it? Heat? The fact that it's dry?

We have fires here fairly regularly, but this is a really, really bad case. We have these winds that come and it makes it dry and since we live in a more desert climate and we don't get much rain the hills have lots of dry brush on them.

A quarter of a million people have been evacuated, and the big fires are in Malibu and in San Diego. The people there need to be thought of.

[Petrarch's Love]

I just saw it on the news here in Sweden as well.
And the pictures that were taken.. It's hard to understand how the fire can spread that way. What caused it? Heat? The fact that it's dry?

It's been one of the biggest drought years in decades in California, pretty much no rain really. Where my folks live they literally didn't have a drop of rain for about seven or eight months this year, meaning everything is really, really dry. Because of that I was thinking that the fires would probably be worse than usual this year, but I think these high winds have made an already bad situation really a nightmare.

Apparently the air is bad almost all over the southland from these fires. My dad said he was brushing ash off his car this morning, and we don't even live that close to where the fires are taking place. My prayers for everyone out there.

[higley]

How horrible! Here's hoping everybody remains well, and away from the damage.

[bibliophile190]

Yeah, one of my friends goes to school in Irvine and he had a really rough night last night because they were told to be prepared to evacuate. They could see the flames and smell the smoke from their dorm rooms. Luckily he didn't have to leave.

[Lily Adams]

There are a lot of "famous" people who live around here and have had run-ins with the fires. I've seen two instances.

1. Daughter of Sherry Lewis on the news with Lambchop. (That was cute-she did a little ventriloquist act.)
2. Mike Nelson and his family have been told to evacuate.

Very interesting.

We went to the ocean earlier today to try and get away from the heat and smoke, but it wasn't very successful. It just made me feel sick from the air quality and I was sweating like crazy.

Bush has declared a state of emergency. Another fire has started, too, I think. People have died and lost their homes, and firefighters have bravely toiled in the heat for us. It's all just a mess. The air is filled with smoke. Best thing to do is stay inside.

[grace86]

The news said something like sixteen fires are currently going. They have ruled arson out in a lot of cases, and yes, Virgil one of them was started by a fallen power line...because of the santa ana's I would think. It said on the news that the winds were like 80 mph last night but today they are about 15-20 mph which is basically nothing.

I saw the whole Lamb Chops act today on the news :p as well. One of the reporters I think on channel 2 was actually reporting and standing in front of his own house burning down.

Where I live and go to school the air quality is getting very bad and there is a fire pretty close as well.

I was out in the ash and sun today in Fullerton for about three hours doing a college fair, this air is horrible...feeling kind of sick. I guess we are supposed to be expecting cloudy and cooler weather by Thursday...let's hope so, prayers please!

Here is a link to the locations of some of the fires...hope it works.

http://netzoo.net/la-times-creates-google-map-for-california-fire-storm-07/

[Virgil]

Keep safe Grace. Don't do anything foolish. You would think they would cancel classes.

[Virgil]

Some more google images of the fire.

http://users.rcn.com/jbarab/CA%20Fire.jpg


http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00904/gallery/california_fire.jpg


http://www.thefurtrapper.com/images/Deer%20BBC.jpg


http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/1104/graphics/wildfire_1_lg.jpg

[grace86]

Thanks Virgil....a lot of the schools have closed, University of Redlands has cancelled class tomorrow, and that is not far from Riverside, so has Cal State San Bernardino...as it happens, I am going to avoid classes tomorrow, I have just made arrangements to stay somewhere where the air is not so bad.

[Virgil]

Thanks Virgil....a lot of the schools have closed, University of Redlands has cancelled class tomorrow, and that is not far from Riverside, so has Cal State San Bernardino...as it happens, I am going to avoid classes tomorrow, I have just made arrangements to stay somewhere where the air is not so bad.

That's good.

Hey I just realized we have a company doing work for us in Santa Anna/Costa Mesa area. Is that affected by this? They are already way behind schedule and frankly driving me nuts. :lol: I wouldn't want them to have another excuse. ;)

[grace86]

That's good.

Hey I just realized we have a company doing work for us in Santa Anna/Costa Mesa area. Is that affected by this? They are already way behind schedule and frankly driving me nuts. :lol: I wouldn't want them to have another excuse. ;)

Hahaha I don't know Virgil, I was trying to check the map I set up here on LitNet, and it is being accessed way too much...I will have to check the map when it will load again!!

I hope Costa Mesa isn't effected, there's a concert there this weekend that I hope the fires won't cancel!

[Virgil]

Thanks. They are soooo slow in doing anything. They are really California types. :lol: Very laid back. I wonder if they're surfer dudes. :lol:

[Lily Adams]

Thanks. They are soooo slow in doing anything. They are really California types. :lol: Very laid back. I wonder if they're surfer dudes. :lol:

A pox onto you and your stereotypes. :p I don't even think Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are near the ocean. :lol:


One of the reporters I think on channel 2 was actually reporting and standing in front of his own house burning down.

I saw that! The poor man sounded like he was going to cry. :(


Where I live and go to school the air quality is getting very bad and there is a fire pretty close as well.

I was out in the ash and sun today in Fullerton for about three hours doing a college fair, this air is horrible...feeling kind of sick. I guess we are supposed to be expecting cloudy and cooler weather by Thursday...let's hope so, prayers please!

Oh, you are much worse off than me. :( You're out in the valley where there isn't ocean air, aren't you? It must be terrible.

I've been feeling very sick, too. So much smoke to breathe in. I can't imagine what the people who actually have respiratory symptoms are going through. I'm sure people have died because of that.

[Bakiryu]

http://www.thefurtrapper.com/images/Deer%20BBC.jpg



Oh god! Those poor deer!

I hope you guys are ok too.

Is anyone doing something for the animals? Will they lose their habitats?

[Gadget Girl]

I guess not. People will take care of them for sure. Aww, poor animals. They must be wondering right now where they will live... :(

[samercury]

I sure hope everyone's alright :(

[Virgil]

A pox onto you and your stereotypes. :p I don't even think Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are near the ocean. :lol:



:lol: :lol: Well, I can't help if they fall right into the stereotypes. I think Costa Mesa is right next to Newport Beach and Santa Anna is the next neighborhood over from that.

[Petrarch's Love]

A pox onto you and your stereotypes. I don't even think Santa Ana and Costa Mesa are near the ocean.

:lol: Neither is on the ocean, but both are very near the ocean--about a fifteen minute drive. My hometown of Huntington Beach (which is right on the water) is directly adjacent to both.

To answer Virg's query, from what I hear from my family the fire isn't directly affecting the area around Costa Mesa and Santa Ana at all, but I think the air quality all over the southland is bad.

[Granny5]

From News reports, the people of California have been better prepared for such emergencies. They seem to be taking care of their own and not waiting for Federal assistance. Good for them.

[Virgil]

:lol: Neither is on the ocean, but both are very near the ocean--about a fifteen minute drive. My hometown of Huntington Beach (which is right on the water) is directly adjacent to both.

To answer Virg's query, from what I hear from my family the fire isn't directly affecting the area around Costa Mesa and Santa Ana at all, but I think the air quality all over the southland is bad.

Oh I said Newport Beach. Was that wrong Petrarch? Is it Huntington Beach?

Sorry about the California stereotype. :p I don't think you fall in to it. And judging by your voice in that post your voice thread, you didn't even have a valley girl accent. ;)

[Lily Adams]

I think Costa Mesa is right next to Newport Beach and Santa Anna is the next neighborhood over from that.


Neither is on the ocean, but both are very near the ocean--about a fifteen minute drive. My hometown of Huntington Beach (which is right on the water) is directly adjacent to both.

@_@ Southern California is far too big for me to keep track of where all the cities are. I feel bad now.



Oh I said Newport Beach. Was that wrong Petrarch? Is it Huntington Beach?

OH OH I know that one! I think Newport Beach and Huntington Beach are right next to each other, correct? So I think you're right anyways. :)


Sorry about the California stereotype. I don't think you fall in to it. And judging by your voice in that post your voice thread, you didn't even have a valley girl accent.

:lol: Aw, you're too soft Virgil. I knew you were only kidding. Plus we have lots of valley girls here anyways. XD

You need to TOUGHEN UP, man, of you ever wanna become a PIRATE like all us Californians who live near the coast are! Yarrrrr. :p

[Petrarch's Love]

Oh I said Newport Beach. Was that wrong Petrarch? Is it Huntington Beach?

No, you're right. As Lily said, Newport is right next to Huntington and both of them are right next to Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. I actually think of the lot of them as one big city sometimes because they all sort of seamlessly merge together geographically speaking (though socially speaking I know a couple of Newportians who would be aghast at their city being compared with Santa Ana :p ).


@_@ Southern California is far too big for me to keep track of where all the cities are. I feel bad now.

Don't feel bad, Lilly. So. Cal. is so huge that it's easy to get confused. I have trouble remembering where exactly a lot of those L.A. area cities are sometimes. By the way, may I ask what city or area you're in? If you'd rather not disclose that's fine. Just curious. :)

[Lily Adams]

No, you're right. As Lily said, Newport is right next to Huntington and both of them are right next to Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. I actually think of the lot of them as one big city sometimes because they all sort of seamlessly merge together geographically speaking (though socially speaking I know a couple of Newportians who would be aghast at their city being compared with Santa Ana :p ).



Don't feel bad, Lilly. So. Cal. is so huge that it's easy to get confused. I have trouble remembering where exactly a lot of those L.A. area cities are sometimes. By the way, may I ask what city or area you're in? If you'd rather not disclose that's fine. Just curious. :)

Oh, good. Well, *blush* The only reason why I know that is because there was a DEVO concert in Newport Beach not too long ago and I begged my mom if we could go but she said it ws too far away and naturally I asked how far and she said, "By Huntington Beach, where your aunt lives."

Ventura. It's an hour north of L.A. and 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara. I love it here. I couldn't ask for a better city. Visit it if you ever get the chance.

[Virgil]

:lol: Aw, you're too soft Virgil. I knew you were only kidding. Plus we have lots of valley girls here anyways. XD

You need to TOUGHEN UP, man, of you ever wanna become a PIRATE like all us Californians who live near the coast are! Yarrrrr. :p[/COLOR][/FONT]

Too soft. Need to toughen up? :lol: Some people think I'm a stick in the mud rigid old fogy. ;) Any more uptight and you'rre going to have to call me Mr. Evil from the Austin Powers movies. :p I was watching one over the weekend. ;)

I was a pirate on Stan's ship. Does that count? :D

[Bakiryu]

I guess not. People will take care of them for sure. Aww, poor animals. They must be wondering right now where they will live... :(

Yeah but what about wild animals? Deer and rabbits and such?

[Petrarch's Love]

Ventura. It's an hour north of L.A. and 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara. I love it here. I couldn't ask for a better city. Visit it if you ever get the chance.

I know it well. I have an aunt who lives in Ventura and I also went to UCSB for college so I used to go through Ventura a lot on my way between Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach. Ventura's a beautiful city. I would love to move back to that area of the coast some day.

[ampoule]

I was born in Santa Barbara. My parents now live in Modesto and other relatives all up and down California. This fire, such devastation.

[Niamh]

Hope everyone is holding up. Try not to breath in too my smoke. If it gets too much try leave the area and head away from it all for a couple of days.

[Lily Adams]

I know it well. I have an aunt who lives in Ventura and I also went to UCSB for college so I used to go through Ventura a lot on my way between Santa Barbara and Huntington Beach. Ventura's a beautiful city. I would love to move back to that area of the coast some day.

:D I am one of the luckiest people in the world just because I was born and raised here. Next to the ocean, (And the mountains, too! In the winter it's possible to see the ocean and the snow on the mountains behind us!) perfect climate, plenty of things to do, good schools, and it's just a quick drive to go have fun in Santa Barbara or L.A. And we're not really at risk for fires or earthquakes (or tidal waves, for that matter!) because we have bad conditions to start a fire, we're on an alluvial plain that acts as a shock absorber for earthquakes, and we have islands right off the coast (which are a gorgeous sight to see) that act as sort of barrier if we ever get a tidal wave. Plus I live just far away and up a hill enough to not be affected by one but I'd still be sad if it wiped out the city...

Okay, I'll stop bragging. Now the secret's out. You're all gunna come live here, darn it. :p

The fires are still going on! I don't even have to turn on the news when I wake up, you just feel the hot, dry air and smell the smoke.

I've heard that more people have died. :(

[grace86]

:D I am one of the luckiest people in the world just because I was born and raised here. Next to the ocean, (And the mountains, too! In the winter it's possible to see the ocean and the snow on the mountains behind us!) perfect climate, plenty of things to do, good schools, and it's just a quick drive to go have fun in Santa Barbara or L.A. And we're not really at risk for fires or earthquakes (or tidal waves, for that matter!) because we have bad conditions to start a fire, we're on an alluvial plain that acts as a shock absorber for earthquakes, and we have islands right off the coast (which are a gorgeous sight to see) that act as sort of barrier if we ever get a tidal wave. Plus I live just far away and up a hill enough to not be affected by one but I'd still be sad if it wiped out the city...

Okay, I'll stop bragging. Now the secret's out. You're all gunna come live here, darn it. :p

The fires are still going on! I don't even have to turn on the news when I wake up, you just feel the hot, dry air and smell the smoke.

I've heard that more people have died. :(

Oh Lily you make me laugh, yeah I live in the valley but I definitely agree with your bragging. Beach trip and mountain trips are attainable all within the same day!! Although, with everything burning down I don't know how safe the mountains will be during the winter.

People talk about earthquakes in California as they do tornadoes in Oklahoma, really, there are NOT that many earthquakes. Fires are pretty usual and safe as well....although this is a bit much.

Back in 2004 there were those fires in the mountains right where I lived and in the Angeles forest. That was in October as well. I don't know if you remember that Lily....but I ended up going to my senior homecoming dance and a lot of the people in our party ended up getting calls about evacuations.

Fires are pretty usual around this time of year, but this is bad.

Today the sky has been gray/orange all day. It kind of makes it look later than it really is. But I guess they have been containing some of the fires.

Oh and the animals, they will be okay...I think in some cases some people get their animals out before they themselves do!! Just kidding...they've been evacuating them too. I saw a bunch of horses from this one ranch getting out of the area. Even people I know around here not directly effected are bringing their outside animals inside so they don't inhale the ash.

[the silent x]

time for a roadtrip for all of you californians, come to michigan, see the trees burn without heat (my new slogan for fall season in michigan) it's nice and cool up here so bring your sweatshirts and pants. also bring stuff for warm weather because we just got an 80 degree (F) day on sunday so you never know.

i don't know what you all know to do about smokeand ash inhalation, but i suggest running up to a department store and getting a dust mask, the thing you wear when sawing, to protect your body from dust, but in all seriousness, please get away from there, don't wait for the evacuation, i know some people have work and others have school, but take a vacation, say the smoke and ash are messing with your asthma and that your doctor told you to get away for a little bit.

now to sound like a comlete JackA-- the fires are a natural thing, There will be plants growing within a few days after the fires, there are actually some plants that only grow after stuff like forest fires. doesn't make the fires any better.

get to the east coast, please, take a long car-ride something, get away from the forest fires, I would not reccomend planes because the heat from the fires will be severely messing up the wind currents

[grace86]

time for a roadtrip for all of you californians, come to michigan, see the trees burn without heat (my new slogan for fall season in michigan) it's nice and cool up here so bring your sweatshirts and pants. also bring stuff for warm weather because we just got an 80 degree (F) day on sunday so you never know.

i don't know what you all know to do about smokeand ash inhalation, but i suggest running up to a department store and getting a dust mask, the thing you wear when sawing, to protect your body from dust, but in all seriousness, please get away from there, don't wait for the evacuation, i know some people have work and others have school, but take a vacation, say the smoke and ash are messing with your asthma and that your doctor told you to get away for a little bit.

now to sound like a comlete JackA-- the fires are a natural thing, There will be plants growing within a few days after the fires, there are actually some plants that only grow after stuff like forest fires. doesn't make the fires any better.

get to the east coast, please, take a long car-ride something, get away from the forest fires, I would not reccomend planes because the heat from the fires will be severely messing up the wind currents

A vacation sounds absolutely wonderful! I've been staying inside however, with my a/c on 24/7 and its new filter. So, since necessity calls, I am making like a hermit. At least I am getting study time in. Thank you so much for the concern silent. Actually, a lot of people have gotten masks.

[Lily Adams]

Oh Lily you make me laugh, yeah I live in the valley but I definitely agree with your bragging. Beach trip and mountain trips are attainable all within the same day!! Although, with everything burning down I don't know how safe the mountains will be during the winter.

People talk about earthquakes in California as they do tornadoes in Oklahoma, really, there are NOT that many earthquakes. Fires are pretty usual and safe as well....although this is a bit much.

Back in 2004 there were those fires in the mountains right where I lived and in the Angeles forest. That was in October as well. I don't know if you remember that Lily....but I ended up going to my senior homecoming dance and a lot of the people in our party ended up getting calls about evacuations.

Fires are pretty usual around this time of year, but this is bad.

Today the sky has been gray/orange all day. It kind of makes it look later than it really is. But I guess they have been containing some of the fires.

Oh and the animals, they will be okay...I think in some cases some people get their animals out before they themselves do!! Just kidding...they've been evacuating them too. I saw a bunch of horses from this one ranch getting out of the area. Even people I know around here not directly effected are bringing their outside animals inside so they don't inhale the ash.


Hee hee. Yes.

Yep, people all freak that we're going to fall in the ocean someday. I remember one time there was an earthquake at one in the morning a few months ago and I just kept doing what I was doing. Which was watching Earthworm Jim. I swear YouTube will be the death of me. But it wasn't a big earthquake...so I knew I didn't really have to do anything.

That same year I believe the fires were here in my town, too. That's the closest I've ever seen the fires.

Wow, you still really have it bad. :( It's a lot clearer here and the sky isn't that orange anymore.

Yeah, poor animals. My friend's little pony has his intestines in his chest or something like that because of the fires. The sudden change in temperature makes their intestines go in their chests...:(

[Virgil]

Everytime I go to Arizona I'm tempted to buy property there. Everyone there says it will become beach front property someday when California has the big one and falls into the ocean. :p ;)

[ampoule]

Nah...when the San Andreas goes the San Joaquin valley will be the new beach front. ;)

[grace86]

Nah...when the San Andreas goes the San Joaquin valley will be the new beach front. ;)

I think I will have drowned!

Did anyone receive the email forward with the pictures in it from all these fires? It is kind of interesting.

[Virgil]

Hey Grace. I'm going to get back to Don Quixote this weekend.

[grace86]

Hey Grace. I'm going to get back to Don Quixote this weekend.

That is so weird how you mentioned it...I picked it back up yesterday!!!! Oh cool...of course it is going to be read slowly but I was sad that I had gotten so far and hadn't finished it!

[Virgil]

That is so weird how you mentioned it...I picked it back up yesterday!!!! Oh cool...of course it is going to be read slowly but I was sad that I had gotten so far and hadn't finished it!

Aren't you really tied up with school? You shouldn't be distracted from your studies. You can always pick it up during Christmas break.

[grace86]

Hehehe yeah midterms are coming up...but I figured I've got only a few chapters left (cough cough like thirty probably) so that if I read probably one chapter, since they are short, I could get away with finishing it without losing my mind :lol:

That says a lot about how busy I am doesn't it.....

[Lily Adams]

I think the fires are gone...the overcast weather finally kicked in. I've read that this has been the second most expensive fire in California's history, the 1991 ones being the most.