Southern Cali fires

[ladybutterfly 0]

I live in San Diego county, not been evacuated yet but have been glued to the news since 7am this morning. My work also shut down today for the day .... lets pray it doesnt get any worse overnight.

[Scott & Lai 12]

I can see the Santiago Canyon fire from my window; not just the glow, but actual flames

Edited October 23, 2007 by Scott & Lai

[no name 1]

I can see the Santiago Canyon fire from my window; not just the glow, but actual flames

yikes! Be careful.

[Scott & Lai 12]

We're ok...the fires are a few miles from us in the foothills.

[Jasman0717 9]

There is no wind at our house right now. I hope the firefighters and get the upper hand on the fires. Several were reported as arson

[eau_xplain 2]

I'll be praying for everyone's safety.

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

I volunteer for an animal rescue and some of the dogs awaiting homes were in a shelter in San Marcos. Yesterday there were mandatory evacuations within about a 5 mile radius of their location and it was decided to evacuate the dogs early before the situation became critical. I headed down the I-15 and made it to the shelter in under half an hour (slightly forgetting the speed limit, oops ) but I had to drive through a wall of thick black smoke just near where the truck scales are.

Trying to get back up the 15, however, everyone was being taken off at the 76 because of the said same fire I saw the beginnings of on my way down. I ended up having to wait there for hours due to the roads being blocked and there being no decent road home available. All of a sudden, roughly 3 hours into my wait at the car park just by the 15, there was an emergency evacuation of all of us as the wall of black smoke was huge and rolling our way. It was less than a mile away and looked like something out of a horror movie as it literally seemed to be eating its way up the side of the mountain.

Sadly due to the time constraints there was no chance to take pictures but I did eventually make it home thanks to a CHP giving me an alternative fire-free and smoke-free route.

My trip took 6 hours start to finish.

All I can say is my heart and my prayers are with those brave firefighters dealing with all of this, and the police forces who are helping keep us all safe.

And I think mandatory public floggings should be instigated for every arsonist responsible. My opinion of *them* is more than I am allowed to print here.

keep safe everyone.

Annie

Edited October 23, 2007 by WifeOHunkyJohn

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Annie - I really commend you for saving the dogs!!

Here are some of my pictures from Santa Clarita Valley from Sunday

this what Six Flags looked like on Sunday Dev

Edited October 23, 2007 by robinklake

[doodlebug 3]

Being up north I have no experience with this. Why do these fires start?

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

Being up north I have no experience with this. Why do these fires start?

The Malibu fire is thought to have started because the Santa Ana winds blew down some power lines and due to the fact rain fall over the last few years has left the ground thoroughly parched, the sparks started the fire. This is still an investigation in progress but the downed power lines seen on the news leads people to believe it is likely. The hot Santa Ana winds are carrying the embers miles which is why the fire in Malibu is hop-scotching over buildings, sparing some and burning others.

I don't know what started the San Diego fires but the dry brush, high winds and humidity are all factors in why it is fueling itself. There have been some news reports that some of the fires in SoCal are as a result of arson.

Best I can come up with after watching the news pretty much all day since Sunday Morning.

And Robinlake - thank you but I don't feel I did a brave thing. It is the firefighters facing these infernos that deserve ourthe praise, support and prayers.

Stay safe everyone

(I didn't get too many pictures but I will try and post a few ok ones)

Edited October 23, 2007 by WifeOHunkyJohn

[WifeOHunkyJohn 2]

This is the view of the I-15 from the Northbound lane that shows how close the fire is becoming. We can start to see the smoke from just after the Highway 395 exit.

They turned the inside lanes into escape lanes for anyone wanting to turn around, and for emergency and security vehicles to use. The valley up ahead, for those who don't know, is the route the I-15 takes. The fire is mainly on the right hand side of the north bound freeway lanes, around the truck scales location, and the freeway was closed between the 76 and the scales. We are all being taken off at the 76 exit.

I didn't get any more after that due to 1) a poor vantage point from the car park and 2) a swift and sudden evacuation as the fire started heading our way.

[LoriLawless 0]

Dang everyone, be safe! My sister is in La Mirada, so thank God she's ok. Says the smoke outside is terrible though.

[no name 1]

Annie - On behalf of the dogs, THANK YOU.

Robin - wow. Now they are calling the new fire there the Magic fire, dunno if Six Flags got burnt.

I just tried to get caught up now & even tho they are not (that) close to me, it's scary as hell. It's crazy. And so sad.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Being up north I have no experience with this. Why do these fires start?

Some of them are started intentionally by truly sick creatures who should be tied up and dropped in the middle of their creations

[no name 1]

Being up north I have no experience with this. Why do these fires start?

Some of them are started intentionally by truly sick creatures who should be tied up and dropped in the middle of their creations

They just said the Stevenson Ranch one was started by a construction crew & a spark (amid the wind) yesterday.