Posted on 10/26/2006 11:48:53 AM PDT by kellynla
CABAZON, Calif. -- A fast-moving fire killed at least three firefighters, prompted mandatory evacuations and burned more than 4,000 acres in Riverside County this morning, officials said.
The Esperanza fire in Cabazon, some 90 miles east of Los Angeles and about 20 miles northwest of Palm Springs, was reported at 1:12 a.m., Becky Luther, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Fire Department, said in a telephone interview.
"It's a very serious fire," Luther said. "There are Santa Ana conditions and the fire is fast moving."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told reporters that three firefighters were killed fighting the blaze. The U.S. Forest Service confirmed the deaths, adding that two firefighters were critically injured.
The exact dimensions of the fire were hard to determine because of the thick smoke and the relative lack of access, according to Capt. Julie Hutchinson of the Riverside County Fire Department and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Television images showed houses and other structures burning, but the exact number could not be confirmed.
Wind speed and heat are the twin dangers at the fire scene. Winds were running 18 to 25 mph with steady gusts of 30 mph, Luther said. Temperatures are expected to be around 80 degrees.
More than 300 firefighters were battling the blaze, though that number was increasing, fire officials said. More than 27 crews were at the scene along with 68 engines, six air tankers and seven helicopters.
There were reports that at least one firefighter and some residents required medical treatment. But fire officials stressed the reports were unconfirmed.
A mandatory evacuation was ordered for the Twin Pines and Poppet Flats areas, Luther said.
About 150 homes were threatened in the areas with the majority, about 100 homes, in Twin Pines.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I'm in Hemet, no wind but smoky and ashy. When I woke up this morning, the whole sky was smoke.
Prayers for the family and co-workers.....
RC is about 45 to and hour away from Cabazon...
It's on the other side of Big Bear...
Thank you. We have some relatives who live in RC.
I am watching this on FNC and I cannot believe how fast and furious this fire is.
I pray for all of the people out there that they are safe.
I am in Oceanside and it is very windy, and the sky is very greyish brown looking..
Any news on how this fire may have been started?
Breaking on MSNBC.com:As many as 400 people trapped in RV park near Calif. wildfire, official says
Red Flag Warnings for Much of California issued by NWS
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL.
A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM SATURDAY FOR...
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS
CUYAMA VALLEY
VENTURA COUNTY INTERIOR VALLEYS
VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL VALLEYS
SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS RECREATIONAL AREA
LOS ANGELES COUNTY VALLEYS
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS / LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST
LOS ANGELES COUNTY MOUNTAINS / ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS
THE INLAND EMPIRE
SAN DIEGO COUNTY INLAND VALLEYS
My home smells of smoke and there is ash settling on my car. There are a lot of firetrucks on the roads here heading out that way. My daughter just told me Fox News said the firemen are going to focus on the San Jacinto area.
I hope it doesn't go into Idylwild. That's my playground.
The Riverside County Fire website states it's under investigation. I checked there and the California Highway Patrol Incident page for info.
There is many RV parks in that area, what we need is rain and lots of it! the entire Southern California looks like a tinder box!
I hope the people and the animals are safe and in evacuation centers!
Is Apple Valley anywhere near this? I have about 25 relatives gathering there this week, for a reunion.
Rancho Cucamonga is 50 miles (Mapquest says 49.3) from Cabazon down I10.
Be safe! My best friend lives in Cathedral City and she said the entire area is full of ash and smoke!
God forbid the fire makes it to Idylwild, Big Bear or Arrowhead!
I read on the Cal Highway Patrol site that they were bringing in horse trailers for the animals. Here in Hemet, the high school is being used for an evacuation center. They must be evacuating our local mountain, Idylwild and Pine Cove etc...
Yes it's about an hour away from Cabazon. This past summer they just had another major fire up there in the Morongo Valley and Pioneertown.
Glad to know the authorites are ready as much as they can for all this.
My cousin emailed me and said they can see the fire from Temecula!
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