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 ...
400 people trapped in Silent Valley Club, RV park in Cabazon.
Fire is blocking the exit road.
I was just reading CHP incident page on this fire and they said they had to escort the media off of Hwy. 243 for their safety. I hope the media doesn't cause any extra work for our guys/gals. We've got residents all through that mountain area that will need escorted out.
I agree! It's dangerous now and all the media is just going to put the firefighters in danger because they will have to be rescued and escorted out.
Hwy 243 is also a dangerous road...
Will you have to leave?
Hare the latest figures from the Esperanza Wildfire:
--Three firefighters killed. Two others burned to Arrowhead Medical Center’s burn center. A civilian suffered minor smoke inhalation.
--300 to 400 people evacuated.
--20 to 25 mph winds, with gusts up to 35 mph.
--1:12 a.m. fire started.
--Suspicious circumstances.
--More than 4,000 acres.
--Twin Pines Ranch and Poppet Flats have been evacuated.
--At least 700 firefighters are helping fight the blaze, including California Department of Corrections inmates.
--The fire is jumping around because of the erratic winds that are gusting with wind directions varying.
--Flames are moving in a westerly direction.
--Aerial attacks are underway with helicopters and planes packed with retardant flying out of Hemet Ryan Airport.
Losing three firefighters obviously has been a very difficult situation for the firefighters, said Sherri Patterson, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection/ Riverside County Fire Department.
"We are dealing with extreme fire behavior today," she said. "They are very concerned for the firefighters in the very steep and rugged terrain."
Yes, although the fire started just about 2 miles southeast of my office. The pass is divided by the I10 and this fire started south side of the I10. It is burning in the low foothills and at approx 11:15am it had burned about 5-6 miles west of the start area and burning behind a large shopping area and a very large gated community of senior living. The RV park on the news is just south of me going up the mountain RT 243. There is only one road in or out of that RV park. They are in a bad area as it is also down in a hollow too. The wind is whipping now, I'll tell ya. We could use some prayers out our way. Much appreciated.
If it's intentional, I hope they get the guy and get him for murder. Prayers for the injured, burns are the worst, IMO.
Incredible picture.
Are you OK or should you be getting out?
I just heard on Fox News that there is a trailer park with about 400 people..that is surrounded and they aren't able to escape..
Have you heard/seen anything about that??
I saw it posted here. I sure hope those folks are ok. Prayers up.
Not a senior park, looks like a family RV park. Prayers to all.
Silent Vally is a family RV park. They are in a very serious situation. Mr. C4E and his R&R band has played there numerous times. Prayers for all those families up there.
Oh, dear. That doesn't sound good.
Do you know how many roads in/out and what directions?/
Off the Rt 243 only one narrow road in/out of that RV park. The Pass area is approx 3000ft elev that seperates the desert floor (Palm Springs)on the east end from San Bernardino/Redlands area on the west end. We have two large mountains, Mt. San Gorgonio to the north and Mt. San Jacinto to the south. The terrain is a bottle neck with the narrow end to the east. These two mountains (elevation approx 10,000+ each) are very close together at the east end. The Venturi effect is alive and well here in the Pass area. The RV park is approx 5-6 miles up the side of Mt. San Jacinto off Rt 243. (Rt 243 is a windy, steep mountain road.) We have had 2-3 bad fires in our immediate area just this year.
CA: Developing Offshore Flow Will Cause Local Strong Gusty Santa Ana
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