Live Updating Thread: 2007 Southern California Firestorms

LA Times ^ | 9:35 AM PDT, October 21, 2007 | Associated Press

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

UPDATE: The city of Malibu is advising residents in Puerco Canyon to begin evacuating due to a wildfire driven by powerful winds. This area is north of Pacific Coast Highway and about 1 mile west of Pepperdine University. Residents along the beach on Malibu Road may soon be evacuated. Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Kanan-Dume Road and Topanga Canyon. Residents are advised to head to the west. Evacuation centers are being set up in the Zuma Beach area.

A wildfire driven by powerful winds in the Malibu Hills this morning threatened a university, destroyed at least one home and forced the evacuation of hundreds more, authorities said.

Related Stories
-	Wildfire burns 500 acres near Interstate 5
-	Santa Ana winds are sweeping the region

[rolling_stone]

more Bush’s family values?

[justa-hairyape]

there was a suspected arsonist killed in San Bernardino two nights ago

You don't mess with San Bernardino Sheriffs.

[dragnet2]

Earlier in Los Angeles, outraged West Hills residents saw a 41-year-old man set a fire and chased him to a restaurant where they held him until cops arrived. Catalino Pineda, a Guatemalan immigrant on probation for making excessive false emergency reports to law enforcement, was arrested and charged with arson, police said.

That must be the guy...Wonder what the quick flash on FOX was about? They put up, "Catalino Pineda, a Guatemalan native" suspect...for all of 3 seconds max..I barley had time to read it.

First details I've heard about the suspect

[justa-hairyape]

Is that the marine layer coming back in the far left of the satellite image ?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BBC:

Bush flies over California fires

[Don W]

They also carry 600 gallons or retardant concentrate they can mix into the 7200 gallons they refill with by skimming a body of water. They refill in 25 seconds, and are back enroute to the fire.

The 600 gallons of retardant mix they carry is good for 6 (I think) refills, then they can either continue with just water, or head back to base for a 10 minute refill of the retardant tank and fuel. It does only carry 7000 gallons or so of fuel, though.

They hit a bird yesterday, BTW. See http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1916057/posts

[justa-hairyape]

Anyone watching FOX...I believe they were talking about the arsonist that was shot and killed near San Berdo...Then at the bottom of the story it flashed, suspect “Guatemalan native” and it even showed his name....And within 2 or 3 seconds, it disappeared...I started writing down the name, and bam...It was gone within just seconds.

When you just let anyone in, you will end up with some arsonists. The percentages alone say you will. This is why a 'dont ask, dont tell' or 'sanctuary city' policy has to be stopped ASAP.

[dragnet2]

Unfortunately for all intents and purposes, we live in a de facto illegal alien sanctuary country, all supported by our own representatives for the most part.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From Reuters:

UPDATE 3-California turns corner on fires as Bush arrives
Thu Oct 25, 2007 3:29pm ET162

[calcowgirl]

Is that the marine layer coming back in the far left of the satellite image ?

Good question! I have no idea--I just thought it was a cool pic and explained why it's hard to breathe, lol.

[calcowgirl]

Thanks!
It looks like a great asset!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

On one of the local TV morning news shows they said that the Santa Ana Wind had blown smoke as far as 800 miles offshore.....

[justa-hairyape]

Could be smoke or marine layer. Looks like thick marine layer, but I guess we will find out in a day or two. A marine layer would not be as good as rain, but it will help San Diego. The mountain communities need another miracle rain.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Toons at Flopping Aces...they seem to have them blocked for a direct showing here>...

California Wildfires? Must be Bush's Fault!

**************************EXCERPT****************************

Toon at the link

So predictable! And Lt Governor John Garamendi says he will be polite. Someone needs to smack the sense into him.

Why have we become such a culture of fingerpointing? We're so ready to push blame and sue somebody, rather than accept that in life, sometimes shit happens. You buckle up, and bunker down.

There is no National Guard shortage here.

Anyone who compares this to Katrina will find that there simply is no comparison! The media can go look for their tragedy circus elsewhere.

Next thing is, they'll be tracing it back to global warming (which, of course, is also Bush's fault!).

Toon at the Link

[Fitzcarraldo]

http://mira.aavso.org/pipermail/aavso-discussion/2007-October/013408.html

Hello all,
the director of caltech optical observatories sent this email:

-- Varun

-------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues:

There is (as yet)  no imminent danger to the Observatory from the
fires that are currently raging in San Diego county.
However, there are a few fires in the general vicinity of
the Palomar Mountain region. After due consultation I have
informed Dan McKenna, the recently appointed site
supervisor, to evacuate the Observatory.

Shri
-------------------------------------------


On 10/24/07, Kate Hutton <> wrote:
> As of 4 am this morning, I got an e-mail from my friend who is a night
> assistant, on fire watch all night.   The observatory is still standing,
> although the fire is in the community of Palomar Mountain.  The roads are
> cut off now, so if the fire comes, the people there will have to shelter in
> the 200-inch dome.  Kate HTN
>
> On 10/23/07, Kate Hutton <> wrote:
> >
> > I just heard on the TV news that Palomar Mountain is on fire.  Of course,
> > Palomar Mountain does not necessarily mean the observatory grounds, which
> > has much less in dry trees & brush than the surrounding community.  Still,
> > it's close!
>

[Brad’s Gramma]

http://firesearch.latimes.com/people (Search for loved ones)

http://www.hireapatriot.com/employers/login.php

(Hire a MILITARY person to work part time!!!!!!!)

[Don W]

They are an awesome tool. We nearly lost them last year as the forest company consortium that owned them wanted to sell them. Fortunately, a local company in a related field bought them and they still reside about 4 hours from where I’m sitting.

We had a fire here (Victoria BC) a few years ago that was big enough and close enough to town that they brought BOTH these babies in. THAT was spectacular. Ain’t NUFFIN looks and sounds like these birds, and I’ve been security at airshows.

[I Drive Too Fast]

If you have TiVo or any type of (digital video recorder) DVR you could rewind it or pause live tv at any time and write down what you see. Maybe the info they had was wrong, an error or unsubstantiated and that is why they pulled it.

[radar101]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y838vto6los&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2007/10/25/video-ahnuld-tells-reporter-to-quit-looking-for-a-scapegoat/

[Milwaukee_Guy]

“Thanks for your help...from Milwaukee?”

Milwaukee the last 20 years, Chicago before that.

ARES/RACES radio operator, Skywarn Spotter and News Nut. FR is a great place.

Best wishes to all in CA and congratulations to everyone there for weathering a terrific challenge with grit and style.

Kudos CA!

Looters should be maimed and arsonists shot on sight.....