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 ...
Shades of 3 years ago this week. Scary.
Let's pray that this fire will be the only one and that the firefighters get a handle on it soon.
I am steaming mad right now, and heartbroken. It always amazes me how they usually catch these people, so I have faith that they will.
Arson? Any clues/ideas? Political militants?
no
CNN Headline News on it now
I am praying right now that they find this person/persons....
Last I heard the fire was 0% contained, any news on that??
Did they ever catch the arsonist(s) responsible for the Grand Prix fire in October 2003? Or any of the other fires that went on during those couple of weeks? If I remember, they were all deemed arson.
Scanner traffic indicated they had some lines in on the back end, but no formal report yet.
per CNN (refer. to news conference)-
all dead firefighters were in same truck that was trying to fight the fire at a home and it was overcome by a wall of fire.
one of the dead had 20 years experience
I'm with you there. I've lived in Riverside, Palm Springs, and Morongo Valley. Had to evacuate horses at the Morongo Valley fire years ago. Very scary watching a fire coming over a ridge directly at you. What makes me so angry is that (since this is now arson), this arsonist(s) probably knew of the upcoming forcast of high Santa Ana's and started this with pure intent. Makes me sick, I hope they catch the person(s) responsible. Prayers to all.
Rep Jerry Lewis and Rep Mary Bono at the news conference...Fema is gearing up and the Federal Bureau of Firearms is going to do investigation....
And Feinstein and Boxer have phoned in....
Fox just verified it is still at 0% containment
New fires being reported off the 101 freeway in Augora Hills
Coulda done without Feinstein and Boxer....why didn't Queen Pelosi helicopter in? /s
I hate politicians.
What makes me so angry is that (since this is now arson), this arsonist(s) probably knew of the upcoming forcast of high Santa Ana's and started this with pure intent.
Bingo! Very sorry to say. Everytime the Santa Anas are in the forecast, I get nervous. I will never forget what it feels like to have a wall of fire surrounding me and my family. I pray for all of those trapped in this nightmare.
no
Update,...why we care about Santa Ana winds....
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