Update: Now 4 Firefighters Perish Battling Cabazon Blaze (Investigators: Arson Fire Palm Springs)

Los Angeles Times ^ | 11:20 AM PDT, October 26, 2006 | Michael Muskal and Maeve Reston

[Yaelle]

Oh my gosh. I am here in coastal SoCal nursing my Santa Ana Winds Migraines and little did I know how bad it's gotten. Prayers up for the lost firefighters and their families, and for the ones still out there bravely battling.

[kellynla]

thanks
the local NBC & ABC stations covered the news conference.

[SmokinChow]

Yep, I was in the middle of the Grand Prix fire that started on October 21, 2003 but really took off when the Santa Anas started on October 24, 2003.

[CaliGirl-R]

I saw your high wind alert thread yesterday and the comments as to why, is there a care? I was telling my mom about it this morning. You were right. It's not the winds, it's the fires.

[TaraP]

I'm here in the Oceanside area, and it is smokey! ash is in the air on the cars and the winds are blowing, hard to believe the Cabazon fire has almost made it's way to the coast!

[EX52D]

When it blows the other direction, it makes it's way to Las Vegas. :(

[socal_parrot]

This picture was taken of the Southern California fires burning on October 27, 2003...

[California74]

Not sure if this is OUR fire, but I thought this was interesting... (by the way, what is "SO"? (I anticipate it's S____ Officer?):

http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/2797\


Back 01:57 PM
Thu 10/26Fire - Possible ArsonistVICTORIA AVE AND BASE LINE ST


02:02 PM
Thu 10/26 SO is in the area. Advises can cancel. SO may be with party who started fire. 02:00 PM
Thu 10/26From: CHP
1:53PM 1039 CDF-SB
1:53PM SAW MAN START BRUSH FIRE
01:58 PM
Thu 10/26 2 reports from SO and CHP01:57 PM
Thu 10/26From: Dispatch
To :E3513, E3591, ME543, ME542A

[SmokinChow]

Thanks. What a perspective...

Please God, no repeats.

[halo66]

I think this is in Ventura County...just heard that a grass fire had started there.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Your in Oceanside ??? And your getting smoke and ash???
You are a long way from this fire's front...
markman46 is near Irvine/Newport and he's getting the same. I Pray that wind dies down tonight...
Prayers Up...

[RDTF]

looks like it was witnessed and they may have him...

[SmokinChow]

Is the Cedar fire the one that went through Ramona?

Grand Prix fire...Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Claremont to name a few cities it ripped through.

[halo66]

Actually it is in San Bernardino...this could be a break.

[dogbyte12]

This is the worst time in the year for fires. All that vegetation had grown with the spring rains, and dried out all summer long. Add in the Santa Anas, and you have a powder keg.

Prayers for the families of the hero firemen who gave their lives for us. If anybody hears about a memorial fund, please put a link up, because I am sure there are alot of folks who would like to contribute.

[Churchillspirit]

Prayers for the families of the three firefighters who have answered their last alarm and for the injured. God bless them all.

Beautifully stated.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

That is one awesome picture!

Thanks for posting it!