Posted on 10/26/2006 11:48:53 AM PDT by kellynla
Riverside has been making the announcements, but apparently, the firefighters who were killed were with the US Forest Service, as they have all been called back from the fire to "gather their thoughts and say their prayers."
If that is correct, then I'd say yes - the feds will be agents of record.
I wonder if the person who started it had murder in mind.
There was a bizarre accident that happened out here on the 215 fwy. A guy was fighting with his girlfriend (in separate vehicles) and he was ramming her vehicle. Well, he lost control, rolled over the center divider and his car battery flew out and crashed into another vehicle's windshield and killed that driver.
Happens just about every year down there. My in laws are in the SFern Valley. And it never fails to get its fair share of blazes.
"Kelly, when they say arson, does that mean it was deliberately set as opposed to some idiot who let a campfire get out of control?"
Arson is the act of intentionally and maliciously destroying or damaging property through the use of fire. Within this definition there are four core elements:
• the lighting of fire – fire is the fundamental element of arson; if there is no fire lit, there is no arson (some legal definitions also include lighting explosives);
• intention or wilfulness – excludes fires started by natural causes or accidents;
•malice – excludes fires started intentionally with positive or legitimate intent; and
• property – there must be some kind of property or object that is burned.
I will never understand the inability to get these fires under control quickly. I do know it is hard and dangerous work. And good for Ahnuld for honoring these brave souls.
Some bits and pieces:
[Why it's called Esperanza - I couldn't find a community named that - it's a street name in Cabazon]
The wildfire broke out shortly after 1 a.m. near Esperanza Avenue and Broadway Street in Cabazon.
....
-- Evacuation centers have been set up at Hemet High School and Banning Community Center, 789 N. San Gorgonio. As of 1 p.m., 62 people had reported to the centers, and relief workers there expect more to arrive into the late afternoon and early evening.
-- Information on this blaze can be obtained from Riverside County fire officials at (951) 940-6985.
-- A number of horse ranches are being affected by the wildfire. To obtain assistance please call Scott Wilson, 909-790-3888 (work); 909-790-0602 (home) or 626-926-3817 (cell). He has stable space available.
.....
Four members of a five-man firefighting crew from Idyllwild died after the fire overtook a truck they were using to protect houses near Twin Pines early this morning. The fifth firefighter, who was critically injured, is "fighting for his life" at Arrowhead Medical Center in Colton, according to those at a news conference this afternoon.
Capt. Mark Loutzenhiser died at Arrowhead Medical Center this afternoon, fire officials confirmed. The identities of the other three firefighters who were killed have not been released, pending notification of their families.
"They were from this district, Idyllwild," said Pat Boss of the U.S. Forest Service. "They were just burned over. The engine was taken by fire. They were in an engine."
.....
The Red Cross also set up a phone number for family members to call on the status of evacuees, at 888-831-0031.
5th firefighter on life support. Burned over 90% of his body.
Shep and FOX is covering this live...
Weather through Saturday will keep this flaming high- fire now coming into areas never burned before...still at 0 containment.
Unreal...flames 40 feet in the air..
I'd rather the firefighters evacuate any people living in the path of the fire and let it go. It's too big. And I don't want them to get killed...
I bit of irony with the name of the fire.
"Esperanza" means Hope.
Prayers for all involved............and hope that this fire is conquered very soon.
My husband was a Forest Service firefighter for many years (Region 2). I know what these guys go through......and put their families through. It is all quite humbling to see the horrific power that nature can dish out. But this one was started deliberately.......and that sickens me.
Where are you at? I love the Cali desert.
What I meant about fighting fires is this. A fire will start, usually fast moving and at least 500 acres before anyone notices and a 1000 acres before crews get there. But they send in a couple hundred people and they inevitably lose the first round and the fire spreads unabated. Why not dump 1500 firefighters on it immediately, instead of waiting til its a massive blaze to bring in the 1500. I don't get it.
Has that wind started to lay down yet,,?...
I'm south of Edwards, we're neighbors :)
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