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 ...
California City?
Yep! aka Mayberry R.F.D.
In Hemet, we haven't had any wind, at all. It is so still. Ash is raining down.
No, I'm 10 miles south of Edwards in a different kind of boonies than yours. North of Palmdale. (To my eyes, Palmdale's really become gangland these days.. every time I go over there I can't help but get the ooogs.)
This site has good info for me. Thanks to "Knitting A Conundrum".
http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/2795
Looks like they are moving equipment into Soboba Indian Reservation. Not good. That means it might be coming over Mt. San Jacinto into the area. Mt. San Jacinto College cancelled their classes.
Time out: 19:53
KMG-365
TANKS,,,I'm Praying that wind will lay down tonight...
At http://www.rimoftheworld.net/incident/2795 there is a post (5:46 pm) that says the Riverside Sheriff Office, homicide unit, is to meet with a party who saw something in the fire area. Hopefully a tip.
Ever been in one? It's hard to explain in the abstract, but crystal clear when you've had the experience.
Our local newspaper The Desert Sun, has just posted an address for donations for families and victims of the fire to be sent to - County Supervisor Marion Ashley, P.O. Box 1645, Riverside, CA 92502-1645. I would provide a link, but don't know how to, sorry.
I'm calling Red Cross local numbers to see if the evacuees at Hemet High need clothes or anything and I can't get through to anyone. AAAAHHHHHH!. My daughter has my car tonight so I can't drive over there.
ok no giggles - but has anyone seen that Nickelback (great newer rock band) video about the forest service firefighter? Really will touch many people now.
Any confirmation on that?
"ARSON?"
correct
the fire was set 1 AM
$100K reward
4 dead Fire Fighters
1 Fire Fighter in critical condition burned 95% of his/her body
Official: Arsonist caused fire that killed four firefighters
I know the Teh pass very well....if you give me a hint I can guess it
Here's some of the latest from Rim of the World: (newest entries first)
06:39 PM
Thu 10/26
fire is hitting the 243 at the 3000' level all the way down to valley floor
06:38 PM
Thu 10/26
where we saw that flare up the dozer and hand crw had to go quite a ways indirect on it; with the winds the way they are might be a good opportunity to go in and put fire down to clean that up; what do you think? {couldn't hear response, but sounded like they're going to do it - "make sure you've got enough hardware before you start"}
06:35 PM
Thu 10/26
Everybody in Branch 1 heads up; wind is pushing the fire downhill
06:32 PM
Thu 10/26
just to let you know this thing is bumping the 243 pretty hard
06:27 PM
Thu 10/26
{discussion between Communications, Night Ops, and Branch 1} - SO inquiring whether or not the correctional facility will need to be evacuated; Branch 1 states negative
06:19 PM
Thu 10/26
we got held up here; we're about half way up the hill and have fire on both sides of us; we're going to wait for this to die down then continue on up; absolutely, take your time
06:13 PM
Thu 10/26
151.1750 - Orange County 1400C to Branch 3 - are you at Castillo Canyon? We're on Soboba Road; make a left on Castillo Canyon Rd and come on up
06:13 PM
Thu 10/26
requesting separate Tac Net for Branch 3
06:05 PM
Thu 10/26
From: CDF website
Esperanza Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: October 26, 2006 5:45 pm
Date/Time Started: October 26, 2006 1:12 am
Administrative Unit: CDF Riverside Unit / Riverside County Fire
County: Riverside
Location: Esperanza and San Gorgonio Wash
Acres Burned: 10,000+
Containment 0% containment - 10,000+ acres
Control: 0%
Threatened: Yes
Evacuations: Mandatory evacuations: Twin Pines, Poppet Flats and Wonder View.
Injuries: 4 firefighter fatalities, 1 firefighter burned
Cause: Arson
Cooperating Agencies: CDF, Riverside
County Sheriff, U.S. Forest Service, CHP
Total Fire Personnel: 1,100+
Fire crews: 29
Engines: 144
Airtankers: 10
Helicopters: 13
Major Incident Command Team: CDF Team # 8
Conditions: Santa Ana winds driving
the fire. Evacuation Centers set up at
Hemet High School 41701 E. Stetson in
Hemet and the Banning Community Center
on 789 N. San Gorgonio Ave. Road
Closures: Hwy 243 from Banning to Lake
Filmore. Hwy 79 from Beaumont to
Hemet.
Phone Numbers (951) 940-6985 (Esperanza Fire Information)
Phone Numbers (951) 922-7116 (Arson Tip Line)
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