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 ...
He is a very wise man,,,From what I see on FOX the wind is shifting and still blowing 40mph making a "Blow-Torch"
effect in front of it...
I forgot all about him. Wish he had stayed forgotten.
Frank,
I think I read Pine Cove, but not sure on that one.
They were from that area though, maybe even knowing the owners of the home. They take it personal up there.
Regards,
Joe
Thanks for that great map!!
I'm wondering if TV coverage is scant because they don't want to get reporters too close to this monster.
Ok, found it according to CDF, they were from Alandale Ranger Station in Idyllwild.
http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/#a048291
Okay, here is the latest per 10 o'clock news.
The one remaining hospitalized fire fighter is not expected to live.
24K acres consumed
5 homes lost
700 evacuated
25-35 mph winds continue tomorrow and likely til Saturday.
There has to be more than just 5 homes lost...
Of course.
http://www.sanjac.statepark.org/map.pdf
Or
Topo Zone:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=33.81471&lon=-116.67944&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100&datum=nad83
It's already in the ridges. Winds have died down quite a bit according to news, which is good.
Hopefully when I get up tomorrow there will be more good news.
TANKS Again and Sleep Well...
I just got back from my drive. I drove along Soboba Rd. right past the casino. There are many fire engines parked along the side of the road and in housing tracts. From Florida Ave., the fire can be seen in many areas on the mountain. It appears to have come over the peak and is burning down. I am so glad it's not windy. It didn't look like it was raging. I'll see better tomorrow in daylight.
Everything seemed calm. Casino open with people coming and going. My daughter and I are still coughing.
Welcome back, glad to hear first hand the winds are slowing, it's tomorrow that will be the turn day or not.
As it burns down, if the winds pick up, it will probaly start running those ridges to the south, southwest.
That is good news as it takes it away from San Jacinto and Hemet. Less population that way, for now anyway, then maybe they can take a hold on it tomorrow night.
Glad to hear your both safe.
I'm off to bed, I'll check in in the am when I get to the office. I work right near F70, French Valley Airport. 11 Minute Commute each way. Wheee......
Take Care,
Joe
Last I saw from the CDF report, it was 10 homes...
You are not alone. I live in LA as well. Those winds are amazingly dangerous. Your post was very timely.
Last year, around this time of year, I was out in Santa Monica Bay sailing around for hours in my luxurious sailboat. The winds were consistent, 15 mph from the south, all day long. Suddenly the winds stopped. I looked up at the windex wind pointer high atop my luxurious sailboats mast. It was spinning like a helicopter from the boats motion.
There was no wind at all for about 4 or 5 minutes then the Santana's came racing across the ocean from the north at 50 mph. I saw it too late and it knocked my luxury sailboat down on it's side. The Santa Ana's are a force to be reckoned with. And sadly an incredible fire danger.
Regards.
What a bastard. That was never, ever true. One of the petitions to be circulated for last year's reform agenda had a drafting error by a Republican legislator meaning it did not specifically include special protection for benefits for firefighter widows and orphans. On the B.S. blitzkrieg, the unions and Rats exclaimed that lack of specific protection was the same as taking away those benefits when that was never ever contemplated. Never. Period. Thanks to MSM, perception became "reality" so Arnold withdrew the petition and spiked that particular reform.
Burns are the most horrible and painful wounds imaginable. This fire was deliberately set. Prayers for the fallen, the injured, and the families. Prayers too, for the arsonist.........may he be found quickly......and dealt with in accordance to his crime.
It literally exploded. People don't have time to spare in this type of fire, just like the fire in San Diego in 2003, they just race across the landscape.
I noticed ISLAM and MUSLIMS in the keywords. Who is trying to link this tragedy to the Religion of Pieces?
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