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 ...
Good morning.
$100,000 reward being offered to turn in the fiend who set the fire and murdered 4 firefighters, with one severely injured ff clinging to life.
One of the killed men was a 20-year veteran of his fire department.
Latest information was that they were outside of their engine -- trying to save a house -- when engulfed by a firestorm.
Oops. Special ping.
Okay, I don't know if you have the local news but here is what they are reporting
The Fire Fighter was burned 90% of his/her body.
24K acres consumed
No let up on the winds before tomorrow.
10 structures destroyed including 5 homes
5% Contained
I agree. Terrorism in another form and one that's well nigh unstoppable. They don't need planes.
There are so many firebugs out there that it is too soon to guess...
I wouldn't be shocked, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was set by some guy who was hoping that there would be one more fire this season so he could get some more work.
(There are at least one or two cases like that every year in the last several years.)
There si now another fire on the 74 Orange County side, Ortega highway is closed, I just heard it on the radio, KFROG.
That's another area that hasn't seen fire in a long time.
I'm getting ticked off here.......
Started yesterday afternoon, I believe.
the Orange County on started about 4:23 am
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1336901.php
Got it confused with two other fires yesterday afternoon. My bad! No coffee yet!
Hey KAC, no problem.. I know to many things going on at once..
Seems like lite damage considering the size and speed of this fire....
Pioneertown is about 30 minutes away near Yucca Valley.
I think that area has pretty much has been ravished by fire from last summer.
"KMG-365"
Flashback to my childhood... "KMG-365 on the air with a signal 13". My Dad, grandfather and uncle were volunteer firefighters in LI, NY.
Prayers up for these heroes and their families, as well as the victims.
"I don't know how the survivor is hanging on; hope he is unconscious."
IIRC, La Dita, they induce a coma with drugs for a while for people who are severely burned. I'm not sure when their bodies start really feeling the pain... but I believe they go from major pain to numb, back and forth.
May God bless him.
Prayers up for So Cal...
Fire is west of Highway 79 at the dump....wherever that is! They are trying to stomp it out there.
What's this? Firefighters find wind too high, stand down. ??
That's what I heard as well, the one survivor burned over 95% of his body.
Oh, dear... I've got adult kids that live on the Riverside end of the 74...
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