News Cali Wildfires wreak havoc: Are you ok Dane?

Deberg_1990 · 11-15-2008, 04:10 PM

Come in DaneMcCloud.......

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081115/...ire_california

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A wildfire whipped up by hurricane-force gusts raged through northwestern Los Angeles foothills on Saturday, burning some 165 homes and threatening the power supply of California's largest city.

More than 10,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders as the fire, which has burned more than 2,600 acres, spread westward fanned by dry winds.

A separate fire burned a second day in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, where 111 homes have been destroyed.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the fire in the foothills at the edge of San Fernando Valley near Sylmar had destroyed more than any other in the past decade and that flames could take down power lines.

"The fire is threatening the power of the city of Los Angeles," Villaraigosa told a news conference. "We may have to move to rolling blackouts."

He urged residents to evacuate if they were in harm's way.

"If you wait until the fire gets there you have waited too long," Villaraigosa said. "This fire can be on you in a moment's notice."

He also asked Los Angeles residents to conserve power.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, opening the way to additional resources.

Police closed down Interstate 5, the main freeway linking Los Angeles to the north, and other roads as 600 firefighters mobilized. Transmission lines bringing power follow the Interstate highway 5 corridor through the mountains north of Los Angeles, home to nearly 10 million.

Mountains were engulfed in flames and billows of smoke visible from space by weather satellite. Steady gale-force winds, blowing at 35 mph, periodically gusted up to 75 mph and spread the fire. A map of the fire is at http://tinyurl.com/sayrefire.

Residents of a destroyed mobile home park sat in the gymnasium of the Sylmar High School, where the American Red Cross had set up relief services.

"You could see absolutely nothing," said Jackie Burns, 77, who, along with her husband, Len, fled their mobile home at 3 a.m. as the fire raged through the neighborhood. "It was like looking into a black hole. It looked like the end of the world to me."

DRY CONDITIONS 'PERFECT FOR MORE'

California's fire season, which traditionally starts in June, has been lengthening and getting worse as the dry state adds homes in fringe areas prone to flames.

Los Angeles has been largely spared damage this year. In October of last year 30 blazes raged across Southern California, forcing evacuation of more than 500,000 people and damaging some 2,000 homes.

Firefighters are trying to stop the new blaze before it reaches Santa Clarita, a bedroom community about 40 miles from the center of Los Angeles with 180,000 population.

A second fire ravaged hills above Southern California's Santa Barbara coast for a second day after roaring through the exclusive Montecito enclave leveling 111 homes.

Those reported to have lost houses in the community dubbed "America's Riviera" included actor Christopher Lloyd, best known as the zany scientist in "Back to the Future".

The area remains on "red flag" warning for more fires, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

"It's the dry conditions that make it perfect for more fires," he said.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman and Fred Prouser in Los Angeles, Anupreeta Das and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; Editing by Bill Trott and Jackie Frank)

L.A. Chieffan · 11-15-2008, 04:13 PM

I just spent about 4 hours on alternate routes that normally wouldve taken me about 30 minutes. **** you Carl

vailpass · 11-15-2008, 04:19 PM

Burn baby burn, disco inferno.

**Bugeater** · 11-15-2008, 04:44 PM

Yikes, I believe TinyE is in that area as well. Hope everyone is OK.

**DaneMcCloud** · 11-15-2008, 04:45 PM

Thanks, DeBerg.

I was out in Calabasas this morning and just got home. It's a mess out there. It's extremely windy and the smoke is very thick.

Fortunately were I live, it's clear and there are no fires. But those poor people up north of Los Angeles are having a very rough time.

VonneMarie · 11-15-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Burn baby burn, disco inferno.

Stay classy.

StcChief · 11-15-2008, 05:09 PM

but it's beautiful there

kaplin42 · 11-15-2008, 05:54 PM

The Santa Barbar (Medencito) are about 90 minutes from where I live, but the Sylmar fire is only about 10 miles away. The air around here is full of smoke and ash.

I'm waiting to see if a budy of mine who lives in Sylmar is going to need help evacing. If he does, then im sure it's going to be an interesting night.

**007** · 11-15-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Thanks, DeBerg.

I was out in Calabasas this morning and just got home. It's a mess out there. It's extremely windy and the smoke is very thick.

Fortunately were I live, it's clear and there are no fires. But those poor people up north of Los Angeles are having a very rough time.

Glad to know you are in the clear for now. Where is Tiny with all that mess?

Deberg_1990 · 11-15-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Glad to know you are in the clear for now. Where is Tiny with all that mess?

Ill second that. Glad you are ok Dane. Hopefully TE is ok as well.

**Bowser** · 11-15-2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaplin42

The Santa Barbar (Medencito) are about 90 minutes from where I live, but the Sylmar fire is only about 10 miles away. The air around here is full of smoke and ash.

I'm waiting to see if a budy of mine who lives in Sylmar is going to need help evacing. If he does, then im sure it's going to be an interesting night.

Good luck, dude. You and your friend.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 11-15-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Burn baby burn, disco inferno.

Why can't people like this be killed by drunk drivers?

**TinyEvel** · 11-15-2008, 08:22 PM

Yo peeps.

I was in Laurel Canyon near Mulholland, but we moved to the Santa Monica area in February. So, we're completely out of fire range. Thanks for your thoughts. That Montecito fire was weird, we turned on the news and they had helicopter footage of all these spread-out square fires which were homes. Usually, there's a big long line of fire sweeping through, this was just the resulting homes on fire. I guess the fire blew through there at 80 miles per hours and just ignited al these homes and they were burning all separately.

Really looked grim. Montecito is the highest property value in CA. Highest per capita income in the state. Its a relatively small neighborhood North of Santa Barbara, on the coast. many very expensive estates, very exclusive. I travelled up there once to record Dennis Miller for a DIRECTV ad. The place is kind-of a haven.

PhillyChiefFan · 11-15-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaplin42

The Santa Barbar (Medencito) are about 90 minutes from where I live, but the Sylmar fire is only about 10 miles away. The air around here is full of smoke and ash.

I'm waiting to see if a budy of mine who lives in Sylmar is going to need help evacing. If he does, then im sure it's going to be an interesting night.

Stay safe.

kcxiv · 11-15-2008, 08:47 PM

I have family down there, but they are all in the hood, so i am sure they are fine. hah

11-15-2008, 04:10 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $14454	Cali Wildfires wreak havoc: Are you ok Dane? Come in DaneMcCloud....... http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081115/...ire_california LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A wildfire whipped up by hurricane-force gusts raged through northwestern Los Angeles foothills on Saturday, burning some 165 homes and threatening the power supply of California's largest city. More than 10,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders as the fire, which has burned more than 2,600 acres, spread westward fanned by dry winds. A separate fire burned a second day in the celebrity enclave of Montecito, where 111 homes have been destroyed. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the fire in the foothills at the edge of San Fernando Valley near Sylmar had destroyed more than any other in the past decade and that flames could take down power lines. "The fire is threatening the power of the city of Los Angeles," Villaraigosa told a news conference. "We may have to move to rolling blackouts." He urged residents to evacuate if they were in harm's way. "If you wait until the fire gets there you have waited too long," Villaraigosa said. "This fire can be on you in a moment's notice." He also asked Los Angeles residents to conserve power. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County, opening the way to additional resources. Police closed down Interstate 5, the main freeway linking Los Angeles to the north, and other roads as 600 firefighters mobilized. Transmission lines bringing power follow the Interstate highway 5 corridor through the mountains north of Los Angeles, home to nearly 10 million. Mountains were engulfed in flames and billows of smoke visible from space by weather satellite. Steady gale-force winds, blowing at 35 mph, periodically gusted up to 75 mph and spread the fire. A map of the fire is at http://tinyurl.com/sayrefire. Residents of a destroyed mobile home park sat in the gymnasium of the Sylmar High School, where the American Red Cross had set up relief services. "You could see absolutely nothing," said Jackie Burns, 77, who, along with her husband, Len, fled their mobile home at 3 a.m. as the fire raged through the neighborhood. "It was like looking into a black hole. It looked like the end of the world to me." DRY CONDITIONS 'PERFECT FOR MORE' California's fire season, which traditionally starts in June, has been lengthening and getting worse as the dry state adds homes in fringe areas prone to flames. Los Angeles has been largely spared damage this year. In October of last year 30 blazes raged across Southern California, forcing evacuation of more than 500,000 people and damaging some 2,000 homes. Firefighters are trying to stop the new blaze before it reaches Santa Clarita, a bedroom community about 40 miles from the center of Los Angeles with 180,000 population. A second fire ravaged hills above Southern California's Santa Barbara coast for a second day after roaring through the exclusive Montecito enclave leveling 111 homes. Those reported to have lost houses in the community dubbed "America's Riviera" included actor Christopher Lloyd, best known as the zany scientist in "Back to the Future". The area remains on "red flag" warning for more fires, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "It's the dry conditions that make it perfect for more fires," he said. (Reporting by Steve Gorman and Fred Prouser in Los Angeles, Anupreeta Das and Peter Henderson in San Francisco; Editing by Bill Trott and Jackie Frank)
Posts: 68,759

11-15-2008, 04:13 PM	#2
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $2688654	I just spent about 4 hours on alternate routes that normally wouldve taken me about 30 minutes. **** you Carl
Posts: 17,400

11-15-2008, 04:19 PM	#3
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Burn baby burn, disco inferno. __________________ “Education is a weapon whose effect depends on who holds it in his hands and at whom it is aimed.” Joseph Stalin
Posts: 69,591

11-15-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Yikes, I believe TinyE is in that area as well. Hope everyone is OK.
Posts: 70,546

11-15-2008, 04:45 PM	#5
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	Thanks, DeBerg. I was out in Calabasas this morning and just got home. It's a mess out there. It's extremely windy and the smoke is very thick. Fortunately were I live, it's clear and there are no fires. But those poor people up north of Los Angeles are having a very rough time.
Posts: 88,960

11-15-2008, 05:09 PM	#7
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	but it's beautiful there __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

11-15-2008, 05:54 PM	#8
kaplin42 Thats Right, Sniff the Glue!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: tubbytronic superdome Casino cash: $10007177	The Santa Barbar (Medencito) are about 90 minutes from where I live, but the Sylmar fire is only about 10 miles away. The air around here is full of smoke and ash. I'm waiting to see if a budy of mine who lives in Sylmar is going to need help evacing. If he does, then im sure it's going to be an interesting night.
Posts: 3,469

11-15-2008, 08:22 PM	#13
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $2219601	Yo peeps. I was in Laurel Canyon near Mulholland, but we moved to the Santa Monica area in February. So, we're completely out of fire range. Thanks for your thoughts. That Montecito fire was weird, we turned on the news and they had helicopter footage of all these spread-out square fires which were homes. Usually, there's a big long line of fire sweeping through, this was just the resulting homes on fire. I guess the fire blew through there at 80 miles per hours and just ignited al these homes and they were burning all separately. Really looked grim. Montecito is the highest property value in CA. Highest per capita income in the state. Its a relatively small neighborhood North of Santa Barbara, on the coast. many very expensive estates, very exclusive. I travelled up there once to record Dennis Miller for a DIRECTV ad. The place is kind-of a haven.
Posts: 12,325

11-15-2008, 08:47 PM	#15
kcxiv In Search of a Life Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Central Valley, Cali Casino cash: $8697996	I have family down there, but they are all in the hood, so i am sure they are fine. hah
Posts: 29,111