May G-d bless those in danger.

If you're interested, here is a good resource for maps over the wildfires. You might need to retry a couple of times as the server is overloaded.

[Link: activefiremaps.fs.fed.us...]

ATTENTION RAMONA -

Dustoff is down there fighting the fires. He just now posted this on another thread.

re: #204 Dustoff-507

HEY EVERYONE.>>>>>>>> ;>>>>>>>>>

I'm using a computer in one of the fire trucks to write this.
I know there is one or two lizards in the city of Ramona. Last time I saw he/she was still there. They must get out NOW!

I don't know their name but if any of you do please call or e-mail them ASAP.
I think Realwest knows them..

Take care all, I've got more work to do.

DORIANGREY

Last I heard earlier today he was trapped in Ramona with a blown head gasket.

Dorian, I blued my nic and have nationwide calling. If you need help email me.

From Dutch thread:

#204 Dustoff-507 10/23/07 2:43:15 pm reply quote report 1

HEY EVERYONE.>>>>>>>>>>& gt;>>>>>>

I'm using a computer in one of the fire trucks to write this.
I know there is one or two lizards in the city of Ramona. Last time I saw he/she was still there. They must get out NOW!

I don't know their name but if any of you do please call or e-mail them ASAP.
I think Realwest knows them..

Take care all, I've got more work to do.

Only thing helpful that I can think of is chopping down the Forests. They should be reduced in size or at least there should be gaps enough so that fires can be more isolated.

A 1 year Island getaway for tree huggers is probably what the doctor ordered until the job is done to prevent these annual disasters.

All I have to offer is prayer for those in CA. May God keep you all safe.

Well according to Barbara Boxer, the fire is all Bush's fault because all the guard units are overseas. I thought we put that one to bed during the tornados a few months ago?

re: #2 so.cal.swede

If you're interested, here is a good resource for maps over the wildfires. You might need to retry a couple of times as the server is overloaded.

[Link: activefiremaps.fs.fed.us...]

Wow, lots of fires on that pic.

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Hey folks - grim circumstances for an introduction, but I'm new here and thought I'd say hello. I've been following LGF for several years, and only just managed to get an account after numerous near misses.

Anyway - good luck to my fellow Californians, and God bless.

I hear quite a few folks have been spraying a fire retardant gel on their houses (and that it might actually work). If you're in the area, it might be something to look into. A quick google search yielded this link, for example.

Stay safe, California Lizards.

re: #8 Ward Cleaver

re: #2 so.cal.swede

If you're interested, here is a good resource for maps over the wildfires. You might need to retry a couple of times as the server is overloaded.

[Link: activefiremaps.fs.fed.us...]

Wow, lots of fires on that pic.

By the way: YELLOW IS NOT A CURRENT FIRE

Just so noone freaks out :-)

Okay - anybody know how to make this thing show your email addy?

One of the more interesting stories I have heard is the use of a reverse 911 system to contact people (early in the morning) to get out of their homes. The call came in at 445 am and by 5am the fire was in their back yard. They got out just in time...

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Brilliant... bring our WillyPete and other incindiaries home! fight the local fires!

Oh, and I happened to find this MSM story about that gel as well. Odd stuff, but some folks appear to think it works.

Can't you regulate that fire or put some kind of taxes on it?

So much for all those hybrid automobiles, you California pricks. C02 like a mofo!

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

I don't think she has a good grasp of the term "firefight".

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Yeah Barbara, and if we hadn't wasted so much research and development money trying to make you look human, we could have developed a better fire retardant.

Charles- it's really great that you're providing this service.

God bless you and may He protect Californians in need.

re: #18 easy

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

I don't think she has a good grasp of the term "firefight".

Perhaps she's thinking that those WW2 surplus B-17 "Flying Fortresses'" that were converted to borate bombers in CA (during the '50s) were replaced by B-52s that are currently on active duty.

Make all the jokes you want about him, but Governor Arnold has been an impressive "PR" guy for those affected by the fire. He hasn't been the whining, finger-pointing, camera-mugging politician that was so common during/after Katrina etc.

And, Qualcomm Stadium is operating 180 degrees differently from the New Orleans Superdome as a refugee center.

re: #23 nolocon

Make all the jokes you want about him, but Governor Arnold has been an impressive "PR" guy for those affected by the fire. He hasn't been the whining, finger-pointing, camera-mugging politician that was so common during/after Katrina etc.

And, Qualcomm Stadium is operating 180 degrees differently from the New Orleans Superdome as a refugee center.

yep. take the SD city mayor for instance. a beacon of hope instead of a bumbling fool.

re: #23 nolocon

Of course, this is San Diego (a Republican stronghold) not New Orleands (a Democratic stronghold)

/sarcastic cynicism

Sudden Jihad, or Mental Illness?

Teacher who attacked base had death wish, FBI says
A Miami Central High math teacher was arrested after attacking the Homestead Air Reserve Base in a failed suicide bid, authorities say.

Wielding two butcher knives bought at Wal-Mart and vodka bottles to use as explosives, Tahmeed Ahmad chanted ''Death to America'' and told Homestead Air Reserve Base guards he wanted to kill soldiers.

But Ahmad was no terrorist, authorities believe.

Rather, the Miami Central High School math teacher wanted to ''commit suicide by cop'' when he attacked military policemen stationed at the west gate just before midnight Sunday, the FBI said.

Ahmad did not get his wish. One officer fired his handgun at Ahmad. He missed.

''We take security very seriously at the base, but this was quite an unusual event,'' said Lt. Col. Tom Davis, a base spokesman. ``Our security forces are well trained and responded appropriately.''

Police quickly arrested Ahmad, 22, whose mother says is mentally ill and had recently been in a mental institution. The FBI charged him Monday with assaulting a U.S. government employee.

Ahmad is in his first year teaching math at Miami Central High, 1781 NW 95th St.

A federal judge will decide Thursday whether he can be released pending trial.

If he is freed, Ahmad will be reassigned away from children, said John Schuster, a schools spokesman.

Ahmad had been added to a federal terrorist watch list, but officials had long since concluded he was not a credible threat, Davis said.

He graduated in June from City College of New York's honors program in mathematics, his mother, Gulnaz Ahmad, said from East Flushing, N.Y.

She said her son was a smart, quiet man who was elected as a student government-faculty liaison three years in a row. He was born in Kuwait and is a naturalized U.S. citizen.

He had been recruited to teach by Miami-Dade schools. Ahmad also wanted to coach football.

But last week, a mental hospital called to say Ahmad, who had been on psychiatric medication, tried killing himself but didn't know how.

''I don't why he was depressed and why he was so sad,'' his mother said, tearfully. ``He needs help.''

According to an FBI criminal complaint, Ahmad admitted to buying two butcher knives at a Miami Lakes-area Wal-Mart. From a liquor store, he bought ``two magnum bottles of vodka he hoped to use as Molotov cocktails.''

The teacher told agent Richard W. Lunn he would have used a gun but that a week ago, a dealer refused to sell him one because he had not lived in Florida for 90 days, as required by law.

On Sunday night, Ahmad drove his car to the gate's west entrance, hopped out and ``charged the military police officers.''

''The fellow was being very hostile toward the guard,'' Davis said.

The military police officer fired in his own defense, the criminal complaint said.

It was unclear exactly how far away he was from Ahmad. An internal review of the shooting will be conducted, Davis said.

It's all Bush's fault!

My prayers and good wishes for all of those there. Wild fire is a terrible monster, fleeing is frequently the best thing you can do. Save yourselves, your pets, your photos, and let the pros do the battle.

re: #13 galloping granny

Okay - anybody know how to make this thing show your email addy?

When you post, include your email in the yellow text field under your username and click "show email."

I hear Murtha has already accused 7 firefighters of breaking into homes and terrorizing innocent immigrants.

The wind seems to have died down quite a bit, that'll help the firefighters, but a good stiff breeze will still be with us for the rest of the week. Then we'll get the wind coming off the Ocean and that might make any fires still burning change direction. If that happens and the Santiago fire gets into the Cleveland National Forest, then look out Corona, Anaheim Hills (gulp), and perhaps Riverside. From what I've heard the people fighting the Santiago fire don't have enough manpower or equipment right now. Hopefully as the other fires die out then help will come their way, same for the Lake Arrowhead fire.

One of the Fire Chiefs out there is saying it was intentionally set

I see Rage Boy has made the cover of Newsweak.

re: #26 LSD

LSD -

Don't waste good cheap vodka! That is all.

Dustoff -

God bless and stay safe!

-S-

There aren't any forests involved. It's all dry brush and grass teritory. The 80+ mile an hour winds pick up the embers and drop them miles away, so the fire spreads very fast. The fire is jumping 8 lane freeways like they were nothing. The wind has died down a lot, so we may have some relief. Luckily we have the best firefighters in the world and help is pouring in from other states. I heard that even Canada sent a firefighting plane. Doriangrey has been posting on the fire thread on HotAir, if you want to contact him. It looks like he will be fine as long as the wind doesn't change.

re: #31 caliredst8r

Wind off the ocean brings humidity with it though...which hopefully would offset the effects of the wind to a point where the firefighters could get a handle on the fires...

re: #33 pat

I see Rage Boy has made the cover of Newsweak.

Pat -

Expect to see "Rage Boy" as an editorial consultant soon!

-S-

re: #7 Nevergiveup

Well according to Barbara Boxer, the fire is all Bush's fault because all the guard units are overseas. I thought we put that one to bed during the tornados a few months ago?

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

That stupid fucking bitch should shut her trap and expend her energies trying to get what equipment/fire fighter is available.

re: #23 nolocon

Make all the jokes you want about him, but Governor Arnold has been an impressive "PR" guy for those affected by the fire. He hasn't been the whining, finger-pointing, camera-mugging politician that was so common during/after Katrina etc.

And, Qualcomm Stadium is operating 180 degrees differently from the New Orleans Superdome as a refugee center.

Will president Bush get the credit? hahahahhahahaha

Listening to the radio today the commentators were talking to a councilman from somewhere in the OC, they were doing everything, except putting words in his mouth, to get him to blame this all on Bush. He kept putting the blame back on the state government saying that they've been studying wildfires and how to fight them for decades, but they have done nothing to provide the proper amount of equipment and resources to the fire fighters.

How much firefighting equipment did we send from Southern California to Iraq? Does that empty head even have a CLUE as to what a complete imbecile she looks like at this point?

The reason the fires are SO bad there is because they don't allow and don't do anything to clean the forest areas and maintain because they're afraid they might disturb some species of something.

I had some friends that lived in San Diego in the Naval housing (Marine family) and have family in that area that own land. If you want to do anything to your own property, you have to submit a request to the state and describe what you want to do. They will then charge you some obnoxious amount of money for a request for permit ($1200 I think, but don't remember). Once the request is submitted, they will send someone to 'observe' the area that you want to clean to see if there are any life forms breeding or nesting in that area for 6+ months. If there is so much as a fly anywhere around that lays an egg, you cannot do anything to that area, your permit is denied and you don't get your money back.

When you don't maintain the areas that become overgrown and contain lots of rotting and dead vegetation, you get the nasty side effect of a highly flammable region.

I wonder if the 'lives' that they've saved by not cutting the grass is worth it now.......

Burn area the size of New York - Fox News

re: #21 gamegrid

re: #19 rp1138

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Yeah Barbara, and if we hadn't wasted so much research and development money trying to make you look human, we could have developed a better fire retardant.

Drop liberals on the fire. I'm not sure if they'll stop the fire, but they certainly retard things.

No. They, themselves, are simply retarded.

/apologies to those who are 'challenged' who are insulted -- by having liberals compared to them

Charles . . .

Thank you so much for providing this wildfire service to us lizards. The links to the satellite images of the fire locations is priceless.

You are a prince for maintaining this unbelievably important website.

Los Angeles County Information website - Contains links / info on LA County wildfires

re: #37 Dr. Shalit

Heh, heh. I think Reuters may have him on contract already.

760 AM KFMB is doing a really good job covering the SD fires, they have a live stream on their web site

re: #36 boring family man

That's what they're hoping for.

I don't understand why this fire season wasn't foreseen by Al-Gore and his computer models, I mean, doesn't he know exactly what the planet's weather and conditions will be like in 2075? So surely he would have foreseen this, right? Where is he? Home polishing his Nobel, I'm sure.

re: #42 DistantThunder

Burn area the size of New York - Fox News

The state or the city?

The fire's not a laughing matter, but...

The solution is for Darth Cheney to turn off his evil wind machine that he's firing up again to punish the left coast.

Have the Koskidz blamed Bush yet?

re: #41 Sponge

How much firefighting equipment did we send from Southern California to Iraq? Does that empty head even have a CLUE as to what a complete imbecile she looks like at this point?

The reason the fires are SO bad there is because they don't allow and don't do anything to clean the forest areas and maintain because they're afraid they might disturb some species of something.

I had some friends that lived in San Diego in the Naval housing (Marine family) and have family in that area that own land. If you want to do anything to your own property, you have to submit a request to the state and describe what you want to do. They will then charge you some obnoxious amount of money for a request for permit ($1200 I think, but don't remember). Once the request is submitted, they will send someone to 'observe' the area that you want to clean to see if there are any life forms breeding or nesting in that area for 6+ months. If there is so much as a fly anywhere around that lays an egg, you cannot do anything to that area, your permit is denied and you don't get your money back.

When you don't maintain the areas that become overgrown and contain lots of rotting and dead vegetation, you get the nasty side effect of a highly flammable region.

I wonder if the 'lives' that they've saved by not cutting the grass is worth it now.......

Here in NJ a man who was building a small house on property his family has owned for over 100 years had the building inspector come out and inspect the foundation. The inspector found an abadonded animal burrow within 6 inches of the foundation. The inspector said he had to move the foundation just in case a FOX might want to use the abandoned hole as a den.

Met the homeowner.

I was in a fire once when I lived in Lousiville. Someone on our floor left a pan full of grease on the stove. From the time we noticed the smoke until the time we got outside -- perhaps 2 1/2 minutes, maybe 3 -- the entire three storey wooden structure was consumed in flames. It was one of the scariest things I've ever experienced, and taught me a life-long respect for fire.

IT HAPPENS FAST.

Please be CAREFUL, Californians! Don't take chances with fire.

Someone quick burn a CD:

1. Talking Heads - Burning Down The House
2. Jimi Hendrix - Fire
3. Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire
4. Dokken - Into The Fire
5. Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water
6. Kiss - Heaven's On Fire
7. Alice Cooper - House Of Fire

Any others?

By the way... get an ugly monolithic dome home and you may have a weird house, but it isn't going to fall in an earthquake or go up in smoke. Of course, if you build it on top of a mountain it may slide down the side. Remember those mudslides in the 80's in San Diego? Brutal. Those homes look great on the side of the mountains...but is it worth it when it rains more than usual?

re: #51 Killgore Trout

Who cares, really. If they haven't said it yet, it's because their minds haven't worked hard enough to figure out how to.......

While we cannot pin exact cause, Michelle Malkin summed up nicely how this disaster has alot to do with Liberals policies toward preventing wise management of our forests.

[Link: michellemalkin.com...]

Heres another example in how these rejects could doom us all.

Rockers renew 1970s Anti-Nuclear Theme

By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 59 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash are putting a new millennium twist on their 1970s anti-nuclear message, urging Congress not to approve federal loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants.

"Thirty years ago, we felt that this monster was dead," Nash said. "It's trying to raise its ugly head."

Nearly three decades ago, the three were prominent in the anti-nuke movement, helping organize the "No Nukes" concerts at Madison Square Garden that stirred public opposition to nuclear power.

Tuesday, they were on Capitol Hill warning that a Senate version of a new energy bill contains a provision, backed by the nuclear industry, for loan guarantees that could serve as a "virtual blank check from taxpayers" to help build more nuclear plants.

Rockers renew 1970s anti-nuclear theme By ANDREW MIGA, Associated Press Writer
2 hours, 59 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Graham Nash are putting a new millennium twist on their 1970s anti-nuclear message, urging Congress not to approve federal loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Thirty years ago, we felt that this monster was dead," Nash said. "It's trying to raise its ugly head."

Nearly three decades ago, the three were prominent in the anti-nuke movement, helping organize the "No Nukes" concerts at Madison Square Garden that stirred public opposition to nuclear power.

Tuesday, they were on Capitol Hill warning that a Senate version of a new energy bill contains a provision, backed by the nuclear industry, for loan guarantees that could serve as a "virtual blank check from taxpayers" to help build more nuclear plants.

[Link: news.yahoo.com...]

re: #41 Sponge

Sponge -

Guess what you can do with an "Environmental Impact Statement" in the midst of a wildfire? (Hint - burn it!). That is all.

-S-

Folks, on those MODIS maps (I posted a link to one yesterday also) you need to go up a notch in order to get the most recent one.

MODIS FIRE MAP CALI REGION

Just click on the JPEG image, on the right. Or look through the archives. Notice that they are update sometimes hourly. The link posted above by so.cal.swede is to an image, and will not update.

Hope the link works. There's a bit of php involved...

re: #48 caliredst8r

Algore is merely a mouthpiece, a huckster...If Al could answer me this question, I may respect the man:

(Ahem) Mr. Gore, can you explain to me how the last Ice Age ended?

(crickets chirping)

re: #35 Crotalus Atrox

There aren't any forests involved. It's all dry brush and grass teritory.

The "forest" is made up of two-foot high manzanita bushes.

re: #52 DistantThunder

That is unbelievably pathetic.....really. What is this world coming to. If an animal wants to dig a hole, it will dig a hole, where it wants, when it wants.

re: #49 MandyManners

re: #42 DistantThunder

Burn area the size of New York - Fox News

The state or the city?

They only said New York therefore I assume state. - it's up to hundreds of square miles.

thought i should point out to some of the out of state spectators that many of these fires aren't burning trees (as in forest fires) but rather should be known as "brush fires" since they are burning mostly native chaparral type vegetation, which is pretty much chlorophyll coated gasoline.

by design, they should burn over every few years, keeping the fuel load down, but since man is smarter than that, we keep the areas from burning for years, so that when they do go, it's like having a couple 1000 gallons of high test on very acre...... the wind does the rest.

re: #54 gamegrid

"game" -

World on Fire - parody by Shanklin, courtesy of EIB/Rush.

-S-

re: #62 DistantThunder

As of yesterday, about 200 square miles were burned. Size of city.

re: #32 Dov (In the Astrodome City) Republic of Texas

One of the Fire Chiefs out there is saying it was intentionally set

I was afraid that was going to be the case. I have friends and family in the area. Prayers out to the lizard army in harms way.

LL

re: #51 Killgore Trout

Have the Koskidz blamed Bush yet?

Shortly.

Very soon you will see Anderso Cooper and Katie Couric blaming lack of money due to the the war.

re: #61 Sponge

re: #52 DistantThunder

That is unbelievably pathetic.....really. What is this world coming to. If an animal wants to dig a hole, it will dig a hole, where it wants, when it wants.

It's all about Power and Control - the state's.

re: #59 boring family man

re: #48 caliredst8r

Algore is merely a mouthpiece, a huckster...If Al could answer me this question, I may respect the man:

(Ahem) Mr. Gore, can you explain to me how the last Ice Age ended?

(crickets chirping)

How did it?

And now for something completely different.

Daily Kos is exploring potential causes/reasons for the fires:

1. Rovian Plot to establish Firefighter Army of Occupation in California.

2. HalliBushitler Conspiracy to cause massive atmospheric smoke and blunt the effectiveness of solar energy.

3. Sick GOP prank to send Malibu Liberals scampering into homeless shelters.

To everyone posting jokes or songs, this situation really isn't funny. Some gallows humor might be appropriate, but let's not take it too far, m'kay?

Now everybody can pile on me for being a blog nanny...

re: #51 Killgore Trout

CNN's Wolf blitzer was busy with the comparison of this and Katrina - basically implying that because it is the rich white areas of SoCal that are burning that's why the response is so much better / faster than Nawlings.

Hot Air has links to the 'debates' around the politicization of the tragedies.

There is fundamentally one major difference between SoCal and the Katrina handling......the local and state governments combined with effective first / emergency responses. These entities had disaster plans with contingencies for earthquake and fires. The plans are updated regularly and the personnel know what to do and how to do it. The plans are being worked by the local, state governments and emergency personnel. I don't see the posturing by officials on the line like I remember from the Katrina days. (Let's remember that Katrina wasn't just New Orleans - and large parts of Mississippi were as devastated as New Orleans - but they have managed to recover better than New Orleans since they didn't have the political gamesmanship.)

re: #61 Sponge

re: #52 DistantThunder

That is unbelievably pathetic.....really. What is this world coming to. If an animal wants to dig a hole, it will dig a hole, where it wants, when it wants.

Sponge -

You forgot something - the animal is an animal and can't be sued into bankruptcy. I seem to remember that some book, perhaps the TORAH set up man as the steward of the earth in the absence of G-d. Then again, I could be wrong.

-S-

re: #70 Killgore Trout

Isn't that a Little Rascals episode?

re: #63 redc1c4

That, and the coastal sage/manzanita need the fire as part of their reproductive cycle -- clearing out the old growth to allow room for the new vegetation, iirc.

Has anyone thought this could be a coordinated group of lunatics setting fires? Perhaps terrorism? Just a thought, as we watch the smoke get closer here in San Clemente...

Sorry to make fun
But the floods in New Orleans
And the Cali fires
They are both missing BDS
Is hell freezing over?

re: #69 ted

ted -

As I understand it, G-d told the SUN to warm up.

-S-

With all the carbon dioxide in the air causing gorebull worming, wouldn't that make the fires that much smaller and easier to fight? LA should just start driving more and take away all the bad, fire causing oxygen......

re: #77 Nadnerb

Yes, we've thought of it. So have the fire guys. Greece has been out there as an example for a long time now.

re: #54 gamegrid

Billy Joel - "We didn't start the Fire"

re: #79 Dr. Shalit

re: #69 ted

ted -

As I understand it, G-d told the SUN to warm up.

-S-

Who am I to argue?

re: #80 Sponge

With all the carbon dioxide in the air causing gorebull worming, wouldn't that make the fires that much smaller and easier to fight? LA should just start driving more and take away all the bad, fire causing oxygen......

Sponge -

ROTFLMAO!

-S-

re: #80 Sponge

With all the carbon dioxide in the air causing gorebull worming, wouldn't that make the fires that much smaller and easier to fight? LA should just start driving more and take away all the bad, fire causing oxygen......

warming...../PIMF

It's been a long, long day.

re: #75 Sponge

Maybe Buster Keaton. I found it on Boing Boing.

Which one is true?
1) the fires are Bush's fault
2) the governments are only paying attention because it is white people fleeing
3) Iran is buying 24 jets from China based on Israeli technology
Thats right pick 3 and win a cigar!

re: #62 DistantThunder

re: #49 MandyManners

re: #42 DistantThunder

Burn area the size of New York - Fox News

The state or the city?

They only said New York therefore I assume state. - it's up to hundreds of square miles.

you can thank the EPA for that, so instead of actually saving indangered species people just kill em stick em in a bag and toss em in a dumpster.

No person in there right mind is going to let 2 birds stop development on a 10 acre piece of property

re: #86 Killgore Trout

I remember seeing that when I was very young, but I just couldn't remember where.

And...Cali is a desert...Wasn't meant for such dense residential areas.

Remember the movie Chinatown?

Quick question: how are San Diego-area lizards doing? Did DorianGray get out? I see above that it isn't a sure thing yet.

re: #88 pegcity

Welcome to California. That happens every day.

re: #73 Athos

re: #51 Killgore Trout

CNN's Wolf blitzer was busy with the comparison of this and Katrina - basically implying that because it is the rich white areas of SoCal that are burning that's why the response is so much better / faster than Nawlings.

Hot Air has links to the 'debates' around the politicization of the tragedies.

There is fundamentally one major difference between SoCal and the Katrina handling......the local and state governments combined with effective first / emergency responses. These entities had disaster plans with contingencies for earthquake and fires. The plans are updated regularly and the personnel know what to do and how to do it. The plans are being worked by the local, state governments and emergency personnel. I don't see the posturing by officials on the line like I remember from the Katrina days. (Let's remember that Katrina wasn't just New Orleans - and large parts of Mississippi were as devastated as New Orleans - but they have managed to recover better than New Orleans since they didn't have the political gamesmanship.)

Hell...as someone who did traffic engineering for a public agency (San Marcos, for local lizards, and including a private sector gig), we DESIGNED our FRIGGING' streets to be able to get fire apparatus INTO the neighborhoods WHILE LEAVING ROOM FOR RESIDENTS to simultaneously evacuate.

re: #90 ted

No, but I remember Big Trouble in Little China.......

re: #87 Nevergiveup

Which one is true?
1) the fires are Bush's fault
2) the governments are only paying attention because it is white people fleeing
3) Iran is buying 24 jets from China based on Israeli technology
Thats right pick 3 and win a cigar!

Why oh why did they give the Lavi to China, good move israel, and they wonder why the US was mad the Israeli's almost sold China AWCS and advanced drones.

re: #77 Nadnerb

I've thought of that scenario too, it would be very simple to do. But many of these fires have known causes, exploding transformers, downed power lines, vehicle fires, etc. One of the fires is know to have been intentionally set, I'm not sure which one, either one of the San Diego fires, or the Santiago fire.

I am waiting for the Church of Al Gore and Church of Global Warming followers to blame this on Global Warming

re: #83 ted

ted -

Zacly - G-d has the ultimate franchise to "sort it out." Isn't it amazing though that we are now seeing artifacts in Greenland that hint that Greenland WAS once GREEN!

-S-

Santa Barbara is "smokey" according the the Goleta Weather Forecast :). Still a beautiful sunny day here.

re: #3 galloping granny

Hey granny, I am keeping in pretty constant contact with firefighters, I am about 2 miles away from the Ramona airport in the middle of town. The firefighters have actually told me I am in one of the safest areas in the county right now. That could of course change, but right now there are no fires burning within about 5 miles of me. The talking heads on T.V are suggesting that they might start allowing Ramona residents to return to Ramona in a few more hours.

However on a more troubling note, a little over 1/3rd of San Diego County is currently under mandatory evacuation notice

re: #73 Athos
It still remains to be seen if the Californians are going to loot their neighbor's houses.

re: #93 FlyingTigress

And we're not even going to mention the fact that the money earmarked to provide those types of pro-active measures were actually SPENT on those measures and not squandered and wasted and stolen the way it was in n'awlins.......

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

re: #88 pegcity

"peg" -

What state do YOU live in? Granted that "don't get caught" has become the rule, "Blue States" on both coasts will SUE YOU INTO PENURY IF YOU DO GET CAUGHT! Please advise.

-S-

re: #100 doriangrey

As a former San Diegan, the extent of the evacuation order boggles my mind...

re: #35 Crotalus Atrox

There aren't any forests involved. It's all dry brush and grass teritory............

Sorry, but you're so friggen wrong with the first sentence of this, it makjes me kinda sick-

If you ignore Cleveland, Castaic, San Bernadino, Both sides of the Cajon Pass, etc...... then there are definately no "forests" involved.... I guess that hinges on what exactly you consider a "forest"-

Been keeping close tabs on everything south....... Pendelton, Ramona (my friends almost lost their lives there Sunday night), Wish, etc...... But I am trying to pay extra close attention to Santiago Cyn, near where my mom lives..... less than 5 miles, (I'm a ways North, in LALA land).

My heart goes out to everyone affected, and my thoughts and prayers are with my friends and family still in danger

Incredible Fire Images on Flickr

Be safe California....

re: #97 JeffinSac

I am waiting for the Church of Al Gore and Church of Global Warming followers to blame this on Global Warming

No need to wait. I just saw it on the evening news.

re: #103 ted

ted -

The Germans have a word for it - SCHADENFREUDE!

-S-

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

I was at the Avis counter today in Atlanta and a rather large man said to the woman behind the counter 'I'm going to do my share to help and not shower while I'm here'......she smiled and said, 'we've got water, you should shower...thanks for the thought, though'......

I just laughed.

re: #97 JeffinSac

I am waiting for the Church of Al Gore and Church of Global Warming followers to blame this on Global Warming

Hmmm. What do you figure is the comparative cumulative carbon footprint of these fires versus your standard coal-fired plant?

re: #105 FlyingTigress

No kidding I have been a resident of SD county for 37 years and have never ever seen anything even remotely approaching this.

re: #72 Malatrope

To everyone posting jokes or songs, this situation really isn't funny. Some gallows humor might be appropriate, but let's not take it too far, m'kay?

Now everybody can pile on me for being a blog nanny...

that was tasteless...Hendrix did not record 'Fire'...Arthur Brown did

re: #98 Dr. Shalit

re: #83 ted

ted -

Zacly - G-d has the ultimate franchise to "sort it out." Isn't it amazing though that we are now seeing artifacts in Greenland that hint that Greenland WAS once GREEN!

-S-

So what you're trying to say it WASN'T Al Gore who ended the last ice age ?

doriangrey was commenting at Hotair and last commented at 6:30, someone said you guys were looking for him, I hope he gets out of there if necessary. dorian, if you're reading, stay safe.

Something broke at Motorola's transmitting facility in San Diego. While they were trying to fix it, the fires broke out and they had to evac. If you have a sat dish (baby dish or a REAL dish lol) you might experience some difficulties with your tv signal. And i thought it was my lnb or my poor pecan tree heh

re: #114 albusteve

Hendrix did record 'Fire'.......

Let me stand next to your fire.........

re: #100 doriangrey

Thanks for reporting in! I've been thinking a lot about you in this time. Glad to hear you are well for the moment and I hope it continues.

re: #118 Sponge

re: #114 albusteve

Hendrix did record 'Fire'.......

Let me stand next to your fire.........

was that the title?...I stand corrected

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

The thing that will kill the Democratic Party is the South is this type of high handed environmentalism.

I am waiting for the Sean Penn-type in California to insist any rebuilding include government grant/loans for the poor to build anywhere they want, except Malibu.

re: #118 Sponge

re: #114 albusteve

Hendrix did record 'Fire'.......

Let me stand next to your fire.........

Linky.......

re: #109 song_and_dance_man

re: #90 ted

And...Cali is a desert...Wasn't meant for such dense residential areas.

Remember the movie Chinatown?

This is true. The Los Angeles area was a Chaparral before Mulholland brought water to the basin.

Except when the Palos Verdes Pennisula was essentially an island (as demonstrated by the terraces and the diatomaceous earth deposits in that area where Hawthorne drops down into Walteria), and much of the LA basin was underwater.

Dear Nancy Pelosi,

I checked the inventory for the following items.
- Firefighting M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank - 0
- Air tanker AH-64 Longbow - 0
- Air tanker C-17, B-1B, B-2 or B-52 - 0

We've got mutual aid task forces from Washington State going down. That's not because of a lack of equipment and manpower, that's the way the system is designed.

re: #109 song_and_dance_man

re: #90 ted

And...Cali is a desert...Wasn't meant for such dense residential areas.

Remember the movie Chinatown?

This is true. The Los Angeles area was a Chaparral before Mulholland brought water to the basin.

Yup...I can watch that movie 100x..It's not only brilliant but fascinating from a historical POV.

re: #109 song_and_dance_man

re: #90 ted

And...Cali is a desert...Wasn't meant for such dense residential areas.

Remember the movie Chinatown?

This is true. The Los Angeles area was a Chaparral before Mulholland brought water to the basin.

sadm -

Actually, MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME! When Nicholson of Neptune, NJ asked HOUSTON - "What else do you want? - and Houston as MULHOLLAND answered - "THE FUTURE!"

-S-/ of the Holy Methodist City of Asbury Park, NJ 07712

re: #120 albusteve

It's all good. My brother is a HUGE Hendrix fan, so I've heard just about everything he's ever recorded.......

re: #114 albusteve

Well, actually, they both did. Different songs. I like the Arthur Brown one better though. I blew my father's mind with it one day, back when he thought Simon and Garfunkle constituted "hard rock".

re: #115 ted

ted -

To all y'all the answer is - "YUP!" That is all.

-S-

re: #124 jcm

Dear Nancy Pelosi,

I checked the inventory for the following items.
- Firefighting M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank - 0
- Air tanker AH-64 Longbow - 0
- Air tanker C-17, B-1B, B-2 or B-52 - 0

We've got mutual aid task forces from Washington State going down. That's not because of a lack of equipment and manpower, that's the way the system is designed.

You forgot those KC-135s and KC-10s that could drop JP-4 on the fires...

Oh... wait a second. That wouldn't help, now, would it?

Sorry, that would be "Garfunkel" not "Garfunkle".

re: #54 gamegrid

Someone quick burn a CD:

1. Talking Heads - Burning Down The House2. Jimi Hendrix - Fire3. Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three - The Roof Is On Fire4. Dokken - Into The Fire5. Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water6. Kiss - Heaven's On Fire7. Alice Cooper - House Of Fire

Any others?

How about the most appropriate of them all.........
JOHNNY CASH- RING OF FIRE

as of just before Sunrise, they were saying over 215 square miles burned-
San Diego County alone is almost 1 million evacuated, and over 200,000 acres

Back to work for me...... I need the break from real life-

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Another agrument in favor of Ann Coulter's book "If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans".

#99 jordash1212

Yes, Santa Barbara was starting to get smokey and overcast when we were there Saturday; I'm sure it's much worse right now. The beach areas still seem pretty safe, thank G-d, though a lot of them are suffering smoke, ash and vile air.

re: #133 aggrophoto

One million! Have that many people ever been evacuated in this country? And it's not over by a long shot...

re: #41 Sponge

How much firefighting equipment did we send from Southern California to Iraq? Does that empty head even have a CLUE as to what a complete imbecile she looks like at this point?

The reason the fires are SO bad there is because they don't allow and don't do anything to clean the forest areas and maintain because they're afraid they might disturb some species of something.

I had some friends that lived in San Diego in the Naval housing (Marine family) and have family in that area that own land. If you want to do anything to your own property, you have to submit a request to the state and describe what you want to do. They will then charge you some obnoxious amount of money for a request for permit ($1200 I think, but don't remember). Once the request is submitted, they will send someone to 'observe' the area that you want to clean to see if there are any life forms breeding or nesting in that area for 6+ months. If there is so much as a fly anywhere around that lays an egg, you cannot do anything to that area, your permit is denied and you don't get your money back.

When you don't maintain the areas that become overgrown and contain lots of rotting and dead vegetation, you get the nasty side effect of a highly flammable region.

I wonder if the 'lives' that they've saved by not cutting the grass is worth it now.......

Hence when the early settlers were in Utah, they noticed that about every 5 years the Ute Indians would set massive blazes on fire in the mountains...At first they thought it was a provocation, but then they were let in on the secret. "Keeps the real fires away."

re: #127 Sponge

re: #120 albusteve

It's all good. My brother is a HUGE Hendrix fan, so I've heard just about everything he's ever recorded.......

nevertheless I'm embarassed...I should remembered that...I linked Arthur Brown awhile back for some reason...brain flat

doriangrey,

How are things outside of downtown. I live out by the high school.

I heard there was no water in ramona.

NotThatGordo

Crazy World of Author Brown

"Fire"

re: #134 Piglet-U93

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Another agrument in favor of Ann Coulter's book "If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans".

If I know Ann Coulter, it will mean another book. Keep raking it in Ann!

And I do think that those that are posting things here in the name of humor are posting not in the 'make fun of' or satirical sense, but in the 'save 2nd base' sense. It's a serious matter and we all know it. It's like trying to make someone laugh that's just lost a loved one or had something tragic happen. Laughter is the best medicine.

I'm sure that most of us, if not all of us, would do something to help if we could.

re: #130 FlyingTigress

re: #124 jcm

Dear Nancy Pelosi,

I checked the inventory for the following items.
- Firefighting M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank - 0
- Air tanker AH-64 Longbow - 0
- Air tanker C-17, B-1B, B-2 or B-52 - 0

We've got mutual aid task forces from Washington State going down. That's not because of a lack of equipment and manpower, that's the way the system is designed.

You forgot those KC-135s and KC-10s that could drop JP-4 on the fires...

Oh... wait a second. That wouldn't help, now, would it?

Geek moment:
JP-8 now, military now uses JP-8 for everything from a hummer to a F-22 can run on JP-8 simplifies the logistics, only have to deliver one type of fuel for everything to run on.

re: #140 ted

Crazy World of Author Brown

"Fire"

[Link: www.youtube.com...]

I saw him do this live back in 67 or 68...wow!

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

They're doing it for the tadpoles.

re: #141 Nevergiveup

re: #134 Piglet-U93

re: #9 opnion

Barbara Boxer never shy about making snarky, doofus comments said'
If there was not so much equipment in Iraq, there would be twice as much equipment to fight the fire"

Another agrument in favor of Ann Coulter's book "If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans".

If I know Ann Coulter, it will mean another book. Keep raking it in Ann!

Sounds like Barbara is having a: "Let them eat Cake," moment...

re: #106 aggrophoto

re: #35 Crotalus Atrox

There aren't any forests involved. It's all dry brush and grass teritory............

Sorry, but you're so friggen wrong with the first sentence of this, it makjes me kinda sick-

If you ignore Cleveland, Castaic, San Bernadino, Both sides of the Cajon Pass, etc...... then there are definately no "forests" involved.... I guess that hinges on what exactly you consider a "forest"-

Can you make a point without swearing and insulting the previous poster? Your Mom should have washed your mouth out with soap when you were small.

re: #127 Sponge

Sponge -

Hendrix was a great talent - as was Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, etc., et.al. The time was not ready for their minds, as their minds were not ready for the times.
Que Lastima!

-S-

7-Nevergiveup 5...4..3...2.. I knew it would be GWB's fault.
Supposedlythere are Army or ANG planes C-130's outfitted for water drops or phos chek drop on a base in Idaho.
But they can'tbe used or released until all contracts for private planes with water-drops have been let. Then the fed planes are available.
/Any one else hear of this.

Fire & Rain-JT

Ring of Fire-J.Cash

My prayers are with all of the people in SoCal whose lives are in such turmoil. I can't imagine what it must be like to leave your home wondering if it will still be there when you return. Stay safe folks.

California versus New Orleans:

CALIFORNIA:
500,000 evacuees:
- No riots.
- No looting.
- No shootings.
- No mass desertion by local law enforcement.
- No cannibalism (hat tip - Huffington Post)
- Calm, orderly, polite evacuation centers.
- Well organized, efficient State emergency response.
- Calm, cool Governor acting like a leader.

NEW ORLEANS:
- Hell.

re: #142 Sponge

I'm just worried because someone I was married to, and has custody (mutual decision about what was best for our little Boo-Boo Bear) of our 15-year old, lives on the west side of -15 in Rancho Bernardo. Some old friends live off Carmel Mountain Road in Rancho Squeezyourpenis.

My heart and prayers are out there for those who have lost their homes. I would like to say a special thanks for our heroic fire-fighters, paramedics and the police, earning over-time and proving that sometimes government jobs are not all riding a desk all day, and making stupid or questionable decisions. Here is an interesting link to the Mt Wilson observatory camera, it is updated about once a minute and the quality of image is impressive. [Link: www.astro.ucla.edu...] The image shows a ton of smoke, but no fires.

aggrophoto

I actually live here so I might know something about the area. People calling this a forest fire conjures up images of huge pines like you find up north. We have mostly sparse eucalyptus groves and huge areas covered on brush. These are fast moving brush fires, not your typical forest fire.

re: #146 JammieWearingFool

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

They're doing it for the tadpoles.

Spicy BBQ Frog Legs
~ decent amount of frog legs
~ 5 - 10 drops of tabasco or to taste
~ salt
~ pepper
~ onion powder

Wash the frog legs thoroughly. Place on a large enough piece of foil to wrap them in.

Sprinkle on the tabasco. Season to taste with the salt, pepper and onion powder.

Wrap and seal the foil to create a packet.

Grill over medium heat until meat is crispy.

Serve with green beans and baked potatoes.

Enjoy.

See no problem!

Boxer is 4'11in and Feinstein is 6 ft 1" so when they appear together Boxer is on a platform

re: #142 Sponge

That's what I meant by "gallows humor", and it's fine. I just wouldn't want to see the thread go too far off topic. This is being used as a clearinghouse, bulletin board, whatever. If we're not careful, we'll be talking about guns and ammo, and republic will be in here relishing again :)

Hey, I like all those songs...

re: #143 jcm

My bad. Thanks!

re: #150 big L

Last I heard, this afternoon, that 6 of these planes are enroute. One coming from North Carolina.

re: #131 Malatrope

"Mal" -

Unless all y'all go back to the OLD D.C. - and remember the Washington Shopping Card - and - GARFINKEL'S!

-S-

According to the Orange County Register, there's heavy firefighting going in Silverado Canyon, and near Topanga; they've been foaming some houses, to try and save them.

re: #146 JammieWearingFool

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

They're doing it for the tadpoles.

And don't forget the minnows.
[Link: images.search.yahoo.com...]

re: #154 FlyingTigress

Absolutely understood. I have family in the San Diego area as well, but there is no threat where they are, yet.

I feel for you and wish the best for you and yours, along with all the others effect by this ....

153-nolocon=-- in 5..4..3....Some activist is going to say that comparisons between Katrina and Calif is crypto-racist...
/no, valid observation.

re: #145 song_and_dance_man

The giant slurping sound from LADWP that resulted in Mono Lake being the size it is, now?

re: #69 ted

Not entirely sure but it's safe to say it wasn't from manmade greenhouse gases.

re: #116 doubleplusundead

dorian, if you're reading, stay safe.

I am reading and plan on staying safe, thanks for your concern...

re: #127 Sponge...Heh heh please excuse the gallows humor and shameless self plug, but if you love Hendrix you ought to check out some of my stuff. Try Live and Fully baked or Be Real...

re: #101 Killgore Trout

Well, none of the homes in my town's mandatory evac area were looted last night. In 2003, when almost 40% of Stevenson Ranch was evacuated including my street and adjacent streets - only 2 homes were
robbed when vacant. But then, we don't have a lot of crime in our area under normal circumstances. When LA Sheriff provides their reports at our monthly Council meeting - there are less than 20 or 30 events a month of all crimes - for an area of about 30K residents.

re: #163 Dr. Shalit

Ah, 'fraid not, but in H.S. we used to call them "Simone and Garfinkle".
(yeah, yeah, it was a long time ago)

re: #167 big L

153-nolocon=-- in 5..4..3....Some activist is going to say that comparisons between Katrina and Calif is crypto-racist...
/no, valid observation.

No way, the differences are night and day, black and white (ooops).

One amazing photo is the Helicopter pilot lowering the bucket to get water out of a pool and then flying to the fire and dropping it

re: #161 song_and_dance_man

re: #153 nolocon

California versus New Orleans:

CALIFORNIA:
500,000 evacuees:
- No riots.
- No looting.
- No shootings.
- No mass desertion by local law enforcement.
- No cannibalism (hat tip - Huffington Post)
- Calm, orderly, polite evacuation centers.
- Well organized, efficient State emergency response.
- Calm, cool Governor acting like a leader.

NEW ORLEANS:
- Hell.

And what defines the difference? I would guess leadership.

Bill Whittle's Tribes explains it superlatively.

re: #136 Malatrope

re: #133 aggrophoto

One million! Have that many people ever been evacuated in this country? And it's not over by a long shot...

That 1 million number is just a guess, since it was over 750,000 for just san Diego County 4 hours ago. The rough estimate is 1 million for Just SD County! Imagine that, It has all become politicized, since they have basically just let the Conservative areas of So Cal burn, (Orange County, San Diego County). I have heard many a rumbling that NorCal didn't want to send more help, not because they couldn't afford to (staffing wise), but because they were afraid they wouldn't have resources if something liek what we're seeing happens up there. Very few support aircraft south of LA county until sometime today. and even then, too little too late..... and half of OC's fire teams have been in Malibu!

re: #157 jcm

re: #146 JammieWearingFool

re: #103 ted

Another example of Liberal Armaggedon is Atlanta...The Army Corp of Engineers has to divert something like 200 billion gallons of water per day from a resevoir to save some tree frog.

Result?

No water left for people in 45 days.

They're doing it for the tadpoles.

Spicy BBQ Frog Legs
~ decent amount of frog legs
~ 5 - 10 drops of tabasco or to taste
~ salt
~ pepper
~ onion powder

Wash the frog legs thoroughly. Place on a large enough piece of foil to wrap them in.

Sprinkle on the tabasco. Season to taste with the salt, pepper and onion powder.

Wrap and seal the foil to create a packet.

Grill over medium heat until meat is crispy.

Serve with green beans and baked potatoes.

Enjoy.

See no problem!

Delicioso !

re: #170 doriangrey

I will fire it off now.....just doing some tape inventories.....so I've got time to kill.

re: #130 FlyingTigress

I've heard C-130s are also heading in.

Why the hell aren't they in Iraq?

Yup, It's Bush's fault!

To anybody who knows what I mean: how does that vegetation burn down there? Idaho has something they call "cheatgrass" that goes up like it's made out of solid kerosene.

I really don't like forest/range/wild fires. Even if your house was underground, you end up with no air to breathe.

Pray for rain.

Eject! Eject Eject!---I like Bill Whittle.........
Fire in Acton now .a new one.

re: #158 big L

big L -

And please Charles do NOT get angry at me for this one, I did not realize that there was THAT difference in stature between the Senatrices of California. They are the Amazon and the Pygmy. "Di-Fi" and "Ba-Bo."

-S

re: #17 gamegrid

Sounds like you could use a little regulation yourself.

Self-regulation, that is.

re: #157 jcm

Do you have a minnow recipe ?

re: #139 NotThatGordo

Everything is pretty much quite here on 14th st. But nope, no water...

wildfires are racistre: #153 nolocon

California versus New Orleans:

CALIFORNIA:
500,000 evacuees:
- No riots.
- No looting.
- No shootings.
- No mass desertion by local law enforcement.
- No cannibalism (hat tip - Huffington Post)
- Calm, orderly, polite evacuation centers.
- Well organized, efficient State emergency response.
- Calm, cool Governor acting like a leader.

NEW ORLEANS:
- Hell.

wildfires are racistwildfires are racist

let the wildfires destroy ALL of the surrounding infrastructure. I mean ALL of it, and then compare

re: #179 Red Girl in Blue Minnesota

re: #130 FlyingTigress

I've heard C-130s are also heading in.

Why the hell aren't they in Iraq?

The current theory amongst our lib 'friends' is the military is to be a back up to social services. A dam breaks...get the military on it. A criminal running loose, bring in the national guard. etc. etc.

But to fight wars? What!? Nonsense.

re: #176 aggrophoto

Sounds like a reasonable estimate to me.

Not to try to make lemonade out of this, but this is a helluva civil defense exercise in case of a nuked city. There are lessons to be learned here. (Are you listening, New Orleans?)

re: #187 doriangrey

doriangrey,

I am ready to come home but I doubt I can slip through. No water makes it a little tough too.

Is anything open ?

NTG

re: #175 jcm

Great Point!

re: #188 Shug

Shug, it probably will. As least as far as practical use of it for weeks and months.

re: #193 Malatrope

I agree with you that the folks in California are a million times better organized than the buffoons in Louisiana were but I'm not sure you can fairly compare the devestation of a hurricane that comes in and in 12 hrs completely destroys and floods an entire area, vs some wildfires

re: #189 Oh no...Sand People!

re: #179 Red Girl in Blue Minnesota

re: #130 FlyingTigress

I've heard C-130s are also heading in.

Why the hell aren't they in Iraq?

The current theory amongst our lib 'friends' is the military is to be a back up to social services. A dam breaks...get the military on it. A criminal running loose, bring in the national guard. etc. etc.

But to fight wars? What!? Nonsense.

Of COURSE you can't use the military to fight wars. Wars are illegal. Didn't you know?

re: #181 Malatrope

To anybody who knows what I mean: how does that vegetation burn down there? Idaho has something they call "cheatgrass" that goes up like it's made out of solid kerosene.

I really don't like forest/range/wild fires. Even if your house was underground, you end up with no air to breathe.

Manzanita burns like a sonuvabitch. It's a dense wood, like oak, and it burns very 'hot'. Coastal sagebrush is like tinder during drought conditions. They're bad enough in normal conditions, but, they burn like crazy in dry conditions -- particularly when fanned by a 50, 60, 70 mph Santa Ana condition.

re: #195 Sponge

So I've heard.

re: #194 Shug

re: #193 Malatrope

I agree with you that the folks in California are a million times better organized than the buffoons in Louisiana were but I'm not sure you can fairly compare the devestation of a hurricane that comes in and in 12 hrs completely destroys and floods an entire area, vs some wildfires

those canes where bibical in stature...no comparison

re: #180 Caliredst8r

Yup, It's Bush's fault!

Took them long enough. I think they're slipping.

When man goes up against nature, be it fires, hurricanes, global warming or whatever, man loses big time. I live in hurricane country, you run or you die -- At least they move slow and give warning.

re: #197 Oh no...Sand People!

It's hard to ignore when you are constantly reminded.....just watch the video from the previous thread.

We've got a facist government in this country that figthts illegal wars.....blah blah blah........

re: #194 Shug

Given how it last for days on end. Marches up over hillsides. Can take down a stucco/tile roof house in less time than you'd care to think, I don't know that it is an unreasonable comparison.

re: #194 Shug

They are hard to compare, I agree completely. But I've been in the middle of several of the biggest hurricanes (not Katrina), and the one thing fire does that hard driving rain and floods do not do is make the air impossible to breathe.

Different animals. There's no reason to say which is worse. I think the only issue that was raised was the response to it. Remember also that everybody knew Katrina was coming for a week, and chose not to worry too much about it. Then when it hit, there was pretty much complete anarchy. I'm sure there was a lot of good and valiant community action, but the politicians and infrastructure sure took a powder.

re: #203 FlyingTigress

re: #194 Shug

Given how it last for days on end. Marches up over hillsides. Can take down a stucco/tile roof house in less time than you'd care to think, I don't know that it is an unreasonable comparison.

And is a burden to California taxpayers.

re: #156 Crotalus Atrox

aggrophoto

I actually live here so I might know something about the area. People calling this a forest fire conjures up images of huge pines like you find up north. We have mostly sparse eucalyptus groves and huge areas covered on brush. These are fast moving brush fires, not your typical forest fire.

Fair, but I live in the midst of all this BS myself, and know first hand that alot of land that people would consider "forest" has burned as well.

re: #196 FlyingTigress

Thanks, Tigress. The extra fuel density makes it very bad. At least the grass burns off fairly quickly. If you can stick it out for a few hours (and you don't have a forest up against you) you can get through a grass fire.

re: #199 Dead Sea Squirrel

re: #180 Caliredst8r

Yup, It's Bush's fault!

Took them long enough. I think they're slipping.

No one is here to help. We are all in Iraq.

re: #202 Sponge

re: #197 Oh no...Sand People!

It's hard to ignore when you are constantly reminded.....just watch the video from the previous thread.

We've got a facist government in this country that figthts illegal wars.....blah blah blah........

The liberal echochamber is so predictable. They aren't trying to win in the arena of ideas, they are just trying to beat us to death with mass number.
1+1=10..right? WHAT? You have to believe us! The poll said so!
ok...well then, 1+1=5! What!? You don't believe us still? We'll see what the judge says! You just made me feel bad...your numbers are hate speech! Ok...for the sake of unity...you HAVE to see it our way! WHAT!? US see things YOUR WAY!? WHAAAAAA, MOMMY! Jimmy is saying 1+1 is 2 and it hurt my feelings...send in Achmed to blow him up.

I have a feeling something political is going to be pulled out of this fire and it won't be good.

The people in New Orleans new the hurricane was coming at least 4 days in advance. They had plenty of time to evacuate.

These fires happened almost instantly with very little warning. Almost no time to evacuate.
Californians are accustomed to disasters without warning though.

re: #204 Malatrope

good point about the air quality ( or lack of )

Rush was arguing today, or at least entertaining the case, that the media has overblown these wildfires, and furthermore, the people whose homes are burning are partly responsible for building in fire-prone areas.

Thoughts?

re: #212 Globular Cluster

Rush was arguing today, or at least entertaining the case, that the media has overblown these wildfires, and furthermore, the people whose homes are burning are partly responsible for building in fire-prone areas.

Thoughts?

I guess it's no different than people that build on the coast.
People that build on fault lines
People that build in the vicinity of land grabbing liberals

life is about taking some risks.
sometimes you get burned ( no pun intended )

re: #205 gamegrid

re: #203 FlyingTigress

re: #194 Shug

Given how it last for days on end. Marches up over hillsides. Can take down a stucco/tile roof house in less time than you'd care to think, I don't know that it is an unreasonable comparison.

And is a burden to California taxpayers.

And can make you just as dead as being killed in a hurricane, too.

And, lest we forget.... in a couple of months... "LET THE MUDSLIDES BEGIN!"

re: #194 Shug

re: #193 Malatrope

I agree with you that the folks in California are a million times better organized than the buffoons in Louisiana were but I'm not sure you can fairly compare the devestation of a hurricane that comes in and in 12 hrs completely destroys and floods an entire area, vs some wildfires

Huh? Before going very far - we're talking about comparing levels of destruction and whether a fire gutting an area is worse than an area being destroyed by wind/flood? Isn't the end result the same - destruction of property?

Let's also remember that a hurricane gives one 3 to 5 days warning.....the Magic fire gave us about 15 minutes 'warning'.

I was just down at Qualcomm donating some toiletries with the girlfriend. Im about 20 miles away from the fire, but the donations at Qualcomm have been amazing. They are actually saying they do not want anymore physical donations. If you feel like donating I recommend finding a number of the place you want to donate to and give them a call on a phone (not cell, keep the lines clear) and ask what they need. My prayers go out to all those who don't know about their houses and to all those who have been affected. Numbers to call in San Diego to ask about the fire is 2-1-1 and about traffic updates 5-1-1 Just a heads up.

And to all those that are not checking their school websites (if anyone is still in school) check them a few times a day. San Diego State is now closed for the rest of the week.

Good Luck and Stay safe to all of you firefighters too.

OT

Once you decide you are willing to die for freedom, you cannot be conquered. Ever. You may be chained, but you will be a Free Man in chains, never a slave. All they can do is threaten to kill you. And your answer is, "You're gonna have to." Man, that's liberating!

That's what our "professional victims" don't understand. Slavery and victim-hood are not physical states, they are mental ones. You are a Free Man the minute you decide to be. Dignity and liberty and equality are yours by right beyond law and government.
-- The Gunslinger

Link....

re: #209 Oh no...Sand People!

I can't disagree with you there. The right is wrong and the left is right and is the only side that can enjoy free speech and all.....It's quite pathetic and amazing how immature the arguement actually is.

re: #190 Malatrope

re: #176 aggrophoto

Not to try to make lemonade out of this, but this is a helluva civil defense exercise in case of a nuked city. There are lessons to be learned here. (Are you listening, New Orleans?)

I Like Lemonade!

=oÞ
I just wish that more people would evac timely, so that they can drop the Damn water, and keep going...... One thing slowing everything down, is you cannot Air drop if the people aren't out!

re: #188 Shug

South Central isn't burning.

re: #213 Shug

There is always risk - the issue comes from mitigating the risk. Does one take any steps to mitigate the risk? Reasonable steps? Does taking every single possible step ever eliminate risk?

re: #212 Globular Cluster

Rush was arguing today, or at least entertaining the case, that the media has overblown these wildfires, and furthermore, the people whose homes are burning are partly responsible for building in fire-prone areas.

Thoughts?

Did somebody say that the people who built in fire-prone areas weren't partly responsible?

As an Atlanta resident I must point out that much of Atlanta's water problems are self inflicted. The Chattahoochee and Lake Lanier are Atlanta's primary water supply and Atlanta has experienced unplanned and explosive growth over the past three decades. Atlanta was truly a wonderful place to live in the early 80's before rampant growth without the resulting growth in transportation or water infrastructure. Atlanta and Georgia has known about the effects of the drought and the endangered-species act for a decade and has done zero to provide any growth in infrastructure to support the tripling of the metro-Atlanta population. The problem is that local politicians are heavily influenced by local developers campaign contributions and allow developers free-reign on most anything they propose. This is a wake-up call for Atlanta politicians and my guess is that when Atlanta runs out of water the politicians will scream its all the fault of the feds and the endangered speices act. It couldn't possibly be the fault of the local governments corrupted by developers infusion of cash to the local politicians, so its got to be the dastardly feds and their evil spawn, the fresh water mussel!

re: #212 Globular Cluster

In some ways, yes. The areas burned compared to the total land in CA is small.

But, when 1m people have to evacuate and entire cities are at risk of being burned down, I don't think that's overblown. Think about the mass movement and migration of 1 million people...that's a mind boggling number.

As for building in fireprone areas, I'm sure they know the risks now. But I can't be too judgemental since I live in SoCal which hasn't had a major earthquake in a long time...I know the risks though and I hope it doesn't happen to me.

re: #211 Shug

You can go from just retching to a complete and total inability to draw a breath. Then you do, when your reflexes finally take over, and you die. It's scary as hell. At least in a hurricane, if you can get your nose out of the rain you find actual air.

Imagine your house is on fire. If you can get out, you're safe. But what if there's no place to run?

Wet cloths work as filters for awhile, but there's also the infrared radiation. That will light off unprotected skin from thirty feet away.

Hell, indeed.

OT:

Someone want to pop downthread and address this? I'm worn out and need to get my face out of the screen a bit.

re: #212 Globular Cluster

Rush was arguing today, or at least entertaining the case, that the media has overblown these wildfires, and furthermore, the people whose homes are burning are partly responsible for building in fire-prone areas.

Thoughts?

I don't think they are fire prone areas as much as they are out in the woods where a "forest fire" will claim a home instead of just trees.

I wouldn't say that the fire is overblown in the media, myself. But I would have to agree about the urban sprawl thing.

I mentioned, there are homes that are, indeed, practically fireproof.

Monolithic Dome

The homes are often viewed as "unattractive", but if I lived in tornado alley or in a hurricane-prone area not far from the coast...I'd build one.

re: #167 big L

153-nolocon=-- in 5..4..3....Some activist is going to say that comparisons between Katrina and Calif is crypto-racist...
/no, valid observation.

big L -

In the words of the late great Frank Perdue - "Who gives a Pluck?"
Channeling T.R./ there are basically three (3) colors that make up the US, RED, WHITE, and BLUE - to which I shall add one more - GREEN - as incentive to make the aforementioned work at optimum efficiency.

-S-

Wow...looks bad but I'm sure our fabulous and brave Firefighters, National Guard and Air Reserve will soon have this contained.

Did you know....in Qualcomm Stadium
1. the special sections with rooms and bathrooms for the super rich to sit are all reserved for the elderly and infirm during this evacuation?
2. the food includes some of the finest catered be some of the toniest restaurants in the area?
3. massages are available to help relax the stressed out?
Yet, as soon as the all clear for an area is announced, those at Qualcomm leave and go home.
What a difference between SD and NO.

re: #222 DesertSage

re: #212 Globular Cluster

Rush was arguing today, or at least entertaining the case, that the media has overblown these wildfires, and furthermore, the people whose homes are burning are partly responsible for building in fire-prone areas.

Thoughts?

Did somebody say that the people who built in fire-prone areas weren't partly responsible?

I agree

re: #219 aggrophoto

Geez, you're completely right! I never thought about it, but I guess if you drop water on a person they sort of get knocked flat...

re: #231 ted

With Rush

Kanyae West will soon announce that all of this happened because Bush does not like white people.

#41 sponge,

Exactly! These people that blame every disaster on not having enough natl guardsmen are insane. They know that it is the ignorant environmental policies that have created these fires and want to shift the blame. How many fires could be prevented in the first place if the environmentalist movements weren't preventing controlled burns to get rid of all the accumulation of underbrush that acts like kindling? There have always been fires in nature in order to replenish the soil and clear away the crap that acts like kindling and these nuts that no nothing about nature have disrupted the cycle. Controlled, contained burns work but the environmentalists are too ignorant and don't want a single tree or shrub burned down so instead we now have exploding trees that have always before been fire retardant. And the idiots are pointing to global warming for this.

And the whole national guard shortage spin just makes me sick. We live in a huge, well established country. When we go to war, we don't need to send out every able bodied man and boy and shut down our country in the process. We send our military while our bankers run the banks, our cops catch criminals, our businessmen run businesses and our firefighters fight fires. My Gawd, even the most basic concepts are lost on the Nancy Pelosi people in the world.

So is all of Southern California responsible if their houses burn down? We are all in bad fire areas if you are not in an urban area. If you have seen any of the overview shots, these are huge communities with 1, 2 or 3 houses out of 90 that burn down. It was really weird to see that just a single or a group of houses out of many be burned down. It is just moving through trees parts and other things. It is quite scary.

re: #235 AirForceWife

Well said........

*salutes*

re: #28 htom

My prayers and good wishes for all of those there. Wild fire is a terrible monster, fleeing is frequently the best thing you can do. Save yourselves, your pets, your photos, and let the pros do the battle.

Those pros are some of the most amazing people to meet. I used to work in the fire dept but never went to a wild fire. The people who did go fight wildfires, I just held in awe.

re: #227 gamegrid

Are you kidding? That thing looks so cool!

re: #106 aggrophoto

re: #35 Crotalus Atrox

There aren't any forests involved. It's all dry brush and grass teritory............

Sorry, but you're so friggen wrong with the first sentence of this, it makjes me kinda sick-

If you ignore Cleveland, Castaic, San Bernadino, Both sides of the Cajon Pass, etc...... then there are definately no "forests" involved.... I guess that hinges on what exactly you consider a "forest"-

Been keeping close tabs on everything south....... Pendelton, Ramona (my friends almost lost their lives there Sunday night), Wish, etc...... But I am trying to pay extra close attention to Santiago Cyn, near where my mom lives..... less than 5 miles, (I'm a ways North, in LALA land).

My heart goes out to everyone affected, and my thoughts and prayers are with my friends and family still in danger

Gee, the fire I drove past this morning was brush. The only true forest burning is in the Big Bear/Running Springs area. The rest is either coastal sage or some scrub oak groves.

The original poster's point is a valid one. Too many conservative commentators have been using the fire for political purposes, complaining that the problem is that environmentalists kept us from thinning the forests. That might have been a valid complaint up in Tahoe earlier this year, but it doesn't have much to do with what's happening down here. The vast majority of the terrain that's burning isn't sufficiently forested to be eligible for thinning. Controlled burns, maybe...but most of the fires are near residential areas, and controlled burns sometimes become uncontrolled burns.

These fires are the result of too little rainfall this past winter and an unusually hot and strong set of Santa Ana winds. There's really not anybody to blame for this.

re: #235 AirForceWife

I'm glad somebody finally said it.
*salutes also*

re: #112 FlyingTigress

re: #97 JeffinSac
Hmmm. What do you figure is the comparative cumulative carbon footprint of these fires versus your standard coal-fired plant?

More the all the cuts they plan for the next 20 years. :)

re: #188 Shug

- No looting.

Unfortunately there have been several reports of looting in the Santa Clarita fire.

re: #223 loflyer

So you mean 3 million people may go thirsty because of this guy/gal ?

[Link: www.iturnrocks.com...]

re: #239 vxbush

re: #227 gamegrid

Are you kidding? That thing looks so cool!

I like it alot, but other people don't. There is one in Florida that took a direct hit from a hurricane. People said you can look outside and see trees leaning sideways and you're thinking "Is this real?" because the house is so well insulated you can't even tell that it is that bad out there.

Well, they lost power and being in Florida in the summer.... It isn't a comfortable situation. The owner said he wouldn't want to ride out another hurricane there just because of those power issues. He should invest in a generator! He'd be sipping brews while the neighbors are crying about the 3rd and 4th times they lost the roof to their home.

re: #191 NotThatGordo

Danial's on 14th is still open, but I wouldn't suggest trying to sneak up here. My brother called my about half an hour ago. He was thinking the same thing, he got to Scripts Poway Parkway and called to ask if I though the guys guarding 67 had rubber bullets in their M16's...I told him I doubted it and not to risk it...

Risk is everywhere, no matter what you do. Heck, you are risking your life every day by just being alive.

Where you live only changes the disasters that could affect you. Look at NYC when the power went out. Look at the midwest after a tornado. Look at Chicago when the city closes due to snow. Look at California after an earthquake. Florida after a hurricane. A paparazi after Brittney Spears drives away.

We all live in areas prone to one form of a natural disaster or another...some manmade, some not. It's a part of living life.

Most of the time, things work out okay. When they don't, does it make sense to blame the people affected?

I'm posting this link, because I was able to keep track of my son this past Summer using this resource. He was on 5 fires starting in July in Northern California, then Idaho, and finished up in Montana in September.

Reports are out every weekday at 5:30 AM, and there is a mapping resource via this site as well: National Interagency Fire Center.

The truck he was on has been called, but his crew is back in school and dealing with putting Winter wheat in the ground, so they can't go.

Thank you Charles for adding the MODIS map. I would point out my #58 where I mentioned that it is updated very regularly if you go to the right place.

Great, Katie Couric is at the stadium. I feel safer all ready.

////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////

re: #246 gamegrid

I wonder how well it would do against tornado situations in the midwest.

re: #235 AirForceWife

#41 sponge,

Exactly! These people that blame every disaster on not having enough natl guardsmen are insane. They know that it is the ignorant environmental policies that have created these fires and want to shift the blame. How many fires could be prevented in the first place if the environmentalist movements weren't preventing controlled burns to get rid of all the accumulation of underbrush that acts like kindling? There have always been fires in nature in order to replenish the soil and clear away the crap that acts like kindling and these nuts that no nothing about nature have disrupted the cycle. Controlled, contained burns work but the environmentalists are too ignorant and don't want a single tree or shrub burned down so instead we now have exploding trees that have always before been fire retardant. And the idiots are pointing to global warming for this.

And the whole national guard shortage spin just makes me sick. We live in a huge, well established country. When we go to war, we don't need to send out every able bodied man and boy and shut down our country in the process. We send our military while our bankers run the banks, our cops catch criminals, our businessmen run businesses and our firefighters fight fires. My Gawd, even the most basic concepts are lost on the Nancy Pelosi people in the world.

Spot On

Well said and 100% true.

re: #248 boring family man

No, but it makes sense to study what could have been done better, and what might have been done to prevent it, then do better in the future.

re: #251 Crotalus Atrox

When did she get allowed to come back from Iraq? Her ratings still blow, so I thought she'd been banned from coming back.....

I just noticed that one of the islands on the map is on fire. Curious.

re: #251 Crotalus Atrox

Great, Katie Couric is at the stadium. I feel safer all ready.

//////////////////////////////////////// //////////////////////////////////

Nausea setting in.

As to who is responsible, the citizens of California's elected officials enacted the legislation that directly lead to this disaster. So in one respect, California voters are responsible. This does not mean that one cannot be sympathetic and offer aid to those burned out. The great fire in Yellowstone 20 years ago was a lesson that was heeded in many states including my own, that perform controlled burns to control undergrowth, unfortunately in California, the Green movement has way too much influence in California's public policy on controlling forest fires.

re: #189 Oh no...Sand People!

OnSP -

The C-130's are not in Iraq because we can and WILL build more as necessary. Like the old slogan - "there's Only ONE JEEP." - the comeback was "and if we sell that one we will build another, and another and another..." The ability to build stuff in great numbers was the DOOM of the Third Reich.

-S-