My thoughts are in SoCal (including Mt. Baldy)

**Arty50** · 10-26-2003, 07:56 PM

Ok mags/minions,

I just checked out a thread over at pmag on this.

Here's a good one from the USFS.

The Mt. Baldy area has been evacuated. I have no info on the ski area itself, but from what I can gather from looking at the Neighborhood evacuations it doesn't look good.

My brother's old neighborhood is on the list too. I have friends that live up in Alta Loma, Upland, and Rancho Cucamonga. Sending prayers their way.

Luckily Arrowhead and Big Bear seem ok for now. There are a lot of people up there.

This is crazy. There's no rain on the horizon, and the fires are largely uncontrolled for now. They're just working to save homes and such. I'm not the most religious man, but I'm sending some prayers down there.

**Haus** · 10-27-2003, 01:23 AM

The entire southland is on fire right now. I went from San Diego to Huntington Beach today and did not see any blue skies. Ashes blowing around everywhere all the way to the coast. Massive road closures, lost homes, and deaths. Mountain communities have now been evacuated....this is terrible.

**SponsoredByDuctTape** · 10-27-2003, 03:26 AM

My eyes have been burning for days, and my car looks like it made it through Mt. St. Helens.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 10:27 AM

I've been trying desparately to contact friends in or near the fire zones in San Diego. An ex-GF just bought a house in East County, possibly in Scripps Ranch where over 100 homes burned yesterday and one of my littermates also lives nearby with his family.

I can deal with "Acts of God", but these fire are mostly, if not all, the result of arson or sheer stupidity. Apparently, the Cedar Fire in San Diego was set by a lost hunter wanting a signal fire.

Many years ago, I came across an abandoned fire set by migrants using the trails from Mexico. Some of the shit that happens is unreal.

My best to your friends, Arty.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 10:43 AM

Another call to San Diego minutes ago.

" All circuits are busy now, please try again "

**Arty50** · 10-27-2003, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by Viva
My best to your friends, Arty.

Thanks, and the same to yours.

Man, I just got an email back that an old family friend had the fire come right up to her house and then for some unexplained reason turn around. I think she lives up in Crestline/Twin Lakes or somewhere up there, I can't remember exactly. Her whole family lives up in Arrowhead. This is crazy.

The fires were top news on NPR this morning and there's talk of shutting off the power to a huge chunk of San Bernardino.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 11:31 AM

Kati's okay!!

So far, we have been spared. We have not been evacuated, although there were evacuations 1 exit down from us. We didn't buy in Scripp's Ranch because we couldn't get as much for our money. The houses that went up were 1-2 million dollar estates. We're in Rancho Penisquitos.

Huge relief!

No word from others, though.

**AntiSoCalSkier** · 10-27-2003, 11:35 AM

I drove up to Bear on Saturday (had to take 38 becasue 330 was closed), and was amazed. In Ontario the sky was this weird orangish color all around (it was like a 360 degree sunset). As of Saturday, the San Bernadino fire had just started. When we drove up at 1:00 pm, it looked like a reasonably small fire with a plume of smoke that was maybe 2 or 3 miles wide (as measure on the 10 freeway). When we came back down at about 3:30, the smoke plume had merged with the plume from the Rancho Cucamonga fire. I remember looking at where the two fires were and wondering if there was any chance they might merge. As of Saturday afternoon, it seemed highly unlikely (the two fires were about 15 miles apart), but aparently mother nature had other plans. There's ash everywhere in Southern California. When I was surfing on Sunday morning, the water surface was covered with dark bits of ash (I wonder if that stuff is bad for me, I certainly drank enough of it). This is also the second time in two years that Northern Claremont has been evacuated due to fires. I wonder if people will ever stop building there.

Arty50 - Do you think Mt Baldy Ski Area might actually be improved with no trees? At first I thought it might be kind of cool as a massive open bowl (forest fires created Vail's Back Bowls®), but now I'm thinking that the trees really do make it a better resort since they're so well spaced.

**tuffy109** · 10-27-2003, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by AntiSoCalSkier

Arty50 - Do you think Mt Baldy Ski Area might actually be improved with no trees? At first I thought it might be kind of cool as a massive open bowl (forest fires created Vail's Back Bowls®), but now I'm thinking that the trees really do make it a better resort since they're so well spaced.

it doesn't really matter cause it doesn't snow here.

**Woodsy** · 10-27-2003, 11:51 AM

Amazing how much of the area is in danger. pray for the people of SoCal.

Lot of friends out in the beach communitites & Arrowhead I am waiting to hear from.

**Game Over** · 10-27-2003, 12:18 PM

G.W. Bushes forest plan will not do a thing for fires like this. It says nothing about clearing out fuel from high population, high risk areas. It only focus on areas where there are trees with value so timber companys can harvest them.

So be sure to thank him for nothig.

edit--I went thru this whole fire bullshit this summer, the B and B Complex came within 100 yards of my winter haven known as "the cabin", I was totally nervous, I could not imagine worring about your home, the stress mush be shitty.

13 · 10-27-2003, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by steepconcrete
G.W. Bushes forest plan will not do a thing for fires like this. It says nothing about clearing out fuel from high population, high risk areas. It only focus on areas where there are trees with value so timber companys can harvest them.

So be sure to thank him for nothig.

Ummm, do you live within 100 ft. of federal land?

**Game Over** · 10-27-2003, 12:41 PM

My cabin in on federal land.

Edit- here in Eugene my property backs up to BLM land.

I was under the assumption that the most of the homes lost were on the edge of federal lands??

13 · 10-27-2003, 12:47 PM

Don't sit back and wait for policy, man -- be proactive.

Here's a few ideas:

- Talk to the local ranger district and ask them if they are planning to do any "fuels reduction" in your area. If not, ask them if they'd like to train their sawyer crews around your property next spring.

- On your own property, do your own fuels reduction.

If you want, I can give you some information on how to improve your cabin's chances against a wildfire -- PM me if you're interested.

**The AD** · 10-27-2003, 12:49 PM

My parents' house is very close to one of the fires in SD County near Chula Vista. It looks like there's a reservoir containing the fire, but it's scary. I haven't been able to get ahold of my mom, either. It's scary!

I probably wouldn't have even thought much about this except for this thread. I knew there were major fires down there but had no idea they would be so close.

**FreakofSnow** · 10-27-2003, 12:53 PM

Getting nuttier by the minute, check out the map of the Old Fire:

.http://rimoftheworld.net/images/features/oldfire.jpg

I cannot believe it. I've fought a lot fires in the San Berdoo's and this is truly scary. I used to pray for fire when I was on the crew, but you never wish for anything to this magniture. For those wondering about the status of Lake Arrowhead and Crestline:

http://rimoftheworld.net

Monday 10:45 AM: As of 8 PM last night, Mt Baldy Village was still intact. The fire had progressed to the western rim of the Canyon and to along Glendora Ridge Road.

Monday 9:42 AM: Contrary to earlier reports, Johnny's Market was not lost. A resident reported earlier that as of this morning, Top Town was still intact. However, fires are still spotting in VOE, Crestline, and Cedarpines Park. Reporters on FOX 11 have indicated that the Forest Service is preparing to light backfires along the 18 near Rim of the World High School.

Monday 7:53 AM: According to arial footage shown on CBS 2, fire has spotted throughout Valley of Enchantment. The fire is not widespread, and there were no visible structures involved, but there were also no firefighters visible. It appeared that the spot fires ran most of the length of Waters Drive.

Monday 12:00 AM: Fire is now down into Cedarpines Park at Waters and Crest Forest near the Fire Station, VFW Hall, and Post Office. According to NBC 4, 35 homes have burned in the Crestline area. 24,000 acres have been burned in the Old Fire. 400 homes have been destroyed. There were two deaths in San Bernardino Saturday. The fire is 5% contained.

Sunday 9:57 PM: Fire is now down into Crestline, Valley of Enchantment, the Devils Canyon area of Cedarpines Park, and Agua Fria. Extent and structure loss is not known.

Sunday 9:07 PM: According to KCAL 9 News, the fire surrounded the Cliffhanger Restaurant, but the structure survived. The fire passed the restuarant and did consume several homes near Crest Forest Drive and Highway 18. They also stated that the houses along Old Waterman Canyon Road in Crestline were "devestated." As of 5 PM, the fire had not reached Lake Gregory, Blue Jay, or Lake Arrowhead.

Sunday 5:17 PM: According to reports on NBC 4, three homes at the end of Old Waterman Canyon Rd in Crestline have been lost.

Sunday 5:10 PM: According to reports on KCAL 9, at least 25 homes have been lost in Crestline and that is a "convervative estimate."

Sunday 4:25 PM: The fire is less than one mile below Rim of the World High School. Highway 18 may soon be cut off in the Lake Arrowhead area.

Sunday 4:15 PM: According to reports, the fire has damaged homes along Jupiter and Venus Way in Crestline.

**Arty50** · 10-27-2003, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by AntiSoCalSkier
Arty50 - Do you think Mt Baldy Ski Area might actually be improved with no trees? At first I thought it might be kind of cool as a massive open bowl (forest fires created Vail's Back Bowls®), but now I'm thinking that the trees really do make it a better resort since they're so well spaced.

I actually have no idea. It's the only place I've never skied down there. The one day my brother and I went it was closed or something. That's why I guess I'm so concerned. I really want to ski there one day and something like this might kill an area that seems to just be hangin' on as it is.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 01:09 PM

I guess it might depend on damage done to the lifts and facilities.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 01:15 PM

Originally posted by The AD
My parents' house is very close to one of the fires in SD County near Chula Vista. It looks like there's a reservoir containing the fire, but it's scary. I haven't been able to get ahold of my mom, either. It's scary!

Here's a link to that fire, AD:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/f..._1n27otay.html

My best to your family.

I know that area fairly well. I used to park at the new US Olympic Training Center, which is on the west side of Otay lake, and go for long training rides in the area.

**The AD** · 10-27-2003, 01:32 PM

I talked to my mom and sister and they're safe, but very worried. If the Cedar and Mine fires merge they could cause some real damage. They are both preparing to evacuate their homes if necessary. I'm glad I don't live there, but at the same time it's very difficult being 1,000 mies away and unsure what will happen.

**AntiSoCalSkier** · 10-27-2003, 02:25 PM

Drigving up 330 to Bear will be interesting after this. The last time I drove up (early Oct), I noticed a few new burned spots (I'm guesing from a small fire earlier this summer), but if everything is burned, it will be a very strange drive up. It will probably make the road more susceptible to mud slides and avalanches too (not that it ever snows or rains down here).

13 · 10-27-2003, 02:58 PM

ASCS,

Depending on the severity of the burn, they'll do rehab work after the fire's finally out. It all depends on how badly everything gets charred.

**Mcwop** · 10-27-2003, 03:52 PM

My Aunt in SD was evacuated. Their homes have a lot of vegetation around them, and are not clear cut. Does not look good.

**Viva** · 10-27-2003, 08:22 PM

This is how things looked earlier today from the air. At the very bottom is the "Otay fire" mentioned already. Next up is the Romona-area fire (I don't know the official names). This is the one set by the lost hunter (fucking idiot!) I still have unaccounted friends in that area. The one just above that, I don't know... The little guy above that and just off the coast, is the Camp Pendelton Fire. The two huge fires in the middle of the screen are the ones in San Bernardino, threatening Baldy, Arrowhead, Crestline, etc. The two small ones at the top appear to be in Ventura County, above Malibu, I didn't know about those

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/f...1026aerial.jpg