Southern California - Uh Oh! Santiago Cyn Fire!!!....OC!!!!!

Fire just started about 6pm, Santiago Cyn and 241 toll road! Over 100 acres smoked according to tv news!

yep... I can see flames from my place in Orange.

We just returned from packing my Mother in laws house. :(

We just returned from packing my Mother in laws house. :(

ack.. where is she at?

That blows. I just had a great ride through there yesterday. Three fires (Santiago, Malibu, Canyon Country), they all are probably arson, right? So lame.

That blows. I just had a great ride through there yesterday. Three fires (Santiago, Malibu, Canyon Country), they all are probably arson, right? So lame.


I believe Cyn Country, and possibly Irvine were caused by downed power lines. Irvine is still not 100% known, but that seems to be the consensus on TV.

Jeff

ack.. where is she at?

Irvine - Northwood area :(

View from my parents' backyard.

http://three91.com/gallery/2007/10/SantiagoFire/PA216091.JPG

http://three91.com/gallery/2007/10/SantiagoFire/PA216126.JPG

http://three91.com/gallery/2007/10/SantiagoFire/PA216137.JPG

Meh... I know how horrible it is to be threatened by wildfires... my hometown in Arizona was evacuated for almost 2 weeks a few years ago... They finally stopped the fire at the last possible point they could have stopped it before it destroyed pretty much ALL of the local towns... it was very a very close thing. I have a few pics somewhere similar to what you're posting here, Chimvee... it's a scary sight, indeed.

As it was, the fires destroyed over 400 houses. :(

Hope they get those under control fast.

It seems like each year I have to report to friends about a bad wildfire. Last year was Windy Ridge and the year before that Sierra Peak. What makes Santiago Canyon the worse is the fact within the last 3 years the area has sustained bad wildfires. The ecology is so fragile, especially now, and the last refuge for wildlife and flora has now been destroyed.

As a Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteer I have been fortunate enough to spend alot of time riding and hiking in the Limestone area. If you have never been in the area, you have been missing one of the jewels of Orange County. It's a haven especailly now that Weir and Fremont Canyon have burned, for deer, bobcats, foxes, and mountain lions. Strange just last night The Conservancy had a party. It was suppose to be held at the Augustine Staging Area off Santiago Canyon at Hick's Haul Rd. Because of the wind and the fire danger, it was moved inside to the Ranch offices in Irvine. We were looking at photos from the camera traps of a mother mountain lion and her cub when someone came in and annouced Limestone was on fire. The party came to a standstill. Our worse fear was realized. Everyone left with tears in their eyes.

As I stood out near my home and watched the orange glow and then flames come over the hills, many cars drove by and people were looky looing. A man got out of his car, came over, tried to light a cirgarette, went back to his car, lit it and came back and stood next to me. I have to admit I was rude. I could not believe how stupid this man was to lit a cirgarette in high winds to stand near brush, smoking, watching a fire. Sadly I could not shame him. I had to leave because I had became so angry I was shaking.

Anyway Limestone is totally burned. That wouldn't be a bad thing on its own as fire is needed occassionally but its bad because so much has burned previously. Who knows we may never see mountain lion in our area again. That's it for me, I am on a militant rant against cirgarette smoking. Of course I have no idea what started this fire, it could have been arson or down power lines, but we do know cirgarette starts fires so one last cirgarette around the better.

So sad... :-(

View from my parents' backyard.

http://three91.com/gallery/2007/10/SantiagoFire/PA216091.JPG


Gosh, James, I hope the fire gets no closer. :(

Wow, James, good luck there.

They just announced this fire was arson.

I live in the area, but I was out of town this weekend, so haven't seen the fire closeup. I think I'll stay out of town on just telecommute the next couple of days.

They just announced this fire was arson.


Hard to believe someone can be so stupid, isn't it?:mad:

Wow. That's frightening.

When to the mudslides begin? And the quakes?

That stuff seems to happen with some regularity in California, no? Is it something you learn to live with, like we do with tornadoes in the flatlands?

Winds really kicking up now in Irvine. Woke up to dark, smoky skies. They cleared up for a few hours until about 15 minutes ago. Dark again.

Stay safe, everyone.

Hard to believe someone can be so stupid, isn't it?:mad:

Stupid? I'd say out right evil! :mad:

Wow. That's frightening.

When to the mudslides begin? And the quakes?

That stuff seems to happen with some regularity in California, no? Is it something you learn to live with, like we do with tornadoes in the flatlands?

Yes, other than the asses who are evil/vicious enough to actually start the fires out here, some fires are natural and part of nature regenerating. We do have to learn to live with them although they can certainly devastate some people when they lose their homes and in some instances, more tragically, their pets or lives! Quakes are pretty rare (big ones anyway) and are just something we have to be prepared for.

I'd still say Tornadoes are worse than what we have to deal with here. Tornadoes can strike so quickly and are so erratic and unpredictable. You can have a shelter built that could save you and your family, but then be out driving when one strikes and be killed when your car is blown over. I'd choose an earthquake over a tornado any day! Of course, I grew up in tornado country myself and have bad memories or them going over our neighborhood. My parents had their house hit (and got a new roof put on by insurance as a result) when the last string of tornadoes went through Clarksville about two years ago.

That's it for me, I am on a militant rant against cirgarette smoking. Of course I have no idea what started this fire, it could have been arson or down power lines, but we do know cirgarette starts fires so one last cirgarette around the better.

There's a hill up behind my house where everyone goes whenever there's something to look at. Usually it's 4th of July; this time it's fire. The hill is covered in the same kind of low brush and small trees that are burning right now. Incredibly dry, and ready to go. The neighborhood isn't really in any danger from the current fire, which is a couple of miles away, but if that hill catches we're in for some serious excitement. Which makes all the morons standing around in the brush with cigarettes while watching a brushfire even harder to understand.

I don't have anything against smoking, but I sure wish we could criminalize stupidity.

I was just catching up on this thread .. so this was arson??? Damn ... it is evil. And what about the San Diego fire?

There are a number of major fires burning... several in LA, this one in Orange County, 2 in San Bernardino and the 2 in San Diego. From what I know only the OC fire is arson set.

What is so weird is I attended a meeting n Monday (just this past Monday) and we discussed the fact that during the next big wind, there would no doubt be an arson attempt on Limestone Canyon. It's the last major canyon in North OC not to have burned. Even knowing there would be an arson attempt we could not stop it. I had several friends who earlier in the day where out at Silverado and Blackstar where the fire started. They didn't see anything unusual but I'm assuming the arsonist knew to wait until the crowd left and went home. The fire started just before 5pm. There are many reasons a person sets a fire. Regardless, its all just sick.

Right now Whiting Ranch and Foothill Ranch are in jeopardy. Let's pray those courageous fire fighters beath this fire down!

Sucks! I saw on the news earlier Arrowhead was on fire too. Several homes already quickly engulfed. No airsupport cause of the winds. Hope they got to it! Could mean BigBear is near.

There are actually 8 major fires burning in san diego county right now..

Do you know where the SD fires all are? A business associated of mine just came back and stated basically all of SD is shut down right now. I had been focused on the OC fire. I pray you SD folks (and LA and SB as well) are all OK. I have quite a few friends down there.

SD fires are all over, creeping in from the east. Yes, SD is basically doing nothing today other than watching news and evacuating neighborhoods in the path of the fires.

Do you know where the SD fires all are? A business associated of mine just came back and stated basically all of SD is shut down right now. I had been focused on the OC fire. I pray you SD folks (and LA and SB as well) are all OK. I have quite a few friends down there.
http://www.cbs8.com/ They're as good of a source as any.

Thanks GP - good sight for info. I didn't realize how many homes had already been destroyed. A friend had told me a quarter million people had been evacuated. That is an incredible number!!! Man, this is all making me feel awful.

A note we got this today from building management here at work:

Good morning,

This is a very important reminder to please put your cigarettes out in the designated ashtrays. Because of the high winds and dry weather it is imperative that we are all careful. This morning someone threw their lit cigarette into the bushes in front of the building, and subsequently we had a fire. This fire required the use of two (2) fire extinguishers, the fire hose and the Fire Department was called out.

* * *

How stupid was this person????? I hope he receives a huge fine and has to pay for the damage. Just stupid!!!

BTW in that article - I believe a shout out should be given to U-Haul company. What a cool thing to do!:

Residents forced to evacuate their families and belongings are getting some help from U-Haul who announced that they will provide 30 days of free storage service. The free storage services will be available at the following San Diego County locations:

- 6175 Paseo Del Norte
- Chula Vista, 99 N. Fourth Ave.
- El Cajon, 1186 E. Main
- Mission Avenue, 950 W. Mission Ave., Escondido
- El Centro, 1745 S. Fourth St., El Centro
- Oceanside, 802 S. Coast Highway
- Lemon Grove, 1805 Massachusetts Ave.
- Miramar, 9650 Camino Ruiz
- Poway, 13210 Poway Road
- Spring Valley, 8847 Jamacha Road

On the nbc news site, they have live video stream on all of the various fires: http://www.knbc.com/videostream/10954229/detail.html

Also, there is now a new fire in Valencia, very close to residences. :(:(:(

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d0e9ca465cefeeed&ll=35.960223,-117.443848&spn=4.827737,8.876953&z=7

Do people deliberately start these fires? How do they come to be? Certainly not from lightning this time right?

:(

Also one this morning in Lake Arrowhead which isn't getting much fire suppression since there's so many other higher priority fires.

Do people deliberately start these fires? How do they come to be? Certainly not from lightening this time right?

Depends... arson, cigarettes, downed power lines, car exhaust, lots of ways a fire can start. One of the huge fires four years ago was started by a signal flare from a lost hiker.

Do people deliberately start these fires? How do they come to be? Certainly not from lightning this time right?

The Santiago Fire was caused by arson. I haven't heard about the other fires yet. Arson is a very common cause - it just goes hand and hand with Santa Ana Winds. I know the LA fires were caused by a downed power line. Not certain if SD knows yet but with so many - no doubt arson was involved.

Last year the Windy Ridge fire was caused by a car thief setting the vehicle (ie evidence) on fire and the year before the Sierra Peak fire was caused by the Forest Service doing a prescribed burn (during a Santa Ana Wind - how stupid was that?). The SP fire destroyed the Tecate Forest in Fremont. One of only 3 places in the world Tecate Cypress grows (the other MExico and San Diego). We are still hoping the Federal Forest Service agrees to replant trees for us.

Also, there is now a new fire in Valencia, very close to residences. :(:(:(

Holy crap! I guess it's really a good thing I decided to leave on Sunday instead of Monday. Might be due to fire jumping over.

Some more links to SD news. These seem to be updated more than the government sites.

http://www.kusi.com/
http://www.10news.com/index.html
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/index.html

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d0e9ca465cefeeed&ll=35.960223,-117.443848&spn=4.827737,8.876953&z=7

Brandy, are you near the fires? And George?? Encinitas?

I am looking at the flames on the Santiago Canyon fire. It might be time to leave work soon.

Encinitas is just covered/saturated with thick smoke. My eyes are burning even indoors.

I am looking at the flames on the Santiago Canyon fire. It might be time to leave work soon.

Really? Has it moved that far Southeast? I sure wish there was a good update site for the OC fire. Anyone know?

Gosh, James, I hope the fire gets no closer. :(
It was advancing crazy fast for a couple hours there last night. Cops and firetrucks on standby all over the neighborhood. Fortunately for us, the wind subsided late last night, and the fire has since pushed south. My folks' place doesn't seem to be in immediate danger any more.

Great news, James!

That is good news, James, thanks for updating us.

When watching the news since 6am this morning. Freaky!!!

The air in downtown San Diego is hazy from the poor quality.

didn't go to work today. Might not go to work tomorrow either since it's right on the border in Poway.

I took these pictures today at lunch. I was standing at the IN-N-OUT of Lake Forest on the corner of Alton Pkwy. and Town Centre Dr. looking directly north.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=lake+forest,+ca&ie=UTF8&ll=33.681617,-117.669188&spn=0.001638,0.002494&t=h&z=19&om=1

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b271/cornflakep3/IMG_6190RS.jpg

This was taken about 15 minutes later.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b271/cornflakep3/IMG_6192RS.jpg

:eek: Wow, that is so close to homes.

The Santiago Fire has a life of it's own right now. Just received a call from OCFA that it has crossed back over Santiago Canyon Road close to the starting point into Irvine Mesa.

I toured Limestone, Hicks Haul Road and Augustine today and it blew through there fast. Dozens of construction vehicles torched and melted along with some buildings, and it's a complete moonscape all the way from Portola and Jeffrey to Santiago Canyon near Irvine Lake.

Still tons of smoldering and some open flames on fence posts and power poles, but nothing around them left to burn.

Saw no wildlife except for tons of crows, ravens and turkey vultures.

I hope they can catch the culprit who started this one.