2020 NorCal Fire Thread
#26
Junior Member
Ah hell, looks like many of us in the immediate Bay Area are going to be shut down from outdoor riding for the foreseeable future (at least without an N95, which probably takes it from 10 packs to 1 or 2 packs of cigs per ride...). Just awful this morning. The fires are only going to get worse, this will likely be like 2018 where most of the fires burned until the first rains...so, 3, 4 months? Ugh!
So very sorry to read this. Best of luck and let me know if there's anything a random bikeforums dude across the bay can do to help you out.
#27
Junior Member
We've got one closing in on us now. Generating my own power. Just waiting for the evacuation order. Lots of smoke and air traffic. PG&E won't repair our power line because it is in the fire zone. I assume it was caused by the lightning strorm (which is claimed to have spawned a rare local F0 tornado), but maybe they did it. Far too smokey to ride. Far too hot to ride. I don't think I have slept since 2:30 am Saturday.
#28
Junior Member
Air quality in my part of Oakland this morning has been technically safe (for "healthy people") according to Purple Air, hovering in the 120s and 130s, but the smoke smell is still very strong and things are still looking quite hazy, so I won't be riding any time soon (not to mention, some of the numbers up on Skyline are still over 150). An article in the SF Chronicle says it's probably going to be like this at least into next week.
But air quality issues obviously pale dramatically to the people whose homes and lives are devastated by these fires. That lightning couldn't have come at a worse time, either.
But air quality issues obviously pale dramatically to the people whose homes and lives are devastated by these fires. That lightning couldn't have come at a worse time, either.
#29
It's MY mountain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,011
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,055 Times
in
1,653 Posts
Thursday: Conditions going bad quickly.
Mt Diablo air quality is in the red zone.
Friends in Santa Cruz area have bugged out.
In-laws in Sonoma are packed and ready.
Mt Diablo air quality is in the red zone.
Friends in Santa Cruz area have bugged out.
In-laws in Sonoma are packed and ready.
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Walnut Creek, CA
Posts: 2,669
Bikes: 2023 Canyon Aeoroad CF SL, 2015 Trek Emonda SLR, 2002 Litespeed Classic, 2005 Bianchi Pista, Some BikesDirect MTB I never ride.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 649 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
Diablo is closed anyway. This might be another prolonged closure for all. Weather is supposed to hot up again next week, and with fires all over the Bay, there would not be much assistance available if someone were to start a fire on the mountain.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
Posts: 4,004
Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1097 Post(s)
Liked 955 Times
in
610 Posts
AQ this morning (and even now) is still 64 here so was able to ride this morning,
Just got an alert that UC Santa Cruz needs to evac.
Just got an alert that UC Santa Cruz needs to evac.
#32
It's MY mountain
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,011
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4383 Post(s)
Liked 3,055 Times
in
1,653 Posts
(I just invented that phrase so I get to define what it means - anywhere within riding distance of The Mountain)
Of course everyone (bikers, hikers, and drivers) should stay out of the Park during fire threat. And yeah, no end in sight.
#33
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
There were spot-fires at Twin Gates earlier today. I don't know the current status of that, but this is inexorable. I will be surprised if it doesn't burn into Santa Cruz tonight or tomorrow. I heard it went into Boulder Creek and they are evacuating Scotts Valley, so UCSC told everyone to head south (presumably to avoid a potential traffic jam mass casualty event on the 17).
#34
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
Now it is the real thing.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,040
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1 / Cervelo zht
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 435 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
201 Posts
It is technically a warning, but they clearly want everyone out before the Christmas rush. I grabbed a few things from my lab this morning, but I also have stuff in my office like wedding photos and some bikes that I got out of my house before it was incinerated. So I am hoping big concrete buildings will be ok.
There were spot-fires at Twin Gates earlier today. I don't know the current status of that, but this is inexorable. I will be surprised if it doesn't burn into Santa Cruz tonight or tomorrow. I heard it went into Boulder Creek and they are evacuating Scotts Valley, so UCSC told everyone to head south (presumably to avoid a potential traffic jam mass casualty event on the 17).
There were spot-fires at Twin Gates earlier today. I don't know the current status of that, but this is inexorable. I will be surprised if it doesn't burn into Santa Cruz tonight or tomorrow. I heard it went into Boulder Creek and they are evacuating Scotts Valley, so UCSC told everyone to head south (presumably to avoid a potential traffic jam mass casualty event on the 17).
Sorry for you and your family.
#36
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I got some critical stuff out, but I keep thinking of things like a photo of me and my dad when I was 5 with Ernie Banks. I wish I had grabbed that.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,040
Bikes: Ibis Hakka MX / team machince alr2 / topstone 1 / Cervelo zht
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 435 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
201 Posts
What is the next step for you? Is the insurance taking care of everything for you? Or do you have to do everything and submit for reimbursement?
#39
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I have no clue. There is a (tiny) chance that the house is still there. No way to get in. AAA contacted me already, so I just need to call them back. I actually got the car packed a day or so before it was clear we would have to leave, and I got out once the ash raining down was thick and it was obvious what was going to happen.
#40
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 18,418
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10660 Post(s)
Liked 12,332 Times
in
6,310 Posts
I have no clue. There is a (tiny) chance that the house is still there. No way to get in. AAA contacted me already, so I just need to call them back. I actually got the car packed a day or so before it was clear we would have to leave, and I got out once the ash raining down was thick and it was obvious what was going to happen.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#41
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
I know it is a cliché but I thought this kind of thing only happens to other people.
#42
Senior Member
As a SoCal native for all my 62 years, I sympathize, we always live with the danger, but for most of us it is something that only happens to others. Where I live in OC is not a very risky area, but the Santiago fire got within about 1/2 mile of my house, and I was stuck on the east coast for business at the time. Very scary and I remember feeling very helpless. My daughter has friends who bought a house in Paradise just a few months before losing it in the fire.
I will keep a good thought for you and all others impacted by these fires. Good luck.
I will keep a good thought for you and all others impacted by these fires. Good luck.
Likes For jimincalif:
#43
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 18,418
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10660 Post(s)
Liked 12,332 Times
in
6,310 Posts
Yeah. But that's true of so many things. It only happens to other people, till it happens to you. I think denial is a big part of how we all stay sane.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
Likes For genejockey:
#44
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
https://www.sfchronicle.com/californ...e-15504781.php
It was a great place to live and ride.
Alba Road is the one that the Praxis crankset is named after. It is a quite difficult climb. It says 50 houses on that road alone are gone, and I would be surprised if that isn't most or all of them.
It was a great place to live and ride.
Alba Road is the one that the Praxis crankset is named after. It is a quite difficult climb. It says 50 houses on that road alone are gone, and I would be surprised if that isn't most or all of them.
#45
velo-dilettante
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: insane diego, california
Posts: 8,382
Bikes: 85 pinarello treviso steel, 88 nishiki olympic steel. 95 look kg 131 carbon, 11 trek madone 5.2 carbon
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1645 Post(s)
Liked 3,194 Times
in
1,723 Posts
hoping your house and others will be safe/spared. having lived in more than i should have "fire zones" in socal over my lifetime, i get it.
the weather-driven and capricious nature of the conflagrations are impossible to rationalize. down in san diego county, it's been relatively
quiet but, as we all know, it's only a matter of time. when wind-driven embers can spark up another blaze a half mile away, there's no amount of
clearance and defensible space that can discount/protect the vast majority of residences.
the weather-driven and capricious nature of the conflagrations are impossible to rationalize. down in san diego county, it's been relatively
quiet but, as we all know, it's only a matter of time. when wind-driven embers can spark up another blaze a half mile away, there's no amount of
clearance and defensible space that can discount/protect the vast majority of residences.
#46
Occam's Rotor
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,248
Mentioned: 61 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2366 Post(s)
Liked 2,331 Times
in
1,164 Posts
The house is at the tip of the red arrow. This will take a miracle. Actually, several.
#47
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 18,418
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10660 Post(s)
Liked 12,332 Times
in
6,310 Posts
The last week, the Peninsula has been pretty lucky, as far as air quality goes.. Sometimes the smoke would build up a bit, but as soon as 2 PM hit, it would start blowing out.
Looks like that luck ran out.
Looks like that luck ran out.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
Posts: 4,004
Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1097 Post(s)
Liked 955 Times
in
610 Posts
Yeah, when I woke up we were still ok. An hour or two later, orange. another hour later,red. Now back to orange.
#49
LR÷P=HR
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 2,241
Bikes: 1981 Holdsworth Special, 1993 C-dale MT3000 & 1996 F700CAD3, 2018 & 2019 Cervelo R3’s & 2022 R5, JustGo Runt, Ridley Oval, Kickr Bike 8-)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 894 Post(s)
Liked 1,250 Times
in
721 Posts
Purpleair
The AQI sites were driving me made with their delayed results.
I found this one is much better www.purpleair.com
Barry
I found this one is much better www.purpleair.com
Barry
Likes For Barry2:
#50
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 18,418
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10660 Post(s)
Liked 12,332 Times
in
6,310 Posts
This is so different from November 2018. Then, it was just Red all the time everywhere with occasional dips into purple. Now? In the course of a single day you can go from green to purple and back to green.
I've been getting rides in when it's no worse than 75 the whole route I'm planning to ride, like today for example.
Just remember to use the LRAPA conversion, or the numbers will have you hiding under the bed.
I've been getting rides in when it's no worse than 75 the whole route I'm planning to ride, like today for example.
The AQI sites were driving me made with their delayed results.
I found this one is much better www.purpleair.com
Barry
I found this one is much better www.purpleair.com
Barry
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles