Comments on: Southern CA wildfires: good Lord they are huge. http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 16:15:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jason Mansfield http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-59136 Jason Mansfield Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-59136 I'm in Escondido and we've got fire on two sides. Not as bad as Rancho Bernardo and Poway though that have been wrecked. Anyone that's in the thick of this or has loved ones in this area I've been listening to <a href="http://www.760kfmb.com/">760 AM</a> and have been getting really good, timely information, mostly from people calling in. It's been "Web 2.0" on the radio. Lastly I've seen an enormous amount of community support. All over the radio there's been callers offering to host evacuated families in their homes, horses and other livestock, and people asking where they can go and what they can do to help. It's really been phenomenal. Last night one of the main evacuation destinations, Qualcomm Stadium, announced that they did <em>not</em> need more food donations because in the few hours they had been asking they had received more than enough. I'm blogging about this some on <a href="http://jason.lub-dub.org/">my site</a>. I’m in Escondido and we’ve got fire on two sides. Not as bad as Rancho Bernardo and Poway though that have been wrecked.

Anyone that’s in the thick of this or has loved ones in this area I’ve been listening to 760 AM and have been getting really good, timely information, mostly from people calling in. It’s been “Web 2.0″ on the radio.

Lastly I’ve seen an enormous amount of community support. All over the radio there’s been callers offering to host evacuated families in their homes, horses and other livestock, and people asking where they can go and what they can do to help. It’s really been phenomenal. Last night one of the main evacuation destinations, Qualcomm Stadium, announced that they did not need more food donations because in the few hours they had been asking they had received more than enough.

I’m blogging about this some on my site.

]]> By: Stefan Jones http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-60168 Stefan Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-60168 <A href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-socal-fires_day2-pg,0,453170.photogallery?coll=la-home-center">LA Times gallery of photos from the front.</A> There's some really dramatic stuff in there. LA Times gallery of photos from the front.

There’s some really dramatic stuff in there.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-59922 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-59922 If you have been told to evacuate, please do so. Do not stay in the danger zone because you have nowhere to go. Hundreds of people died from Katrina because they did not evacuate. They are still pulling up the occasional body. Sleeping on the sidewalk in some town in the middle of nowhere is preferable to being turned to a smoldering corpse when you've become boxed in by a wildfire. If you have been told to evacuate, please do so. Do not stay in the danger zone because you have nowhere to go. Hundreds of people died from Katrina because they did not evacuate. They are still pulling up the occasional body. Sleeping on the sidewalk in some town in the middle of nowhere is preferable to being turned to a smoldering corpse when you’ve become boxed in by a wildfire.

]]> By: Jed http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58655 Jed Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58655 Someone just pointed me to the <a href="http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/activefiremaps.php?op=maps&rCode=cgb">MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program</a>; click the "JPEG Image" link on that page to get a large satellite image of California with an overlay of red and orange spots showing actively burning areas. Someone just pointed me to the MODIS Active Fire Mapping Program; click the “JPEG Image” link on that page to get a large satellite image of California with an overlay of red and orange spots showing actively burning areas.

]]> By: Tenlow http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58403 Tenlow Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58403 I left San Diego (was there for toorcon) Sunday afternoon, as we were heading north there just seemed to be more and more fires every time the news radio did an update on the headlines. Now I'm home in Ojai wondering if we're going to avoid catching on fire for once. I left San Diego (was there for toorcon) Sunday afternoon, as we were heading north there just seemed to be more and more fires every time the news radio did an update on the headlines. Now I’m home in Ojai wondering if we’re going to avoid catching on fire for once.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58154 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58154 I've been <a href="http://twitter.com/nateritter">twittering this whole day's events</a>, living about 10 miles from the fire at this point, helping people find out if their homes are burned or not. I’ve been twittering this whole day’s events, living about 10 miles from the fire at this point, helping people find out if their homes are burned or not.

]]> By: Zak http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58167 Zak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58167 The fireblog has moved to here: http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/ The other link is less reliable, but still up. It's bad down here in San Diego county. The fireblog has moved to here: http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/

The other link is less reliable, but still up.

It’s bad down here in San Diego county.

]]> By: Frank http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-60733 Frank Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-60733 Well, I am housing a couple that evacuated from California since yesterday (I have a guest bedroom). A little thing like this makes such a huge difference! If you can do the same use a free service like http://www.evacuationhelp.com to find people in need. Time for less talk and more action! Well, I am housing a couple that evacuated from California since yesterday (I have a guest bedroom).
A little thing like this makes such a huge difference! If you can do the same use a free service like http://www.evacuationhelp.com to find people in need.
Time for less talk and more action!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58175 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58175 here in south-eastern australia we have fires like that most years. the most reliable up to date source of information (they have an agreement going where there is a max. 10 mins time from fire information release by fire dept to on air) is the local government radio which updates as frequently as required (eg. every 10 minutes). the assumption is that phone & sat phone services (and therefore internet) is likely to be disrupted by heat & smoke & is an unreliable source of information. here in south-eastern australia we have fires like that most years.

the most reliable up to date source of information (they have an agreement going where there is a max. 10 mins time from fire information release by fire dept to on air) is the local government radio which updates as frequently as required (eg. every 10 minutes).

the assumption is that phone & sat phone services (and therefore internet) is likely to be disrupted by heat & smoke & is an unreliable source of information.

]]> By: Dan http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58179 Dan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58179 Good luck all you folks out there on the Left Coast. Do be careful. Fire is not something to take lightly. Good luck all you folks out there on the Left Coast. Do be careful. Fire is not something to take lightly.

]]> By: A New Challenger http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58440 A New Challenger Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58440 2003 was bad. I think tomorrow (Tuesday) will be very gray as all this ash finally falls here in Oceanside. I'm technically in the advisory evacuation area, with the nearest fire being by my alma mater CSUSM. Don't think it will get this far, but you never know, I packed some photos in my suitcase today. We live across the street from a chaparral-covered park. 2003 was bad. I think tomorrow (Tuesday) will be very gray as all this ash finally falls here in Oceanside.

I’m technically in the advisory evacuation area, with the nearest fire being by my alma mater CSUSM. Don’t think it will get this far, but you never know, I packed some photos in my suitcase today. We live across the street from a chaparral-covered park.

]]> By: Akasha http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58189 Akasha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58189 The smoke and smell is unbelievable. There's <a href="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">another google map hack</a> put out by the latimes that has frequently updated information on all the fires currently devouring southern california. The smoke and smell is unbelievable.

There’s another google map hack put out by the latimes that has frequently updated information on all the fires currently devouring southern california.

]]> By: airshowfan http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58452 airshowfan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58452 I just landed at LAX an hour ago. From a couple thousand feet up, those fires sure looked scary. The giant wall of smoke blowing out over the Pacific when I took off on Sunday morning was also <8O This is only my second autumn as a resident of LA. Not all years see this many huge fires, right? I just landed at LAX an hour ago. From a couple thousand feet up, those fires sure looked scary. The giant wall of smoke blowing out over the Pacific when I took off on Sunday morning was also <8O

This is only my second autumn as a resident of LA. Not all years see this many huge fires, right?

]]> By: ashabot http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58206 ashabot Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58206 So what is the cause of all these fires? Forgive me if it's all over the news. Don't own a TV. So what is the cause of all these fires? Forgive me if it’s all over the news. Don’t own a TV.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58214 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58214 ashabot, They say downed power lines and arsons (yes... arsons). Paul San Diego ashabot,

They say downed power lines and arsons (yes… arsons).

Paul
San Diego

]]> By: overtonewiz http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58471 overtonewiz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58471 Don't worry airshowfan, it only burns every other year or so... I was surfing in Ventura at Surfer's Point on Sunday and it was crazy surreal. Insane gusts, freaky waves and instead of fog obscuring the sun, it was smoke - burning my eyes and lungs but don't worry I still caught a couple good waves. Don’t worry airshowfan, it only burns every other year or so…
I was surfing in Ventura at Surfer’s Point on Sunday and it was crazy surreal. Insane gusts, freaky waves and instead of fog obscuring the sun, it was smoke – burning my eyes and lungs but don’t worry I still caught a couple good waves.

]]> By: Zak http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58218 Zak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58218 The cause is largely a weather system that's been causing very dry air, extremely strong winds and high temperatures. It's thought that the bulk of the fires have been 'natural' IE, powerlines downed from the wind. At least one -- the fire in Irvine -- is a suspected arson. The cause is largely a weather system that’s been causing very dry air, extremely strong winds and high temperatures.

It’s thought that the bulk of the fires have been ‘natural’ IE, powerlines downed from the wind. At least one — the fire in Irvine — is a suspected arson.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58223 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58223 Combination of various things, including incredibly low humidity, very little rain, and hurricane force Santa Ana winds, which create pretty much a perfect storm when it comes to wildfires. In at least one case (the Santiago Canyon fire) some waste of DNA started it. People who would do this kind of thing to other people disgust me. Combination of various things, including incredibly low humidity, very little rain, and hurricane force Santa Ana winds, which create pretty much a perfect storm when it comes to wildfires. In at least one case (the Santiago Canyon fire) some waste of DNA started it. People who would do this kind of thing to other people disgust me.

]]> By: Akasha http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58482 Akasha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58482 I've been in the general LA area for many of it's huge fires now. The 2003 fire came a mile away from where I was staying at the time and scorched my partner's backyard. I think it's unfair to say, "oh, this isn't as bad as the last fire, why are you making such a big deal" The latest count is upwards of 270k acres and 900 buildings destroyed, the amount of area it's spread over- 7 counties, is huge, and the santa ana wind conditions are stronger than I think I've ever seen them. Trees are snapped and have been unrooted, blocking the streets. It's also not a fire event that's about to end, resources are stretched thin and the large fires are barely contained, if at all. And it's not to say that past years haven't been hell. This is a current, huge event that has the majority of southern california in it's grasp. I’ve been in the general LA area for many of it’s huge fires now. The 2003 fire came a mile away from where I was staying at the time and scorched my partner’s backyard. I think it’s unfair to say, “oh, this isn’t as bad as the last fire, why are you making such a big deal”

The latest count is upwards of 270k acres and 900 buildings destroyed, the amount of area it’s spread over- 7 counties, is huge, and the santa ana wind conditions are stronger than I think I’ve ever seen them. Trees are snapped and have been unrooted, blocking the streets. It’s also not a fire event that’s about to end, resources are stretched thin and the large fires are barely contained, if at all.

And it’s not to say that past years haven’t been hell. This is a current, huge event that has the majority of southern california in it’s grasp.

]]> By: musicman http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58244 musicman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58244 Yeah, solidarity from someone that's lived through a couple down here in Australia. Yeah, solidarity from someone that’s lived through a couple down here in Australia.

]]> By: naggs http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-59546 naggs Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-59546 I had to evacuate in 2003, the areas that burned had not seen fire for at least 20 years. It seems like everything that did not burn then is burning now. I see once again that the national news focuses mainly on the LA area, never mind that little burg down south called San Diego. I had to evacuate in 2003, the areas that burned had not seen fire for at least 20 years. It seems like everything that did not burn then is burning now.

I see once again that the national news focuses mainly on the LA area, never mind that little burg down south called San Diego.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58289 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58289 Interestingly, the best source of information right now is a twitter feed by the local NPR station, KPBS. This is great for us young'uns who won't get the reverse 911 alerts on our cellphones, but can tap the sms alerts of the twitter feed for evacuation alerts. http://twitter.com/kpbsnews There are several different google maps overlays i have seen, but it is tough to figure out which ones are most recent. I yanked the fileserver and critical workstations from our solana beach studio, and now am glued to the pace of the tv (safely in Pacific Beach). Interestingly, the best source of information right now is a twitter feed by the local NPR station, KPBS. This is great for us young’uns who won’t get the reverse 911 alerts on our cellphones, but can tap the sms alerts of the twitter feed for evacuation alerts.

http://twitter.com/kpbsnews

There are several different google maps overlays i have seen, but it is tough to figure out which ones are most recent.

I yanked the fileserver and critical workstations from our solana beach studio, and now am glued to the pace of the tv (safely in Pacific Beach).

]]> By: conor http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58303 conor Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58303 Local blog Cat Dirt Sez has been liveblogging as this goes on: <a href="http://catdirtsez.blogspot.com/">http://catdirtsez.blogspot.com/</a> Local blog Cat Dirt Sez has been liveblogging as this goes on:

http://catdirtsez.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58313 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58313 I'm surprised you dont remember the 2003 fires that killed so many people and destroyed 1,0000s of homes. I’m surprised you dont remember the 2003 fires that killed so many people and destroyed 1,0000s of homes.

]]> By: Flying Squid http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58329 Flying Squid Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58329 On the (very minor) bright side, we're getting incredibly beautiful sunsets right now... On the (very minor) bright side, we’re getting incredibly beautiful sunsets right now…

]]> By: Pyrokinetic http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58586 Pyrokinetic Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58586 Here's a photo I took at the beach earlier: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pyrokinetic/1704362997/ Here’s a photo I took at the beach earlier:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pyrokinetic/1704362997/

]]> By: Splash http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58845 Splash Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58845 ...and we are nearly in November people! …and we are nearly in November people!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2007/10/22/southern-ca-wildfire.html#comment-58339 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-58339 I was in LA for college from 2000 - 2004. During that time, in October of 2003, Southern California experienced what I would call hell erupting. Up to and maybe more than 13 fires devastated Socal from top to bottom (Simi Valley to San Diego). While the current fires have only consumed little over 100,000 acres, the fires of 2003 consumed over 750,000 acres. And that was only 4 years ago. I was in LA for college from 2000 – 2004. During that time, in October of 2003, Southern California experienced what I would call hell erupting. Up to and maybe more than 13 fires devastated Socal from top to bottom (Simi Valley to San Diego). While the current fires have only consumed little over 100,000 acres, the fires of 2003 consumed over 750,000 acres. And that was only 4 years ago.

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