OT: Inland Empire Fire

[Fyron]

A massive brush fire up in the mountains north of San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga is threatening to consume many homes if it comes down the foothills. It has already burned several hundred homes in parts of San Bernardino in the Last day or so. The fire has been spreading fairly rapidly, thanks to the abnormally hot weather and the high winds that have begun blowing in the Last few days. While my home is not currently in the evacuation zone, it is only a matter of miles south of it (as the mountains are to the north). Fire fighters hope to be able to contain it before it can burn any more homes. But, the fire is too large for them to be able to put it out, so the plan seems to be to protect homes and keep it from getting past the foothills, and let the fire burn itself out up in the mountains. It is raining (snowing?) ash and such in the area around my home. The fire has spread several miles to the west in just a few hours. My family (and all others near the area) have already packed up their valuables, ready to evacuate, should it become necessary. I live some 30 miles to the east/south east in Riverside, and I can see some of the fires on the mountains burning brightly (currently 8:39 PM PST (-8:00 GMT)). All day today the sky has been overcast with brown clouds and there has been a strong smell of smoke everywhere. I am fairly certain that the fire will not be able to reach my apartment here, but I have no idea how my parent's home back in Rancho Cucamonga will fair. Best wishes to everyone in danged from this torrent of flame.

[Renegade 13]

I feel for you man, and I give you my best wishes for both you and your family down there in California. Hope you make it through all right.

In BC, Canada, where I live, we had massive fires this year too. In one city, over 30,000 people had to be evacuated. While this didn't affect me, I know how horrible fires can be.

Again, good luck man.

Renegade 13

[atari_eric]

Yeah, good luck to all... I used to live in Temecula and have been within eye-witness distance of brush fires and have had ash rain on my house. It is quite scary. I would hope everyone comes out okay, but many homes have already been lost... so many lives torn apart.

[Fyron]

It seems that the fire got lower down the mountain north of Alta Loma Last night, and they evacuated everyone above Hillside (which is the next major street north of my house). The wind picked up in force. But, luckily the fire did not get too much lower. Instead, it went further west, in the Claremont/Laverne area (though still in the mountain, not at houses yet).

Today in Riverside, the smoke clouds fill the sky. I can no longer see the horizon in any direction. All of the mountains are blocked by the clouds and the haze. I do not think the fire has burned any more of the city of San Bernardino, it is just the smoke piling up in this area surrounded by mountains. There is also a very, very light "rain" of white ash here. It is so light that it is harly noticeable. If you look closely, you can see a tiny bit of ash every 2-3 feet on the ground.

Also, the electricity has been shut off at my home, as the area is near to the evacuation line.

[ October 26, 2003, 19:17: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Executron]

I deeply hope things will improve...
the deepest feeling from Romania to you man...
Although we never had that around here i can imaginehow that would be...

[pathfinder]

Hope this fire burns itself out soon. Hope you and your family make it through ok.