Apresaron inmigrantes pese a la tragedia de fuego

by: Brian Leubitz

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 12:39:33 PM PDT

Los funcinarios dicen que están tomando solamente a criminales, pero los refugiados de fuego diga que no es el caso. La verdad no está clara porque la administración de Bush no es digna de confianza.

Fire, Water, and Global Warming: It's All One Crisis

by: Robert Cruickshank

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 09:55:14 AM PDT

But like the hurricanes spawned by the Atlantic Ocean, the fires spawned by the Santa Ana winds are growing worse. Even though the current danger has not yet passed in SoCal, it is worth examining the links between global warming and wildfire. We've known for some time that the two were linked. Perhaps now it is time to finally get serious and do something about it.

The key isn't merely higher temperatures. At the center of the problem is moisture. California is at the opening stages of the worst water crisis in its modern history. Without enough rainfall, plants and trees will dry out more quickly and more thoroughly, leaving more fuel for fires. From today's SF Chronicle:

"Fires are burning hotter and bigger, becoming more damaging and dangerous to people and to property," U.S. Forest Service Chief Gail Kimbell said. "Each year the fire season comes earlier and lasts longer."

The flames stretching from Malibu to the Mexican border struck during the driest year in Southern California history. Measurements taken by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection detected less than 10 percent moisture in the region's vegetation. The moisture level in kiln-dried lumber is generally 12 percent.

"They got less rain than they've ever gotten," said Hugh Safford, a Forest Service ecologist. "Any time you have a dry year like this one, you are going to get fires."

As Paul Rosenberg at OpenLeft notes, however, this has been known since 2003. Other studies make the point even clearer.

Blackwater and the Fires

by: Julia Rosen

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 09:51:52 AM PDT

This past Sunday I was all set to have a call with the local activists on the ground in the tiny town of Potrero where Blackwater is planning on setting up a training facility on 824 acres in a fire-prone box canyon with one way in and out.  We were going to talk about ways that the Courage Campaign could support them during the upcoming recall election to boot the Planning Board members who voted to support Blackwater's proposal.  But the locals had to evacuate due to a fire bearing down on the town and we canceled the call.

Until this morning, only word we have had from them was via the San Diego Union Tribune where Jan Hedlun, one of the organizers was quoted talking about her former colleague who was killed in the fire.  His son is in the hospital with four firefighters after a heroic rescue.  We did hear from Jan today.  She is ok.  Her house survived, though countless others in the town were destroyed.

This weekend, we were planning to travel to Potrero for a face-to-face meeting.  But we have decided not to make the trip, given what has happened.  Since we don't even know for sure if they still have their homes at that point, now is not the best time to be entering into this potentially destroyed community.

What we can do is be here waiting in the wings when the fight resumes.  What we can do is let them know we have their back.  That was the message we delivered to Courage Campaign members last night.  Below the fold is that email.  Please join me in passing on a message of support to the brave people of Potrero.  They have a lot on their plate now, but perhaps we can be some moral support.  Blackwater has their army.  We have ours.

Meanwhile, what is Blackwater doing?  The are asking people for PR support, for them.  Much more below the fold.

Thursday Fire Thread

by: Brian Leubitz

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 07:46:45 AM PDT

Two more bodies were found in a home in Poway, bringing the current official tally to three, but many more undocumented immigrants are feared dead in the canyons near the border. Over 695 square miles have burned, or a bit more than half the size of Rhode Island. About 1500 residences have been destroyed in San Diego County alone. And, amazingly, more people have been evacuated from these fires than from the Katrina disaster. This is truly one of our country's most major disasters.  All that being said, the County of San Diego has already received its first request for a building permit to replace a destroyed home. And the population at Qualcomm Stadium is dwindling, now down to about 12,000.

However, the actual work of controlling the fire will take some time yet. Over 5,000 firefighters are now fighting the blazes, and there is plenty of work for them.  The fire at Lake Arrowhead is expected to be controlled soon, and firefighters feel they are making good progress with the Santa Anas dying down.  Here is some information on some outstanding fires:

Witch Creek...<200,000 acres, 20 percent contained
Harris........75,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Poomacha......35,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Rice Canyon... 9,500 acres, 20 percent contained
Horno ... 17,000 acres, 40 percent contained

On the frustrating front, some minor looting has been observed across the region. Two men were arrested trying to enter Mexico with stolen loot in one incident, and in another two 18-year-olds were arrested for looting in Ramona. Arson is beginning to look like a possibility in some of the fires, investigators are now looking into the question. Officials in San Bernadino County report that they have shot and killed a suspected arsonist.

The Los Angeles County Public Health office has updated their 211 page to reflect resources to assist Southland Fires 2007. Here's the page from San Diego County San Diego County Fire information. Speaker Fabian Nunez and the Assembly Dem Caucus have a new Emergency Services Website.  Here's one Google Map with Fire information, and another, KPBS Google Map of San Diego fires. And don't forget the U-T's fireblog. Over the flip you'll find a lot more information phone numbers.

Blood donations are greatly needed. The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives Tuesday at Qualcomm Stadium, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Big O Tires at 1106 Garnet Ave. Pacific Beach, (92109) from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.. Also, check out the Red Cross schedule. If you would like to donate money, our recommendation is the San Diego Foundation's After the Fire Fund. You can donate online here. I should also note this great diary with a list of resources and ways to volunteer and help out.

UPDATE: (1:20PM by Brian) The major corridors of San Diego are now open, but it was delayed by a press conference by Bush.  The Decider apparently thought that a photo-op with him on top of some rubble was more important than letting San Diegans back to their homes.

In other news, the ATF has decided that the 22,000 acre Santiago Fire was arson.  Three origin points are being treated as crime scenes. 

UPDATE (3PM by Brian):  The Harris fire is shifting back towards Potrero, so the city is back off limits.  For more on Potrero, see this diary from Miriam Raftery.  The City of Ramona is still off limits, but apparently that angered some residents who broke through a CHP roadblock, National Guard troops were brought in to cool off heated tempers. There are new evac orders for Lawson Valley, Carveacre, but the evac order was lifted for Rancho Sante Fe.

2nd Fire thread

by: shayera

Mon Oct 22, 2007 at 16:43:02 PM PDT

The old diary is getting full. So please update and add to this new thread. Also, thanks to flickr use vissago for some powerful photos. WE have a new thread here, please post there.  Thanks!

The Los Angeles County Public Health office has updated their 211 page to reflect resources to assist Southland Fires 2007. Here's the page from San Diego County San Diego County Fire information

Google Map with Fire information

KPBS Google Map of San Diego fires 

Blood donations are greatly needed. The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives Tuesday at two wildfire emergency evacuation sites, Qualcomm Stadium and the Del Mar Fairgrounds, officials said. Both drives will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m

 Here are some phone numbers to get information:

Animal Evacuations: 818-991-0071
Arrowhead Schools 909-499-9900
Buckweed, Canyon Fire: 323-881-2411
Coronado Hills Fire: 619-590-3160
Grass Valley Fire: 909-383-5688
Harris, Rice, McCoy Fire: 619-590-3160
Irvine: 714-628-7085
Lake Forest 714-628-7085
Malibu: 310-456-2489
Orange County 800-540-8282
Ranch Fire: 626-574-5208
Riverside: 909.988.3650
Roca Fire: 951-940-6985
Santa Clarita Evacuations: 661-295-6366
Santiago Fire: 714-573-6200
Sedgewick Fire: 805-681-5546
Slide and Witch: Fire 619-590-3160
US Forest Line: 626-574-5208

(old information moved under the fold)

UPDATE (4:36pm Shayera) The LA Times is reporting a new fire appears to have broken out in Acton, in Antelope Valley. 15 acres have been burned so far and evacuations are in progress.

UPDATE (4:30pm David) One of the best reporters at the LA Times, Steve Lopez, is down in San Diego County, liveblogging with periodic updates.  Lopez is great at finding those personal stories, so this is well worth checking back on throughout the day.

UPDATE (4:29pm Robert) Mandatory evacuation order lifted for Del Mar. But as Terry notes in the comments, the Del Mar fairgrounds needs masks, eyewash and diabetic testing supplies. Also, pillows, blankets, and air mattresses are in demand. Mothers with babies using the Fair Grounds as a shelter need diapers and baby wipes. They can't take more large animals but they need hay. All 2000 stables are full.

UPDATE (4:11pm Robert) The SoCal Metropolitan Water District says there has been a record 652 million gallon spike in water demand, as pumps are working overtime to provide firefighters with water to fight the flames. Further evidence of the effects of climate change on the landscape...

UPDATE (4:05pm Robert) As Terry notes in the comments, ALL San Diego County schools, public and private, are closed for the remainder of the week. Meanwhile, in the San Bernardino mountains, evacuations are now in effect from Crestline to Big Bear Dam, as the flames move eastward.

UPDATE (3:46pm David) I'm slightly unnerved by this, although I understand the need to keep traffic flows moving in an orderly fashion.

At about 2:15 p.m., two Jeeps filled with National Guardsmen stopped briefly at the corner of Twin Peaks and Robert Rio roads in Poway. Two National Guardsmen hopped out, and took positions on either side of Robert Rio, decked out in camouflage and holding M-16s.

The Jeeps rumbled on north up Twin Peaks Road, and a block away, two more National Guardsmen jumped out. The troops stopped motorists trying to ride into the side streets.

UPDATE (3:27pm Shayera): hekebolos mentions that Ron Shepston who lives in Silverado Canyon in Orange County is possibly in the path of the Santiago fire. Ron is, as you know, running for Congress in CA-42.

 UPDATE (3:18pm Shayera): Remember Glenn Beck's hateful words from yesterday? Here's what his spokesman had to say today in response to our outrage: A spokesman for Beck expressed surprise that bloggers are seizing on this quotation as an example of incivility. "To most rational people, unfortunately still means unfortunately," Chris Balfe, the show's producer, tells On Deadline through a spokesman.

UPDATE (2:44pm Shayera): The L.A. Times is reporting that 4 people who were evacuated to Qualcomm staium have died, This brings the total dead to 6. 

UPDATE (2:04pm Lucas): Easterly winds are pushing the Harris Fire away from Northwest Chula Vista and Bonita. Personally good news for me, better news for a lot of folks who were closer to harm's way there.

UPDATE (2:01pm Lucas): Poomacha fire up to 23,000 acres and headed for Palomar Mountain.  President Bush will visit San Diego County on Thursday. quote from UT blog "Alpha Project is distributing masks, food, and water to hundreds of homeless people wandering the streets without direction and shelter."

UPDATE (1:38pm Lucas): Mandatory evacuation notice for everyone in the La Jolla Reservation area.  Evacuees are told NOT to go to Palomar Mtn. Evac Center.  Go to Borrego Springs.  Encinitas mandatory evacuation of Olivenhain east of Rancho Santa Fe Road and north of El Camino Del Norte, although there are no fires inside the city. Encinitas Senior and Community Center is open for evacuees.

UPDATE (1:29pm Lucas) Poomacha fire has burned 20,000 acres and is expected to merge with the Witch Fire at some point today.  The 76 corridor is being evacuated.

UPDATE (1:19pm Lucas): Reverse 911 evacuation calls have been issued to 1,095 Harmony Grove households as fires south and west of Escondido move on from Mt. Israel.

UPDATE (1:03pm Robert) Voluntary evacuations now in Highland, which is in the flatlands next to San Bernardino as the Grass Valley/Slide fires come down the mountain. SBD Sheriffs plead for mountain residents to evacuate: "You're interfering. You're risking our lives." 100 buildings lost in Running Springs/Fredalba.

Fires

by: shayera

Sun Oct 21, 2007 at 22:15:38 PM PDT

Please see our new fire thread here.

As we all know, the Los Angeles and San Diego areas are getting hit by some horrific fires. The fires burning right now are in occupied areas. A number of our readers (including me) live near these burns.

Bloodmobiles will be at Qualcomm Stadium until 3:30pm today and at Qualcomm and Del Mar Fairgrounds tomorrow. Give if you can. Stay safe. And drop us a line here if you need anything.

Open Evacuation Centers in San Diego (partial): Qualcomm Stadium, PETCO Park, Steele Canyon High School, Campo Community Center, Mount Carmel High School, Santana High, Escondido High, San Marcos High School, Chula Vista High School, Mission Hills Church (Escondido), Grossmont High, Granite Hills High, new: Carlsbad High, Encinitas Senior Center, New Community Church in Vista, Faith Chapel in Spring Valley.
Google Map with Fire information.  

UPDATE: (8:36pm Lucas) Eastbound 76 is now closed at Melrose Drive in eastern Oceanside.  Fires have moved into Fairbanks Ranch and residents of Del Mar are being told to leave. Anyone unable to self-evacuate should call 858-704-3694.  New fire reported right now. Tierrasanta at Santo Rd. and 52. No details yet...totally new area. "Probably the worst time of day to see something like this."

UPDATE: (8:29pm Lucas) 6 firefighters in critical condition around the corner from me at the UCSD Burn Center. Rice Canyon fire still 0% contained.  Also to reiterate- newest evacuation order includes coastal areas of Torrey Pines, Del Mar, and Solana Beach.  This fire is going all the way to the ocean and it's doing it soon apparently. UPDATED UPDATE: Cowles Mountain fire now fully controlled. I didn't even know there WAS a Cowles Mountain fire.

UPDATE: (8:13pm Lucas): 2,300 inmates being added to the firefighting per the Governor. 34 injuries now reported.  Firefighters are reporting losing valuable time due to people refusing to evacuate. PLEASE just go if directed.  Even if you think you'll be fine, other people won't be. 

UPDATE: (8:02pm Lucas): Proctor Valley Rd. has been breached between Chula Vista and Jamul.  Southeast of Lake Poway there are reports of multiple structures burning.  Lomas Serenas in Escondido has multiple houses burning- 320 home development.  

UPDATE: (7:59pm Lucas) Craigslist community section coming through in the clutch. 

UPDATE (7:43pm Lucas): LA update per comment at TBogg- Agua Dulce and Castai fires are arson. Who hates America again?

UPDATE (7:40pm Lucas): All wholesale from UT blog: Elderly are being evacuated from Del Mar Fairgrounds by ambulances from Orange and Riverside Counties. "Witch Creek Fire is now 145,000 acres and 0% contained. The cause is under investigation. 600 structures have been destroyed (500 residences, 50 outbuildings and 100 commercial properties). 300 structures have been damaged (250 residences, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings). There has been 7 injuries to firefighters and 1 injury to a civilian. Communities threatened: San Diego, Poway, Ramona, Escondido, Lakeside, Valley Center, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe. Currently there are 89 engines, 9 fire crews, 10 dozers, 2 water tenders -- about 625 firefighters. The ICP has been moved to Kit Carson Park (at Kit Carson Park and Bear Valley Parkway)."

UPDATE (7:25pm Lucas): Del Mar Polo Grounds under mandatory evacuation. West of Black Mountain Rd., South of Del Dios Hwy, North of  Sorrento Valley Road all the way to the ocean. Not good.

UPDATE (7:05pm Lucas): Mandatory evacuation order now for Bella Lago community in Chula Vista.

UPDATE (7:03pm Lucas): Reports coming in about price gouging and false evacuation orders. Good to see people banding together...assholes. 

UPDATE (6:53pm Lucas) Live footage of a bulldozer in Ramona literally pushing fire across an open plain.  Recent interview with a woman who evacuated from low-income housing commenting on how she would have no place to go- no other low-income options, they'll end up not being able to afford a new place period. UPDATED UPDATE (6:56) what was presumed to be a backfire is actually reaction to spot fires popping up all over Ramona breaching dozer lines.

UPDATE (6:33pm Lucas): 70 homes confirmed lost in Poway. Voluntary Evac in Carlsbad south of Airport Road. NBC Today Show and Nightly News will report from San Diego tomorrow.  U-T blog has been transferred to blogger to handle the volume. 

 UPDATE (5:52pm Lucas): Escondido has said residents who have been evacuated will not be allowed back for at least 24 hours.  Evacuation area is now south of 52 in the Scripps Ranch area.  Del Mar Fairgrounds have reached full capacity and is now closed.  El Camino High School in Oceanside is now open for evacuees.

UPDATE (5:45pm Lucas): MCAS Miramar is evacuating aircraft to other parts of California.  Mayor Cheryl Cox of Chula Vista: Voluntary evac still in effect, needs cots, air mattresses, sleeping bags at Chula Vista High.  Chula Vistans only- don't clog the highways.  Fires are continuing to approach through Otay Lakes towards Chula Vista.

UPDATE (5:25pm Julia): Just heard from the locals in Potrero that the deceased was wheelchair bound and thus was unable to esscape the fire.  Just awful.

UPDATE (5:00pm Lucas): At least 100 homes burned in Fallbrook.  Fire in the southeast appears to be moving northwest towards Chula Vista.  Mt. Helix evacuations and homes destroyed.

UPDATE (4:53pm Lucas): Insurance reps are setting up "one-stop-shopping" location for relief, probably but not definitely at Qualcomm.  

UPDATE (4:41pm Lucas): Qualcomm desperate for: Prepared Food, milk, ice, cots, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, sunscreen, pet food, air mattresses, canopies for shade, paper towels, handi-wipes, toilet paper, paper plates, cups, utensils, pet food, disposable styrofoam coolers, cell phone chargers/batteries, cash. Can be dropped at Gate P at the stadium via Friars Rd. No homecooked food.

UPDATE (4:34pm Lucas): PETCO Park now open for evacuees.  Customs Enforcement is preparing to evacuate its Otay Mesa detention center.  Mesa Grande Indian Reservation evacuated.  Countywide request for horse trailers.  El Cajon evac centers: El Cajon Animal Shelter for household pets and small livestock. Westfield Parkway Mall for large livestock and RVs/Campers. New Home Depot location open for large livestock and RVs/Campers.

UPDATE (4:27pm Lucas): Rancho Bernardo threat has likely passed. Rancho Santa Fe still burning, Kearny Mesa still manned by firefighters.  At one point today downtown SD was protected by only one fire engine. No damage yet to Scripps Ranch. Out of Black Mountain area.  Still moving west, Firefighters will be out all night.  Text SDFIRE to 85183 for updates.  Evacuations going well, vital that people leave immediately when directed.

UPDATE (4:23pm Lucas): 45000 residents being evacuated from Rice fire; 6-10 structures lost, 1 minor firefighter injury.  Harris 20K+ acres. NE influence towards Otay Mesa and Lakes. San Marcos fire 100% contained.  Basecamp for Harris fire at Gillespie Field.  Witch Creek fire extensive movement through Escondido and City of San Diego, 20K+ acres, containment unknown. Mapping tomorrow.

UPDATE (Monday 4:07pm Lucas): "Many" structures destroyed in Rice Canyon fire, 2 injured, 0% containment, 750 acres, no estimate on containment.

UPDATE: (Monday 4:03pm Lucas) Governor Schwarzenegger pays surprise-ish visit to burn victims.  There are currently 18 victims being treated at the UCSD Burn Center in Hillcrest.  Fiesta Island has now opened to take 500 owners and big animals as of 4pm.

UPDATE: (Monday 3:56pm Lucas) Valley Oaks mobile home park has been completely destroyed.  Mandatory evac: West Alpine, West Eastlake, San Miguel Ranch areas and Rolling Hills Ranch areas.

UPDATE: (Monday 3:50PM Lucas) Check New map with partial info in pictoral form.  Carlsbad east of I-5, parts of Del Mar being evacuated.  El Toro in Orange County. is opening an Evac Center for Fallbrook.  Pendleton is receiving evacuees from Lakeside and Fallbrook.  Power has been fully restored from earlier outages.  Evac for DoD and Military personnel at 32nd Street Naval Base and Coronado.

UPDATE: (Monday 3:47pm Lucas) Chula Vista High School is receiving evacuees from the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro areas

UPDATE: Monday 2:51PM by Brian: Lots of news. The Rice fire has jumped I-15 at Highway 395, with the possibility of arson involved. Chula Vista is now under an optional evacuation order, and Scripps Ranch is entirely closed off, except to exit to the South on I-15. We'll try to time-stamp the updates for now on. There is also a report of a new fire in the Stevenson Ranch area. No real details as of right now.

UPDATE: Monday 3:05PM by Julia: Cell networks are down in SD, overloaded by the traffic.
(old updates over the flip)