Today's Blog Roundup is on the flip. I'm experiencing some ennui this evening, so it's just a link dump. Let me know what I missed in comments, or just use this as an open thread.
The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department has stated that the Buckweed fire, which burned 38,000 acres and 21 homes last week in Agua Dulce and Santa Clarita was started by a young boy playing with matches. The L.A. times is reporting that the boy has admitted to playing with matches. He's been released to his parents. The Sheriff's Department will not release his name, age or location. The case has also been referred to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
"We have identified a juvenile boy as the person who started the fire," said Steve Whitmore, a department spokesman. "Arson investigators interviewed the young man, and he acknowledged he had been playing with matches and accidentally started a fire."
emphasis in quote is mine.
Firefighters are still battling fires across the State and expect to have them contained by the end of the week. They're being aided slightly by cooling temperatures and rising humidity. And as a closing admonition. Please be careful with matches. Store them out of reach of children.
Here's something to make your eyes bleed next time you think about our great victory in 2006. One of those winners was Dianne Feinstein (D-Establishment). And here's what she had to say about the President after sharing a plane with him to California to survey wildfire damage, apparently a reward for shepherding through the confirmation of Leslie Southwick to the federal bench.
With a 7:40 a.m. Thursday departure from Andrews Air Force Base, Feinstein found herself seated in the rear of the plane with a handful of Southern California congressional representatives. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and French toast, Bush popped back for what the senator described as a frank two-hour conversation, mostly about foreign policy [...]
"I found the discussion extraordinarily positive," Feinstein said. "I came away with a very different view about him." [...]
As for the president's performance on the ground?
"It was a wonderful thing to see, to be candid," Feinstein said. "I saw a warm, caring human being."
As the link above shows, during the 2006 election Feinstein was talking about removing all US forces from Iraq and serious Constitutional crises. But when allowing a far-right loon to serve on the federal bench gets you all the Presidential mints and fluffy pillows you want, why bother being anything but gracious? After all, everyone in Washington is so nice and personable!
El sur de California arde, se ven columnas de humo con llamas por doquier, los residentes de varias comunidades son evacuados, y reciben atención médica, y alimentos necesarios, el gobernador declara zona de emergencia el sur de California y mas tarde, el Presidente Bush hace lo propio.
El condado de San Diego es el mas afectado con estos siniestros, el norte del condado, donde habitan miles de trabajadores del campo también se ve envuelto entre las llamas, tienen que salir de sus humildes viviendas en Ramona, Valley center, Escondido, Etc. Etc. Y se refugian en un estadio, donde creen que encontraran las mismas condiciones de ayuda que estan recibiendo otros miles de vecinos de otras areas menos marginadas, muchos de estos evacuados, son , como les llaman algunos, indocumentados, tienen temor de salir de sus casas, pero ante el peligro eminente del fuego, no tienen otra opción que hacerlo, y la sorpresa que se llevan es que ,dentro del refugio, los encuentra la migra, y detienen a algunos y son deportados,, ante estos inmorales hechos, muchos salen huyendo de esa otra amenaza, tal ves mas peligrosa que la lumbre, la migra, y se ven obligados a esconderse entre la jungla de cemento, y los escombros de las llamas.
Es maravilloso ver como la población se une ante los siniestros, es muy loable ver como todos ayudan a todos, sin importar color, religión, sexo, nivel económico., los californianos dieron una muestra de solidaridad inmensa, ,grupos defensores de derechos humanos, iglesias, y muchos mas, se unieron en una sola fuerza y se prestaron a dar el apoyo necesario y dentro de las posibilidades de cada uno, pero algo mancho estas loables acciones, algunos grupos racistas que aprovecharon que en el Chicano Park la comunidad Chicana se presto como un solo hombre a dar donativos a los hermanos en desgracia, hasta alla llegaron estos dementes insultando, provocando a la población de bronce, y esta, haciendo gala de sus raíces, de su herencia, no cae en las provocaciones y logra ayudar a muchos hermanos.
Durante estos siniestros me vi afectado en mi hogar, estando en mí casa viendo las terribles noticias, sonó el teléfono, la policía de Escondido, diciendo que teníamos que evacuar de inmediato nuestra casa, preparamos una maleta con documentos y alguna ropa, salimos, pero nunca nos indican donde es el refugio mas cercano, me quedo en un estacionamiento donde ya se encuentran cientos de carros, RV'S, camionetas, con familias acampando, y es cuando vienen a mi mente algunos pensamientos.
En Diciembre del 2003, en mi visita a Irak, me encontré ante otra catastrofe mas terrible aun, la Guerra, aquí en California se perdieron 14 vidas, 1470 casas y hay un costo de 1 billón de dólares en pérdidas materiales, pero en Irak quien ha contabilizado los muertos? Las casas? El daño material a casas, comercios, museos, monumentos, etc.?
En medio de la catastrofe en California el Sr. Bush pide al congreso mas y mas millones de dólares para continuar una guerra inmoral basada en mentiras, mientras aquí, se queman personas, se destruyen casas, se desboronan ilusiones. Y todavía, en un acto por demas falso, hipócrita, se atreve a visitar las zonas afectadas con un dispositivo de ultra seguridad que insulta a los residentes de esas areas.
Ya basta de tanta hipocresía, ya basta de tanta insensibilidad ante el dolor humano, si aquí en California, la población y los medios de comunicación se aterraron ante la tragedia, porque no lo hacen con una tragedia mayor aun, el genocidio de Irak. Por que?.
Ya han muerto mas de 3838 soldados Americanos, entre ellos mi hijo, y la población aun no se conmueve ante esta estratosferita cifra, nos asustamos y lamentamos por 14 muertes en los incendios, y que decimos de las miles y miles de muertes por las balas criminales de Bush en Irak?
Nos lamentamos por el costo billonario de la tragedia de las llamas, y quien se lamenta por el costo multimillonario que nos esta costando la guerra inmoral de Bush?
Nos lamentamos por las construcciones destruidas por el siniestro, y quien se lamenta por los museos, obras históricas y las casas de los pobres en Irak?
Ciudadanos del mundo, los invito a reflexionar sobre el dolor ajeno, ante las desgracias naturales nos unimos y ayudamos, porque no ante las obras criminales de un demente, que esta costando mas vidas que el fuego?
Irak esta ardiendo, no ante las llamas de un siniestro natural, esta ardiendo ante las bombas, las balas y las mentiras de un demente inmoral, y nadie se da cuenta, ACTUEMOS HOY!!!
It would be odd, as that's you know, against the law. However, we have multiple reports of the San Diego sheriff handing over "suspected illegal aliens" to border patrol agents. So, as it currently stands, several neighborhoods have checkpoints to enter, purportedly to prevent looting. However, if undocumented immigrants enter, the Sheriff intends to hand them over to Border Patrol agents.
Not only is this unwise and a poor use of resources, but it is also likely illegal. Over the flip, I've posted a press release from the ACLU with more details (h/t to NarcoSphere). Concerned community leaders are urged to communicate with Sheriff Kolender and Undersheriff Bill Gore at (858) 974-2250 or bill.Gore@sdsheriff.org.
While many of the fires are starting to be contained, or at least are blazing away from population centers, the real issue is the Santiago Fire, which is approaching the Silverado Canyon residential areas, forcing some to evacuate for the second time in a week.
Even as thousands of residents joyously returned to neighborhoods throughout the region, 100-foot-tall flames from the Santiago fire burned into the eastern end of Silverado Canyon [...]
"It's an extremely active fire in Silverado Canyon right now," Rich Phelps, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman, said of the community, which was spared in several previous fires. "Things are pretty rough."
Exhausted and on edge, some of the evacuees who gathered in a nearby strip mall wept when authorities couldn't reassure them about whether they could stop the latest threat.
"It's sickening. We thought yesterday we had dodged the bullet. We heard the fire was 50% contained and away from Silverado Canyon," said Ray Verdugo, 55. "Now we're hearing that within the hour it could rip through here and take our homes."
Nine fires continued to burn Friday night, at the end of a weeklong siege that has included nearly three dozen separate blazes. The total acreage burned topped 500,000, only 12,000 acres more than had been reported a day earlier but more than double the size of all of New York City's five boroughs. The number of homes reported destroyed increased from 1,775 to 1,889. The death toll remained at seven.
This is the area we're going to have to watch today. And it's also the hometown of our friend and Congressional candidate Ron Shepston, who at last count was volunteering with firefighting efforts, in a amazing expression of leadership, battling to save the homes there. Best of luck to him, and let's hope he stays safe. Check in with us if you can.
Meanwhile, in Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties, the problem is air quality. You might want to stay indoors today.
Also over the flip you'll find a list of impromptu blood drives by the San Diego Blood Bank. Check out the Red Cross schedule if you wish to donate blood elsewhere.
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.
The greatest concern in the post-wildfire landscape of California is the insurance situation. Obviously there are going to be thousands of claims, and how the insurance companies handle them will deserve great scrutiny. John Garamendi, the former Insurance Commissioner and current Lieutenant Governor who has been all over the media this week (building a profile for an attempted 2010 Governor's run - hint hint), has talked a lot about the insurance industry's desire to limit payouts to their customers after the 2003 Cedar Fire.
LT. GOV. GARAMENDI: The first commandment of the insurance industry is, "Thou shalt pay as little, as late, as possible." And then you get the reward. You go to financial heaven if you can carry out that commandment.
BRANCACCIO: California lieutenant governor John Garamendi, a democrat, served twice as the state's insurance commissioner. A total of eight years battling with the industry over the many ways he says it tries to avoid high payouts where there's been a total loss.
LT. GOV. GARAMENDI: I'm telling you, the insurance industry, prior to the fire and probably even to this day, is purposely misleading their customers.
Garamendi was actually pretty relentless in forcing insurers to honor their commitments. Now we have a Republican in the Insurance Commissioner's position. While Sara Nichols wants Steve Poizner to honor his supposed environmental credentials, I'm worried that he will let too many insurers off the hook. Plus, with fires wrecking the landscape around homes and making them more vulnerable to mudslides, the ability of those homeowners to get insurance for those potential disasters is a major concern.
All of this is mad possible by the revolving-door manner in which top Democrats have shuffled statewide positions in recent years, leaving us with maybe the worst Democratic candidate possible for Insurance Commissioner in 2006, Cruz Bustamante. He was crushed, not only because Poizner outspent him, but because he was a horrible, ethically compromised candidate. But Insurance Commissioner was available to him, so that's were he went. This musical chairs in these top seats ends up having a major impact in times like this.
Thankfully, things appear to be getting better in most places. The firefighters have been doing an amazing job. But this is far from over. Yesterday, the official death toll climbed to 7, as 6 charred bodies were discovered. And President Bush politicized the disaster by keeping Rancho Bernado residents from their homes, but don't worry Michael Chertoff is there for you. And of course, there are always stories of idiots, who stayed behind, because, you know, it's their Stuff! Some got lucky like this story, but others pay the ultimate price. Listen people, your McMansions are not worth your lives, don't be stupid.
Also over the flip you'll find a list of impromptu blood drives by the San Diego Blood Bank. Check out the Red Cross schedule if you wish to donate blood elsewhere.
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.
A lot of great stuff has been posted on Calitics about the fires in Southern California. I wanted to share the "official" Democratic response and invite folks to join in these efforts. Thanks for all that you are doing.
The California Democratic Party, the San Diego Democratic Party and Democrats Work are working together to help Californians devastated by the fires, and we ask you to join us. After the jump there are some ways you can make a difference today and in the hard weeks and months to come.
I want to point out one great fact regarding the third item listed below. In just over an hour, nearly 100 people from across the state (and even Nevada) signed up with Democrats Work to engage in on-the-ground rebuilding efforts when the time is right.
Fourthbranch Cheney is not all that interested in fires he didn't actually cause with bombs.
During a cabinet meeting yesterday, Vice President Cheney fell asleep on camera while President Bush was discussing wildfires in California. A Cheney spokeswoman "laughed it off," telling CNN that the vice president was "practicing meditation." CNN's chyron reported that Cheney was seen "meditating" - rather than sleeping - during the cabinet meeting.
In the comments, please write the mantra that Cheney was chanting over and over during this meditation session.
(Welcome Miriam, an award winning journalist to Calitics. More info from on the ground there, following up on my post earlier today. Note: I moved some stuff below the fold. - promoted by Julia Rosen)
Potrero, California, the town that has gained national attention for standing up against Blackwater Worldwide's plan to build a private military-style training camp in their pristine backcountry community east of San Diego, now faces an even more formidable force. The Harris wildfire which began outside Potrero early Sunday morning has ravaged the small rural community, where many residents remain trapped without supplies four days after the fire began.
"It's like the Kalahari Desert as you drive down Potrero Valley Road. There are sand dunes everywhere-dirt and ash," Jan Hedlun reported via cell phone on Tuesday. "We can't get in or out, and we are running out of supplies." This morning, however, Hedlun said food will be provided to beleaguered residents at the old Volunteer Fire Department Building. The County recently began initiating its fire consolidation plan, closing some rural volunteer firefighting departments. But here in Potrero, some residents complained that they never saw a single fire engine until long after their homes burned down.
Stretches where homes once stood along Highway 94 have been reduced to wasteland. Many homes have burned, although the town's store, library, and Post Office are still standing. "There is looting going on up here," said Hedlun. Another source described Potrero as a "moonscape with houses here and there."
Many Potrero residents never received reverse 911 calls warning them to evacuate. Some rely on cell phones, which were not included in the evacuation system.
"It's like Armageddon," said Jill Michaels, who had just four minutes to pack belongings before fleeing flames that singed her husband. She and her family tried to evacuate but found all roads blocked. She returned to witness her Potrero home burn to the ground.
Others suffered worse losses. Tom Varshock died trying to save his home on the Potrero/Tecate boundary. His son remains hospitalized with burns over 50% of his body.
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:
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.
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.
We may have more fires in the United States in the future. How do we fight these fires faster and better? California has a converted a DC-10 into a water tanker. The plane seems to work well. We should convert two 747s into water tankers. These could be used anywhere in the United States or the world. The DC-10 drops a huge amount of water. If we had two 747s and a DC-10 dropping water we could hit the fire with a huge amount of water in a short period of time. The fires will cost us 1 billion to 2 billion in property. Two used 747s would cost us 150 million to 200 million tops. The cost to convert them 50 million tops. A total investment of 250 million on the high side. This would save us money, property, lives and land. Lets get this done America.
Gov. Richardson, Sen. Dodd, and Sen. Edwards have offered both statements and resources for those suffering in our state this week.
John Edwards: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the more than 300,000 families who have been forced to flee their homes to escape the wildfires spreading across southern California. Those affected by this tragedy should take comfort in the fact that their fellow Americans are standing with them and will do whatever it takes to fight the fires and rebuild the homes and businesses that were destroyed."
Edwards is calling on his One Corps volunteers to assist in local projects in and around San Diego. You can sign up here.
Bill Richardson: "Today, we all extend our sympathies and prayers to those devastated by the wildfires in California. Millions of Americans are impacted by this natural disaster.
Neighbors should help neighbors in their time of need. As Governor of New Mexico, I ordered two fire crews (strike teams, with 5 engines and 21 crew members each) to California. As a candidate for President, I donated to the American Red Cross ($10,000 -ed.) and I encourage you to do so as well, click here to do so.
But as someone who believes the war in Iraq is a complete disaster and that we need to get our troops out now (www.getourtroopsout.com), I look at the natural disaster in California and feel compelled to also ask President Bush and every candidate who thinks it is okay for our troops to remain in Iraq until 2013 or longer - where is our National Guard?
It is a sad irony that yesterday, the very day I sent fire crews to California, 300 more New Mexico National Guard members were sent to Iraq. Just when we need them most at home, more of our brave men and women, true public servants, are sent away to a war we cannot win."
Chris Dodd: "As you know, Governor Schwarzenegger has had to ask other states for help because so many of California's National Guard, who provide critical support to the citizens while you are fighting the fires, were deployed to Iraq. In a Dodd Administration, never again will our houses be on fire because our troops are taking fire in Iraq. Never again will our first responders be left without the support they need because our President failed to do what it took to keep our communities safe. That is why in 2008, nothing will be more important than leadership that can get results that make us stronger and more secure. That's the first responsibility of an American President."
The winds are starting to die down, but several fires are still blazing with little containment throughout Southern California. Assemblyman Pedro Nava put up a great list of the various fires and their status as of midnight last night. The PCH reopened around Malibu, meaning that the fire does not appear to be running to the coast in that area. We're up to 313 homes lost in the Lake Arrowhead area as a result of the Slide Fire. And the Witch and the Poomacha fires are close to merging. Of course, the possibility of the "vacuum effect", warm on air sucking in lower pressure cool sea air creating winds from the coast to the deserts, still exists. The firefighters are now working on clearing fuel, which is much more manageable with lower wind speeds.
I should also note this great diary with a list of resources and ways to volunteer and help out.
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. 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.
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
UPDATE (3:30 Brian): Of course, you knew immigration would come up. Per some comments, right wing talk show hosts are already complaining about undocumented immigrants at the shelters. I suppose they would rather what? Stay in their charred residences?
This morning, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R, CA-50), mentioned on CSPAN that officials believed that "20 illegals" were killed by the fires on the border. You know, b/c there are so many of those "illegals" sneaking in, it was just bound to happen. It was he said unfortunate, but you know, not unfortunate enough to quit the framing of these people's very existence of being illegal and it was merely a bummer that 20, or so, of them were horrifyingly burned alive. I suppose framing is a 24/7/365 job for Bilbray.
UPDATE (2:02pm Shayera) Some of the evacuation orders are being lifted. Mallibu Canyon residents are being allowed to return home. The evacuation order for residents affected by the Buckweed fire has been lifted. But residents are not being allowed to return home yet due to the weather conditions. San Diego and Irvine are still in quite a lot of danger.
UPDATE: (1:41 by David) I should mention that at tonight's Westside LA Drinking Liberally event, we're going to be passing the hat around for relief efforts. Stop by if you can. We're starting at 7:00pm at The Cock & Bull Pub, 2947 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica.
UPDATE: (1:32 by David) Apparently a major problem right now is the electricity island around San Diego. They're basically cut off from the grid, meaning that large uses of power could cause a blackout. 20,000 homes and businesses are currently without power. Most of the LA County blazes are under control, so the story really is in Orange and San Diego Counties. A suspected arsonist was shot and killed in San Bernardino last night. And there's a new fire in Riverside County.
UPDATE: (11:24 by Brian) More crazies crawling out of the woodwork. This one, James Hartline, an ex-gay activist, blames the gays. Wow, if it was all the LGBT community's fault, I would have figured West Hollywood and the Castro would have been harder hit. I guess Mayor Sanders' decision to support marriage equality was way more powerful than Gavin Newsom's move to authorize marriages in San Francisco.
On real events, I-5 is now fully open. The Harris Fire will, hopefully, be controlled by the end of the day, and the Witch and Poomacha fires are now combined burning over 200,000 acres..
The winds are starting to die down, but several fires are still blazing with little containment throughout Southern California. Assemblyman Pedro Nava put up a great list of the various fires and their status as of midnight last night. The PCH reopened around Malibu, meaning that the fire does not appear to be running to the coast in that area. We're up to 313 homes lost in the Lake Arrowhead area as a result of the Slide Fire. And the Witch and the Poomacha fires are close to merging.
I should also note this great diary with a list of resources and ways to volunteer and help out.
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. We'll update with tomorrow's blood donation 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.
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
This displaced Southern Californian sends her most heartfelt gratitudes out to Governor Bill and the New Mexico firefighters for their generosity. Bill also donated $10,000 to the Red Cross to help assist in the recovery efforts. This has led me to believe that under a President Richardson administration, the National Guard will be home to support their fellow citizens in a time of natural emergency. That is just one reason why I support Richardson for president.
Bill Richardson ordered New Mexico firefighters today to assist in bringing the devastating fires in Southern California under control. He noted, "Neighbors should help neighbors in their time of need."
This is another illustration of Richardson's leadership skills in operation. Richardson's vision of neighbors helping neighbors, however, is not limited to domestic matters. Last week Richardson gave a well received speech in Iowa on the role the U.S. can play in improving the welfare of the planet and human race.
The Associated Press is reporting that one million people have now been evacuated throughout California. 1,300 homes have been consumed in the fire, and efforts have moved from putting out the blazes to just saving buildings. Until the winds subside tomorrow, that's going to be the bulk of the efforts. Use this as a new thread. Thanks to flickr use vissago for some powerful photos.
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. We'll update with tomorrow's blood donation 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.
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
UPDATE (3:30am Brian): The 5 is closed near Camp Pendelton(b/w 78 and Cristianitos) due to a fire on the base. Traffic is being rerouted back to I-15. The Witch Fire and the Poomacha fire are close to converging, if they haven't already. Add'l Mandatory Evacuations: Fallbrook (again), Bonsall, San Luis Rey Heights and Winterwarm
UPDATE (9:45pm) Here are some statistics to take note of. 420,424 acres burned, 1,115 homes burned, 881,500 people evacuated.
UPDATE (8:04pm Robert) OC's Santiago Fire has burned a dozen homes in Modjeska Canyon - and has made an ominous turn back toward the south. Trabuco Canyon, O'Neill Regional Park, and Rancho Santa Margarita are potentially threatened. OC Sheriffs have closed roads leading into those areas, but no evacuations have yet been ordered.
UPDATE (6:53pm Shayera) A little bit of good news. The fire that broke out in Acton this afternoon appears to have been fully contained.
UPDATE (6:13pm David) Someone tell me what Rush Limbaugh's on about here. It's actually unreadable. It's just a mish-mosh of every bugaboo tangentially related to California and nature just drizzled on top of one another. I honestly can't find the unifying thread. There's class envy, global warming denialism, anti-government screeds, all squished together with a cherry on top.
I've been looking at these fires from my California town (which is near the beach so I'm not supposed to live here, according to Rush, even though humans have organized around bodies of water for 10,000 years, and Rush himself lives - wait for it - by the beach), and a lot of things have gone through my head about the fires, but never once did I think to BLAME somebody for them.
