Southern California Wildfires!*edit*-Suspect being sought

[angelwing]

3 Firefighters Killed in Southern California Wildfires

jumps 500 acres in 20 minutes
up to 400 trapped in RV park




October 26, 2006
Fox

CABAZON, Calif. — Three firefighters were killed and two critically injured as they battled a wind-whipped wildfire Thursday that drove hundreds of people from their homes near Palm Spring, the U.S. Forest Service said.

Photo: Smoke rises from a wildfire burning in Cabazon, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006. A wildfire swept through dry brush near Palm Springs early Thursday, threatening homes and businesses and forcing evacuations. (AP Photo/David Pardo)

The firefighters were trying to protect a house early Thursday when the flames swept in.

"The engine was in the area and with the wind conditions like they were, the fire just overtakes and burns the entire engine," said Pat Boss, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman.

All U.S. Forest Service personnel were pulled off the fire after the deaths so they could "gather their thoughts, say their prayers," he said.

The fire, pushed by dry Santa Ana Winds of 25 mph or more, quickly blackened more than 4,000 acres and destroyed at least three homes on Thursday. At least one civilian was also injured.

The cause of the fire wasn't immediately clear. It started early Thursday, burning in a valley with a few scattered ranch homes. The hamlets of Poppet Ranch and Twin Pines were evacuated along with a juvenile center, Twin Pines Boys Ranch.

About 200 people left homes when mandatory evacuations were ordered, fire Capt. Julie Hutchinson said.

The blaze had burned more than 1,000 acres by midmorning, and 25 mph winds were quickly spreading the flames, said Becky Luther, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Fire Department.

No injuries were immediately reported but at least one building burned. Officials could not immediately say if it was home.

The fire was burning in a valley with a few scattered ranch homes, but the hamlets of Poppet Ranch and Twin Pines were evacuated along with a juvenile center, Twin Pines Boys Ranch. About 200 people left homes when mandatory evacuations were ordered, fire Capt. Julie Hutchinson said.

"The biggest concern is if it gets over the hills," Luther said. "That's where all of the homes are."

Officials worried the fire could reach an area of the San Bernardino National Forest where a bark beetle infestation had killed trees that could easily fuel a blaze. In the valley where it was burning Thursday morning, the ground cover is mostly grass and chaparral that burns hot and quick, allowing the fire to spread quickly but with little staying power, Luther said.

An emergency evacuation center was set up at Banning Community Center, near Cabazon, where the fire was raging.

Timo Hargu, 61, said he rushed from his hilltop home with his two dogs after he looked out a window and saw fire burning toward him in a valley. "The whole thing was ablaze with flame," he said. "It was the most spectacular view. A terrible view, but spectacular."

Cabazon is about 90 miles east of Los Angeles and 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs in Riverside County.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,225437,00.html

[Miss Mary]

Tragic story. How very sad. I saw an update on CNN or similar news site. A 4th firefighter has died now.

[angelwing]

Just got this in my mail:

My husband just called with an update on the fire: They are in Code Triage stage three within four Hospitals within Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. There have been 200 burn victims and an initial report of fifty fatalities.

When the fire jumped the 10 Fwy it burned a group of fire fighters severely. One from Arrowhead is burned over eighty percent of His Body.

Please Pray.

[Brent]

It's also now being reported that the fire was DELIBERATELY set.

This is a bad one.

[wxmann_91]

Just got this in my mail:

My husband just called with an update on the fire: They are in Code Triage stage three within four Hospitals within Riverside & San Bernardino Counties. There have been 200 burn victims and an initial report of fifty fatalities.

When the fire jumped the 10 Fwy it burned a group of fire fighters severely. One from Arrowhead is burned over eighty percent of His Body.

Please Pray.

Damn. I'm definitely praying for them.

The sky is quite red today with all the heavy smoke. Nothing compared to what happened three years ago though.

I've been to Cabazon before, really nice place.

[angelwing]

Press conference wrapping up now.
This is arson and a quardruple murder case.
Fifth firefighter is not in good shape.
Over 10,000 acres burned.
Hundreds evacuated in place as no way out.
Over 1,000 firefighters on the line and up to 3,000 before it's over.


***New fire LACoFD in Station 69's area. Topanga Canyon Rd and View Ridge
Rd

[angelwing]

winds are now gusting above 50 mph along the upper ridges and driving the fire towards the southwest towards the Badlands if you are familiar with area along highways 79, and the 60 freeway...Communities like San Jacinto and Hemet are on alert.

[Lindaloo]

Yep, it is reported that the fire was set on purpose. If they catch who did this, they will be facing numerous counts of murder. I sure hope they catch whoever did it.

[TexasStooge]

Yep, it is reported that the fire was set on purpose. If they catch who did this, they will be facing numerous counts of murder. I sure hope they catch whoever did it.

Yeah, lock that stupid ignoramus up for life.

[vbhoutex]

Have we gotten any updated information on casualties from this fire? It seems that if it was as bad as some have indicated that there would be more available info about it. Yes, I know it is bad, in fact horribly tragic, but I have heard nothing about hundreds burned, but have heard about those trapped at the RV park and the four dead. Lock the turkey who did this up for life with a fire burning under him till the day he/she dies.

[angelwing]

I just got this:

is being streamed directly from Hemet on
teamspeak://radio.scannerbuff.net:8767 and on Shoutcast at
http://38.96.148.43:4810/listen.pls Excellent simplex comms live from
the fire lines.

[angelwing]

from http://www.rimoftheworld.net/columns/rotw/arsonist]

Multiple fires have been set — all extinguished by passing motorists —
along Highway 18 in Waterman Canyon. Witnesses describe a newer
white Chevrolet truck with a rack and loaded with white boxes. The
driver was observed to be setting cardboard boxes on fire.

The suspect was reported to be a white male adult wearing a hat and
unknown colored jacket. He appeared to be watching the firefighters
extinguish the remainder of the fires. The vehicle may have been
traveling with smaller black hatchback.

Suspect vehicle is a 2002 white Chevy pickup with license plate
7A66064. The subject was last seen at 14:10 at the Valero Gas Station
in Crestline. It is not known what direction he left the gas station.
The plate is registered to a vehicle owner in Hesperia.

Several passing motorists and witnesses stopped and extinguished the
fires. One motorist reportedly extinguished a fire with a beverage.

Fire officials, sheriff deputies, CHP officers, and Forest Service
personnel are patrolling Highway 18 to check for additional starts.
The have also established a number of checkpoints along the mountain
roadways. Firefighters reported finding magazines at one of the fire
start locations.

The fires were first reported shortly after 1:30 PM on Friday.

[Stephanie]

I don't understand people....

[angelwing]

Riverside County has established a fund to help the families of
firefighters killed in the blaze.

If you'd like to help please send checks to The Esperanza Firefighters
Assistance Fund at P.O. Box 1645 Riverside CA 92502

[dizzyfish]

The 5th firefighter died.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/ ... 8523.shtml

I really hope they throw the book at the a** that started the fire.

[Lindaloo]

That is so sad!

[Brent]

They have arrested a person of interest who apparently set a couple of wildfires back in the summer.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15428042/