Devastating FireStorm

[btangy]

The worst case scenario developed today in San Bernardina, Rancho Cucamonga, and Simi Valley. 200+ homes were burnt down today in San Bernardino including portions of the Cal State SB campus. 2 deaths were reported that were directly caused by the fire. Meanwhile, about 7000 homes and 200 businesses are in serious danger tonight of facing the same fate as Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up later tonight to 20-40mph with gusts to 60mph, especially in and around the area of the wildfires.

Meanwhile, evacuations are taking place in Simi Valley and Moorepark, an area inland along the LA/Ventura county line. Evacuations are also taking place in Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights, which are all very densely populated areas of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Valleys. Also in Crestline and Lake Arrowhead, which are mountain communities in the San Bernardino mountains. They are without power right now because some power lines got taken down by the fire also. A serious situation here, and if the wind blows hard tonight and tomorrow, this could truly be the worst fire disaster this nation has witnessed. It has probably already surpassed the Laguna Beach fire and Malibu fire in total cost of destruction.

No danger at my home in Irvine. Just thick smoke masking the sun all day and turning the sky a very sickly orange and red. Ash falling everywhere and coating cars and streets. Incredible sight out here.

[Valkhorn]

And most of those fires could have been prevented. Arsonists are horrible people, and in LA they've put so many lives and houses at risk.

It's really sad when certain people have nothing better to do than to start a fire.

And thankfully I live in the East where wildfire isn't a regular occurance.

[montrealboy]

KNBC Los Angeles newscast/wildfires
Sun 10/26 — KNBC Los Angeles newscast, coverage of the Wildfires in So. California.

Live stream video and audio as of 10 AM EST (now)

Updated: Live stream audio has now ended at 11 AM EST

Thanks for listening and watching.

http://www.msbc.com

[therock1811]

KNBC Los Angeles newscast/wildfires
Sun 10/26 — KNBC Los Angeles newscast, coverage of the Wildfires in So. California.

Live stream video and audio as of 10 AM EST (now)

Updated: Live stream audio has now ended at 11 AM EST

Thanks for listening and watching.

http://www.msbc.com

I think you mean:

http://www.msnbc.com

[btangy]

Update:

11 people have been killed now, and more than 500 homes have burnt to the ground. High winds overnight sent flames roaring through the Claremont area where 50 more homes were lost. State of emergency has been declared. Unfortunately, several large wildfires broke out today in San Diego County and I've heard of fatalities and property loss there also. Just a terrible set of days for us in Southern California. Santa Ana winds are still blowing across inland areas and we're supposed to get another round of high winds tonight.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/1km/O ... IS1LAX.GIF

On the above image, you can see the extent of the smoke just pouring over the coastal areas. I couldn't even go outside today because my eyes would just water up and I would start coughing immediately. I've never experienced anything to this degree before. Truly awesome and frightening.

[Stormsfury]

And most of those fires could have been prevented. Arsonists are horrible people, and in LA they've put so many lives and houses at risk.

It's really sad when certain people have nothing better to do than to start a fire.

You couldn't be more right.

[StormCrazyIowan]

This is awful!!

[montrealboy]

Here are pictures from AP:

http://www.msnbc.com/c/0/188/813/ssMain ... N188188813














From Foxnews.com


From Lapresse.ca

[montrealboy]

Listen to live radio coverage of wildfires on KABC right now:

http://www.kabc.com

[montrealboy]

Calif. Wildfires Kill 13, Force Mass Evacuations

Sunday, October 26, 2003

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Ferocious firestorms sweeping through California have killed at least 13 people, charred 254,000 acres of land and destroyed 650 homes, authorities said Sunday afternoon.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,101220,00.html

[montrealboy]

...

[Stormsfury]

DO you still have the link to the fire vorticity that was too close for comfort by a CNN reporter yesterday?

SF

[montrealboy]

You can go on this page to see the video but you need to pay,
please click the link below and go to the middle left of page where you will be seeing:

The L.A. devil winds (1:39)
CNN's Miguel Marquez encounters a whirlwind created by the 'devil winds' outside of Los Angeles. (October 25)
PLAY

http://us.cnn.com/video/

[Stormsfury]

You can go on this page to see the video but you need to pay,
please click the link below and go to the middle left of page where you will be seeing:

The L.A. devil winds (1:39)
CNN's Miguel Marquez encounters a whirlwind created by the 'devil winds' outside of Los Angeles. (October 25)
PLAY

http://us.cnn.com/video/

Fortunately, Roadrunner subscribers can view this video free (I did yesterday). Thanks for posting that here.

SF

[StormCrazyIowan]

It's just sooo terrible, those pictures bring it to a reality that I wouldnt have known had I not seen them!

[montrealboy]

http://us.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/26/california.wildfire/index.html

Ventura County firefighters watch a twister of flame rise from a back fire in Simi Valley, California.

AP photo

[btangy]

Update: Close to 300,000 acres have burned. Lost the NKX (San Diego) doppler radar because of the fire unfortunately. If you look at the other two radars in the area... the VTX and SOX radars, you can actually see the smoke plumes. Numerous freeway closures including the main route between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heard a report of 20 miles of backup southbound into LA. 650 homes destroyed and more going up in flames everytime I turn on the TV. Expect Pres. Bush to declare most of the Southern CA region a disaster area.

Looks like Tuesday afternoon the winds will finally die down and Wednesday, we should get an onshore flow which will give us higher humidities and cooler temps. But untill then, we are truly living in the middle of hell.

[GalvestonDuck]

Dang! Throughout the day, I've been receiving crisis alerts about evacuations. Hadn't been able to check the news stations or web due to being out and about. Just now catching up. It looks awful! My thoughts and prayers are with anyone touched by this devastating fire!

[btangy]

Another update:

850 homes now burned to the ground. 13 deaths, including a pair of people in a car trying to escape one of the fires in San Diego county. Just plain horrific. Santa Ana winds are beginning to blow again as the sun sets and gradients trend further offshore.

Also, Southwest airlines has cancelled all flights in and out of SoCal.

University of CA San Diego has cancelled all classes Monday due to a fire in close proximity to the campus.

The football game that was supposed to be played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego Mon night has been moved to Tempe, AZ.

[weatherlover427]

The air quality here in Huntington Beach (NW Orange County) is horrendous. I am miles from any of the fires; but since the winds are offshore the smoke is being blown in my direction, along with the ash. We had a huge smoke cloud come over this afternoon around 3:45 PM that blotted out the sun completely. :o I took pics and will have them up ASAP.