Diklang - 10-25-2003 at 05:21 PM
Has anyone heard from Neal Johns since all of these fires have been raging?
Desertbull - 10-25-2003 at 06:14 PM
Yep, Wild Bill posted on "that other....board, also known as www.Baja.net" that he spoke with Neal early this morning. They were evacuated and are
staying with friends in Hesperia. All is good so far and they hope to get back home soon.
Tim
surfer jim - 10-25-2003 at 11:07 PM
Went to Victorville Saturday afternoon about 3pm from "Little Saigon" (Westminster) along I-60 and up Cajon pass...210 still closed and lots of wind
with very heavy smoke in the Lytle creek area...couldn't see any flames from the freeways but it was a mess...
San Diego County on fire!
David K - 10-26-2003 at 11:43 AM
It's bad folks... people are dead, houses gone... all over Lakeside, Santee, Scripps Ranch, Valley Center, Miramar, Ramona. This all strated this
morning with the first Santa Ana winds.
Freaky
jeans - 10-26-2003 at 12:00 PM
I cancelled a meeting I had this morning in Santee regarding the Santiago Zoo (baja related) after I walked out to get the paper and saw a wall of
black smoke 4-5 miles away. The fire actually started last night.
This is a 30-mile long fire, over 10,000 acres lost (I know this now that Fox6, the only station I get here in Ramona, FINALLY cut to local news).
I don't see the fire coming this way, but I can see flames when I go to my neighbor's above me. It's going to be a long day for those out there
working on this.
[Edited on 10-26-2003 by jeans]
Fires
Baja Bernie - 10-26-2003 at 01:07 PM
Jeans, Smoky as hell in this part of Baja, Santee. I heard there was one on your flank at Barrett Junction.
Flisy smell in the air. Apparently more than one fire and it they didn't appear to start in the same area.
Family Guy - 10-26-2003 at 01:21 PM
Good luck to all of the amigos within range of the fires. Just read this morning that 600 engines from the north are heading down to help control the
fires. Let's pray that mother nature steps in and helps out, too. This thing can get real nasty real fast.
Fire front has crossed 52...
Bob H - 10-26-2003 at 01:21 PM
and into Tierra Santa area and on the West side of I-15 toward Clairemont.
This is as bad as you ever imagine!
Bob H
Bob and Susan - 10-26-2003 at 01:35 PM
It is bad here in Southern California.
Susan and I were up till 3:30 AM putting out fires.
Guess I will have to buy another utility trailer.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~playaframbes/fire.htm
Elena La Loca - 10-26-2003 at 03:16 PM
Bob & Susan-
Sorry for your loss. Hopefully your homeowner's insurance will cover the loss of your trailer.
It's pretty wild here in San Diego County. I've been monitoring the Palomar Amateur Radio Club repeater (146.730) and it's just CRAZY all over town.
Tierrasanta & Scripps Ranch have been evacuated. A portion of the fire has just jumped Iron Mountain (east of Poway) and the potential for serious
damage on the east end of Poway is becoming more & more real by the moment. Ramona Shelter has just reported power out at the Poway shelter & it is
being moved to Twin Peaks Elementary. Valley Center has just closed its evacuation shelter because the fire was moving too close to it...they're going
to a Catholic Church in Fallbrook. Portions of I-8 are closed out by Alpine, 67 has portions closed, 15 was closed from I-8 north to Mira Mesa earlier
today (I'm unsure of the status at this time). If you don't HAVE to be on the road...don't! Those who ARE on the road are hell bent for election &
driving like madmen! We all need to remember that unless we're part of the solution, we become part of the problem!
We're in Oceanside & have been keeping a close eye on the fire that's currently on Camp Pendleton. It flared up again this morning & if the winds
shift (they've not brought the smoke over us just yet today - only have a wisp of smoke smell every now & then), we're in deep trouble.
The local tv has great coverage & for those in the SD area with scanners you might wanna listen to the PARC repeater (146.730mHz). The 147.030
repeater is off the air cuz of the power outage at their repeater site as is the Convair Club's 220 machine.
That's the news as I know it.
N6UWW Ellen
ElGatoLoco Sentri Pass
Elena La Loca - 10-26-2003 at 04:37 PM
Isn't that truck of yours too big for a sentri pass? I thought there were size limitations. Please advise.
From my front yard
jeans - 10-26-2003 at 04:45 PM
I no longer have to walk up the hill behind my house to see the fire. I can see flames as I type.
The pic is from my yard 10 minutes ago with the Santana winds at my back. Now if the winds shift to normal, I will start packing. There are flames
on the hill behind the tree in the pic.
The cause, that I have heard from two sources (one the sherrif) was that a lost hunter set a "signal fire".
Fire in Baja Now
David K - 10-26-2003 at 07:33 PM
Hwy. 3 from Tecate to Ensenada is closed! Just reported on the TV.
Report from Rancho Humfreville.......
Debra - 10-26-2003 at 08:00 PM
For those of you who don't know, Mike and Mary Ann live just west of Magic Mt. , near Filmore, their home is up on a hill by itself. To quote Mary
Ann "we are on an island" it is burning 360 around them, but, the good news is that the fire dept. has been keeping them safe....they drained their
pool to foam the house (MA says that they had 5 fire trucks there helping them) the bad news is that they had no power (so no AC) and they can't open
doors or windows because of the smoke, the power is back on now......imagine this,.....the fire dept. advised them that if it got any worse to lock
everyone up in the house! ( that new Casa must be pretty dang fire proof!)
Anyway, MA sounded pretty excited and stressed but confident that they would be okay. Their ISP us out so they can't post here but wanted everyone to
know that they are fine.
Neal Johns, possible sighting
John M - 10-27-2003 at 06:32 AM
Last evening I received an email from a friend who had recently heard from Neal Johns. Neal's home was spared in the heavily burned Lytle Creek area.
Their electrical power is out and I am not sure if residents are allowed back into the area yet. Neal may attempt to get on line with his laptop.
GeoRock - 10-27-2003 at 10:05 AM
I'm so happy that Mike and MaryAnn H. are safe, and pray their home remains untouched.
My prayers go out to all of you in danger. May God protect you,your loved ones, and your homes.
[Edited on 10-27-2003 by GeoRock]
[Edited on 11-3-2003 by GeoRock]
elgatoloco - 10-27-2003 at 10:23 AM
GeoRock, very sad to hear that. It is heartbreaking. Lucky that they got out with thier lives. This is a tradegy of unreal proportions
I will say that the greater San Diego community is pulling together and hopefully all will recieve assistance to help them 'rebuild' thier lives.
We have friends in Valley Center who were able to save thier home using water from thier swimming pool, neighbors across the road were not so lucky.
Hang in there!
GeoRock - 10-27-2003 at 12:20 PM
I just heard an update from my family. As of last night their homes HAD NOT BURNT!! The homes all around them had, but theirs were spared. There is
black smoke still rising from their area, and they don't know what happened during the night or today, but at least they have a little bit of hope
now.
Also, though CNN reported that Valley View Casino had burnt last night, they heard a rumor that it is okay.
I just pray it is so they will still have an income. These are really great folks. They took in 6 different foster kids over the years and loved
each as much as their own daughters. They are Mexican-Indian.
Although I am elated with hope, my heart just aches for all those who are suffering losses, including Uncle Marty whose house did burn (on the San
Pasqual Reservation).
Suzanne
Update from Rancho Humfreville
Debra - 10-27-2003 at 02:02 PM
We are finally getting some REAL news up here in Seattle, the pictures were very scary! (6am)
I just got off the phone with MA, she says the worst threat is over for them, ("there is nothing left to burn" she says) although they still have no
water (the fire melted their PVC pipes, and no internet) they are safe. The fire has moved over the hill into Simi Valley.
Good advice from Suzanne (Georock), grab your pictures, insurance papers and hit the road! Stay safe everyone!
Bob and Susan - 10-27-2003 at 06:15 PM
That's what happened to us...
We have about 36 plastic electric water valves that water the property....
They melted...the wires all gone
I had to put in new shut off valves...melted inside.
Fiires are HOT!!
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~playaframbes/fire.htm
fires
El Jefe - 10-27-2003 at 09:26 PM
Yes, the fires are still a major problem. My professional opinion is that they will moderate tomorrow Tuesday, and be much less of an issue on
Wednesday with most people back in their homes by then. Crews will be doing overhaul and mop-up for several days. This is the worst we have seen in
San Diego county in my 27 years on the job. Winds had turned to sea breeze today in Vista where I work so things are already starting to shift. Down
slope winds will be a problem tonight, however. I've got people on the fires that have not rested in 48 hours and that makes me worry that they will
get injured. Lets hope no more people are lost or hurt on these fires. It looks like there was a big one in the Tecate/Guadalupe Valley too. Take
care all, Tom
elgatoloco - 10-27-2003 at 09:38 PM
Tom, It goes without saying , but I'll say it anyways, THANKS TO YOU AND ALL YOUR 'BROTHERS IN ARMS'
What a tough job you guys have had.
Stay safe!!!
JESSE - 10-27-2003 at 10:51 PM
My prayers go out to all of those affected by the fires, my casa is always open for any one that needs it.
Unfortunatelly Playas is right on the path of the smoke from the San Diego fires, so we have been choking from the smoke and the rain of ashes for two
days now.
elgatoloco - 10-28-2003 at 03:28 PM
Big bummer.
We just found out that friends in Alpine lost everything last night. 27 years worth of stuff. They are safe however.
Also other friends in Flinn Springs lost thier house. They collect Harley's had 7, both new & vintage were able to save 3.
So Cal is not out of the woods yet. Big flareups in the San Berdoo mountains and the wind in SD is supposed to start blowing on shore (east) this may
not stop until it gets to Anza-Borrego desert and beyond.
Update on Our Fire
Mike Humfreville - 10-29-2003 at 07:50 PM
I posted a report of our experience with the fire (quite an ordeal) on the Nomad Off-Subject Forum yesterday. Here is a link to the photo's from last
Saturday. Damage confined to horse corrals, calf pens, smoke and water-well plumbing.
http://www.draven007.com/index.php?msg=mod&path=fire/mike/
and
http://www.draven007.com/index.php?msg=mod&path=fire/sean/
All of these were taken from our property on Saturday afternoon and evening.
Thanks for all the "warmth" we feel radiating from our friends. Very happy to hear Neal and Marian are back at home. I can only wonder how Kneal
will review the photos of WIW's with no electricity???
Baja Bernie - 10-30-2003 at 07:53 PM
El Jefe was close in his call!
We left our place ijn Santee on Sunday evening when it looked as if someone was playing horseshores with fire and we were the stake! Told the
neighbors that we would wander back to our place in Baja and one of them pointed out that we didn't have a place in Baja. Sad, walked into the house
to tell Lu Ann that we better beat feet when she told me that Keri at Pyramid Resort had called and offered to put us up if needed, AMIGOS DE BAJA
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE--folks I really believe that!!! WE left the fires and returned to our friends in Baja.
I have always been against driving in Baja at night --and got a bunch of stuff about that--Anyway the coastline south of Rosarito was beautiful, like
the queen's necklace up around Santa Monica.
Wow, Lu Ann, Sabrina( our cat) and little old me made it and found comfort along the beautiful Pacific with Keri and Mike.
Stayed four days ( I came back to scout the damage and found our home still standing--bunch of ash all over everything!
If you ever get the chance to stay with Keri and Mike at the Pyramid Resort realize that they are true Baja People and that they will help whever they
can.
THANKS KERI AND MIKE!!
While we were there we found that they were also hosts to a Mexican Couple one of whom was suffering for Pancratic(spell) Cancer. Keri would never ask
for help for this couple BUT I would. Send a couple of bucks to help this wonderful guy!
SO DAMN GLAD TO BE HOME!
Fantastic, to sleep in our own bed tonight!!!
[Edited on 10-31-2003 by Baja Bernie]