BajaNomad - Mulege is burning

Mulege is burning

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 04:19 PM

as I write this there is a huge fire burning from the bridge west up the river. there have been several homes burned in the area of Sausados Tahitian village. the fire is still wildly out of control.

update will fallow

[Edited on 3-23-2006 by Bruce R Leech]

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 04:46 PM

the fire trucks just arrived from Santa Roselia. but the water is off because the fire burnt the electric lines. they are refiling the trucks with water pumped out of the river right now .

it has burned as far as to the high school

Bob H - 3-23-2006 at 04:53 PM

Bruce, this is terrible news. I hope they get this under control quickly!

We were in Mulege during another fire about five or six years ago, maybe longer, that burned some of the East side of town - a palapa fire started that one. I remember a bucket brigade of 5-gallon buckets and a small fire engine. They got it out in about two hours. Burned a lot of palms though but they only lost a couple of small palapas.

Keep us posted.
Bob H

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 04:56 PM

thankfully the wind is dieing down to a breeze now

Natalie Ann - 3-23-2006 at 05:02 PM

prayers

Diver - 3-23-2006 at 05:02 PM

Isn't the high school east of the town center and north of the river ??

Any idea where it started ?

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
Isn't the high school east of the town center and north of the river ??

Any idea where it started ?

the high school west of the town center and south of the river

fire started at the north east end of the bridge

Wow, what a drag.

vgabndo - 3-23-2006 at 05:46 PM

Please let us know if anything will be done to organize help for the people if they need it. You can count on us for what we have.

Bob H - 3-23-2006 at 07:09 PM

Bruce, what about that house just West of the bridge that has those palm tress protruding through the roof? How extensive is the damage? How much assistance is needed?
Bob H

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
Bruce, what about that house just West of the bridge that has those palm tress protruding through the roof? How extensive is the damage? How much assistance is needed?
Bob H

that house is fine I think

Bruce R Leech - 3-23-2006 at 08:21 PM

the wind has let up and mos flames have died down. lots of smoke and smoldering. there have been many trips with the ambulances. but I don't have any word on injuries yet. also I am getting very many mixed reports on damage. so I wont report any until I Know for sure.

I have 2 friends that have lost everything

I was with the fire dept earlier and helped with what I could. but got to the point where I knew I was better off to stay out of there way.

there still lots of sirens and the smoke is filling the town. the breeze has shifted and is coming back in to town now.

I will try to do some driving around in the morning and get more info.

Bob and Susan - 3-23-2006 at 08:27 PM

In from Brenda of Santa Rosalia....

http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/fire/mar2006.htm

Bob and Susan - 3-23-2006 at 08:29 PM

more pics of the firemen

http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/fire/mar2006.htm

Brenda is a volunteer helper...

[Edited on 3-24-2006 by Bob and Susan]

Bob and Susan - 3-23-2006 at 08:29 PM

more...

http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/fire/mar2006.htm

[Edited on 3-24-2006 by Bob and Susan]

Bob H - 3-23-2006 at 09:51 PM

More on this fire....

http://www.santarosaliacasitas.com/fire/mar2006.htm

Bob H

Bob and Susan - 3-24-2006 at 04:44 AM

The guy with the white shirt is Armando Naranjo Jr. the area political Representative.....

He's my neighbors son at Campo Naranjo
http://www.mulege.org/naranjos/naranjos.htm

Bob and Susan - 3-24-2006 at 05:54 AM

From Brenda of Santa Rosalia

-------------------------------------------
I can't take credit for the photos.
My friend Nico from the Sudacalifornia News came by and asked for a ride to Mulege.

As you may know we are only running 2 gas pumps here in Santa Rosalia since las wednesday and are waiting, sometimes, up to an hour and a half for service.

As a matter of fact, the FIRE DEPT didn't have enough diesel to get to Mulege and had to get it from the distributor on the highway.

I'm going "golfing" in the morning and may take a few more photos.

Brenda Goodson
--------------------------------------

capt. mike - 3-24-2006 at 07:04 AM

did Poncho's yellow front market make it??

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 10:55 AM

Most of the damage seems to be in the Mulege springs aria. there were 4 or 5 large 2 story houses that burned totally. they were built up on stilts kind of tahitian style. average approx value 150 to 200 thousand dollars.

also to trailers that belonged to the care takers family. they lost every thing.

these houses all had palm thatched roofs and probably would have been OK if they had fire proof roofs.

bajajudy - 3-24-2006 at 11:07 AM

Bruce

Please let us know what we can do to help.

I need to clean out our closets and could send the results up on the bus, if you could pick them up!?!?!?

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 11:23 AM

the care taker and his wife have three children junior High and high school age they need everything. all they have left is what they were wearing.

they are very nice hard working people . I have known them for many years.

Fire!

Cypress - 3-24-2006 at 11:55 AM

Having experienced everything going up in smoke, it's not easy. Something about having nothing but the clothes on your back changes one's perceptions about a lot of things. If there's no loss of life, it's just stuff. Stuff can be replaced, not easy, but doable. Will be seeing ya'll down in Mulege the first week in May. Plan to become a fulltime resident in the not too distant future.

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 01:01 PM

I am not going to post photos of the burned out houses because I don't have the permission of the home owners. I think it would be in bad taste to do so.

Bruce-----

Barry A. - 3-24-2006 at 02:07 PM

Now THAT is sensitivity!!!! Sure wish the Media would practice just 1/2 the sensitivity that you show here.

Well done, Bruce!!!! You made the right decision.

Sizes for the children

Dianamo - 3-24-2006 at 02:44 PM

Can someone post the sizes of clothing, or any specific item, that the children are needing. Of course, they need all household items. Plan to drive down to Los Barriles in early May and I will try to bring some things.

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 04:20 PM

I don't know the sizes and I doubt that they know themselves but anything that doesn't fit can be traded for something that will. this is the Mulege way.

p.s. they cought the man that started the fire and he is in the Mulege jail

bajajudy - 3-24-2006 at 04:31 PM

It was arson? :fire:

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
It was arson? :fire:

no I don't think so

the man was an out of town construction worker and he was living in the jungle and his cooking fire got away.

Lindalou - 3-24-2006 at 04:59 PM

Bruce, I live at Santispac and have lots of womens clothes and a few mens that I would love to donate to the family. Where should I take them to?

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 05:16 PM

drop them by here. these people are good friends of ours.

Lindalou - 3-24-2006 at 05:34 PM

Where is here?

Diver - 3-24-2006 at 05:37 PM

Bruce has the business across form the lavamatica, on the corner with the patio outside. It used to be a patio restaurant.

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 05:44 PM

thanks Diver

we have the Money exchange across form the lavamatica

Lindalou - 3-24-2006 at 05:55 PM

Will you be open tomorrow or should I bring them by Mon.?

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 06:04 PM

we are open Monday through saturday. 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm

Lindalou - 3-24-2006 at 06:51 PM

We will be in sometime tomorrow. Thanks Bruce :spingrin:

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 07:51 PM

OK thanks RichnLinda I look forward to meeting you.

Bruce R Leech - 3-25-2006 at 08:29 AM

I think most of the home owners except for the care taker had insurance coverage . it will be interesting to See how they pay off.

bajablue - 3-25-2006 at 10:48 AM

Bruce. I was just in Mulege for the first time last week and what an amazing place. I am so sorry to hear about the fire. I plan on getting back there soon and will definitely bring some things down there for the people..

Diver - 3-25-2006 at 11:11 AM

BBlue,

Be sure to stop and meet Bruce "behind bars" at his money exchange.
He is a very nice man and obviously well-connected in Mulege.

Bruce, glad your family was safe through the fire.

Bob and Susan - 3-25-2006 at 02:07 PM

email to me today said...

_________________________________________________
"Drove thru burnt area today....

Indeed an infierno...

I've heard it was three houses, the boat and some cars (2?).

The pillars of concrete still stand, one barbecue and some clay pots.

That's it...Still smoldering..What a terrible thing.

A lady that comes to our little church here lost everything...Very sad."
___________________________________________

Shipping items

CaboMagic - 3-25-2006 at 02:50 PM

Hello fellow amigos and amigas,

We are glad no one was reported to have been injured or hurt or worse .. "things" can always be replaced....

Bruce we ask that you please see to it that the "things" we are sending are distributed as you know it to be best use .. and Bruce no worries about spelling

Will u2u when everything dropped off at Bajapak on Tues in TJ ..

This is on behalf of everyone at Cabo Magic Sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas - we all know what its like to have something tragic happen, and, we all know what it feels like to be the recipient of an act of kindness to help ease the pain.

Tommy & Lori, David, Manlio, Selene, Coco, Alex, Bryan, Lalo, Benjamin, Hector, Juan, Chito, Chari, Moro, Gaba, Benito, Gregorio, Manuel, Lucas, Jose, Felipe, Gllen, Don Fito, Mundo, Hugo, Victor, Ivan, Jaime, Ramon, Juanitacarnadera and all those whose hard work is behind the scenes, and all our families too of course.

Bruce R Leech - 3-25-2006 at 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboMagic
Hello fellow amigos and amigas,

We are glad no one was reported to have been injured or hurt or worse .. "things" can always be replaced....

Bruce we ask that you please see to it that the "things" we are sending are distributed as you know it to be best use .. and Bruce no worries about spelling

OK thank you very much this will be greatly appreciated by them

you guys ar A1 Nomads

Bruce R Leech - 3-26-2006 at 10:33 AM

there are 2 adults and 3 children in the family of the care taker.

and at least 2 maybe 4 Americans most were to the north and the houses were empty.

Bruce R Leech - 3-26-2006 at 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
email to me today said...

_________________________________________________
"Drove thru burnt area today....

Indeed an infierno...

I've heard it was three houses, the boat and some cars (2?).

The pillars of concrete still stand, one barbecue and some clay pots.

That's it...Still smoldering..What a terrible thing.

A lady that comes to our little church here lost everything...Very sad."
___________________________________________

I'm trying to be very careful not to post any rumors there are plenty of those.

I counted 4 large houses and another large structure possibly a garage or something. and the care takers compound with 2 travel trailers and every thing else they owned

there may or may not have been cars but I saw no evidence of such. there were boats and lots of other toys lost in the fire.

Bruce R Leech - 3-26-2006 at 10:53 AM

yesterday I received a lot of clothing and household items from the good people of Playa Santispac. I'm taking these to be delivered right now.

thank you very much to all at Playa Santispac who helped out here. you are fine Nomads and an be very proud of what you have done to help.

PHOTOS from Marv

David K - 3-28-2006 at 10:01 AM

Mulege Marv sent me two photos to reduce and post...

Mulege Marv #2

David K - 3-28-2006 at 10:02 AM

Diver - 3-28-2006 at 11:59 AM

Will they grow back or are all the burnt ones dead now ?

comitan - 3-28-2006 at 12:11 PM

Most all should come back.

Pompano - 3-28-2006 at 12:39 PM

Not very fast....there are still black palms from fires we fought in the seventies and eighties...although fire is beneficial for palms and rarely kills an adult. According to my research........

In palms the vascular bundles, those tubes that transport water and nutrients, are scattered throughout the trunk. This arrangement provides insulation from the heat of a fire. By contrast, trees such as oaks have all their vascular tissue in a ring just beneath the bark. Fire does kill young palms, but it also removes competitors and opens up space for palm seeds to germinate. In fact, desert fan palms increase seed production immediately after fires. A healthy palm can produce as many as 350,000 seeds....so let's hope all this is true.

[Edited on 3-28-2006 by Pompano]

David K - 3-28-2006 at 01:07 PM

Erle Stanley Gardner was fascinated by the burnt palms he saw in the most remote canyons of Baja... Wondering if it was lightning, static electricty or what that caused this.

Along the road to Mision Santa Maria, the palms are burned... People at Santa Ynez said a crazy man torched them.

They create quite a blaze... if you have ever seen one or a photo of one on fire!

Lindalou - 3-29-2006 at 07:21 PM

Bruce, thank you for your kind words I will pass them on. Hope all will be well with those that have lost their homes.

A santispac Nomad

Bruce R Leech - 3-31-2006 at 01:25 PM

Quote:

WOW what fine Nomads we have here. I am referring to To everyone at Cabo Magic Sport fishing in Cabo San Lucas. we just received by bus two very large packages of new clothing and personal care products to give to the family of the caretaker who lost everything in the fire. I repeat these thing are all Brand new. and will be greatly aprichiated by them.

CaboMagic and everyone at Cabo Magic Sport fishing in Cabo San Lucas thank you very much and you can be very proud of each other for being such fine human beings in a time of need. it is people like you that make Baja great

Diver - 3-31-2006 at 01:32 PM

Bravo !!

My next charter recommendation goes to Cabo Magic !

Bruce R Leech - 3-31-2006 at 01:41 PM

no one will leave here with out a recomendation for Cabo Magic Sport fishing again.

thanks again CoboMajic.

and don't forget RichnLinda and all the nice people at playa Santispac. for there large donation

[Edited on 3-31-2006 by Bruce R Leech]

bajajudy - 3-31-2006 at 01:43 PM

Cabo Magic.....excelente! What a wonderful thing to do.

Burnt palms
I was in San Ignacio 2 years ago for their big fiesta July 31(just so happens to be my birthday too so we thought that we would celebrate there!) when they had a fire in the date palms. The sound is terrifying. Units from GN and SR came to help and it took hours before it was brought under control. No loss of life or property except the palms.
3 years ago there was a mysterious fire in the estuary, mostly washingtonias but a few cocos which sound like bombs going off when the nuts explode.
BUT the sounds were what scared me the most. You can hear the energy of the fire....strong. And super scarey.

Roberto - 3-31-2006 at 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
Bravo !!

My next charter recommendation goes to Cabo Magic !

Tommi and Lori Garcia run a first class operation and are first class people. They have proven this many times in the past - this is just the latest episode.

Fast fire

Sharksbaja - 3-31-2006 at 02:57 PM

As I stood gazing over the beauty of Muleges' palm forest and romantic lush riverbanks below I remarked to my in-laws on their first Mulege visit "Fires happen here regularily, as they do everywhere."
From the vista above the Mission my guests were awed by the palms
Twenty minutes later we stood in the same place, shocked by the change.

Next to the school

A ground level view of what was left of the homes

A day later, still hot spots

I was amazed at the speed at which the crowns spread the fire. As you can see, in some places the ground remained untouched and in others, the tree-tops were left untouched and intact. Two words:

Homeowner insurance.

My condolances to the caretaker, Ray and Roberto.

Pompano, thanks for the concern.
Bruce, nice to see you and Edith. STAY WELL!!

Bob and Susan - 3-31-2006 at 03:15 PM

sharks...how close was the fire to you?

Sharksbaja - 3-31-2006 at 04:35 PM

quite a ways....gotta go to wrk, bye

CaboMagic - 3-31-2006 at 06:06 PM

It makes all of us feel good knowing we are able to do something for another.

We step up to the plate when we can and are humbled by the kind comments made - thank you.

Happiness to all ... T&L

BIG Thanks to Bruce for being the coordinator ..
Hugs to you, Edith and the children

[Edited on 4-1-2006 by CaboMagic]

Oso - 3-31-2006 at 06:14 PM

Lori,
A big ditto on those comments. I remember your help with the people in SLRC, a long way from Cabo and none of them likely to ever be your customers. But I will.

Palm Roof

msawin - 4-5-2006 at 09:17 PM

Hey guys good luck in the rebuild... But we need to get rid of the Palm Roofs... Had $2,000.00 dollars in the coffer for the new Palama roofo, for the redo repare that went up in Tripui.. Was down last week at some freinds at Juncalito with new buildings with Palm roofs.... Get rid of them. Now or next week a fire can and will happen. Use the composite Tile look a like roof material that will not spread the rath..

lets be smarter.....

flyfishinPam - 4-6-2006 at 10:39 AM

Hi Marty,

Can you get that composite tile in Mexico? Thinking about replacing our palm roof after building a wall around the land.

bajajudy - 4-6-2006 at 11:14 AM

Pam
They have it here, so I would guess that they have it in La Paz too. I plan to switch over too. Comitan has done so but I think that he is in TJ so probably not checking in. You might U2U him so when he returns he can tell you where he got his.

Roof tile...

msawin - 4-6-2006 at 09:10 PM

Hello Fransico & Pam.....

Paco is brining stacks of the materials down. Tijuna or maybe So.Cal. Looks like tile. Will not Burn. Compsoite material. The Palm roof is so scary, burns so quick. I am not sure of what the cost is of the material.

Back in four weeks ... see ya

martin=o