BajaNomad

Santiago Fire

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 02:09 PM

The town of Santiago in Baja Sur is on fire. The fired started about 11 am this morning North of town. The wind has picked up which makes it very rough. From the road you can see the flames shooting up. It's really sad to watch, since there isn't any fire trucks to help out. Here are some pictures just taken
Barb
http://picasaweb.google.com/rod.barb.albright/SantiagoFireFe...

shari - 2-4-2009 at 02:14 PM

OH my that looks very scary...where exactly is santiago? Are you there now? how many people live there? Has it been extremely warm there like it has here?

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 02:18 PM

Santiago is just North of Los Barriles. Not sure how many live there but it's a nice size town. We are concerned for the animals at the Zoo. There doesn't seem any way to get them out. It has been warm but the main problem is the North wind, it kicked up this afternoon.

DianaT - 2-4-2009 at 02:19 PM

That looks just awful. Isn't Santiago the little town with the zoo?

Sad, just really sad.

Diane

on edit---you answered as I was typing. Gees, I hope something can be done for the animals.

[Edited on 2-4-2009 by jdtrotter]

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 02:21 PM

Yes, santiago has the zoo. It was so sad watching from the Road, we had to leave. Knowing there isn't anything any one could do. They did get all the kids out of the schools. We passed so many buses taking the kids out of the area. That is one good thing.

comitan - 2-4-2009 at 02:23 PM

Wow just left the Hot Springs this morning came through Santiago about 8:30 and drove north no sign of fire at that time.

Baja&Back - 2-4-2009 at 02:26 PM

What a crying shame!!! The town of Santiago is so cute & picturesque. We cross our fingers & hope the town is not damaged too severely.
We have our guests bring school & medical donations on caravan. This trip the beneficiary will be Santiago!
:(

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 02:34 PM

Comitan you were lucky to leave there so early. Last we heard it was already to the police dept.

oldjack - 2-4-2009 at 02:46 PM

any update on the fire.... Santiago(just south of Los Barriles) is where the high school kids from Buena Vista and Los Barriles are bussed to school...

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 02:50 PM

ALL the kids got out safe, we passed so many buses leaving the area as we arrived. Talked with the locals, they said ALL kids were removed. The fire is still burning as of 3PM

MexicoTed - 2-4-2009 at 02:56 PM

Oh, that's awful. Santiago is one of the gems of Baja Sur with a bunch of historical buildings, the zoo, and great people. Give us an update asap.
Ted

rpleger - 2-4-2009 at 02:58 PM

I hope they can save the Zoo, one of my favorite places...

BajaGringo - 2-4-2009 at 03:01 PM

God, please bring this town some rain....

:( :( :(

Bill Collector - 2-4-2009 at 03:06 PM

Rain would be great that is for sure.
There isn't anything else to do but wait. The locals have said
it's now in the main part of town. How much damage we wont know till tomorrow. When we were there we could see the flames all the way to the South end of town.

Marie-Rose - 2-4-2009 at 03:18 PM

Damn... what a drag:no:

I am trying to get ahold of Barb (frizkie) in El Chorro. If anyone sees her in that vicinity please post. Hope she's OK over there.

BajaDove - 2-4-2009 at 05:09 PM

If anyone hears if they saved any of the animals let us know.

Santiago - 2-4-2009 at 05:11 PM

Someone who has her email should let Jeans know - she had an interest in the lion at the zoo at one time.

Natalie Ann - 2-4-2009 at 06:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Someone who has her email should let Jeans know - she had an interest in the lion at the zoo at one time.


Good idea, Santiago. I just emailed her.

Really sad to hear about fire in such a beautiful place. Hoping all had time to make it out safely.

Nena

David K - 2-4-2009 at 07:28 PM

Jeans tried to help ALL the animals... It was my lion photo that was used... to show the terrible conditions there.




[Edited on 2-5-2009 by David K]

baja Steve - 2-5-2009 at 08:03 AM

Any new news

Skeet/Loreto - 2-5-2009 at 09:11 AM

Thanks David for Posting the Photo of my old Friend!!

Sure hope nobody got hurt. Know this will have effect on the zoo as it operates on slim Funds.

Met "ole Leo" when he was left by his former owner in Loreto.. The guy just parked him in a Truck in a Cage and went fishing. someone tried to get Tippy Hedrin to take him to the States but the Mexican Govt. would not agree. I would go walking every morning and stop and talk to him.
Fed him Fish several times.

Hope all is well.

Skeet

DianaT - 2-5-2009 at 09:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by baja Steve
Any new news



Yes, any new news about the fire?

LB - 2-5-2009 at 10:00 AM

Santiago has the only high school in the Easts Cape area! Does anyone know
if it made it. Glad the kids are all safe.

oldjack - 2-5-2009 at 12:48 PM

Anybody have an update and/or photos of the town....

Terry28 - 2-5-2009 at 12:51 PM

Gee guys..most folks seem more concerned about the animals rather than the people who live there. Priorities???

YARDSAIL - 2-5-2009 at 01:14 PM

THE FIRE IN SANTIAGO BURNED UP A LOT OF THE PALMS IN THE CENTER OF TOWN AND 3 HOUSES....IT WILL KILL A LOT OF OLD PALM TREES AND FRUIT TREES.... THE ZOO WAS NOT INVOLVED, NEITHER WAS THE SCHOOL.... IT IS A MESS THOUGH....

Bill Collector - 2-5-2009 at 01:49 PM

The firemen were still on the job this morning. There are some small fires around the burned area, very small fires. The town looks good, the people were out cleaning up the area. Glad there were no injuries to report. Trees we can replace, people we can't

rpleger - 2-5-2009 at 02:53 PM

Good news about the fire and the Zoo...Thank you for the update...:D

dtbushpilot - 2-5-2009 at 03:21 PM

The FEMA trailers should be on their way down:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:.....dt

jeans - 2-5-2009 at 07:35 PM

Thank you to Natalie Ann who emailed me this link. I hope that the report of the zoo being spared is accurate. Yes...I and others, tried to help the zoo. Sadly, few months after we brought the vets in to operate on the lion's paw, things fell apart with the management down there. (that's the short story). It makes me sad every time I think about it.

Santiago is a lush little village, I remember seeing fields of fruit trees. It almost seems like you step back in time when you drive into the square.

David K - 2-5-2009 at 09:42 PM

When you feel enough time has passed, we would like to hear the 'long story'! It was just over 7 years ago when the plight of the lion and his friends was made known, thanks to you!!

I have been to the Santiago zoo twice, and on the surface thought it a very nice park... but had no clue about the needs of African animals and they were getting none or very little. Too bad the Tijuana zoo couldn't arrange a transfer...

mulegemichael - 2-6-2009 at 08:33 AM

we were at the zoo last week and many many of the animals are gone now...the bear is gone..the snake pit is almost empty...the billy goat that was always tied up in the back is gone...most of the deer are gone...sad

BAHALOU - 2-6-2009 at 09:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bill Collector
The firemen were still on the job this morning. There are some small fires around the burned area, very small fires. The town looks good, the people were out cleaning up the area. Glad there were no injuries to report. Trees we can replace, people we can't

BAHALOU - 2-6-2009 at 09:21 AM

It is unfortunate that these things have to happen, that is why the government needs to start cracking down on tax evaders and start collecting more tax money from homeowners on there properties, then perhaps some of these disasters can be responded to more quickly and be taken care of...

David K - 2-6-2009 at 09:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAHALOU
It is unfortunate that these things have to happen, that is why the government needs to start cracking down on tax evaders and start collecting more tax money from homeowners on there properties, then perhaps some of these disasters can be responded to more quickly and be taken care of...


That's quite an interesting observation!

So, in Mexico... faster response time is directly related to tax collecting, and not the motivation of firefighters?

Do you really think if the government gets more money, that additional amount will go just to fire equipment and personal... or just a trickle, if any?

I sure hope you are right!!!:light:

Anybody who has lived in the area for any time have any input... 'Eli', maybe?

BAHALOU - 2-6-2009 at 11:37 AM

It seems to work here in the states.

BajaGringo - 2-6-2009 at 11:41 AM

I take it that you haven't lived down in Mexico for very long???

David K - 2-6-2009 at 11:48 AM

Since he said "here in the states", I am going to guess he doesn't live in Mexico at all... or knows the system very well!

BajaGringo - 2-6-2009 at 11:49 AM

Actually it is something you will find throughout Latin America, not just Mexico...

tripledigitken - 2-6-2009 at 11:56 AM

When I first heard of this fire I thought of the Palomar Hotel. It sounds like it was spared, I hope so. That place has a storied past.

Very quaint little community I sure want to go back and visit. Hope the damage was minimal to life and property.

Ken

comitan - 2-6-2009 at 02:02 PM

I would have to add that if there were Palm tree burned it would not kill them, I've burned a few, can look out at one from my backl door I burned over 10 years ago and it looks fine, its the easy way to clean them if no fire hazard

photos of santiago fire

islandmusicteach - 2-6-2009 at 05:56 PM

These were all taken by Dr. Prisciliano (the pharmacist in Santiago)








islandmusicteach - 2-6-2009 at 06:01 PM

The locals say it was the worst fire in the town - ever. I didn't realize palms come back from fire so easily, Comitan, that's some good news. The laguna won't look the same for quite a while though.

jeans - 2-6-2009 at 06:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mulegemichael
we were at the zoo last week and many many of the animals are gone now...the bear is gone..the snake pit is almost empty...the billy goat that was always tied up in the back is gone...most of the deer are gone...sad


The bear died in June of 2004 under a cloud of controversy. Two deer died recently from ingesting a plastic bag. This recent information came from a call I made yesterday. The good people we had, veterinarians, a caring official (!!) all fell away because they could not overcome their own government's apathy, corruption, and the failure to uphold existing laws on animal trafficking.:fire:

Wait a minute!

Dave - 2-6-2009 at 07:55 PM

There's a Buddhist temple???

Amazing. What's up with that?

David K - 2-6-2009 at 08:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
There's a Buddhist temple???

Amazing. What's up with that?


NOT ANY MORE Dave!

Dave - 2-6-2009 at 08:37 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
There's a Buddhist temple???

Amazing. What's up with that?


NOT ANY MORE Dave!


Looks like it was well cared for so I'd expect it will be rebuilt. Now...can anyone relate the story of how it came to be? It's not something one would expect to find.

Bump

Dave - 2-10-2009 at 02:46 PM

copied from the Baja Western Onion

Stickers - 2-11-2009 at 10:30 PM

Fire In Santiago - There was a devastating fire in Santiago on Wed. Feb. 4th. It began at 11:30 a.m., with firefighters arriving at 12:30 as Santiago has no firetruck, etc. The fire started almost in front of the new DIF office, which is down at the end of town near the church, then it spread into the oasis and to houses near the lagoon. Flames were 20 meters high at one point. The fire in the oasis was still smoldering on Thursday. Over 70 hectareas of land burned, 5 houses, 1 truck, one injury to someone trying to put the fire out in their house, and another injury due to hypertension. 350 people evacuated, and 200 men from the army, Bomberos and Civil Protection contained the fire. Kim Clapham's house was one of the casualties, animals at the zoo not harmed (not sure about smoke inhalation?). Pres. Calderon is due to visit later this month to inaugurate the new Santiago bridge.

ArroyoTaxi - 2-15-2009 at 12:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dave


The little temple was on a property owned by a super-nice couple from San Francisco. Jeff Klein I think (not sure if they still own it) they were growing all kinds of amazing organic fruits and veggies. it was down the road from the Palomar. The temple was a serene and sparse structure with a shiny wood floor and a small alter with a Buddha. I'm sad to see that it is gone.