BajaNomad

Prayer for Neal Johns

MMc - 8-16-2016 at 04:43 PM

The blue cut fire is at the ridge above his house, just a little north. They are dumping the ridge fire retardant gel and it looks they will keep it out of Lytle Creek. The berg has been evacuated. The fire is less than 5 miles from his house. I wish him all the best.

[Edited on 8-16-2016 by MMc]

DianaT - 8-16-2016 at 04:55 PM

Will keep very positive thoughts for Neal and all others in that area. So far this has been an early and bad wildfire year.

Last week we had a large fire incident crew set up camp in the park in Big Pine ---- a central location between a couple of fires. They are mostly gone now.

Hot, dry and wind ---- :(:(

BTW-- last I heard, I-15 was closed in both directions.

StuckSucks - 8-16-2016 at 05:07 PM

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4962/

Bluecut Fire - Incident Overview

There is imminent threat to public safety, rail traffic and structures in the Cajon Pass, Lytle Creek, Wrightwood and surrounding areas.

The Bluecut Fire started today at 10:36 AM in the Cajon Pass near Kenwood Ave. west of Interstate 15. The fire is currently 6,500 plus acres with 700 personnel on scene. 57 engines, 8 crews, 8 air tankers, 2 Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS). Additional firefighters and equipment on order.

Current Situation
Total Personnel 700
Size 6,500 Acres
Fuels Involved Heavy brush

MMc - 8-16-2016 at 05:42 PM

It seems that they saved Lytle Creek. This is far from over.

BajaBlanca - 8-16-2016 at 06:27 PM

I sure hope his house will be OK!

TMW - 8-16-2016 at 06:33 PM

He is probably more worried about his corvette.

MMc - 8-16-2016 at 06:59 PM

It looks like they were able to stop it. I am sure the wife, house, vet and the taco are ok.

Bajaboy - 8-16-2016 at 07:38 PM

Quote:
xxxxxxxxxxx


xxxxxxxxx

Hoping for the best Neal. Lots of selfless firefighters out there doing their best to save your area. Sending positive thoughts amigo!




[Edited on 8-17-2016 by BajaNomad]

MMc - 8-16-2016 at 08:02 PM

The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!

bajaguy - 8-16-2016 at 08:13 PM

And some people ALWAYS take the bait

7pm report

bajaguy - 8-16-2016 at 08:34 PM

http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20160816/blue-cut-fire...

MMc - 8-16-2016 at 08:40 PM

At 8:30 this is a poo storm:


http://embed.scribblelive.com/Embed/v7.aspx?Id=2283328&T...


[Edited on 8-17-2016 by MMc]

bezzell - 8-16-2016 at 10:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
It's called summer... nothing has changed.


stay tuned, tonto.
everything has changed.

here's hoping the weather doesn't make a bad scene worse next few days.

rts551 - 8-17-2016 at 08:01 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bezzell  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
It's called summer... nothing has changed.


stay tuned, tonto.
everything has changed.

here's hoping the weather doesn't make a bad scene worse next few days.


Last month was the hottest month on record...Forecast for the fire season is not good.

SFandH - 8-17-2016 at 08:23 AM

Just watched the morning news. What an incredible fire.

"Tens of thousands of homes are at risk"!!! so they say.

34,000 homes evacuated.

Imagine that.

Then there was video about the historic flooding of Louisiana towns.

:o


[Edited on 8-17-2016 by SFandH]

woody with a view - 8-17-2016 at 09:14 AM

Locusts are converging as we type...

DianaT - 8-17-2016 at 09:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by rts551  
Quote: Originally posted by bezzell  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
It's called summer... nothing has changed.


stay tuned, tonto.
everything has changed.

here's hoping the weather doesn't make a bad scene worse next few days.


Last month was the hottest month on record...Forecast for the fire season is not good.


Yes, it is a very bad year. Just heard the fire officials on TV say that the fires this year are worse as they are all very explosive. So far, there is no containment of this one. One said that they have never seen a fire like this one. Just hope there is no loss of life. Thinking about all the people affected by this, and about all the wonderful fire fighters.

Being what it is this year, we sure liked having the incident center in our town for a few days. But they are obviously more needed a bit south now.

MMc - 8-17-2016 at 10:17 AM

My bad for the concern, the fire was stopped along the ridge above mountain lakes. It was a long way off at .3/4 mile. I am sure nobody was worried in the area.

SFandH - 8-17-2016 at 11:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by DianaT  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  


Last month was the hottest month on record...Forecast for the fire season is not good.


Yes, it is a very bad year. Just heard the fire officials on TV say that the fires this year are worse as they are all very explosive. So far, there is no containment of this one. One said that they have never seen a fire like this one.



Another record broken. The moisture content of the brush is at historic lows. It's essentially dead because of the multi-year drought.

Bajaboy - 8-17-2016 at 12:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by DianaT  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  


Last month was the hottest month on record...Forecast for the fire season is not good.


Yes, it is a very bad year. Just heard the fire officials on TV say that the fires this year are worse as they are all very explosive. So far, there is no containment of this one. One said that they have never seen a fire like this one.



Another record broken. The moisture content of the brush is at historic lows. It's essentially dead because of the multi-year drought.


That is a major factor but we must also consider forest management issues of the past 100 years or so. Much of the forest has not been allowed to burn in the past creating a huge build up of fuel. http://news.mit.edu/2013/forest-fire-management-1120

DianaT - 8-17-2016 at 12:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by DianaT  
Quote: Originally posted by rts551  


Last month was the hottest month on record...Forecast for the fire season is not good.


Yes, it is a very bad year. Just heard the fire officials on TV say that the fires this year are worse as they are all very explosive. So far, there is no containment of this one. One said that they have never seen a fire like this one.



Another record broken. The moisture content of the brush is at historic lows. It's essentially dead because of the multi-year drought.


That is a major factor but we must also consider forest management issues of the past 100 years or so. Much of the forest has not been allowed to burn in the past creating a huge build up of fuel. http://news.mit.edu/2013/forest-fire-management-1120


Interesting article from a few years ago. Many years ago, there was a change in some fire fighting policies where if a fire is burning the the wilderness area and does not threaten human habitation, they will let it burn. The importance of Smokey was realigned. The build up of fuel causes trees to burn that other wise would probably just be scared.

I was in Yellowstone several years ago a few weeks before the big fire there, and boy it needed a fire, but when the decision to let much of it burn was made, there was a lot of criticism.

And there have been legitimate questions about management like around the Julian area when the San Diego fire hit, and in Oregon just a year ago or so. Questions with many sides to the story.

In this case, other than near Wrightwood, so much of it is in the chaparral, and while it is meant to burn, it is worse this year because of the multi-year drought. The same situation is true for so many trees in California. They have died from the drought and make perfect fuel.

Good article --- and in a perfect scenario, there would be no homes in areas of chaparral.

Just saw more photos of the fire--- awful. I hope Neal and everyone are staying safe. :-(



[Edited on 8-17-2016 by DianaT]

woody with a view - 8-17-2016 at 01:33 PM

Not to mention the urban/rural sprawl and the never ending influx of more humans moving in every year. When will the limits of population density for a given locale be reached? If populations are allowed to spread unabated forever then these types of incidents will continue. There already isnt enough water for all of the parched gullets.....

Something to ponder tonight when you can't fall back asleep!

BajaMama - 8-17-2016 at 02:04 PM

California has always burned. I remember living in the San Fernando Valley in the mid 1960s and ash from fires would cover everything. Heck, some native plants NEED to be scorched to germinate. The problem, as mentioned above, is building in areas where fire happens. And we will continue to pay for "re-building" through taxes and insurance, just like we do when hurricanes wipe out the same neighborhoods over and over again in the south east.

bajaguy - 8-17-2016 at 02:05 PM

Unfortunately, most governments (city, county, state) don't have the balls to limit growth. More people = more houses = more trees = more lawns. It was a desert for a reason. Can't support the infrastructure now, but don't bother to look ahead.....can't wait till they are forced to drink reclaimed water
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Not to mention the urban/rural sprawl and the never ending influx of more humans moving in every year. When will the limits of population density for a given locale be reached? If populations are allowed to spread unabated forever then these types of incidents will continue. There already isnt enough water for all of the parched gullets.....

Something to ponder tonight when you can't fall back asleep!

woody with a view - 8-17-2016 at 02:19 PM

Toilet to tap is an excellent idea.

SFandH - 8-17-2016 at 02:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
California has always burned. I remember living in the San Fernando Valley in the mid 1960s and ash from fires would cover everything. Heck, some native plants NEED to be scorched to germinate. The problem, as mentioned above, is building in areas where fire happens. And we will continue to pay for "re-building" through taxes and insurance, just like we do when hurricanes wipe out the same neighborhoods over and over again in the south east.


Yes there is a fire season every year in CA and development of fire prone areas exacerbates the problem.

But, the climate has changed, making the fire season longer. It is getting hotter and drier.

------------------------------------

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/science/wildfires-season-g...

By key measures, fire season has grown significantly longer in the past 30 years. Dr. Jolly’s research shows that the season, measured by how many days are hot and dry enough to increase the likelihood of fire, has lengthened by 30 to 45 days across big patches of the United States, notably the West.

By another measure, the time between the first and last large fires in a year, the length of the season in the West has increased by 78 days since the 1970s.

MMc - 8-17-2016 at 03:50 PM

The fire that stopped last night is now moving down the hill towards Mountain Lakes. The post office (by his house, per DK) is down canyon about 1/2 from Mountain Lakes. Here is a clip of the news at Mountain Lakes. http://abc7.com/news/blue-cut-fire-chars-30k-acres-moving-cl... I hope they stop it.

rts551 - 8-17-2016 at 04:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by BajaMama  
California has always burned. I remember living in the San Fernando Valley in the mid 1960s and ash from fires would cover everything. Heck, some native plants NEED to be scorched to germinate. The problem, as mentioned above, is building in areas where fire happens. And we will continue to pay for "re-building" through taxes and insurance, just like we do when hurricanes wipe out the same neighborhoods over and over again in the south east.


Yes there is a fire season every year in CA and development of fire prone areas exacerbates the problem.

But, the climate has changed, making the fire season longer. It is getting hotter and drier.

------------------------------------

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/science/wildfires-season-g...

By key measures, fire season has grown significantly longer in the past 30 years. Dr. Jolly’s research shows that the season, measured by how many days are hot and dry enough to increase the likelihood of fire, has lengthened by 30 to 45 days across big patches of the United States, notably the West.

By another measure, the time between the first and last large fires in a year, the length of the season in the West has increased by 78 days since the 1970s.


But it is still summer, right? That is the criteria for some that everything is OK.

David K - 8-17-2016 at 07:02 PM

...
Now, back to Neal Johns, if anyone is really concerned about him, Marian, and the huskies... I just called both the house and cell phone, and no connection, bummer!

Edit: Update: Neal saw that I tried to call and we just got done talking. They are evacuated, all 4 cars and the huskies too. Staying at friends some miles away. As far as they know, the house is still there.



[Edited on 8-18-2016 by David K]

rts551 - 8-17-2016 at 07:46 PM

Don't want to see the palm trees. A combination of factors are causing an increase in fire danger. More people, climate change, fire suppression tactics in the past...and a persistent drought in California. Toilet to tap may not be far off. Bottoms up David.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-california-fires...

MMc - 8-17-2016 at 07:55 PM

I am glad the Johns are OK I hope their house is fine too... The rest of the patter is fine, as the Johns are good.

bajabuddha - 8-18-2016 at 05:40 AM

Another mitigating factor that hasn't much been addressed is the increased amount of wealthier people with more dollars than ˘ense building in what used to be back-country areas so they can "live in the nature" and not taking fire break precautions around their houses. That in itself is a 'not if but when' situation. My friend's sister lost her house in the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs a few years back because they refused to remove trees from the immediate proximity of their house, preferring the 'arboreal feel' of being one with nature; and they became that way. Their neighbor's house survived because cuts were made. Later after the loss of everything, they got burned again by a shyster contractor, hundreds of which descended on the community like a plague of grubbing locusts. I know some areas have stringent codes in place now; more are needed. Those unaffected yet should take heed and do more preventative landscaping. And yes, I understand when a conflagration hits flash-over takes it all. Like the similarities of a hurricane, tornado, tsunami and ex-wife; they all get the house.

Ken Cooke - 8-18-2016 at 09:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
...
Edit: Update: Neal saw that I tried to call and we just got done talking. They are evacuated, all 4 cars and the huskies too. Staying at friends some miles away. As far as they know, the house is still there.
[Edited on 8-18-2016 by David K]


Thank you for the update, David!

David K - 8-19-2016 at 06:44 AM

De nada Ken. I did tell Neal about this thread, and he had a laugh.

norte - 8-19-2016 at 07:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
De nada Ken. I did tell Neal about this thread, and he had a laugh.


I wonder what is so funny about people being concerned?

David K - 8-19-2016 at 08:19 AM

Maybe the laugh was just happiness?
Maybe because he wonders what brought that out?
Maybe it just doesn't matter?


[Edited on 8-19-2016 by David K]

woody with a view - 8-19-2016 at 08:32 AM

What's so funny about peace, love and understanding?

David K - 8-19-2016 at 08:34 AM

I thought it was peace, love, and fish tacos?

MMc - 8-19-2016 at 11:09 AM

God forbid I care about somebody I have never met.

When I posted this, there were already homes destroyed by fire in Long Canyon. The fire was heading towards Lytle Creek at a very fast rate. I know the the canyon, when it burning there is only one way out. You don't want to be on the wrong side of the fire when it burns. I remember he lived in the canyon and was concerned about him.

Just because I don't always play well with others doesn't mean I don't care about them, or wish them well.

David K - 8-19-2016 at 01:38 PM

It was a VERY nice gesture on your part, MMc!
I did not mean to imply otherwise.

Neal and Marian are great folks and have been a fountain of information and trip posts. I was honored to be with Neal on his final (according to him) Baja trip, as were the other Nomads on our group trip to Mission Santa Maria.

I will gladly edit my earlier post that may have been interpreted in a negative fashion.

Peace, Love, and Fish Tacos!

Barry A. - 8-21-2016 at 12:08 PM

Update on the Lytle Creek area fire-------:

http://ktla.com/2016/08/21/blue-cut-fire-now-83-percent-cont...

David K - 8-21-2016 at 12:24 PM

Thanks, Barry!
If Neal calls again, I will pass along any news.

In case any Nomads don't know Neal and Marian from the many posts here and on Amigos de Baja over the years... Here is a photo of them in my new book...

Bajahowodd - 8-21-2016 at 04:54 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?

David K - 8-21-2016 at 04:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?


Why would anyone only want to hear a slanted version of reality rather than a fair and balaced report... in order to have your own opinion instead of repeating DNC marching orders? Kick the Kool Aid habit!

willardguy - 8-21-2016 at 05:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?


turn down the sound and watch megyn kelly? :yes:

Ken Cooke - 8-21-2016 at 05:36 PM

As of today, 83% containment of the Blue Cut fire. All evacuees are allowed to return to their homes!:bounce:

MMc - 8-21-2016 at 07:29 PM

I was searching through ant video that had images of the fireline on google and that one was good for the ridge line above Lytle Creek. I have friends that too live in Lytle Creek, I was worried. I find most news gathering companies are slanted one way or another. I look at both sides and make up my own mind. a video of a fire is not slanted one way or another.
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?

woody with a view - 8-22-2016 at 07:07 AM

That would depend on which direction the fire is travelling. Right or the other way.

Bajahowodd - 8-22-2016 at 04:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?


Why would anyone only want to hear a slanted version of reality rather than a fair and balaced report... in order to have your own opinion instead of repeating DNC marching orders? Kick the Kool Aid habit!


Sure. Murdoch and Ailes put together their fair and balanced right wing agenda. How's Ailes looking to you now?

Neal Johns - 8-22-2016 at 05:38 PM

We came back to our home in Lytle Creek yesterday, unloaded today. This included Marian's Corvette, five dogs, and my current wife Marian (46 years and counting, guess I'll keep her). Everything was just as left except everything has shrunk, I am not sure the stuff we took with us will fit now. :lol:
Thanks for all the support on the BajaNomad forum.
Neal
P.S. I laugh a lot, cry rarely.:lol: :lol:

P1120231 (Copy).JPG - 199kBP1120232 (Copy).JPG - 191kB

David K - 8-22-2016 at 05:46 PM

Glad to see you back on Nomad at your home, Neal. The driveway addition looks cool. It was just being readied for the concrete pour when I was last there.

BajaMama - 8-22-2016 at 08:20 PM

YAY I am so happy for you. How scary to have a fire like that, but I am SOOOO happy everything is okay.

MMc - 8-22-2016 at 09:27 PM

Cool. Very impressive fire, I also happy that the Neal's are home and safe. Why hart goes out to those that lived in lone pine canyon.

mtgoat666 - 8-22-2016 at 09:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by Bajahowodd  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The fire was stopped on the ridge line above the canyon they in, less than 3 miles from their house. Go look at fox news, there is a long clip 57 mins There is a lange patch of green below the ridge line with a couple of lakes in it Moutain Meadows. Neal's house is less than .5 miles away. I'll let you look through them. There are a lot of folks whose live are are changing. I. E .losing everything right now, and you say it's summer. HAVE A NICE DAY DK!


Why would a rational person even watch FoxNews?


Why would anyone only want to hear a slanted version of reality rather than a fair and balaced report... in order to have your own opinion instead of repeating DNC marching orders? Kick the Kool Aid habit!


Sure. Murdoch and Ailes put together their fair and balanced right wing agenda. How's Ailes looking to you now?


Nothing fair or balanced on fox, just right wing propaganda from hacks like oreilly and hannity,... but, refreshingly, those two are the first to tell you they do not claim to be journalists.
Alies sure turned out to be a big fat sexist pervert. I guess when you are that fat and ugly that is one way to get women. Funny, trump is still publicly associating Alies with his campaign, I chit you not!

woody with a view - 8-23-2016 at 05:22 AM

tv news outlets are just like the politicos. they don't represent you and me they only represent their self interests. vote every incumbent out!

MMc - 8-23-2016 at 06:51 AM

News, like all media is to keep you around between, or around for the next ad.

shari - 8-23-2016 at 08:33 AM

thanks for the report Neal! I think that beautiful thunderbird wrapped it's great wings around you to protect you! laugh on!

Barry A. - 8-23-2016 at 09:36 AM

Welcome back home, Neal and Marian!!! That was a close one! Such a beautiful home, too. Many thanks for the update and good news------many of us were very concerned.

I am thinking that with so much fuel removed from the surrounding hills, you now can breath a sigh of relief, at least for the next few years.

Keep smiling!!! (-:

[Edited on 8-23-2016 by Barry A.]

Ken Cooke - 8-24-2016 at 05:47 PM

Your new driveway looks great! Remind me never to park my weeping Jeep on it!:biggrin: