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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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INYO COUNTY IN FLAMES
This is not Baja related, but for those of you who are interested------ the area north and south of Independence, CA, and the Sierra face at Big Pine
and south, are in flames with almost 15,000 acres already burned since last night. The fires have crossed highway 395 several places north of
Independence. The fires were lightening caused on the very early afternoon of the 6th, driven by high winds, and threatening many bldgs and ranches
between Independence and Big Pine in the Owens Valley. Most of the fires are still west of Highway 395, but they are out of control.
So far the towns are not threatened yet, but Onion Valley road, Oak Creek Road, Big Pine Creek road, and points in-between are closed and evacuated,
as are all the nearby campgrounds.
It does not look good. My son reports from the fire lines that the fires are "0 %" contained, at last reporting.
[Edited on 7-7-2007 by Barry A.]
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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I'm interested! Some close friends live in the area. Just wrote them to see if they're ok. Thanks
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
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Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Thanks, Russ.
I have family living on Oak Creek (so far not burned) above the Fish Hatchery, and also in Independence (my son), and we are good friends with the
owners of "8 mile ranch" which is now reported as a "moon scape" with only the main house, and some of the outbuildings surviving. It is rumored that
the "Bright Ranch" up the south fork of Oak Creek is "no-more", but no confirmation on that.
What a mess, and it is happening so FAST.
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bancoduo
Banned
Posts: 1003
Registered: 10-3-2005
Location: el carcel publico mazatlan sin.
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useful site
http://www.nifc.gov/fire_info/nfn.htm
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Janice
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 10-19-2003
Location: Owens Valley/Alpine - California
Member Is Offline
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I spoke to my mom in Big Pine this am...she says it's pretty scary up there right now. I have a home in Independence and was concerned when I read
that the Independence Creek campground was being evacuated...it is just at the west end of town! I tried to call all of my friends and neighbors but
got no response. Panic began to set in. I finally got Sharon at the Indy. Chamber of Commerce. She confirmed that Keith Bright's place on the S. fork
of Oak Creek was consumed by fire as was Oak Creek campground. Fort Independence was "on alert" and the fire was threatening the historic Mt. Whitney
fish hatchery. 8 mile ranch lost some outbuildings too according to Sharon, and the fire had jumped 395 near Blackrock fish hatchery. Below is a link
to a report from wildlandfire.com's Inciweb and a link to some photos I found on summitpost.org.
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/767/
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/308674.JPG
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/308673.JPG
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/308672.JPG
Dance like no one is watching.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
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Barry A.
Check your U2U I just got photos from George and Pam Kelley need your address if you want them.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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That's bad news! I hope everyone can get out safely. We, in California, are in for a tough summer and fall. I too live in tall timber country, below
Tahoe, on the west slope. It is very hot and dry. I've cleared all the underbrush and weeds, and am holding my breath. I certainly don't want another
home disaster after being a victim of the Mulege River flood.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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The latest at 6 pm was that the fire was advancing on the town of Independence (the County Seat of Inyo county) running before a headwind, and the
town was being evacuated. This from a private source within the town, so not sure how accurate it is.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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Just heard from my son in Independence.
The family ranch is History----100% destroyed-----but the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery has survived, so far, as has the town of Independence. The area
burned so intensely that it all looks like a moon-scape, my son says--------nothing survived within the "burn". A CDF truck was lost at the family
ranch, and the 9 man crew had to dive into the big pond there to survive, and still they had serious injuries.
There is no containment, as yet, but at least the fire has "laid-down" for the night, and there are no winds at this time.
That's about all I know for now.
Barry
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Bajalero
Nomad
Posts: 316
Registered: 11-24-2003
Location: todos santos/ rcho san diego
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Thanks Barry: latest as of 8:45 pm pst
Summary
A thunder and lightning storm moved quickly through the Eastern Sierra Friday afternoon, July 6, 2007, igniting approximately 10 fires being managed
as the Inyo Complex. As of 3:00 Saturday afternoon, the three biggest fires still actively burning are: 1)The Oak Fire burning west and north of
Independence, on both sides of US 395 2) The Seven Fire burning west and north of Independence 3) The Sage Fire burning in Big Pine Canyon. The Oak
Fire All three fires are burning very aggressively at this time.
The following areas have been evacuated: Oak Creek Campground, Upper and Lower Grey's Meadow Campground, Onion Valley Campground, Seven Pines,
Big Pine Canyon Camprgrounds, Independence Creek Campground, Baker Creek Campground, Glacier Lodge, Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries, and
Fort Independence.
Portions of the community of Independence are now under evacuation. An evacuation shelter has been set up in Lone Pine at Stathem Hall.
US 395 hs been re-opened to CHP escorted vehicles.
The roads up Big Pine Canyon, the North Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, and Onion Valley Road are also closed to the public.
When conditions are safe people will be escorted up Big Pine Canyon to retrieve their belongings.
No wilderness permits for the John Muir Wilderness are being issued for the trailheads between Baker Creek and Georges Creek.
The Sage Fire has now burned 5,000 acres and the Oak and Seven Fires have now merged and have burned 12,000 acres.
Basic Information
Incident Type Wildland Fire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin 07/06/2007 at 140 hrs.
Location w/sw of Big Pine, n/nw of Independence
Incident Commander Unified Command
Current Situation
Total Personnel 425
Size 14,000 acres
Estimated Containment Date 07/21/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved Brush, timber, and grass
Fire Behavior Extreme and erratic fire behavior.
Significant Events Evacuations are currently in effect for Oak Creek, Upper and Lower Greys Meadow and Onion Valley Campgrounds; Seven Pines; Big Pine
Canyon Campgrounds,Black Rock and Mt. Whitney Fish Hatcheries, Fort Independence and Glacier Lodge. Portions of the community of Independence have
also been evacuated.Numerous road closures.
Outlook
Planned Actions Structure protection, line construction, burnout.
Projected Movement Significant movement is expected.
Growth Potential Extreme fire behavior will limit control efforts.
Terrain Difficulty Steep, difficult access.
Remarks There is a very large amount of open line. Numerous structures may be threatened.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions 10 mph SW
Current Temperature 93 degrees
Current Humidity 12 %
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
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With everything soooo dry, I have been fearing this summer's potential ...and now it is happening......Lake Tahoe and now Inyo County......it could
be a really rough summer. CaboRon I wish you all the very best and the personel strength to face this. Good Luck
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Barry A, Sorry to hear of your loss.
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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Barry A...... My deepest regrets to you and your family. My grandfather had a small one room cabin near Oak Creek I spent time as a young boy at.
Truly one of my more favorite places in the world. This is all so sad for the people of Indepence, and the surronding areas!!!! Hope the rains can
come??? C
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Janice
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 10-19-2003
Location: Owens Valley/Alpine - California
Member Is Offline
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It's too early to call family and friends in Big Pine and Independence since they likely did not get any sleep last night. So I sit here on pins and
needles waiting for a call from home. But I've found some good photos and eyewittness accounts on the web.
Links to more photos from Big Pine residents:
http://www.death-valley.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20698
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/308998.JPG
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/309000.JPG
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/309002.JPG
http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/309005.JPG
Link to KIBS to listen live (they had an update at 9am):
http://www.kibskbov.com/
Dance like no one is watching.
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: optimistic
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I found this report from my son, Phil on my computer this morning:
Subject: RE: LATEST ON OWENS VALLEY FIRES
Hello:
I just got released for tonight. The fires are very bad and very fast and very hot. It is true that the Ashworth property has burned. The hatchery
was saved by chemical drops along the west boundary of the hatchery, east boundary of Ashworth’s (two drops) from planes and the work of a lot of fire
crews from multi agencies. The fire has not gone further down Oak Creek so far.
It is true that CDF and many others did everything they could. CDF lost a truck in by the main house (it is still there burned) and had to jump into
the pond to save themselves. One or two were very badly burned (3rd degree) and flown out. I am told they did get Delores out. All buildings and
all trees are burned down at the place. It is very shocking and sad to see what fire can do and how fast it can do it. I have talked to Jim Ashworth
and JD on the phone and expect them both here tomorrow or Monday. I have gone up and looked at the place. Only the chimneys are standing and burned
trees. It is very dangerous now as trees can fall over anytime and things are still burning. I very much regret having to tell everyone this news
but I am here and have seen it. At the same time, the creeks are running and the place can be cleaned up and will grow again. It will take some work
but it can be done.
This morning at about 4:30 a.m. the Ashworth property was fine and we had managed to save the cabins at Seven Pines. 8 mile ranch burned but the
house and main out buildings were saved. Only by Gods grace and Dulce’s courage was she able to avoid the fire and she is fine. I found her about
3:30 a.m. standing in a corner of the lot I had her on with all the trees burned or burning around her. Many people had looked for her but no one
could find her. She was by the creek up wind from the fire and she was not burned at all. Smart and very brave horse. It only took a second and I
was able to put her halter on and walk her out through the fires. She was eating hay as soon as she found it while I was talking to people and she is
in a safe place now. Praise God.
So far the town (Independence) is safe but wind can move the fire very quickly as it did today. The fire has come all the way down Independence Creek
to the County campgrounds where it stopped. It burned out the town water station and we are required to boil water for now. There are major efforts
to keep the fire from crossing Independence Creek and going South and East into town. Our Fire Department is pretty much left to protect town and
Fort Independence now as the danger to most remote houses is over due to burning all around them that has created good fire breaks and many crews are
here and in charge of brush fires.
We were called out today at about 2:00 p.m. and the fire that came down south fork of Oak Creek was at the Bright ranch (I am told their home was
saved but not much else, I haven’t seen it yet). The fire showed no sign of moving then. We were called to put out a “hot spot” fire north of Fort
Independence. I was at 8 mile ranch and drove by when the fire was about 20 feet in diameter. When the fire department got to the fire it was on both
sides of the highway and moving North fast over a large area. Another fire fighter and I were fighting a fire by the road side on the highway and had
to jump in the truck and drive away with all lines out still as the fire came up both sides of the road and began to burn by and surround our truck
and the Fire chief in his truck. The fire has easily jumped the highway several times now. Even with a full powered 1 ½ inch line blasting water, I
could not slow or even reduce the fire. This is just an example of how this fire can and does move. We have all been careful but this is a scary
fire.
By 5:00 P.M. or so everything down to the Hatchery had burned. The Oak Creek camp ground burned last night. I do recall looking up as I was driving
by and seeing the line of fire from the base of the Sierras to South Fork Creek coming down the hill very fast. They had widened the fire break at
the road but with the hot fast wind, spot fires start everywhere, even miles away and with dry brush the spot fires grow and move very fast. It only
takes one spark in the trees to get things going and water becomes like gasoline, or so it seems. It is very dry here and there was very little water
this winter. The fire just came down the hill from the Bright Ranch in a long line and went right through the place.
Tomorrow or tonight the fire could move again. While much of the valley and mountains have burned there is still a lot of fuel (brush & trees)
and places for the fire to go. If a house in town caught fire it would spread very quickly in the heat and wind and could burn much of the town very
fast. There is still a lot of fire burning and hot spots all around. Fortunately, places that have burned have burned so hot that there is nothing
left but ash and this provides solid fire breaks. We all have a good idea where the burned areas are and where the vulnerabilities continue to exist.
God willing this is over and the fire will burn out on its own. We do have huge firefighting resources here now including multiple helicopters and
airplanes. They are very effective and there are hundreds of crew members working. Our fire Department is getting some sleep for now. Me too.
Phil
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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I want to personally thank all the very nice NOMADS that have u2u'd me, and responded on this thread, and e-mailed me, for their condolences and good
wishes---------it is SINCERELY appreciated.  You NOMADS are the BEST!!!
It is a sad day, indeed----and I pray that it is "over" soon.
Barry Ashworth
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Sorry for your loss Barry but glad all made it safely, including the horse!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Really sorry for the tragic fire happening Barry... I hope everyone is safe!
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Thanks, David-----we think everybody is accounted for. We are truly worried about the hero CDF fire fighters that tried in vain to save the Ranch and
were burned pretty badly------we do not have an update on that yet, so if anybody learns anything please let me know. Aparently they were flown out
on Medi-vac.
Thank you.
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Keri
Super Nomad
Posts: 1393
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: La Mision, Baja Norte
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Sorry for your loss Barry,
Glad there is no loss of life. Our prayers are with you all,k
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