Wildfires Rage in California

by steve468 | June 24, 2008 at 07:13 am | 519 views | 9 comments

Firefighters from neighboring states arrived to help Monday after an "unprecedented" lightning storm sparked more than 800 wildfires, from Big Sur to wine country to Humboldt County. Along the coast in the Los Padres National Forest, a 2,000-acre wildfire burning south of Big Sur since Saturday forced the evacuations of 75 homes and businesses, destroyed one house and threatened hundreds of others. It also led to an emergency airlift Sunday of eight endangered California condors. U.S. Coast Guard helicopters transported the seven juveniles and one adult bird from a wildlife center to the Monterey Airport.

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amyjudd

at 10:03 on June 24th, 2008

news wanted:

I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.

amyjudd

at 12:08 on June 25th, 2008

news received:

We've read everything worth reading on this story; thanks for your continued devotion!

amyjudd

at 10:06 on June 24th, 2008

I read a piece on the weekend about how firefighters start their own fires to 'keep themselves busy' - I'm not saying that this is the case here, but have you heard about something like this happening?

wind_dancer

at 17:49 on June 24th, 2008

I have lived in a fire-prone area of Big Sur for 25 years, and I have only once seen any evidence of this on our fires. Perhaps in cities, but here, I can tell you that the Gallery/Basin Fires started from freak lightning strikes, as did the Kirk-Hare fire of 1999. The Plaskett One fire was started by an illegal camper who decided to BURN his toilet paper, rather than bury it. The Plaskett Two fire was started by an idiot who decided to light his water heater with a burning piece of paper towel, which he proceeded to drop. Both were in 2000. The Indians Fire, started on 6/8/08, was started by an unconscious camper whose campfire escaped. That has cost over 27 million dollars, thus far.

In 1996, Jeff Avila, a private contractor for the USFS, provided water tankers, food trailers, and support to the firefighters did start the "Wild" Fire in order to bring in money. He was caught, due to a co-conspirator, and both served prison sentences and we ordered to pay back the costs of fighting the fire and restitution to the victims whose homes were destroyed.

The two main causes of wildfire here in California are lightning strikes and idiots. Arsonist, particularly firefighters, are rarely involved.

wind_dancer

at 17:36 on June 24th, 2008

The photo you see here was taken from my back deck, looking north to the Gallery Fire, started by lightning on 6/21/08, which has combined today with the Basin Fire and is now called the Basin Complex Fire. It is approximately 9,000 acres and only 3% contained. It has destroyed 16 homes and 2 cabins. In addition, the Indians fire is burning to the East of here, consuming over 58,000 acres since its inception on 6/8/08. Highway One, in and out of Big Sur is closed to through traffic.

wind_dancer has contributed a photo to this story.

pixieclipx

at 20:51 on June 24th, 2008

Amy, while it is very true that most of the wild fires are started by dry lightning strikes and idiots, it is also true that there are actually more cases of firefighters that commit arson than people know. The most famous of all is John Orr, who is said to have set over 2000 arson fires, killing 4 people in the process. He is serving a life sentence for his crimes. Many firefighter arsonists are volunteer firefighters eager for work; others are just fire lovers, like John Orr.

Here is a link to a story detailing firefighter arsonists: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/11/20/60II/main530103.shtml

Another source of fire starters are those trained to fight fires while incarcerated. Back in my cop days, I was working patrol for San Jose PD and came across a young man crying on a street corner in the rain. I stopped to talk to him, only to find out he was crying because he couldn't cope with being "out in the real world". He had spent most of his youth locked up in Juvenile Hall and CYA. He was trained to fight forest fires while in CYA. I developed him as an informant for burglary and theft crimes in the downtown area, but later on, there was a string of 18 small fires set in downtown San Jose. After a lengthy investigation, the arsonist turned out to be my guy; he confessed that he started the fires in order to get caught and be returned to prison!! He said his training in starting "back fires" was how he started the fires he set.

amyjudd

at 12:07 on June 25th, 2008

Wow, thank you for the information - I had no idea. I really appreciate that!

yuls.source

at 23:22 on June 24th, 2008

This is hard to believe. Thanks, pixieclipx.

michelle.sundvick

at 12:20 on June 25th, 2008

Here's an update on what's happening with the fires in California:

Fire activity today: Firing operations along the northeast flank of the fire were successful today resulting in black line along the entire eastern flank of the Indians fire. Along the northwest, flank firing operations continued with a narrow window of operation due to increased relative humidity experienced from the previous evening lingering into the morning hours. A secure line remains along the bottom half of the Indians fire.

Tonight’s expected activity: Forward progress of the fire will be minimal as the marine layer returns and moderates fire behavior at elevations below 2000 feet. At elevations above 2000 feet relative humidity will be in the single digits.

Weather predicted for tonight: Wind speeds of 6-12 mph from the northwest. Temperatures this evening will be 47-55 degrees with relative humidity at 35% below 2000 feet.

Evacuations: The Arroyo Seco area is under mandatory evacuation effective tomorrow morning at 8 A.M.. A large animal advisory is in place for Arroyo Seco Road and Reliz Canyon Road. This advisory recommends the removal of large animals and livestock from areas along the west side of Reliz Canyon Road and Arroyo Seco Road between the Elm Street bridge and the Arroyo Seco Recreation area. The evacuation for cabins in the Santa Lucia Tract remains in effect. The six residences on private land at the north edge of Fort Hunter Liggett are no longer under evacuation orders. All evacuation orders for the Pine Canyon area have been lifted. The Red Cross evacuation center has been changed to Greenfield, CA. The center is located at 490 El Camino Real at Greenfield Elementary.

Closures and road status: Arroyo Seco road is closed to the public from the junction of Arroyo Seco and Carmel road to the west. All national forest lands north of the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road are closed to public access. Arroyo Seco-Indians and Cone Peak Roads are closed. Pine Canyon Road (at end of pavement) and Reliz Canyon Road at Elm, are closed except to residents. Memorial Campground, Escondido Campground, Arroyo Seco Campground and Day Use Area are closed. Nacimiento-Ferguson Road is open, as well as coastal campgrounds and day use areas south of this road.