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1. #1
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 am, ACHefty said:

   Be safe. Remember you can replace the “things” but not you wife, kids, and other family members. If you have to, leave it all behind for the safety of yourself and others.

2. #2
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:38 am, pressto said:

   How to spin everything into Global Warming Hype

   http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/18/60minutes/main3380176.shtml

   Okay so I read the whole article and he talks to 2 people, aka experts.

   Tom Boatner, who after 30 years on the fire line, is now the chief of fire operations for the federal government. Now this guy actually states the REAL reason

   Why are there more of these fires? Turns out the forest service is partly to blame with a policy it started 100 years ago.

   The policy was to put out all fires immediately. “Because we so successfully fought fire and eliminated fire from this ecosystem for a hundred years, because we thought that was the right thing to do, we’ve allowed a huge buildup of fuel in these woods. So now, when the fires get going, there’s a lot more to burn than historically you would’ve seen in a forest like this,” Boatner explains.

   “Is it possible that we’re gonna get to the point where we have these mega-fires and we just can’t fight them because they’re too large?” Pelley asks.

   “Well, we’re there already. We have identified numerous fires this summer that we know we can’t put out with the resources we have available. Because of the severity of the burning conditions and the size of the fires,” Boatner explains.

   Well crap, being CBS we have to blame this on Global Warming and hype it up, so lets go find another expert. The other “Expert?”

   University of Arizona Professor Swetnam who stated:

   “Swetnam says that climate change — global warming — has increased temperatures in the West about one degree and that has caused four times more fires.”

   One degree change - 4 times more fires? Yea right, so who exactly is this expert and what is his job?

   http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/~tswetnam/

   Director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research & Professor of Dendrochronology

   I think I will believe the Fireman over Professor Tree-Ring.

   Who wants to bet that these fires are going to be blamed on Global Warming by the MSM?

3. #3
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:42 am, ajmontana said:

   Fires, Santa Ana Winds, Earthquakes have all been part of this Cal Natives life for 49 years every year.

4. #4
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 am, infidel4life said:

   And because global warming is all George Bush’s fault, then so are the fires!

5. #5
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:57 am, ajmontana said:

   Over and over the case is Santa ana winds bring out the arsonists, that is a simple fact out here.

6. #6
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

   Get Out!

7. #7
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 12:21 pm, terrig said:

   Is this arson or the power line story I heard earlier on the news?
   It is always W’s fault, especially for people like Babs.
   As Hefty said, things can be replaced but people cannot. Having had my apartment house burn down in 1996 and losing everything but what I had on my back, my papers and purse I was able to grab as well as my dog, it does devistate you to lose it all but eventually you can either replace things, get family and friends to reprint pics or videos for you and hopefully find items on ebay. While it’s not the same, it is helpful. Life is much more precious than mere “things”.

8. #8
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm, Boomer said:

   When station at March AFB we lived through earthquakes and Santa Ana winds for over 4 years. ajmontana it does appear the fire bugs really do like to come out with the high winds. Our prays for the safety of the firefighters and the folks losing their homes and items that can never be replaced.

9. #9
   On October 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm, ajmontana said:

   Terrig,
   Several fires out here, Malibu was from power lines and other fires are being reported as arson.
   Boomer,
   I was born at Norton AFB and my old High School is being used today for a command center ‘Rim of the World’, if that fire escalates it has the potential to destroy thousands of homes in the Lake Arrowhead area.

10. #10
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:01 pm, Fodder_Jack said:

    Why is this such big news?
    It happens every year.

11. #11
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:05 pm, ajmontana said:

    Fodder, I guess you’re being sarcastic but people are losing their lives.

12. #12
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:14 pm, ajmontana said:

    Local News in L.A. reporting a new fire in Green Valley, several communities in that San Bernardino Mountain area being evacuated, Arrowbear, Running Springs etc. This is very bad news to say the least.

13. #13
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:24 pm, greenfairie said:

    I’m in San Diego, but not in any of the affected areas. Nevertheless, the sky is grayish and smoky and there’s a thin layer of dusty ash on all of the cars parked outside. I stayed home from work today and I may head out briefly for supplies and stuff.

    This is bad, really bad. They’re predicting fires will reach the coast. Pray for us folks out here and for the firefighters.

14. #14
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 pm, GaijinBob said:

    Why is this such big news?
    It happens every year.

    For the cynical point of view: Because flames consuming multi-million dollar homes makes for spectacular video, and if it bleeds…
    An F4 tornado unseen tearing through a cornfield is not news. An F1 running through the middle of town ripping off roofs and overturning trucks is major news.
    But more practically, wild fires even 50 miles away can have a major negative impact on your overall quality of life. Those fires near freeways affect traffic flow, and smoke causes air quality problems the area hasn’t seen since the worst days of decades ago when smog-alerts were common summer events. Yesterday our little family was having a day out to visit the Long Beach Aquarium far from the fires, and while dining outside at Shoreline Village, we had a steady rain of ash on us, burning our eyes and throat. Today is even worse. The entire L.A. metropolitan area has a steady brown haze hanging in the air. Officials are recommending people not go outdoors too long, especially if you are susceptible to asthma or other breathing disorders.

15. #15
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 1:44 pm, gippergirl said:

    Is this arson or the power line story I heard earlier on the news?

    Per the Orange County Fire Authority press conference at 6:30am the Irvine/Santiago fire was arson set in 3 separate spots.

16. #16
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 2:12 pm, taylork said:

    One degree change - 4 times more fires? Yea right, so who exactly is this expert and what is his job?

    http://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/~tswetnam/

    Director of the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research & Professor of Dendrochronology

    Oh come on Pressto, spending all day counting tree rings makes him eminently qualified to make nonsense statements.

17. #17
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 2:28 pm, ajmontana said:

    Finally seeing reports on local news regarding Arrowhead, this is bad, The biggest fear up in that area is an “up and over” fire that will take out hundreds and hundreds of homes in several mountain communities.

18. #18
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 2:47 pm, ajmontana said:

    Devastating
    Latest

19. #19
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 3:11 pm, ajmontana said:

    Another fire, geez. in Devore area cajon pass. nightmare.

20. #20
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 3:41 pm, terrig said:

    Greenfaire, will keep you all in our prayers out there, although I can’t say I’m praying really hard for Babs’ place. What is wrong with these firebugs? It’s absolutely nuts! I heard that one person had been killed and these morons think this is great sport. When my apt building burned down, (lattitudes in va bch, va) it was some clown who put hot ashes from his fireplace in a plastic bucket on the third floor. Luckily, I had insurance but some who didn’t tried to sue and got nowhere fast.
    This is truly sad and hope you all stay safe out there and prayers go out for you all-except babs. (I know I’m mean so the trolls don’t need to tell me that!)

21. #21
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 3:53 pm, Ditkaca said:

    They managed to mention on CBS that the fires are worse due to the lack of help from the National Guard because most are in Iraq or on the border.

    First time posting…long time reader.

22. #22
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm, Defector01 said:

    I’m in Central San Diego, the fires are above us, no evacuations in my area but alot of smoke and ash tumbling down. Arson might be responsible for the irvine fire but no one knows what’s the cause down here and no one’s bothering to check until this stupid thing is under control.

    Santa Anas are especially strong today and there’s no damn humidity in the air. There’s 8 fires in san Diego county and there won’t be a change in weather for a few days

23. #23
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:21 pm, ajmontana said:

    Thats BS ditkaca, CBS stands for ‘Complete Bull Ship’. There bad because of the locations (hard to reach areas) santa ana winds and the moron arsonists that are starting them.

24. #24
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm, carstairs38 said:

    Yes, we have fires every year, but not normally this bad. They are everywhere and the hurricane winds are making them impossible to fight.

    One of the fires was about a block and a half from my condo last night when I evacuated.

    Why is this news? For the same reason that hurricanes are news every year. Because they happen and effect people’s lives.

25. #25
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:40 pm, Ditkaca said:

    Very smoky here in Irvine. Air quality is very bad. Winds have died down considerably and there is air support finally.

    We are hoping containment is not far off.

26. #26
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:42 pm, ajmontana said:

    Keeping fingers crossed for ya Ditkaca, my buddies in Arrowhead are bailing out and the back-up on the highway is nasty. Several homes gone already and Thousands now are threatened. This is that areas worst nightmare.

27. #27
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:30 pm, ajmontana said:

    More News from the Govenator.
    Pulling 800 Troops off the Border to assist in fire fighting efforts. Peaking you’re interest yet fodder? Now on top of everything burning to the ground theres going to be an outright assault on our Mexican Border from invaders of the illegal kind.

28. #28
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 pm, ajmontana said:

    Update Mountain Fires
    Their reporting no aircraft until tomorrow, I fear by then it will have destroyed 1000s of homes and businesses, pretty much the entire Mountain.

29. #29
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm, stacman said:

    I’m in Rancho Bernardo waiting for the mandatory evacuation order. If they don’t relax the flight rules and get those birds up this one could take out all of San Diego. The CDF is the same aircraft controlling agency that kept their heads up their a$$ (where they usually are) and kept the aircraft grounded while the fire was starting during the Cedar Fire four years ago. They only cost us some 3,000 homes, and I don’t remember how many lives in that one.

    Anyone remember how it started in 2003? An illegal who intentionally set it in the middle of the Cleveland Forest so someone could find his lost a$$. What was his punishment? Probation!

    Who said earthquakes were the real danger of living in California???

30. #30
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:44 pm, ajmontana said:

    Good luck stacman.

31. #31
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:07 pm, ajmontana said:

    115 Homes estimated gone with 2000 + threatened as of 3:54 pst. in the Arrowhead area.

32. #32
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:43 pm, Defector01 said:

    things are getting a bit better - the tankers are flying and the evacuations are now more precautionary then they are “GET OUT NOW” type.

33. #33
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:21 pm, 24Klady said:

    Having lived in SoCal for some years, I’m praying there are no fatalities. If this turns out to be arson, California needs to change it’s death penalty laws. The loss of property, lifetime investments, and the damage to the environment should be a class A felony. Probation! I’m getting a migraine!

    Prayers are with you all.

34. #34
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:42 pm, ajmontana said:

    “Update Mountains”
    Finally able to make some air drops with super Tanker.

35. #35
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 pm, scooter56 said:

    On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:30 pm, stacman said:

    Anyone remember how it started in 2003? An illegal who intentionally set it in the middle of the Cleveland Forest so someone could find his lost a$$. What was his punishment? Probation!

    an illegal? really?

36. #36
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 10:41 pm, Defector01 said:

    Stacman/Scooter
    Wasn’t an illegal, just a lost camper

37. #37
    On October 22nd, 2007 at 11:44 pm, Glamchild said:

    Aircraft aren’t going to solve this thing. Traditional wild fires usually take weeks to burn themselves out. All you can really do is evacuate, and then pray that the wind shifts so that the fire burns in upon itself. I know of no aircraft that’s going to stop 80 mph winds. Sorry. I am praying for everyone, though—including myself…..nowhere near the fire area, and indoors, but even I can’t breathe!

38. #38
    On October 23rd, 2007 at 12:29 am, stacman said:

    Wasn’t an illegal, just a lost camper

    Yep, an illegal lost camper who lived in Escondido with his homies. You know Escondido, yes? Just another sanctuary city…

39. #39
    On October 23rd, 2007 at 4:45 am, ajmontana said:

    Daybreak is going to be ugly.
    1:00am Update Arrowhead