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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - May 6, 2009 - 11:24pm PT
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Just watched a huge beautiful home spout 60 foot flames. They said the fire is threatening the SB Mission. I know that Gibraltar is right up the hill. Anyone know how bad it is and what has already been scorched? How sad.
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 6, 2009 - 11:31pm PT
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Mandatory Evacuation:
Reportedly North of Foothill Road H 192 between Ontare Road and Morada Lane to El Cielito Road/Gibraltar Road to East Camino Cielo.
Non mandatory Evacuations:
West of Coyote Road/Sycamore Canyon Road
North of Alameda Padre Serra
North of Constance Road
North of State Street to La Cumbre Road
East of La Cumbre Road
West of Highway 154
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 6, 2009 - 11:58pm PT
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Good thinkin' crusher.
There is a lot of climbing up in those hills. Fortunately the rock won't burn.
Feel sorry for all those residents who are losing houses. I wonder how far up the mountain it went? Any locals have a better report?
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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Ya know it's supposed to do this, right?
Nature normal is like that.
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 7, 2009 - 12:08am PT
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duh. But fire supression turns them into infernos that devastate rather than do what they would have done under normal conditions. And burning people's homes isn't normal. That's just tragic. It's a risk people take for living in hills surrounded by forest, but it still is tragic.
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Yeah, Captain's right, it's supposed to, naturally. And as usual, unfortunately things aren't allowed to behave naturally and become ten times worse.
Just wanted to send a shout out to friends up there, hoping everyone is evacuated and ok, and animals too.
Anyway I hope the freaks don't come out tonight down here in the Santa Monicas - the brush is all-time high and dry.
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Jim Wilcox
Boulder climber
Santa Barbara
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Some animal rescue groups were pretty proactive this time. The fire sorta "blew up" around 4:00pm and a lot of people weren't home. Animal rescue went to the homes in imminent danger and removed animals from the homes when the owners weren't present
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 7, 2009 - 01:00am PT
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Hey Captain, go tell the elderly couple who lived there for 40 years to "move" now that there house is ashes. Way to be compassionate. Obviously you don't know anyone who lives there. What is your point anyway? Fire is natural and it's their fault they live there and so who cares? We're all well aware fire is natural.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Social climber
valley center, ca
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tom, my husbands family lost everything but their lives and their car in a huge fire years ago in Orange County. Where I live in Valley Center, CA we've had horrendous fires in the past years. Fire storms are horrible.
Don't believe Skully was being mean spirited....just pointing out the sad and the obvious. Peace, lynne
Praying for all those affected by this most recent fire....know many on ST are also. If we can do anything please let us know.
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 7, 2009 - 01:28am PT
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L,
don't think there is a person on this site that doesn't know fire is horrible and a natural thing. The point of the thread was to update people of a fire and that people living there (possibly family/friends) are fighting for their lives and property. I wouldn't tell people who are dying in a flood that it's natural and that they shouldn't have lived near a river. Again, what's the point?
They've evacuated down to portions of State St. Prayers out to you in SB.
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jstan
climber
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I have been stealth for the last two days just down from Lauro reservoir. Petie tried to sneak home after work but the cops got her. Then the two of them brought her up to get me in their black and white. I am trying to save three houses so I was in Blanche's house next door and saw them coming. By the time they thought to look there I was already on the roof. Didn't even suspect I had it in me!
A week ago we bushwhacked up Cathedral Peak's ocean side face which is now burned off all the way to the summit. Nuttin there anymore. The brush was so thick we had to crawl on our stomachs at times. Inspiration Point AND the ridge to it from the north are also completely burned off. The fire is trying to move NNW up wind and potentially could circle around, then move downwind and get me from behind. As long as another salient does not pass the reservoir on the south I have a good escape route. An hour ago there was heavy fire up above the reservoir but I could not tell for sure where it was. If it was anywhere near the Laurel Canyon wash, I would not be able to sleep tonight. So I hiked up there, met an Aussie and a firefighting crew but stayed off the road so I would not get picked up. The development above the reservoir has lost several houses and the big blaze in that area is in the area being developed ( one $10,000,000 lot) next to the Arroyo Burro trail. More than a mile from me and two gullies to the north. Sleep till 1AM!
One photog who explained he works for the European equivalent of the AP came up the drive and wanted to know where he could get a shot. I said "follow me" and got up on the roof(1:12 roof). I have 150 gallons of water in plastic garbage barrels on the ridgepole. I explained that when the fire melts the barrels the water will very nicely flood the whole roof. He said, "You have it all figured out." I replied, "Maybe. Better check back after the fire." He said, "You don't seem worried at all." I shrugged my shoulders and said, "It ain't burning yet."
Then, showboat that I am, I hit the jackpot. He asked, "Can I take some pictures of you?" Now I was primed for international exposure. I was wearing that hat Kerwin likes so much. Except it now has a coat of paint on it and the crown is entirely ripped out. And one shoulder of my business shirt had been ripped off. Panache. Ultimate panache.
I blew it though. I should have faced him, assumed the four finger mission accomplished pose and said, "Eat shyte George!"
That little f**ker does not have any idea what a real costume looks like.
Have all my thirty year old ropes in the truck ready for the escape. Would not want to loose them.
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crusher
climber
Santa Monica, CA
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Thanks for your update jstan - sh*te be careful on the roof!!!
Will keep all fingers and toes crossed for you and yours up there tonight.
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wildone
climber
GHOST TOWN
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GODDAMNIT!
I lived in the last house on Laurel Canyon, right at the dead end. I rode Jesusita every day, along with Arroyo Burro (very tech creek crossings).
I love that area and miss it very much. Be safe John!
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Captain...or Skully
Social climber
North of the Owyhees
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I wish no ill. I hope folks escape the conflagration.
Nature is bigger than you, however, and will work her will.
Get out of the way. We are as bugs. Do you feel for the bugs that hit your windshield?
Now, as ever, humans fail to understand the Earth on which they live.
Hope springs eternal.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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hey john--
i love the hat, i'm just not sure the world is ready for it.
stay cool.
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tom Slater
Trad climber
CA
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Topic Author's Reply - May 7, 2009 - 11:25am PT
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Jstan, thanks for the update. Cathedral won't be the same for awhile. Is the Mission still in the middle of it all? Has it gone to Gibraltar area yet? Don't be a hero, be safe.
And after it all, you should write a book (about this or anything... you got talent).
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jstan
climber
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The Tea fire burned along Gibralter road and started to get close to Los Canoas and Mission Canyon but did not quite make it. I don't think Gibralter is in the picture at all for this one. Tunnel road is horribly exposed fire wise. Only one narrow twisty road in that any burning tree could block. You need asbestos underwear and a chain saw in that canyon.
9:30AM
For perhaps the last hour we have had a little lower winds but that will change about noon. Reportedly this is the last day sundowners are expected. So if we can get to midnight the town will probably make it. The westward front is now further way and I can't see what the smoke column looks like. I can't make out anything from Mission canyon. For the fire to get to the mission itself it would require really severe winds for a day. They would be throwing the kitchen sink at it. We just got a new and slightly larger helicopter. Must be LA12 and its cousins are all in AZ. Jay got great pictures of those boys when they were working the Gap fire near his ranch. I want one.
Back to work.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
Monrovia, CA
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Best of luck! I doubt the barrels would melt before the roof was going good but it is a good idea.
As I watched on the news last night all I could think of was why weren't the fixed wings up? It wasn't blowing that hard. OK, so you add 20-30 kts to punch through the 'holes', fly a little higher, and lose some accuracy but it is better than nothing! I can guarantee you the pilots would go up if their chickenshit bosses would let them.
During last year's Sierra Madre fire I was at a party in lower Sierra Madre. Got there about 1830 and there was zero air action. A fellow ex-Navy bud and NW jock and I were incredulous; it was perfect flying conditions, low wind/excellent visibility, and there was a good 1.5 hours of light left. It really seems to me like they wait until these fires really get going before they make a real effort. It is also a national embarrassment that we're still using 40-50 year old piston aircraft like those pathetic S-2's. If the political will was there we could have a fleet of 25 new C-130's for the cost of a week of the Iraq mess.
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