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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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Dave ...They've done a lot of thinning down there in Swall...but the landscape is still thick with pinyon and dead Jeffrey Pine...Throw in the monster winds , the fact that pinyon burns like jet fuel and the trophy homes with wood siding and you have the perfect storm..
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John M
climber
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when something blows up this big this fast, there is almost no amount of defensible space that will work. Embers blowing up to half a mile away.
Its winter during a major drought. Normally things would be wetter.
the sheriffs site says 7000 acres. Thats in less then 24 hours..
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John M
climber
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Its hard to fathom having a home one day and the next its completely gone.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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I can't believe I was looking at one in Swall just Thursday. I wonder if
it is still there. It appeared to have a lot of 'space' around it although
as others have noted that may not have served. It was stucco but it had
exposed wooden eaves so it is probably gone. Very sad.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Yeah, Chief, roger that, plus prices were rather inflated and I'd say
you wound up with a better view. ;-/
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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just spoke with friends, doesn't look good for their house and the Oakshots live next store. nothing offical but definatly devestating. Sounds like Cashner barely made it out. lots of heavy hearts here today
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karen roseme
Mountain climber
Bishop
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I just heard from Annie Cashner That their house is ok!
I am so sorry to say that lots of other people were not so lucky.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
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eastside.. My friends place made it and is above Oakshots...2nd time he's dodged the fire bullet...
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John M
climber
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Does Jerry live on the eastside now? I thought he was a bay area person.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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hopefully the Oakshots and the Ellis residences are still standing, like I said nothing offical just speculation since they haven't been allowed in.
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tom woods
Gym climber
Bishop, CA
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Chief is right. Off season fires are not that unusual here. I remember shooting footage of one in Coleville in howling wind and spitting snow. Those firefighters were tight in the houses, working like crazy to save the homes. In that case, they were successful.
That Big Pine Fire raced down the water courses right into Town. The desert brush off to the sides of the water courses barely burned at all.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Colorado, Nepal & Okinawa
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I hope they were at least able to rescue their most precious belongings.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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just awful. Hope everyone is safe. thanks for all the updates Chief, Cragman and everyone else.
John M - Jerry is doing a photo workshop down there. They probably didn't think this would be one of their location shots. :(
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John M
climber
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On a side note, this area is known for firestorms in the off season and during heavy winter snows and rains. Not just dry seasons.
well dang.. thanks for letting me know that Chief. Makes me rethink things.. Having family from the gulf coast area and having been through a few hurricanes, I have a hard time with people who build in zones like that. I know that we can't avoid everything and having lived in Wawona and loving it so much, its still one bad fire/wind event away from destruction. I just don't know what to think. I'm certainly sorry that people have lost their homes. Maybe right now isn't the best time to talk about this. There are certainly some really awesome people who have chosen to live in that area and I feel for anyone who has lost a home.
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hossjulia
Trad climber
Carson City, NV
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I had the same thoughts as The Chief when looking at a rental in Swall years ago.
I am so sorry to hear about the Oakeshotts, and everyone else who lost their homes.
The fairgrounds in Bishop is taking donations for the fire victims, and there will be a community meeting at the Round Valley School tonight.
Kirkwood picked up probably 3 inches of water, maybe more. It's probably the wettest snow I have ever seen, so spring like.
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WBraun
climber
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Whoa!!! Yowza !!!! Grim !!!
Denise lost his house and Cashner escaped again.
I feel bad for Denise Oakeshotts family and all the rest of the people who lost their homes.
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