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Big Breasted Woman
Trad climber
The Brown Crack
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Jul 19, 2013 - 10:52am PT
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Thinking about all you folks in Idyllwild and the surrounding areas. Stay safe and I hope you get a monsoon up there! Well, maybe not a monsoon! But I hope it rains like a mutha!!!!
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Deekaid
climber
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Jul 19, 2013 - 11:04am PT
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I had a feeling it was arson. In situations like this it should be a capital crime regardless if any lives are lost. All those animals and the firefighters risking their lives, it sickens me to think of it. Here's to sat imaging finding the f*#ker and the town remaining safe.
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mtnyoung
Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
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Jul 19, 2013 - 11:09am PT
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Fingers crossed for Idyllwild and for Apogee. I live in the woods too; every year we wonder whether this will be the season...
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Ward Trotter
Trad climber
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Jul 19, 2013 - 11:40am PT
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The moon was blood red in the area east of LA last night.
I see a bad moon rising.
I heard talk on the news that fire officials were concerned that with so many people still in Idyllwild it might be real dicey getting them out in time should the fire suddenly head for town.
Lets hope the weather conditions change for the better this weekend.
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Alois
Trad climber
Idyllwild, California
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Jul 19, 2013 - 12:49pm PT
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Penelope and I are still on the Hill this morning and things look just a bit better. The huge amount of fire retardant that was dropped on the ridge line above the town might have helped. The fire turned ever slightly east and away from the Saddle. Some hope...There are incredible numbers of fire crews here, they are really throwing all the manpower and equipment on it. What an incredible display of fire fighting ability..
We are so sorry to see the damage done to all those beautiful places we hike to every week. The recovery will be slow, the fire was so hot, most places just have a white ash cover. The south area from Red Tahquitz, the Western Divide and the peaks on it, the Saddle and the southern flank of San Jacinto, they all burned and still do. Just feeling sad for this wonderful place...
Many thanks for all of your concerns and wishes. It helps to know, we are not alone in this. Love, Alois.
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Fat Dad
Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
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Jul 19, 2013 - 12:56pm PT
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My sincere hopes for a good outcome, despite what damage has been done already. Idyllwild has long been one of my favorite places, ever since I first climbed there when I was 14, a good 35 yrs. ago now. After seeing what the Station Fire did to the San Gabes, I hope Idyllwild can be spared the same.
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BG
Trad climber
JTree & Idyllwild
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:30pm PT
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Helicopter shot taken late yesterday and played this morning on KTLA TV
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jstan
climber
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
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Climate change may mean that rainfall in the SW is decreasing, long term. If that proves true re-growth of forests lost either to fire or to clear cutting will not be as assumed. We might keep in view the Saharafication that has been occurring in Africa for millennia.
If we wish to make old forests last as long as possible, we might consider actively managing understory and seriously changing how we use our forests. This was successfully done in Japan centuries ago and that country is now reportedly 67% forested.
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:53pm PT
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A quiet night...not much smoke in town last night, but a scattering of large ash pieces this morning:
Ain't that crazy? Imagine the kind of updrafts that were pushing pieces of ash that large high enough in the atmosphere to be dropped miles away. Unreal.
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JEleazarian
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:55pm PT
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Thanks for the update, Apogee. Everyone in the area, but you in particular, have been in my thoughts and prayers.
John
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apogee
climber
Technically expert, safe belayer, can lead if easy
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:57pm PT
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From the Town Crier:
"Of the 24,500 acres, nearly 95 percent (23,400) are federal lands.
In general it was a quiet night on the fire lines, according to Gordan Martin, the planning chief.
The changing weather brings several threats. First, “It’s favorable for column down drafts and possible isolated lightning strikes,” said Rob Balfour, the weather expert. But there were some early reports of light rain at higher altitudes this morning.
While the possibility of increased moisture may dampen the fire, the northern edge is still growing slowly and headed toward San Jacinto Peak, according to fire behavior expert Dennis Burns. As of Friday morning, the burning edge is still to the east of the ridgeline, but approaching Hidden Lake.
Firefighters will continue to try to secure the Antsell Rock area; meanwhile some crews will be working along the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail today."
http://idyllwildtowncrier.com/2013/07/19/breaking-mountain-fire-updates/
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Reeotch
Trad climber
4 Corners Area
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Jul 19, 2013 - 01:58pm PT
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Yep, jstan, you're right about that.
If you ever are in Flagstaff, look up at the south east slopes of Mt. Elden and the lower flanks of the SF Peaks adjacent to that. There was a fire there in the early 90s. It had been Ponderosa Pine with some Pinon and Juniper.
Now, you don't see any trees growing up there, 20 years later, only shrubbery.
Succession may kick in within a span of a few hundred years. Or, like you said, due to climate change, there will never be trees growing there again.
Edit: That ash is crazy apogee . . .
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Jul 19, 2013 - 04:34pm PT
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hey there say, apogee and all...
sad to hear things are not better yet, :(
praying and hoping for things to get better and for folks to be safe, and of course:
no more fire... :O
but i know that is a big order, :(
you are not forgotten...
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Ward Trotter
Trad climber
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Jul 19, 2013 - 06:20pm PT
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This photo taken yesterday.
Tahquitz standing tall against the conflagration.
I pinched photo off MP
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Rollover
climber
Gross Vegas
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Jul 19, 2013 - 06:34pm PT
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That is one amazing photo Ward!!!
Scary and sad all at once..
Arson...?
Hope everyone makes it out safely.
Rain forecast could be both a blessing and a curse..
Lets hope for heavy downpours and limited lightning..
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Norwegian
Trad climber
dancin on the tip of god's middle finger
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Jul 19, 2013 - 06:53pm PT
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impressive photo, mr. trotter.
potential energy everywhere,
sitting idle, awaiting it's chance.
you walk thru an old established forest, and
and stillness dominates,
the wind sorts out its path thru
needles, and the birds cycle their eggs.
this picture above dramatically and forcefully
displays the kinetic version of a forest's undoing.
someday that'll be my horizon.
not today.
im sorry that you local folk are
forced to process the potential loss
that pivots upon forces beyond you.
a tough emotional struggle, im sure.
do what you can,
get the f*#k out when and if.
the only good thing that becomes
of these tragedies is the unison
that they encourage within communities.
we all have more than we need.
a heart is piqued towards compassion
and giving when excrement is flinging about.
take it well, folks.
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Ward Trotter
Trad climber
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Jul 19, 2013 - 07:00pm PT
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http://www.geomac.gov/viewer/viewer.shtml
Zoom in to Idyllwild area to get current boundary of this fire.
It is the green triangle the furthest south in CA
Or select " mountain CA." In 'jump to wildfire' search field.
Over the last 48 hrs. that thing has been seeming to move more north and east.
Idyllwild is slightly north of area designated " Mountain" where fire started.
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