One of the most destructive fires in California history... in my backyard

[OVerLoRDI]

I'm getting most of my info from the various Facebook groups folks have set up to coordinate donations and volunteers. It's funny, but since this area is too small to really have a robust newspaper or online social community everything winds up falling back to Facebook as the primary mode of connection. There are tons of really unbelievable photos and videos out there that haven't made it to YouTube and aren't very findable, because everyone's posting their personal content to FB alone.

Makes sense for that community and most of the 707 area code.

Keep the info coming, hopefully the communities rebuild and can thrive.

 

[AreaCode707]

We went through that general area this past July. (down 101, across 20 by Clear Lake, then again back up I-5 a couple days later)
Holy crap it was D-R-Y! We lived in NorCal for 25 years. I've never seen conditions that bad there.
Now that we're in Warshington, it's been "dry as a popcorn fart" here this year too. We had the biggest fire in state history this year over on the east side of the state.

Wildfires are scary as hell...they move quickly, can change direction without warning...and there's not a damned thing you can do to stop one when it's headed your direction.

Good luck...this fire season isn't over...and if the west coast doesn't get some much needed rain, next year won't be easy either.

Heh, you were within five minutes of my house on that drive. Next time drop me a line.

 

[squirrel dog]

year after year same thing with the fires . They must be intentionally set .

 

[Brainonska511]

year after year same thing with the fires . They must be intentionally set .

I'm sure some are the result of arson. Some are also likely accidental, either through careless discarding of cigarette butts, etc. And some are caused by lightning strikes. The dry season is ripe for lightning-started fires.

 

[drebo]

It rained ash down here in the Central Valley a few days last week. Pretty crazy.

 

[Fayd]

I remember this fire:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Fire

happened my first semester going to college.

 

[AreaCode707]

year after year same thing with the fires . They must be intentionally set .

Some folks returning to an evacuated area saw an unidentified f*cktard with road flares and gasoline attempting to set fire to a truck. He took off when people spotted him. :/

 

[maddogchen]

I'm sure some are the result of arson. Some are also likely accidental, either through careless discarding of cigarette butts, etc. And some are caused by lightning strikes. The dry season is ripe for lightning-started fires.

and one by a suicide.

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-remains-valley-fire-victim-20150923-story.html

 

[John Connor]

It rained ash down here in the Central Valley a few days last week. Pretty crazy.

I seen ash like that too living in Riverside. The year was around circa 1989. Not sure if it was a volcano from Washington or a fire.

 

[Blitzvogel]

Here's a fine example of how fast forest fires can move ***Warning graphic***

Worst thing is these guys were sent in unprepared, ill-equipped and misinformed.

 

[John Connor]

Not gonna watch that. There are some things you shouldn't view.

 

[AreaCode707]

Bump. Winter is in full swing and the fire victims are still in need. While most people have found temporary housing, there are still some folks in campgrounds and rv parks, and there are many people still trying to get basic necessities covered while they work on rebuilding their lives.

 

[Captante]

Omg

 

[Darwin333]

Here's a fine example of how fast forest fires can move ***Warning graphic***

Worst thing is these guys were sent in unprepared, ill-equipped and misinformed.

I wish that I hadn't seen that... Graphic doesn't do it justice.

 

[Darwin333]

Bump. Winter is in full swing and the fire victims are still in need. While most people have found temporary housing, there are still some folks in campgrounds and rv parks, and there are many people still trying to get basic necessities covered while they work on rebuilding their lives.

Donated! Happy to help fellow humans in need. My family was treated quite well by virtual strangers during their extended evacuation due to Hurricane Katrina. I enjoyed helping charities before but it gives you an entirely new outlook when you are on the receiving end of charity at your greatest time of need.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow that is crazy stuff. We had a forest fire that was close to home a few years back, but it was still far enough that it was not visible, but the wind started to bring the smoke into the city at one point and the sky was a dark red, it was really eerie. They were getting ready to evacuate the closest part of town in case the fire does get closer.



Picture does not really do it justice, as it just looks like a storm cloud, but that's actually smoke.

http://www.timminstimes.com/2012/05...largest-fire-in-ontario-25000-hectares-photos

 

[cirrrocco]

i was camping there that weekend when it happened. We got there Friday night. I was sleeping pretty much all day and around 3 pm my wife wakes me up and tells me that we need to leave. I get out of the tent and I see dark clouds everywhere.
The sheriff gave the whole camp an hr to leave. We get to middletown in 30 mins and then drive thru the town around 5pm. It was bizarre . Fire was half a mile away and we had ash coming down on us. Small brushes of fire meters away.people were standing on the street and gaping at the fire.

Lot of people didn't have a chance to take their cars from the campsite.some of them were allowed to get their belongings and it was amazing that everywhere around us the ground was burnt but that specific campground [filled with evergreens] did not catch fire. The cars were there, tents and everything left as is