Just another day in Pelican-land...

Scott, I hope those flames are east of you, since it looks like the onshores will finally kick up tomorrow. Yesterday in Malibu was just nuts... howling hot winds shifting every which way. I posted some pics http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/133134-beauty-terror.html. Wildfires are capricious beasts...that one came out of nowhere...

Having lived in the path of the Oakland Hills fire (way back in 1991) which consumed over 2500 homes, I feel your pain!! I too spent an entire day alternating between mesmerized awe and terrible fear as I watched the fire storm its way down out of the hills. The best thing I did was to head off to a safe location with friends and wait for events to play out.

Scott, and everyone else dealing with fires on SoCal, think clearly!!! The fire is going to do whatever it wants to do and you have absolutely no influence on it... don't mess with it and don't tempt fate.

Todd: They're just west and northwest of me. I'm hoping the winds tomorrow don't push them in my direction. I'll be up early monitoring the news reports and weather services.

I'm in Newhall and the fire is coming over Stevensons Ranch and Sunset Pointe at the Calgrove exit off the 5 Frwy. Its about 1/2 mile from my house, and I'm at the end of a box canyon with lots of brush, so were moving stuff to the relatives house now. I think will be OK because my canyon burned a year ago summer and took out a lot, but not all the brush, but we have lots of grasses now. Gotta Go.

Well scott, i dont think i would need to remind ya, but as we both know about Cali fires, if it comes over that ridge in your last pic, there is the great chance it will continue in your direction. Get yourself, loved ones,Kevin, and Sing out of their before it comes sweeping thru.

Again, I wish I could be out there to help ya,(our anybody else on or off this board) and I would if I wasnt here in Vegas.

Godspeed. Looks like a long night ahead.

Hugh: If you need help, call me. I'll send you a PM with numbers.

Scott

They just said on the news that tomorrow, the winds should die down to about 20 to 25 mph, and there will also be more humidity.

20-25 mph winds concern me. :( Humidity would be a blessing. :)

A big part of my sales territory is the Valley... Anyone think I should even bother going up there tomorrow, or should I just stay away... I have at least one appointment in Van Nuys tomorrow.

Ok, Hugh, sounds like you'd better be packin' light and and ready to travel... for safety's sake. But know this: you are in our prayers and even though we can't be there to help, our heart is with you, brother. I just hope you and your loved ones (Porsches included) make it out of that canyon safely and may your dwelling be spared. Let us know how you fare. Best of luck.

Sonic: Traffic will be a b!tch during rush hour, but Van Nuys won't be impacted by the fire. If you don't have to go, then don't, but if it's an important appointment there's no reason to cancel it. Who knows, I may be home from work again tomrorow, and you can come hang here!

Scott

Scott, if they are a bit north of you that might help. Usually when the marine layer kicks in the winds come out of the SW (more south depending on if there is an eddy effect happening). In these conditions though you never know. At least it looks like the howling Santa Ana's are over with. Best of luck.

One advantage to years of chasing surf in SoCal. You learn a little about weather and winds :)

Scott...yeah, traffics always a b!tch anyway... Ill probably come out. I wish I could help the firefighters out though.

Anybody know if the fires around El Cahon Pass are down the south side of Mt. Baldy towards Upland/Rancho Cucamonga? I have sis-in-law that lives right up against the base of the mountain. Reckon I need to get on the horn....

My advice to anyone coming to Van Nuys (actually anywhere in the valley or L.A. basin) tomorrow would be to bring a particle mask. The air is thick and your throat starts to burn the moment you inhale.

Fantastic
 

To all of you in the previous messages, I am very impressed with the caring and concern. I'm in San Francisco (at work) and my home is in the knolls area of Simi.

It has been difficult getting news of the fire from the news up here, and even the LA TV news on the internet has been lacking. I've been communicating with my son at the house and he's been watering everything down.

Thank you all for the information in your postings and especially the pictures.

Good luck and may God bless!

SmileWavy

Folks, I've been going thru this day on about 3 hours of sleep, and I've run out of gas. I'm going to call it a day...and hope that tomorrow is better than today was.

My heartfelt thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. It means a great deal to me.

Scott

Hi All, Thanks

It looks like were OK for now, the fire department dumped a bunch of fire suppressant before they shut down the aerial support for the night, and it seems to be working. Anyway, I'll post in the AM. Last years fire was rather incredible. NOTE: THIS WAS LAST YEAR, NOT TODAY. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1067315621.jpgSmileWavy

I just got back to the marina from Scott's house. It would have taken a real strong west wind (not impossible, but incredibly unlikely) to get to him when we left, or we wouldn't have left.

I fly tomorrow 0745 from VNY to SJC, and the departure is right over Scott's house. I told him I'd wake him up, haha.

We were watching the fire on the TV and stepping out on the upstairs balcony to see it directly. The flames on TV were awesome, but all we saw was the glow in the smoke. The fire was headed away from Scott's place for several hours at the end. When we arrived it was pretty scary.

We'll all check in on him tomorrow, I'll be going right over him on the way north.

Good luck Hugh, wish we'd known, we'd have come right up in the van!

Michael.

Thanks Michael, Last years fire started with embers from across the 5 Frwy that drifted about a half mile or so, were still doing a fire watch tonight in the home owners association.