[mobile site, backup mobile]
[Calitics en espanol]
Menu & About Calitics

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?

- About Calitics
- The Rules (Legal Stuff)
- Event Calendar
- Calitics' ActBlue Page
- Calitics RSS Feed
- Additional Advertisers
Daily Email Summary


View All Calitics Tags Or Search with Google:
 
Web Calitics
The Calitics Show:
Event Calendar
October 2008
(view month)
S M T W R F S
* * * 01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 *
<< (add event) >>

Wire Services

ProgressiveCA Blogs

↑ Grab this Headline Animator

Listen to Calitics Podcast on internet talk radioAdvertise Liberally Blue CA Ad Network

Thursday Fire Thread

by: Brian Leubitz

Thu Oct 25, 2007 at 07:46:45 AM PDT


(Bumped - promoted by Brian Leubitz)

Two more bodies were found in a home in Poway, bringing the current official tally to three, but many more undocumented immigrants are feared dead in the canyons near the border. Over 695 square miles have burned, or a bit more than half the size of Rhode Island. About 1500 residences have been destroyed in San Diego County alone. And, amazingly, more people have been evacuated from these fires than from the Katrina disaster. This is truly one of our country's most major disasters.  All that being said, the County of San Diego has already received its first request for a building permit to replace a destroyed home. And the population at Qualcomm Stadium is dwindling, now down to about 12,000.

However, the actual work of controlling the fire will take some time yet. Over 5,000 firefighters are now fighting the blazes, and there is plenty of work for them.  The fire at Lake Arrowhead is expected to be controlled soon, and firefighters feel they are making good progress with the Santa Anas dying down.  Here is some information on some outstanding fires:

Witch Creek...<200,000 acres, 20 percent contained
Harris........75,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Poomacha......35,000 acres, 10 percent contained
Rice Canyon... 9,500 acres, 20 percent contained
Horno ... 17,000 acres, 40 percent contained

On the frustrating front, some minor looting has been observed across the region. Two men were arrested trying to enter Mexico with stolen loot in one incident, and in another two 18-year-olds were arrested for looting in Ramona. Arson is beginning to look like a possibility in some of the fires, investigators are now looking into the question. Officials in San Bernadino County report that they have shot and killed a suspected arsonist.

The Los Angeles County Public Health office has updated their 211 page to reflect resources to assist Southland Fires 2007. Here's the page from San Diego County San Diego County Fire information. Speaker Fabian Nunez and the Assembly Dem Caucus have a new Emergency Services Website.  Here's one Google Map with Fire information, and another, KPBS Google Map of San Diego fires. And don't forget the U-T's fireblog. Over the flip you'll find a lot more information phone numbers.

Blood donations are greatly needed. The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives Tuesday at Qualcomm Stadium, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Big O Tires at 1106 Garnet Ave. Pacific Beach, (92109) from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.. Also, check out the Red Cross schedule. If you would like to donate money, our recommendation is the San Diego Foundation's After the Fire Fund. You can donate online here. I should also note this great diary with a list of resources and ways to volunteer and help out.

UPDATE: (1:20PM by Brian) The major corridors of San Diego are now open, but it was delayed by a press conference by Bush.  The Decider apparently thought that a photo-op with him on top of some rubble was more important than letting San Diegans back to their homes.

In other news, the ATF has decided that the 22,000 acre Santiago Fire was arson.  Three origin points are being treated as crime scenes. 

UPDATE (3PM by Brian):  The Harris fire is shifting back towards Potrero, so the city is back off limits.  For more on Potrero, see this diary from Miriam Raftery.  The City of Ramona is still off limits, but apparently that angered some residents who broke through a CHP roadblock, National Guard troops were brought in to cool off heated tempers. There are new evac orders for Lawson Valley, Carveacre, but the evac order was lifted for Rancho Sante Fe.

Brian Leubitz :: Thursday Fire Thread
Animal Evacuations: 818-991-0071
Arrowhead Schools 909-499-9900
Buckweed, Canyon Fire: 323-881-2411
Coronado Hills Fire: 619-590-3160
Grass Valley Fire: 909-383-5688
Harris, Rice, McCoy Fire: 619-590-3160
Irvine: 714-628-7085
Lake Forest 714-628-7085
Malibu: 310-456-2489
Orange County 800-540-8282
Ranch Fire: 626-574-5208
Riverside: 909.988.3650
Roca Fire: 951-940-6985
Santa Clarita Evacuations: 661-295-6366
Santiago Fire: 714-573-6200
Sedgewick Fire: 805-681-5546
Slide and Witch: Fire 619-590-3160
US Forest Line: 626-574-5208
Tags: , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
Thursday Fire Thread | 14 comments
AM Quick Hits (8.00 / 2)
Bush has landed and just finished an aerial tour of the fire areas.  While he's up, all firefighting aircraft are grounded. Thanks for the help Sir.  He's now in Escondido doing a ground tour.

All of the city of Escondido, High Valley in Poway and Olive Hill in Fallbrook are reopened now for evacuees.

Harris fire burned 12,000 acres since yesterday morning and is moving generally northeast to the east of Jamul.

The first of three planned Local Assistance Centers opened today in Rancho San Diego:

Cuyamaca College
900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
El Cajon, 92109.
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK


Did he go stand (8.00 / 1)
on a pile of debris in Rancho Bernardo yet? Some people that live in one neighborhood weren't allowed to return home last night, and some were told it was because Bush was doing a press conference there this morning.

[ Parent ]
Boy did he (8.00 / 2)
From the UT Fireblog:

Rancho Bernardo residents began their journey back home with a surprise today.

They were stuck in traffic for two to three hours sitting in their cars at a standstill because of President Bush's visit to their community.

Police and the CHP had blocked off Interstate 15 ramps to West Bernardo Drive, which leads to the recovery center that was opened yesterday. Cars lined up for miles on the freeway.

"I'm glad he's coming but it's unfortunate to keep us all waiting," said Joy Fleming, who lives in North Oaks.

Fed up with waiting, Barbara Gandre said she needed to drive her 87-year-old mother home to pick up medication for her 89-year-old husband.

Her mother just recovered from pneumonia in September and the family did not have masks to wear over their faces. They sat in their car with the windows rolled down because they only had a quarter tank of gas left.

"I cannot run the air conditioning or I'll run out of gas," Gandre said. "I am sick of this," she said.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK


[ Parent ]
Go home, George (8.00 / 1)
You're not helping, fercryinoutloud.

My righteous anger for today is being saved up for the Minutemen who last I heard were harrassing people in Chicano Park who are trying to collect emergency supplies for farmworkers.


[ Parent ]
Recently announced (8.00 / 2)
All of the City of San Diego is now open.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK

Some resources to getting aid. (8.00 / 1)
Federal Aid Programs for California Disaster Recovery

Release Date: October 24, 2007
Release Number: HQ-07-213 Factsheet

How to Apply for Assistance:

*  Those in the counties designated for assistance to
affected residents and business owners can begin the
disaster application process by registering online at
http://www.fema.gov   or by calling
1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the
hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers
are available 24hours a day Monday through Sunday until
further notice.  Applicants registering for aid should be
prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name
, permanent address, and phone number), insurance coverage
and any other information to help substantiate losses.

*  Application procedures for local governments will
be explained at a series of federal/state applicant
briefings with locations to be announced in the affected
area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects
are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and
other participating federal agencies.

Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include
as Required:

*  Rental payments for temporary housing for those
whose homes are unlivable.  Initial assistance may be
provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least
one month for renters.  Assistance may be extended if
requested after the initial period based on a review of
individual applicant requirements.  (Source: FEMA funded and
administered.)

*  Grants for home repairs and replacement of
essential household items not covered by insurance to make
damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.  (Source:
FEMA funded and administered.)

*  Grants to replace personal property and help meet
medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious
disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other
federal, state and charitable aid programs.  (Source: FEMA
funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs; 25 percent
funded by the state.)

*  Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers
who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do
not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed
individuals.  (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)

*  Low-interest loans to cover residential losses
not fully compensated by insurance.  Loans available up to
$200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal
property, including renter losses. Loans available up to
$1.5 million for business property losses not fully
compensated by insurance.  (Source: U.S. Small Business
Administration.)

*  Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses
that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and
need funds for working capital to recover from the
disaster's adverse economic impact.  This loan in
combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total
of $1.5 million. (Source: U.S. Small Business
Administration.)

*  Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and
agriculture operators to cover production and property
losses, excluding primary residence.  (Source: Farm Service
Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)

*  Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for
those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for
filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal,
veterans benefits and social security matters.


Emergency Food Stamps (8.00 / 2)
Contingent on eligibility, at local assistance centers.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK

[ Parent ]
For the "Yes, this is California" file. (8.00 / 1)
I mean this in the most gentle of teasing, because they're doing a good deed.
The Walt Disney Corporation is donating $2 million to the aid effort. $200,000 is going immediately to the Red Cross to assist in purchasing necessary supplies right away.

And they will also be sending some "familiar characters" to Qualcomm and other shelters.


In the "slightly less than 2 million" department (8.00 / 4)
I'm proud to say that our Drinking Liberally event raised $228 for fire relief efforts, which will be donated to the SD Foundation's "After the Fire" fund.

[ Parent ]
A heartfelt thank you (8.00 / 2)
on behalf of San Diegans for every penny.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK

[ Parent ]
Qualcomm is closing (8.00 / 1)
noon tomorrow. Official Red Cross shelter for the duration is now Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Also, new mandatory evacuation orders for Lake Henshaw, Mesa Grande and the La Jolla Indian Reservation.

"We need men who can dream of things that never were." -JFK


gotta have football? (0.00 / 0)
we'll see if they play there sunday.

Shouldn't 3 strikes apply to Arnold? Strike 1, Strike 2, Strike 3. Life Sentence!

[ Parent ]
Thursday Fire Thread | 14 comments
Calitics Premium Ads

Advertisers

California Friends
Shared Communities
Resources
California News
Progressive Organizations
The Big BlogRoll

Referrals
Technorati
Google Blogsearch
Blog Network:

Register to Vote: Rock the Vote, powered by Working Assets Wireless
Powered by: SoapBlox