PING: So.Calers (San Diegans, Orange County) aka California Wild Fires

[Lorena]

I just heard there are wild fires out there. Know ya'll are in my thoughts and please, please be careful.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

I went to San Diego for a weeked this summer. I was amazed at how brown the landscape was in July. I was told that it only gets green a couple of months during the winter in San Diego. Also saw that there was a landslide in La Jolla near where we stayed during our visit. Crazy stuff.

[spleen1015]

One of my WoW guildies lives in that area. He hadn't evacuated when I logged at 11:30 last night. I've heard things are much worse this morning. So, I hope all of you guys out there are alright.

[bhlloy]

Luckily I am out of work today to pick my parents up from the airport, but two of the freeways I usually take are closed (91 & 241 toll). It's now probably a six hour round trip to get to work. One of my co-workers I just spoke with lives 20 miles away and it took her two hours to get in this morning.

I think I'm going to take the rest of the week off :)

[heybrad]

I've had 2 of my programmers that had to leave today as they are preparing to evacuate. The view from my office is pretty ugly.

[PadresFan104]

I work for Qualcomm, and when the news stations started reporting that folks could go to "Qualcomm" if they had been evacuated from their home, some people started showing up at our corporate offices. :D The mayor then said at his 10am press conference that they meant Qualcomm Stadium. Doh!

Jokes aside, things are really bad around here right now. Many, many homes are on fire, and there's still nothing anyone can do about it due to the high winds. I live in Carlsbad, so I feel pretty safe right now, but I have many friends who have had to evacuate from Poway and Rancho Bernardo. This is going to be a bad 24-48 hours...

[Antmeister]

Ugh, I have family in Oceanside, which doesn't seem to be affected right now and Escondido, where the fire has reached the southern portion of. Those Santa Ana winds aren't helping anything. I can't believe a quarter milliion people were evacuated. This is worst than the last fire.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2007/10/22/state/n102418D66.DTL&o=4

[hawk4669]

I'm a career municipal (city) firefighter in Northern California (most of you know that already) and things are really bad down south.

We've already sent two local "strike teams" (a strike team is five staffed fire engines or like pieces of equipment, and a strike team leader) out and are on tactical alert for more.

To give some perspective, in a normal year our local agencies will send out one or two teams per year......having the need for more than that is scary.

If I hear anything on the fire dept. grapevine I'll pass it along. I'm on duty until 0800 tomorrow morning.

[Buccaneer]

I have been following this all day since this was my home area (sort of). My brother sent me this link from the NC Times which clearly shows the extent of the disaster. My parents lived a few miles from the Wild Animal Park for 22 years and they would have been evacuated if they were still there. We still have friends in the Escondido area and we pray for their safety.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/22/news/top_stories/10_15_2210_22_07.txt

[TurnerONU22]

My aunt, uncle and grandmother live in Rancho Santa Fe, and they had to evacuate as well. Its really scary, as I saw the few cities listed on CNN, so I went onto Google Maps to see where these cities were in relation to RSF, and of course, they basically surround it. Also, with the fact that its going into the coast, it appears that their house will be in the way.

[Lorena]

My aunt, uncle and grandmother live in Rancho Santa Fe, and they had to evacuate as well. Its really scary, as I saw the few cities listed on CNN, so I went onto Google Maps to see where these cities were in relation to RSF, and of course, they basically surround it. Also, with the fact that its going into the coast, it appears that their house will be in the way.

OMG, I hope it somehow misses their place. I'm keeping everyone in my thoughts, this is truly a scary time in San Diego. When a fire hits Fallbrook at around noon our time, and at 4pm Central time ALL of Fallbrook is asked to evacuate, that just shows how serious this is.

[SackAttack]

I'm hearing that some of these fires may be arson.

I'm strongly starting to lean in favor of completely banning smoking in public, and of making arson a capital crime.

[Lorena]

I'm hearing that some of these fires may be arson.

I'm strongly starting to lean in favor of completely banning smoking in public, and of making arson a capital crime.

Yeah, thousands of people get affected because some immature prick decides to do something stupid.

My mother-in-law had to cover her mouth when she got out of her car... and she lives in Oceanside! God I hope the winds die down so they can contain this thing.

[AZSpeechCoach]

My mother and father-in law are on a cruise right now. Mrs. SpeechCoach's youngest siblings are at home right now (19 and 17). She told them to pack up and head to Grandma's if it gets worse.

[Buccaneer]

It's sad to see the latest map, knowing that tomorrow my old neighborhood and high school could be gone. :(

[Rizon]

My cousin has been evacuated, and my brother is on some type of "standby/lockdown" deal (?).

[Rizon]

My cousin has been evacuated, and my brother is on some type of "standby/lockdown" deal (?).

Dola,

Can't really get an answer out of him. Keeps saying "Jesus hates us" or other weird things.

[SackAttack]

Mental breakdown?

[Chief Rum]

Don't know if this is meant to be a check in thread or not, but if so, I am here and fine. West-central OC, where I live, is essentially untouched, as it is relatively open flat areas. A big fire in the Foothill Ranch and Silverado Canyon areas to the east (the fires that shut down the 91 and 241 for bhlloy) have covered the area in ash and smoke and everything smells. The wind is still blowing, though, not as much as Sunday night or Monday morning.

I worked both of my jobs Monday, and they are both closer to major fire areas. The first job in Rancho Cucamonga saw some fire action in Foothill and up in the Cajon Pass (the 15 was closed down for a bit), and it was really windy there. We were getting announcements all day that a pole or a tree was close to falling on someone's car, so get out there and move them. Couldn't stay outside for more than a few minutes before your eyes and mouth would start to feel "grainy".

The second job is in Yorba Linda, which is right off of the 91 and close to the Silverado fire. In fact, a couple coworkers said they saw the fire lines on their way in.

Hope everyone out there is okay.

[hukarez]

I reside in Chula Vista, close to the Harris fire that's happening. Just a few miles down my area, they had voluntary evacuations going on.

From what I understand, there was a transformer explosion that ignited one of the blazes that happened on Sunday with arson being the possible culprit of another. 8 wildfires last I checked, and I believe some of them have 'combined'.

In 2003, I wasn't terribly affected by the Cedar fire, but this is clearly worse than the fire of 4 years ago. Amazingly, the city has been on the ball with things from what I understand. I'm hoping that I don't get one of the reverse 911 calls to evacuate... it's horrible timing and I can only hope these Santa Ana wind gusts die down soon so that they can finally get into double digits for containment. :(

Right now, the pavement in the parking lot near my house looks like someone emptied out a million ashtrays. It's all over the place, and you can only have your car's recycled air go on for so long before it gets stagnant. I commute to La Jolla, and in my building, relatively 25% of the people showed up to work.

I don't think I've ever been as nervous about wildfires like this - right now, it smells like a huge bonfire. I've got a lot of stuff stowed here in my house that I've been planning out on which to take with me should my family have to evacuate... now granted, they're all just my collection of comics and toys and video games - just materialistic and trivial things in a time of crisis like this, but I got to thinking about all the memories behind a lot of the stuff in addition to the work I've done to the house with my pop.

What I feel bad about, is that my parents worked hard to get to the place we're at now, and the stuff we've done together for the house are things that I'll forever cherish. I know it's pretty obvious that my family's welfare is first, but I have to admit... it's real hard realizing everything you've worked to attain and achieve - especially with family can just go up in a blaze without much avail.

That probably sounds a bit selfish or completely irrelevant in some way, but I don't know... this is just all too frustrating to deal with... :(

[JeeberD]

I'm hearing that some of these fires may be arson.

I'm strongly starting to lean in favor of completely banning smoking in public, and of making arson a capital crime.

I read in yesterday's paper that firefighters found downed power lines that they think may have started the fire. Is that outdated news?

[bhlloy]

Apparently Bake Pkwy is closed in Foothill Ranch today, so I don't know if work will be open or not (we are right off Lake Forest and honestly I have no idea how anyone is going to get there) If so I'm probably going to be forced to go in for at least a couple of hours because the other guy who does my job lives in Irvine and had to stay home yesterday because of the possibility of evacuation.

If we were still living in our old apartment in Foothill, we would have had to evacuate last night. It literally backed onto Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park which I understand is completely up in flames.

Scary stuff. My thoughts go out to everyone who is really affected by this.

[SackAttack]

I read in yesterday's paper that firefighters found downed power lines that they think may have started the fire. Is that outdated news?

No, but those power lines weren't responsible for all of the blazes currently burning, either.

Of the two or three in my area, at least one is presumed to be arson.

[Wolfpack]

This is grim stuff to read, folks. Stay safe. I'm praying for you all.

[hawk4669]

On my end I'm hearing one of the initial (and bigger) of the complexes (fires) was caused by downed power lines. Still very early to tell, and investigation of the fires, while on going, will take a back seat to suppression.

They keep telling the media "0% containment." That folks, is a bad bad thing.

Edit: Keep in mind, there are several different fires. Still waiting to hear from my best friend, who is a Firefighter/Paramedic for Cal-Fire in San Diego County. Thought is it'll be a while before I hear from 'em though.

[hawk4669]

Dola

If anyone is interested, my department's training officer just set me a "morning briefing" with a .pdf file with fire locations on a map, the name designators of the fires currently burning, and the statistics for each.

Shoot me your e-mail via PM if interested and I'll forward it.

Cheers!

[hawk4669]

Double dola (sorry).

Here's the map I was talking about. I'm not the world's greatest picture poster...so sorry if it comes out huge, or if the text isn't readable. :o

http://home.pacbell.net/billntip/statewide_fires_102207_pm.jpg

Edit: Ok, the text is tiny....but if you save it I guess you can zoom in. :(

Cheers!

[Galaxy]

I read in yesterday's paper that firefighters found downed power lines that they think may have started the fire. Is that outdated news?

I heard that what cause the fires in Malibu.

When do you think the fires will be contained, at the least?

[Buccaneer]

It was depressing to follow this all day, much like following Katrina a while back. The NC Times have a running update and comments from many people and it reminded me of Katrina in following the disaster unfold. The biggest thing now is that the refugee centers are needing supplies. They got the volunteers but now they all (I think about 20 of them) need stuff for a few days, esp. as 100,000 more had to be evacuated today. I am not sure what those outside of SoCal can do but if you know of anyone in the area, please have them get supplies to the centers. Thanks.

[DanGarion]

I'm about 3 miles from the Santiago Fire. But there is no way it can reach to us, since it's on the hills and it's developed land from us to the fire (it's not dry brush land).

We've been dealing with a ton of smoky air though, it's terrible outside.

[Chief Rum]

Wow. So one of the fires is burning to the coast in San Diego County, in the Camp Pendleton area. If you know anything about Orange-Riverside-San Diego counties geography, you know that there are some coastal highlands that meet up between San Clemente and Oceanside that go inland, forming the eastern barrier between OC and Riverside to the east, and OC and San Diego to the south (up a little north, the Santiago fire is raging in these same foothills).

Anyway, this fire in the Camp Pendleton area (just to the east and south of those highlands); I am guessing it's the Rice fire; is closing on the coast, near the San Onofre Nuclear facility and Trestles, the surf beach. This is an area pretty much devoid of habitation, but is essentially the coastal corridor between OC and San Diego. The 5 runs right through it. If this fire reaches the coast, and it seems likely, the 5 will be shut down at San Clemente. With the inland freeway 15 shutdown in the valleys between Riverside and San Diego (it goes right through San Diego's real hot area), SD county will now be almost completely cut off from its northern neighboring counties.

Scary how far these fires are progressing.

[Lorena]

Wow. So one of the fires is burning to the coast in San Diego County, in the Camp Pendleton area. If you know anything about Orange-Riverside-San Diego counties geography, you know that there are some coastal highlands that meet up between San Clemente and Oceanside that go inland, forming the eastern barrier between OC and Riverside to the east, and OC and San Diego to the south (up a little north, the Santiago fire is raging in these same foothills).

Anyway, this fire in the Camp Pendleton area (just to the east and south of those highlands); I am guessing it's the Rice fire; is closing on the coast, near the San Onofre Nuclear facility and Trestles, the surf beach. This is an area pretty much devoid of habitation, but is essentially the coastal corridor between OC and San Diego. The 5 runs right through it. If this fire reaches the coast, and it seems likely, the 5 will be shut down at San Clemente. With the inland freeway 15 shutdown in the valleys between Riverside and San Diego (it goes right through San Diego's real hot area), SD county will now be almost completely cut off from its northern neighboring counties.

Scary how far these fires are progressing.

No way!! Oh.my.god. Wow. I was listening to SanDiego1700 and they cleared portions of San Diego for ppl to go home and I had a little bit of hope, but if it reached Camp Pendleton... oh shit. My mother-in-law lives in Oceanside right next to Camp Pendleton... this is getting really scary.

I hope we hear from hukarez because I think Chula Vista was asked to evacuate.

Does anyone know if it's contained somewhat? I know one of the fires was 0% contained, but the other was 5%.

EDIT to add: As of 10pm last night - 2 of the fires are 10% contained, and 1 is 1%.

[Lorena]

Two fires burning at Camp Pendleton
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 10/23/2007 05:03:41 PM PDT

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.—Two spot fires are burning on the grounds of Camp Pendleton, home of the U.S. Marines Corps.
A base spokesman says one fire blackened 3,000 acres of brush and grass in a training area. It is 10 percent contained and is moving toward canyons and away from structures.
Another fire burned 200 acres near a station that's home to the 1st Marine Division. It is fully contained.
No injuries or damages were reported.
Families living in military housing areas are being told to pack their belongings and be prepared to leave in the event of a mandatory evacuation

[hukarez]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ll=32.994843,-116.924744&spn=1.029693,1.867676&z=9&om=1

I was in Costa Mesa a couple nights ago, before heading back down to San Diego area... the Harris fire that affected my area shifted directions, and there was a backdraft that apparently we're hoping will burn itself out.

A lot of my co-workers have been out, and some are in Orange County right now (my boss is in La Mirada) and all schools have been closed. There are some cars on the road, not quite as heavily busy as I would have expected, but the ash is intense in some areas.

The Mt. Miguel fire is somewhat of a concern - communication towers and cell towers are located there, and I would presume that they've been destroyed - my cell service is spotty in some areas, and even then they've kept encouraging us to not use the cell phones as that's what the firefighters are using to communicate.

As of now, my family has been remaining at home, ready to evacuate if we get the reverse-911, and a lot of my North County friends have received the calls. We haven't heard from 4 friends yet, no text or email or any calls whatsoever, so we're unclear where they are. I've been getting bombarded with calls from friends in Long Beach and San Francisco, and I haven't been able to return all their calls in a timely fashion.

My co-worker was up to 6am nursing his newborn baby when he had to evacuate. He drove down from Del Sur all the way to Jamul, where he was offered a place to stay by his neighbor. Now he's evacuating Jamul, and right now no one knows what's happened. Everyone's scattered, we're trying to keep updated and find out where everyone else... I know some friends are shacked up in Escondido for the time being, and my buddy scrambled out of his house when he saw flames over the ridge over in East county.

I've got a friend who tried leaving work early to volunteer at Qualcomm Stadium, but they insisted that he come into work regardless. I think I've been averaging 4 hours of sleep, and right now, throughout this whole ordeal, the only thing I can really think of is that possibility of arson and how if it is the case... how I'd very much like to slit that person's throat right now...

[Lorena]

Glad to hear from you hukarez. I can't help but think of all the people affected by this and my heart goes out to every single one of them. I was watching MSNBC and it seems Qualcomm doesn't need volunteers and are well stocked with supplies so it's nice to see the community coming together with donations including blood.

But one thing that nauseates me is that some looters have been caught in evacuated homes and some have even tricked people into evacuating so they can burglarize their homes. WTF? I mean seriously, go to hell motherfuckers :mad:

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

WTF? I mean seriously, go to hell motherfuckers :mad:

A woman with a sailor's mouth. That's hot! :)

[JediKooter]

Whew!! We dodged a huge bullet. My house is in Rancho Bernardo and the fire went just north of us on Rancho Bernardo Rd, which is about a half mile from us. We live off of Camino Del Norte near 4S Ranch. I was able to talk to a police officer into letting me get some asthma medicine for my wife and the best way I can describe what our neighborhood looks like is a tornado or hurricane went through there but without the water. There's giant trees that were snapped in half, crushed cars from the trees falling, broken signs, street lights blown off the poles, a big mess to say the least. Several of our friends lost their homes, their girls play softball with our girls in the local league.

I was talking to the police at the check point that is right outside our hotel we are staying in and they said they caught a couple of looters in the burnt out areas of Rancho Bernardo. The looters are getting in by using the trails in the hills on their bikes. Those were the only ones so far, and it doesn't sound like it's out of control or anything like that. There's also quite a few National Guard troops helping out as well, so, I really don't think we will have too many reports of looting here.

There still are little flare ups in the neighborhood and it's a bit un-nerving when you hear and see the fire trucks flying down the road to get to it and all the helicopters flying over.

I just hope it's over soon and no more homes are lost.

[Lorena]

Whew!! We dodged a huge bullet. My house is in Rancho Bernardo and the fire went just north of us on Rancho Bernardo Rd, which is about a half mile from us. We live off of Camino Del Norte near 4S Ranch. I was able to talk to a police officer into letting me get some asthma medicine for my wife and the best way I can describe what our neighborhood looks like is a tornado or hurricane went through there but without the water. There's giant trees that were snapped in half, crushed cars from the trees falling, broken signs, street lights blown off the poles, a big mess to say the least. Several of our friends lost their homes, their girls play softball with our girls in the local league.

I was talking to the police at the check point that is right outside our hotel we are staying in and they said they caught a couple of looters in the burnt out areas of Rancho Bernardo. The looters are getting in by using the trails in the hills on their bikes. Those were the only ones so far, and it doesn't sound like it's out of control or anything like that. There's also quite a few National Guard troops helping out as well, so, I really don't think we will have too many reports of looting here.

There still are little flare ups in the neighborhood and it's a bit un-nerving when you hear and see the fire trucks flying down the road to get to it and all the helicopters flying over.

I just hope it's over soon and no more homes are lost.

Wow JK, glad to hear you and your family are okay. I heard some parts of Rancho Bernardo were cleared to go home, are you one of them?

I'm sorry to hear about your friends losing their home, that's terrible :(

[JediKooter]

Wow JK, glad to hear you and your family are okay. I heard some parts of Rancho Bernardo were cleared to go home, are you one of them?

I'm sorry to hear about your friends losing their home, that's terrible :(

Thank you DC. We got everyone out at about 5:30AM Monday when the sheriff called everyone that they had to get out. The wife, 2 kids, cat and the dog all made it. :) We went over to Oceanside and stayed at my cousins for the night and then went back to Rancho Bernardo the nest day and are staying in a hotel right now. We just want to be close by so we don't get stuck in the mass traffic that we know is going to happen when they say everyone can go back to their homes.

The only area of Rancho Bernardo that I've heard that can go back, is the North Eastern part, which borders Poway on the eastern side of the 15. We live right at the start of the 4S Ranch area (the very western part). We've been there for 5 years now and the fires in 2003 went to the south of us, this one went to the north, so, that only leaves one way for the next one to go.

I feel really guilty about them losing their houses and I didn't. I just tell them we don't think we lost ours, but, we won't know for sure until we are able to check.

[Antmeister]

Wow JediKooter! Seriously glad you are safe. We used to live on Camino Del Norte about 7 years ago at The Villas just west of the 15 I hope your wife is not having any reactions to all the crap flying through the air. My mom lives in Oceanside as well and says that you can still smell the burning stuff in the air. Regardless stay safe.

[Buccaneer]

JK, thanks for the news. I got an email from my dad and like me, he had been following all of the news, updates, pictures and videos. The fire coming down San Pasqual didn't cross over Bear Valley into our old neighborhood but my dad certainly is familiar with many of the places within the burned areas. He said he couldn't imagine mom and he going through that (esp. the bad air) but somehow they would have gotten through it. He told me to be more thankful for what we can enjoy today.

[JediKooter]

Wow JediKooter! Seriously glad you are safe. We used to live on Camino Del Norte about 7 years ago at The Villas just west of the 15 I hope your wife is not having any reactions to all the crap flying through the air. My mom lives in Oceanside as well and says that you can still smell the burning stuff in the air. Regardless stay safe.

Sorry for the slow response, we were able to go back to our homes and as soon as we got home, we made the trip to Home Depot to get new filters for our AC and other things to start cleaning up the mess.

Your old apartments made it. :) Yes, we kinda learned our lesson with the Cedar fire from 2003 to keep her inside as much as possible. Every little cough from her though, my heart would skip a beat. I'm glad she is doing 1000 times better than 2003.

The smell, blech! I'm tired of smelling like a camp fire. Our garage is just saturated with the smell from all of the smoke. I think Oceanside was probably our smartest move for getting out of here.

The sad news is, the count is up to 4 families that we know have lost their houses. Our girls all play softball together. I'm very thankful that everyone is safe though.

[JediKooter]

JK, thanks for the news. I got an email from my dad and like me, he had been following all of the news, updates, pictures and videos. The fire coming down San Pasqual didn't cross over Bear Valley into our old neighborhood but my dad certainly is familiar with many of the places within the burned areas. He said he couldn't imagine mom and he going through that (esp. the bad air) but somehow they would have gotten through it. He told me to be more thankful for what we can enjoy today.

You're welcome Buc! Thankfully your parents aren't still there, the air quality is just horrible all over San Diego county and Riverside county. What your dad said is so true. I'm telling you, you really don't realize how little we have control of things, until something like this happens.

[pennywisesb]

Well, I've mentioned before that I'm a firefighter with the city of LA and I was working for the last 5 days on the Malibu Fire which was the first fire that started down in this direction. I've been apart of some really crazy fire seasons, but the last week or so makes this one the worst I've seen. And then to think that the fire in Irvine was started intentionally makes me sick. Just keep the rest of the firemen in your prayers who are still fighting the fires in SD Co., San Bernadino Co., and Orange Co--they need them.

[Lorena]

I've been keeping all firefighters, policemen, and So. Calers in my thoughts since this thing started. I can't believe some firemen have been battling this thing for 72 hours!

Thank you pennywisesb, hawk and all other firemen for what you do.

[Galaxy]

I guess they are saying it's an arson fire (s)?

[daedalus]

glad you guys are good, JK.

i'm in long beach so we're pretty well away from everything. thankfully. on the other hand, for most of the week, it's been near impossible to breath outside. i cannot even imagine what it'd be like nearer to the situation. good luck to all of you that are in that situation.

[SackAttack]

I guess they are saying it's an arson fire (s)?

One of 'em for sure, and there's a suspect in custody who's being looked at in possible connection with the other fires.

The Governator says anybody convicted of arson is going to be dealt with harshly, but unless the California Penal Code backs him up on that, or the Legislature passes a bill before the guy gets charged, I don't know how much weight that will carry.

[JediKooter]

glad you guys are good, JK.

i'm in long beach so we're pretty well away from everything. thankfully. on the other hand, for most of the week, it's been near impossible to breath outside. i cannot even imagine what it'd be like nearer to the situation. good luck to all of you that are in that situation.

Thanks Daedalus. It's crazy looking at the pictures from space and all the smoke that's covering everything all the way out to the ocean.

I'll never be able to thank all the firefighters enough for the job they did and are still doing. I honestly believe because of their work, I still have a house.

I hope that anyone who is helping fight the remaining fires stay safe and can go back home soon.

[miami_fan]

Wow....just wow.:(

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/fire.california/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A boy playing with matches started a Southern California wildfire that scorched more than 38,000 acres, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.

The Buckweed Fire, which destroyed 21 homes on its rampage, began October 21 in the Agua Dulce community.

"Our arson explosive detectives, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department investigators, immediately began their investigation, and during the course of the investigation, it led to a juvenile suspect," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Moore told CNN's "American Morning" Wednesday.

"After talking with that juvenile, he admitted to playing with matches, and accidentally starting the fire in that area," he said.

The boy, whose name and age were not given, is home with his parents, police said. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney for possible charges.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Buckweed Fire burned 38,526 acres.

Sixty-three structures, 21 of them homes, were destroyed, and three civilians and two firefighters were injured.

As of Tuesday, 18 of 23 wildfires in Southern California were completely under control, and the remainder were at least 70 percent contained, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fires are blamed for 14 deaths and charred more than 508,000 acres, destroying about 1,600 homes.

Five people were arrested in arson probes last week, and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday vowed to "hunt down" people responsible for setting wildfires.

Authorities said Saturday they were following 1,700 tips about a white Ford F-150 pickup seen near the origin of the sprawling Santiago Fire in Orange County.

Witnesses reported seeing the 1998-2004 model truck with chrome tubular running boards on Santiago Canyon Road on October 21 at about the time the Santiago Fire started.

Authorities said last week they had found evidence at the scene, although they declined to describe it.

"If I were one of the people who started the fires, I would not sleep soundly right now, because we're right behind you," Schwarzenegger said, urging the culprits to turn themselves in.


What are the chances this kid and/or his parents are prosecuted fully?

[Lorena]

Wow....just wow.:(

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/fire.california/index.html?iref=mpstoryview



What are the chances this kid and/or his parents are prosecuted fully?

Very, very high I would think. This kid deserves an ass whoopin' with a paddle 3 inches thick soaked in water, pants and underwear down... KAPOW!