Southern Calif Wildfires?

[devildog4]

I work out here near the massive wildland fires (we sent two engines). What do you guys/gals on the East coast think of the news reports and video of these large fires? Would you want to respond to something like this? If the local resources needed help would you be willing to go? I don't think you experience this type of thing there?

There are about 1,950 firefighters on the line.
62 hand crews
181 engines
9 tankers (aircraft)
12 helos
18 dozers
20 water tenders

[devildog4]

22 views and no replies? I think I can then guess what people think!

[wlff662]

calif wlf

Im from the east coast, Chesapeake Va. to be exact. we currently have six members red card certified and wanting to go put their training to use. I'm the Urban Interface Coord. for the city and willing to get some first hand experience. Mandatory overtime prohibits us from getting on the VA crew for rotation 7/19-7/29, perhaps later this yr. or next.

[FTMPTB15]

You can keep that stuff on the West Coast. The last report I heard said that the temps were supposed to be in the triple digit range this weekend, plus all that fire burning around you as you HIKE around the mountain. I don't envy ya'll one bit! Nor do I envy the folks down in Florida who get decent sized wildfires with their humidity!! Stay safe out there.

[devildog4]

FTMPTB15: You are so right, it isn't fun! But ya gotta admit it is pretty impressive!

BTW, I was with the Jacksonville Volunteer Rescue Squad back in 77-78. I worked with a guy here in San Diego who was Chief of Pumpkin Center VFD way back then...

[kd7fds]

I am in Idaho, I have enough problems with my own wildfires without worrying about your urban-interface nightmare

[devildog4]

Latest is that the two fires merged this afternoon. More resources arrived from out of State:

New statistics for Sawtooth and Millard fires
July 14, 8:17 p.m.
Sawtooth:

59,000 acres scorched.
35 percent contained
2,896 firefighters are involved in the battle.

Millard:
10,000 acres scorched.
5 percent contained.

[FTMPTB15]

FTMPTB15: You are so right, it isn't fun! But ya gotta admit it is pretty impressive!

BTW, I was with the Jacksonville Volunteer Rescue Squad back in 77-78. I worked with a guy here in San Diego who was Chief of Pumpkin Center VFD way back then...

It certainly is impressive, especially the night shots of the fire.

Pumpkin Center.. if I'm not mistaken there are two Pumpkin Center VFDs in NC! Imagine that... The in Lincoln County has some "nice" blue trucks!!

[devildog4]

This one was Onslow County...

[FTMPTB15]

Then it was this one... http://pumpkincentervfd.tripod.com/

I really feel bad for the people whose property is in danger. They showed an interview with a couple and they said, "Both of our cars are packed and ready to go, we've already decided what stays and what goes with us.." I would hate to decide what I could take with me... especially since they only had 2 small sedans!

The only way I'd live out there (in an area prone to those huge fires) is if I had a single-wide or something mobile (an RV). If a fire comes, "Honey, back the rig on up... we're getting outta here.."

[BirkenVogt]

I must point out that with proper clearing and preparation that any house should be able to stand on its own against fire. Clearing away the flammable vegetation and watering the grass as well as making wise choices with regards to building material should make it so that no fire department intervention is necessary. IOW everyone should be responsible for his own house, not the fire department....

Birken

[devildog4]

Even with clearing flammables away from a fire-resistant structure there is always a threat. To think otherwise is naive.

The fire department IS responsible. That is what we get paid for!

[FTMPTB15]

everyone should be responsible for his own house, not the fire department....

I'm guessing that he means that everyone should be responsible for clearing the brush away from around their house and not wait for the fire department to do so while fighting a brush fire in the area. That's just what I'm guessing.. I could be wrong! I could see his point there, but I agree Devildog4.. the fire department is responsible to protect those houses, whether they took the time to clear their land or not.

Any reports of injuries? I'm sure there have been the regular heat-related problems and dehydration issues, especially in that heat.

[wombat]

Even with clearing flammables away from a fire-resistant structure there is always a threat. To think otherwise is naive.

The fire department IS responsible. That is what we get paid for!

Is the fire dept responsible? Definitely No!!!!

You are responsible for your own life and property.

Clear 100ft breaks around your own dwelling before the start of summer.

Evavuation should occur well before any fire threatens or approaches.

Bad enough driving a tanker with several hundred galls of water around a fire scene let alone a petrol powered car. How often do we find people evacuating at the last minute only to be cooked a little way down the road after they run into a tree while driving through thick smoke.

[devildog4]

I meant the FD was responsible for fire protection EVEN IF the owner chose not to clear vegetation...