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Monday, October 22, 2007

Fire Mutual Aid Being Requested from Neighboring States

22 Oct 2007 - 10:45 PDT

Fire Mutual Aid Being Requested from Neighboring States

CALIFORNIA: The latest news from California says that the state fire services are being stretched to their limits. At a news conference with numerous Fire, Police, and EMS agencies and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the spate of California fires was being called "a perfect storm of fire." The state Office of Emergency Services (OES) said that they were moving fire companies from Northern California and requesting additional firefighting assets (including aircraft) from Nevada and Arizona. The fire task forces from N. California can take at least eight (8) hours to drive to locations in S. California and deploy. Assets coming from other states might take even longer to arrive, due to a need to mobilize them and travel to the fire areas. Watch this webpage and EmergencyNet News for additional information about this still emerging story...

CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS HOME PAGE

http://calfire.blogspot.com/


Lake Arrowhead Fire Engulfs Numerous Homes

LAKE ARROWHEAD, CA: According to witnesses and a review of aerial video sources, a major fire is emerging near Lake Arrowhead/Green Valley (North of San Bernardino). This fire is encroaching on an urban/wildland interface, with numerous homes at risk at the time of this report. At least 20 houses are currently burning in what is described as a 100 acre area of fire, with that number rising with time. The fire is spreading rapidly and engulfing houses as the flames are pushed by 30mph winds. The latest news from that area says that a mandatory evacuations are being ordered for this neighborhood. Emergency service sources at the scene are said to be requesting "air assets," though air tankers and water-dropping helicopters are at a premium with the numerous fires burning in California. EmergencyNet News is monitoring the airwaves for additional official notifications concerning this fire...

Live video from this fire can be seen at: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=special_coverage&id=3654457

A report from KTLA, entitled "Dozens of Homes Destroyed in Lake Arrowhead, October 22, 2007, 10:58 AM PDT," can be found at: http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-arrowheadfire,0,979460.story?coll=ktla-news-2

Three Fires Burn in Ontario Area
ONTARIO, CA: Three separate fires in Ontario were further inflamed with 60 mph winds Monday. The fire, approximately 160 acres in size, is burning south of the 60 Freeway. The fire has forced mandatory evacuations in Edison, Schaeffer, Grove and Walker, in the southern portion of Ontario. Several structures have burned, but officials don't know how many. The majority of the area is composed of dairy farms. An evacuation center has been set up at the Westwind Community Center on Riverside Drive.
Evacuations Underway in San Diego County
SAN DIEGO, CA: Wildfires fanned by fierce desert winds forced the evacuations of nearly 250,000 people Monday in San Diego County, including hundreds who were being moved by school bus and ambulance from a hospital and nursing homes....Visit Calif. Fires Force 250,000 to Evacuate
Additional notifications from San Diego County:
URGENT - MESSAGE
* Mandatory Evacuation for SE Areas of Rancho Santa Fe
* SDPD on and off Duty Detectives in Uniform Until Further Notice
* News: Interstate 15 is NOT reopening

-- Source: http://www.fox6.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=68744018-0904-49b9-976a-79cee92e5b95
Posted by C. L. Staten at 12:56.55
Edited on: Monday, October 22, 2007 15:15.10
Categories: Emergency Services