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Wildland Fires in Southern California/ Los Angeles ]
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Wildland Fires in Southern California/ Los Angeles Index ]
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29th.
Novato
firefighter-paramedic Steve Rucker was killed near Julian today when
he, another firefighter, a fire captain and an engine driver protecting
houses were suddenly overcome by flames near the mountain community
of Julian in San Diego County. Rucker's captain, Doug MacDonald, also
from Novato, was in critical condition at the UC San Diego Burn Center,
and the two other crew members were recovering from moderate burns.
About 634,000 acres and up to 2,600 homes and other buildings burned;
About six miles of Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita, a major north-south
route, were closed for a few hours, but reopened this afternoon.
The weather in Southern
California continued to cool today, however, an increase in onshore
winds prompted the National Weather Service to issue a "critical
fire threat" in the foothill and mountain areas of the region early
this afternoon.
Those winds, blowing
from the west, were forecast to exceed 30 mph in the mountains on Thursday,
which could render firefighting aircrafts ineffective.
San Bernardino
County
More than 900 buildings
in the county destroyed by the blazes, as many as 300 homes and structures
alone in Cedar Glen near Lake Arrowhead.
- Grand Prix
Fire
57,232 acres burned, 35 percent contained
$7.2 million in costs so far, 77 homes lost
Deaths: 0
Started: Tuesday, October 21st near San Bernardino National
Forest; Cause: Arson
Evacuations
in Lytle Creek, Mount Baldy, and parts of Claremont, Upland,
Devore Heights, Palmer Canyon, Padua Hills, Thompson Creek,
and other foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Residents are being allowed back in several areas, including
parts of Muscoy, Claremont and Upland.
- Old Fire
36,780 acres burned, 10 percent containment
Deaths: 4 ; 520 homes, 10 commercial buildings destroyed
Started: October 25th. near San Bernardino National Forest caused
by arson
Personnel: 1,632 firefighters; Suppression cost: $2.9 million
Fire is furthest west at Silverwood Lake and is furthest east
at Running Springs.
Mandatory evacuations in place as of 10:00 a.m. Wednesday: Hesperia
(south of Ranchero), Oak Hills, Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon,
Les Flores areas.
Voluntary evacuations were recommended for residents of areas
north of Ranchero and south of Mesquite towns.
Mandatory and immediate evacuations were in place at 1:40 a.m.
Wednesday for the following communities: Big Bear Lake, Big
Bear City, Summit Valley, Angelus Oaks, Oak Hills
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San Diego County
- Cedar Fire
16 people dead, including 1 firefighter
233,192 acres burned; 15 percent containment
1,060 homes and 166 outbuildings destroyed. Air traffic nationwide
About 3,330 firefighters deployed
Goal: keeping flames away from the historic downtown area of
Julian, once a gold-mining town.
- Paradise
fire
- Otay fire
fully contained by Wednesday afternoon.
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Ventura County
- Piru Fire
3 homes and 3 outbuildings destroyed;
55,812 acres burned, 20 percent containment;
Damaged small corner of Sespe Wilderness and Sespe Condor Sanctuary,
but no condors are currently in the refuge.
Pushed by on-shore breezes, the fire continues to march farther
north into the Los Padres National Forest.
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