S. CA is on fire!

[WanderALot]

There's still a fire burning in Santiago canyon, but Orange County is largely intact. I wouldn't recommend the place to any tourists right now, though. The entire area smells like a cheap downtown Vegas casino.

The Orange County fire is still burning, except now it's changed directions is moving east towards Cleveland National Forest. Fortunately, it looks like the homes in south Orange County should be out of danger. Whiting Ranch, one of my favorite mountain biking wilderness areas, had a good portion of it scorched. With the winds dying down, it should be under control in a few days. Here's a pretty good map if anyone's interested:

News: Perimeter map of the Santiago Fire, Orange Co. - OCRegister.com

I saw one of the most amazing videos of the fire crossing the 5 Fwy near Camp Pendleton. There were flames on both sides of the freeway and there was burning brush that was breaking off trees and going across the freeway. Pretty wild stuff.

 

[TromboneAl]

One other note: This last summer I camped at Malibu Creek State Park, which is in the canyon that burned near Pepperdine U. Although the place was tinder-dry, and there were plenty of signs forbidding it, I saw at least three open campfires.

 

[Moemg]

Glad to hear everybody is safe ! I guess it's a good time for us all to review our exit plans.

 

[mountaintosea]

Just returned from being exiled since Monday. Glad to hear your home did not burn Laurence!. I went to work on Monday and could not get back up the hill until today. We had to prove that we live up here to get a pass today. I'm glad to be home and hope that we get more rains, for sure there is going to be more Santa Ana's. (as always). Some people are really ticked because they were not allowed back up the mountain to retrieve their children! One man hiked up the mountain to get his school age children, leaving his car down at the bottom. Another 16 year old who did not have a CDL had to pack the car left at the house and drive down the mountain! I mean is that insane or what? My neighbors brought down my cat and diabetic dog. But what about those parents who drive down the hill to work (like a lot of us) and can't get back up to get their kids? I don't get it.