The California Wildfire

[unctarheel_32]

This has go to be the biggest fire I have ever seen,and I feel bad for those who lost there homes.

[Annie]

I feel bad too! I can't get over the size of it!

By the way, has anyone heard from WB? I'm a bit concerned about her...

[scoobertina]

The people should all be okay, but I am worried myself..... I have a friend or two over there and I am hoping they evacuate as needed..... and I hope houses aren't destroyed amongst those I care for..... among others... I really hope they get this under control soon

[Shiane]

I feel bad too! I can't get over the size of it!

By the way, has anyone heard from WB? I'm a bit concerned about her...

I saw a post of hers a few days ago, but thats about it. I'm sure Beav's Okay. The fires are bad, I remember how bad they were here a few years back.

[Pebbles]

This has go to be the biggest fire I have ever seen,and I feel bad for those who lost there homes.

I can't believe how big these fires are! Watching the news and seeing pictures of the areas on fire and the damaged areas makes me wonder how the fires will all be put out! My heart goes out to the families who have lost homes and livestock. Terrible to read about!

[p.a]

They have had many of those in that area but this is said to be the biggest.

[bryan3636]

From first hand knowledge I'm in a wait and watch mode...The Santiago Canyon fire is the one that affects me. It's an arson set fire that over the last 4 days has ravaged areas to the west of me but now has spread within a a couple of miles of my home. When coming home from work last night I found the road leading down to Trabuco Canyon barricaded not allowing anyone to travel down into the canyon. I live just above the canyon and the barricade was next to the street leading to my house. After checking with the authorities they said there shouldn't be a problem overnight (which there wasn't) but that depending on the high winds I might have a mandatory evacuation on Wednesday (today). Already have the cars packed up and waiting for the dreaded reverse 9-1-1 call that alerts us to get out. Fortunately the winds have died down considerably and they have deployed large air tankers to drop water and retardant to hopefully knock down this blaze before it causes even more devastation than it already has. Thanks to all my friends on the site for their well wishes and prayers.

[angelis]

Hope you and your family and friends are safe Bryan,take care,
thinking of you at this unfortunate time:kk

[p.J]

I have followed the news on this situation very closely.My sympathies to all who have lost property during this terrible tragedy. It is a beautiful part of the world with a huge diversity of people and wonderful wilderness areas. The amazing "can do" attitude of the people will be a big factor in its recovery.

Stay safe and I pray that it will rain very soon and put an end to your desperate situation. :kk

[spare_change]

I have followed the news on this situation very closely.My sympathies to all who have lost property during this terrible tragedy. It is a beautiful part of the world with a huge diversity of people and wonderful wilderness areas. The amazing "can do" attitude of the people will be a big factor in its recovery.

Stay safe and I pray that it will rain very soon and put an end to your desperate situation. :kk


No problem, Jen. We just know that all those countries we have helped over the last decade when natural disasters hit them will be sending aid and comfort to us.

[Missy38]

Its very sad how so many people have lost their home but they are so brave...My hopes and prays are with them all....

[Sneaky]

Take care of yourself Bryan. I was talking to a girl and work and she has family in the area, and they attended a meeting and said that the roads that are blocked off are not listed on the internet....


Be safe please!

[RedVixen]

My heart and prayers go out to all who are being devasted by this tragedy. Please stay safe Bryan :kk

[Domus]

Be safe, Bryan and give us an update on what's happening,
if you can...

[unctarheel_32]

Bryan me and my gf Missy 38 are praying for you and ure family and that nothing terrible happens to any of you all and ure home and property.

[mrdiscreet]

No problem, Jen. We just know that all those countries we have helped over the last decade when natural disasters hit them will be sending aid and comfort to us.

Actually, many countries offered aid in response to Katrina. The Bush admin was just too incompetent to make use of it.

Some foreign attempts to send U.S. aid stymied
By Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY

The Bush administration has accepted nearly $1 billion in foreign aid, but the same bottlenecks and confusion that have slowed delivery of U.S. help to the victims of Hurricane Katrina are frustrating some overseas donors.
http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif

Since Saturday, a Swedish transport plane carrying equipment for water purification and three cellular networks has been sitting on the tarmac at an airport in western Sweden awaiting U.S. flight clearance, Claes Thorson, press counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Washington, said Wednesday.

Despite State Department assurances that foreign aid was welcome, officials in Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Norway, India and South Korea told the Associated Press they were waiting to hear when and where some donations could be sent.

Thorson said one problem appeared to be bottlenecks at New Orleans International Airport. "Our last request was suspended by the State Department until further notice," he said.

Harry Thomas, the State Department official in charge of coordinating foreign offers, said the Bush administration welcomed the aid but wanted to make sure it was matched with need.

"The worst thing we could do is to take things, have them ... sit on the ground and not be utilized, to have something rot or not get to people quickly," he said at a briefing at the State Department.

http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif Who's giving - and what http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif Foreign countries have responded generously to Hurricane Katrina. Donor nations and their contribution:

Country Support Afghanistan $100,000 Armenia $100,000 Australia $7.6 million Azerbaijan $500,000 Bahamas $50,000 Bahrain $5 million Bangladesh $1 million Belgium Medical/logistics teams Canada 2 helicopters, 32-person rescue team, evacuation flights, medical supplies China $5.1 million cash and relief supplies Djibouti $50,000 Finland Search-and-rescue team; 3 logistics specialists France Tents, tarps, MREs, water treatment supplies, cleaning equipment Gabon $500,000 Georgia $50,000 Germany MREs, high speed pumps, forensic experts Greece 2 cruise ships India $5 million Iraq $1,000,000 cash Ireland $1,000,000 cash Country Support Israel Tents, first-aid kits, baby formula Italy Generators, water pumps/purifiers, tents, med supplies Japan $200,000 cash and $844,000 in relief supplies, $1.5 million in private donations. Kuwait $400 million in oil, $100 million cash Maldives $25,000 cash Mexico Transport vehicles, 1 helicopter, ambulance and medical teams. Mongolia $50,000 cash Nepal $25,000 cash New Zealand $1.4 million cash, search and rescue teams Nigeria $1 million cash Norway $1.54 million in relief supplies Qatar $100 million cash Republic of Korea $30 million cash and in-kind donations Saudi Arabia $5 million from Aramco, $250,000 from Agfund Singapore 3 helicopters Sri Lanka $25,000 cash Taiwan $2 million cash, medical supplies Thailand Forensic experts, blankets and food UAE $100 million cash UK MREs Venezuela Up to $1 million Source: State Department

http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif
Thomas said Katrina has triggered unprecedented offers of more than $1 billion in cash and supplies from 95 nations including several U.S. adversaries and countries that are usually aid recipients.

Among the latest: a Mexican army convoy and a navy ship carrying food, blankets, doctors and nurses to Texas. It will be the first time Mexican soldiers have entered U.S. soil since 1846 although they will not carry arms. "This is just an act of solidarity between two peoples who are brothers," Ruben Aguilar, a spokesman for President Vicente Fox, told the AP.

(Shortened for space limitations)

[flamengo130]

Where in the hell do we start being AMERICANS and stop all this bullshit political blaming!!! Sorry. Guess I'm not a Republican or a Democrat...but I'm sure tired of the President of the United States being blamed for the weather.



Actually, many countries offered aid in response to Katrina. The Bush admin was just too incompetent to make use of it.

Some foreign attempts to send U.S. aid stymied
By Barbara Slavin, USA TODAY

The Bush administration has accepted nearly $1 billion in foreign aid, but the same bottlenecks and confusion that have slowed delivery of U.S. help to the victims of Hurricane Katrina are frustrating some overseas donors.
http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif

Since Saturday, a Swedish transport plane carrying equipment for water purification and three cellular networks has been sitting on the tarmac at an airport in western Sweden awaiting U.S. flight clearance, Claes Thorson, press counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Washington, said Wednesday.

Despite State Department assurances that foreign aid was welcome, officials in Switzerland, Poland, Austria, Norway, India and South Korea told the Associated Press they were waiting to hear when and where some donations could be sent.

Thorson said one problem appeared to be bottlenecks at New Orleans International Airport. "Our last request was suspended by the State Department until further notice," he said.

Harry Thomas, the State Department official in charge of coordinating foreign offers, said the Bush administration welcomed the aid but wanted to make sure it was matched with need.

"The worst thing we could do is to take things, have them ... sit on the ground and not be utilized, to have something rot or not get to people quickly," he said at a briefing at the State Department.

http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif Who's giving - and what http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif Foreign countries have responded generously to Hurricane Katrina. Donor nations and their contribution:

Country Support Afghanistan $100,000 Armenia $100,000 Australia $7.6 million Azerbaijan $500,000 Bahamas $50,000 Bahrain $5 million Bangladesh $1 million Belgium Medical/logistics teams Canada 2 helicopters, 32-person rescue team, evacuation flights, medical supplies China $5.1 million cash and relief supplies Djibouti $50,000 Finland Search-and-rescue team; 3 logistics specialists France Tents, tarps, MREs, water treatment supplies, cleaning equipment Gabon $500,000 Georgia $50,000 Germany MREs, high speed pumps, forensic experts Greece 2 cruise ships India $5 million Iraq $1,000,000 cash Ireland $1,000,000 cash Country Support Israel Tents, first-aid kits, baby formula Italy Generators, water pumps/purifiers, tents, med supplies Japan $200,000 cash and $844,000 in relief supplies, $1.5 million in private donations. Kuwait $400 million in oil, $100 million cash Maldives $25,000 cash Mexico Transport vehicles, 1 helicopter, ambulance and medical teams. Mongolia $50,000 cash Nepal $25,000 cash New Zealand $1.4 million cash, search and rescue teams Nigeria $1 million cash Norway $1.54 million in relief supplies Qatar $100 million cash Republic of Korea $30 million cash and in-kind donations Saudi Arabia $5 million from Aramco, $250,000 from Agfund Singapore 3 helicopters Sri Lanka $25,000 cash Taiwan $2 million cash, medical supplies Thailand Forensic experts, blankets and food UAE $100 million cash UK MREs Venezuela Up to $1 million Source: State Department

http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif http://images.usatoday.com/_common/_images/clear.gif
Thomas said Katrina has triggered unprecedented offers of more than $1 billion in cash and supplies from 95 nations including several U.S. adversaries and countries that are usually aid recipients.

Among the latest: a Mexican army convoy and a navy ship carrying food, blankets, doctors and nurses to Texas. It will be the first time Mexican soldiers have entered U.S. soil since 1846 although they will not carry arms. "This is just an act of solidarity between two peoples who are brothers," Ruben Aguilar, a spokesman for President Vicente Fox, told the AP.

(Shortened for space limitations)

[spare_change]

Where in the hell do we start being AMERICANS and stop all this bullshit political blaming!!! Sorry. Guess I'm not a Republican or a Democrat...but I'm sure tired of the President of the United States being blamed for the weather.



If you wore a skirt, I'd kiss you. But, I'll just settle for a standing ovation!

[mrdiscreet]

Where in the hell do we start being AMERICANS and stop all this bullshit political blaming!!! Sorry. Guess I'm not a Republican or a Democrat...but I'm sure tired of the President of the United States being blamed for the weather.

I have no difficulty blaming Bush and FEMA -- as well as the incompetence of the Democratic Louisiana and New Orleans local authorities -- for the debacle of Katrina.

My post assessed no blame for the wildfires.

My post went to refuting Spare's false slam on foreign countries, claiming that foreign countries have been unwilling to come to the aid of the US.

[redcat]

I'd just like to add my thoughts and prayers for Bryan, and all who have been affected by the devastation of the wildfires.

[spare_change]

I have no difficulty blaming Bush and FEMA -- as well as the incompetence of the Democratic Louisiana and New Orleans local authorities -- for the debacle of Katrina.

My post assessed no blame for the wildfires.

My post went to refuting Spare's false slam on foreign countries, claiming that foreign countries have been unwilling to come to the aid of the US.


Amazing.

I claimed no such thing ......

My statement was in reference to our willingness to help other disaster impacted countries. You need to adjust your viewfinder.

[bryan3636]

I just want to thank everyone on the site for your support and well wishes. Even though we're not out of the woods yet, the winds have died down and the fire authority has made some progress in containing the part of the fire heading toward me. However, with the change of wind direction it's now headed due east into a national forest which will give the fire more fuel to build to a possibly horrendous size if it isn't controlled in the next two days. While I'm hopeful that my house will be spared I'm terribly concerned for the welfare of those to the east that are in harms way. In addition if it gets really out of hand it could spread to the southeast and merge with the San Diego fires that are creating even more havoc down there. On another note...whereas I respect the varied opinions of Spare Change and Mrdiscreet I think you could have found a more appropriate thread to further your political debate instead of hijacking this thread that was generously created by Unctarheel (thanks Unc) for the discussion of the devastation that these fires have produced. Thanks again everyone!!!

[unctarheel_32]

Well you are welcome Bryan and I heard on the news that they found two bodies.Thats a really bad way to die but of course to be burnt to death would just be horrible.And I hope and pray that they get those fires contained.

[Wet Beaver]

I feel bad too! I can't get over the size of it!

By the way, has anyone heard from WB? I'm a bit concerned about her...


Damn Annie....i didn't know you cared.....everything fine here....the fires are miles away...but i do have to say they are bad....but not as bad as some oil wells fires when i was growing up......

[mrdiscreet]

[Deleted. Sorry Bryan, best wishes; I had posted this response before seeing the side discussion was upsetting to you.]

[Pebbles]

I just want to thank everyone on the site for your support and well wishes. Even though we're not out of the woods yet, the winds have died down and the fire authority has made some progress in containing the part of the fire heading toward me. However, with the change of wind direction it's now headed due east into a national forest which will give the fire more fuel to build to a possibly horrendous size if it isn't controlled in the next two days. While I'm hopeful that my house will be spared I'm terribly concerned for the welfare of those to the east that are in harms way. In addition if it gets really out of hand it could spread to the southeast and merge with the San Diego fires that are creating even more havoc down there. On another note...whereas I respect the varied opinions of Spare Change and Mrdiscreet I think you could have found a more appropriate thread to further your political debate instead of hijacking this thread that was generously created by Unctarheel (thanks Unc) for the discussion of the devastation that these fires have produced. Thanks again everyone!!!

My prayers and thoughts are with you and all the people that had to be involved with this terrible tragedy. Is there any good place to donate money for to help the people? I have looked on the net and can't find any. I wish I could more to help. Take care bryan and keep this forum informed on how you are doing. Please!

[bryan3636]

Thanks Pebbles...for donations they are requesting you give to the American Red Cross with the notation "Southern California Fire Relief" so that it will be used only to help the victims of the fires here rather than for their general fund.
Thanks again!



My prayers and thoughts are with you and all the people that had to be involved with this terrible tragedy. Is there any good place to donate money for to help the people? I have looked on the net and can't find any. I wish I could more to help. Take care bryan and keep this forum informed on how you are doing. Please!