How is the weather?

[Kalevala]

Rain (drizzle) in coastal California!

We could use some of that in my area.  Any fires in your neck of the woods?

K

[Spotted Horses]

We could use some of that in my area.  Any fires in your neck of the woods?

K

There have been no big fires to speak of in our area. The largest in the region has been the bridge fire, in forests north east of Los Angeles, but it was not of the same scale as the biggest ones in recent years. But fire season isn't over. The biggest fire ever to affect our area, the Thomas Fire, started in mid December (2017).

[Spotted Horses]

Woke up to high winds in coastal California. The gods are angry.

[Kalevala]

There have been no big fires to speak of in our area. The largest in the region has been the bridge fire, in forests north east of Los Angeles, but it was not of the same scale as the biggest ones in recent years. But fire season isn't over. The biggest fire ever to affect our area, the Thomas Fire, started in mid December (2017).

Really dry here (including fire restrictions).  I realized yesterday that I hadn't watered a few plants in pots lately, so gave them a good drink; hopefully, they will recover. 

Hope that the winds don't do any damage.

K

[Spotted Horses]

Well, now we have a wildfire, in the hills 20 miles off.

[Kalevala]

Well, now we have a wildfire, in the hills 20 miles off.

Eh, 20 miles away ain't nothing.  Hope that they can contain it soon and also that you and others are o.k. 

K

[Spotted Horses]

The Mountain fire turned out to be a dramatic event. Started at 9:40 am, fanned by "Santa Ana winds." (50 MPH, 80 KPH winds blowing out of the coastal mountain range, gusting to 90 MPH, 150 KPH). By mid afternoon, homes 15 miles away were burning in Camarillo Heights, the scenic ranch land overlooking the city of Camarillo. We are not much farther away from the origin of the fire, but the wind wasn't blowing our way, and we are in a suburban neighborhood, not near the interface between the city and the open land where buildings are most vulnerable. We mainly had to deal with very bad air quality.

This morning the winds have died down, barely noticeable. The fire is no longer advancing, but still smoldering. If the winds return, it could start again.

I saw a large flat bed semi-truck on highway 101 going towards Camarillo. It had flashing red lights and a siren, which is not typical for a semi-truck. It was carrying an enormous bulldozer. A California Forestry Service Bulldozer used for making fire breaks, I assume. I also saw a convoy of half a dozen white firetrucks driving towards the fire area. I believe they were from Santa Barbara County.

[Kalevala]

The Mountain fire turned out to be a dramatic event. Started at 9:40 am, fanned by "Santa Ana winds." (50 MPH, 80 KPH winds blowing out of the coastal mountain range, gusting to 90 MPH, 150 KPH). By mid afternoon, homes 15 miles away were burning in Camarillo Heights, the scenic ranch land overlooking the city of Camarillo. We are not much farther away from the origin of the fire, but the wind wasn't blowing our way, and we are in a suburban neighborhood, not near the interface between the city and the open land where buildings are most vulnerable. We mainly had to deal with very bad air quality.

This morning the winds have died down, barely noticeable. The fire is no longer advancing, but still smoldering. If the winds return, it could start again.

I saw a large flat bed semi-truck on highway 101 going towards Camarillo. It had flashing red lights and a siren, which is not typical for a semi-truck. It was carrying an enormous bulldozer. A California Forestry Service Bulldozer used for making fire breaks, I assume. I also saw a convoy of half a dozen white firetrucks driving towards the fire area. I believe they were from Santa Barbara County.

Sounds horrible!    Hope that they can put it totally out and soon.  I found this online:  https://ktla.com/news/local-news/live-updates-14000-acre-mountain-fire-burns-dozens-of-homes-forces-evacuations/

K

[Spotted Horses]

Sounds horrible!    Hope that they can put it totally out and soon.  I found this online:  https://ktla.com/news/local-news/live-updates-14000-acre-mountain-fire-burns-dozens-of-homes-forces-evacuations/

K

It won't be put out anytime soon, since you can't put out a fire covering 15,000 acres. All they can do is block it's advance along the perimeter of the fire. It will go out when fuel in the burn area is exhausted, and/or it rains. At this point it doesn't seem to be spreading significantly. The main danger is that another bout of Santa Ana winds will restart the rapid spread.

[Karl Henning]

It won't be put out anytime soon, since you can't put out a fire covering 15,000 acres. All they can do is block it's advance along the perimeter of the fire. It will go out when fuel in the burn area is exhausted, and/or it rains. At this point it doesn't seem to be spreading significantly. The main danger is that another bout of Santa Ana winds will restart the rapid spread.

Good luck!

[Kalevala]

It won't be put out anytime soon, since you can't put out a fire covering 15,000 acres. All they can do is block it's advance along the perimeter of the fire. It will go out when fuel in the burn area is exhausted, and/or it rains. At this point it doesn't seem to be spreading significantly. The main danger is that another bout of Santa Ana winds will restart the rapid spread.

True.  That's a large area.  I believe that several dozen people have lost their homes with many more having to evacuate?  Are the Santa Ana winds common during this time of year?

We had a fire in my area about a week or so ago.  A friend and I were getting our Covid shots, etc., at a pharmacy/store and he and I noticed the smell about the same time and could see the smoke in the sky.  Checking the news, it seems that there have been other ones too.    Looking at the current rules, one is not even allowed to grill (at least over charcoal or wood--I don't know about gas).  It's quite dry here and with all of the leaves and dried plants.... Hopefully, we might get some rain next week.

Wishing you all the best,

K

[Kalevala]

@Spotted Horses I just saw a bit of video in which it looked like the fires had moved into some subs.      How are you doing?

K

[Spotted Horses]

@Spotted Horses I just saw a bit of video in which it looked like the fires had moved into some subs.      How are you doing?

K

The winds have quieted and the fire is no longer spreading, the skies are clear, although the fire service is busy containing the burn area. The buildings burned either at the origin (farms and ranches in an unincorporated area) or in Camarillo Heights, a hillside overlooking Camarillo. We are fortunate that the fire did not come in our direction and we only had to deal with the smoke. In California the hillside homes are the most attractive and sought after, but they are the ones that are vulnerable to fire. It is unusual for homes in suburban areas to be destroyed, a recent exception being the city of Santa Rosa (The Tubbs fire).

[Kalevala]

We're finally getting some rain!  Yahoo!  Though it will take a number of rainy days (or a lot of snow) to catch up with where we should be.

K

[steve ridgway]

Frosty but sunny here, which has been good for taking photos to post on Ex-Twitter .

[Kalevala]

@Spotted Horses It looks your due to get some rain over the next week?  How have the fires been lately?

K

[LKB]

Rain, and maybe some wind today and tonight. Nothing like what they're contending with to the north though.

[Kalevala]

Rain, and maybe some wind today and tonight. Nothing like what they're contending with to the north though.

Sheesh!  That's a ton of rain/snow!  Power outages, flooding, trees down...and more.   Wonder how @Todd is doing?

K

[Kalevala]

@LKB are you in So Cal?

K

[Spotted Horses]

@Spotted Horses It looks your due to get some rain over the next week?  How have the fires been lately?

K

It has been standing at 98% contained for a while with no change in the size of the burn area; some steep mountain sides that are difficult to deal with I suppose. But it is pretty much out, with some firefighters patrolling to be sure there are no smoldering areas that could re-ignite if strong wind returns.

Rain will of course be welcome, the wet season is here and we are overdue for our first rain.