Here we go again? We’ll be tracking the Ranch Fire, which is located around Piru and Fillmore – other fires are raging in Malibu, San Diego and elsewhere. With heavy Santa Ana winds the next few days and resources stretched thin across Southern California, this could be a tough fire to fight.
Inciweb has a full report including this: “The fire is burning southwest pushed by 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 60 mph. The terrain is rugged with medium to heavy chaparral brush typical of Southern California. This area has not burned for approximately 40 years.” The Incident Information Center has been activated and can be reached at 626-821-6700.
The Ventura County Fire Department has this caution: “All of Southern California is currently being affected by extreme wildfire activity. Firefighting resources are stretched very thin as all Southern California agencies work to protect their citizens. The large number of fires mean that resources may not be immediately available.”
KVTA AM 1520 has specific canyon and street evacuation areas in Piru and Fillmore, and is reporting that Highway 126 is open.
Weather Underground for Fillmore (93015) reports High Wind Warning in effect until 3 PM PDT Tuesday… Tonight: Very windy. Areas of smoke…otherwise mostly clear. Visibilities locally reduced to less than one mile at times. Lows in the mid 50s to upper 60s. Northeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to around 70 mph. Winds strongest below passes and canyons in eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties.
Reader Kate found this Google map…
View Larger Map
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Gee I’m glad I’m not the ‘little boy that cried wolf’ from earlier today when I saw smoke. Like I’ve said continually Ojai Post is my site for fire/flood news – Great job Tyler!!! By the way, don’t forget our friends at the VSCD on your site list: http://www.vcsd.org/oes/fire.html
I’ve still got my fingers crossed we aren’t looking at another fire storm season replay, but as of tonight all the sites are up and running (Ventura fire, VCSD, CHP, Inciweb), and the Fair Grounds are open excepting evacuations.
As weary as I am of evacuations, I’m glad to see Ojai Post is now monitoring the fire danger, and I’ve once again got a site to check for the latest news next week at work. Kudos to the Ojai Post, and I’ve got my fingers crossed again for all of us in Ojai!
Thank you!
When immediate concern is over, maybe time to start
looking at long term causes
and solutions.Increased frequency and intensity of
fire and other super
storm systems on globe indicates warming is leading
contributant to negative and
catostrophic bio-feedback.
Hi Pete, I concur!
Last night I posted a comment elsewhere on this site about a segment on 60-Minutes that asked these same questions. I’ll copy it here:
Tonight the first segment on 60 Minutes was entitled “The Age of MegaFires.” Scott Pelley delivered a riveting report about the mega-fires that are now plaguing areas in America.
He interviewed firefighters and various experts about what is causing the magnitude of the fires we are seeing today. If I understood correctly, various factors are converging, including the unintended consequences of fire fighting/prevention practices that have actually resulted in bigger and bigger fires.
The segment concludes that the American West is quickly disappearing due to a single degree temperature increase. Further proof that global warming is changing the landscape of the world is the lengthening fire season in the West.
In case you missed it, a DVD of “The Age of MegaFires” can be ordered on amazon. This 12-minute 60 Minute show might be available somewhere on the Internet. If any one else saw it, please let us know what you think!!
Pete and Suza et al,
Tomorrow night there is a show premiering on CNN called “Planet in Peril: A Worldwide Investigation, Explore the Earth’s Environmental Issues” looks foreboding and interesting. Here’s the link for info:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/
Thanks Kate, I’ll be sure to watch it. The web site you posted above alone is amazing!