Northern CA files

GordonMcComb

Don't know if this is elsewhere discussed, but I'm a bit concerned with these fires in NorCal, and their proximity to Parallaxians (like Chip) who might live near those woods, or have family affected by the evacuations and loss of homes. What's the full dope on what's happening up there? Understand it's hotter than hades, plus high winds, and now several fires burning.

Having gone through some big fires in the San Diego area a few years ago that literally choked us out of our house, I know these things aren't at all fun -- and we lived 15 miles from the nearest blaze.

I see Chip is posting, so he must be okay so far...

-- Gordon

erco

Likewise, sending good thoughts northward.

Or as Gordon might spell, nolthwald.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

The California File Map doesn't show any files adjacent to either Chip or Ken.

-Phil

Beau Schwabe

Looks like Chip is about 10 miles away to the West over a mountain range. I think it's moving away from him towards the East. The one I would focus on is between interstate 5 and highway 99 if the general direction of the fire is to the East. But that one is about 30 miles away from Chip.

Regardless anyone in harms way of any of these fires have my complete concern.

erco

Phil's as cool as a cucumber.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Beau Schwabe wrote:

Regardless anyone in harms way of any of these fires have my complete concern.

I agree. It's been wrenching to see news interviews with folks here in WA who've lost everything -- including pets and livestock -- because they've had to evacuate so quickly.

-Phil

GordonMcComb

I don't know where Chip's ranch is in the confines of Red Bluff, but the Ponderosa Fire is within 15 miles of the location on the map, which seems awfully close to me!

Fires tend to consume fastest going up hills, and the sat view of the area shows brown California scrub on the other side. That stuff goes up like old newspaper at a bonfire.

But I'm glad to hear in general the fires are far enough away not to be an immediate concern.

-- Gordon

SRLM

I remember the Witch Creek fires in 2007 in southern California. It was a school day when they got close to my house (<5 miles), and I hadn't heard that school had closed. I normally ride my bike to school, so I left that morning at around 7am. I took the long way around: the way that took me along the way to the valley that was on fire. The smoke was as heavy as a thick fog, my eyes were burning, and breathing was very unpleasant. Ash completely covered everything, and stuck to my sweat. I didn't see much of the fire on that ride, since the smoke was so thick.

My hometown is under the layer of smoke in this picture:

erco

2009 was a bad year for Los Angeles Corvairs burning from other than self-ignition.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/08/30/us-california-wildfires-idUSTRE57R3G820090830

Erik Friesen

Red bluff if kind of at the tapered end of the valley, still somewhat in the flat, at the edge of the foothills. The main threat would probably be grass fires, the way I remember. The smoke and haze get pretty old too.

LoopyByteloose

Of course this thread has nothing to do with 'files'. Happy to see that others make typos as well.

Wild fires are rather rare in Taiwan, but I am sitting out two more in coming typhoons. Having seen Oakland, California burn from the other side of The Bay, I prefer wind and rain any day.

Weather extremes are happening everywhere, but high heat and low moisture is going to be very tragic for forests everywhere.