Wildfires Southern California

[jcoppola 52]

One of Norwalk Fire's past members, Chris Zack, is now a Police Officer in Escondito, CA and has been busy with the fires, keeping both his family/home safe as well as civilians in Escondito. He reports that his family is back home after being evacuated and is apparently safe for now. He said that the fires in his area are considered under control. He also said that it is virtually undescribable to see firefronts coming at neighborhoods driven by 50 MPH winds. Credit goes to the Emergency Services personnel in California for keeping the people safe!

Check out his blog @ http://californiafirestorm2007.blogspot.com/ for more pictures and video from Escondito

Edited October 26, 2007 by jcoppola

[RescueKujo 130]

Seth,

The media and local politicians are playing that up big time. The problem is, with santa ana winds, usually the moment the fire starts the winds are too high for fixed wing aircraft to fly. It just becomes too turbulent. Then comes the effectiveness. Does anyone critizing the fact aircraft are not flying even think as to what the retardant or water dropped does in 40 mph or higher winds?? It loses its density, losing its effectiveness to douse flames or in the case of retardant lay a thick enough line to slow the fire. Retardant lines aren't any good in the high winds also due to the fact embers can be flying as much as a half mile away to start another spot fire that the main body will then catch up to.

[helicopper 1,050]

Seth,

The media and local politicians are playing that up big time. The problem is, with santa ana winds, usually the moment the fire starts the winds are too high for fixed wing aircraft to fly. It just becomes too turbulent. Then comes the effectiveness. Does anyone critizing the fact aircraft are not flying even think as to what the retardant or water dropped does in 40 mph or higher winds?? It loses its density, losing its effectiveness to douse flames or in the case of retardant lay a thick enough line to slow the fire. Retardant lines aren't any good in the high winds also due to the fact embers can be flying as much as a half mile away to start another spot fire that the main body will then catch up to.

An insightful, intelligent post that considers the science and facts associated with water/retardant drops and you wonder why the media and politicians don't get it???

[RescueKujo 130]

Thanks for the compliment Chris. I was trying to walk that fine line between education and sounding like a pompous jackass

Edited October 26, 2007 by RescueKujo

[Guest]

Are there any recent updates on the fires?