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On Tuesday we had the hot, dry east winds that are always a fire danger when they occur, though they are more common in October than in May. People around here always walk on eggshells during those times, because one dropped match can result in a fast-moving wildfire that this areas is known for.
Sure enough, three wildfires started Tuesday, widely separated. One near my house (Bernardo fire), and two others in the Dulzura area, some 40 miles away. The Dulzura ones were clobbered fast by firefighters, the Bernardo fire lasted longer but is now 75% contained.
And the winds picked up again on Wednesday... and ***9*** separate fires broke out, all north of here, all within a few hours of each other. Some are getting fairly well contained, others are still out of control. Some 20-plus houses have been destroyed so far, nobody killed yet thank God.
But ***9*** fires? All within a 30-mile area???
You can't have a fire without an ignition source. Once it starts, sure, these high winds, coupled with extremely low humidity (5%) and high temperatures (90+F), spread them like, well, wildfire.
But after three fires broke out on Tuesday, one becoming real big real fast, it's impossible to imagine that ANYBODY wasn't being REAL careful about any sparks, open flames, cigarettes, etc. on Wednesday.
And yet nine fires broke out on Wednesday.
WTH??? We usually don't get nine brush fires a month around here. Some people are stupid, but nobody is THAT stupid.
I've heard nothing about how the fires started. Only thing on the radio around here, is some commissioner choosing her words carefully, and saying "There is no CONCLUSIVE evidence about any of these fires being deliberately started."
Hmmm.
If it turns out that all nine fires just happened to be sparks from a fireplace (who lights a fireplace in the middle of the day when it's 90 degrees outside?), a carelessly dropped cigarette, a car with a draggin muffler, etc.... all occurring on the same day in the same area, within a few hours of each other. All purely by coincidence.
That would have to be the coincidence of the century.
So far the firefighters efforts have been concentrated on putting the fires out, and they are doing everything humanly possible.
But eventually the fires will be out, and people will start asking Why.
All it takes is one idiot to throw his cig butt out a window or for someone to park their car in high grass so that the dry grass touches the cat converter and BAM! A wild fire.
Hasn't California been in the grips of a really bad drought, coupled with low humidity and high winds, it's a fire waiting to happen. It doesn't take much to start a fire in those conditions. Even a cigarette butt, or lightening can do it.
I would not be surprised at all if some 'firebugs' started these fires. You have a lot of sick individuals who love to set things on fire. I guess it is an almost impossible crime to solve, unless the police get real, real lucky.
Given the news coverage, some more arsonist will probably get involved. People need to keep their eyes peeled.
It happens frequently. The nature of the Santa Anas is that the winds carry embers from one fire and start another. Multiple fires in an area is not uncommon. In fact it's to be expected.
People do all sorts of stupid things during Santa Anas. From having a BBQ to going off-roading on a hill covered in chaparral. Anyone who's lived in CA for any length of time knows how it works. Some are set. Some are the result of someone doing something stupid. Some are because a transformer blows. It's 100 degrees, there's 5% humidity, the hills are full of tinder-dry brush, CA is in a massive drought and the wind is blowing. Hard. You're surprised there are multiple fires? Really? You must be a newbie to So Cal.
Last edited by DewDropInn; 05-15-2014 at 02:36 PM..
All it takes is one idiot to throw his cig butt out a window or for someone to park their car in high grass so that the dry grass touches the cat converter and BAM! A wild fire.
It doesn't even take that much. The sun shining on a broken bit of glass on dry tinder could start a raging inferno.
It is quite possible. Terror cells have even cited this as an act they could pull off all over the country.
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