Big fire near my town - Update 6/24

Darn. I have a cousin in Paradise.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Our prayers are with the residents in the area. I moved to Missouri from Palm Springs, CA area and know first hand the speed that these fires can move.

God Bless and be safe.

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.

We have SEVERAL cousins in Paradise… one that lives on Roe Rd… in direct jeopardy… The last word they had the fire under control there and were just mopping-up to remove the threat to their house…

Other cousins are also OK… last we heard, fire was two canyons away from Paradise proper..(NorthWest corner) . haven’t looked the website today to see recent reports…

http://www.paradisepost.com/

It is very SCARY to have the fire so close to loved ones… and can’t do anything but pray about it…

We hope & pray for the best… Looks promising…

Paradise is a beautiful lil town… wooded trees all over… we hope the winds cooperate with the fire firghters… It was awesome watching the big DC-10 jet dropping fire retardant in one of the videos.

We could use all of your prayers… Thank you!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

You are correct Joe,

the fire has moved north and west toward the town of Forrest Ranch. More sparsely populated. Somehow the residents of Butte Creek Canyon were spared. Likeley because of the efforts of the brave men and women of the CDF.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Scott, I’m glad you’re OK… sorry about your friend losing his home… That’s a damn SHAME…

I didn’t think it was very close to Chico… we have cousins in Chico too!

I think they’re OK… will have to call them… to find out…

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

These fires are mighty scarey and cause tremendous hardship on a lot of folks – reminds me of the fires we had here in British Columbia in ‘03. Nature can have a mean temper when riled up.

-- Phil in British Columbia

Chico is safe because it’s in the valley (at the edge of the valley). In fact, the fire started at the southeast edge of Chico and ran up the ridge into the foothills toward Paradise. The video on the Paradise post web site really brings it home. The land in the foothills is full of Ponderosa and digger Pines, Blue Oak, Black Oak. It is very beautiful. Looks like scorched earth now.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

I am telling you US is getting more than their chare of disaster I watch CNN and it is terrible to see all the fires and the floods I am kind of glad I live here in the north we have he the cold and the snow but that is something you can live with, I feel very bad for all of those people in the south

-- - - Tools are nice to have but you need someone to work them - -

I am soooo sorry about this fire. Would you believe ChicoWoodnut that yesterday ALL day long we could barely breathe here in Westwood? Our town was just brown with smoke.The wind kicked it(not the fire, the smoke) right over our way. Today our skys are hazy also but nothing like yesterday.I know what it feels like, We had the moonlight fire here last year and sat on evacuation alert for a week. I am glad you are okay. I am sooo very sorry for all involved. It has been windy fire weather for a good couple weeks up here.Today I see for the first time the wind has died down, way down. I hope its doing the same where the fire is.GOD BLESS All our fire personnel. They indeed deserve all ours respect. It is amazing how hard these wild land firefighters work! Thanks for sharing the video.

-- Allison, Northeastern Ca. Remember, Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic!

Allison,

On the day the fire started, the wind was gusting from the northwest to 35mph and the humidity was ~15%. All it took was a little spark.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Been there done that.

I remember getting up in the morning one day and find 1/4” of ashes all over everything.

Looked like gray snow.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Like Gary, been there, done that. We spent a full week last October in the band room of the local high school during the Southern California wildfires. It’s not a bit of fun, and it can be downright scary. Be careful!

-- Furniture Medic- the prescription for damaged furniture

Scott, One of the guys I work with had to take this weekend off because the fire took his brother in laws house and was headed to his moms house. I guess his sister lives up that way too. What a mess. I hope its not going to be a bad fire year up here. Hey, atleast CDF. didnt start this one like they did last year up be Trinity. I heard that the fire turned back into its self and they are getting a handle on it. Dont know if thats true or not I havent seen the news in a few days. Anyway Iam glad you and your family is safe.

-- Davesfunwoodworking

when I left for yosemite this was just getting going…sorry to hear that it took 74 homes!!! My mother in law is here right now and she mentioned that one of the problems is how to get out of Paradise…few roads in and out…and they were closing…scary…

hope you are still ok…have not heard anytrhing on this since getting back last night…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...177 days to sanity...

Thanks to Todd Clippinger, Napaman and the others who expressed concern for me and mine. Let me assure you that I am not and have not been in any danger.

Here is a little update on fires in northern California. The fire that prompted this post was contained and put out early last week. That was the Humboldt fire. It started right on the edge of my town but moved away to the south east quickly toward the Town of Paradise which is at about 2000 ft elevation in the foothills of the Sierra. The wind was unbelievable that day and the fire burned 20,000+ acres and 74 homes in a matter of two days. Chico is a City of ~80K at the very edge of the Sierra in the Sacramento valley so Chico was not in any danger and neither was I or my family. When I say edge, I mean we can drive 15 minutes out of town and be at the 2,500’ elevation (from about 80’). To the northeast are the Cascades where Ms. Allison lives. To the Southeast are the Sierra Nevadas.

Day before yesterday we had thunderstorms in the mountains that set off a lot more fires in the foothill and mountain communities. There are many people in the surrounding communities that are once again in danger. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Most of all, pray that there is no more lightning.

Here is a satellite image taken today that can give you an idea of what it is like. The smoke blowing down from the mountains and filling the big valley is unbelievable.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Thanks for the update. I had not seen this original post. I am glad that you are doing OK.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

A little more follow-up.

My parents dropped by this morning with a copy of the June 14th Paradise Post. On the cover was a photo of my uncle spraying down his deck. The fire got very close to his house, rather than evacuate he stayed and successfully defended the house. A number of homes on his street did burn. One of the other photos shows fire fighters looking as some large flames. In the right hand side of the photo you can see his house boat. Pretty wild stuff.

I also have cousins in Paradise who had to evacuate they and their house came through fine.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Hi Wayne,

This link has some amazing photographs of the fire. They capture the spirit of the time. I especially like the one that shows an ancient oak tree in the path of the flames. Although it is rather depressing around here, the photo is exceptionally gorgeous (in a strange sort of way)

http://www2.chicoer.com/olextras/slideshows/20080616HumboldtFire/index.html

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Thanks Scott. My Aunt and Uncle live on Sunnyside road. In the second video above the metal building at the end of the video is his workshop. Much closer looking at the video than I thought.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Relatives of friends of mine lost three homes in that fire. Earlier this week there were 1000 fires in CA. Wow. Praise GOD for firefighters. 100 ’ clear.

Thanks for the video and links.

-- Days in the shop don't count toward the total.

Scott, thank you very much for your reporting.

Luckily, a bunch of relatives of mine escaped property damage… some were very close.

Normally, we have a Family Reunion up there about this time… due to a death, it was put off a year… If we had had our reunion, it could’ve have happened when the fire errupted… Close call.

Thanks again.

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

Very tragic loss Chicko. Glad you are OK. fires are something we are very familiar with down under.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

My prayers are with you and your family and neighbors. I believe I would rather take my chances with a hurricane every few years than have to go through what ya’ll are going through right now. God bless!

-- JCRug, Prairieville, Louisiana