Fire in Mountain Center darkens Palm Springs ...

[climbant]

Latest from Southern Operations...

27,179 Acres, 15% Contained

Values at risk are 5,600 residences, 56 commercial properties, and 200 outbuildings/others remain threatened.*1 residence was damaged, 7 residences, 5 Commercial buildings and 11 outbuildings were destroyed.*Current*critical infrastructure threats include cell sites, radio station, repeater sites, water storage, pumping and treatment facilities, Edison substation and a fire station.*
The fire continues to grow in the Tahquitz Meadow and moving into Long Valley. Extreme fire behavior in the area was held in check by aircraft.
*
Evacuations Orders (Mandatory) continue for Idyllwild, and Trails End and an evacuation warning for Pine Cove. The Palm Springs aerial tramway was shut down except for emergency use due to fire activity.
Hwy 243 remains closed.
*

-Anthony

[neverwashasbeen]

I can see flames from Palm Springs, high in Tahquitz drainage and there is an orange glow in the smoke column. The brightest glow seems to be along the ridge between Hidden Divide and Wellman's.

[cynthia23]

Yeah, I saw that too NeverWas. For a few minutes it was superbright. It was like something huge exploded.

[tramtim]

When I left around 6 pm we had hot spots on Divide Peak and some on the high trail. All afternoon they were dropping retardant from Wellmans Divide to Hidden Divide. We are getting 4 hot shot crews in the morning they are planning on staying up till it’s over. I’ll try to get up some pictures in the morning; it’s been a long day and morning coming soon

Tim

[cynthia23]

The MODIS map just updated again. There are some new areas that are very worrisome, at least to me. I don't know if it's accurate or not (per the earlier exchange with SomeGuy) so I'd rather not say anything, but advise people to check it out themselves.

[zippetydude]

When all is said and done and this fire is just a memory, it should stand that those firefighters are putting out one hell of a battle to protect the wilderness. Their lives are at stake at any random turn of events, but they fight on anyway. I'm hoping the #@%$& fire stops before it ruins more old and beautiful forest. But come what may, I want to say I appreciate the battle they are fighting. Their fearlessness in the face of danger is inspiring.

So c'mon now mother nature. We need some rain, some natural fire breaks, somethin'! Let's bring this to a close and begin the healing. Now would be better than later. That 95% Cuyamaca stat is horrifying. Please, not here.

z

[halhiker]

What we're seeing down here is nothing from what I hear. My son just flew over the mountain on the way back from LA and said the fire on top is HUGE. He said it was on several ridges and basically engulfing the mountain.

[prairiecomm]

4:33am toro peak cam - not looking good

http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/cameras/L/tp-w-mobo-c.jpg

[some guy]

Here's the results from last night's (23:31 MDT) IR flight, zoomed on the active part of the fire:




Google map (may not work if you have the "new" google maps): http://goo.gl/maps/YyX6l

Google Earth kml: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/805 ... ain_IR.kmz

Here's hoping this monster holds at the ridgetops and doesn't destroy Long Valley, Round Valley too. I have a feeling the whole bowl below Wellman Divide is toast though.

Noticed there was a spot fire between Saddle Junction and Chinquapin Flat, I wonder if that was the anomalous MODIS point?

[prairiecomm]

some guy: how did you find that google link? it's more uptodate than what you get when you look at the google california crisis wildfire map (google california wildfire map)

thanks,
J