31 replies to this topic

[kaybird]

I can see large plumes of smoke coming from the hill beyond Empire Ranch. My husband said it appears to be a grass fire. Anyone have any details yet?

[Erika]

No details yet but just noticed that there is a lot of smoke outside our window. Calling fire dept now.

Holy crap, it's at E. Natoma and Empire Ranch Rd/Sophia Pkwy and is a grass fire. I can see the planes dropping fire retardant and so far the fire dept. said it's under control. I'm keeping my eyes open and no evacuation of homes yet.

I'd like to know what moron caused this.

[Gina99]

I'd like to know what moron caused this.

I know. the temperature is so high today that is could have been started by something small like som ekids sneaking up there to have a cigarette.. Amazingly close to us huh Erika? And its seem to be moving your way.

[bordercolliefan]

Wow, it's early in the season for this. Please update us as to what happened -- the size of the fire, any evacuations, etc.

If anyone ends up beign evacuated, post on here if you need a place to go to get out of the heat. I'm sure many of us would be willing to help.

[Erika]

I'd like to know what moron caused this.

I know. the temperature is so high today that is could have been started by something small like som ekids sneaking up there to have a cigarette.. Amazingly close to us huh Erika? And its seem to be moving your way.

Yes, it's very close to us! It looks like it's under control now and the smoke is clearing up. The helicopters are flying right over the homes here. I think things are starting to clear up.

BTW...Gina, our little girl is napping in her crib now and it's been working out wonderfully. Thanks!

[Gina99]

Yes, it's very close to us! It looks like it's under control now and the smoke is clearing up. The helicopters are flying right over the homes here. I think things are starting to clear up.

BTW...Gina, our little girl is napping in her crib now and it's been working out wonderfully. Thanks!

Sure!

You know, when you can make out the details on the helicopters and airplanes from your bedroom window you start thinking about what you would grab in the event of an evacuation....

Of course my son is loving this- watching them fly so close to us.

Did you see those vehicles? Looks like a tractor and something else that resembles a big gas tank.

Edited by Gina99, 17 June 2006 - 01:47 PM.

[publicityguru]

[quote name='Erika' date='Jun 17 2006, 01:38 PM' post='116848']
Yes, it's very close to us! It looks like it's under control now and the smoke is clearing up. The helicopters are flying right over the homes here. I think things are starting to clear up.


Wow, that fire has been burning for over two hours. The whole side of the hill is black. Very sad.
Is it just grass and trees burning?
Is there anyplace to see realtime updates?

[3heningers]

Photos for our house

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[mando]

I first noticed the smoke around 12:30. Just drove by a few mins ago and it looks like they're close to wrapping things up. The smoke sure looked big from Bidwell, near Sam's. Got a good view from Golf Links. Drove right up to an adjacent neighborhood near Empire Oaks school. The burnt area appears to be just over (east of) the subdivision wall.

Interesting to watch - never seen this sort of thing up close 'til now. Amazing how quickly the helicopter could load up water and dump it. Maybe there are 2 helos? Two planes circling overhead - presumably directing the action below.

[Gina99]

Photos for our house

And these photos don't eeven capture how much smoke there was at it's worst. is that photo from your house? Do you live in the John Laing homes?

[3heningers]

I live in Empire Ranch near the elementry school. The photos are from my bedroom window.

[publicityguru]

The back of my house faces Golf Links and I didn't even realize there was a fire until after I saw all the people watching from down on the street. I was planting flowers all morning and since helicopters fly over all the time I didn't even think to look around to see what's up.

At first, I thought all the people outside of their cars on Golf Links were looking at the drainage ditch there.

I just went outside and counted six plumes of smoke still coming up from the area more dense w/trees. I can even see the flames from here.

The helicopters are still going back and forth...maybe they're picking up more fire retardant and trying to stop the fire from the brush...?

I moved here from Philadelphia not too long ago and have never seen anything like this in my life except in news reports on TV.

That burned area is scary-looking.

Are these fires common? Do they ever spontaneously occur around here, or are they always due to human error?

The open space behind my house is so dry - I hope it doesn't start burning-up.



Interesting to watch - never seen this sort of thing up close 'til now. Amazing how quickly the helicopter could load up water and dump it. Maybe there are 2 helos? Two planes circling overhead - presumably directing the action below.
[/quote]

There are two helicopters and there was also some sort of crop dusting plane but I think that left.
The two helos are taking turns now.

I could also see some fire engines and volunteer fire vehicles from where I am in Empire Ranch.

[OceanGirl]

Glad there was something on here about it.......I drove around in a neighborhood I didn't know to get a view of it.......from my vantage point, I thought it was a control burn cuz I could see a line of fire and the helicopter there. Glad they got it under control.

[Erika]

Photos for our house

Hey Melissa, those are some great pictures. I didn't even notice the fire there. Those pics are from just 2 doors down from us.

[publicityguru]

Hey Melissa, those are some great pictures. I didn't even notice the fire there. Those pics are from just 2 doors down from us.

I took these a couple minutes ago.
The files are too big to put in all one post. One photo attached, two are forthcoming.
These were taken just above Golf Links from my house. [attachmentid=699]

Check out the plumes on this - I can still see the flames.

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