(This will probably be my last post on this.
However, if anyone needs anything (info or other assistance), please feel free to email me.
)
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FEMA National Situation Update: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Southern California Wildfires Update
The following information was reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) website on October 30, 2007 on the wildfires in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties. There are currently five (5) active fires not 100% contained:
Slide: 12,789 acres, 90% contained.
Witch: 197,990 acres, 95% contained.
Poomacha: 49,540 acres, 70% contained.
Santiago: 28,500 acres, 65% contained.
Harris: 90,440 acres, 85% contained. (CAL FIRE)
3,825 structures are threatened and 3,313 structures have been destroyed or damaged.
Approximately 517,535 acres consumed.
Seven (7) confirmed deaths and 116 injuries.
2,690 evacuees.
389 persons are being housed in 11 shelters.
Registration intake: 8,376
4,482 customers without electricity; 150 customers are without natural gas service. (CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, NICC, FEMA HQ, DOE)
Southern California Weather Improving
Light onshore flow will continue to help the firefighting effort at least through Tuesday, October 30, 2007. This pattern will be of benefit in that it is a more humid and light flow in contrast to the much higher Santa Ana winds.(NWS)
Firefighters Making Progress Against Last Of Southern California's Big Fires
Firefighters aided by damp weather made progress against the last of Southern California's big wildfires, hoping to squelch the remaining flames before the possible return of winds this week. There was a chance of a weak-to-moderate Santa Ana wind pattern on Friday, November 2, 2007 and Saturday, November 3, 2007 but the National Weather Service said wind speeds should be ``half or less'' than those of the dry, withering blasts that fanned conflagrations last week.
In the meantime, clouds drawn ashore by low pressure over the Pacific Ocean streamed across the region and forecasters predicted some chance of sprinkles through Wednesday morning, October 31, 2007. The flow of ocean air ``should provide a literal breath of fresh air, flush out the smoke and improve the air quality,'' the Weather Service said.
Fire crews were already benefiting from precipitation in some areas, said a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. ``We continue to make great progress,'' he said. The 58,401-acre Ranch Fire northwest of Los Angeles in Ventura County was fully contained and crews were pushing to complete lines around the other big blazes. Containment estimates on those fires ranged from 65 percent to 95 percent Monday, October 29, 2007.
The wind gusted last week up to 100 mph (160 kph), pushing flames across more than 500,000 acres in seven Southern California counties.
The state Office of Emergency Services damage tally rose Monday to 2,786 structures destroyed, including more than 2,000 homes. Nearly all mandatory evacuation orders had been lifted, and victims have begun assessing damage and trying to figure out where to go next.
Nearly 8,400 people had contacted the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, said a spokesperson.
Seven deaths were directly attributed to the fires, including those of four suspected illegal immigrants, whose burned bodies were found near the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday.
Tuesday, 30-Oct-2007 07:50:46 EDT
