Fire season, NorCal. Followed by mudslide season

mike95490

Been seeing a lot of the California state bird :Aerial Tanker,  this last week. Major fire nearly in my backyard ( 6 mi away, uphill and downwind ) and Nor Cal had lots of microwave and cell towers burnt out.   We've had no communication in town for 3 days, no landline, cell or internet. only folks with sat internet dishes had any communications.  Hams were jammed with police and medical calls.  Even police centrix phone system was down. 911 is mostly (but not completely) restored.  Even the major state highway was closed in & out, grocery stores were emptied and gas stations ran out.

So I've not been on boards much, but am likely safe.
http://www.fire.ca.gov/current_incidents/incidentdetails/Index/1874
http://m.sfgate.com/news/article/Three-dead-in-Mendocino-County-wildfire-12267006.php?cmpid=facebook-mobile

Dave Angelini

Be safe Mike! 
 I just heard 20 million under red flag warning until this PM. The red flag or Diablo winds are strong NE winds that blow dry hot 30+ knot wind. They are similar to the Santa Anna's in SoCAL for anyone interested.
Mike, are the Hams getting into the internet with Pactor or whatever they use now?

westbranch

Hi Mike and Dave, good to hear you are OK .... we got snow over the entire region (that burnt for > 2 1/2 months this year)  yesterday and today, so anxiety is now much lower...  BUT, be aware there is a form of PTSD that strikes everyone in the immediate area, and others who were just 'next door'...  and , as we have personally seen/witnessed/been affected, it is persistent, long after the fire abates.  It isn't over till it's over... Heightened anxiety/worrying,  Emotional sensitivity, etc to 'more normal ' everyday events. Just a simple mention of the Fires and people impacted can do it.
Take care until the rains and snows come.
Thinking about all affected.

Eric

Dave Angelini

Thanks Eric!  I am sure that many appreciate the kind thoughts!

For us, we never expected any help from the fire people being remote and so we designed and built that way. Three fires past us has proven our place. Cal Fire will call/text and tell us it is Mandatory Evac. I just tell them we will when they get an Engine on site. They never have enough and that is where I remind them that there is over 10,000 gallons of water and an offgrid power system that can run any of their their pumps (and has) f needed. We have let them sleep in the garage and made breakfast in the past. This was after the fire danger though:(

For many in the latest wine country (the whole state is grapes nowadays) fires, it is a belief that being near large cities would guarantee fire protection. The worst part was this started at night (it always is at night) and probably was caused by the wind and power line sparks.
 
The problem for many is when your neighbors house is less than 50 feet and on fire, there is little chance for you with 40 knot gusts of wind. Some of those neighborhoods burned are 50+ year old construction designs and property lines less than 30 feet. Many people snuck in to the fire lines to cut brush. A bit late for that as we are a year round fire season out here. All it takes is a week after rain or snow and it is ready to go again unless you are vigilant. I would guess that many of the homes had attic fires with large 1/4" vent screens or none at all. Many had combustables within 100 feet. The insurance guys are to blame also for not inspecting the risk also.

Mother Nature is the great equalizer, is it not?

Raj174

ZeroHedge reports and vIdeos on California fires.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-16/15-shocking-videos-expose-reality-surviving-california-wildfires

mike95490

i was not in an evac zone, and on Oct 17, went to my scheduled appt at UCSF Medical center, and now have a new shoulder joint. hunt & peck typing and now back home recovering. wow, the stuff they can do !  through a 6" incision, mostly on chest, they put a metal ball on the arm bone and a plastic socket in the shoulder.  in an immobilizer sling for 6 weeks, then start PT.
and i didn't let them forget the happy drugs

westbranch

Enjoy your convalescence period, then the hard work begins.
And of course you will follow the PT RX...! 
Good to know you did not have to Evac. Still getting smokes being revived by heavy winds,
we await the fall rains but it may be snow instead...
last week sleet at lake level then +10*C overnight from a Hawaiian Express for 3 days...

Dave Angelini

Good luck with the rehab!  I did a scoping/trim of a torn meniscus in my knee and yes it is amazing what can be done these days. Be careful with the drugs. Get on Ibuprofen as soon as they will let you off the opioids. Rest well!