Detwiler fire UPDATE

[wolfsong]

The so-called Detwiler fire in and around the Mariposa, California area is a living, breathing monster. Entire towns threatened, entire towns and communities evacuated, livestock left behind and running wild, over 50 homes destroyed, 1000s more threatened, jumping roads, fire lines, retardant lines, doubling back on itself. Over 3200 personnel trying their damnedest to contain it - only 7% containment since it started 4 days ago. Over 70,000 acres burned. Tanker JETS, helicopters, dozers, tanker trucks, shovels, chainsaws, axes, picks...

I have many friends threatened by the fire, and many friends fighting it. One co-worker had 5 houses around hers burn to the ground yet the fire miraculously jumped over and around hers. She evacuated with her three dogs but had to leave her two horses behind. The Mariposa Animal Control is making the rounds and feeding and watering the livestock left behind, to the best of their ability, ready to move them out if possible/necessary.

Lots of heroes, cities, towns and communities coming together to welcome and assist the evacuees in any way they can.

While so many people are caught up in the Trump/Russia circus there are real Americans facing real problems. And there are real Americans coming to their aid. Keep them all in your prayers and thoughts.

Search "Detwiler fire update" to get details.

Peace and God bless, Wolfie.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Thanks for the update. Prayers for your safety and the safety of others. We went through a deal like that last year, (we generically here in Idaho, not me) lots of animals were killed, peoples horses and cattle, many were let go to run. Will take a few years for the browse to return for those ranchers, so I know what people are going through. For what ever reason too many are human started, not sure about yours.

 

[sfhogman]

Been thinkin' of you and yours down there, Jeff.
Terrifying for sure. PM or call anytime.

Jeff

 

[exavid]

These fires are a curse, so far this year it's been quiet in our area here. In fact we haven't had much smoke this summer... yet. We usually have fires in our area and lots of smoke but have our fingers crossed. Sure hope they get decent weather to put down those California fires.

 

[Pat-inCO]

One co-worker had 5 houses around hers burn to the ground
yet the fire miraculously jumped over and around hers.

It's called fire mitigation.

Use it and get amazing results.
Ignore it and find a black hole where your house was.

 

[wolfsong]

Update: the fire is now 30% contained, with 4500 firefighters actively working the fire lines. Over 75,200 acres burned, while the fire stretched to almost 30 miles long. Over 60 homes destroyed along with another 90+ structures/outbuildings destroyed, including one commercial building. Residents of the town of Maripose have been allowed to return to their homes. However, the town of Coulterville some 25 miles to the north of Mariposa still remains under mandatory evacuation orders.

While many homes were saved, many vehicles, barns, shops, equipment, livestock etc. on much of those properties have gone up in flames.

Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire. They are hoping for total containment by August 5.

Sigh.

 

[sfhogman]

Prayers continue.

August 5th. The sheer magnitude of the thing.....

Jeff

 

[wolfsong]

One co-worker had 5 houses around hers burn to the ground
yet the fire miraculously jumped over and around hers.

It's called fire mitigation.

Use it and get amazing results.
Ignore it and find a black hole where your house was.

The recommended distance for fire mitigation is 150 feet of combustible vegetation/brush/trees around your dwelling, at least in California.

The problem with this fire is the abundance of ground fuel (high, dry grass, manzanita, scrub oak), tall trees decimated by the bark beetle and strong shifting winds blowing embers every which way. Low humidity and high temperatures (over 100, as high as 105) along with steep, inaccessible terrain compounds the situation.

This one literally resembles the fire from hell.

 

[gramps]

Sorry to hear of it Wolfsong. Prayers sent for your safety, and that of the fire fighters. No wonder people stopped having lawns, and put in gravel yards.
gramps

 

[bogus bill]

We are just getting over the Brian Head fire here in SW Utah. 72,000 acres. It started about 12 miles east of us.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685050/Damage-from-Brian-Head-Fire-not-done-yet-official-says.html
Hell of a year for fires. The Brian Head fire was fueled by lots of Bark Bettle killed trees that the green weenies kept from logging.
Back in 1960 I worked for the NPS in Yosemite and fought fires there. I can relate.