High Sierra Topix

I want to add my sympathy for everyone who has suffered a loss of their home or been affected in some other way by the Angora Fire at the Lake. Its terribly sad to see this, and it happened so fast on a day with particulary adverse conditions. Many of those interviewed on TV said they only had a very few minutes to grab things and run to get away. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of them.

For years, it had been my dream to live in the Sierra, and now that I do, I also worry about the "what if" of a wildfire. I love living among the pines, cedars, firs and oaks of the low montane forest, and we keep our place reasonably managed although we constantly battle against the buildup of ladder fuels. My big worry is that so much of the land around us is at greater risk. Much of it is private forest holdings that have not been cleared or managed, and all of that is beyond our control. Even neighboring property owners pose a risk when not attending to the obvious - - like the standing, dead fir just across our property line. I just hope I have good karma, and I wish everyone else the same!

You all are the very best! So kind and thoughtful...Thank you all so much for your concern.
It is nice to be part of this board and im glad it is here.

You all probably heard that yesterday the winds picked up and...I keep hearing different stories as to what happen..so not 100% sure..but pretty sure the fire fighters were working on a back fire line..and the wind blew a spark into a tree which went all the way to the top..and then blew off another spark across from the fire line..which then started a fire on the back of Gardner Mountain residential area..all of Gardner Mountain was evacuated & they say they lost 1 mile of fire line, two fire fighters when the fire started got trapped and had to use their safety tents to save their lives..they are okay!

For about three hours they were getting water out of our little Lake Baron here in Meyers to put out a spot fire that had started someplace close to the main fire area. They are investigating an area around Seneca Pond that they say may be where the fire started..this area no cars are allowed, there are just trails all over the area..we have been there a few times with our dogs.

This morning looking at the mountain it is a light smoky haze, no winds right now, but they are supposed to pickup this afternoon.

My friends son that I mention in my 1st post did loose his home...horrible I just can't imagine.
Thank you all so much again for your thoughts and kind words
Anita

Anita -

ty so much for the update. most of the news we get here seems to agree with the report. they are reporting winds may pick up to 40mph this afternoon - let's hope that that it does not severly hamper the effort.

thoughts and prayers for your family and community.

Tom

The smoke is noticeable less today, I hope the crew last night made big progress on the fire.

Go to this website and click zoom down onto a map of the burn area

http://geomac.usgs.gov/viewer/viewer.htm


Vic

There are a few home videos of the fire on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PADVVVxNoAI

It's kind of long, but amazing.

As of this AM, news was reporting that the firelines were strengthened overnight, and it hadn't grown at all. The firefighters are doing a helluva job up there! Let's hope Ma Nature decides not to blow too hard today, and I'm sure they'll have this thing wrapped up in no time!

The fire as of the last update is 55% contained, I guess Tuesday night a boulder had let loose and rolled and broke the hand of a fire fighter. The Governor was here yesterday, they are saying the start of the fire is in an area of some big boulders near Seneca pond & was human caused..but have not said as to how. They are very worried about the winds today..right now we have a very light wind

Yesterday most of the day they were again getting water out of our little Lake Baron & the next street from us KCRA TV in Sacramento were here filming....they talked to our neighbors about the fire...also had some footage of the forest here in the Meyers area showing some of the dead trees all down with residents being worried that the Forest Service is not clearing it away! It was kinda neat to see my neighborhood and neighbors talking on TV and recognizing homes..just wish it was in a more positive way.

Thank you again everyone! Lets hope the winds don't get to bad today!

Thanks for the update Anita. The recovery process is going to be difficult with that many homes lost in the area.