There is a heart-breaking wildfire burning in South Lake Tahoe

[cboy4]

right now, and this will have a devastating outcome.

Dozens of homes have already burned and hundreds more are in the path of the flames.

This beautiful paradise. :cry:


http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=29541

[Texasgal]

1. Oh...how sad...

I hope no one gets hurt...

[lost-in-nj]

2. I will have to find out who

but there is a DUer
at Lake Tahoe.......
just went for vacation


Keep everyone safe.......


lost

I will bet it was started by some stupid human throwing out their cigerette...
I was planning to go there next year for vacation.....

lost

[TahitiNut]

5. Can you say "f-i-r-e-w-o-r-k-s"?

Ten days to go to the 4th of July. :shrug:

[EFerrari]

3. Oh, no!

:(

[Name removed]

4. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[proud patriot]

6. Oh No

:cry:

[senseandsensibility]

7. Oh God, this incredibly sad post

about a fire in one of the most beautiful places on Earth is going to turn into....a flamefest?? Well, I guess only on DU....:-(

[Texasgal]

14. No kidding...

I am shocked at some of these responses.

[cboy4]

8. Let's keep this thread postive. People who want to come here and

laugh at this beautiful part of California go up in flames, aren't welcome.

Yea, you're NOT welcome.

[EFerrari]

9. I hope everyone stays safe and have a call in to my family.

:(

[cboy4]

10. I hope everyone is okay. It's just agonizing watching the news.

:pals:

[tyedyeto]

18. Positive vibes headed your way

for your family.

I've lived through a major Sierra fire in the 80's. It isn't pretty.

I hope your family is safe.

[EFerrari]

19. Thank you. My concern is, it's a retiree rcommunity and I'm hours

away.

But, it's also a pretty close community. Let's see how we do.

[az chela]

26. What negative posts on here!!!!

I live in a town that is surrounded by forests and when it is so dry like this we are always terrifed.
This is my home home,been here 35 years ,had a bad fire several years ago,one of my friends was evacuated and went to the school and got her the minute I heard.We had ashes in driveway and the house was surrounded by huge pine trees.How dare any of you criticize where these people live and arguing if they are rich.Where is the compassion that was so prevalent on DU for such a long time.NOw people are just getting vicious.
IF YOU cant say something nice and positive than shut the hell up

[cboy4]

39. Thank you for saying what I wasn't calmly able to express.

How dare you is absolutely right.

[EFerrari]

71. It was the moon or something. My mom in law is okay so far.

Thank God, because no way can I head up there. :(

[Name removed]

13. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rollin74]

11. I can see the huge plume of smoke here in Reno

very sad to see such a beautiful area burning
the winds have been VERY strong today....hopefully better weather tomorrow to help the firefighters.

[Scout1071]

12. Most beautiful place in America in my opinion.

It's a real shame.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue_In_AK]

16. Not that anyone would care,

but there are two huge wildfires burning in Southcentral Alaska right now, also, threatening homes, the Caribou Hills fire on the Kenai Peninsula http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6703159 and the Su River fire near Trapper Lake http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=6701388. The Caribou Hills fire is one of the largest fires currently burning in the United States.

For what it's worth, Alaska lost 11 million acres of forest during 2004 and 2005 to wildland fires.

Fires are natural. We expect them every year.

I hope everyone in Tahoe makes it out okay.

[A HERETIC I AM]

32. Not that anyone would care, but the largest fire in the SE. US since the late 1800's still burns

I heard one report that they finally got the South Georgia/Northern Florida fires that have been burning for over a month 75% contained. The fires have burned over 800 square miles and are the largest wildfires in well over a century in this part of the country.

Never mind though. There is no large, deep blue lake to draw attention to them.

[Blue_In_AK]

36. You got that right.

[lost-in-nj]

17. DUer Shine and her family are there for vacation....

please keep a positive thought for them
If anyone hears from her
let us know


lost

[EFerrari]

20. Okay.

:(

[karlrschneider]

21. Private citizens almost never get injured in a wildfire. The people fighting them

all too often do, though...unfortunately - protecting private property usually.

[EFerrari]

22. My 'hood is FD Central. Thoughts out to all the guys working tonight.

:(

[tired_old_fireman]

23. I have mixed feelings about this.

First of all, it is always upsetting when people lose homes and family albums, etc.

But, this place will NOT lose its beauty because of the fire. If you return next spring, the chances are that you will be seeing some amazing wildflowers and be looking at wonderful meadows and plentiful wildlife. Forest fires are natural. They are not only natural, they are necessary. Hundreds of years of fire suppression has altered the natural state and created amazingly dangerous conditions because of the buildup of brush and other kindling fuels.

People build where they shouldn't wisely build. They ignore codes and common sense and do not clear large enough areas around their homes. When I was on forest fires we would assess which houses we would attempt to save based on the amount of land cleared around the house.

Generally, you do not need to worry about the safety of citizens in these situations. When citizens die in forest fires it is usually because they are either taken by surprise in a canyon (that will not happen on this fire) or will not leave their homes to try to foolishly save them.

The media likes to create the impression that fires are dangerous and evil. Perhaps, they are doing the work of the logging company lobbyists.

Remember, homes that are lost can be rebuilt. The forest will return over time. People who live in the mountains know the risks. What happened in South Carolina was sad. I'll always mourn for the loss of firefighters and never mourn the loss of a house. I say that as someone who once lost his own home to a mudslide.

[Blue_In_AK]

25. To illustrate your point

This was taken in June 2006 in area of 2005 fires here...

[tired_old_fireman]

30. Pictures speak better than words.

[Blue_In_AK]

34. I found this burn area strangely beautiful

Even though millions of acres had burned the previous two years, the new growth reminded me that life always manages to return. It gives me hope.

Alaska is fortunate in that so many areas are uninhabited. Most fires are allowed to burn themselves out, unless, as in these two latest fires, property is involved.

[tired_old_fireman]

50. It is beautiful.

I've spent lots and lots of time in burn areas. There is so much beauty in watching the way a forest is reborn. Even the day after a fire, there is still beauty in these places.

[cboy4]

33. Oh yes, that's just gorgeous. All those charred trees surrounded

by weeds. :eyes:

[Blue_In_AK]

35. You don't know what you're talking about here...

These fires were caused by lightning and are a natural process. These areas of "weeds" will be a beautiful forest in a very short time. I've been here long enough to have seen it. It's called "nature."

[cboy4]

38. Terrific. Well the fire in Lake Tahoe was not caused by lightning

and a lot of people are suffering tonight.

At least 165 homes have been lost and this beautiful area has been transformed into moonscape.

I don't think the revelation that weeds will be sprouting is any consolation.

I'm sorry, it isn't.

[XemaSab]

47. It won't be a moonscape

California landscapes are fire-adapted.

Many habitats, such as the giant sequoias, require fires in order to stay healthy.

[cboy4]

65. It is moonscape. When a neighborhood is wiped out by fire, it is

white ash and scorched earth.

Of course it will grow back, but right now, it is devastation.

[tired_old_fireman]

51. Things aren't black and white.

I'm not sure if you live there or you lost a home or something. If that's the case, I am deeply sorry and I understand the anger. I've lost a home and I know that pain. I've also lost people I love (just days ago) and that is a completely different type of pain. The home can be rebuilt. The people...that's something different.

I've only seen pictures of the moon, but I've lived on fire lines. I've spent weeks in burn areas doing mop up. Places are not destroyed when they burn. They do not lose their beauty. Those weeds are essential to wildlife. Before man cleared grazing lands, fires created grazing lands.

Losing a home sucks, but as for the trees...The ones that are lost to fires pale in numbers to trees that are lost to logging. You want to see a moonscape? Go to a clear cut area. You go to a burn area, you find some of the most fertile soil and diverse flora and fauna anywhere.

I know that's no consolation to you, but I imagine it is to other people who haven't made working with forest fires a big part of their life like me. This is set up to be a monumental fire season and I think this subject will come up a lot this summer.

[cboy4]

63. You're right, it is no consolation to me. But at least your post

is respectful and I understand your point.

I just respectfully feel it is horrible for some to casually disregard the pain and suffering and loss by discussing the benefits of fire.

That's a discussion for another time...not when lives are in danger as I write. Not as people who have lost everything are weeping.

It's mean and it's heartless and DU is better than that.

[Blue_In_AK]

72. CBoy, I apologize if I came off sounding flip or uncaring

last night. Of course, my best wishes go out to those whose homes are in danger from this fire, but I just wanted to remind you that nature does take its course and that this devastation that you see now will not be permanent.

Maybe I took a little offense at you referring to Alaska's beautiful grasses, fireweed and arctic cotton that show up after the fires as "weeds," too. :)

As well as the fact that there is currently a 60,000 acre fire burning on the Kenai Peninsula south of here, also a very popular recreational area, which has destroyed 65 homes and cabins, most of which are uninsured because the insurance companies won't cover these types of homes in the forest, yet not much attention is given to their plight outside of Alaska.

In any event, I apologize if I offended you. I'm not a pyromaniac ... I just understand that if you live in the woods, you run this risk.

[cboy4]

74. I appreciate that and I'm sorry that I was sarcastic toward you.

Alaska is of course, gorgeous.

And course, people run the risk living in the forest.

I just didn't think it was appropriate to casually disregard what is a massive tragedy, by ridiculing people who have lost everything.

[Blue_In_AK]

75. I agree with that

I don't think I personally was ridiculing anyone, or at least I didn't intend to, but some of the other responses on this thread were a bit mean-spirited. I hope that the Tahoe fire is under control soon, and that no one is hurt. I wish the same for the folks fighting the Trapper Lake fire and Caribou Hills fire here in Southcentral.

Peace to you

[EFerrari]

28. Thanks for posting, sir and welcome to DU.

[XemaSab]

46. Clearing a safety buffer around your house

would require taking out ALL the trees... people don't want to do that, and pay the price.

[tired_old_fireman]

48. Exactly. The firefighters also pay the price...

When they try to save structures that aren't worth the risk. It's one thing to risk your life to save people, but another thing to risk it saving a house that can be rebuilt or trees that will grow back naturally.

[XemaSab]

49. My uncle was a wildland firefighter

and lemme tell ya... there are places people shouldn't live. Or if you do live there, you have to live there with the understanding that you may have a DEVASTATING fire, and you NEED to have a plan to get out FAST.

It's the same thing in earthquake country or any other area prone to disasters. Don't think you're not at risk.

[rollin74]

24. fire crews appear to be getting a handle on this fire

(possible) good news about the fire at Tahoe

according to local media reports firefighters may be able to get this fire contained soon if weather conditions are favorable overnight.

fire is still reported to be at around 500 acres and that number hasn't increased much in the last few hours
temperatures are supposed to drop down to the low 30's in the Tahoe basin tonight and humidity will rise
winds are forecast to be much less problematic tomorrow as well

hundreds of firefighters are on scene and attempting to build a containment line


Hopefully the worst is over

[Bluebear]

27. That will disappoint some real pyromaniacs in this thread. nt

[cboy4]

31. You crack me up Bluebear. That made me laugh out loud.

And it's so true! LOL!! :)

[EFerrari]

29. Welcome to DU, rollin74. And thanks for the good news.

:)

[proud patriot]

37. Thank Goodness

:)

[cboy4]

40. That is inaccurate information. 165 structures have been lost and

500 more are still threatened.

It is dark, so the air tankers and choppers haven't been able to fly and can't until sunrise.

It is still very much out of control, which is why El Dorado County has declared a state of emergency.

All of this information is currently being reported on the 10 o'clock newscasts.

[Bluebear]

41. But those 165 structures never belonged there, you see.

And fire is good for the forests, so the other 500 homes must burn to the ground immediately to restore the balance of the universe. :crazy:

[cboy4]

42. Hopefully there will be a devasting earthquake tonight to

punish all of those irresponsible, rich people who live near the San Andreas Fault. :crazy:

[RC Quake]

77. Hey, I live 2 miles from the San Andreas fault.

I also saw 2 homes burn 1 block from me in the So. Cal. fires of October 2003. We were out with our water hoses that early morning of the Grand Prix fire when the Santa Ana winds grabbed hold of it and sent it out of control after watching it for 3 days just 1 mile from our house.

Then, December brought severe flooding because of the fires on Christmas Day and several people lost their lives. We watched the flood control channel 50 feet behind our home rise to almost overflowing and wondered if we should evacuate.

The fires and floods brought the mountain wildlife into our backyards. We deal with an overabundance of rabbits, gophers, rats, field mice, coyotes, rattle snakes and some I just can't plain recognize as a species.

Where there is fire, there is flooding. Where there are mountains, there are earthquakes. We chose to live here despite the constant dangers around us. No one should feel sorry for us when the big earthquake hits. Because, if the San Andreas goes and we are home, that mountain that is so beautiful now with regrowth after the fires is coming right down on top of us.

Our choice, whether people think we are foolish or not, it was our choice and we will deal with the consequences. Oh yeah, we are not rich!

[rollin74]

43. the number of homes lost is terrible

I'm sorry to hear that the number of homes lost went way up (from 52 to 165 now)

the weather conditions tonight and tomorrow will improve and should really help firefighters in the coming hours. With temperatures near freezing tonight, the fire will almost certainly "lay down" and shouldn't spread much. The natural overnight increase in humidity will help also.

I'm sure they will get an air attack on it first thing in the morning and get a jump on better containment.
The afternoon winds that blow in the area are forecast to be substainally less.

The officials I have heard on the news were fairly optimistic that they'll be able to make a lot of progress with cold temperatures overnight and overall better weather tomorrow.

With luck, this fire won't grow into an even bigger disaster. Let's also hope that no more homes are lost.

I sometimes camp near Fallen Leaf and hate to see that area go up in smoke.

[Emit]

55. Fallen Leaf

One of my favorite places. Welcome to DU, rollin74. :hi:

[proud patriot]

73. When I woke up this morning to the news

my heart broke

[StarryNite]

44. This is extremely sad.

It is such a beautiful place in spite of the casinos.

[XemaSab]

45. People are destroying that place

Fewer humans there, the better. :P

[Change has come]

52. How creepy you are

fire fighters are risking their lives right now.

[XemaSab]

53. Seriously

I heard about how pretty Tahoe was my whole life... I went there and it's about 1 cabin every 50 feet for MILES around the lakeshore and a GIANT traffic jam.

I wound up being depressed as hell. :(

[Change has come]

54. I agree

Can we wait until the fire is out and we find out if everybody is safe before we go there? I mean fire fighters are literally trying to save the high school right now...in real time. Families are gathering their most important treasures...Waiting for the call to evacuate.

The local paper reports of a woman who fought the fire near her home as long as she could, fled with her dog, and is now looking for her husband...

[Emit]

56. At this hour, our local news just broke in to say that it's only 5% contained n/t

[Change has come]

57. The RGJ is reporting 2,000 acres involved.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070624/NEWS18/70624023&oaso=news.rgj.com/breakingnews

[Emit]

58. These winds we're having here aren't helping. Damn. n/t

[cboy4]

59. Fortunately you missed all of the ugliness that has been deleted

There were some here practically jumping for joy that people were being burned out because they deserved it for living in the forest.

It was some of the most sickening filth I've seen at DU since Steve Irwin's death.

Everyone deserves the bad stuff that happens to them from mountain climbers who get lost to the father in Oregon who died in the snow.

How sad.

[Emit]

60. Must of been quite a few because the number of replies is showing 145

and my last reply was #58. Did that many really get deleted?

[Matsubara]

61. cboy4, I was content to leave this thread well enough alone after those threads were deleted.

You want your own private little thread about how terrible the fires are with only uniform responses of sorrow, fine.


But NOBODY expressed joy that people were being burned out, and you were responsible for a great deal of the "ugliness" that was deleted.

I will back out of your thread now, but will thank you for not smearing me, or karlschneider in our absence and putting words in our mouths.

[cboy4]

66. Guilty conscious? Yea, you should have one after that display

of jubilation over this fire.

You couldn't have sounded happier had you won the lottery.

Hopefully a plane will go down tomorrow so you have something else to be happy about.

[Name removed]

67. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bluebear]

62. How could I forget Mr. Kim, the Oregon father.

What a 'loser' he was putting his family in danger like that and too bad he survived as long as he did, blah blah blah.

[Bluebear]

64. " It's growing. There are humongous billows....It is terrifying to everyone to see this,"

a resident from Meyers. :scared:

[diamidue]

68. Latest from the Sacramento Bee at midnight:

Firefighters hold out hope for tomorrow, but they will have to wait till daylight to find out.

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/240150.html

My husband was just up there on Saturday. He said the winds were terrible. I'm so glad he got out before today. The roads between Tahoe and the San Francisco Bay area are jammed on just normal weekends...they must just be a mess there now.

[cboy4]

69. :(

[senseandsensibility]

70. I just heard on CNN

that the origins of this fire are "suspicious." Who would do such a thing? :(

[LeftishBrit]

76. I am sorr y to hear this!

Best wishes and thoughts to all who are affected!