Wildfire burns structures, closes Highway 49 in North Auburn
At least 275 acres in flames
A 275-acre wildland fire burning in North Auburn closed part of Highway 49 and was burning structures and threatening other commercial and residential buildings Sunday afternoon. Mandatory evacuations were also ordered for several Auburn neighborhoods. Those neighborhoods include Saddleback Estates and the areas of Virginia and Stanley roads in Christian Valley, according to Dena Erwin, Placer County Sheriff’s spokeswoman. Erwin added that residents of at least three subdivisions off Dry Creek Road, including Windsong Park and Greenstone, were also ordered to leave their homes. Erwin advised that residents take a minimum amount of belongings and their pets is possible. “Drive safely because there are going to be emergency vehicles on the roads,” Erwin said. Martha Garcia, editor of the Loomis News, who was visiting the Dry Creek Road area Sunday afternoon, said she counted at least 12 houses destroyed in the North Park subdivision. A California Highway Patrol online report stated that Rock Creek Elementary School, located on 3050 Bell Road, was the evacuation center as of 4:27 p.m. Those with livestock can take their animals to teh Dewitt Center in Auburn. Auburn Police Department Chief Valerie Harris said there are no evacuation calls for residents inside the Auburn city limits. "Should that change, we will then make notice through Journal updates, local news and any other resources including telephone advisements," Harris said at about 5 p.m. Sunday. The blaze, reported at about 2:30 p.m. grew from a couple of acres to about 100 acres by 3:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire Grass Valley Command Center. At about 5 p.m., it had grown to 500 acres, according to a Cal Fire dispatcher. “It started in the area of Highway 49 and Rock Creek Circle, near the Rock Creek Mobile Home Park,” Cal Fire dispatch operator Nicole Claro said. Helicopters, air tankers, engines and strike teams were responding to the blaze. “We’re throwing everything at the fire,” Claro said. The fire was drawing a lot of onlookers, according to Ali Westcott, who lives in the Greens housing complex near Dry Creek Road area. Westcott said she had tried to leave her home to go to the grocery store, but could not go because of the closure of Highway 49. “To the left toward Dry Creek you can see flames and a lot of black smoke,” she said. “To the right, there’s also smoke. It’s on both sides.” Westcott said she was closing her windows because of the smoke and was concerned she might have to evacuate.
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If anyone has more details please keep us all updated. It's windy and this could get uglier.
We just stopped by the airport, which had many people fire watching. Word there was that the tire store on 49, KOA campground, and perhaps the dump along with other business have burned. Not sure if all the info related to me was correct, but none the less the fire looks intense.
The building that was burning on Locksley Lane was the former Harley Davidson business.
This fire is burning houses in the Parkway subdiv. just north/east of 84 Lumber, off Dry Creek Road.
Thank You, Please keep updating, My sister house is at Bell rd and Coors lane. I know they have evacuated but we are still waiting for an update!
How can we help??
I live quite close to the fire and have been told we are under mandatory evacuation, however, we are far enough that my husband is watching. There are at minimum 4 planes in the air plus some helicopters right now, and they are pulling water from the pond near my home. Currently, the wind is blowing towards Grass Valley, away from Bell Road.
Delta84...just prayer please as there are multiple retirement homes in the fire's vicinity.
does anyone know if it's moved east of the windsong estates? My parents are just a few houses east of that gated community.
Have a couple friends that are firefighters lost their house on Shale Ridge. Thoughts and prayers to those that lost homes.
My brother has a home on corner of Creekside Place and Dry Creek, does anyone with info on this area yet?Thanks for any info, Pahrah, of Reno
Pahrah, I'm not there (I live in OR) but from what my husband can tell (he's watching live coverage through CalFire), he thinks it's likely much of that neighborhood has been hit. Do you have any other contacts you can get a hold of in that area?
Please keep posting updates if you have them! My mom lives in one of the nursing homes and I live hundreds of miles away. I can't get ahold of her and I would appreciate any information that is available.
The nursing home was being evacuated approximately a half an hour ago.
This is a tragedy for the people living in Parkway Subdv.
What is truly miraculous is the fact that Colonial Healthcare facility off Shale Ridge (formerly Hilltop Manor) was directly in the path of the fire as it traveled north from across Hywy 49 and Quartz Dr., but somehow was not harmed. The fire looks like it passed on BOTH sides of this facility!
My friends Heather and Richard Tuft also have their shop right behind Colonial, and it appears to have escaped damage.
The fire does not appear to have traveled east of Windsong Estates.
The fire is currently moving North East and Christian Valley along with Redhawk have just been evacuated. I live south of the fire (3 miles) and we have just had an additional mandatory evacuation. We are staying as the fire is moving northeast away from our home. 84 Lumber on Shale Ridge is still standing and only the wood outside has been damaged.
The local news just reported that "dozens and dozens of homes have been burned". Please pray for the owners!
for nursing home question, colional village was evacutated for prevenitive measures. The fire is on the other side of 49 from the nursing homes.
just saw on the news, that they have decided not to evacuate the nursing home.
My years long independent contractor called to say his home has burned down. He lives off of Creekside Place.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and I hope he was able to save his dogs. (He just left a message)
My business is on Shale Ridge Road and I read here that someones home burned down on Shale Ridge.
Does anyone know if the Ace MIni Storage Complex on Shale Ridge has burned?
It would be nice to know if I have any trucks left to work out of tomorrow.
Please let us know how we can help. Water, food, blankets, etc. We want to do whatever we can to ease the burden of the evacuees and those who lost their homes and businesses.
ehjerome,
It looks like the Colonial Healthcare facility on Shale Ridge is safe. According to KCRA3 the power lines and phone lines are down all around that area, but they have their emergency generators up and running to provide power to the residents.
I just saw my independent contractor on the TV. He was the man in the orange shirt that just rescued a cat.
I don't know if it was his or not but what a guy!
Let's also pray for the inmates that are in the county jail off Bell Road.
The fire is approximately 3 miles from the Placer County Jail. The area they are in is called the Dewitt Center. Currently, animals displaced from the fire are being brought to the Dewitt center for care. There are also evacuation sites across the street for misplaced residents. It has been estimated that 60 homes have burned.
If you go the the Calfire website, this is listed as the 49er fire. There are details there.
The jail is on the other side of Hwy 49.
The Salvation Army has disaster relief teams, please contact them for direct donations for the victoms of this fire.
We will keep all of our Auburn friends in our prayers.
If you go the the Calfire website, this is listed as the 49er fire. There are details there.
The jail is on the other side of Hwy 49.
The Salvation Army has disaster relief teams, please contact them for direct donations for the victoms of this fire.
We will keep all of our Auburn friends in our prayers.
does anyone know if the crater hill rd has been damaged? we have friends that live there. is it closer to that area or farther?? please let us know thanks!!
Does anyone know if OakMist Lane off Parkway Drive is burning? Is there a link for live video feed? My uncle went into the fire to rescue animals in that area. Please pray. My family is very scared. He's in his 80s. Thank you.
Crater HIll is fine. No worries.
My parents' motor home is in the KOA park. My dad is in Sutter Roseville ICU. I have ,.my mother with me,but all her medecations, etc are in the park. Anyone have any info ?
KCRA has reported that the fire has jumped Dry Creek. They are evacuating more of the area north of Dry Creek Rd.
Oakmist Lane was hit very hard, almost all the homes are gone. Ch. 3 has been showing that area.
Just a shout out from a neighbor in Grass Valley. Auburn! We are praying for everyone and feel just sick to be watching this on TV! Be safe. If you are evacuated, please leave.
I lost my house in the first 49er fire (1989). I'm a bit surprised they named another fire the same name.
Stay strong and be safe! You can build another house, but *you* can not be replaced!(((((hugs)))))
OakMist is right next to Morning Mist. Only one home is left standiing on that street according to the reports from Channel 3. Our friends' home on Morning Mist is most certainly gone. I hope your uncle is okay. God bless him for trying to help.
Is Creekside Place gone? My daughter lives there, this is so terrible. Please prey for all those hurt by this tragedy.
Has anyone been to or know anyone on the 3900 block of Creekside place?
Hopefully they will turn your uncle back. At 80, he shouldn't be out in this heat, trying to save animals! If he were to get heat stroke, it would take energy off the fire. Save this for the young bucks! LOL!
Jayber, we know someone on Morning Mist, too. They keep showing their house still burning. Horrible.
Is that the house they think is a gas fire? Can't imagine watching your house burn down on TV.
thank you for updating on Crater Hill Rd! Is it going in that direction or away from it?
RE: KOA campground
My understanding was that was the first area hit by the fire. I spoke with people at the Auburn Airport (just East of the fire) and they report that may well be the origin of the fire.
rtaylor - Crater Hill is in the opposite direction of the fire. The wind is blowing the other way. Your friends are most certainly going to be fine.
Yes, that house that keeps burned seems to be our friends' house. My husband is somewhere down there as a firefighter from Colfax, not sure there, though.
jayber- thank you! you are all in our prayers!
Hey My name is sharon and i am from tuolumne county. I would like to see if i can get donations to help the any of the people. that may need stuff.I have loits of blankets that i was gonna donate to our inter faith place but for those that has lost every thing. tough choise from the homeless and the disaster people. I do have some winter clothes also that I was going to donate our local interfaith for the homeless. Thesee peoiple lost everything. let me know, i will see what i can do. s_nickley @yahoo.com
I was told they just reported all houses north of creekside place are safe
rtaylor: is that you Robin?
The Salvation Army is already at the school serving dinner. Please make donations to the Salvation Army.
Does anyone know if Safe and Sound Storage on Locksley Lane burned? My work truck is parked there? Thank you and God bless everyone.
Good luck to lyle. You got your cat. hope yopur dogs survived. my sympathany is with all of ytou.
s_nickley@yahoo.com
There's a live feed at KCRA here: http://www.kcra.com/video/9292412/index.html
Re Campgound:
The Campground did not burn!! Talked to a guy that works there and he said it came really close to the houses that are on the edge of the campground but did not burn. It burned right up to the front of the campground and all around. The campground it still standing. Heard some people say that the black smoke was from the trailers burning. There is an area on the campground for storing trailers, but not sure if they burned or not. We used to own the campground and even thought i don't live there anymore, the house i grew up in almost burned down. it's hard to hear. theres is a animal shelter next to the campgound they were able to get everyone out and saved the bulding. Loseing your house is hard, but as long as everyone is safe!
another fire reported at winchester club dr and sugar pine rd - in the meadow vista area
Thank you to all of the firefighters risking their lives to protect life and home!!
I just heard from my husband, he was protecting a couple of the homes on Morning Mist that did not burn. He said that they are now doing mop up and they will all be out there all night.
mommaperrr--Any more on the Meadow Vista fire? That is quite a distance from the other reported locations. Thanks.
God Bless all the firefighters and the people affected by this fire. A true nighmare for tis beautiful community..
The fire in the Meadow Vista area was a brief clip on the chp website. They must have put it out quickly. It started as a brush fire, and caught some trees.
Can anyone confirm what is going on at Sugar Pine and Winchester? My parents live there, I'm three hours away and I can't reach them. My prayers are with everyone, this is just awful.
I have to say thank you to user comments on updates and to KCRA. Auburn Journal really dropped the ball on providing a service for its residents, and family members who don't live in Auburn, on where to evacuate and what areas are most affected. You should be updating constantly and the last online update was hours ago.
And according to TV news reports people going back into the neighborhood aren't being checked for IDs, where's APD or the local sheriff? As someone who lived in San Diego during its 2 devastating fires in recent years I know that's how houses near burn areas get looted. I hope nothing like that happens but why aren't precautions being put in place? I hope the TV is incorrect in reporting that information.
Does anyone know where we can take donations????There is talk above about salvation army. Is there a LOCACTION or number to call to get more info????
The Salvation Army in Auburn is located at 286 Sutter St, Auburn . There are other locations including Roseville, at 100 Lincoln St,
All afternoon and evening our prayers have been not only for the families who lost homes, but for the safety of the firefighters. This is on the heels of the news that 2 firefighters died in the SoCal fire that is ongoing. Channel 3 interviewed someone who lost his home and he was very critical of the firefighters response time. His comment was "where were our heroes"? I can only hope this man was in such shock he did not think about what he was saying. There were many men and women out there, risking their lives fighting a fire that was moving faster than their firetrucks. I have no doubt they did their best. They ARE heroes. Unfortunately there are times when man is no match for the forces of nature.
delta84,
The Salvation Army in Auburn can be reached at:
530-889-3990
sugarpine and winchester are a fair distance away, no trouble for those areas tonight. hopefully.
Auburn 20-30 is at SaveMart right now until midnight taking clothing, canned food and toiletry donations.
Salamander,
I too was watching the KCRA3 coverage. I heard one man interviewed by Mike Tesalle saying that the fire was traveling so fast due to hight winds, that the firetrucks couldn't keep up with it. He said most of the houses on his street were on fire within fifteen minutes of seeing the first smoke.
I'm not sure Superman could have done much under those conditions.
Why don't they use the fairgrounds for overnight facilities or staging center for displaced families? The news states that Rock Creek & Auburn Elem are not set up for over night use.
wow person who posted before my last post.Don't be so negative.It is already a bad situation don't feed more negativity with your comments about San Diego.post positive thoughts like prayers, ways to help,info on where to take donations.........
Hey norcal2socal,
You are a real upbeat person!
News reports can be interesting. The on the spot interviews can be uncomfortable. I understand, my thoughts are jumbled when put on the spot. When something extreme happens, we sometimes speak with out thinking. I believe that all involved understand the emotions involved. Once again, thank you to the fire fighters. Would you take a bullet for your best friend and family? That is what they are doing. They take a chance. For you, for you home. If the timing is not what you would like, sorry. So sorry. But they do what they can do with what they are given.
Salamander: Right, I see our firefighters in a hurry a lot, but in this case they literally bolted like lightning. My daughter was with my husband (a volunteer) when the call went out. She described the scene at the station as the first engines were going out from up here in Colfax, they wasted no time. But this was one of those rare wind-driven fires that we don't see up here that often. We are actually fortunate it did not go any farther...but they are still out there working to make sure it doesn't. And they are going to be out there all night.
This fire could have been much worse.....and the firefighters up here always do a great job! 30 homes could have been hundreds. A fire can create its own wind from the need for oxygen and the heat draft it naturally produces. It is wonderful that these brave men and women have it almost 100% contained. Its time for all those who witnessed this lost for so many families to get involved in any way possible via donations, help and resources for the long term help of these devastated families and businesses. Auburn is a great community and help would be appreciated from anyone wishing to supply it!
Im in Indiana. Can anyone update me on the evacuations areas. Or let me know about the Auburn Greens Area? I have family that live there and can't reach them at this time.
I was at the fire, as an observer when it was no more than 40 or 50 feet in leanth, the flames were 5 to 10 feet tall. There were 4 or 5 cop cars there right away, a couple minutes later the fire chief (?) in the pick-up truck showed up and in only minutes after that the big white fire truck showed then the even bigger red fire truck showed. The fire was still relatively small so I and the other 10 or so people were relieved thinking that any second the water will come gushing out of those fire trucks. The fire engines, without spraying one drop of water on this fire watched while the garage of that little house in the feild went up in flames. Still not an ounce of water was put on the fire. As the fire grew and was obviouslly going to take the house next, people started shouting,"Do something! Hurry! Dont just watch it burn!" Not from the white or red fire engine did ANYONE take any action! I cannot believe what I saw. The house did catch fire and burned to the ground. Why did they not even spray a drop of water on it at that point or as they arrived is something that needs to be explained. SHAME ON YOU AUBURN FIRE DEPARTMENT! What if your grandmother lived in that house?!!? What is Auburn comming too???
Auburn Greens is fine. Fire did not jump to that side of 49.
Chief W -
Where exactly did the fire start and what is your best estimate of HOW the fire started?
I just talked to a friend that lives in Meadow Vista. They were evacuated earlier in the day for about four hours, then got the OK to go back home.
Dont take canned goods, frozen, or dry goods to the Red Cross at Rock Creek or Auburn Elementary. I emptied out the pantry an put two bags together with soup, applesauce, corn, noodles, tuna, frozen pre-packaged chicken breasts, Frozen Pre-packaged beef, and was turned away. They do want pre-packaged or prepaired foods like Pizza, Sandwiches, chips, oreos, etc. as explained to me by the Red Cross Represetitive.
I also offered up two bedrooms in my home and was told thanks but no thanks. As a few of the local churches are opening there doors to the fire victims or the evacuee's.
Just thought I would pass this along to my fellow Philanthropists.
thank you very much!!!
Can any body tell me if North Fork Vet is OK??
It looked to me as if the fire started at the street (hwy 49) and at first it was having a hard time but would find fuel in small clumps of dry grass. As I posted earlier, the fire was allowed to progress with no interfearance.
I kinda thought maybe someone threw a cig out their car window, when it first started it was that close to the street.
Yes that's called "hurry up and wait" or "wait for incident command"...or not taking this on like your life depends on it. Now I am sure that if wind conditions and flare ups had any contributing factors, then of course the fire crew members had to size up the fire due to their own personal safety. ...And brush...did the home owner do fire defensible space...not clear cutting, but making sure that good spacing between plant material was far enough apart so that the latter fuels would not accumulate. Wind is one of the most dangerous aspects of firefighting--and todays wind wasn't that strong, but fire creates it's own wind, and that may be why firefighters didn't act as fast as you would have liked. In anycase, people--create a save fire fuel management program for your family, a neighborhood emergency evac plan, and exchange phone numbers, and animal/livestock staging area contacts.
chiefwemar...sounds like you and about 10 witnesses may have a story to tell and we should all be reading about it on the front page of AJ tomorrow. I wonder if the trucks needed a supply of water to pump and water was not present? An investigation will ensue.........
You know, thats the way I feel about it, and the other neighbors are easily found. I remember which ones were at the scene. Before I posted my first comment I seached fire trucks/engines as to make sure those were the kind that have water tanks. Those fire engines HAVE water tanks.
Does anyone know if Locksley Mini Storage is ok? I herd the Harley Davidson place burnt down but havent herd about Locksley Mini Sortage. Hoping thats a good thing? Does anyone know? I have stuff there.
Sounds like an investigation is definitely in order. I really hope the firefighters didn't sit there and do nothing when it first started....but, if the Auburn firefighters are anything like the good 'ol Auburn Police Department, then that very well may be the case. It seems like the law enforcement authorities in Auburn do not know what to do in real emergencies, they only know how to pester, harrass, and annoy residents on a daily basis. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call to the authorities. I really hope this horrible fire was not a result of any inaction. My heart goes out to all those that were affected.
Any information on the new North Fork Veterinary Clinic that was ACF the Harley Davidson Building?
lauralove01, I have a work truck at the Safe and Sound Storage on Locksley. I have been trying to find info somewhere about it. I will keep looking online. Although...it seems minor compared to what all these poor people have went through losing homes and animals. I just feel terrible about it,
It looks to me like the AJ needs to make an executive decision--and tonight. Have FREE want ads offering help to those displaced, or those who are offering help--make it a special section in the classified. Many people have a spare bedroom, an RV, or room for an RV or tent. Let's help our neighbors out, it looks like a disaster and I'm sure there aren't enough motels and relatives to take care of the need.
Many of those whose home has burned will have no Internet, but probably have some change to buy a paper or can share one. C'mon, Auburn Journal, do the right thing!
MaryA. Ya I think Safe and Sound is farther up. I hope your truck is ok. I know I feel bad for all of them too. My boyfriend is a CDF Firefighter and his whole life is in that storage locker so I really hope its ok. I am going to try to go by there tommorrow to check if they let me. I will keep a look out also on here.
fox40.com has a live chat with great info regarding businesses on Locksley Lane. It sounded like the Vet Clinic was Ok
I also heard that TJ's autobody was ok
1
We having been staying at the RV park. Our fifth-wheel is currently there. We left with nothing except the clothing on our backs and our dog and truck. As we left the park, we saw two deer running for their lives as they were being chased up the hill toward the RV park near Bell Street (the park is called Auburn Gold). We knew when we left that we would lose everything, as we are full time RV'rs. HOwever, we were very grateful that we were able to get out before the fire got into the park. We drove to the Safeway and parked, wondering what in the world we would do, as we were realizing that we were in such a hurry to get out of the park that we left our cell phones, my husbands diabetes medications and everything we own setting there. WE have no friends or family in Auburn, and so didn't really have any place to go, and because we had a standard poodle (and left her kennel there at the RV park also) we didn't know what to do. I got out of the truck and meandered down to a place where many people were standing watching the black smoke and shooting flames. All I could think of was I just needed to talk to a family member. There was a woman standing there using her phone. I told her the situation and asked if I could use her phone. She gladly obliged. She also offered for us to go to her house and stay with her...she didn't know us from Adam...but so generous. We declined, and went to the local Burger King to get something to drink and (cont)
cont from above: We went to the local Burger King where one of the employees also let us use the phone to call our daughter and make arrangements to meet them. They would be coming from Pleasanton. WE needed to find someplace to go for a couple of hours. Somehow we ended up at the airport, we asked a man and woman if there was a church we could go to. The invited us to their home, and we were so emotionallyh spent that we agreed to go. Again, these people had no clue who we were, but they opened their home to my husband and I and our standard size poodle! The people that we met today, through this tragedy were unbelievably generous. Once our kids arrived, we realized it probably wasn't too safe to go back to the RV park, but needed to get to the medication for my husband. WE spoke to a police officer, and they provided us a ride into the park to get his medications (along with two others needing to get medication). The park did not burn. There was not one trailor burnt, nor one building. It was a miracle! The fire burnt right up to the very edge of the park, but didn't go into the park. The management of the park stayed and and kept things wet with hoses. This was so stressful for us, but more stressful was seeing the families that were waiting in those mall areas wondering if their homes were burnt. I saw more kindness from people, concerned about others than I have ever seen in my life. I have a great deal of gratitude for the caring people we met today!
Chiefwemar: The area the fire was in is protected by Placer County Fire/ CALFIRE. The Auburn City Fire Dept. was not called to assist with the incident untill after the first engines and chief arrived and made additional resource requests. Cal Fire has the Placer County contract awarded by the Board of Supervisors. That contract includes the old Placer Consolidated Fire Protection District area. The city limits end at the Toyota Dealership on Hwy 49. The Auburn City Fire Department has been responding to and dealing with these types of incidents since 1852! I'm positive that they would take action upon arrival like always!
Finally, I want to thank the Cunninghams for welcoming us into thier home without knowing us; I want to thank the firefighters who risked their lives to protect the homes, I want to thank the police officers, who were doing thier jobs keep traffic moving and made the extra effort to give out as many details to those of us who stood by wondering if our homes were gone. I want to thank the young woman at Burger King who offered us her phone, and then made an extra call to my daughter later to make sure we were okay. I want to thank the woman who stood by Ross and let me barrow her phone to call my daughter and said, "just talk to her as long as you need to." Thank you to the police officer who took me into get our medication out of the RV Park. We will be coming back to Auburn once we know it is safe. But I couldn't sleep tonight without making sure to thank these people.
My mother lived on southpark, and lost everything. She got out with the clothes she had on, her two dogs, and her laptop. I still can't believe this happened. When I was growing up we lived off of wise road in a rural area that was always at risk of fires(much like the Fawn Hill fire a few years back). When she moved to her new home two years ago, the thought of losing her home in a residential area was the least of her worries. It's a sad day for many in that community including my mom.
If anyone comes across an old gray cat, her name is scooby, I have had that cat since I was 21, I'm 36 now and would hate to think she burned to death.
My prayers go out to all those that have been displaced by this fire.
people please listen.i am a disabled firefighter.we beg peolpe to have a fire break around there house.and remove old shake roofs.we only ask this for your property protection.also when a firefighter asks you to leave do it.. i know that i am yelling in the wind because when the fire is over people will go back to there old ways.make a fire pre plan.talk to your local firefighters they will help you ..give the firefighters a break they risk there life for you fireman ed
chiefwemar-Contact Placer County Fire and see if you can get some info about what you witnessed. Having had family members in the fireservice, I can tell you that there could have been many reasons why there was no firefighting early on. The conditions, including high temp, low humidity were the perfect conditions for what happened yesterday. The trucks you describe sound like Consolidated Fire District and they run the show in their own district, they an excellent department. Firefighting is a science and a bystander with no experience can only guess as to why the fire was handled the way it was.
AJ, post an online section IMMEDIATELY that shows how citizens can help, where donations can be dropped, what is needed - including
needs for any pets.......Start a blog where impacted citizens can list special needs (place to stay, food, money, internet access, etc) along with contact information.
When I called and reported the fire at 2:20 the dispatch told me they were already aware. I drove on, past Bel-Air, still did not hear sirens. They seemed a little slow to respond.
Well said Salamander. Not to say that everything goes perfectly everytime, but there is so much going on with how the fire service operates that us regular people are not aware of.
I have contacted the Red Cross and the Calvary Chapel, but please let any of the fire victims know that I am offering FREE Mobile Notary service, FREE Mailbox rental, and FREE Fax Services so that the paperwork for insurance, etc can be completed in a timely manner for these people. A lot of paperwork needs to be filled out and I can help get this done at no charge. Our business is located in South Auburn. My cell number is 916-416-3585. Danelle Stumbo
2rvtravelers, Are you members of the Escapees and/or "Boomers" RV Club? If so, drop us an email. Contact info for "CoolJudy" on the member sites. Judy
i wanted to make some donations of clothing and other household goods to the familys that have lost there everything, the redd cross only wants money, does anyone know where i can get stuff to the auburn familys? any info would be greatly appreciated. melissa
Yesterday was experience for us in Saddleback Estates. We could see the plume from our backyard, but did not hear a single siren. The Auburn radio station (950 AM) was broadcasting a game, we couldn't find a CDF number in the phone book, and there was no news on the Journal website. Eventually we got the evacuation call and left for Grass Valley. At that time the radio station did have a bit of news, but I lost the signal near Lake of the Pines. Tuning to KVMR-FM, we were about to go to a show when the announcer declared that "all Saddleback Estates homes have burned to the ground." At that point we lost it. We made our way over to the motel and watched KCRA. Even their guy was stating Saddleback Estates was burning, but the aerial photos didn't match. Only around 8 p.m. did he finally make an on-air correction. We felt some relief, but seeing is believing. Upon our return to Saddleback this morning (by way of Florence to Virginia from 49), no one stopped us to ask for an ID. I was very surprised.
I'm obviously VERY thankful to the firefighters that Saddleback was spared. That said, much of our local media was asleep at the wheel. I'm also upset with KVMR and, to a lesser degree, KCRA, for what I consider to be irresponsible reporting in relation to identifying the affected neighborhoods. Some easy fact-checking on the 'Net, along with checking with a local official, would have told them where they were and what they were dealing with. Misreporting is BAD reporting!
Cheifwemar- you are truely an A class person. What are you a chief of, BS! When those fire engines showed up they had to react to the best of ability, two engines showed up at first it was a 2 acre fire and they took action. you are making speculation of what you thought was going on, the winds were about 30 mph and the fire took off, the first house that went is this what you are talking about, those men and women had to make a call. behind that house is an RV park, homes, apartment buildings, buildings and a senior home. I realize it is one house and it is someones home but there were other houses on fire. I am so frustrated hearing this, firemen standing around not doing anything, maybe just maybe they were planning an attack on the radio with planes, calling in more help, you said two trucks, thats only 8 firemen at the most, what were they suppose to do? H2O was scarce, one truck not alot of waterMaybe they were trying to do their best, did you ever think of that. No you thought about what you would have done, well guess what you did nothing also, you watched as that house went up, you sat there yelling as you said, you were also probably one of those people who was blocking the road so the trucks could not get in to where the head of the fire was. You admit you sat there watching the fire at first as it was going slowly and then found a patch of grass, guess you are not called a hero. Next time maybe stay out of the way and let the real men and women do their
Thank you for prayers and information on Oakmist. My uncle and family (including cats) are blessedly fine. We appreciate the links and compassion people here showed (especially GailBegin, jayber and rsvllemom). Golddust, my uncle is apparently a young buck smart enough to stay alive long enough to get old. :) We are praying for everyone impacted by the fire, as well as the animals. We send our deepest gratitude to the firefighters. Thank you all again.
Thank you to those who acknowledge the men and women who risk their lives, while this is a stressful time I know they are doing their best with what they have. Sorry for those who have lost their homes and pets. Thank god nobody was injured in this fire it could have been worse. Please do not bash the fire deparments, they wifes and families that sit at home and watch as their loved ones go to a fire and risk their lives for others. I sat close to my phone hoping it would not ring this time. My husband loves his job and would not trade it for anything but his job is very dangerous and every fire makes my heart skip a beat, so please do not sit here and tell them what they could have done better, or what they did not do. You do no tknow what they had to do.
God bless those who lost their homes and those who helped to save as many as possible.
First of all, I want to thank ALL firefighters that worked so hard on that terrible fire. Being a firefight is one of the most selfless job one can do! That includes all CAL FIRE and all other agencies that were called in. The one thing I think should be looked at hard was what time did Auburn City Fire finally got the call to respond?? Did anyone else hear fire dispatch get a negative when asked if Auburn City Fire should respond? Maybe someone should take a look at the start to finish dispatch transcrips to the person at Cal Fire who decides if they need Auburn City Fires help or not. How many house could have been saved with more trucks and firefighter just 5 minutes away? Why did it take so long for Auburn City Fire to get the call? We watched as a friends house burnt down knowing that the engines at ACF where waiting to get the call.
All firefighter put their necks and lives on the line with fighting fires, and anyone who doesn't request ALL availible help be called as soon as possible should have explaining to do to those firefighters and the families whose houses burnt down.
I don't know exactly how Auburn is dispatched but my retired fireman friend tells me that sometimes different fire departments are very territorial about their calls and they don't like to work with other fire departments. He says it's an ego thing and it is very dangerous because the individual departments start to almost hate each other. So I can see that being a possibility why Auburn Fire Engines were canceled. But in my opinion if that is the case heads need to roll. How many other departments in the area were canceled or not called? I'm just amazed that the city of Auburn has fire stations that are not even staffed. This is a big enough city we should be up to snuff with the rest of the county at least.
Firewife...NOT ONE DROP OF WATER???
stumpbranch-LOL, talk to the city of Auburn about the fire budget!
Salamander, you know they are too busy planning their next mirals and pet projects to worry about paying for public safety.
If I were the real Chief in Weimar (spelled correctly) I would be pretty put out about some nimrod using a name so close to mine. I might even complain about it. Especially when "chiefwemar" makes him look like such a terrible speller. A real chief wouldn't have to Google firetrucks.