Salem-News.com Fire articles Page 50

Dry Winds Raise Fire Concerns in Oregon

Strong easterly winds are forecast from Thursday afternoon through the weekend.

(SALEM, Ore.) - As the Santa Ana winds in California push wildfires to extremes, we are reminded that Oregon also experiences severe weather this time of year.

In northwestern Oregon, easterly winds are commonplace in the late fall, and this is an annual concern for wildland firefighters.

Video of Southern California Fires: A Plea for Help

The video included in this report is a music slideshow of pictures from the California wildfires

(SAN DIEGO) - Over a million California residents have been evacuated from their homes as wildfires rage from the mountains toward the sea, leaving at least a billion dollars in damage in San Diego County alone.

One thing that seems to stand out in case after case is the unity people there have shown in dealing with this staggering disaster. Another question that people will likely soon begin asking, is how were so many fires able to do so much damage in so many different locations?

FEMA Sends Regional Disaster Response Teams to California Fires

“Our experiences during past disasters have taught us to assume a proactive, forward-leaning approach” - FEMA's Susan Reinertson

(SEATTLE) - FEMA has called for the deployment of regional disaster response teams, to supplement state and local response efforts.

24 emergency responders were sent to the affected Counties Tuesday. Their Mobile Emergency Response System detachment sent a large convoy of support vehicles south toward California.

Southern California Opens Fire Victim Assistance Centers

Three of the centers open tomorrow, the other two on Friday.

(SACRAMENTO) - The opening of five local assistance centers for victims of the Southern California wildfires was announced by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today.

"I am directing my Office of Emergency Services to work closely with local officials to open up local assistance centers for fire victims in the affected areas," he said

Marine Families Evacuated Over Southern California Wildfires

MP's will use loudspeakers if the evacuation of the entire base at Camp Pendleton becomes imminent.

(CAMP PENDLETON) - Firefighters at Camp Pendleton are currently fighting two fires on the Southern California Marine Corps base.

The Horno fire has burned 6,000 acres, that is the largest fire. So far officials say it is 10% contained. Sections of the Horno fire had threatened Interstate 5, causing a temporary closure from Highway 76 to San Onofre that has now been lifted.

Wind Change Could Harm California Fire Progress (VIDEO)

Approximately 8,000 firefighters are on scene, at least 1,644 homes have been destroyed, the fires have seared just under 650 square miles.

(SAN DIEGO) - Hot dry Santa Ana winds have driven the Southern California wildfires across the state scoring tens of thousands of acres, over a thousand homes have burned to the ground.

But some firefighters say the last thing they need is for the winds to turn around and start blowing the other way. One firefighter told Salem-News.com, "The fire could just come right back on us, taking paths that didn't already burn."

California National Guard Battling Wind Driven Blazes

Other state National Guard units are assisting California as well.

(SACRAMENTO) - More than 1,500 California National Guard men and women continue to provide area security, traffic control, and property protection for the Southern California wildfires.

The California National Guard Soldiers and airmen responded swiftly to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's call with various air and ground assets that are providing security, transportation, and humanitarian support by assisting local authorities.

Fight Against Deadly California Fires is Progressing (VIDEO)

Fifteen fires are actively burning, while five have been contained.

(SAN DIEGO) - While Santa Ana winds are expected to continue in Southern California, the National Weather Service says the weather system is weakening gradually, but conditions will remain somewhat dry and windy.

The offshore winds will continue at 20-30 mph and continue through much of today, with a brief respite later this afternoon before increasing again.

President Bush Orders Federal Disaster Assistance for California

A San Diego County official estimated damage costs from the fires is now over 1 billion dollars.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - President Bush today declared a major disaster exists in the State of California and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by wildfires beginning on October 21st, and continuing today.

The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

California Wildfires Force Nearly 1 Million From Homes; 3 Dead

The 15 wildfires have scorched more than 400,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,600 homes, killed three people, and injured at least 70.

(SAN DIEGO, Calif) - Fire safety experts in California say as many as 900,000 residents will have to evacuate before a series of gust-driven fires complete their devastating path across the state.

The situation remains critical, fire officials say the 15 uncontained large fires have burned more than 400,000 acres. The National Interagency Coordination Center says dry and windy conditions will continue in Southern California through Wednesday.