DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DIARY. Go RECOMMEND THE MOTHERSHIP and keep it in the Recommended Diary list.
This is the thirty-fifth in a series of diaries providing information regarding the California wildfires to those who most need it.
The DKos community is providing extraordinary coverage of the California Fires. What makes this site different from the typical media bubbleheads is that community members are giving real-time information regarding evacuations and fire locations.
Many of you are directly affected, many have family in danger, and most of us just hope and pray for the safety of our fellow citizens.
From all of us in Northern California, we are with you in spirit. Our prayer is for calm skies, no winds, more humidity, lower temps, and safety for you all. The forecast is for lower temperatures and so far the wind and humidity are cooperating.
Please do not post ANY pictures -- no exceptions! They slow down the diary and people affected by the emergency are on dial-up. Post a link to the picture instead.
No frivolous comments. If you are here to mock or gloat, or give us your philosophical meanderings about the meaning of wildfires go play with other trolls. These diaries are not about you. That's not to say that humor isn't appreciated in this series. The liveblogging team has been working hard and laughter is a great way to recharge.
* Use first comment for emergency info and updates only.
* Use the second comment for liveblogging volunteers - check-in orvolunteer if needed.
* Use the comments in the diaries for information. Everyone is doing a great job! You are all amazing.
* Supportive comments are welcome.
All above and all that follows have been cut and pasted from previous diaries. If any of this information is out of date, comment and I will update it or remove it.
Liveblog's Roll Call for California-based Kossacks is here:
California Wildfires Mothership: Roll Call and prayers.
If you are in San Diego County:
- limit use of electricity, landlines, cell phone. All these grids are stressed. Use text messaging as it is lower bandwidth than voice calls on cellular networks.
- JessicaDrewSW has compiled an amazing amount of information with numbers and/or links in his diary: Free services & More for CA fire victims
SAN DIEGO AUTHORITIES (via CNN): IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA OF A FIRE, CALL '211' RE: UP-TO-MINUTE INFORMATION FOR EVACUATION! NOTE: Previous diaries in this series have reported that the 211 contact number is swamped. I'm leaving it in here, nonetheless.
Very Important: If you are not in an area which is in fire danger today, do not call the emergency numbers or access the various websites posted here in a quest for information. Leave those numbers/websites to those in true need.
Emergency numbers: h/t to Calitics
Phone Numbers h/t Calitics
Animal Evacuations: 818-991-0071
Arrowhead Schools 909-499-9900
Buckweed, Canyon Fire: 323-881-2411
Coronado Hills Fire: 619-590-3160
Escondido evacuees: 760 839-6262 to find out if you can return home
Grass Valley Fire: 909-383-5688
Harris, Rice, McCoy Fire: 619-590-3160
Irvine: 714-628-7085
Lake Forest 714-628-7085
Malibu: 310-456-2489
Orange County 800-540-8282
Ranch Fire: 626-574-5208
Riverside: 909.988.3650
Roca Fire: 951-940-6985
Santa Clarita Evacuations: 661-295-6366
Santiago Fire: 714-573-6200
Sedgewick Fire: 805-681-5546
Slide and Witch: Fire 619-590-3160
US Forest Line: 626-574-5208
Emergency Web-based Resources:
San Diego County Emergency Homepage
211 San Diego
CHP Traffic Info
Santa Clarita Emergency Page
Camp Pendleton
Public Service Links
211 San Diego (be patient - overwhelmed)
Air Quality Reports
California Fire News
Camp Pendleton
CHP Traffic Info
Help San Diego Blog provided by San Diego Union-Tribune
National Interagency Fire Center
NOAA Weather Homepage
NWS Southern California Fire Weather
NWS Southern California Overview
Rancho Santa Fe Fire District.
Red Cross Disaster Services
Red Cross Safe & Well - Search or leave messages
San Bernadino Fire Information
San Diego County Emergency Homepage
San Diego County Official Website - list of destroyed/damaged homes in Rancho Bernardo
San Diego County: List of Homes that were confirmed destroyed by reporters From CBS8.
San Diego Fires Info
Santa Clarita Emergency Page
Verizon free call-forwarding services
San Diego Evacuation Shelters as of 10/23/07 at 3:30PM PT
o Serra Mesa Christian Fellowship, 2649 Murray Ridge Rd, San Diego
o Christian Church of Lemon Grove, 6970 San Miguel Ave, Lemon Grove
o Later Day Saints Church, 2255 Felicita Rd, Escondido
o Valley Center High School, 31322 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center
o Escondido High School at 1535 North Broadway in Escondido
o Santana High School at 9915 Magnolia in Santee
o La Roca Comunidad Cristiana Church, 1057 Tierra Del Rey #D, Chula Vista
o New Community Church, 165 Eucalyptus Ave, Vista
o Las Flores Nazarene Church, 1400 Las Flores Dr, Carlsbad
o Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2020 Chestnut Ave, Carlsbad
o Carlsbad High School, 3557 Monroe, Carlsbad
o Calvary Chapel Carlsbad, 6355 Corte Del Abeto, Carlsbad
o Valley Center High School, 31322 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center
o Casa Familiar Civic & Rec Center, 212 East Park Ave, San Ysidro
o Chula Vista High School, 820 4th Avenue, Chula Vista
o El Toro High School, 25255 Toledo Way, Lake Forest
o Borrego High School, 2281 Digueno Road, Borrego Springs
o SDSU (Faculty/Students only), Peterson Gym, San Diego
o Rock Church & Academy, 2277 Rosecrans Street, San Diego
FULL AND/OR CLOSED AT THIS TIME
o Calvin Christian High School, Escondido
o Mira Mesa High School, 10510 Reagan Rd, San Diego
o Steele Canyon High School at 12440 Campo Road, Spring Valley
o Campo Community Center at 976 Sheridan Road, Campo
VCA Animal Hospitals Offer Free Boarding For Pets Affected by Southern California Fires
UPDATED October 23, 2007 - LOS ANGELES -- VCA Animal Hospitals announced today that local Southern California VCA facilities are offering free boarding for companion animals whose families have been evacuated or displaced as a result of the current firestorms. Conveniently located VCA animal hospitals will provide a safe environment for pets that have been affected by the fires through November 5, 2007 on a space available basis. Click here for list.
10/25/07 Free vet care for SD pets affected by fires
Mission Gorge Animal Hospital is offering FREE veterinary care (and meds) for SD cats and dogs with fire-related illnesses/ailments from 10/24/07 to Friday 10/26/07.
Misson Gorge Animal Hospital is at 6690 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego, CA 92120 and their phone number is 619/280-1503. h/t 4Freedom
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency said that those who sustained fire losses can begin applying for assistance tomorrow [Thursday, Oct. 25] by registering online or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST Monday through Sunday.
Critical Information for Cell Phone Users re; Reverse 911
Registering cell phones for Reverse 911
Posted @ 6:48 PM
The city and county of San Diego have been alerting residents via home phones to evacuate in the wake of various fires for several days.
But city of San Diego (not county) residents can also register their cell phones to receive emergency alerts, such as an evacuation notice. To register, go here and enter the number, account address and personal e-mail.
The county launched Alert San Diego -- a technologically advanced version of Reverse 911 -- last month and also has the capability to contact residents via cell phone. But county officials said they have yet to set up a Web site where people can register. -- Craig Gustafson, staff writer
Getting your mail if you evacuated - Good article in LA Times
Media Links:
Maps
LA Times Google Map
Google Fire Map
Santiago Canyon Fire Map
Witch Fire Google Map
Local and National TV
ABC has a comprehensive overview.
Fox6 Community Links and Information. Click to watch Fox6 in new window. Many commenters are impressed with their coverage, despite Fox affiliation.
ABC Local Channel 7 News with regular updates re: evacuation locations and emergency contacts (great links to local orgs).
CBS 2 Firewatch.
CBS 8 Ditto.
NBC San Diego Videostream
Cable TV
CNN Watch Live
CNN Send an I-report (E-mail: ireport@cnn.com. CNN page devoted to live reports including invitations for evacuees to leave messages for their families.)
The Weather Channel Fire info about half way down.
Radio
KNX 1070 Los Angeles news station, 50,000 watts. Click here for Streaming link, all areas
KLSD 1360 AM San Diego
Update on KPBS h/t Hannibal. Tune in to 94.9 FM. KPBS lost its broadcast tower in the Harris fire. FM94/9 has given KPBS their frequency for the duration of the emergency. Go here for the full press release. Click for Livestream link to KPBS Call In Line: 1-888-895-KPBS (5727)
KPBS Twitter News Quick update headlines and emergency info, text and links only.
Newspaper & Blogs
Calitics has some good live blogging
Sign on San Diego - San Diego Union-Tribune
Los Angeles Times - biggest newspaper in California
LA Daily News
North County Times San Diego and Riverside counties coverage
Village News Fallbrook/Bonsall/Pala fire coverage
Rim of the World - Big Bear area, Slide & Grass Fires
Opportunities to Volunteer:
Mayor Sanders is asking for licensed doctors and nurses to relieve current medical staff at Qualcomm Stadium. Licensed personnel willing to volunteer for an 8-10 hour shift are asked to report to Gate "A" at Qualcomm Stadium.
Also there is a call out for certified teachers
Prior to volunteering please register at volunteersandiego
From NBC SD at 5:16 PT 10/23:
Qualcomm: ACLS certified doctors and nurses for the night shift in their makeshift ER; Desperate need of night shift MDs, cardiologist doctors and critical care nurses. -- h/t joanneleon:
Evacuation tips: (from an earlier post)If you have time to pack - what to bring:
* Important documents (Social Sec cards, birth certificates, passports)
* Legal & financial records (Deeds, wills, bank info, insurance papers)
* Address book
* Irreplaceable items - photographs, heirlooms
* Clothing & toiletries
* Medications
* Radio & flashlight
* Linens, towels
* Laptop,if you have one
* Cell phone, camera (and chargers)
SDG&E asks that you do NOT turn off your gas when you leave unless you smell gas.
Lock up your house - they were some issues with looting during the Cedar Fire evacuations
Cleaning Up
I have cleaned up after a fire in the area and learned a few things the hard way, so if anyone in SoCal is reading take note.
If you have wood ash, from trees or lumber, you need to use a little caution. Your regular vacuum is not designed for this stuff and will create a breathing hazard if you use it. Wood ash is alkaline. The easiest way to make lye is putting wood ash in water. It has a pH of about 11, just a little lower than household ammonia so it is important to clean it up. Wood ash also contains some super fine particles that will pass through a normal vacuum cleaner filter. If you use a regular vacuum to clean it up you will fill the air with superfine caustic dust that does not do good things to your lungs.
You need a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Many vacuums today have them, but I use a 10 gallon Shop Vac because it has a plastic tank and the standard sheetrock filter [an extra cost option] does the job. Sheet rock dust is just as fine and many of the filters mention their HEPA compliance.
Wash your clothes and self with plain water first to get rid of the dust. Regular hand soap has a pH of around 10 because it is made with lye, so you don’t want to over do it.
Wear a good mask, goggles, and gloves when you are cleaning to avoid problems. You can wash the ash into the soil outside, but it will make the soil more alkaline. Avoid getting this stuff in storm drains, because it can clog them, especially in areas that don’t get a lot of rain. If you are subject to acid rain, it will help the soil, but it can cause health problems, so you have to deal with it.
If you are cleaning with a damp cloth, a little lemon juice or white vinegar in the water wouldn’t hurt, but don’t get carried away. -- Bryan h/t jillian
LINKS for DONATIONS
* Before you donate, give dogemperor's diary on charities a look see and a rec.
* San Diego Humane Society
* San Diego Foundation The San Diego Foundation strongly encourages donors to support the first-responders like the San Diego/Imperial Counties American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. The After-the-Fires Fund will support these organizations immediately as well as funding recovery and rebuilding efforts in the days and weeks to come.
Donations to the After-the-Fires Fund/Respond, Recover, Rebuild, can be made online at www.sdfoundation.org or by calling 619-235-2300.
* Red Cross Any donations made to the American Red Cross in support of San Diego fire recovery efforts should be made payable to "American Red Cross San Diego Fire," city officials said, to ensure the money will be used for local fire recovery efforts only.
* Salvation Army of San Diego (The Salvation Army is taking volunteers and donations. Volunteer to help feed the firefighters. Click here , or call 1-866-I'LL HELP, or their Divisional Headquarters at 2320 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101 619-231-6000. Please fill out the form and send to Mr. Tracy Emis or call him at 619-231-6001.)
* Noah's Wish These are the amazing folks who show up to rescue any animals in need during disasters. They are headed to Southern California now.
* Businesses nationwide can donate goods by calling a toll-free hotline to donate to fire victims, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Tuesday. Companies can call 1-800-750-2858 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. to make in-kind donations. Operators from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services will match donations to disaster efforts across Southern California.
* The San Diego Democratic Party is collecting food and household goods for families in San Diego. They need regular-size items in demand, including canned meat, fruits, vegetables, and juices as well as cleaning supplies, diapers, detergent, and personal hygiene products. You can also send a gift card for a local food chain (Ralphs, Vons or Albertsons).
Items can be delivered or mailed to:
San Diego Democrats
8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 108
San Diego, California 92111
To make arrangements after-hours or in other locations around the county, email info@sddemocrats.org or call (858) 277-3367.
* American Forests - the $$ goes to plant trees in burnt areas. It'll help clean our air and prevent erosion, as well as all that other good stuff it does (give homes and food to animals, etc). h/t Orangeclouds
Liveblog volunteers:
The Most Excellent and Perfect Mothership -- Go rec the Mothership diary right now if you haven't already
Liveblog diaries - Please rec the comments (not the diaries) by these volunteers! You can share your love by recommending the first comment (or more) by the volunteers in each diary. Also please rec useful updates in comments. Thank you!
All diary posting times Pacific Daylight Time.
Miss Blue - Liveblog 1 Monday 10/22 9:45 AM
gchaucer2 - Liveblog Part 2 Monday 10:57 AM
Steve Singiser - Liveblog Part 3 Monday 1:22 PM
Moody Loner - Liveblog Part 4 Monday 3:15 PM
condoleaser - Live Blog Part 5 Monday 4:52 PM
Remembering Jello - Live Blog Part 6 Monday 6:45 PM
va dare - Live Blog Part 7 Monday 7:59 PM
4Freedom - Live Blog Part 8 Monday 8:56 PM
Marcus Tullius - Live Blog Part 9 Tuesday 10/23 4:46 AM
joanneleon - Live Blog Part 10 Tuesday 7:13 AM
brklyngrl - Live Blog Part 11 Tuesday 9:34 AM
Sallycat - Live Blog Part 12 Tuesday 10:59 AM
Karen Wehrstein - Live Blog Part 13 Tuesday 12:19 PM
Lychee - Live Blog Part 14 Tuesday 1:39 PM
jancw - Live Blog Part 15 Tuesday 3:55 PM
gchaucer2 - Live Blog Part 16 Tuesday 5:14 PM
gizmo59 - Live Blog Part 17 - Tuesday 6:50 PM
TheMomCat - Live Blog Part 18 - Tuesday 8:32 PM
Pucklady - Live Blog Part 19 - Tuesday 9:52 PM
Remembering Jello - Live Blog Part 20 Wednesday 10/24 3:01 AM
Ninepatch - Live Blog Part 21 Wed 7:00 AM
condoleaser - Live Blog Part 22 Wed 9:11 AM
Karen Wehrstein - Live Blog Part 23 Wed 10:35 AM
Pluto - Live Blog Part 24 Wed 12:31 PM
Over the Edge - Live Blog Part 25 Wed 2:27 PM
creeper - Live Blog Part 26 Wed 5:21 PM
gchaucer - Live Blog Part 27 Wed 7:16 PM
Moody Loner - Live Blog Part 28 Wed 9:20 PM
Marcus Tullius - Live Blog Part 29 Thursday 10/25 5:40 AM
CatfishBlue - Live Blog Part 30 Thur 8:00 AM
gchaucer - Live Blog Part 31 Thurs 10:17 AM
creeper - Live Blog Part 32 Thurs 1:45 PM
kriser - Live Blog Part 33 Thurs 3:53 PM Note: written by asimbagirl
noweasels - Live Blog Part 34 Thurs 6:00 PM
madhaus - Live Blog Part 35 - Thurs 9:24 PM - YOU ARE HERE
on deck:
numbers may not stand, diary posting problems galore
blue jersey mom - Live Blog Part 36
Remembering Jello - Live Blog Part 37
kimoconnor - Live Blog Part 38
Our hopes, concern, love and positive energy to all affected by the fires.