Without the usual Santa Ana winds that accompany these infernos, the plume of smoke from the fires rises 20,000 feet into the air. A giant mushroom cloud probably visible from space. I took this from my front porch a few hours ago. Last night I drove along the base of the foothill freeway for about 15 miles watching the fires burn. You don't expect them to be mesmerizing, but they are. Terrible and beautiful at the same time.
Imagine mile-long strings of giant orange Christmas lights draped over the dark mountains and you'll get the picture. Red light glowing from behind the ranges not yet burning, and right next to the fire lines, thousands of paler lights from the homes that rest in the canyons and passes of the foothills. The prediction is that firefighters won't even get this thing contained until September 8th. Walls of flame 100 feet high. Less than 10% humidity. Brush that hasn't burned in 40 years. That's a BIG fire. An epic fire.
The fires are frequent and regular enough that you now have sufficient posts over the years for an LA Fires only category - more than Cal in the News. Yikes
Posted by: susan w | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 05:15 AM
We can see the other side of the fire from here. I took photos from our yard over the weekend....they look so scary! You said it best....an epic fire.
Posted by: Janet | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 07:19 AM
I saw the same thing yesterday from the UCLA campus and was mesmerized. It is such a spectacle. Making my primal mind think of a volcano eruption or a nuclear blast.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 08:07 AM
I heard about these on the news. How horrible! I can't imagine what it must be to see something like this.
They aren't expected to get nearer to you are they?
Posted by: Jennifer Williams | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Word at the dog park tonight in Albuquerque was that your fires are providing extra spectacular sunsets for us. Nothing like dirty particulate in the air to brighten things up. Hopefully hurricane Jimena will bring you much needed moisture. The pictures make a lump in my throat.
S
Posted by: Susan S | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Keep yourself safe, Mary Ann.
Our village is surrounded by miles of forest. I have only to shut my eyes and imagine an LA-type disaster to feel truly terrified.
Posted by: Chrissy | Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 03:37 AM
Smoke from the fires has made it here to the Front Range of the Rockies in Colorado! I can't imagine what it must be like there!! Sending good and safe thoughts to you and the posse!!!
Posted by: susan crane | Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 07:05 AM
I've been watching the news. The size of the fires is just frightening. Like our devastating fires last summer.
Posted by: Tinniegirl | Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 07:26 PM
They're now looking at Sept. 15th. At least it's a bit more humid, but that's not enough. We're hoping it doesn't get over the mountain to our foothills. Hope you are well and safe, and all your little one's lungs, too!
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Worried about you. You haven't posted, you haven't been evacuated have you?
Posted by: celeste | Friday, September 04, 2009 at 06:09 PM
i'm resting. ;-)
Posted by: Mary Ann Moss | Friday, September 04, 2009 at 06:17 PM
This makes me shudder, it brings back vivid memories of our terrible black Saturday back in February, 173 people died. I certainly hope you don't have any loss of life. Thinking of you all.
Posted by: robruhn | Saturday, September 05, 2009 at 04:40 AM