Hurricane Force Winds Today in SoCal

[okikuma]

Here in SoCal we're experiencing high winds with gust up to 80 mph. Brush fires have broken out in Malibu and Moorpark, CA driven by the high winds.

Wayne

https://ktla.com/on-air/live-streaming/

 

[okikuma]

The fire in Moorpark is growing very quickly and blowing towards the unincorporated town of Somis, CA with sustained winds of 60 mph!. In that town there is a third generation family owned hardware store. Fulkerson Hardware. First opened in 1912. Walk inside and one is transported back in time. No big box store here. I've visited that store many times and made purchases of old/new stock items. I certainly pray the store will be spared if the fire reaches the town.

Wayne

 

[okikuma]

Just heard the report for the mandatory evacuation of the town of Somis, very sad. There are a number of specialized farms around that area. It is being reported that the winds are too high for fixed wing and rotary wing assets.

There are many rotary wing assets being used in the same high winds for the concurrent fire in Malibu. It's obvious that the multi-million dollar homes receive first priority.

Wayne

 

[WaspAir]

Sad turn of events.
Here, we've had eighteen straight hours of wind and snow.

 

[okikuma]

I've been watching KTLA 5 and I have seen a few rotary wing assets dropping water for the Ventura County Mountain Fire (Moorpark).

I'm not near the current fires, however I've already staged my bug out bags next to my front door incase a fire breaks out here in Santa Clarita.

Wayne

 

[Abid]

Bad and sad news. Praying for everyone's safety there

 

[Sv.grainne]

Good luck, sorry you have to deal with this.

 

[okikuma]

Many burning embers have started multiple house fires down wind in Camarillo.

American building code for houses requires the attic space to be vented to prevent mold production in humid climates. California has a Mediterranean climate yet that same venting requirement is mandated. Modern California homes exteriors are built to be fire resistant. Unfortunately, during a brush fire with high winds, small burning embers are drawn into the vents and into the attic space, starting a fire. The simple solution is to cover the vents with an additional layer of fine steel mesh screen in addition to the steel screen that is used to keep small animals from entering the space. Unfortunately 99% of Californians have not done so because of ignorance.

Wayne

 

[okikuma]

Sad turn of events.
Here, we've had eighteen straight hours of wind and snow.

JR,

It is your Colorado low pressure area along with a high pressure area off the coast of California that is contributing to our high winds. This weather phenomenon is quite common this time of year, especially during an El Nino year.

I surely expect a very windy December though Christmas and New Years.

Wayne

 

[okikuma]

Good luck, sorry you have to deal with this.

Thank you Bobby.

Just part of living in California. Fires, floods, earthquakes and riots - the four seasons.

Wayne

 

[okikuma]

Here in California, fires are given names based on the location of the ignition source, such as a road or prominent landmark. Thus the current fire in Ventura County is named the Mountain Fire.

Overnight, the winds subsided substantially and the Mountain fire started burning North towards Santa Paula, CA. Back in 2017 with the Thomas Fire, Santa Paula Airport KSZP was used as a fire fighting heliport. If it has not already happened, I suspect that at some point it will be used again in the same manner.

I finally saw some video of the fire fighting helicopters attacking the Mountain fire. The few videos showed the helicopters dropping the retardant, however the winds were so high it was blown away before hitting the aimed fire line. Nevertheless, they continued the air assaults throughout the night.

A forum member, Jeff Brenhaug is probably flying one of the CH-47 with the 3,000 gallon retardant tank for the Malibu and Mountain fires.

Wayne

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2017 Thomans Fire

 

[WaspAir]

Meanwhile, here's my house this morning. Snow expected to continue for another 5 hours.