San Diego Oct 26th

[Gordon]

From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires block
drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego sky is
almost completely empty of aircraft. I have seen a few helos working hard --
unfortunately, it was the local life flight folks. The sky was the most
bizarre I have ever seen. A general pall surrounds great swaths of our county,
swelling eyes and subtle, drifting ash are everywhere. Any attempt to drive is
difficult due to the blowing ash and reduced visibility. I was up at the edge
of Miramar for most of the day with a few shell-shocked friends that wandered
just what was important and what value time had when a dancing chorusline of
fire comes over the horizon. A lady that I've known twenty years came out into
the smoke with a painting, a Chagal and that was the one thing out of her
entire house that she wanted to have saved. "Cool - its one of Marc's." We
watched the fire approach and the wind turn ugly, shuttling trucks and moms and
kids with all the things they felt irreplaceable, all under a thick blanket of
smoke. The virgin scrub that stretched for miles at Miramar butted against a
cul de sac that had no defense whatever against the beast rampaging down the
street. We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering furiously
all came down - time to go. Evacuations were within three miles, with the
surface streets curiously empty, fast food restaurants doing brisk business,
and highways all closed down entirely. The hot afternoon air suddenly kicked
around as the onshore flow arrived. The temp fell a few degrees and the smoke
abuptly changed direction, taking its fire with it as it bypassed our friend's
neighborhood.

We'd like the firefighters and the water bomber crews to know that we
appreciate what they are doing and that we want them to all finish their task
safely.

v/r
Gordon
<====(A+C====>
USN SAR Aircrew

"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
"Nothing but my forehead, sir."

[Dave Kearton]

"Gordon" > wrote in message
...
> From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
> flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires
block
> drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego
sky is
> almost completely empty of aircraft. I have seen a few helos working
hard --
Snip.
>
> We'd like the firefighters and the water bomber crews to know that we
> appreciate what they are doing and that we want them to all finish their
task
> safely.
>
> v/r
> Gordon



Thanks Gordon, I was going to ask you tis evening for an update.


There's very little good that comes out of all this. The tangible
reminders of preparation are reinforced for those who groups need it -
desire safety, prepare for chaos. Like ours, your natural scrubland
probably benefits from a deep burn every few generations.


There are no words of comfort for a family who's home is a smoking hole in
the ground - except that the things which are truly important are those that
are left remaining. Relationships, memories and the dog, hastily
thrown in the car on the way out can sustain a family while the material
things are replaced.


Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
to those in harm's way.


Regards


Dave Kearton

[[email protected]]

"Dave Kearton" >
wrote:

>Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
>where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
>to those in harm's way.
>
>
>Regards
>
>
>Dave Kearton
>
>
Well said Dave...
--

-Gord.

[[email protected]]

(Gordon) wrote:

We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
furiously all came down - time to go.

>v/r
>Gordon

Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...

Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
get out of you there...
--

-Gord.

[John Penta]

On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:37:53 GMT, "Gord Beaman" )
wrote:

(Gordon) wrote:
>
> We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
>furiously all came down - time to go.
>
>>v/r
>>Gordon
>
>Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...
>
>Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
>get out of you there...

Must agree with the far more eloquent writer (and others who have
responded) whom I have quoted.

Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
journalism?:-)

In all seriousness, I'm watching CNN at the moment (I like their
morning stuff better than that from FOX, MSNBC, or the Scranton local
stations, not that I agree); It looks like the pits of (forested)
Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
their comrades need it far more.

John

PS: I've heard much re the Reagan Library. What're they doing re the
records there?

[Gordon]

>
>Fires, wars and disasters sharply focus a community's priorities back to
>where they belong - thanks to all those fighting for us and our best wishes
>to those in harm's way.

Two old Stoofs joined the battle at first light - sure looks surreal out
there..

Thanks for the comments, guys - we're fine but the kids are scared all to hell.
Its a real mess out there. We could really use a few more firebombers but I
know others need them too.

v/r
Gordon

[George Z. Bush]

John Penta wrote:
> On Mon, 27 Oct 2003 15:37:53 GMT, "Gord Beaman" )
> wrote:
>
>> (Gordon) wrote:
>>
>> We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering
>> furiously all came down - time to go.
>>
>>> v/r
>>> Gordon
>>
>> Very well put Gordon...hard not to feel their loss...
>>
>> Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
>> get out of you there...
>
> Must agree with the far more eloquent writer (and others who have
> responded) whom I have quoted.
>
> Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
> journalism?:-)
>
> In all seriousness, I'm watching CNN at the moment (I like their
> morning stuff better than that from FOX, MSNBC, or the Scranton local
> stations, not that I agree); It looks like the pits of (forested)
> Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
> luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
> their comrades need it far more.

Amen to that.

> PS: I've heard much re the Reagan Library. What're they doing re the
> records there?

As of about an hour ago, CNN reported that it was apparently not in any
immediate danger.

George Z.

[Gordon]

>>Incidentally, you need to write a book, I can feel it trying to
>>get out of you there...
>

I've got a binder with 85 flying stories with over 300 photos all set to go.
Unfortunately, my stuff isn't of a quality that publishers desire, so for now,
the binder serves as a reminder that I used to have a very cool job :)

>Nice, very nice look at a *nasty* situation. Ever consider
>journalism?

I'm such a complete idiot that my one competitor (Geralduh) is able to
completely freeze me out of the profession. Dangit.

>It looks like the pits of (forested)
>Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
>luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
>their comrades need it far more.

Firmly agree. With some of the guys on the line for 48+ hours, its not easy to
sit with the kids and not go off to help. Fact is, they only want professional
firefighters on the line, but I wouldn't say no if I could make a difference.

v/r
Gordon

[Ron]

>>It looks like the pits of (forested)
>>Hell. Get out soon and stay safe...And, God? Take my slim share of
>>luck today. I need it pretty badly, yeah...but the firefighters and
>>their comrades need it far more.
>
>Firmly agree. With some of the guys on the line for 48+ hours, its not easy
>to
>sit with the kids and not go off to help. Fact is, they only want
>professional
>firefighters on the line, but I wouldn't say no if I could make a difference.
>
>v/r
>Gordon
>

If I was not back in school, I would be there most likely right now on the
lines. I spent most of August in Montana on the big fires around Missoula.

Hopefully they do not have anyone on the lines that long, although in emergency
situations things may happen, although they are not supposed to anymore. And
these long hours, go on day after day, sometimes 2-3 weeks at a time.

True, they will not let anyone near the fire who is not supposed to be there.
But if you want to do something, there are still things you can do. Homecooked
cakes, cookies, were extremely appreciated at the fire camp. A 16 year old
kid even raised money to bring us pizza hut pizza one night, and we literally
sprinted over to get some of it. Some of these small acts, were definetely
appreciated by exhausted firefighters, and are good for morale, even the signs
saying Thank You, helped to remind us people were glad we were there.




Ron
Pilot/Wildland Firefighter

[Gordon]

Thanks Ron - will do.

Gordon

[Steve Hix]

In article >,
(Gordon) wrote:

> From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
> flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires block
> drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego sky
> is almost completely empty of aircraft.

From NOAA's site:

<http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_California/2003/FSMHSusCA300_N6
..jpg>

I grew up in southern California, and remember the fires that seemed to
come late every summer. Wishing the best for all who live down there,
and specially for all the crews fighting the fires.

[redc1c4]

Gordon wrote:
>
> From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
> flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange.

(snipage occurs)

you got it right in one....

we drove out to Riverside Saturday, and down to El Cajon Sunday.....
Saturday was scheduled stuff, Sunday was to rescue animals.

the Simi fire is visible from our house in the Valley.

i've seen all the fires, and it's ugly. no other word for it.
the wind is shifting tonight, and tomorrow will be an adventure.

redc1c4,
RUMINT says that the bureaucrats couldn't/wouldn't ask for support,
hence the lack of aircraft. i hope that's not true.
--
A Troop - 1st Squadron
404th Lemming Armored Cavalry

"Velox et Capillatus!"

[Alan Minyard]

On 27 Oct 2003 06:26:28 GMT, (Gordon) wrote:

>From inside this city, it looks like a ring of running fires occasionally
>flaring into a slithering line of impossibly bright orange. The fires block
>drivers nearly everywhere and for the first time in years, the San Diego sky is
>almost completely empty of aircraft. I have seen a few helos working hard --
>unfortunately, it was the local life flight folks. The sky was the most
>bizarre I have ever seen. A general pall surrounds great swaths of our county,
>swelling eyes and subtle, drifting ash are everywhere. Any attempt to drive is
>difficult due to the blowing ash and reduced visibility. I was up at the edge
>of Miramar for most of the day with a few shell-shocked friends that wandered
>just what was important and what value time had when a dancing chorusline of
>fire comes over the horizon. A lady that I've known twenty years came out into
>the smoke with a painting, a Chagal and that was the one thing out of her
>entire house that she wanted to have saved. "Cool - its one of Marc's." We
>watched the fire approach and the wind turn ugly, shuttling trucks and moms and
>kids with all the things they felt irreplaceable, all under a thick blanket of
>smoke. The virgin scrub that stretched for miles at Miramar butted against a
>cul de sac that had no defense whatever against the beast rampaging down the
>street. We saw the smoke increase and the people on roofs watering furiously
>all came down - time to go. Evacuations were within three miles, with the
>surface streets curiously empty, fast food restaurants doing brisk business,
>and highways all closed down entirely. The hot afternoon air suddenly kicked
>around as the onshore flow arrived. The temp fell a few degrees and the smoke
>abuptly changed direction, taking its fire with it as it bypassed our friend's
>neighborhood.
>
>We'd like the firefighters and the water bomber crews to know that we
>appreciate what they are doing and that we want them to all finish their task
>safely.
>
>v/r
>Gordon
><====(A+C====>
> USN SAR Aircrew
>
>"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
>"Nothing but my forehead, sir."

I lived in San Diego for ten years, and this is very hard for me to watch. Take
care, and via con Dios.

Al Minyard

[Gordon]

>I lived in San Diego for ten years, and this is very hard for me to watch.
>Take
>care, and via con Dios.
>

I noticed that not a few people just burst into tears on the street. Hard to
walk through the ash and not recognize that it represents lost lives, homes,
photos, pets, and millions of wild animals.

anywhoo.. back to RAM

thanks for the concern, Al.

Gordon
<====(A+C====>
USN SAR Aircrew

"Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
"Nothing but my forehead, sir."

[Mike Marron]

(Gordon) wrote:

>Thanks for the comments, guys - we're fine but the kids are scared all to hell.
> Its a real mess out there. We could really use a few more firebombers but I
>know others need them too.

A good friend of mine who flies out of Nichols field (about 10 miles
from the coast on the east end of Lower Otay Lake near San Diego)
got lucky as the firestorm mercifully spared his airplane hangared
at Nichols field. Here is a photo taken from the air of Nichols:

http://www.little-acorn.com/nichols3.jpg

But the devastation was *total* at Barona airpark, just 15-20 miles
northeast of downtown San Diego. All but two hangars were
incinerated and approx. 20 aircraft were completely destroyed.
The fire was so hot that it literally melted aluminum trailers as
shown in this photo:

http://www.little-acorn.com/trailer0.jpg

[Brian Colwell]

"Gordon" > wrote in message
...
> >I lived in San Diego for ten years, and this is very hard for me to
watch.
> >Take
> >care, and via con Dios.
> >
>
> I noticed that not a few people just burst into tears on the street. Hard
to
> walk through the ash and not recognize that it represents lost lives,
homes,
> photos, pets, and millions of wild animals.
>
> anywhoo.. back to RAM
>
> thanks for the concern, Al.
>
> Gordon
> <====(A+C====>
> USN SAR Aircrew
>
> "Got anything on your radar, SENSO?"
> "Nothing but my forehead, sir."

Gord, You and your family take care.

BMC

[Gordon]

>You and your family take care.

thanks, Chief, will do.

G