The fires in Los Angeles

[Andy Velebil]

Wow, this fire has just gotten completely out of control. Within about 24 hours it's more than doubled in size and now stands at about 43,000 acres. Two fire fighters died today, appears their truck rolled down a steep hill. My heart goes out to their family, friends, and co-workers. I only hope that if this is determined to be arson, they find the person and give them the maximum jail sentence.

The last I heard they said it would be 2 weeks before they could get full containment.

[Andy Velebil]

Last I checked it was now over 45,000 acres and growing. The smoke from it looks like a huge cloud. The air here sucks, so smoky you can cut it with a knife at times.

I was wrong it is now over 80,000 acres According to the news, that translates into about 270 square miles. HOLY COW

[Moses Botbol]

Going to do some hillclimbing intervals on the bike this week?

[Andy Velebil]

Going to do some hillclimbing intervals on the bike this week?

I didn't ride yesterday because it's so nasty outside. If the wind kicks up it should blow the smoke out of my area, toward to the north, then I should be able to get a short ride in. But our air has now been classified as "Unheathful" due to fires.

[Jonathan S]

Going to do some hillclimbing intervals on the bike this week?

I didn't ride yesterday because it's so nasty outside. If the wind kicks up it should blow the smoke out of my area, toward to the north, then I should be able to get a short ride in. But our air has now been classified as "Unheathful" due to fires.

Hang in there, Andy! I hope that firefighters begin to get a handle on it soon... The blaze is at 86,000 acres and counting, and it is most alarming that it has quadrupled in size since yesterday morning! As my sister lives in the area, I have been quite watchful of this big blaze.

[Marc J.]

The plume of smoke from the Station fire is HUGE! From the Los Angeles basin you can see clearly the red glow of the fire in the mountains - its quite the sight.

Marc

[Andy Velebil]

The plume of smoke from the Station fire is HUGE! From the Los Angeles basin you can see clearly the red glow of the fire in the mountains - its quite the sight.

Marc

Having seen many large wildfires, i've never seen one that has created such a large cloud. They say it's called a pyrocumulus cloud. I heard someone say it was over 20,000 feet tall and was creating it's own weather system within it as a result. Heres a pic of it from south of downtown L.A.



The weird thing is I guess clouds like this can actually produce rain and lighting within it, as well as below freezing weather. It has made fighting the fires difficult as the fire fighting aircraft are having a hard time flying around it and the smoke to drop water.

It's now over 100,000 acres and growing.

[Jonathan S]

Andy,

Thanks for the incredible image! Did you take that yourself? Either way, it is astounding... Wow!

[Roy Hersh]

[quote]Last I checked it was now over 45,000 acres and growing. The smoke from it looks like a huge cloud. The air here sucks, so smoky you can cut it with a knife at times.[/quote]

And that is on a good "normal" day!

In all seriousness, what a shame and especially for those poor fire fighters and their families. Terrible.

[Andy Velebil]

Jonathan,

No, the picture came from the L.A. Times website. It's even more incredible to see in person...just wild!

[Moses Botbol]

In all seriousness, what a shame and especially for those poor fire fighters and their families. Terrible.

And the wildlife too.

[Eric Menchen]

Yes, terrible and sad. Good luck to you Andy and all your fellow Angelinos.

It does make for pretty sunsets in Colorado.

[Andy Velebil]

This fire is still not 100% out yet, they are still battling hot spots. I can't recall the last time a fire down here has lasted this long. Then again it is now the largest fire in Los Angeles history. I hope something like this never happens again.