LIVE From The Wildfires
12:18pm After a short night and a long morning, we are relieved by the afternoon crew. As we load our rental car, I notice four separate hand crews coming down the dirt road headed towards the front of the fire. They are inmate work crews and a vital part to any firefighting effort here in the ‘Golden State’. The men have to earn the right to join a crew and they are closely watched to ensure no funny stuff takes place.
11:15am We are starting to see aerial support as the fog lift high enough for pilots to see. We are just below Mount Madonna and the fire is just across the ridge. We can see the head of the fire from our location and now 5 helicopters are grabbing water from a nearby pond and pounding the flames as they reach the crest.
10:38am In a matter of minutes we decide to make a run for it. Tom Whitaker, Claudia Cowan and Robert Shaffer, our afternoon crew saw a location as they came up the hill that provides a great overlook of the fire and mountains above Corralitos. We are down a dirt road in a beautiful hillside clearing/pasture. I can see the Pacific Ocean to me right and the fog is beginning to lift, but it is still thick enough to hamper aerial operations. A brisk breeze is beginning to pick up, but firefighters remain very optimistic as it burns down through a gulch.
9:45am update Just spoke with a fire captain who says this thick fog and mist has really laid this fire down. The Summit fire has moved from the tree tops to lower forrest levels. Terrain and dry conditions are now pushing the flames,, not the winds we saw yesterday. This is all good news as hand crews are arriving from places like Tehama County, they are headed in to start cutting a line around the fire from the ground level. 300 homes are still immediately threatened.
What a difference a day makes.
At this time yesterday, a fire raged through the mountains above Santa Cruz and Morgan Hill California. Today that fire is still burning, but a thick fog from the marine layer has given firefighters the weapon they needed. Our day is a long one.
done
Keith drove here last night, while Lindsay and I flew. LAX was a mess due to the crazy Southern California weather, we left hail, heavy rain and tornadoes and landed a few hundred miles to the north where winds whipped this ‘Summit Fire’. As I drove into the hotel last night I could see the glow from the 101 freeway. The fire seemed to be dancing in lighter winds at the peaks above the valley.
We all hoped for better weather conditions and thankfully just a few hours later, we got them. What is so troubling is that after a wet winter came an extremely dry spring.
Virtually no rain at all, which has made conditions all throughout the west very dry, summer-like as some would say. This fire is no longer wind driven, but fuel driven. An interesting note…when I arrived at my hotel, the fire crew arriving at the same time was from my home area of Napa Valley. Kinda cool that of all the hotels in the area and all the crews who have driven in, we arrived at the exact same time.
2:05pm On my way out the door and home to pack for the airport. Lindsay Stewart, Keith Railey and I begin our coverage at 7am eastern.
1:15pm Mandatory evacuations ordered for Buzzard Lagoon, Bocca Del Sol and Lower Highlands in Santa Cruz County…all rural areas in the line of the fire.
11:05: 1,000 firefighters are now on the ground, 20 structures are burned and it’s expected that 10,000 acres — almost the size of NYC — will burn. Currently, 3,000 are burnt, with 0% contained.
10:45: Santa Clara’s Fire Captain reports 10 structures are burned, along with 2,000 acres. 200 kids are sheltering at a 4H Camp — the safest reported place. KCBS reports that there’s 1,000 firefighters ground.
This from the Urgent Que:
afternoon update: There are reports that the fire started at a home on Ornsby Cutoff Trail. The home is a five acre property that was for sale for $1,000,050.
Also, I am getting e-mails and calls from friends who say the smoke can be seen and smelled all over the south bay area. The last one came from the Palo Alto area.
Fire is heading towards an area called Corralitos.
I am told by a local fire captain that there are many homes in the area and only a couple of roads in or out. He says the area is full of “heavy fuels.”
It’s been a been a long time since a fire burned in the area, 30-40 years … ground fuels are very dry and stoking this fire along with the winds.
morning update: Local homes are seen burning.
KTVU ground crew is getting video of people gathering their stuff also people who can’t get to their homes and one campsite being evacuated
530 a.m. is the reported fire start time. It’s now burning in both Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties near Mount Madonna County Park. 30-45 mph winds, gusts up to 40 mph … blowing towards Watsonville to the south, mostly burning downslope structures burned and many threatened, mandatory evacs.
Summit rd. off of hwy 17 closed. Approximately five air tankers and six or seven helicopters have now been dispatched to battle the fire
early morning update: The fire is burning on east/inland side of Highway 17, after the summit as you coming down towards Santa Cruz. In the area are some very expensive homes and even some small wineries. The topography is hilly with a lot of tall pine and other trees.
The area hasn’t burned in years. Wind gusts in the bay area could reach 40mph, however at this moment winds are down and light as compared to last night. This is according to someone who lives in the area.
Adam Housley has been with FNC since 2001 as a Los Angeles-based
correspondent. He has covered news ranging from wildfires in California
to political unrest in Venezuela and was one of the few reporters who
witnessed the execution of Stanley “Tookie” Williams. 
Adam
Just saw your report on ED Hill’s program. This is sooo sad for all involved. I noticed you reporting in a suit and tie, so does this mean you get to report live without being there???
Is the area burning anywhere near Mystery Spot??? Just curious
Ay karamba !!!!!!!
Let’s hope the winds turn.
That is some difficult terrain around there. No place to get caught on a hilltop watching the fire, btw. The wind may well blow it along the valleys, then it will climb like mad up the sides of the vale with all that dry fuel.
Be safe out there, and here’s hoping you all get lucky on the weather somehow.
No, the Mystery Spot is about 15 – 20 miles farther North West, much nearer Santa Cruz.
Hi Adam–
I have been watching you– on Live Desk and Americas Pulse- When I got up this morning and I saw how much wind we have, my first thought was California and fires– and sure enough, my dreaded thought was true–
great coverage– last I heard from you was Corralitos was evacuated and Claudia on Cavuto just gave an update– one thought to the cause- people were burning their trash– you mentioned something about an intersection where the fire started- They don’t expect the fire to be contained for several days! This is awful!!!!
xxx
The fire is in a heavily wooded area with very steep terrain. Water is scarce and has to be trucked in via water tenders. There are some wells with storage tanks but the tanks usually hold 2500 gallons whic is good for one water tender fill. If the electricity is cut off the wells will not refill the tanks. The winds have been heavy which make it hard for the aircraft to drop and what they do drop gets thinned out by the wind. We had a fire of the same size a few years back but this looks like it will surpass that one. Check CLVFA.ORG for pictures and details of the Croy Fire. This one will take a while with no air support after dark.
I missed ya Adam! Those times are busy for me normally. Suit and tie maybe he was headed somewhere else.
My heart aches for all those people in that area.
Avi–
Be careful at Lag Baomer tonight! … fires everywhere
and congrats on your SAT scores.
Sooo sad.
Wow, it’s a little early in the season for these wildfires isn’t it? Any ideas on what started it yet?
Be safe out there Adam.
adam-
be safe, remember to throw up the “shot signal” if I am needed…if you can’t find the “shot signal” I am normally lured by the cracking of a cold one.
Adam, i didnt know about the fires when i picked on you with the pictures. Sorry!
We didnt have tv this am, storms were everywhere and the dish signal disappeared and then i had training all day at work, so i didnt see the headlines.
20 miles from here had 6 inches of rain just over night, and the forecast is more of the same through tuesday. now if we could figure out how to get the water from here to there…we’d have it made. If things were just that easy.
Me heart also goes out to these people, and the ones in Colorado….terrible tornadoes there. Only 30 miles from where our daughter used to live. I know the area pretty well.
Stay safe Adam and crew!
We are about 3 – 3 1/2 hours from Santa Cruz and it is now 3:40 pm. It is so strange, all of a sudden our sun has disappeared and the skys are filled with dark clouds. Is is possible that this is smoke from the Santa Cruz fire??? I do not know how far smoke can travel, but I do know we do not have any fires going in our area at this time. Had 2 this week, but both taken care of.
It has been so bad here. We had 6 days of 102 degrees, and now it is 76 and windy. No rain for months and everything is so very dry. I believe it is the same in Santa Cruz with the heat wave, no rain, and now cool with winds.
This story was not on the home page of FN.com, I wonder why?
Kathy: It’s on the front page of http://www.foxnews.com/ for me.
FN.com is a CNN website.
@all–
when Adam was reporting earlier, he was in the newsroom- hopefully, he stays there!
As KC mentioned– he was in a suit and tie– (dark suit and a purple tie)
Jen–
the temp sure dropped here- we are all wearing long sleeves= Flagstaff started snowing again and Lake Greer has snow! Not to worry- this will change here real quickly!
xxx
Carrie-
I left you a message on the Idol thread~ Welcome back- and I LOVE YOUR WEDDING PICTURES~ Did you remember to save me un pedazo de pastel?
xxx
Adam–
any definite news on the cause of fires? Aside from it being so dry?
Hola Susan!
Ya recibo tu mensaje en el otro thread. There’s one piece of cake left…. pero ven aqui pronto o me voy a comerlo!
hahahaha!
Thanks, Susan!
Hi all!
Adam was live on F & F. Max I just shortened the Foxnews.com to FN.com. It was not on the breaking news all day long, or I would have known about it. When I am busy I check the first page to see what is going on.
To all the US troops……..past and present………thank you for your service and sacrifice so that others may live in peace.
Enjoy your Memorial Day……….you’ve earned it, the hard way.
Adam
Watched your report this morning a couple of times – WOW
20% containment – that is good news
Coastal fog coming in is even better news, hopefully the winds will not come as expected today and help the firefighters with this battle
You mentioned snow????
So sad to see those homes burning to the ground – hopefully more can be saved than lost.
HOW IS YOUR ASTHMA???????
I will also second what John said!
Thank you military personnel and your families for what you have given all of us (past and present)!
I understand that there are a lot of horses up there… I sure hope they can get them out….
and all the other domestic animals.
John and Patty – I will Third that
To all of our troops, men and women, past and present – Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice. Where would we be without each and every one of you. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of you.
Like John said “Enjoy your Memorial Day – - – you’ve earned it, the hard way”
I love it! A little guilt can move some to act!…..FOX news story about the Saudi’s not giving any cash tothe UN food aid..WEll, The Saudis just sent the UN a check for $500 mill. Who knew that FOX News was really just like a Jewish Mother.
John
Thanks for my new title – love it – I will do my best to live up to my new job and your expectations. Is this a 2, 4, or 8 year term??
“We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.”
-Moina Michael
“She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need.”
God Bless America–To all the heroes and their families Thank You for all your sacrifice !!
@All
re: Memorial Day Offtopic
Irrespective of what is to follow, my appreciation for your good intentions in your well-wishes for the holiday weekend. I hope you all have a most enjoyable “beginning of summer” weekend!
one small aside, with regret:
Memorial Day, a.k.a. Decoration Day, is the American rememberance of the (war) dead.
…which makes it a bit more poignant when I say “I shall be spending the day with friends”.
@Jen S
bless you… you got it right. (we crossposted)
LDG-
Last week I gave my donation to the the vets standing outside at the grocery store–I got my little paper poppy as usual. I wondered what the significance was all these years, but never asked.
Adam–
This video IS eerie! I hope that fog and dampness calms the storm.
((agrees with Jen S about eerie)
Actually it is the sculpture, and its juxtaposition with the two “stone lions” across the entrance road, that is confounding me… These things really don’t go together…
@Adam Housley
If you can tell us, which “retreat” property (well, parking lot) were you filming from?
Actually, check that last about “don’t go together” — it seems in Chinese Mythology, they do.
LDG………you are correct, Memorial Day (which is actually May 30) is for the memory of those fallen heroes while they were serving their country……….a small edit of my post above would be to let us remember the sacrifices that they have made…….and the sacrifices that their families have endured.
KC-Fresno…….no term limits for the position of LAD, we may make a change in the name of the squad though…….from Adam’s Personal Rescue Squad to Adam’s Personal Extraction Squad (A.P.E.S)
Adam…….thanks for the updates, stay safe.
reposted here as it not obvious unless one looks back up to the OP:
“9:45am update Just spoke with a fire captain who says this thick fog and mist has really laid this fire down…”
Great News! Let’s hope it holds for you all.
Thanks. My fiance just called me & said they were interviewed. They’ve been there since 1pm yesterday and they are heading to a hotel soon for some rest. Let us hope the weather holds like it is now & containment comes soon. He said its pretty cold there right now with the marine layer.
Hi all–
This is good news- I figured the winds had died down there as they died down here! I heard the winds caused a power line to go down– (the start of the fires?)
@Terri-
Comment by Terri ~ Las Vegas
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
I understand that there are a lot of horses up there… I sure hope they can get them out….
and all the other domestic animals.
Boy- don’t you and I think the same– this is always my first thought when I hear about a disaster-
_________________________________________________________________________________
Carrie– You might as well freeze that last piece of cake– I will get to it un día!
And happy Memorial Day to all!! Now I have to watch this video–
If it weren’t for the circumstances, I would have thought this was a cool video– if it had just been fog– the Buddha statue is way cool!!!!! Too bad I have to see the video in a different perspective– it sure looks pretty there- when normal!
Hi Keith!!!!
AZ here!
Carrie—
I left you a message on the Idol thread– great pictures of your luna de miel!
xxx
Hi LDG-
And bye now– Have a good and safe day @ all.
@Susan-AZ
Hi and bye, yourself. Just caught me as I must be going as well.
Be well and safe, All
((departs))
kathy: I knew you meant fox, but FN.com really is a CNN website *shudder*
LDG: Chinese folk religion is often practisesed alongside Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Just like how Christians continued to believe in their folklores.
And woo! the wind has turned! Now for my next trick i’ll hope for heavy rain.
Max
good job on the wind
Now work your magic and let the heavy rains pour down!!!!
Global Warming ….
from my knowledge these fires cant be to good for wildlife …. as it destroys specie habitats and pushs them into ” foreign territory” and therefore become invasive speeches ….. sometimes thats why you find wild mountain cats roaming around the streets….. theres three types of terms for the effects of fires in forests and their impact on species …. they all got funny names…
and once the fire is out the habitat beings to re construct with the trees and other species ….
Susan…
I know… last year when there were all those fire in Utah.. I understand that several hundred cows (cattle) were killed by the fire… and it just breaks my heart to think they burned to death…
our neighbors family lost a couple hundred to the fire.
Max, you are funny!
Adam, Caught your report on the Fox Business channel. You got me thinking about the cost of fire fighting….. And, with the city of Vallejo, CA filing for bankruptcy – makes one think even more that government’s role is to provide ESSENTIAL Services. Like you said, the cost to fight fires is paid by taxes and with the state losing revenue, where will the money come from?
I see essential services as police, fire, military, roads (so we can move our selves and our products), education. Maybe if government focused on essential services, our states and federal government would not be operating at a deficit…….
Stay safe in that fire zone.
Adam this clip explains why you were wearing a coat and I was hot in Texas. Nice camp area BTW!
our prayers are with everyone, is there any rain coming? hope so, stay safe ADAM,
hey, a pattie…how about that!
Welcome!
Max & Susan…i got “it”!
fyi…ks tornadoes going strong a second night. Remember Greensburg? weather man said a tornado tonight set down southwest of greensburg, lifted over town, and sat back down to the north east. AMAZING!
Patty: Well i’d like my hoping for rain to work
Glad you got what i sent you. Susan: did you get yours?
off subject…
Check this out!
Welcome to Kansas in the spring.
This is towards the northwest corner of kansas lastnight.
Max, your hoping for rain is about 3 states too far east! *L*
Yo Max you watching Eurovision tonight? Lol
Avi: i saw some, i thought the pirates were funny. The Spanish one was pretty scary.
Patty: Weather.com says the area that the fires is in might get some rain tonight. And the fox weather maps have rain over Santa Cruz County.
http://www2.foxnews.com/weather/weather_local.asp
What should i hope for next?
Max…hummmmmm gotta use that wisely.
How’s about …..everyone stays safe with all the bad weather around. Enough tragic deaths, time for mother nature to play nice. part of oklahoma getting hit this afternoon
Everyone-
Just now getting back to normal. I got little sleep on back to back nights and got home last night and just crashed. I am going to post a picture of the day and thanks to the marine layer, my asthma handled the smoke perfect…..thanks for asking!
Adam
Adam – did you at least take the suit off first?
Max – what should you hope for next??? How about RAIN in Florida.
Actually, I’m told we got hard rain with thunder and lightning but wonder of wonders…I slept right through it. After a day at Universal Studios & Islands of Adventures with a small group of kids (safety patrols) I was beat!!! (didn’t sleep well night before).
Still we need plenty more rain!
Adam – good the fog helped you with your asthma!!!
Breathe easy ~
That fog and smoke combination is what caused a huge pile up in FL. Remember the big fire near I75? Also we had a similar situation on the Space Coast last year.
I can see that it’s just me, myself & I tonight so since I can talk to myself…there’s no need to type to myself. ha ha! Goodnight FL Sunshine. lol
Adam FYI there is a blog (not mine or yours) that says you are about to get married. Care to tell us something?
Adam,
Nice work out there. Much props to those hard working Fire fighters. They do an amazing job.
I have been following the blogs, just havent had anything to say-been working to much.
I know this is the wrong area to post this but I just have to go back to a previous discussion in order to back up my previous arguments with some facts. I have done quite a bit of research and found some amazing statistics. The dastardly and absurd war on drugs is ruining more lives, taking away more American freedoms, doing more damage, diverting more focus away from other more important things, than it’s propaganda lies filled benifits.
Where is the:
War on Tobacco?
War on Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity?
War on Alcohol?
War on Motor Vehicle Crashes?
War on Microbial Agents?
War on Toxic Agents?
War on Reactions to Prescription Drugs?
War on Suicide?
War on Incidents Involving Firearms?
War on Sexual Behaviors?
War on Homicide?
These contribute to an average of 1,173,277 deaths a year compared to 17,000 for illicit drug use.
Really?? Really?? Really??
———————————————————————————————
This is an average of Annual Causes of Death in the United States
Tobacco 435,000 (LEGAL)
Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000 (LEGAL)
Alcohol 85,000 (LEGAL)
Microbial Agents 75,000 (NATURE)
Toxic Agents 55,000 (LEGAL/REGULATED)
Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347 (THIS HAS GONE UP)
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000 (LEGAL WITH PRESCRIPTION)
Suicide 30,622 (FREE WILL)
Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000 (LEGAL/ILLEGAL)
Homicide 20,308 (ILLEGAL)
Sexual Behaviors 20,000 (FREE WILL)
All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect 17,000 (ILLEGAL)
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600 (LEGAL)
Marijuana 0 (ILLEGAL)
—————————————————————————————————–
Now, how can our government justify WASTING our taxpayer money for this War on Drugs?
Oh yeah they can’t tax us for them. It is all about corporation $$$$$$$$ and lobyist.
This is rediculous!!! Un-American and utterly shocking.
Oh yeah they also can justify our high gas prices, hic-upping economy, and all the other bull crap they throw at us.
They DO NOT care about the people.
This is all about taking TAX payers money & big companies.
This is insane and I am now more shocked and convinced than ever.
Talk about more important things to focus and spend money on.
Do you also know in the last year prescription drug deaths have soared and alcohol related fatalities have also soared as illegal drug related deaths have gone down.
Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmm. Hmmmmmm.
Boy they are really fixing the problem aren’t they?
No they are just taking away Freedoms.
What if all this WAR on drugs money
was actually spent on MANAGING
these forests where all the fires are burning????????
Hmmmmmm. Hmmmmmm.
President Bush (who I still hard-headly support) gave Colorado 1 million dollars to manage the forests here in colorado to help combat the pine beetle’s destruction. LMFAO!!!
You should see the amount of distruction those beetles have done out here. Your about to be covering the biggest fires in American History out here. It is truly astounding how many mountains are covered with 80′ tall dead trees-perfect kindling, and it will be unstoppable. Just wait for that one.
Lets waste our money on a false drug war and wait for the forests to burn.
It is going to be terrible.
Freakin Joke right.
Adam your a bigger voice than any of us on this blog will ever be.
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God Bless Our Troops! May God Bless America!
I hear we are winning that war in Iraq however. Hooo-rahhh!! Now that IS important to win!
We can win it! Our boys are doing AWESOME!
@ Adam-
Comment by Adam Housley
May 24th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Everyone-
Just now getting back to normal. I got little sleep on back to back nights and got home last night and just crashed…
—————————————————————————————————————–
While you covered the fires, one of the Fox’s people had a segment about how eight hours sleep is beneficial and healthy— the one Psychiatrist, (what is his name? Bald? Smart guy—- was on the segment) And to make a long story short– sleep is good!!! You will live longer!
Hope you are crashed good!
xxxx
And hi to everyone!!!!
Hope you all are doing well!
Max– no- nothing in the mail!!!
xxxx
I agree that Florida needs a lot more rain. The first year I was in Florida, 2006, I saw the charred palm trees
and smoke from the fires near Cocoa and Port Canaveral (general area.) I saw like 10 minutes of good rain (and lightning on the ocean) one day out of 10 days I was there. While in Florida last year, I saw live FNC coverage of the fires… and like 5 minutes of sprinkles one day out of 10. This year I saw the news of the fires within days of returning from Florida. I felt literally 3 drops of rain as my ship was maneuvering the Tampa Bay. That’s it. I have been extremely lucky to have had such incredibly great weather for my vacations. However, if this trend continues, there will be no more palm trees… and I would cease to exist in such a world!
xxxx
Adam,
P.S. Thanks for the congrats in the Idol thread!
Good to hear you’re finally able to get some rest! Those back to back nights of little sleep suck, but to make it worse, you’re go go go all day! I didn’t realize you have asthma. I do, too… but I am very lucky to say that it is not at all a problem for me now. It sure was a problem in elementary school! My doctor couldn’t really hear my heartbeat because I was wheezing too much. I couldn’t even run the 50 because I would collapse. These days I don’t even need meds.
xxxx
Patty, Kathy & Jen,
Thanks for your congrats in the Idol thread, as well!
xxxx
Susan,
Too late! I ate the last piece. It was too good to resist!
Sunshine: Ok, i hope for rain over the Florida fires.
Susan: He’s Dr Kieth Ablow, I’m reading his book ‘Living the truth’ at the moment. So far it’s been very good.
Maybe on Monday you will get yours. Let me know
Adam: I’m glad the fog helped your asthma, but you still looked really uncomfortable out there. Glad you got to go home.
Just wanted to say bye to everyone..
we’re off to Utah until Wednesday evening…
have a fun and safe weekend all….
Hugs.
Mrs Carrie – Congratulations! Just stopped by and found your photos. Beautiful! Looks like a lot of fun was had by all.
(and, your anniversary is now one day before mine!)
Thanks, Karen! Yes there was fun…. I just got more, even better pics! They’re not up yet, though. I’m gonna get 400 more pics today at my family cookout! Still waiting for the ‘official’ ones… That’s cool your anniversary & mine are close….
..:) Carrie
Adam,
Thanks for letting me post my drivil
Max–
Monday– Memorial Day– no mail– but Tuesday, yes! I will make it a point to check the mail everyday as sometimes I don’t for a couple days- and when I get it, I will email you– and thank you!
Like I said to you, whatever it is, I will probably cling on to it forever!
xxxxxx
Dr Kieth Ablow,—- yes, this is the man! I like him. He seems to have a gentle soul. When I was a bit older than you, in my twenties, I use to read all the popular Mental Health Experts– Back in my day, Dyer was popular and still is- I started with- Your Erroneous Zones. I think anyone can figure this all out– common sense, but these health books are great!
I am reading one right now- Conversations with God. And I am enjoying it because it is not a Bible but a book about spiritual growth. Given to me by my daughter, Danielle.
xxx
HWA-
Give it up!
Give what up?
Why are you trying to pick fights?
If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.
If you want to pick a fight come up to Aspen.
I can meet you at the base of Ajax Mountain.
We can go for a long hike up in the mountains.
You won’t want to fight after our hike.