While covering the tiger attack in San Francisco, I noticed this amazing video on our satellite feeds and also ended up on our channel. This is amazing work being done by firefighters in the northeast (Boston or Philly) as they wage a battle against flames destroying an apartment building. It’s about 48 seconds and I had to get back outside to work, so I didn’t get to see the end of the video, but I heard they finished the vent in the roof and then got back down the ladder safely.

I head back to LA tonight rested and a bit weary about the latest fire warnings. I know there are other parts of our great country hoping for rain, but like parts of Georgia, California is in dire need of some water. Here’s the latest about our RED FLAG WARNING….set for the mountain areas of Los Angeles and Ventura County this weekend due to Santa Ana winds, according to the National Weather Service. Winds are expected to gust up to 45 mph, well short of the 60 to 70 mph gusts of last weekend, but this time peak windy conditions would likely be on Saturday morning.

On Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed state officials to prepare for a new round of possible fires in Southern California and fire strike teams have been placed in strategic locations to hopefully help stop any fire as it begins.

All of the fires that broke out two weekends ago, including destructive fires in Malibu, Castaic and Agua Dulce, are now 100 percent contained, according to county fire officials. This worry is about possible new blazes.

Of all the fires burning in Southern California over the course of the last eight days or so, all are more than 75% contained, except two. The Poomacha Fires near the border and the Santiago fire are still listed as 50% contained and the fires up near arrowhead are still not fully contained. I found a great website that uses Google Maps and shows the fire locations and the latest updates. Very helpful.

Also, as I am going through the photos on my camera, I found this one not yet published (there are actually a bunch). This picture comes from Rim of the World Road and the firefighters who saved a significant portion of the neighborhood.

As I sit here smelling fresh air, or what seems like it for the first time in a week, I cannot believe a week has already passed. Last Sunday seemed so normal to start, I had heard the winds overnight, but early on it was clear a fire would threaten major parts of Malibu.

In the days since our crew went from Malibu to the Ranch/Magic/Val Verde Fires and then onto Arrowhead. This picture is a reminder what so many people are now facing.

The forest and wildland will eventually recover and so will those that lost so much. That is why our country is so great.

Here are the latest fire updates as far as I know em and it all looks to be good news. The two major fires left burning in San Diego appear to be stopped and on their way out. Up at Arrowhead, the Grass Valley Fire and the Slide Fire are both well under control. Firefighters are always cautious about containment numbers and always error on the side of lower rather than higher percentages. In the field, when we start to hear 30% contained, rarely does a fire rage again, unless the Santa Ana’s come back of course. We all hope they stay away until we get some rain. We did get a small sprinkle yesterday, like mist in a wind, but it did little to saturate the ground.

I had some great news this morning. Our crew had slept for what seemed like an eternity and I guarantee you, we feel much better after a week without sleep. As I logged onto the blog I got some great news.

Angela and Joanne had either heard or read our reports about their parents home and the apparent good news. Again, to us it looked like everything was fine, the home was there, but the fire did burn up the canyon, nearly to their back door. Also, I received this message. Remember the firefighter picture from two days ago? You can still find it above the blog ‘Wednesday in Arrowhead.’ Just scroll down and you’ll see the firefighter with the flames behind him….I never got his name because he obviously had a more important job to do….and Ryan, e-mail me and I will e-mail you the pics…

Adam,
My name is Ryan Rinaldo, i am the one in this photo. I just wanted to say thank you for taking this great picture, and also that you were correct in saying that the picture says it all. Myself and Tommy, the other guy on the truck with me, were driving looking for hotspots when we saw this home beginning to catch on fire, along with moving into the next two homes directly next to it. As i was making radio contact for additional engines to come to our location, Tommy and I stretched out our hoses and rushed to stop the spread of the fire to the next two homes until additional firefighters arrived, and even though all the firefighters on that location were able to save two homes, it is still hard to see one get lost! I give my hearts best wishes and prayers to the family of that home.

Best wishes,
Ryan Rinaldo
Rinaldo Water Tenders

It would also be great if you wouldn’t mind sending me any additional photos of that incident, i would really appreciate it. Thank You Adam