Check-in for LA MeFites January 8, 2025 4:41 AM Subscribe
With several fires raging and more possible, let’s share information and provide a place for those affected to check in. I hope everyone’s safe!
Wishing you all good luck.
posted by NotLost at 6:05 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
posted by NotLost at 6:05 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
LA Mefites, wishing you all the best. A friend of mine and his wife evacuated last night and are waiting to see what happens to their home.
posted by Kitteh at 6:16 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
posted by Kitteh at 6:16 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Watch Duty : wildfire maps
Is a good app to keep tabs on info and evacuation information.
posted by calgirl at 7:24 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
Is a good app to keep tabs on info and evacuation information.
posted by calgirl at 7:24 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]
https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N462DF/history/20250108/0001Z
Flight logs for Cal Fire's C-130 Hercules firefighting air-tanker.
The plan is for seven of them, but I don't know if there's more than this one in service now as it just joined the Cal Fire fleet in August.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:26 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
Flight logs for Cal Fire's C-130 Hercules firefighting air-tanker.
The plan is for seven of them, but I don't know if there's more than this one in service now as it just joined the Cal Fire fleet in August.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:26 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I'm safe but have many connections in fire areas and a sibling may have lost their home. My neighborhood, like every other, is tinder dry. I'll be hugely grateful when the wind finally dies down.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:33 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:33 AM on January 8 [6 favorites]
The Eaton fire started about two blocks from my house. Me and the bird and my dad are evacuated but all safe way out east. My dad heard from a neighbor who stayed that our houses are still standing this morning but it's not over yet, the winds are supposed to keep spreading it like glitter in a preschool classroom all day.
posted by ApathyGirl at 8:57 AM on January 8 [12 favorites]
posted by ApathyGirl at 8:57 AM on January 8 [12 favorites]
Safe from fires here, though we can smell them. A friend had to evacuate from the Eaton fire area last night. Another friend of ours was able to take them in along with their 4 cats. Security camera footage indicates their house is OK, which is a relief.
Another acquaintance was among the first evacuees from the Pacific Palisades area. Unclear if they still have a home.
The winds were insane last night. Never experienced anything like it here during my 26 years in LA. We're high up and have massive trees that had never gone through anything quite like this. Trees with trunks big enough that I can't wrap my arms around were swaying visibly all the way down to the ground. I went out regularly to press my ear against the trunks listening for crackly/crunchy noises just in case I needed to alert my neighbors. Luckily they seem to have made it through undamaged. The amount of debris is nuts though. My car is parked outside and would probably be quite damaged if I hadn't wrapped it in moving blankets secured with ratchet straps. It basically got carpet bombed with pine cones and branches all night.
Best of luck to everybody here that is affected!
posted by Hairy Lobster at 9:12 AM on January 8 [11 favorites]
Another acquaintance was among the first evacuees from the Pacific Palisades area. Unclear if they still have a home.
The winds were insane last night. Never experienced anything like it here during my 26 years in LA. We're high up and have massive trees that had never gone through anything quite like this. Trees with trunks big enough that I can't wrap my arms around were swaying visibly all the way down to the ground. I went out regularly to press my ear against the trunks listening for crackly/crunchy noises just in case I needed to alert my neighbors. Luckily they seem to have made it through undamaged. The amount of debris is nuts though. My car is parked outside and would probably be quite damaged if I hadn't wrapped it in moving blankets secured with ratchet straps. It basically got carpet bombed with pine cones and branches all night.
Best of luck to everybody here that is affected!
posted by Hairy Lobster at 9:12 AM on January 8 [11 favorites]
Yeah, the wind was crazy last night though it's calmed down today. It's actually entirely still at the moment.
I have a branch down in my yard I need to cut up. Just small enough to do that with a sawzall and dispose of it over a couple weeks of yard waste.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:25 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
I have a branch down in my yard I need to cut up. Just small enough to do that with a sawzall and dispose of it over a couple weeks of yard waste.
posted by snuffleupagus at 10:25 AM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Seconding the Watch Duty app. This morning I got an evacuation warning from LA County but so far (fingers crossed) we're just getting a lot of smoke and some ash. Watching the Eaton and Palisades fires develop last night was frightening - they moved so quickly in so little time. I couldn't sleep last night so I kept checking my phone and watching the Eaton fire grow.
Power is out all over my neighborhood, but my immediate area so far has only lost internet, and that was because of the wind. I finally managed to get my phone working as a hotspot so I might try to work, just to shake off this feeling of waiting around helplessly.
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 10:25 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
Power is out all over my neighborhood, but my immediate area so far has only lost internet, and that was because of the wind. I finally managed to get my phone working as a hotspot so I might try to work, just to shake off this feeling of waiting around helplessly.
posted by Fish, fish, are you doing your duty? at 10:25 AM on January 8 [5 favorites]
I am okay but gripped with anxiety about the fires and wind. The wind has been like a vertical tornado. I dropped in to share the best comprehensive map that actually functions and is easy to read: CalTrans 511 Quick Map It has lots of options for geographical area and method of transportation. Fire zones are listed in an easy to read format. Instant download. Speed of traffic and road closures. Clear text explanations. Air quality. Highly recommended. I hope it is useful for others as well. No use getting stuck on a congested road.
posted by effluvia at 10:48 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 10:48 AM on January 8 [8 favorites]
Former Angeleno checking in with friends. A couple are in between the Eaton and the Hurst fires, spent most of the night packing their vans and readying their 3 dogs for possible evacuation. Friend had a gallery show in Altadena, opening Sunday night, the gallery is now gone, I am guessing with all of the art. Comparatively a small loss compared to what others are facing.
posted by nanook at 4:36 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
posted by nanook at 4:36 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
Still dead calm where I am in SGV, but the FIRMS map and webcams on Mt. Wilson are making me think it's spreading both west and east along the San Gabriel foothills, which is bad.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:42 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:42 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
My house burned down! Holy shit!
Family and dog are safe and healthy. The stuff that's gone is just stuff. But this is going to be such a pain in the ass.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:13 PM on January 8 [60 favorites]
Family and dog are safe and healthy. The stuff that's gone is just stuff. But this is going to be such a pain in the ass.
posted by mr_roboto at 5:13 PM on January 8 [60 favorites]
I'm so sorry.
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:20 PM on January 8 [8 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:20 PM on January 8 [8 favorites]
Here's what's left of the house. The driveway's in great shape!
posted by mr_roboto at 5:42 PM on January 8 [13 favorites]
posted by mr_roboto at 5:42 PM on January 8 [13 favorites]
Note: mr_roboto needs a hug.
posted by Melismata at 6:14 PM on January 8 [11 favorites]
posted by Melismata at 6:14 PM on January 8 [11 favorites]
Truly - holy shit.
mr_roboto - all the hugs.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:21 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
mr_roboto - all the hugs.
posted by Barbara Spitzer at 6:21 PM on January 8 [6 favorites]
Fire in the Hollywood Hills now, at the moment seems to be entirely within Runyon Canyon Park.
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:30 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
posted by snuffleupagus at 6:30 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
Have adjacent states or the feds been able to offer much help?
posted by Violet Blue at 6:32 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
posted by Violet Blue at 6:32 PM on January 8 [1 favorite]
Oregon sent some firefighters and engines.
posted by janell at 7:09 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by janell at 7:09 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
Colorado has sent aircraft. It’s only been just over a year since the Marshall fire in CO burned significant in-town areas.
posted by nat at 7:18 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
posted by nat at 7:18 PM on January 8 [2 favorites]
There are also aerial tankers from Quebec.
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:28 PM on January 8 [5 favorites]
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:28 PM on January 8 [5 favorites]
The street where my father and uncle grew up has been evacuated. I hope the current owners are safe.
I'm in town near century city for a while ( came in right before new years) to see the pst getty exhibits, obviously everything was closed today but so far I'm ok.
posted by brujita at 8:19 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
I'm in town near century city for a while ( came in right before new years) to see the pst getty exhibits, obviously everything was closed today but so far I'm ok.
posted by brujita at 8:19 PM on January 8 [3 favorites]
mr_roboto, I lost my home in the Tubbs Fire in 2017. If I can offer any advice or assistance, please reach out. I've made the same offer to several friends who have either lost their homes or are temporarily displaced; and the offer stands for any MeFite who needs help navigating this horror.
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:36 PM on January 8 [23 favorites]
posted by Dr. Wu at 8:36 PM on January 8 [23 favorites]
crazy timing: I finished training with red cross disaster relief last week. spent 13 hours today volunteering at an evacuation shelter. headed home right as sunset fire (hollywood hills) got scary. I live in los feliz by griffith park, opted to pack up & evacuate along with many of my neighbors. made it to my mom’s an hour north. ungodly tired but still too wired too sleep. avoiding imagery til tomorrow. the scope is still settling in.
mr_roboto, I am so incredibly sorry about your home. love to you & all my angelinos on this heavy gray night.
posted by changeling at 12:09 AM on January 9 [13 favorites]
mr_roboto, I am so incredibly sorry about your home. love to you & all my angelinos on this heavy gray night.
posted by changeling at 12:09 AM on January 9 [13 favorites]
Thinking of you.
posted by Thella at 2:21 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
posted by Thella at 2:21 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]
This is so tragic. My condo is in the mandatory evacuation zone near the Sunset fire. It started in Runyon Canyon, a very busy hiking area with paved and unpaved hiking trails/tracks. I used to hike there a lot. It’s less than a mile from my condo. My tenants have evacuated. Sending strength to all the displaced folks all over the area.
My friends in Altadena and Pacific Palisades lost their homes. They were modest to swanky mid-century modern homes, full of original details and finishes. This is a huge loss of heritage architecture, in addition to the losses of life, traumatic injuries, and suffering.
posted by acridrabbit at 3:03 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
My friends in Altadena and Pacific Palisades lost their homes. They were modest to swanky mid-century modern homes, full of original details and finishes. This is a huge loss of heritage architecture, in addition to the losses of life, traumatic injuries, and suffering.
posted by acridrabbit at 3:03 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
My heart goes out to you all.
posted by y2karl at 5:52 AM on January 9 [5 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 5:52 AM on January 9 [5 favorites]
We were on the brink of evacuating last night because of the Runyon fire, and then just when that calmed down, the Studio City one popped up. Thank god the wind stayed down and those water-dropping planes kept flying. Hearing them roar over my house was the best sound.
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:14 AM on January 9 [5 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 7:14 AM on January 9 [5 favorites]
I'm in the midwest, but I've checked in with friends ... as of last night:
- two households safe at home, currently outside of evacuation areas, but with go bags ready
- one household safely evacuated (sunset fire), home status unknown but probably OK
- one household safely evacuated (eaton fire), home status unknown but probably NOT ok
- one household safely evacuated (eaton fire), home confirmed to have burned
California had the foresight to redeploy 65 engines to the region on Monday ahead of the winds. Five of ours, staged 500 miles from here, answered the initial call on the Eaton Fire -- which was for 70 engines. One of our fire captains was absent from yesterday's Fire Safe meeting after being belatedly deployed. Yesterday afternoon, our volunteer fire station was getting its engine ready to join the others heading south. Just as with the August 2020 lightning storms, the state allowed a fully foreseen weather event to overwhelm halfhearted preparations. It is all the more tragic since so much of it was preventable. Our region has had so much rain that prescribed burns could have been postponed to provide more mutual aid. Thanks to the others who have stepped in.
At T+74 months, I still don't know what to say to people who've lost their homes to wildfire. Yesterday, I was talking with an employee who had, then, about these fires now. But I sadly do understand the plight of having a dwelling survive a wildfire that devastates a community. If you have questions about moving back into or adjacent to a burn scar, I'm happy to share what we here have learned. Sympathies and regrets to those who too must go through it.
posted by backwoods at 9:31 AM on January 9 [9 favorites]
At T+74 months, I still don't know what to say to people who've lost their homes to wildfire. Yesterday, I was talking with an employee who had, then, about these fires now. But I sadly do understand the plight of having a dwelling survive a wildfire that devastates a community. If you have questions about moving back into or adjacent to a burn scar, I'm happy to share what we here have learned. Sympathies and regrets to those who too must go through it.
posted by backwoods at 9:31 AM on January 9 [9 favorites]
Heard from friends in Pasadena who lost their home. They and their two dogs are safe in a shelter but everything is gone. Such a beautiful house, an absolutely classic 1920s California bungalow that had never been really altered or screwed up, just cared for for a hundred years. mr.roboto, I am so sorry for your loss; this is all so tragic and heartbreaking and terrible. I hate this timeline.
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:59 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
posted by mygothlaundry at 11:59 AM on January 9 [7 favorites]
Thanks for this post, GenjiandProust. What a nightmare. So sorry about the loss of your home Mr. Roboto. I’m dictating so apologies for the typos. Hope everyone else in the area is able to stay safe and nobody else loses a home.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:27 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
posted by Bella Donna at 1:27 PM on January 9 [1 favorite]
Oh, no, mr_roboto! So sorry this is falling on you. :7(
...And for all the other LA-area Mefites & loved ones, too.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:28 PM on January 9 [2 favorites]
...And for all the other LA-area Mefites & loved ones, too.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:28 PM on January 9 [2 favorites]
I haven't seen it posted yet so just sharing -- Mutual Aid Los Angeles (MALA) has put together a spreadsheet with resources such as shelter info, animal boarding info, addresses for distribution centers, volunteer opportunities and more.
posted by Wretch729 at 7:52 PM on January 9
posted by Wretch729 at 7:52 PM on January 9
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LA County incidents page: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
CalFire incidents page: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents
posted by snuffleupagus at 5:59 AM on January 8 [4 favorites]