Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Half Million Californians Are Evacuated

Southern California (October 23, 2007 – 1512 hours) – Six thousand firefighters have been joined by 1500 National Guardsmen in an attempt to extinguish 19 massive wildfires in the area between Santa Barbara County and the Mexican border. Early this morning President George Bush issued an emergency declaration for the area with a promise of additional equipment and manpower.

Two citizens are dead, 16 firefighters seriously injured and half million Californians have been evacuated, with more mandatory evacuations expected. Five of San Diego's 23 emergency shelters reached capacity Monday evening. Others evacuees took shelter with friends or relatives.

Officials say that the fires have 340,000 acres, claimed 1300 homes with another 60,000 others threatened. The number and intensity of the fires have stretched California's firefighting resources to the limit, with one department reporting the "lack of resources [is] hindering suppression efforts."

Two of the largest blazes East of San Diego are expected to join later today to become a superblaze. Firefighters and equipment have been withdrawn from the area in anticipation of the combined fires. In Los Angeles County the Ranch, the Buckweed and the Magic fires -- are projected to merge in about 48 hours into a more than 80,000-acre fire, according to Roger Richcreek of the Angeles National Forest.

By mid-morning thousands of evacuees were taking shelter in
Qualcomm Stadium and other locations throughout San Diego. Marines began evacuating aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to other military bases in California and Arizona. The San Diego Wild Animal Park moved some animals to the on-site animal hospital for their protection

Officials have stated that they fear the inferno could become even more destructive than the 2003
Cedar Fire, considered the worst wildfire ever on record. During that blaze 50,000 citizens were evacuated, compared to the the current ten-fold number of 500,000.

sources:
-CalFire
-OES (California)
-San Diego County

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1 comment:

Animal Chaplain said...

The thoughts and prayers of the entire world are with the residents of Southern California!

For those of you who are interested in helping out with the animal rescue and animal emergency housing that is needed because of the California wildfires, here are a few places that are helping to save the animals. They could use your donations.

SPCA - Los Angeles
http://www.spcala.com

New Leash on Life (Castaic area)
http://www.newleash.org/home.asp

(click from main page on each to read about their efforts.)

On the human front, the Red Cross is always the first out there on the scene and the first to help people.
You can donate to the Red Cross Los Angeles at:
http://www.redcrossla.org/

or the Red Cross San Diego at:
http://www.sdarc.org/site/pp.asp?c=erKQL4NQE&b=127361
Residents evacuating their homes are asked to take all companion animals with them. If possible, place your pet in a crate or carrier and bring any necessary supplies including leashes, food, water, and medications as supplies at evacuation centers may be limited. More tips: www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Ter_Disasterpreparedness

Most Red Cross evacuation centers are accepting pets in carriers. If you do not have or were unable to put your pet in a carrier or need pet supplies, bring your pet to one of the following Red Cross evacuation centers:

El Camino High School - NO PEOPLE, ONLY ANIMALS
400 Rancho Del Oro Dr. * Oceanside, CA 92057
Space for horses, livestock and small animals

Fiesta Island - ACCEPTING 500 OWNERS AND THEIR ANIMALS
1500 Fiesta Island Rd * San Diego, CA 92109

Qualcomm Stadium - SMALL PETS ONLY
9449 Friars Road * San Diego, CA 92108

Mira Mesa High School - FULL
10510 Reagan Road * San Diego, CA 92126

Camp Diggity Dog - FREE BOARDING TO DOGS DISPLACED BY FIRES
1835 Imperial Ave * San Diego, CA 92102
619-702-4090, Bark [at] CampDiggityDogs.com
DIRECTIONS: www.campdiggitydogs.com/

LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATION:
Del Mar Fairgrounds - FULL

Lakeside Rodeo Grounds - FULL
Hwy 67 & Mapleview St.

IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY EVACUATION FOR YOUR ANIMALS OR LIVESTOCK:
CALL: 619-236-4250 and press “1″ for emergency services

ANYONE WITH STABLE OR AREA TO HOUSE EVACUATED LARGE ANIMALS & LIVESTOCK:
CALL: San Diego Humane Society, 619-299-7012

San Diego Humane Society
http://www.sdhumane.org

THE HUMANE SOCIETY ALSO NEEDS PORTABLE LIVESTOCK PANELS FOR TEMPORARY CORRALS:
If you have these available for use, CALL: 619 299-7012

VOLUNTEERS & SUPPLIES:
Volunteers and supplies are not needed at this time, but the San Diego Humane Society is keeping a list of names for people interested in helping.

* TO HELP, DONATE: secure2.convio.net/sdhss/site/Donation2?idb=1781347065&df_id=1620&1620.donation=form1
* Or CALL: 619-299-7012

Also, VCA animal hospitals have also offered to board animals involved in southern California evacuations for FREE. Boarding assistance for pets is based on space availability at individual VCA Animal Hospitals throughout Southern California. Call the one closest to you for more information:
Alhambra VCA Mission Animal Hospital 626-289-3643
Arroyo Grande VCA South County Animal Hospital 805-489-1361
Bellflower VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital 562-633-8126
Big Bear City VCA Lakeside Animal Hospital 909-866-2021
Burbank VCA Animal Hospital (Burbank) 818-845-7246
Canoga Park VCA Companion Animal Hospital 818-340-1569
Cypress VCA College Park – Ana Brook Animal Hospital 714-827-6861
Encinitas VCA North Coast Animal Hospital 760-632-1072
Glendale VCA Arden Animal Hospital 818-246-2478
Hermosa Beach VCA Coast Animal Hospital 310-372-8881
Hesperia VCA Victor Valley Animal Hospital 760-244-8022
La Mesa VCA Grossmont Animal Hospital 619-697-0082
Laguna Niguel VCA Aliso Viejo Animal Hospital 949-643-0437
Lake Forest VCA Saddleback Animal Hospital 949-586-4250
Lake Forest VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital 949-770-1808
Long Beach VCA Los Altos Animal Hospital 562-421-3749
Los Alamitos VCA Rossmoor-El Dorado Animal Hospital 562-598-8621
Los Angeles VCA Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital 310-657-7050
Los Angeles VCA Petville Animal Hospital 310-313-9118
Mission Viejo VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital 949-582-1220
Monrovia VCA Santa Anita Animal Hospital 626-359-3281
Palm Springs VCA Desert Animal Hospital 760-778-9999
Pasadena VCA A Breed Apart Animal Hospital 626-795-4444
Rancho Mirage VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital 760-346-6103
Reseda VCA McClave Animal Hospital 818-881-5102
Ridgecrest VCA Crestwood Animal Hospital 760-446-7616
Rolling Hills Estates
VCA Silver Spur Animal Hospital
310-541-3331
San Diego VCA Angel Animal Hospital 619-291-0042
San Diego VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital 619-299-7387
San Diego VCA Main Street Animal Hospital 619-232-7401
San Diego VCA West Bernardo Animal Hospital 858-485-7570
Santa Fe Springs VCA La Mirada Animal Hospital 562-921-3539
Santa Monica VCA Santa Monica Dog and Cat Hospital 310-453-5459
Santa Monica VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital 310-828-4587
Spring Valley VCA Paradise Valley Animal Hospital 619-475-9770
Temecula VCA El Rancho Animal Hospital 951-296-3898
Torrance VCA Clarmar Animal Hospital 310-371-2474
Torrance VCA Kennel Club Resort & Spa 310-539-2201
Upland VCA Central Animal Hospital 909-981-2855
Venice VCA Marina Animal Hospital 310-306-8707
Victorville VCA Mesa Animal Hospital 760-245-0109
Woodland Hills VCA Parkwood Animal Hospital 818-884-5506

This information was shared as a public service by your Animal Chaplains at www.AnimalChaplains.com. Please call the agencies directly if you need assistance.