My mountain cabin / hippie shack is built into the side of Topanga Canyon. It’s TOTALLY not-up-to-code. Tonight, in the middle of the biggest rainstorm of the year, water started pouring from the WALL on the bottom floor that’s built into the hill. It washed about a pound of silt onto my floor, and got [...]
New reports of a fire near Kanan Dune Rd. in Malibu. For my family and friends, this is nowhere near me. Farther than the last fire.
I’ll be updating on this site as I get information. Probably not as frequent updates as last time. My Internet is out at home (unrelated to the fire) and I’m [...]
I received an e-mail from someone asking about road closures in Malibu after the fire:
HI JOHN:
I SAW A BLOG WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION.
I AM HOPING YOU CAN TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT THERE ARE ROAD CLOSURES IN
THE MALIBU AREA AS WE ARE TRAVELING WITH MAPQUEST.
IS LAS VIRGINES CLOSED? WE ARE TRYING TO REACH A [...]
Tipster Michelle E. sent in the following:
EPA Offers Tips to Protect Health from Wildfire Smoke
During the current wave of forest fires, EPA has the following recommendations on how to protect your health from the effects of smoke.
Pay attention to local air quality reports and stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to [...]
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Posted 25 October 2007
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I’m staying at my parents’ tonight, but taking my stuff back home to Topanga tomorrow. Conditions appear significantly better, and there does not appear to be a threat to Topanga or Malibu at this time.
I’m at my parent’s house, completely safe. I’ll be working from there today. Updates follow:
Update 8:46 AM: CBS’s Fire Fact Sheet (Dated 9 PM Oct 22):
AS OF 9PM
• 3,800 acres burned
• More than 200 homes evacuated
• 1,500 residents evacuated
• 10 homes and 6 businesses damaged
• 1,400 fire personnel deployed
• No injuries reported
• 10 percent [...]
Updates will be sketchy today; I’m at work and will be trying to get actual work done. Still evacuated; don’t know when I’ll be going back. Traffic in general in LA area a complete nightmare today, especially since Topanga is closed to traffic. Two+ hours to get to work today.
Update 10:10 AM: LA County Fire [...]
I just got the call for voluntary evacuation, and I am heeding the call.
I have time (can’t see flames; they haven’t crested any hills around me) so I’m packing up essentials and heading to my parent’s house. With cats, which should go over wonderfully with the parents.
I’m turning off the computers now, and taking some [...]
I canceled hiking this morning; they are advising Topanga residents to listen to radio and television throughout the day in case the fire department issues evacuation orders. I’m putting valuable papers in my car and getting ready to pack up the cats and computers. I was heading south on PCH, saw dozens of fire trucks [...]
This morning I went on a five-mile hike with George and Krystal; we drove to Trippet Ranch, then hiked the fire road up to Eagle Rock. Back down via Musch Trail, where we saw some pretty things, and then lunch and margaritas at Abuelitas. A truly excellent Saturday morning.
All photos in the usual place.
UPDATE: Krystal’s [...]