Driving through the Middleton, CA fire (youtube)

[Are_grits_groceries]

Last edited Mon Sep 14, 2015, 11:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Looks like a drive through Hell!
He was fleeing the area.

[Aerows]

1. If the tires start melting

Last edited Mon Sep 14, 2015, 05:23 PM - Edit history (1)

and they get stuck in the middle of that, they will be completely screwed.

Only a crazy person would drive in that.

EDITED: to add that I didn't realize that the fires were moving that fast and they were fleeing for their lives. That's extremely damn scary. Please stay safe, all of you, and don't wait to evacuate! You can replace your possessions but you can't replace your loved ones and pets.

[Warpy]

2. That person is likely evacuating

The fire blew up so fast that people weren't told in time to make a leisurely drive down a familiar road, they had to drive through hell to get out.

http://kron4.com/2015/09/13/valley-fire-map-evacuations-road-closures-fire-perimeter-help-centers/

Some good video there.

[ljm2002]

3. They're not daft...

...they're fleeing for their lives.

It was posted on sfgate.com first page. The driver said the fire did not seem that close to their home (based on past experience with fires), and then all of a sudden it was upon them.

The news of these fires in California has repeatedly quoted firefighters saying that the fires have grown more quickly than they have ever seen.

The driver said he won't ever make that mistake again -- in the future he will evacuate early.

Thank goodness he made it.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. Thanks. Changed my OP. nt

[ljm2002]

6. No problem...

...I just happened to have seen the video on sfgate.com a few minutes before coming across your post.

That video was scary! I can't imagine how I would have felt during that ride -- it wasn't clear at all that they were going to make it out.

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. I realized I was holding my breath after it stopped. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. We have a few similar stories from the 2007 fires here in San Diego.

and also from 2003

People had to drive though very narrow roads, with flames cresting on both sides. A family actually had the tires melt on the car so they ran for it, literally, to a small water body they kind of remembered, though what they thought were flames. The family made it, they were found next day. Their escape vehicle, not so much. This was near Ramona. Every time I have to go to those narrow roads, I make sure I have topo maps, becuase there is a chance a dirt road will be the only thing out.

Fires started to grow faster in the recent past, like last year here in San Diego, but this year it's been the worst.

[Brother Buzz]

4. I'm astounded the road was actually clear

[2naSalit]

8. I noticed that too

seems to indicate that the fire spread so quickly that the majority of what was around hadn't burned deeply enough into the core of the trees to make them break and fall over.

[Omaha Steve]

7. Thanks for posting

K&R!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Ok you have done it, I need a good HD, preferably UHD dashcam

I have done some of that idiocy while news gathering. Yesterday I saw the CBS report from the town... CBS reporter used a prosumer on a tripod fixed to the door would be my guess. But this is safer.



Ok, ok, safer is a matter of degree.

[Are_grits_groceries]

13. Check cnet.

They have good and reliable reviews. Then I look for bargains on those items they rec.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Will do

And I did post a story, with also this advise from my friends at CAL FIRE

Though I fear that PSA needs updating

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="

?list=PL2764ECC94B457E89" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tipperary]

12. Terrifying to watch. You could not pay me to live in California.

I am glad he survived.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. But but people say we don't have seaons

yes we do, fire season, drought season, flood season, interrupted by earthquakes.

Yup, a full action state, to paraphrase Shwatzenegger. I might not like the guy, but that is a good way to treat it.