Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Windy, Dry Forecast Worries CA

Golden State braces for dangerous weekend with emergency crews on alert

By Jonas Oransky, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 1, 2007 1:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – California weathermen are sparking new wildfire fears with predictions for a hot, dry weekend in which the dreaded Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up from 45 mph tomorrow across the state's southern end. Compounding matters, humidity is expected to drop as low as 10% while temperatures rise into the mid-80s, the Los Angeles Times reports.

With last week’s disaster barely past, Golden State residents face a brush fire watch all weekend. Governor Schwarzenegger has prepared the National Guard and emergency services; firefighting teams will stand vigil in eight counties. "The aircraft are ready," he said. "And if the Santa Ana wind kicks in, we are going to be ready for that."

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, accompanied by several state and local officials including Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona, far right, speaks at a news conference at the Santiago Fire Incident... (Associated Press)

A burned keyboard lies on the floor of Rancho Barnardo Baptist Church which was damaged by fire Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. Wildfire survivors worshipped at church services Sunday... (Associated Press)

Santa Ana winds were largely responsible for stoking wildfires that rages across California last week. This weekend's forecast calls for a resurgence of the winds. (Getty Images)

A sky crane helicopter being used for the fire fighting effort scoops up water from the 9th hole at the TPC Valencia golf coarse in Valencia, Calif., as smoke rises from the Stevenson Ranch fire north... (Associated Press)

A helicopter readies to drop water unto a wildfire in Running Springs, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. A merciful easing of the winds fueling Southern California's sprawling wildfires finally gave fire... (Associated Press)

Frank Santoya a member of the California Fire Office of the state Fire Marshall, surveys the fire damage in the Rancho Bernardo section of San DiegoTuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Light Winds Aid LA Firefighters

But season for conflagration-fueling winds has just begun

(NEWSER) - Firefighters made progress early today in containing two Los Angeles-area fires, as calm winds prevented the flames from blazing a path to the Pacific Ocean, the Los Angeles Times reports. The older of the two fires, the Marek blaze, was 80% contained, and firefighters have begun to cut containment lines for the second fire, which now covers 13,200 acres. More»

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

(NEWSER) - Thousands of California firefighters battled a huge blaze today that threatened homes in Santa Barbara County, but lost ground to another fire near Big Sur, the Los Angeles Times reports. And weather likely will not help: Winds, lightning strikes, and fierce heat are expected to hit the state this week. "That just gives us a day of lull," a forest service official said. "The calm before the storm." More»

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

(NEWSER) - California residents have been ordered to evacuate the coastal resort Big Sur as wildfires rage in the hills above the town, USA Today reports. Ash rained on people as they packed cars before fleeing to safety. The Big Sur blaze is one of more than 1,100 wildfires in the state, mostly ignited by lightning, that have charred 680 square miles and destroyed 60 homes. More»

Yosemite Fire Scorches 5K Acres

Skies still blue over park despite huge blaze

(NEWSER) - After five days of hard work, firefighters are making good progress against a wildfire raging near Yosemite National Park. The fire—started when a propane tank on a motor home traveling on one the main roads into the park exploded—has burned more than 5,000 acres and forced the evacuation of hundreds of people, reports the San Francisco Chronicle . More than a thousand firefighters are battling the blaze along steep canyon slopes. More»

California: Too Broke for More Fires

At least not without major help from Uncle Sam

(NEWSER) - California’s wildfires haven’t just destroyed property and forestland, they’ve also scorched the state’s beleaguered budget, Time reports. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't lay a finger on the state's forestry budget of $518 million, and more than doubled the state’s emergency fund for fighting wildfires this year to $182 million, but $108 million of that has already been spent. “We have literally burned through more than half of the emergency fire fund,” said a Finance Department spokesman. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Windy, Dry Forecast Worries CA

Golden State braces for dangerous weekend with emergency crews on alert

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Arnold Schwarzenegger • National Guard • humidity • wildfires • Santa Ana winds • California wildfires

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Light Winds Aid LA Firefighters

But season for conflagration-fueling winds has just begun

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

Yosemite Fire Scorches 5K Acres

Skies still blue over park despite huge blaze

California: Too Broke for More Fires

At least not without major help from Uncle Sam

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Windy, Dry Forecast Worries CA

Golden State braces for dangerous weekend with emergency crews on alert

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Arnold Schwarzenegger • National Guard • humidity • wildfires • Santa Ana winds • California wildfires

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Light Winds Aid LA Firefighters

But season for conflagration-fueling winds has just begun

Calif. Firefighters Battle 2 Huge Blazes

Predicted heat wave will magnify 1,700 fires in Calif.

Big Sur Evacuated as Fires Rage

680 square miles scorched by wildfires

Yosemite Fire Scorches 5K Acres

Skies still blue over park despite huge blaze

California: Too Broke for More Fires

At least not without major help from Uncle Sam

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?