Southern California warning

[Scrooge]

As this is turning into something pretty bad I feel the need to make sure that every member (and non member for that matter) knows what is going on in So Cal right now for their own safety.

If you have a trip planned to that area over the next couple of weeks please check to make sure you will not be affected.

There are a number of wildfires roaming across San Bernardino and San Diego counties, all of which (in the words of the fire fighters) are 100% not contained, meaning it is going to be a while before these things even start to get under control.

Please be very careful on choosing the routes you take around this area and if in doubt avoid the area in general.

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[Pete]

Ok... Was planning to head out to Caramillo on the 101 out of LA in a couple of weeks time. In light of this, is that a really bad idea, or just proceed with caution?

Highways *feel* as though they're going to be a safe option, but appreciate the local knowledge.

Well although the highways can't catch on fire there are a lot of unexpected closings if visibility is terrible.

[Scrooge]

Honestly Pete, you will have to play it by ear, but you should be ok out there.

Highways won't catch fire, but if the fire decides it wants to jump the freeway they will close it down.

Apparently up to 7 counties are at risk

45.

[buns]

I can only echo what Scrooge has warned of.

Back in October 2003, there were similar fires in the San Bernardino mountains and this forced road closures on the main route between LA and Las Vegas. Mrs buns and I were fortunate to get through between road closures, but arrived in Las Vegas to find the place covered in cloud/smoke and ash[:0][:0]

I even recall as the aircraft approached LA the smoke was visible and I swear I could smell it through the ventilation

buns

[ChuckC]

As of Wednesday morning at 10AM GMT the latest update is that nearly one million people are being evacuated out of the path of these fires, the largest movement of US residents since the Civil War. The government has declared a Federal emergency.

Chuck-

[Bazz]

The Santa Anna winds which are driving the rapid spread of these fires are expected to lighten over the next few days providing some respite and hopefully allowing the fire department to go on the offense rather than just adopting defensive strategy the Govenor's office reported overnight.

[Bazz]

The Govenor's Office website has an interesting graphic giving a concise breakdown of each fire. Link

{Edit by Bazz on 25/10/07 because they changed the link to the map! [n]}

And I am in San Diego. I got here just before the fires started. I am OK as I am on Coronado. The fires have jumped the interstate 5. The road has now re-opened. However, things seem to be improving slowly but there are 500,000 evacuated to places like sports stadias and schools.

There is fine ash everywhere and the sun can be obscured by smoke, many miles from the southern fire. Air quality is poor.

My flight (PE) to LAX was very poor. To cap it all I found out from my daughter who flew in Y, that they received 2 pre-dinner drinks and 2 top-ups of wine with the meal. In PE we had 1 pre-dinner drink and no wine top-ups. That went very well with a stone cold hot towel and a cabin crew member who accused me of loosing the menu! To cap it all, I was offered lemon with my G&T and she had none and promised to get some but never did!!!

The crew did nothing to prevent Y passengers using the PE toilets (on the PE side of the dividing curtains).

(Pre-flight, we were told in the lounge to use the priority boarding line and the UC/gold passengers were shown the back of the single queue.)

I hope that the roads are open to allow me to get back to LA next Monday but I am not looking forward to the flight. Virgin is now just like any other large airline without the advantage of a big route network. The magic has gone; it is all very ordinary.

Golden Oldie

Originally posted by Goldenoldie


My flight (PE) to LAX was very poor. To cap it all I found out from my daughter who flew in Y, that they received 2 pre-dinner drinks and 2 top-ups of wine with the meal. In PE we had 1 pre-dinner drink and no wine top-ups.
(Pre-flight, we were told in the lounge to use the priority boarding line and the UC/gold passengers were shown the back of the single queue.)

Both of these issues also occurred on my flight to SFO from LHR on Monday 22nd. This appears to be a regular occurrence, based upon my last few trips.

I think it's time for some feedback.

Dear Jackenapes

To your observations of petulance and confusions please add 'fear'. If you had spent the last 4 days being covered in fine ash, seeing the sun obscured by dense smoke and having to breath very bad air you might be so too. There are many here who have been very afraid.

Golden Oldie

I am in OC and visibility is zero and there is ash everywhere, it actually appeared to be snowing yesterday afternoon there was so much ash falling.

P.S. I find the VS service increasing ordinary even if there are no fires.

[Scrooge]

Could we please reserve this thread for any info on the fire's that may be off help to our fellow members and save the reviews of the service on VS flights for other threads and trip reports.