WKN Weer, Klimaat en Natuurrampen
Lees alles over het onstuimige weer op onze planeet, volg orkanen en tornado's, zie hoe vulkanen uitbarsten en hoe Moeder Aarde beeft bij een aardbeving. Alles over de verwoestende kracht van onze planeet en tal van andere natuurverschijnselen.
LOS ANGELES - Door een grote bosbrand in het zuiden van de Amerikaanse staat Californië hebben vijfhonderd gezinnen hun woning moeten verlaten.
Het vuur wordt aangewakkerd door een sterke wind en ongebruikelijk hoge temperaturen, meldde de Californische brandweer, die met achthonderd mensen en 120 brandweerwagens de vlammen onder controle probeert te krijgen.
De inwonenden van twee dorpen ten zuidoosten van Los Angeles moesten hun huizen uit toen de vuurzee de randen van hun dorpen bereikte. Vermoedelijk is een aangestoken auto de oorzaak van de bosbrand. (Telegraaf)
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A fast moving brush fire sent flames leaping into backyards and forced more than 1,200 southern California residents out of their hillside homes on a sweltering Sunday of gusty winds after months of drought.
Firefighters said two outbuildings were destroyed and two homes were damaged and more than 2,000 acres were burned as the fire threatened the upscale Anaheim Hills neighborhood in Orange County, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
By late Sunday, the fire was 30 percent contained, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Southern California was under an extremely high-risk fire warning over the weekend as hot winds drove temperatures up to around 90 (32 C) degrees inland after one of driest winters on record.
Less than 2 1/2 inches of rain have fallen in Los Angeles in the rain year than started in July 2006 compared to a normal annual total of about 11 1/2 inches.
Peak fire season is June-October but fire officials warn southern Californians to be on alert constantly. "Southern California fire season is a year round event," said Julie Hutchinson of the California Department of Forestry.
Fire and police officials went door to door or used megaphones to order residents out as the flames crept within half a mile of the hillside community. Emergency shelters were set up in schools and community centers for families, pets and horses. Later in the day, some of the mandatory evacuations were downgraded to voluntary, an Anaheim city spokesman said. Continued...
Het vuur wordt aangewakkerd door een sterke wind en ongebruikelijk hoge temperaturen, meldde de Californische brandweer, die met achthonderd mensen en 120 brandweerwagens de vlammen onder controle probeert te krijgen.
De inwonenden van twee dorpen ten zuidoosten van Los Angeles moesten hun huizen uit toen de vuurzee de randen van hun dorpen bereikte. Vermoedelijk is een aangestoken auto de oorzaak van de bosbrand. (Telegraaf)
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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A fast moving brush fire sent flames leaping into backyards and forced more than 1,200 southern California residents out of their hillside homes on a sweltering Sunday of gusty winds after months of drought.
Firefighters said two outbuildings were destroyed and two homes were damaged and more than 2,000 acres were burned as the fire threatened the upscale Anaheim Hills neighborhood in Orange County, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
By late Sunday, the fire was 30 percent contained, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Southern California was under an extremely high-risk fire warning over the weekend as hot winds drove temperatures up to around 90 (32 C) degrees inland after one of driest winters on record.
Less than 2 1/2 inches of rain have fallen in Los Angeles in the rain year than started in July 2006 compared to a normal annual total of about 11 1/2 inches.
Peak fire season is June-October but fire officials warn southern Californians to be on alert constantly. "Southern California fire season is a year round event," said Julie Hutchinson of the California Department of Forestry.
Fire and police officials went door to door or used megaphones to order residents out as the flames crept within half a mile of the hillside community. Emergency shelters were set up in schools and community centers for families, pets and horses. Later in the day, some of the mandatory evacuations were downgraded to voluntary, an Anaheim city spokesman said. Continued...
Aanvullend, Volgens CNN:
ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Fueled by strong winds and dry weather, a small brush fire quickly erupted Sunday, burning 2,036 acres of parched hillside and charring two houses while families in over 500 homes were evacuated.
The 3-square-mile blaze damaged two other structures and threatened hundreds of homes through the day, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority. But by late Sunday, no homes were being threatened and most evacuees were able to return home.
The two homes were mostly damaged on their roofs from falling embers, said Miller. Details on damage to the structures was not immediately available.
"The good news is that we haven't lost any homes completely," said Miller.
The fire was 30 percent contained late Sunday, and firefighters hoped to have full containment by Monday night, said Miller.
Though slowing winds helped firefighters make headway, there were still a some hotspots that could flare up and threaten homes if strong winds returned, authorities said.
"Things are looking good," said Orange Fire Capt. Ian MacDonald. "We have a little breeze tonight, but nothing compared to earlier today."
The fire, stoked by hot dry winds and fueled by chaparral, spread south and west quickly in an unincorporated part of Orange County and threatened multimillion-dollar homes here and in Anaheim Hills, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Authorities said the blaze may have been started by a vehicle fire, and were investigating if the car was stolen and set on fire to destroy evidence.
Through the afternoon, winds blowing up to 35 mph had made firefighting difficult for the more than 800 firefighters on the scene. Daytime temperatures were in the 90s and humidity was at 5 percent. (Watch flames leap up toward house )
Richard Steffy said he saw the fire out his window when he awoke Sunday morning.
"Boom, billows of smoke," he said. "It looked so close."
Firefighters were aided by helicopters and planes dropping water and retardant on the flames, and police went door to door to warn residents to evacuate.
The area, like much of Southern California, is under a red flag alert, indicating a high fire danger. A prolonged drought has left the chaparral-covered hills highly combustible. (Watch official on when to evacuate )
Fleeing fires has become a part of life for many residents.
Susan Snell, who has lived in Anaheim Hills for 23 years, followed a well-worn routine Sunday: She put her cat in a carrier, packed tax and insurance papers and photographs and found a good vantage point.
"It's freaky what you end up taking with you," she said as she watched television at the Anaheim Hills Community Center for updates. (Watch residents talk about fleeing )
Meanwhile, another brush fire had started about 20 miles away in Corona in Riverside County, said Capt. Julie Hutchinson from the California Department of Forestry. It had consumed about 25 acres but didn't threaten any houses, said Hutchinson.
ANAHEIM, California (AP) -- Fueled by strong winds and dry weather, a small brush fire quickly erupted Sunday, burning 2,036 acres of parched hillside and charring two houses while families in over 500 homes were evacuated.
The 3-square-mile blaze damaged two other structures and threatened hundreds of homes through the day, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority. But by late Sunday, no homes were being threatened and most evacuees were able to return home.
The two homes were mostly damaged on their roofs from falling embers, said Miller. Details on damage to the structures was not immediately available.
"The good news is that we haven't lost any homes completely," said Miller.
The fire was 30 percent contained late Sunday, and firefighters hoped to have full containment by Monday night, said Miller.
Though slowing winds helped firefighters make headway, there were still a some hotspots that could flare up and threaten homes if strong winds returned, authorities said.
"Things are looking good," said Orange Fire Capt. Ian MacDonald. "We have a little breeze tonight, but nothing compared to earlier today."
The fire, stoked by hot dry winds and fueled by chaparral, spread south and west quickly in an unincorporated part of Orange County and threatened multimillion-dollar homes here and in Anaheim Hills, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Authorities said the blaze may have been started by a vehicle fire, and were investigating if the car was stolen and set on fire to destroy evidence.
Through the afternoon, winds blowing up to 35 mph had made firefighting difficult for the more than 800 firefighters on the scene. Daytime temperatures were in the 90s and humidity was at 5 percent. (Watch flames leap up toward house )
Richard Steffy said he saw the fire out his window when he awoke Sunday morning.
"Boom, billows of smoke," he said. "It looked so close."
Firefighters were aided by helicopters and planes dropping water and retardant on the flames, and police went door to door to warn residents to evacuate.
The area, like much of Southern California, is under a red flag alert, indicating a high fire danger. A prolonged drought has left the chaparral-covered hills highly combustible. (Watch official on when to evacuate )
Fleeing fires has become a part of life for many residents.
Susan Snell, who has lived in Anaheim Hills for 23 years, followed a well-worn routine Sunday: She put her cat in a carrier, packed tax and insurance papers and photographs and found a good vantage point.
"It's freaky what you end up taking with you," she said as she watched television at the Anaheim Hills Community Center for updates. (Watch residents talk about fleeing )
Meanwhile, another brush fire had started about 20 miles away in Corona in Riverside County, said Capt. Julie Hutchinson from the California Department of Forestry. It had consumed about 25 acres but didn't threaten any houses, said Hutchinson.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A stolen Honda Civic that was set ablaze sparked a wildfire that threatened houses in the hills southeast of Los Angeles and forced hundreds to temporarily evacuate, officials said Monday.
Anaheim investigators were reviewing security videotape from early Sunday taken at a toll road in an attempt to identify whoever ditched the car, city spokesman John Nicoletti said.
The 3-square-mile blaze, which damaged one home and two outbuildings, was 80 percent contained Monday afternoon, up from just 30 percent early in the day, fire officials reported. Another home initially reported as damaged was not harmed, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Firefighters predicted the fire would be fully contained by Tuesday morning.
• Speakout!: Should taxpayers cover the cost of homes damaged by Calif. wildfires?
A red flag alert, indicating high fire danger, remained in effect in much of Southern California, where a prolonged drought has made the chaparral-covered hills highly combustible.
"With the current conditions we're seeing, if we do have fires, we're looking at real extreme fire behavior," Miller said.
A 1,044-acre blaze that began Sunday in rural Riverside County was declared controlled Monday evening.
The Anaheim wildfire was reported Sunday morning, and hot, dry wind quickly spread it through an unincorporated neighborhood where it threatened multimillion-dollar homes about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Residents of about 500 homes were evacuated but most were able to return Sunday night.
Temperatures hit record highs for March 11 in many spots, including 97 in nearby Fullerton. The city's previous record high for the day was 84 degrees in 1959. The wind gusted to 49 mph and humidity hovered around 5 percent.
Monday was a bit cooler, with highs in the 80s and 90s, and a 10-degree drop was expected Tuesday.
The last time it was this dry was more than 80 years ago, when 2.5 inches of rain were recorded through March 22, 1924. Only about 2.4 inches of rain have fallen on downtown Los Angeles since July 1. Normal annual rainfall in Los Angeles is 11.43 inches.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather models suggest that an emerging La Nina pattern of cold water in the tropical Pacific will keep the area dry.
Anaheim investigators were reviewing security videotape from early Sunday taken at a toll road in an attempt to identify whoever ditched the car, city spokesman John Nicoletti said.
The 3-square-mile blaze, which damaged one home and two outbuildings, was 80 percent contained Monday afternoon, up from just 30 percent early in the day, fire officials reported. Another home initially reported as damaged was not harmed, said Capt. Steve Miller of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Firefighters predicted the fire would be fully contained by Tuesday morning.
• Speakout!: Should taxpayers cover the cost of homes damaged by Calif. wildfires?
A red flag alert, indicating high fire danger, remained in effect in much of Southern California, where a prolonged drought has made the chaparral-covered hills highly combustible.
"With the current conditions we're seeing, if we do have fires, we're looking at real extreme fire behavior," Miller said.
A 1,044-acre blaze that began Sunday in rural Riverside County was declared controlled Monday evening.
The Anaheim wildfire was reported Sunday morning, and hot, dry wind quickly spread it through an unincorporated neighborhood where it threatened multimillion-dollar homes about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
Residents of about 500 homes were evacuated but most were able to return Sunday night.
Temperatures hit record highs for March 11 in many spots, including 97 in nearby Fullerton. The city's previous record high for the day was 84 degrees in 1959. The wind gusted to 49 mph and humidity hovered around 5 percent.
Monday was a bit cooler, with highs in the 80s and 90s, and a 10-degree drop was expected Tuesday.
The last time it was this dry was more than 80 years ago, when 2.5 inches of rain were recorded through March 22, 1924. Only about 2.4 inches of rain have fallen on downtown Los Angeles since July 1. Normal annual rainfall in Los Angeles is 11.43 inches.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather models suggest that an emerging La Nina pattern of cold water in the tropical Pacific will keep the area dry.
Ach ja... hoe vervelend ook. California staat tegenwoordig ook synoniem voor bosbranden
en... aardbevingen alhoewel de laatste de laatste tijd het laat afweten. Dat mensen toch nog
in de staat willen wonen.
en... aardbevingen alhoewel de laatste de laatste tijd het laat afweten. Dat mensen toch nog
Dat mensen toch nog in de staat willen wonen.
LOS ANGELES — A brush fire erupted in a rugged area of the Hollywood Hills on Friday.
The fire started next to the Oakwood Toluca Hills, a corporate housing complex northwest of downtown, and spread up the north face of the hills. A column of smoke roiled into the sky behind the famous Hollywood sign that stands on the south face of the hills.
Some 150 firefighters and five helicopters battled the flames, said Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers.
There were no reports of structural damage and no formal evacuations, he said.
"I don't know the exact last date we've seen a fire in this particular area but the hills are prone to fires throughout the year," he said. "This is just a little bit earlier than what we normally see."
Southern California is parched after an extremely dry winter that left rainfall levels far below normal.
The Hollywood Hills bisect Los Angeles, forming the southern side of the San Fernando Valley.
The blaze started between the east side of Universal City and the western side of sprawling Griffith Park.
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Best dikke rookwolken zojuist op CNN..en ze kunnen d'r nie goed bij
straks vliegen die Hollywood lettertjes nog de hens in
The fire started next to the Oakwood Toluca Hills, a corporate housing complex northwest of downtown, and spread up the north face of the hills. A column of smoke roiled into the sky behind the famous Hollywood sign that stands on the south face of the hills.
Some 150 firefighters and five helicopters battled the flames, said Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers.
There were no reports of structural damage and no formal evacuations, he said.
"I don't know the exact last date we've seen a fire in this particular area but the hills are prone to fires throughout the year," he said. "This is just a little bit earlier than what we normally see."
Southern California is parched after an extremely dry winter that left rainfall levels far below normal.
The Hollywood Hills bisect Los Angeles, forming the southern side of the San Fernando Valley.
The blaze started between the east side of Universal City and the western side of sprawling Griffith Park.
----------
Best dikke rookwolken zojuist op CNN..en ze kunnen d'r nie goed bij
straks vliegen die Hollywood lettertjes nog de hens in
LOS ANGELES Mar 30, 2007 (AP)— Firefighters were working to contain a fast-moving brush fire Friday that sent smoke seeping into the Warner Bros. studios and towering high in the sky behind the famous Hollywood sign.
The 24-acre blaze started near a corporate housing complex east of Universal City, south of the Warner Bros. studios complex in Burbank.
"The studio is fairly filled with smoke at the moment," said Scott Rowe, vice president of corporate communications for Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It's at our back door. I think a couple of our entrances have been closed at this point and we're operating normally but that could change any minute."
Some 150 firefighters with five helicopters battled the flames, which covered less than a square mile, Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said. There were no reports of structural damage, he said.
The region had an extremely dry winter with little rainfall, leaving much of the area parched.
"I don't know the exact last date we've seen a fire in this particular area but the hills are prone to fires throughout the year," Myers said. "This is just a little bit earlier than what we normally see."
The Hollywood Hills bisect Los Angeles, forming the southern side of the San Fernando Valley.
The 24-acre blaze started near a corporate housing complex east of Universal City, south of the Warner Bros. studios complex in Burbank.
"The studio is fairly filled with smoke at the moment," said Scott Rowe, vice president of corporate communications for Warner Bros. Entertainment. "It's at our back door. I think a couple of our entrances have been closed at this point and we're operating normally but that could change any minute."
Some 150 firefighters with five helicopters battled the flames, which covered less than a square mile, Fire Department spokesman Ron Myers said. There were no reports of structural damage, he said.
The region had an extremely dry winter with little rainfall, leaving much of the area parched.
"I don't know the exact last date we've seen a fire in this particular area but the hills are prone to fires throughout the year," Myers said. "This is just a little bit earlier than what we normally see."
The Hollywood Hills bisect Los Angeles, forming the southern side of the San Fernando Valley.
Teens admit setting fire in Hollywood Hills
LOS ANGELES — A wildfire that authorities say was ignited by two teenagers tore through the brush-covered hills surrounding the famous Hollywood sign Friday, putting a scare into the city but doing little damage other than coating the area in a thick blanket of smoke.
The fire was relatively small — only 150 acres — but it attracted attention as smoke roiled into the sky behind the sign. At the height of the blaze, dozens of people gathered at the foot of the hills to take pictures of the landmark surrounded by smoke.
"If it burns, we would be losing an icon," said Russ Mitchell, a Los Angeles resident.
The fire began shortly before 1 p.m. next to the Oakwood Toluca Hills, a corporate housing complex northwest of downtown, and spread rapidly up the hillside before being contained about three hours later.
Authorities said two boys, ages 16 and 17, from Illinois later walked into a police station and acknowledged causing the fire. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters the two, who were visiting Los Angeles with their parents, had been staying at the Oakwood complex.
Both boys were later booked for investigation of reckless setting of a fire, said Ron Myers, a fire department spokesman. They were released to their parents, and the case will be sent to county prosecutors Monday for possible charges, Myers said.
One building at the Oakwood housing complex, a popular place among aspiring child actors and other entertainment professionals, was evacuated at the request of firefighters.
Nathan Stevenson, a 20-year-old actor from Toronto in town for the TV pilot season, was in nearby Universal City when he got a call about the fire and rushed home.
"I wanted to make sure to get my clothes out of the apartment. I brought my entire wardrobe here. I've got a lot of money in this place," Stevenson said.
Some 200 firefighters and five helicopters battled the flames. There were no reports of structural damage.
LOS ANGELES — A wildfire that authorities say was ignited by two teenagers tore through the brush-covered hills surrounding the famous Hollywood sign Friday, putting a scare into the city but doing little damage other than coating the area in a thick blanket of smoke.
The fire was relatively small — only 150 acres — but it attracted attention as smoke roiled into the sky behind the sign. At the height of the blaze, dozens of people gathered at the foot of the hills to take pictures of the landmark surrounded by smoke.
"If it burns, we would be losing an icon," said Russ Mitchell, a Los Angeles resident.
The fire began shortly before 1 p.m. next to the Oakwood Toluca Hills, a corporate housing complex northwest of downtown, and spread rapidly up the hillside before being contained about three hours later.
Authorities said two boys, ages 16 and 17, from Illinois later walked into a police station and acknowledged causing the fire. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters the two, who were visiting Los Angeles with their parents, had been staying at the Oakwood complex.
Both boys were later booked for investigation of reckless setting of a fire, said Ron Myers, a fire department spokesman. They were released to their parents, and the case will be sent to county prosecutors Monday for possible charges, Myers said.
One building at the Oakwood housing complex, a popular place among aspiring child actors and other entertainment professionals, was evacuated at the request of firefighters.
Nathan Stevenson, a 20-year-old actor from Toronto in town for the TV pilot season, was in nearby Universal City when he got a call about the fire and rushed home.
"I wanted to make sure to get my clothes out of the apartment. I brought my entire wardrobe here. I've got a lot of money in this place," Stevenson said.
Some 200 firefighters and five helicopters battled the flames. There were no reports of structural damage.
Vlammen laaien op bij Hollywood-teken (Nieuws.NL)
Novum/AP) - Achter het Hollywood-teken in de heuvels van Los Angeles heeft vrijdag urenlang brand gewoed. Vanuit de stad leek het erop dat de witte letters in brand stonden.
Twee jongens van 16 en 17 hebben volgens burgemeester Antonio Villaraigosa toegegeven dat ze de brand hebben aangestoken. De jongens zijn voor vakantie in Los Angeles, met hun familie uit de Amerikaanse staat Illinois. Ze verbleven in een appartementencomplex, vlak bij de witte letters.
Na hun bekentenis zijn ze overdragen aan hun ouders. Maandag wordt bij huin boorgeleiding besloten of ze worden vervolgd. Villaraigosa zei dat de jongens oud genoeg zijn om te weten dat ze fout bezig waren.
Meer dan tweehonderd brandweermannen en vijf blushelikopters zijn ingezet om de metershoge vlammen te blussen. Omwonenden en het Hollywood-teken zijn niet in gevaar geweest. Nabijgelegen studio's van filmproducent Warner Brothers waren gevuld met rook.
Novum/AP) - Achter het Hollywood-teken in de heuvels van Los Angeles heeft vrijdag urenlang brand gewoed. Vanuit de stad leek het erop dat de witte letters in brand stonden.
Twee jongens van 16 en 17 hebben volgens burgemeester Antonio Villaraigosa toegegeven dat ze de brand hebben aangestoken. De jongens zijn voor vakantie in Los Angeles, met hun familie uit de Amerikaanse staat Illinois. Ze verbleven in een appartementencomplex, vlak bij de witte letters.
Na hun bekentenis zijn ze overdragen aan hun ouders. Maandag wordt bij huin boorgeleiding besloten of ze worden vervolgd. Villaraigosa zei dat de jongens oud genoeg zijn om te weten dat ze fout bezig waren.
Meer dan tweehonderd brandweermannen en vijf blushelikopters zijn ingezet om de metershoge vlammen te blussen. Omwonenden en het Hollywood-teken zijn niet in gevaar geweest. Nabijgelegen studio's van filmproducent Warner Brothers waren gevuld met rook.
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The flames of an urban brush fire lit up the nighttime sky as it roared through portions of Los Angeles' landmark Griffith Park.
The spreading flames prompted mandatory evacuations Tuesday in the Los Feliz neighborhood on the south side of the park, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A shelter was set up at nearby Marshall High School
The fire "laid down" overnight, and firefighters hoped to be able to extinguish it on Wednesday, Fire Chief Douglas Barry told reporters. No homes were in immediate danger from the flames.
Arson investigators were questioning a person of interest in connection with the blaze, Barry said. The man was being treated for burns.
Officials were probing whether the blaze started after a person discarded a cigarette at a golf course in the park, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET). Barry said early Wednesday that the blaze had burned about 600 acres of the 4,200-acre park.
Barry said hot, dry conditions and the steep terrain of the park were hampering firefighters' efforts to control it. Swirling winds were also presenting a problem, he said.
"This fire has danced around like nothing I've ever seen," Los Angeles City Council Member Tom LaBonge told reporters, adding that the fire had destroyed a terraced garden known as Dante's View.
The fire was 20 percent contained at 10 p.m. (1 a.m. ET Wednesday).
"We will be working well into the night to make sure we get this fire controlled and get a containment line around it," Deputy Fire Chief Mario Ruda told reporters. An estimated 200 firefighters were battling the flames, and eight helicopters were used at the height of the blaze.
The park is in the Hollywood Hills, about 10 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. It includes golf courses, tennis courts, the city's zoo and botanical gardens and the copper-domed Griffith Park Observatory.
The bright orange glow of the fire provided a striking backdrop for the white facade of the observatory into the evening hours.
Visitors and nonessential workers were ordered to leave the zoo when the fire broke out, but none of the facility's animals were being evacuated, spokesman Jason Jacobs told CNN.
The picturesque park has been used as a location for numerous television shows and films, including 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" and 1985's "Back to the Future."
=======================================
LOS ANGELES — A wildfire roared across brush-covered hills in the city's sprawling Griffith Park on Tuesday, triggering evacuations of homes and some of the city's most famous landmarks.
A wall of flames raced across ridges and jumped fire lines late in the evening as the fire drew closer to homes and the Griffith Observatory, one of the locations for the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause."
Hundreds of firefighters and five water-dropping helicopters rushed to the landmark park — a mix of wilderness, cultural venues, horse and hiking trails and recreational facilities set on more than 4,000 acres on the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.
Late Tuesday, authorities called for a mandatory evacuation of homes that sit along the park's southern edge as the fire burned out of control. Helicopters flew dangerous water-dropping missions after dark and no homes were lost by late evening.
Police officers drove through the parkside Los Feliz district ordering people out. "You need to evacuate, you need to evacuate your houses immediately," one said. "The fire is coming toward the neighborhood."
Residents helped direct traffic through tight neighborhood streets.
"I was just able to get a few things," said Ed Stephan, 83, who helped his wife into their car as ashes fell from the sky. "We're not too worried but want to get out of here and observe the law."
More than 200 residents were expected at an evacuation center, said fire Capt. Antoine McNight.
The fire destroyed Dante's View, a trailside terraced garden on Mount Hollywood, said City Councilman Tom LaBonge. "This is a very sad night for Los Angeles," he said.
Rangers evacuated the park's Vermont Canyon area, which includes the Los Angeles Zoo, two golf facilities, a merry-go-round and school, said Jane Kolb, a city Department of Recreation and Parks spokeswoman.
Fire Capt. Rex Vilaubi said the evacuations were voluntary and the areas were not in imminent danger of being overrun.
Nearly 1,300 utility customers lost power in Los Feliz when flames downed power lines, said Department of Water and Power spokesman Joe Ramallo.
Authorities were investigating whether the fire broke out after a person discarded a cigarette at one of the park's golf courses, a law enforcement official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
The person tried to put out the fire but was badly burned and was taken to Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, the official said.
The blaze erupted on the second day of a heat spell. The National Weather Service said downtown hit 97 degrees, 23 degrees above normal, tying the record for the date.
In 1933 the area was the site of one of nation's worst wildland firefighting tragedies, a blaze that killed 25 firefighters.
The spreading flames prompted mandatory evacuations Tuesday in the Los Feliz neighborhood on the south side of the park, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A shelter was set up at nearby Marshall High School
The fire "laid down" overnight, and firefighters hoped to be able to extinguish it on Wednesday, Fire Chief Douglas Barry told reporters. No homes were in immediate danger from the flames.
Arson investigators were questioning a person of interest in connection with the blaze, Barry said. The man was being treated for burns.
Officials were probing whether the blaze started after a person discarded a cigarette at a golf course in the park, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The fire broke out about 1:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET). Barry said early Wednesday that the blaze had burned about 600 acres of the 4,200-acre park.
Barry said hot, dry conditions and the steep terrain of the park were hampering firefighters' efforts to control it. Swirling winds were also presenting a problem, he said.
"This fire has danced around like nothing I've ever seen," Los Angeles City Council Member Tom LaBonge told reporters, adding that the fire had destroyed a terraced garden known as Dante's View.
The fire was 20 percent contained at 10 p.m. (1 a.m. ET Wednesday).
"We will be working well into the night to make sure we get this fire controlled and get a containment line around it," Deputy Fire Chief Mario Ruda told reporters. An estimated 200 firefighters were battling the flames, and eight helicopters were used at the height of the blaze.
The park is in the Hollywood Hills, about 10 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. It includes golf courses, tennis courts, the city's zoo and botanical gardens and the copper-domed Griffith Park Observatory.
The bright orange glow of the fire provided a striking backdrop for the white facade of the observatory into the evening hours.
Visitors and nonessential workers were ordered to leave the zoo when the fire broke out, but none of the facility's animals were being evacuated, spokesman Jason Jacobs told CNN.
The picturesque park has been used as a location for numerous television shows and films, including 1955's "Rebel Without a Cause" and 1985's "Back to the Future."
=======================================
LOS ANGELES — A wildfire roared across brush-covered hills in the city's sprawling Griffith Park on Tuesday, triggering evacuations of homes and some of the city's most famous landmarks.
A wall of flames raced across ridges and jumped fire lines late in the evening as the fire drew closer to homes and the Griffith Observatory, one of the locations for the 1955 film "Rebel Without a Cause."
Hundreds of firefighters and five water-dropping helicopters rushed to the landmark park — a mix of wilderness, cultural venues, horse and hiking trails and recreational facilities set on more than 4,000 acres on the hills between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley.
Late Tuesday, authorities called for a mandatory evacuation of homes that sit along the park's southern edge as the fire burned out of control. Helicopters flew dangerous water-dropping missions after dark and no homes were lost by late evening.
Police officers drove through the parkside Los Feliz district ordering people out. "You need to evacuate, you need to evacuate your houses immediately," one said. "The fire is coming toward the neighborhood."
Residents helped direct traffic through tight neighborhood streets.
"I was just able to get a few things," said Ed Stephan, 83, who helped his wife into their car as ashes fell from the sky. "We're not too worried but want to get out of here and observe the law."
More than 200 residents were expected at an evacuation center, said fire Capt. Antoine McNight.
The fire destroyed Dante's View, a trailside terraced garden on Mount Hollywood, said City Councilman Tom LaBonge. "This is a very sad night for Los Angeles," he said.
Rangers evacuated the park's Vermont Canyon area, which includes the Los Angeles Zoo, two golf facilities, a merry-go-round and school, said Jane Kolb, a city Department of Recreation and Parks spokeswoman.
Fire Capt. Rex Vilaubi said the evacuations were voluntary and the areas were not in imminent danger of being overrun.
Nearly 1,300 utility customers lost power in Los Feliz when flames downed power lines, said Department of Water and Power spokesman Joe Ramallo.
Authorities were investigating whether the fire broke out after a person discarded a cigarette at one of the park's golf courses, a law enforcement official familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
The person tried to put out the fire but was badly burned and was taken to Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, the official said.
The blaze erupted on the second day of a heat spell. The National Weather Service said downtown hit 97 degrees, 23 degrees above normal, tying the record for the date.
In 1933 the area was the site of one of nation's worst wildland firefighting tragedies, a blaze that killed 25 firefighters.
nieuwsdump?
Daar is FOK! voor toch? Ter informatie
Moet ik ook over elke aardbeving een mening gaan hebben?
Daar is FOK! voor toch? Ter informatie
Moet ik ook over elke aardbeving een mening gaan hebben?
Sorry, dacht dat het in NWS stondquote:Op woensdag 9 mei 2007 09:51 schreef Frutsel het volgende:
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la·rie·koek (de ~ (m.)) 1 onzin
Grote brand in stadspark Los Angeles (Telegraaf)
LOS ANGELES - In het grootste gemeentelijke park van de Verenigde Staten, het Griffith Park ten noordwesten van het centrum van Los Angeles, is dinsdag een felle brand uitgebroken. Het vuur greep door de hoge temperaturen en de sterke wind snel om zich heen. Ongeveer 100 hectare van het ruim 1600 hectare grote park is al in as gelegd, meldden Amerikaanse media.
Honderden brandweerlieden op de grond, die vanuit de lucht worden bijgestaan door blushelikopters, proberen met man en macht de brand te bestrijden. In het park, dat vol staat met Californische eikenbomen, staan onder meer de bekende Los Angeles Zoo, een observatorium en de overbekende Hollywood-letters. Boven de miljoenenstad Los Angeles hangen dikke rookwolken.
De politie ondervraagt op dit moment een jongen van 20 jaar die de brand mogelijk heeft aangestoken. In de heuvels rond Los Angeles woedde eind maart ook al een spectaculaire bosbrand. De vlammen naderden de wereldberoemde witte Hollywood-letters toen tot op 400 meter.
LOS ANGELES - In het grootste gemeentelijke park van de Verenigde Staten, het Griffith Park ten noordwesten van het centrum van Los Angeles, is dinsdag een felle brand uitgebroken. Het vuur greep door de hoge temperaturen en de sterke wind snel om zich heen. Ongeveer 100 hectare van het ruim 1600 hectare grote park is al in as gelegd, meldden Amerikaanse media.
Honderden brandweerlieden op de grond, die vanuit de lucht worden bijgestaan door blushelikopters, proberen met man en macht de brand te bestrijden. In het park, dat vol staat met Californische eikenbomen, staan onder meer de bekende Los Angeles Zoo, een observatorium en de overbekende Hollywood-letters. Boven de miljoenenstad Los Angeles hangen dikke rookwolken.
De politie ondervraagt op dit moment een jongen van 20 jaar die de brand mogelijk heeft aangestoken. In de heuvels rond Los Angeles woedde eind maart ook al een spectaculaire bosbrand. De vlammen naderden de wereldberoemde witte Hollywood-letters toen tot op 400 meter.
A wildfire rages behind the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park north of downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 8, 2007.(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)
De brand in het Griffith Park in Los Angeles is onder controle. Sinds dinsdag woedde er een brand die meer dan 300ha heeft verwoest. Zo'n 300 mensen werden geëvacueerd. Het vuur ontstond vlakbij het Hollywood Sign, vermoedelijk doordat iemand tijdens het roken van een sigaret in slaap was gevallen.
nos
nos
Bosbrand park Los Angeles onder controle (Trouw)
LOS ANGELES (ANP) - Een grote bosbrand die een deel van het enorme stadspark van de Amerikaanse miljoenenstad Los Angeles in de as heeft gelegd, is grotendeels onder controle. Als de wind blijft liggen kunnen waarschijnlijk in de komende uren de laatste kleine brandhaarden worden geblust.
Dat heeft de brandweer woensdagavond laten weten. Ongeveer driehonderd personen in Los Angeles moesten woensdag huis en haard verlaten wegens de brand in het grootste gemeentelijke park van de Verenigde Staten. Honderden brandweermannen, vanuit de lucht bijgestaan door blushelikopters, zijn ingezet om de vuurzee in het Griffith Park te bestrijden.
Media spraken over de ernstigste brand in 46 jaar in de wilde natuur van de stad. Het vuur greep door de hoge temperaturen en de sterke wind snel om zich heen. In de loop van de dag nam de wind in kracht af. Circa 330 hectaren van het bijna 1700 hectare grote park in de heuvels bij Hollywood zijn in de as gelegd.
Verdachte
In het park, dat vol staat met Californische eikenbomen, bevinden zich onder meer de Los Angeles Zoo, het Griffith-observatorium en de overbekende Hollywood-letters. De politie vermoedt dat een 20-jarige jongeman, die met brandwonden naar een ziekenhuis moest, de brand veroorzaakte toen hij met een sigaret in zijn hand in slaap viel in het park. Er is nog geen aanklacht tegen hem ingediend.
In de heuvels rond Los Angeles woedde eind maart ook al een spectaculaire bosbrand. De vlammen naderden de wereldberoemde witte Hollywood-letters toen tot op vierhonderd meter.
LOS ANGELES (ANP) - Een grote bosbrand die een deel van het enorme stadspark van de Amerikaanse miljoenenstad Los Angeles in de as heeft gelegd, is grotendeels onder controle. Als de wind blijft liggen kunnen waarschijnlijk in de komende uren de laatste kleine brandhaarden worden geblust.
Dat heeft de brandweer woensdagavond laten weten. Ongeveer driehonderd personen in Los Angeles moesten woensdag huis en haard verlaten wegens de brand in het grootste gemeentelijke park van de Verenigde Staten. Honderden brandweermannen, vanuit de lucht bijgestaan door blushelikopters, zijn ingezet om de vuurzee in het Griffith Park te bestrijden.
Media spraken over de ernstigste brand in 46 jaar in de wilde natuur van de stad. Het vuur greep door de hoge temperaturen en de sterke wind snel om zich heen. In de loop van de dag nam de wind in kracht af. Circa 330 hectaren van het bijna 1700 hectare grote park in de heuvels bij Hollywood zijn in de as gelegd.
Verdachte
In het park, dat vol staat met Californische eikenbomen, bevinden zich onder meer de Los Angeles Zoo, het Griffith-observatorium en de overbekende Hollywood-letters. De politie vermoedt dat een 20-jarige jongeman, die met brandwonden naar een ziekenhuis moest, de brand veroorzaakte toen hij met een sigaret in zijn hand in slaap viel in het park. Er is nog geen aanklacht tegen hem ingediend.
In de heuvels rond Los Angeles woedde eind maart ook al een spectaculaire bosbrand. De vlammen naderden de wereldberoemde witte Hollywood-letters toen tot op vierhonderd meter.
Flames over Paradise
AVALON, Calif. — A wildfire burned several homes on the edge of Santa Catalina Island's main city Thursday as residents and visitors fled the resort isle more than 20 miles off the Southern California coast.
Firefighters battled flames nipping at the city limits of Avalon, where hundreds of people lined up at its harbor to board ferries back to the mainland. Many covered their faces with towels and bandanas as ashes fell.
Fire Chief Steven Hoefs said a few homes burned, but he did not know how many. The fire scorched more than 4,000 acres, including a commercial building and several storage buildings.
"We're hanging in for now," Hoefs said, estimating that 400 residents evacuated the island.
An orange blaze loomed behind the quaint crescent harbor, the landmark 1929 Catalina Casino and homes, restaurants and tiny hotels that cling to slopes rising sharply above the waterfront. The scene belied the idyllic image of the island cultivated in its 1930s and '40s heyday as a playground for movie stars and in The Four Preps' 1950s hit "26 Miles."
In Avalon, authorities used a bullhorn to urge people to evacuate. Visitors were directed to the historic art deco Casino until it lost electricity, while residents were sent to another part of the harbor.
The island's school and hospital voluntarily evacuated earlier, said Dan Teckenoff, publisher of the Catalina Islander.
The Catalina Express ferry service added four night departures of 400-passenger vessels from Avalon. "We're going to continue to send ferries over there until we're not needed," spokeswoman Elaine Vaughn said.
The blaze erupted at about 12:30 p.m. five miles east of the island's airport. It was fanned by winds moving at 15 mph and gusts of up to 20 mph.
About 160 firefighters, aided by four water-dropping helicopters and three retardant-dropping air tankers, battled the flames through most of the day.
National Guard helicopters flew in more firefighters, and dozens of fire engines arrived at Catalina aboard giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton.
Catalina is a long, narrow island covering 76 square miles and is served by ferry boats from Los Angeles, Long Beach and other mainland harbors. Avalon has a population of 3,200 that swells to more than 10,000 on weekends and in summer, according to the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
Resident Steve Adams said he was watching from his deck as helicopters dropped water on flames burning down a ridge toward town.
"Half the town has already been evacuated," Adams said by telephone.
A family of eight said they had just enough time to pack some clothes and personal papers before fleeing to the beach to catch a ferry.
"I'm scared," said Angelica Romero, 30, holding her 7-month-old daughter. "But what's important is I have my children. The rest doesn't matter."
At the mainland port of Long Beach, island resident Kathy Troeger arrived on a ferry with her three children and a friend's daughter. Her husband, a captain in county fire's Baywatch division, stayed behind to help fight the fire.
"It was like a nightmare when we left," she said. "You couldn't breathe and ash was falling like snow."
AVALON, Calif. — A wildfire burned several homes on the edge of Santa Catalina Island's main city Thursday as residents and visitors fled the resort isle more than 20 miles off the Southern California coast.
Firefighters battled flames nipping at the city limits of Avalon, where hundreds of people lined up at its harbor to board ferries back to the mainland. Many covered their faces with towels and bandanas as ashes fell.
Fire Chief Steven Hoefs said a few homes burned, but he did not know how many. The fire scorched more than 4,000 acres, including a commercial building and several storage buildings.
"We're hanging in for now," Hoefs said, estimating that 400 residents evacuated the island.
An orange blaze loomed behind the quaint crescent harbor, the landmark 1929 Catalina Casino and homes, restaurants and tiny hotels that cling to slopes rising sharply above the waterfront. The scene belied the idyllic image of the island cultivated in its 1930s and '40s heyday as a playground for movie stars and in The Four Preps' 1950s hit "26 Miles."
In Avalon, authorities used a bullhorn to urge people to evacuate. Visitors were directed to the historic art deco Casino until it lost electricity, while residents were sent to another part of the harbor.
The island's school and hospital voluntarily evacuated earlier, said Dan Teckenoff, publisher of the Catalina Islander.
The Catalina Express ferry service added four night departures of 400-passenger vessels from Avalon. "We're going to continue to send ferries over there until we're not needed," spokeswoman Elaine Vaughn said.
The blaze erupted at about 12:30 p.m. five miles east of the island's airport. It was fanned by winds moving at 15 mph and gusts of up to 20 mph.
About 160 firefighters, aided by four water-dropping helicopters and three retardant-dropping air tankers, battled the flames through most of the day.
National Guard helicopters flew in more firefighters, and dozens of fire engines arrived at Catalina aboard giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton.
Catalina is a long, narrow island covering 76 square miles and is served by ferry boats from Los Angeles, Long Beach and other mainland harbors. Avalon has a population of 3,200 that swells to more than 10,000 on weekends and in summer, according to the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
Resident Steve Adams said he was watching from his deck as helicopters dropped water on flames burning down a ridge toward town.
"Half the town has already been evacuated," Adams said by telephone.
A family of eight said they had just enough time to pack some clothes and personal papers before fleeing to the beach to catch a ferry.
"I'm scared," said Angelica Romero, 30, holding her 7-month-old daughter. "But what's important is I have my children. The rest doesn't matter."
At the mainland port of Long Beach, island resident Kathy Troeger arrived on a ferry with her three children and a friend's daughter. Her husband, a captain in county fire's Baywatch division, stayed behind to help fight the fire.
"It was like a nightmare when we left," she said. "You couldn't breathe and ash was falling like snow."
Bosbranden teisteren VS (Nieuws.NL)
de Verenigde Staten woeden verschillende grote bosbranden. Op het eiland Santa Catalina voor de kust van Zuid-Californië brak donderdag brand uit. Verscheidene panden brandden uit en 1.619 hectare grond is verwoest. De inwoners van ongeveer 1.200 huizen vertrokken of werden geëvacueerd. De brand bedreigde de stad Avalon, waar honderden inwoners donderdagavond de boot naar het vaste land namen. De as regende naar beneden 'als sneeuw', zei een eilandbewoonster.
Aan de oostkust, in Georgia, heeft een bosbrand in vijf dagen meer dan veertigduizend hectare grond verwoest, zei de brandweer. In Georgia en Florida woeden al wekenlang bosbranden. Bijna 777 vierkante kilometer is verwoest. De as in de lucht heeft in Florida geleid tot de sluiting van verschillende snelwegen.
In het noorden van Minnesota wakkerde de wind een brand bij een natuurpark aan. De brand heeft sinds zaterdag meer dan 116.550 vierkante kilometer grond en 45 panden verwoest.
de Verenigde Staten woeden verschillende grote bosbranden. Op het eiland Santa Catalina voor de kust van Zuid-Californië brak donderdag brand uit. Verscheidene panden brandden uit en 1.619 hectare grond is verwoest. De inwoners van ongeveer 1.200 huizen vertrokken of werden geëvacueerd. De brand bedreigde de stad Avalon, waar honderden inwoners donderdagavond de boot naar het vaste land namen. De as regende naar beneden 'als sneeuw', zei een eilandbewoonster.
Aan de oostkust, in Georgia, heeft een bosbrand in vijf dagen meer dan veertigduizend hectare grond verwoest, zei de brandweer. In Georgia en Florida woeden al wekenlang bosbranden. Bijna 777 vierkante kilometer is verwoest. De as in de lucht heeft in Florida geleid tot de sluiting van verschillende snelwegen.
In het noorden van Minnesota wakkerde de wind een brand bij een natuurpark aan. De brand heeft sinds zaterdag meer dan 116.550 vierkante kilometer grond en 45 panden verwoest.
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