Categories: 2015 Fire Season

At a loss for words…there is no limit to humanity’s stupidity

Old Fire, 2003

This photograph was [NOT – see correction] taken at the Lake Fire near Lakeport. It is pretty graphic. It was sent to a friend from a ff up there. He noted, “This could easily be Highway One, if people aren’t careful.” I wish I knew the photographer. If you do, please let me know.

CORRECTION: A friend, Jean LeBlanc, sent me a link to the REAL STORY behind this photo above. It was arson and caused 5 heart attack deaths. This photo shows The Old Fire jumping Highway 18 in Oct 2003 and was taken by Troy C. Whitman of Cypress, CA. Click on the link just below the photo for the rest of the story.

The stupidity I refer to is in reference to the fires mentioned below. The first was a campfire that Rock Knocker spotted on the way up yesterday. The people were out and about, but left their campfire burning, and their “stuff” was still there. He poured what water he had on it, and when he got up here, I called the USFS at PV Station. It was 2 miles up Plaskett.

08/11/2015 10:45 LPF-2408
New Wildfire PLASKETT RDG CG M . . . . . 35.932 x 121.431

then there was this one:

08/11/2015 17:35 FHL-2416
. Wildfire CONE PK LO M . . . light flashy fuel 5 [acres] 36.077 x 121.282

I do not know the source, but I’m willing to bet next month’s wages it was human caused.

bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

Next Cow Cliffs Project to begin 8/24 »

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View Comments

Holycowgirl says:

August 12, 2015 at 11:05 am

Stunning.
Mike Morales says:

August 12, 2015 at 2:50 pm

My brother Frank was on that fire as a division supervisor for Cal Fire and had a hand in saving dozens of homes in Lytle Creek. It was an arson fire, part of the 2003 conflagration that struck the southern part of the state that year. He came the closest ever to losing his life on that fire. He called me from the 215 freeway after escaping flames that closed in on him unexpectedly. He walked me through the experience and it was frightening. His vehicle was singed pretty badly. That was a particularly bad fire.
- bigsurkate says:
  
  August 12, 2015 at 3:01 pm
  
  Wow, Mike. I'm glad Frank made it. I've been reading about those fires, and they were horrific. I don't understand why I don't remember them, other than I wasn't following fires then as I am now.
  
  bigsurkate
Mike Morales says:

August 12, 2015 at 4:24 pm

The Witch, Harris, Cedar, Santiago and Old Fire dominated that season. San Diego county suffered the worst of it. That was the pre-BSK blogging era. :)
- bigsurkate says:
  
  August 12, 2015 at 5:24 pm
  
  Ah, but I do remember the Witch. It burned 500 homes in Ramona, including my brother's house. He lost everything but his animals and one car.
  
  bigsurkate
xasauan says:

August 13, 2015 at 11:43 am

Funny how that photo keeps turning up. Last I saw it was a couple of weeks ago when people were passing it around and claiming it was one of the current Humboldt County fires. It should also be pointed out that the recent Lake Fire was in Southern California and nowhere near Lakeport, which is by Clear Lake in Northern California. The fires currently burning near Clear Lake are on the opposite side of the lake from Lakeport and are the Rocky and Jerusalem fires.
Troy Whitman says:

October 19, 2015 at 4:29 pm

My photo has been posted to represent numerous fires since I took this shot on the 2003 Old Fire on the San Bernardino NF (CA). I am pleased that these false claims are usually cleared up. NatGeo did a good article on the photo: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0403/readers_photo.html
Thanks & be safe!
- bigsurkate says:
  
  October 19, 2015 at 7:03 pm
  
  I have done my best to clear up the errors, when I see them. Absolutely incredible photo, Troy. No wonder it is still getting recognition 12 years later!