funny no one has an update here on the fire, it is 145 days since it occurred and i can't can't live in my home. FEMA is in charge and i am locked out indefinitely. if this is helping me get back home, that is a big surprise!

IF YOU HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY AFFECTED BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FIRES, ST. DIDACUS CHURCH ALONG WITH SYLMAR NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL, ARE OFFERING FREE CLOTHING (MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN) AT SYLMAR PARK LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF POLK ST. and BORDEN ST (Address:13109 Borden St. Sylmar, Ca 91342). WE ARE LOCATED AT THE TENNIS COURT BEHIND THE BIG GYM. WE WILL BE THERE FROM 9AM-9PM on 11/19/08 to 11/21/08.

WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING VARIOUS DONATIONS: CLOTHING, MONETARY DONATIONS, TOYS, BLANKETS, TOWELS, TOILETRIES, FURNITURE, ETC, HOWEVER WE ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT TO THE VICTIMS.

WE ARE RECEIVING MORE DONORS THAN VICTIMS, SO PLEASE, IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OR KNOW A VICTIM, SEND THEM TO SYLMAR PARK!

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!

Thank You!!!!

Frank, I want to know why the Emergency Broadcast System runs tests all the time, but when there's an actual emergency it is not used. I watched the fire coverage live from when it started until the wee hours of the morning and there was not one Emergency Broadcast! In fact I've only seen Emergency Broadcasts for flash flooding. Even if a majority of the mobile home park residents were asleep maybe those who weren't or there family members would have seen the Emergency Broadcast flipped on the news and could have told their neghbors or loved ones to be on alert! I was watching and I know the Fire Dept was there from the very beginning and they did the best they could to save the park but there has to be a warning system to alert the public that something is going on don't panic but be aware that there is a situation at hand. You know I'd rather pack up some of my stuff and have it be a false alarm then to have to leave everything behind!

Lynn, thanks so much for that information I'll spread the word, please keep posting any additional info you may have on fundraising or donations. Many of us in our community want to help! We've been looking for a website for the park to post information on but there is none.

For those who want to make clothing or staple food donations, please drop them at Sylmar Park Recreation Center on
Polk St. in Sylmar. The park will be sorting and distributing clothing and food starting on Tuesday 11/18. FYI neither
the Red Cross nor Salvation Army will accept used clothing or food donations for the Sylmar fire victims.

Thanks!

I'm very disappointed in KTLA on their LACK of coverage of the fires in OC and LA. Even your morning coverage was so BAD...it seems your broadcasts are just one commercial after another. Kurt at Best Buy (aka WORST BUY) and the My Bar infomercial. You should all be ASHAMED and not call yourselves journalists.

I have a ton of sympathy for the people who lose their homes every year in these fires. This morning (11-18) a man from Yorba Linda thinks that "if the system had been designed better..." then water pressure to the neighborhood wouldn't have failed. These complaints are, in a word, obscene. For YEARS the SoCal area has been expanding like a kingdom with little regard to the environmental impact. Sure, developments could've considered such threats when first implemented, but to them it's all about $$$$$. Residents could have been responsible and installed rainwater collection systems to water those lush gardens, instead of using all that potable water in a DESERT where water is immensely precious! What'll happen next year when water gets rationed and there are fires?! Here in Riverside, we bought our first house almost 4 years ago, and while it was an incredible cost to us, we installed turf and natural scape (rocks, cacti) and collect whatever rainwater comes to water the native citrus trees. If a fire were to sweep through and we lost water pressure, we'd always have up to 25K gallons of rainwater! And we have extinguishers around the house. Time to stop whining and either change the system yourself or demand change from your city, state or federal representatives. Go out and be a leader!

I live in Yorba Linda and am very grateful to the emergency personnel who helped save my community. I will keep those who lost their homes in my prayers. A big thank you to kcal 9 who was THE ONLY station that kept us/keeps us Orange County residents update on what is going on in our area.

As someone who lives in Sylmar, I would like to thank all those who helped fight the fires and who are still fighting them.

As I stood on the crest of the Pacoma wash in the wee hours of Saturday morning with my neighbors. We watched a helicopter swoop in and do a pin point water drop in the darkness that stopped a home from going up. Amazing flying. You're the best.

And my heart goes out to my Sylmar neighbors who lost their homes.

Blatant Truth - I accept your apology and I also looked at what John wrote. I would not even think to make that connection with prop. 8 as to me it makes no logical sense. Then again, people have done terrible things for no reason! Has it been determined as arson for sure? I was out at church and took a nap this afternoon and watched a little football to escape some of the bad news.

The fires in greater Los Angeles get worst every windy season. What can be done to stop these fires?

Well maybe the satallites that the US has in space to observe our enemies can be focused on our mountains during the fire season! Then the people that set these fires could possibly be caught! Also the media should publicize that the mountains are now being watched via satallite ..and hopefully these terrible people that start these fires would know that they can be watched and caught! I believe the capabilities of these satallite couuld actually zoom in close enough to see license plates!

These arsonist could finally know that they can not destroy property this way everytime the wind blows!! That just might stop this insanity!!

Yes the arsonist will most likely soon bring the reality of "Big Brother" more clearly into all our lives!

Blatant truth,

Okay if you statement was mistaken..then please tell us ...
What did you mean?

Please explain?

I grew up in Sylmar. This is breaking my heart. My prayers are with you.

Craig, I'm so terribly sorry that you misunderstood what I meant in my statement. I think you've confused part of my statement with part of JOHN's statement. I think this is horrific and meant nothing by my statement that you are mistakenly interpreting. I pray for all of these victims too. Sometimes I just wish I understood God's plan - unfortunately I don't.

BlatantTruth - That is not cool to say!! How do you know who those families are and what they represent and what they would do to "deserve a Karmic retribution" like this! That is very presumptive and judgmental of you? This is just very tragic and I hope nobody would have set these fires deliberately for any reason!! If someone did, I hope they would be captured and prosecuted to the full extent of the law!! They have ruined many people's lives and their memories and dreams shattered! This is very sad and I will pray for them when I am at church today! I will pray for their comfort during this time of hardship!

to the devistated persons who have lost there home.
I sell manufactured homes and spoke with my boss to help me do somthing for you i told him not only do they need new homes but furniture to go with it . he agreed he will give a 10.000 worth of furniture
with each home I have recently replaced a home in carson and worked with her insurance comp if need be I will let you speek with her to let you know how easy I made it for her if i can help in any way even if you just need questions answered i will be more then glad to help weather you replace you home with me or not

God bless you all
Rosemarie Fallacaro
714-625-5046

The Lord sure does work in mysterious ways! This is some serious Karmic mojo working people! I'm just saying!

I Pray for evry ones safety
and haveing been through the sf quake and oak land fire i can feel every ones heartache i pray all these fire are not arson or have any connection to prop 8 protests

can i still help !!! i want to go help if u need help tell me !!!!!!!!!!! i can help with food and other thing!!! i called the red cross !!!! but that did not work !!!! i will go help!!!!!

We live in Santa Clarita and there is a brush fire off of Golden Valley on the mountain.

Where can we take some extra clothes? WE have several plastic containers of clothes, we haven't worn that can be used in this situation!!

Excellent coverage of today's fires, KTLA news team. You guys are awesome!!

Huge Kudos to Ginger Chan and her helicopter team. Navigating those winds must have been treacherous.

Hope you all can enjoy the weekend.

Somebody send Frank Buckley to Hawaii so he can breath clean air and get rid of that lingering cough.

I am in Pasadena, but have sold real estate in the Sylmar, Granada Hills areas. Would like to help out with new, T shirts for the men, tops for the women. How do we help? This is alot of people without clothing!

If I live in the Granada Hills are by the 118 freeway by Balboa Bl and Rinaldi do I Have to evacuate

Savanna asked why not deploy more -

Fire Departments need to maintain a precarious balance between severe emergency needs like these fires and everyday needs.

This is especially true in what are called urban interface areas (like Montecito, where city meets wildland).

There are probably firefighters from Northern California, the San Diego area as well as from other states either here or enroute to assist - this is through mutual aid agreements.

I was in transit by car from Santa Rosa to Orange County during the disastrous Oakland area fire in 1991 or 1992; you cannot begin to imagine how many units from farther south I saw driving up to provide assistance.

Firefighters, and police, have a bond between them and their comrades that is second only to the bond between many military members.

Buckley, we have a fire here in Yorba Linda off of Lomas de Yorba near La Palma and Gypsum Canyon. It's right near homes.

PLEASE REMIND VIEWERS: Saturday is a typical day for barbecuing, working on the roof, working on the car (with welder or solder gun?) - many things that involve a flame. ONE SMALL MISTAKE and a spark can cause trouble for a neighborhood. Fire Dept resources are all working on these huge fires. If you are considering doing ANYTHING that involves an open flame today- wait until next weekend.

Thank u for the up date!!! We r out and about getting ready for my grandparents 50th anniv and its terrible air in oc thank u again mary

The fire in the Anaheim Hills/Corona area is on the N/S of 91 at Green River

I was in east YL (Weir Canyon/91) about 9 a.m. and saw Anaheim units deploy; saw and smelled smoke at 9:20 a.m. to the east.

Coming west, I made a stop at Orangethorpe and Kellogg; smoke smell stronger and drifting smoke.

At 10:30, I went outside and looked east - MAJOR smoke; I am about 11 miles west of that fire. Smoke smell here.

An event at Canyon RV has been evacuated (and, I would have to think, people staying there) - this is at Gypsum Canyon and 91; 1 to 2 miles west of Green River.

FYI--There is a brush fire in Santa Ana Canyon aGreen River and Riverside Fwy west of Corona. Another one just broke out west of the landfill above Brea near Chino Hills State Park. Large homes appear to be in danger there,

Is there a fire in oc?

Frank,
My two little girls and I have been watching your news coverage all morning. This is our only way of staying connected to their daddy, LA County Firefighter. He left 3 days ago @3am for the Montecito fire and is probably NOW on Sylmar. When the girls see your coverage, it helps to answer the question,"when is daddy coming home!"

Where is the traffic on 5 SB north of 126 starting to back up ? also just heard from parents in Chatsworth Power out for 30 + mins.
Patience is needed by all. Safety to Emerg Services personel. Just saw Super scoopers make 2 runs over Saugus to Sylmar area.
Mike

I have a family member that is a firefighter that lives here in La County that is not at the fire. Why are we not calling more firefighters. Like the fire reserves, or PCF fire fighters?

Escondido, CA in San Diego county only has 6% humidity. Who says we have a higher humidity. HELLO, the entire county is NOT on the coast.

Elizabeth: Call your local chapter of the American Red Cross. They are experts at training and placing volunteers to respond to disasters.

Frank, not to change the subject but your cough is getting worse. Hot tea with Lots of honey might help.

i can help with plus size clothing donations for fire victims...

Having gone through several sever fires in the past few years up in Far Northern California the latest being this past summer.....my heart and prayers go out to all the firefighter for their valiant efforts and to all those that have lost there homes and face an uncertain future, God Bless you all.

thanks Frank, get some rest...the other fire that is near corona, please get a camera out there...
God bless the first responders and to the victims, be strong.

I HAVE THING THAT I CAN GIVE FOR THEM !!!! I WANT TO HELP !!!!!!!!!!!

two things:

one: thanks for your sensitivity re the whole fire sit. but also the oakridge mobile home park. it is an old park, beautful, sed to be seniors alot of older people live there. its a warm and caring neighborhood. they were beautiful triple wides.

secondly: its called historically Stetson ranch of the stetson hat family. he lived there and had a large ranch....there is alot of history there.

Frank, You have a need for a cough termintor. One aid is 1/4 tsp of sugar with 3 to 4 drops of uclyptas oil added to it. It won't hurt you but will loosen-up your cough. I have used this sinch 1952 . The only problem is too many drops of the oil,which will irritate your throat. Try 3 drops to begin with, I have suffered from bronchitis, & asthma and still do. The sugar & U. oil got me thru my wedding ceremont. still helps when the inhalers do not. It really helps to silence that dry cough. Good luck! Ann Garner

CAN I HELP

Sorry typo: It supposed to read "treasured resource"

We smell smoke in Anaheim Hills in Orange County and can see a small amount of smoke to the East. Any info on where this fire is located? Is the fire close to the toll road (again?)

Frank, You have a need for a cough termintor. One aid is 1/4 tsp of sugar with 3 to 4 drops of uclyptas oil added to it. It won't hurt you but will loosen-up your cough. I have used this sinch 1952 . The only problem is too many drops of the oil,which will irritate your throat. Try 3 droops to begin with, I have suffered from bronchitis, & asthma and still do. The sugar & U. oil got me thru my wedding ceremont. still helps when the inhalers do not. It really helps to silence that dry cough. Good luck! Ann Garner

Having been thru a disaster of sorts and dealing with Insurance Companies myself, I would like to help those that could use a little help NOW, but I don't know whom to contact. Maybe something like adopting a family and helping to replace clothing and some of the small personal items etc. that have been lost in the fire. Can someone lead me in the right direction or put me in contact with the right people? We need to help these people that have lost everything. The months ahead for them are going to be deeply emotional and disasterous with or without insurance.

what street is Jim Nash standing on in the Oakridge community????

My prayers are with the families in the path of this fire storm, and prayers for safety and courage to the brave firefighters doing their best to protect those homes. Sometimes, despite their best efforts, natures forces, heat, low humidity and high winds give the fire too much of an advantage and property gets lost! I hope everyone got out safely in time and no one lost their lives, our most reasured resource.
Monique - Yes, that's something, our prisoners get better transportation equipment than our firefighting heroes! Another injustice, misappropriation of tax funds and hypocrisy of our state and local governments.

I HAVE TIME TO GO VOLUNTEE!!! WHERE CAN I GO TO HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!