I plucked a few of my favorite photos from the Loma fire that started at the beginning of the 3:00 editorial meeting and was declared a major fire on the police scanner by the time the meeting was out at 3:30 on Tuesday July 13. The wind wasn't strong yesterday, considering the damage done, it's a very good thing.


When I hiked to the top of the mountain today to cover hand crew mop up, I was stunned to see that the plateau up there was barren and flagged for what looked like irrigation.  The wind had carried embers over the crest that spanned well over a hundred yards in its thinnest spot.

Today the Cal Fire youth in their bright orange suits were up at the Petersen ranch looking for hot spots while the Ventura County Fire Dept. hand crew worked on the Camarillo side.  I did my share of hiking reaching the plateau from both sides. The crews scaled some near vertical terrain to do their jobs.

In the end, well, at least if this is the end of the fire, it only burned 50 acres.

I smell like a barbecue.