Pauma Valley Fire

[LazyPhotographer]

A 70 acre fire in Pauma Valley, North of San Diego, 7/5.

Fire was reported at 2pm, I happened to drive by at 2:13 and left around 4pm thinking it looked pretty well under control. The 6pm news said that the fire was only 20% contained. Oddly enough, I was in the area looking for a Golden Eagle, which I think was watching what was going on in pic #4.

Let me tell you, it's exciting but very scary watching the state burn down. In 2003, in a single week, San Diego County wildfires killed 16 people, destroyed nearly 2,500 homes and burned nearly 400,000 acres. Total for the state that season was about a half million acres, I think - maybe more. After watching this, I am even more amazed at what Firefighters do.

I took 250+ pics - only 23 of them are uploaded here:
http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=lazypics_PaumaValleyF ire

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/lazypics_PaumaValleyFire/IMG_1593a.jpg

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/lazypics_PaumaValleyFire/IMG_1616a.jpg

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/lazypics_PaumaValleyFire/IT5G8031a.jpg

http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/albums/lazypics_PaumaValleyFire/IT5G8117a.jpg

Canon 20D & 1D Mark II, 100-400L IS, 28-135 IS

New pics on my website are found here: Newest Additions (http://www.onlinephotographers.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=lazypics_new)

[Noni]

Isn't it amazing to watch them? I remember when San Berdoo went up, and Santa Clarita at the same time...and the whole Topanga range went burning right before the '94 quake; you're right - it's sad to see your state burning.

Great shots...can I ask about how far away you were?

Thanks for sharing...

Best-
Noni

[Belmondo]

Nice pictures, Lazy.

Fires are just a fact of life in California. They're going to be pretty bad this year with all the extra vegatation from the extra rain last winter. It will get messy.