[pct-l] Cabazon blaze

[Rob Langsdorf]

    There is a huge fire that was reported at 1:12 a.m. It
started in the area of Esperanza Avenue and the San
Gorgonio River on the south side of Cabazon. This is about
3.7 miles from the PCT where it curves east across a minor
gap as it begins its descent east from One-Horse Ridge. To
identify this point on the trail find the spot on page B10
of the guide. At 6860 the trail tags a switchback on a dirt
road. The closest on the trail to the fire is just north of
this point, where the trail turns south to work its way
east on the drop to the desert.

    Earlier today three firefighters were killed and two
critically injured when the fire caught their engine near a
home between Twin Pines and Cabazon. 

    As usual, it is very difficult to get a clear picture
of the extent of the fire. The TV news reporters show
pictures of flames. But they have a hard time saying where
they are taken. It appears that the flames has climbed over
Highway 243 at some point. At least that appears what they
are showing the flames doing. But I can't identify how far
up that road these pictures were taken. It is probably
headed over the slopes north of Ranger Peak and down
towards the town of San Jacinto, which is north of Hemit.

    Since the fire seems to be burning southwest it will
probably stay west of the PCT. Though it could swing south
and then east up the slopes to the trail when the winds die
down this weekend. 

            Rob

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