Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Fires burn in neighborhoods around Magic Mountain

October 22, 2007, 5:49 PM · As you might have read, wildfires are burning tens of thousands of acres in Southern California. Several fires, fanned by Santa Ana desert winds are burning in the Santa Clarita Valley, home to Six Flags Magic Mountain. One fire, the "Magic Fire," started just after 2 p.m. Pacific time this afternoon and has already burned 1,000 acres just south of the park.

Good news for park fans is that reports have the fire moving away from the park. But that's really bad news for everyone as the flames instead are moving toward homes.

The Los Angeles Times has a very, very cool Google Map of the fires, including their status: Check it out.

Tuesday morning update: Fires in San Diego have closed SeaWorld, though the park itself is not threantened. Fires also are approaching Legoland in Carlsbad, which is in a potential evacuation area. That park was already normally scheduled to be closed today and tomorrow.

Replies (10)

Rohrer
Betty Rohrer
October 22, 2007 at 7:25 PM · most east coast members have no idea what this is like in southern cal. i grew up in riverside county near an area that burns a lot. there is nothing i pa that compares. this is the one part of cal that i do not miss. i will take an earthquake any day.
Mr.USH
Jon F
October 22, 2007 at 8:55 PM · At the moment, the southland is literally surrounded by fires. If you've ever been to Southern California during a firestorm, you'll recall that unhealthy orange tint that's makes up the sky. It's real bad right now.
mph_88
Ryan R
October 22, 2007 at 9:40 PM · This year started off with a really weak fire season, but once the fire in Malibu started, it seemed like the Santa Ana winds took the fire and spread it all around the area. If you live in SoCal, there must be a fire within 20 miles of you. The sun casts an eerie shadow all over the place. From where I live it seems to be an orange-ish dusk all day long.
E_Eddy_Edwards
E Edwards
October 22, 2007 at 10:14 PM · . . . And all afternoon, desperate Six Flags Execs, eager to find "closure" (that is, somewhat to dump this park and come out buck ahead) on Magic Mountain, were reading over their fire insurance policy for Valencia, mumbling, "So close, yet no pay off."
ukfloridafun
Gareth H
October 23, 2007 at 6:40 AM · I remember my first visit to Orlando back in 1998 for my honeymoon. There were big fires here then and they were bag.
We can only pray for the safety of everyone currently affected by these fires in Californai and hope that some much needed rain heads their way.
bluesrider
Writer
Derek Potter
October 23, 2007 at 10:15 AM · I'll refrain from the Magic Mountain comments. Not really a good time to be poking fun when so much is being lost.

I've no idea what it's like because I've never been in the middle of a firestorm, but the pictures are a telling tale. I feel for those who've lost everything, and for the firefighters who have been at it for three days straight. Hopefully the winds will die down and it will be over soon. Such an ironic thing that some of these fires are only feet away from the largest body of water in the world. Maybe some day they will figure out how to harness the Pacific to be able to fight the fires more effectively.

RobertO
Robert OGrosky
October 23, 2007 at 10:36 AM · Thank God Ive never been in a fire like this and from seeing the video/pictures I can assume its awful, and im sure they dont justice too how bad it really is. I will keep you folks in CA in my prayers abd while I complian about the crappy weather in Wisc,. it doesnt compare to what you folks have to deal with.
robert
Editor
Robert Niles
October 23, 2007 at 12:58 PM · Even in areas well away from the fires, the air is *awful* in Southern California today. Hard to breathe.
MrMike
Mike N
October 23, 2007 at 2:24 PM · A couple months ago when there were fires in Georgia here in Orlando you could smell the smoke and the air was bad. I can only imagine what it is like in California.
Mulchpuppy
steve lee
October 24, 2007 at 8:03 PM · I personally would rather see a park melt than have more families lose their homes in this mess.

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