thanks to all the firefighters!!!! all our hat off to you.you have do a wouderful job on all the fires. I thank you my family thanks you & all my friends thank you. the fire came 800 ft. from our home in yucaipa. there were fire man in our back yard,one of the fireman said to me MAY GOD BE WITH YOU. they got call to a area down to road and had to leave. and god was with us all that day.

thanks to all we love you all
MAY GOD BE THE ALL THE
FIREFIGHTER AND THERE
FAMILYS.
THE FREEMAN

My heart goes out to all the firemen and their families. How scary it must be awaiting for your loved one to come home. And my prayers go out to all the families that have suffered so much loss, Lets all pray for rain we sure could use it. Please everyone donate to the American Red Cross for the families in need and to the families that lost their family members trying to save others...... Anything we can do Please we are in a time of need , Jonn 3:16

Wow! Awesome! Sad...Yet the courage of those who dealt with this tragedy is inspiring.

Look it's the government taking over. Fire Fighters are the enemy of the tea baggers.

Incredible

To comment 1120..........WHAT!!!!!!!! This site is simply amazing photo's of amazing people doing extraordinary work......Perhaps you were looking for some other political forum when you stumbled on to this one.PEACE!!!!

Your bravery is applauded here in Virginia. God Bless You All.

I agree with "Trisha" that sending prayers to ALL of the brave firefighters and volunteers who took this massive task on their shoulders have been answered. The pix are really devastating and I have a favorite "quote" for all the NON believers...."If you're living as if there is NO God, You'd better be right"!! These pix remind me of the horrific fires we had in San Diego in 2003 (a friend of mine lost her Daughter & Granddaughter in the 2003 fire) and again in 2005. It paralyzed out entire community. Bless everyone who is having to start over after losing their homes and momentos.

Strange that it has never dawned on those who habitually "God bless this and that", that if there was or is a force that overseas the universe, said force has never shown the slightest interest in acting on such prayerful utterances.

Horrific pictures of total devastation of our beautiful california country side and our homes. I am crying for the fire and the heros fighting to control it.

The pictures are, indeed, horrific. But I'm sorry for the "anonamous" writer on 9/24. "...said force" does not protect us from ourselves or life experiences. Learn from it, make ther best of it and move on - "said force" does help with that. I thank God for the courage of the firefighters and law enforcement that help us through these tragedies.

I pray that ALL are safe & this ends soon.. So awful..

Truly these brave men and women are motivated by something greater than their meager salaries. Stay safe and know that your efforts do not go unappreciated.

BRAVO UN TRÈS GRAND COURAGE A CES HOMMES QUI COMBATTENT LE FEUX ......JE LEURS TIRE MON CHAPEAU

bravo a tous les soldats du feu du monde. mais il y a des solutions. la surveillance des massifs, la prévoyance (débroussaillage) et une bonne escadrille de CANADAIR .ENCORE BRAVO POUR VOTRE COURAGE ET VOTRE TRAVAIL

From Luxembourg to all firemen a big big BRAVO !!!!
God Bless them all!!!!!

WOW
God Bless all the workers!!!!!!!!

I FEEL SO BAD SEEING THIS FIRE. I LIVE IN PA., BUT WAS BORN AND LIVED IN TUJUNGA FOR MANY YEARS. I LOVED IT THERE. I ALSO SAW MANY FIRES IN BIG TUJUNGA CANYON GROWING UP.I HATE FIRES. MY HEART GOES OUT TO ALL THOSE PERSONS WHO LOST THERE HOMES. GOD BE WITH YOU.

Holy Cow! Am I glad I moved out of CA! This seals the deal that it's not a home it a game of survivor at peoples' expense. This is getting too dangerous for people who want to live and have a nice home. The taxpayers are now going to pay for this needlessly. These homes should never have been there. Here goes the ins. rates again.

May GOD ,always be with firefighters wherever the are.!

25 September 2009
Tears came to my eyes as I watched those terrible photos. It reminded me very much of 1945, the end, in Berlin, Germany. I just hope, God kept all those brave firemen safe.

We lived in Dana Point, California when my husband was still in the Marines in 1967. Such a beautiful site when we lived there. We never were able to make it back. Family, life and finances kept us away. I hope the area there is spared. The firefighters who fight these battles all need a medal. We have a park reserve near us in South Dakota that caught on fire and the planes used our lake, Big Stone, to scoop up the water to put the fire out. An amazing feat to be seen. Our prayers are with you all.

what a hororific scenes
does it make you think about the Blue Rige mtns and what could happen

Fantastic heroic efforts.

Unbelievable pictures and also what these people are going through. My heart goes out to each and every one of them. May God bless them and have mercy one them all is my prayer. And may they be restored.

Wow, what a tragedy and to think this was arson. I use to hike in this same location, even learned how to shoot a .22 calibre rifle as a 15 year old. Thank God I never took up smoking. That's probably how the fire started, a match stick or somebody's cigarette butt. Sure hope someone pays for this.

I grew up in Pasadena, and Glendale, and remember viewing the blazing fires and embers that we had over several years. Now I live in Melbourne, Australia, and we experienced devastating fires last Feb 2008. With a verocity,it swept through townships, killing over 200 people, homes and thousands of bushland destroyed, not to mention the loss of native and domestic animals. A real horror. So I empathise, and sympathise with your tragedy. Every country, be it the USA, Australia, or even Greece go through these horrific fires. Mostly started by our own kind. What a shame. We haven't learned much over the years, have we.

I lived in your beautiful state for a while before moving back to the mid west. What a terrible tragedy. God bless all of you, the fire fighters and other volunteers helping out. Our prayers are with all of you to keep you out of harms way.

Applaud From TEXAS: God Bless all firefighters, staffs, air tankers and volunteers for their brave and hard work!! God Bless the families, too for understanding their firefighters' love and deep commitments to their jobs! Hang in there Californians, States or countries our prayers, thoughts and heavy hearts aching goes out to all of you!!! I agreed with these comments #1061,1069,1089,1091,1095,1100 and 1105 as well as we need to make the gov't build more air tankers for our nationwide USA as well as for the volunteer fire departments in small towns for fire disasters!! We need to make the gov't to consider using the useless, non-hard core prisoners to go save the wildlife animals, livestocks and possible stranded, strangers humans. We need to kick our dumb ass gov't to put God and Jesus back where they got it!! God and Jesus are great and so good to all of us they certainly can wipe out the gov't anytime. May God Bless America and Americans!! Amen! Amen! Amen!

Ref: comment 1061 who felt his grandson who is not fully trained should have been paired with an experienced firefighter and sent out. My son is a hotshot, gets dropped via helicopter into rough terrain at a moments notice. The crew's #1 job is safety. A hotshot/firefighter that is not fully trained puts himself and the entire crew in harms way. Hotshots do not have time to watch a trainee while they have their heads down clearing firelines. Your grandson will in time get to put his life in danger. My son fought this fire. I am thankful he didn't have the burden of watching a less trained fellow employee.

God bless those brave firefighters and people who fought fire and leave their homes behind! Hope we can prevnet that firey tragrey from happening again in future!

fantasic pictures

Rumors are that it was started by a kid, about 13 years old.

Seeing those pics make me cry, 10 years ago i lived where that fire is and seeing that breaks my heart.

Sorry to see all your losses. I hope for the best in your time of need.
God Bless...

Why don't stop it just the begining.
I can say nothing but life must go on.

Our hearts go out to the people, who have lost their homes, and the heroes, the firefighters. It takes a special person, to do their job. God Bless you all!

Thank GOD for these brave firefighters!

It was really threatning, will pray to Almighty God 4 not happening this type of incidents any where in the World, and its MY SALUTE to all those Fire Fighters, God Bless Them All.

God Bless you firemen everywhere. You are my heroes!

I agree with the person who commented that in spite of all the references to a deity that it seemed strange that the said entity doesn't seem to respond to all the intercessary exercises. I am not surprised since the majority of people don't know the difference between what is real and what is not. All of the effort spent on giving thanks to a make-believe providential entity is like expecting the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus to do something about it. Although much thanks is directed to the firemen, as it should, how about also giving thanks to the communitarian society we have that offers these services. Too bad so many people don't also equate these services with a universal, communitarian health care system from which all can also benefit. If you got to pray, do it for that.

Who/what is this god everyone is thanking and praising? *sheesh!* Get REAL! Thank the PEOPLE, the firefighters and volunteers, who are still out there because the fire isn't completely extinguished yet.

I retired after 29 years & 6 months. Was a Haz-Mat Captain. Scares the Hell out of me when I see my fellow Brothers & Sisters going into harms way as a result of a human crime or error. The only humans who charge a fire rather than flee it. God bless'em all.

Our continued desire to build in areas like the mountains around Los Angeles is the root cause of such tragedies as this fire conflagration and we continue to disregard the obvious. The death traps of Herculeneum and Pompei from the eruptions of Mt. Vesuvius in Italy is another example of our disregard of history. Today the people of Pompei are living up the sides of the volcano again and the next time it blows we'll all express our horror at the destruction but why build there in the first place? If another ice age doesn't come first, Manhattan Island will be under water at some future date and yet we just built a billion dollar stadium for the Yankees there. I can't be the only one who remembers past history and I don't mean who the winner was on "Dancing With the Stars" on the last show!

Our prayers and sympathy go out to you all from those of us in the south.

I grew up in Southern California and was used to the fires. I remember being evacuated at age 10 when my family lived in Sunland and they had a huge fire on the hill. I never experienced anything so loud and the wind was like a hurricane, not to mention the ashes. We were evacuated, but the firemen were going in. Bless you!! Our home was saved, but many homes were not. But still the firemen were going in. You all put your lives on the line for us, the animals and our dwellings. May God be with you!!

M

God bless those firefighters. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well as the people that have lost their homes.

To all of my fellow brother and sister firefighters, may god bless and watch over you! My thoughts and prayers are with you!

I live right here down off the hill and every summer I sit here and watch the fires burn the mountains... but this was the first year that ive seen the actual photos of the internet.... its sooo much more sureal knowing that other people arent used to this... here in so-cal we love our firefighters :)

Having spent 28 years as a firefighter in a large city, I have the greatest admiration for the men who fight the wildland fires. They are the best.

GOD BLESS ALL THOSE FIRE FIGHTERS NOW AND FOREVER !!!!!
Help them, and all those that are helping to controll and put out the fires. And Blessings to those who live in this area. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!!

Godbless the Men & Women that have put their lives in danger to protect the livelyhood, the moments that have been captured from a childs first steps to the family reunion. We the people of the United States can do anything.

We never really know when sad events like this will become part of our lives, the people who risk their lives to try to stop them will always have the memories later in their life that they made a difference.
Lynn

May God bless and protect those fire-fighters and the residents who have lost their homes, and those who are in danger.

THOSE FIREFIGHTER'S RISK THIER LIVES FOR OUR SAFTY FROM FIRES THAT THREATIN US EVERYDAY, "THANK GOD" FOR THEM ALL.

In comment #1074, Barbara Hess wonders why our forests are not thinned like they are in Germany. Can you say "Sierra Club"?

The Comments ~~~ It is good to know so many people care ~~ Are there any organizations out there in the Fire areas who anyone can reach out to for help or give to "to help" ?

My prayers are for all of those who personally suffered. Bless are the public servants for there untiring dedication to the safety for all of us. They are always the first to arrive and the last to leave. They are indeed a part of government and I am proud to have them on my side. Our taxes dollars are serving our community. GOD BLESS ALL!!!!

God bless all of the fire fighters and any other volunteers that were there fighting the fires and bless and comfort the families that lost their homes and everything in them. It must have been a nightmare, especially for those who lost loved ones. We wish them comfort and peace knowing that they are with loved ones in Heaven, with God.

Our prayers are with all of you!

There doing so much hard work out there. I thank everyone who is helping out there considering they are trying and keeping my boyfriend from dieing. idk anymore... im scared to death of whats going to happen....

My heart goes out to ALL involved in and with these horrific fires. God give them strength!

KD
Maryland

I think that firefighters are some of the most courageous souls on the earth. They risk their lives to save others, their homes, pets, and belongings. Just seeing them walk up that steep hill carrying all that gear is enough to make you either cry or cheer...or both! I applaud the bravery of these fine men - and women - and thank them for their selfless efforts in behalf of others. I also commend their families for sacrificing time with their loved ones so that they can fight these fires on behalf of those who can't. All who have been affected by these terrible fires are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you courage and strength and comfort in the face of such tragedy.

Good Bless and protect all the firefighters, who put their lives on the line to help others in their time of need.

I like the comment 1115 the best. Almost all the comments used the name of "GOD or the LORD" and pray to "HIM". It is very strange. Could some of those comments be from non believers? My heart goes out to all those who lost so much during this disaster. All who fought this disaster should be given the medal of honor for community service for what they do every day!!!
A BIG "GOD BLESS YOU".

Ah, yes, "sunny California" indeed. It's like the sun is in your own backyard....literally.

Unbelievable, so sorry. From Spokane, Wa

No one is safe from fires in this state. It seems every year during the Santa Ana Winds there is fire. We stayed away from the canyons, mountains, and forests when selecting our own home. If we can just find a way to prevent them, it would be great. Thanks to all the firefighters for doing the best they can. May God bless all the victims.

All firebugs, (that's what we call deliberate fire starters in Australia) should have their hands dipped in petrol and then set alight. Then they should be asked if they enjoyed that as much as they enjoyed the horror, terror, pain and anguish of those poor animals and people who they injured or killed. I for one believe in an eye for an eye. our judicial system is way too soft on these people. What good does a fine and a good behaviour bond do??? Nothing that's what. These people are supposed to pay for what they did not have a judge wave a finger at them saying you were a very naughty boy don't do it again. My heart goes out to all the innocent people and animals that were killed or injured in this senseless way.

And I thouht my job as a police officer was tough---------My RESPECT and admiration to ALL involved in fighting these fires,and you deserve the best pension and health benefits available. My condolences on the loss of the two firefighters

God bless the firemen around the country who save lives, structures and property while endangering their own lives. You are so loved and appreciated by the grateful people of Pocatello, Idaho.

YOU ARE ALL HEROES. CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done and a HUGE THANK YOU for risking your lives yet again.

ALL OF YOU, PARTICIPATING IN FIGHTING THIS HORRORIFIC FIRE, ARE NOT FIREFIGHTERS BUT, ANGEL KEEPERS.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

Experiencing viewing these horrific pictures is almost too much to believe.The effects of Hollywood and the "special effects" have definietly desenstized a percentage of people. These pictures are "REAL", the Firemen are "REAL", the losses are "REAL"....the agony is "REAL"...if anyone is still lost, and doesn't know God as his personal Savior, there is no better time than now to make that decision. More and more natural disasters are happening, and it doesn't mean we are to understand why, but they are real...it is Biblical, and the Bible is unfolding before us quickly. Read and the understanding will come, that's a promise..

I grew up in Thousand Oaks, Ca., and had my share of earthquakes and fires. I feel for all those who sufforded with thier losses. My prayers are with them.
I relocated to Enoch, Ut 12 yrs ago and love it.

GOD BLESS OUR FIREFIGHTERS. My dad was an LA fireman and he is truly my hero. May comfort and prayers be with those that were victims of this fire. May those that have experienced the tragedy of fires (myself included) heal with time. May we all count our blessings for what we have - our families and our firefighters.

Amazing but terrible photos. Great-Grandfather was an FDNY firefighter. After 9/11 we can relate to your terrible ordeal.Our hearts go out to all Southern Californians affected by this disaster. NY

My son is a firefighter and a paramedic. I am so proud of him. I pray for him and all the firefighters and medical personal. They have a gift from god.Myheart goes out to all southern californians affected by this fire.

First hand information on any Wildfire in the US can be found at this website; http://www.nifc.gov/index.html
The site is maintained by the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. If you've never been there, plan a visit the next time you are in the Boise area. You will indeed be amazed at the equipment and provisions available 24/7 for any castastrophic fire in the US.

Saludos desde Mexico, un fuerte abrazo a todos esos compañeros bomberos, heroes anonimos.
Un gran desastre ecologico irreparable en este ya de por si maltratado planeta.

The California State Park service is increasing the fire danger in southern California. They are destroying the environment to build RV parks and campgrounds with fire pits (yes fire pits) in high fire danger areas.

See the details at www.savethemeadow.blogspot.com or www.savethemeadow.com

We also support www.safecanyons.com promoting safe access to wild lands of California.

Ted Fulton
Save the Reagn Meadow Foundation

This why we need all of Firefighter to at work if was not for them who knows where we would be today . So please put them all back to work
Thank you agin and God Bless

What's up with this rain today!
How are our firefighters going to buy their kids toys if it rains through our usual "Red Flag" fire season, (which always falls around Halloween) without their yearly/predictable OVERTIME? (I haven't met a fire fighter yet who doesn't love his overtime!
Just ask Tony Valar!

Thank God for these brave firefighters who have dedicated their lives to serve and protect. They saved my home last year in the Sylmar fire and now to see how many they have saved this time. Being in Los Angeles, I think all of you out there, being from here or another state, need to let our mayor know that this is not the time to close our stations and lay these great people off. Get away from in front of the camera and look at these pictures!
And once again Firefighters, thank you and God bless.

these are horrible, I feel so sorry for those people

I know that the 'Creator', 'Higher Power', 'Savior', 'God', 'Christ' or 'Jesus' what ever you want to call him, does answer all these prayers!!! I see these brave men and women walk out of these monsters of a fire storm safe and sound day after day, year after year. I've never been in 'the belly of the beast' but I've been told that it can be very, very scary and time and again the blessed folks work to save us, our pets, our homes and return home to their family and friends. I'll continue to pray for all of us no matter what our belief system may be...because my 'higher power' asks that of me and asks that I be tollerant of those who haven't found him yet!

We live in St. George, Utah and we have a home in Yucapia, CA and did not know the fires were that close to our home there. We are so lucky to have been saved the horrible job of having to lose our home in Yucaipa. Thanks to all those wonderful firefighters. Thank you ever so much for your wonderful jobs you do for us.

that was a bad fire

From Mexico: gracias a dios por tener en el mundo hombres como los BOMEROS FIREFIGHTERS THANK´S A LOT
Uruapan, Michoacan Mex

im doing a project on san deigo wildfires

ok this is really bad im sorry fo those and whom may this concern of those fires

wow im doing a project on wildfires and these pictures are great! im sorry for the people that my have been in these fires.

IT'S VERY GOOD COMMENTS

To #1120 and #1125, how sad there has to be people like you in this world.
If God has never touched your heart you are one sad human being?

God bless the firemen and women and those that lost their homes. And
people across this great Nation and the World were praying for the
fire fighters and home owners.

To those who felt it necessary to criticize everyone's comments containing references to 'God' or 'prayer',listen up.

These people suffered terribly, and many had to put themselves in harm's way to protect life, homes, and property. The people witnessing this horror, or trying to prevent it are but human and fall back on the things they believe in and give them strength. All I can say is: shame on you. Period. Roll up your own sleeves and help!

GOD BLESS ALL THE WORKERS AND PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great and exciting photos. Some shots better than Time magzines.Have worked as photojournalist in Singapore during the 1960's. Now retired and nearing 80 year old. Looking forward to see more of your "Bigpicture".
Good shooting and best regards !

Sunny Giam

wow these pictures r amazing an terrible at the same time

To see this on the news is one thing but sit ting quietly in your home is another.....it becomes more than real......
One of my sones fought fire for a time and it is quite an experience freom the fighter's perspective.
I aggree our utmost thanks to the brave fire fighters.

I regularly pray for our fire fighters... Their courage is quite inspiring and thought-provoking. Our these past few years, it appears that the outbreak of fires are esculating in mass proportion. Without ceasing, let's continue to pray for them and their familys. Especially the families of those fire fighters who gave their lives while protecting ours and our communities; not just with our prayers but with our resources - our money, our time, etc. I encourage families and communities to adopt families of our Heros, especially during the holiday, to ensure that their needs are met - This is our reasonable SERVICE.