Magic Mountain Under Fire!?!

I'm more concerned for my friend's home in Stevenson Ranch, but I'd hate to see SFMM burn. *** Edited 10/23/2007 7:26:17 AM UTC by nasai***

Do we really all need to attack Voyage for starting this thread? Come on people! This is a coaster site, we aren't allowed to have OT threads, I have no doubt everyone here is more concerned about the homes/lives at stake, however here at coasterbuzz we talk theme parks and SFMM was/is at risk so starting this thread is completely appropriate.

^Exactly! Let's be honest here, everytime there is some sort of 'disaster' near a park, it is *always* brought up here for discussion. I dont see why Voyage should be taken out to the woodshed for posting. Hell, if I hadnt seen this thread *I* was gonna start one, precisely because as Coasterfreak101 said, and as reported on the Today show this morning, they are calling one of the fires the "Magic Fire" due to it's proximity to Magic Mountain.

^^^I understand the seriousness of the issue, but is it just me or does that picture of X look wicked cool?

lata, jeremy
--who thinks you can find beauty in Nature's Fury

Somehow I think this whole thing is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone out there.

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Coasterfreak101 said:

Nothing at the park burned.
Backfires set to protect the park.

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Can someone explain what a 'backfire' is? Thanks :)

It's a small fire set to create a barrier that (hopefully) the bigger fire can't cross. The tought is, IIRC, that the backfire burns enough stuff away so there's no fuel for the bigger one.

ilove is correct. Though, the bigger danger if the winds stay high is flying embers that may travel a good distance in the air before settling down on a wood structure and flaring up. That is what is happening in Malibu where the houses near the beach have been damaged but houses right across the street might be just fine.

I'm sure the main wood structures at MM are treated. But, that doesn't mean they are fireproof. The bigger issue for MM might be how this affects weekend attendance.

Here is a small video you only get a quick look at how close the fire is to the park.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/715159

That's insane! I didn't realize the fire was that close to MM. All the news up here could do was broadcast how celebrities' houses in Malibu were being destroyed (as if they can't afford to rebuild them). Well, hopefully the fire is kept far away enough from the park.

I don't think many people are going to be going to the park even if it is "safe" wahoo skipper.

I imagine that depends. A lot can happen in a few days. By Friday, all the fires in the vicinity may be burned out or controlled. (Although it sounds like with the drought and the Santa Ana winds, there are likely to be more new fires popping up anywhere.)

There's no reason to think Magic Mountain couldn't get back to normal very soon. Los Angelinos might corroborate this for me, but it seems to me that this time of year there are so many fires in the area, it's just a normal part of existence. Unless it's within a few miles of your own house, people don't usually worry all that much and go about their lives.

It wasn't funny the first 3 times. Are we hoping the 17th time might garner a laugh?

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wahoo skipper said:
I'm sure the main wood structures at MM are treated. But, that doesn't mean they are fireproof.

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They are most certainly weather treated. But I highly doubt they are fire treated. Unless there is some sort of City or State Ordanence. Fire treated wood is very expensive and unless specified by an owner or required by code it would almost never get used.

I would think soot and ash would be a huge concern. Even if they contain the fires, that's going to be a huge mess to clean up.

the shoulder bars
the shoulder bars
the shoulder bars
are on fire.
let em burn.

and replace em with nice padded lapbars!
not funny, but i like it.

Even if there aren't any fires in the immediate area, if there's still smoke in the air, few people would want to go walking around a park breathing all that in.

On the insensitive story side, I read an article about how the fires are disrupting filming of numerous TV series. Apparently, some of the help (crew) is more worried about protecting their houses than shooting the next episode.

While I wouldn't necessarily want to see another park destroyed by fire, I'm wondering about those backfires that were set. With 70 mph winds, I'd be a little uneasy about losing control of them. Plus were the fires set just to protect the park, or the entire area around it as well? I'd be just a bit pissed if I had to watch half my town burn while firemen protected certain properties.

SFMM is actually not in as remote area as it looks. There is only a litte bit of valley and hills between the park and a relatively new development. If a fire ever did rage out of control in that valley, there are many people that would be at risk.

The fire is moving southwest away from the housing development and SFMM, which is good, but moving towards Simi Valley, which is also heavily populated but still 10 to 15 miles away. It looks like they are are able to keep it under control for the most part now and have been able to protect homes that are in danger from this particular fire.

Does this mean SFMM will save money on the Frightfest smoke effects?
:) *** Edited 10/23/2007 6:02:01 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

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Ensign Smith said:
As of two hours ago, the fire, which had started near the junction of Old Road and Magic Mountain Parkway, was burning west, toward the park.

This could be touch or go. I wonder what kind of actions a park can take in a situation like this. Are there any protocols in place, other than evacuation of staff and guests? Do they douse the woodies with water? Are any of the park personnel trained in firefighting, or do they just rely on Valencia FD?

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My best guess is that they would handle it in much the same manner as SFNO would've handled Katrina had it struck during business hours.

Right now though the lives & property of the area residents is of more priority than an amusement park,hopefully if there is any damage SFI's insurance on the property will be able to cover the losses.

This made yahoo.com today as a featured story.