Fires, smoke how bad?

[LavenderPeach]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the info. I was really starting to get concerned because I wasn't exactly sure where the fires were. Normally we take the 15 to the 210 or the 10 and then to the 57. Are the fires affecting those freeways (the 10 or 210)? I don't think we've ever taken the 60...
Thanks for any info!

My parents just drove north from our house yesterday and took the 10 to the 210. They said they didn't see the flames but the smoke was really bad in Pasadena so that visibility was only about 1/2 a mile. The freeway was still open though.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

My parents just drove north from our house yesterday and took the 10 to the 210. They said they didn't see the flames but the smoke was really bad in Pasadena so that visibility was only about 1/2 a mile. The freeway was still open though.

Thanks LavendarPeach... Do you think it would be better to take the 60 to the 57 as far as visibility and smoke? If so, I guess I'm going to have to buy a map. We've always gone the other way so I have no clue where the 60 is... I'm really worried because I have really bad asthma. I shouldn't be driving in any kind of smoke for very long, if at all. I can't cancel without penalty either because it's past the 48 hour window for our hotel...

Should I be concerned that if the fire worsens I wouldn't be able to drive back to Vegas? Have they ever just shut down the freeways entirely due to fire/smoke issues? I really hate to cancel and forfeit a deposit but I need to be able to get back to Vegas. We still have a couple more weeks in Vegas after DL, and that's where our return flight home is. I'm worried...

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Thank you so much! I appreciate the info. I was really starting to get concerned because I wasn't exactly sure where the fires were. Normally we take the 15 to the 210 or the 10 and then to the 57. Are the fires affecting those freeways (the 10 or 210)? I don't think we've ever taken the 60...
Thanks for any info!

Photojoe is right, you'll need to check the news right before you leave, as this is a rapidly-changing situation. The fire doubled in size overnight. Unfortunately, winds are going to increase a bit this afternoon. The 10 will be better than the 210 as it is south. But you're going to have your windows shut and the a/c on, set so it doesn't get outside air.

The more you can cut south, the better. You will make it to enjoy your DL trip, but keep listening to the news.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Photojoe is right, you'll need to check the news right before you leave, as this is a rapidly-changing situation. The fire doubled in size overnight. Unfortunately, winds are going to increase a bit this afternoon. The 10 will be better than the 210 as it is south. But you're going to have your windows shut and the a/c on, set so it doesn't get outside air.

The more you can cut south, the better. You will make it to enjoy your DL trip, but keep listening to the news.

Thank you!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Thanks LavendarPeach... Do you think it would be better to take the 60 to the 57 as far as visibility and smoke? If so, I guess I'm going to have to buy a map. We've always gone the other way so I have no clue where the 60 is... I'm really worried because I have really bad asthma. I shouldn't be driving in any kind of smoke for very long, if at all. I can't cancel without penalty either because it's past the 48 hour window for our hotel...

Should I be concerned that if the fire worsens I wouldn't be able to drive back to Vegas? Have they ever just shut down the freeways entirely due to fire/smoke issues? I really hate to cancel and forfeit a deposit but I need to be able to get back to Vegas. We still have a couple more weeks in Vegas after DL, and that's where our return flight home is. I'm worried...

I'm not sure about smoke and visibility on the other freeways. I would think that the more towards the coast you are, the better it might be but I don't for sure. They do close freeways if the fire is right there next to the road but I wouldn't worry too much about that. There should be some way to get back to Vegas even if you have to take a slightly different route. Like PPs said, check the conditions right before you go and check traffic on the radio if you can while you're driving.

Also, fyi, my parents had their windows up with the AC on and they smelled the smoke for about 30-40 minutes as they drove through the Pasadena area.

 

[GrandBob]

Just thinking out loud here. I'm from NorCal, not SoCal, so correct me if I'm wrong. But looking at a map, perhaps DisneySuiteFreak would do well to stay on I-15 all the way to Corona, then cut across on 91 to Anaheim. That should keep her at maximum distance from the fires/smoke. Make sense?

-Bob

 

[PhotoJoe]

Just thinking out loud here. I'm from NorCal, not SoCal, so correct me if I'm wrong. But looking at a map, perhaps DisneySuiteFreak would do well to stay on I-15 all the way to Corona, then cut across on 91 to Anaheim. That should keep her at maximum distance from the fires/smoke. Make sense?

-Bob

Bob, interesting thought. I avoid the 91 like the plague, mainly because it always looks like the mall parking lot a week before Christmas! HOWEVER, taking the asthma into account, I would agree with you. Stay as far away as possible.

Here's a Google map I made for you. Hope it helps! If you click on the purple line, it will give you turn by turn directions! Also, on the map, you'll see the green "Angeles National Forest" North of the 210. THAT's what's on fire. Not all of it, but give it time. Right now, it's pretty much from Pasadena West, however, it is growing FAST.

Also, make sure the A/C is on "Recirculate". It will help keep the smoke out of the car. Help, but not completely eliminate it.

 

[umaangel00]

Does anyone have a suggestion for someone who has NEVER been to Cali let alone Disneyland? We are going to be coming from a short vacay in Vegas so any help will be great! Oh yeah, we are staying at Anaheim Plaza if that helps and we will be leaving vegas/arriving at Anaheim on the 11th of Sept!

 

[PhotoJoe]

What kind of suggestions are you referring to? Route? Mode of Transport? Where to go?

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I'm not sure about smoke and visibility on the other freeways. I would think that the more towards the coast you are, the better it might be but I don't for sure. They do close freeways if the fire is right there next to the road but I wouldn't worry too much about that. There should be some way to get back to Vegas even if you have to take a slightly different route. Like PPs said, check the conditions right before you go and check traffic on the radio if you can while you're driving.
Also, fyi, my parents had their windows up with the AC on and they smelled the smoke for about 30-40 minutes as they drove through the Pasadena area.

Just thinking out loud here. I'm from NorCal, not SoCal, so correct me if I'm wrong. But looking at a map, perhaps DisneySuiteFreak would do well to stay on I-15 all the way to Corona, then cut across on 91 to Anaheim. That should keep her at maximum distance from the fires/smoke. Make sense?
-Bob

Bob, interesting thought. I avoid the 91 like the plague, mainly because it always looks like the mall parking lot a week before Christmas! HOWEVER, taking the asthma into account, I would agree with you. Stay as far away as possible.

Here's a Google map I made for you. Hope it helps! If you click on the purple line, it will give you turn by turn directions! Also, on the map, you'll see the green "Angeles National Forest" North of the 210. THAT's what's on fire. Not all of it, but give it time. Right now, it's pretty much from Pasadena West, however, it is growing FAST.
Also, make sure the A/C is on "Recirculate". It will help keep the smoke out of the car. Help, but not completely eliminate it.

LavenderPeach, Grandbob and Photojoe, thank you all so much for your help! I really appreciate it. We usually avoid the 91 for the traffic reasons stated above, but I think for this trip we'll probably go that way to stay as far away from the fires as possible. Thanks for the map PhotoJoe!

 

[hbkfan637]

We're driving down from San Francisco on September 6. Planning to take 101s (cause the Bay Bridge is closed) and then going over Pacheo Pass to get to I5. Is this route ok with the fires? Thanks!

 

[philliplc]

my family and i are planning to day trip from DLR to magic mountain the weekend of sept 19/20. watching this situation with interest since brush fire smoke has shut down the park in the past.

 

[GrandBob]

We're driving down from San Francisco on September 6. Planning to take 101s (cause the Bay Bridge is closed) and then going over Pacheo Pass to get to I5. Is this route ok with the fires? Thanks!

As noted above, always check just before you go. That said, Pacheco Pass was closed earlier this week (or last?) because of fires. But I believe it's open again. Check your route with CalTrans.

-Bob

 

[hbkfan637]

As noted above, always check just before you go. That said, Pacheco Pass was closed earlier this week (or last?) because of fires. But I believe it's open again. Check your route with CalTrans.

-Bob

Thanks for the link!

 

[pixiewings71]

We just left the other day and Disneyland was not affected.
Do prepare for heat though. It's hotter than blazes. Like--Africa hot. Not for the faint of heart. It's only gotten worse since I was there too, and I felt like I was about to melt into the pavement.

Well I wouldn't say it was Africa hot, but it was very hot. Sunday was hotter than Saturday but both days were very hot.

We're driving in from Vegas. Are there any areas on the way from Vegas to Anaheim that we should avoid due to the fires?
Also, how's the humidity? I can handle the Vegas dry heat, but if it's hotter than hades and humid, ugggghhh -- I might as well go to WDW and be miserable in the humidity!

There wasn't any humidity when we were there, it was a very dry hot heat. lol

We are driving down on I-5. I seem to recall that goes over some mountains on the way into LA. Does it go through the affected areas/would there be any problem driving through?

We had NO problems driving down 5 thru the Grapevine. Not one, we did see smoke but couldn't smell it at all. And believe me, we are all uber sensitive to the smell of smoke after our house fire.

As noted above, always check just before you go. That said, Pacheco Pass was closed earlier this week (or last?) because of fires. But I believe it's open again. Check your route with CalTrans.

-Bob

Bob when was the pass closed? We drove thru there Friday night to DL and then back home on Sunday, no problems at all.

So, we were just there, Fri evening thru Sunday afternoon, we had NO problems with smoke or fires, no road closures or anything. The drive was actually really good and due to the heat the crowds were really low. We spent all of Saturday in the parks and much of Sunday as well. I have breathing/asthma issues and we all are very smoke sensitive so I can say with confidence that as of Saturday/Sunday there were no problems caused by the fires. Of course that can change daily so just be aware and check your route before you leave.

 

[GrandBob]

Bob when was the pass closed? We drove thru there Friday night to DL and then back home on Sunday, no problems at all.

From http://www.ksbw.com/news/20621898/detail.html --

"By Sunday morning, firefighters contained about 70 percent of the fire that first spread over 750 acres off Highway 152 near Bell Station and east of Casa de Fruta since its ignition Saturday at about 2 p.m. The California Highway Patrol in Monterey reported a sig-alert for eastbound 152 at Bell Station."

It sounds like you just missed it in both directions. I'm glad to hear that you didn't notice anything on Sunday. That's a route that DW and I take often.

-Bob

 

[Bunchkin]

So glad to find this thread as I was wondering what the conditions were!

I'm very concerned about the drive too from here in Vegas. We'll be heading out on Friday.

We have smoke and ash here. The car was covered in a really light dusting of it this morning.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

We are at the resort right now.. and it was a bit hazy today. I personally do not smell any smoke, but my son is very sensitive and his nose has been a little runny.

It was hot, but not terribly crowded during the day. It got much, much more crowded in the evening... The big rumor was that the dragon was going to appear. We went back to the hotel and watched the fireworks from there. We have premium seating for Fantasmic tomorrow so we decided it wasn't worth hanging around tonight.

hth.

 

[jkh1978]

I'm still worried.. I'm flying in from Virginia to do the half marathon...

 

[kirkson]

there is nothing to worry about. The fires are nowhere near DL and the air quality won't be any worse than it usually is.

Good luck in the 1/2 and have fun