2. The Thin Time
“On November 1, 1993, as it has done for eons, a high pressure zone was centered over Nevada, Northern Arizona and Utah. Concurrently, along the Southern California coast a low pressure zone migrated into the area. This differential in pressure created a gradient, and hot desert air began to flow toward the ocean.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“The souls of infants and children begin to arrive at 3 pm on October 31; the souls of adults return on November 1, Day of the Dead. In the Celtic world, the dead return on All Souls’ Day, November 2.”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“As the winds pushed toward the ocean, gravity directed the flow into the transverse canyons of the Santa Monicas. Wind speed increased and relative humidity dropped. The Foehn winds had arrived, the winds the Spaniards called the ‘SantaAnas,’ or ‘Devil Winds.’”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“The Christian observance of Allhallowtide (between October 31 and November 2) has been superimposed on older belief systems around the world. Among the Celts, this three-day period is known as the thin time, when the veil between the living and the dead grows thin.”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“A Red Flag Warning had been issued for November 2, 1993. The weather forecasted temperatures in the mid 80's, winds 20 to 40 miles per hour with local gusts to 60 miles per hour, and a relative humidity of 7 to 13 percent. By noon on November 1st, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Captains in the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys began to report Santa Ana conditions of sustained north-northwesterly winds at thirty miles an hour, with rapidly dropping humidity.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“The souls of dead infants and children act as intermediaries between the community and the forces of nature. Flowers, candles and prayers are offered to the souls of infants and children (los angelitos) for protection from the natural elements.”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“The call from a resident was received at 1046 hours via 911 stating that a fire had been sighted near the water tower on Old Topanga Canyon Road. A First Alarm Brush response was dispatched at 1049 hours to the fire in Engine 69's jurisdiction. Engine 75 made the first visual report stating that smoke was visible from one half mile out.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“On Samhain (October 31) a great bonfire, called a need-fire or a wild-fire, is left burning till dawn, with food laid out for the dead. If the people forget to perform this duty, the dead souls and other supernatural beings could grow angry.”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“The winds at the time of the fire's inception were almost dormant as witnessed by initial responders. However, as the huge convection column began spiraling some six miles into the sky, spawned from nearly 1,000 acres of burning wild land just one hour into the fire, the massive column created an enormous vacuum.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“Spiraling whirlwinds indicate the presence the souls of the dead who are angry because they have not been honored and remembered properly.”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“Winds that were beginning to change to easterly were deflected by the upward rush of super-heated air. Flame lengths of 200 feet were observed as the fire crested Saddle Peak, and 100 foot flame lengths were reported in many stands of old vegetation above Pacific Coast Highway. Storms of embers and flaming brands caused observed spotting one half mile in advance of the fire, with spotting distances being calculated to distances of up to 2.6 miles.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
“In times of great need, the people pray to the souls of dead infants… As one informant said, ‘Los angelitos siempre nos ayudan a que los poderes que nos gobiernan oigan nuestras súplicas…’ (The little angels always help us, so that the powers that govern us hear our supplications…)”
~ The Dead and the Living: Cultural Beliefs About the Return of the Dead, Anna Szymborska, Exton University Press
“The speed and fury with which the Topanga Fire blew to the coast is unparalleled.”
~Official Report, Old Topanga Incident, County of Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive