Please help -- we’re supposed to drive to LA this weekend!

Factual Questions
1

As I mentioned in this thread, I’m about to drive from Las Vegas to Los Angeles (Fullerton, to be exact) to go see Grandm’ma. Having grown up on the east coast and devoid of any sense of the California geography/highway system, we’re in a bit of a panic here — our flight is in and out of Vegas (staying on for a conference), but if we can’t get in we need to cancel our California hotel and rental car before we leave. The actual dates/times are this Thursday morning there and this Saturday morning back.

Is attempting to drive back and forth from Vegas to Fullerton out of the question? On a scale of Johnny Depp (mildly insane) to Jack Nicholson (mondo insane), how bad of an idea is it?

Is a four-hour trip likely to turn into a twelve-hour nightmare?

Is there any chance that the fires will prevent us from driving back to Vegas on Saturday morning?

Is this friendly visit about to turn into a rescue mission?

Is there a good source for fire-modified directions and information? I have found a few pages (e.g., the LA Times), but not knowing much about the area, I can’t judge the usefulness or veracity of information. (This is the GQ part of the question – if this is better placed in IMHO, please feel free to move).

Thanks,

Rhythm

2

I think you should be fine, honestly. It looks liek there is a bit of problem where the 15 meets the 215, but I am guessing it will be contained. I also wouldn’t expect too much traffic on Saturday morning. It is impossible to say for sure. But the Fullerton area shouldnt’ be bad at all.

3

I’d be more concerned about high winds and dust storms when you’re out in the middle of nowhere. Bring warm clothes, water and food while crossing the desert, just to be safe.

If you leave bright and early Saturday morning, traffic towards Las Vegas should be fine.

4

Wow … you wouldn’t be suggesting that the media is overreacting, would you? Did I really just fall for that?

5

Southern California is a big place. It’s nasty if your area is burning, but otherwise life goes on.

6

There is nothing going on currently that would suggest you’d have any difficulty with your trip. Relax and enjoy.

7

It IS really bad, just not so much in L.A… If you were headed for San Diego instead of Los Angeles you’d be better off staying home. My company has offices in San Diego and they’ll probably be closed for the rest of the week.

8

Have you called the hotel in Fullterton? I know that there are a number of fires in the OC, but I don’t think that they’re anywhere near Fullterton. You should be fine, with the potential exception of the fire in Devore. I recall hearing that they shut the 15 down for a while. Here is the LAFD’s map of the southern California wildfires.

9

Last I heard, there was only one in Orange County, and it’s south of Irvine. Shouldn’t affect Fullerton at all.

10

Thanks for all your input! We were this (hold up thumb and forefinger) close to canceling.

So it sounds like there might be a detour, but that’s about it. Fullerton will stay on the map, there will be no need to call on skills learned from Mr. Pliskin, and there will be joy in Muddville.

Thanks!

Rhythm