Thank you, HikinJim, for the fine information you provide on the various stove options. Very much appreciated.
Re this church group, it has been widely reported that they were in the upper Eaton Canyon, an area where the falls are located (i.e., between Idelhour Camp and down to the canyon floor) and which has been off limits for several months now.
As you may know, there is an absolute prohibition on fireworks, smoking, or the making of any fire in Eaton Canyon and the surrounding areas. I cannot remember a time when the canyon has been drier. Yet, despite the reports of the group members having "extra clothes", someone got cold and they made a fire. In 50 degree temps. With 15 bodies of body heat to work with. And these folks are "experienced?"
As someone who was fortunate to make it through the 1993 event, and for anyone else who has endured a shower of embers falling on their house, hearing about such a foolish decision that could've easily impacted countless others hits home, big time.
This was not a "signal fire." Considering their predicament, this group of individuals should be more than thankful that their ill-advised campfire didn't cause more problems for them and trap them in a situation that they couldn't get out of. While there was indeed a wind event in October 1993, and the transient in that situation was indeed booked for unlawful use of fire, I see them as both equally inexcusable, equally culpable, and equally worthy of your "idiocy" description.
