California fires

[sandy]

Just want to check on our friends who live in California, I hope they are not affected by the fires. Let us know you are OK.

[Shoesy]

I was just thinking the same thing, Sandy. Stay safe all you California posters.

[Jody]

We haven't heard from Becky in a few days and she's usually on most days. I hope she's sfe and well.

[Shoesy]

Becky posted on T.A. about 14 hours ago.

[sistereurope]

Becky lives in Northern CA so she should be OK...the fires are in Southern CA, near San Diego.
I'm not sure how close the others are! (Suzanne? Annette?)

[toutou]

I'm from San Diego (now living in Provence). I have several friends who were evacuated. Several more are packed and ready for the call.

It is absolutely horrible.

If you want to read more about it and see the maps of areas involved, you can check out my old stomping grounds here:

www.knsd.com

[annettecinca]

We're fine here, thanks! The nearest fire to us is about 10 miles away, and is no threat--last I heard it is not large or too out-of-control. My husbands business partner just built a weekend cabin in Lake Arrowhead, and we're anxious about it's fate however. There is no way to get word, as no one is allowed in the area to check.

[luckyluc]

I do remember some out of control fires from previous years, but this seem really bigger, like all the conditions are together. On the radio this morning someone was also blaming the fire spreading on the very high human density and the fact that so much people are moving to Southern CA. I must admit my ignorance of all thing californian.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I'm fine - as Sistereurope noted, I'm in the San Francisco area, so far from the problems. But yesterday afternoon I was on the phone with a colleague down there who was telling me about how bad it is. Really, it's just horrifying - but we got some rain here last week and the fire danger is down, so a lot of equipment and personnel are being moved down there to help.

Over the weekend, I was in the far north end of California (Mt Shasta area) and was shocked to see how low Lake Shasta is now. I had not realized that they've had a pretty serious drought up there since about this time last year. But as they also got about two inches of rain over the last week or so, hopefully the north end of the state is not in so much danger (the foliage in the Sacramento River canyon, however, was absolutely stunning on a crisp and sunny Fall day).

[suzanne]

I live in Orange county near Disneyland. It has been really windy and smoky so breathing is not so much fun. My son who works in Irvine had his office building evacuated yesterday. so he gets the day off today.

My daughter is a teacher in Script's Ranch, near San Diego. She reports that it is really bad there. 100's of houses destroyed there. She actually lives in Ocean Beach and says the air quality is just awful there. We are wondering about the animals in the San Diego Wild Animal Park. They evacuated the area yesterday and I am assuming the animals were left behind. Really sad.

[toutou]

There are so many wildfires burning now. The Southern one has crossed the border into Mexico and is burning in Chula Vista, Jamul and Mount Miguel. There is another burning in Coronado of all places and the one in the Northern San Diego communities of Rancho Penasquitos, Escondido and Scripps Ranch.

None of these are anywhere near under control.

And yes, my San Diego friends have told me many folk are blaming the fast spread of the fires to over-population and over-building as someone else hear stated. That, along with the dryness, strong winds and inability to drop water by air helicopters due to black skies.

All in all, a really bad scene.

[toutou]

I read many of the animals were taken to a fire safe house ON the Wild Animal Park premises. I read many were taken to the Del Mar Fair Grounds, but they have now said they cannot take any more large animals.

Many folks did not evacuate in order to try to save their horses. The pictures brought tears to my eyes. Those poor animals.

[annettecinca]

luckyluc said:

I do remember some out of control fires from previous years, but this seem really bigger, like all the conditions are together. On the radio this morning someone was also blaming the fire spreading on the very high human density and the fact that so much people are moving to Southern CA. I must admit my ignorance of all thing californian.

Luc, a few years ago (Oct 2003?) our big fires destroyed over 3000 homes, and while this current firestorm is horrible, it hopefully won't compare. Interesting how your local news is spinning one of the "causes" to be high population density! True, there weren't as many homes in some of these areas 20 years ago, so the toll on structures could be potentially higher these days, but to me more concrete and houses means less dry brush to fuel the fires. Our area has received only 3 inches of rain during the past year, so it is VERY dry, and combined with the severe winds, it was bound to happen.

[toutou]

I hope you're right Annette, but it sure looks bad..

From CNN

"Raging California wildfires have destroyed 1,300 homes, threatened another 68,000 and forced more than 300,000 people to flee and seek refuge in shelters, schools and stadiums."

[Penny]

the NASA satellite map was scary.

The increased growth of S. Calif has been going on since the 1800's and dramically increased from World War II as many veterans moved/stayed after being stationed there. At one time California has more military bases than any other state.

I can remember in the 60's and 70's when Orange County was orange groves.

I have always wondered though about real estate prices and why anyone would want to buy a home that costs 4X or more than the same elsewhere.

I've been checking online news but has anyone seen/heard if the National Guard has been called out to help?

[Penny]

Hey Becky why didn't you stop by to see my kiddo? LOL

[Jody]

I saw earlier where the Guard had been called in, particularly to privide helicopters. I just checked , I hadn't realized the fires were so close to my BIL.

Even with no fire around you, the air quality will be horrible. Last year's fires in N>FL and Ga sent smoke all the way to Central and S.FL>

[annettecinca]

Yes, air quality is bad. Luckily the wind is blowing away from us today. All school sports events have been cancelled the past 2 days because of the smoke and falling ash. Here's a shot from my back yard looking toward the fires in Lake Arrowhead. Where is your BIL, Demarias?

[img src="i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa136/AnnetteCinCA/P1010078-1.jpg"]

[Jody]

I was just reading they've called out a batallion of Marines from Ft. Pendleton to help. Fort Pendleton itself is telling the people stationed and living there on base to prepare to evacuate.


Annette , he lives in Lompoc , which look sclose to the Santa Maria fires.

[suzanne]

Annette, I cannot beleive you are lucky enough to have some blue skies. It is grey and smoky here. My throat is huring. Everyone in the office is sneezing and coughing.