The fire

PS Here's a link to the Univ of Wisc map. Great visiuals
Pati
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/goes/blog/2007/10/22/wildfires-in-southern-california-part-2/

Hi Ya'll,
Reporting in from Scripps Ranch: They evacuated us yesterday and allowed us to return today. My office in Rancho Bernardo was evacuated yesterday as well. Many homes burned in that area, but the office is fine although we still can't get there.

We can see above Ramona from our house and had been watching fires in the distance since they started. It got pretty iffy for awhile. Now the sun is shining and the smoke is everywhere, but not near as thick as before.

San Diego schools are closed for the rest of the week.

We've been through this before. My 2 neighbors to the left both burned to the ground in the "Cedar" fire 4 years ago and have both rebuilt. The thanks to a great fire team, after working on the house next door for 2 hours, my home was saved. Firefighters have always been - and will always be my heros!

I was so sorry to hear about Fallbrook. 100 structures burned. Where is SHERRY??
"Sheeeer-rrrrry" Hope you are okay Sherry! Let us know ...

K - Thanks for the pic's. Be so VERY careful. our area looks very much like here. The winds are so unpredictable right now. The fires have a little mini-weather pattern of their own. If you start to see any smoke blowing straight over your head, time to leave.

Air drops today!! That's what we need. This is the first time the winds are calm enough for air drops. That will really put a "damper" on things.

Soon, the winds should start coming from the west (normal). The air won't be so dry, but what is left of the fires will start moving in the opposite direction. Things will stay unpredictable for awhile.

T-

Praying for everyones safety is S. CA.
Linda

I'm echoing all the other prayers for safety for all you in So. CA. My brother lives in Fountain Valley. I talked to him last night and he said that he and his wife and their home weren't in any immediate danger but the fire was only about 7 miles from them at that time over in the Irvine area. That is not very far. He did say that they were able to smell the smoke slightly. It may be worse than that by now.
It seems that all of So. CA is burning! :o((

Stay safe, everyone!

Marilyn

Tleaves! So good to hear from you. I just heard that Scripps residents were released to go home. Good for you. We've been talking to neighbors. Apparently the Sheriff's Dept. will notify us here - our across the road neighbor is with the Oceanside Police, too, so we'll be sure to get the word. We're all sitting still until that happens. We have three parrots to move and don't want to do that if not necessary, not to mention leaving home is not easy. But we'll go if we need to.

Tabasco, according to this map - I think it's the one DaisyAvenue posted - http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ie=UTF8&z=9&om=1 Pala and Gird is not in the fire. It's hard to get down to street level with any of this information.

Also, IF the map is accurate, Sherry's house is in the clear. We just rec'd a confusing call about evac status - why are they calling us about evacuations north of Fallbrook? Oh, dear, I'll be busy tracking this down. Ooops, neighbor just called the info number and they said we are not on the list.

BTW, if looking at that map, follow Pala/76 highway west to where it changes to Mission/76 Hwy - we're near Old River Road.

Well, the mystery behind the phone call seems to be that the Rice fire has spread north to the De Luz area and nearing the border with Riverside County. They must have mixed up the zip codes or something and included us in the 911 call. I checked with the information line (as my neighbor did) and they said we are NOT on the evac list. Very nice guy, too.

10News ABC finally have an actual person in Fallbrook giving live reports - pictures to follow. That might help some of us. If I hear anything of note I will pass it on.

[Our neighbors got hold of a horse trailer! Yeah!!! ]

Thank you. I finally got the Google map to load and it looks like my sis is safe for the moment, anyway. But very close depending on how the wind blows tonight. She was in the Scripps Ranch fire 4 years ago and her neighbors lost their homes. She is not so sanguine about fires anymore, and I don't blame her! Looks really scary from the news reports in the North county Times.

But you're right. It's hard to tell how accurate the maps and website reporting is. I did find a message board on the North County Times site that had first hand reports from homeowners, but again, it was hours old and with the wind blowing, it's hard to know what is going to happen! Thanks again for your info and tips. North County Times Link : http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/23/news/breaking/9_65_2910_23_07.txt

Please let me know if you come across any other news, and please keep yourselves and friends and family safe. Our prayers are with all of you. t.

Too much, this is too much. I live in a town with one fire truck and a pretty large population, we live in the unincorporated part of town so we get last priority if there is anything happening simotaneously here. It is really scary to live in this State now. Did anyone see 60 minutes Sunday night?

Lisa - Tleaves.

So happy to hear from you. :-))) Glad to hear your home and business has fared well. Now, lets hope we hear from Sherry.

Donna

yep, I am still worried though it sounds like her house may be safe for now. Sadly guys, we have to worry that we need rain and may get it this year, how many more problems will we have then?

Thinking of everyone in harms way and sending prayers to all of you!

And Karen (amarantha00) checked in over on the hibiscus forum, sounds likes she's OK too for now, the power has been out a lot and there's lots of smoke, but for now she hasn't had to evacuate.

Good to hear, Liz.

I know that I'm far from all the fire but if theres any thing that I can do to help please let me know I dont have much but I allways have enough to share God bless and keep every one safe
gloria

Just heard about this thread and popping my head in to check on you all. Is there anything I can do to help you get through this??

Oh all you wonderful Californians! Both my husband and I are natives, and we have many friends and family throughout the entire state. I love California, even with all the smog, earthquakes, odd politics...everything. I have been crying steadily since they started showing all this horror on the news, and I feel for each and everyone of you...been there, done that, and understand the confusion, and frustration and fear. Nothing I was in was anywhere near this bad though, so I just keep thinking "I can't imagine, I can't imagine"...please all of you, be safe, don't take any - ANY - unecessary chances...things are just things, but people can't be replaced.

Keep lines of communication open when possible, and please let us know if there is ANYTHING we can do to help. Of course our strongest possible thoughts for rain and less wind are flying your way.

Stay safe

Gosh Sheri that is so heart felt. All of you out of staters/country folk are so sweet to pop in. I love DGers.

I also want to pop in and send my best wishes, and prayers for safety to those in S. Ca.
A buddy system is indeed helpful in time of crisis. I live in Alabama. But my DG's buddy is in La. and another in Tenn. So we keep one another informed of any natural disaster.

The heat and ashes are the worst part for us here in LB...probably in HB, too. It hurts to breathe will all the junk in the air.

My BIL's office in Canyon Country burned down, and their church got a lot of fire damage.

Has anyone heard from Janice? (frogsrus) ????

I hope Sherry posts soon !

Hi - craigslist.org has listings for free use of a horse trailer and free storage both for people affected by the fire. These listings are in the free section in the LA listing. Other areas may have other posts.

Heartfelt prayers to all those affected by these disasaters.

Katiebear, that's good to know if I run into someone who needs one. I never think of Craig's until someone brings it up! Should know better by now.

I called Janice....They are fine...their High School is being used as an evacuation Center and besides working 6 day weeks....they have been helping out at the center. She said to tell you that they were safe. Jo

Thanks, Jo !

Dear Sherry, Kathleen and Janice,

I am praying that you all come out of this fiasco all right. We live about halfway (about 25 miles away from each one) between the fire at Cal State San Bernardino and the one at Murrieta (which is contained I believe they said on ABC-TV). We have been lucky. All day today the ashes and the dust came in our house and all over the garden. The winds have been about 60-80 mph at times here. I have been changing bird waterers and hummingbird feeders every 2 hours or so (mostly to get the dust and ashes out). Yesterday I counted five hummingbirds at the larger feeder (including the dominant male) and three more perched a little bit aways to get to the feeder when they can. The birds have't been as many today as yesterday but there was still a lot. The temp here was 91 degrees high today. I also watered the plants twice today.

I hope that everybody involved in the fires come out okay.

Take care,

Chuck

This message was edited Oct 23, 2007 10:19 PM

Thanks so much Jo, I am glad to hear that too. all the folks should be checking in soon because there should be way less wind tomorrow and a certain amount of containment too. I have close friends evacuated in San Tee too and we assume they are in Qualcom or in another house they own in Spring Valley/Casa de oro, with their handicapped clients. Worries continue.

All of our best wishes and prayers are with you all... the Southwest Gardening Forum is your neighbor, (and yes, I'm speaking on our behalf that we wish you well), and my husband and I travel through all of your areas often, you're in our thoughts, we wish you safety, we hope these fires stop now and that you, your pets, and your lives stay safe. Please get out if you must... remember, you can rebuild and replant... you must save yourselves and your pets. Stay safe!

Brenda

Has anyone heard from Kelli (Canoga Park)?

Our thoughts are prayers are with everyone affected by the fires. Please do everything possible to stay safe and keep in touch if you can.

Sharon

Still praying for everyone! This is so devastating.
Janice Kay

I'm far north - if anyone needs help - I can head down early in the morning. Please, don't hesitate. I have room enough for animals for a while and a half ton truck with a hitch that can haul a trailer and I can put someone up in my travel trailer. (Not fancy, but no fire.) 530-625-4653. I can bring some crates, too. Gone all day today, but I'll try to get online and will be home in the evening again.

Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking and praying for all of you.
Please be careful, be safe and keep contact with your family and friends if possible.

Hi! Just a quick note. Thank you for veryone's thoughts and prayers. I did not mean to worry any one. Jo called me last night. I have worked 19 out of the last 21 days and am running on empty.

The fires are not in my area- not even as close as the last fires. Mira Mesa High School (our local HS) here is an evacuation center so the kids have been there during the day and I go over after work in the evening. Lots of folks and pets are there. A number were able to go home late yesterday and the Rancho Bernardo folk are hoping for electricity so they can go back today. Ramona also has no services. Please keep up the prayers for the people whose homes are still in the path of the fire. I am afraid it is a long way from over. They are hoping to get them contained by halloween.

We were an evac center in the 2003 fires as well, so things went pretty smoothly this time. This community is a pretty amazing "small town" in the midst of San Diego. The people and businesses really pull together.

The air quality is not good here but nowhere near the black soot/ash that accompanied the 2003 fire that was due east of me.

Well back to work. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I have to go sneeking out. I have spare teens from other schools sleeping over that will be going over to the high school with my kids later. One older couple was really enjoying all the kids. Said the news should report on them rather than all the troublemakers.

I am so glad that every one here is out of harms way. Be Safe.
Janice

I Have 2 sons out there somewhere, From a long ago marriage, I did not know how to contact them before this - except email, so I can only hope they are ok. Prayers for all affected.

Janice, thanks for checking in and glad your family is spared. Tell all those kids that are helping, thank you from many of us that wish we could help too.

Donna

Hi everyone... so for you guys that know Steph (steph_gem)- she, her husband + Higgins had to leave their home and are safe with a friend in downtown San Diego...oh I am praying that the fire doesn't burn her beloved home and gardens... oh all those gorgeous roses!!!!!

oh my heart is so broken for you guys... oh a lot of work ahead!!!!! you guys are in my prayers!!!

Donna, I am glad you and Mike are not in any danger... I miss you guys!!!

Good morning Kassia,

Oh, we miss you too. Wish you lived out here in our neck of the woods, but not anywhere where these fires occur!!!

I feel terrible that I forgot about Steph. Thank you for letting us know. I sure hope her home fares well and that beautiful garden is spared.

I've seen all the pics and comments from your trip up north. Sounds like you had a ball. You can get into big trouble with those gals. lol

hugs,
Donna

MySharona - Canoga Park is fine. The air is full of smoke but no fire near there. Canoga Park is a ways from any danger.

So far we have one friend that has lost a home in Running Springs. He was out of the country on vacation till yesterday. He lost everything.

Has anyone heard from wcgypsy?

We got a couple of false alarm calls yesterday, then the sheriff's deputies came around 12:30 with their sirens to get us out. Funny, they asked me what street they were on - ours is a private road - because they came over the hill from near Camp Pendleton. Glad I was able to help, standing out there in my PJs. Tip: always were PJs during emergencies! They must have had keys for some gates, as there is no access from that direction. Hmmmm....

Some friends in San Marcos took us in - they were already evacuated and returned - along with our three parrots. So here I am locked in the tower room trying to amuse them and make them more comfortable. Makes it harder to worry, but I'm still doing plenty of that. So glad we were ready to go - it didn't take us long at all. Our neighbors were all prepared, too, and I saw some big vehicles going up the hill to the exotic animal rescue, so hopefully they are OK.

No news from Sherry yet. She does have our phone numbers.

So glad you were able to evacuate safely to a friend's home with room for your parrots, too! And that you had your PJs on when the knock came!

Good to know so many DGers have checked in and are out of harms way (for now) too.

It's hard to get news right now of how the fires are burning or whether they are getting contained. Maybe later in the day some info will surface...

Hope everyone stays safe today. t.

I'm praying for all our friends to be safe! I gotan email from a DG friend who is no longer posting here,she is very sick.Her ID was peterson89.She lives near San Diego and she wrote me this:
"well believe it or not we are the hardest hit by the fires.. its almost seems like all of San Diego County is burning... thank God we are safe for now.. but last night I stayed up all night as the hills near us were all burning and people were being evacuated... 300,000 of them in San Diego county have been evacuated..
there were 10,000 camped out at the San Diego stadium last night.. its so much worse than the terrible fire storm we had 4 years ago.. hundreds have lost their homes.. some of them just rebuilt after the last fire.. hot dry Santa Ana winds and very high temperatures..'
poor fire fighters are still working overtime... 24 hours without a break.. its the heavy gusting hot winds which are fanning the blazes....
will have to write you again sweetheart as I am so tired.. John slept right thru this last night... I woke him up several times but he went back to sleep .. they were evacuating thousands of people..."
Praying for you all to be safe from the fire !
Adina