The fire

Thank you!!

Here's another link you might want to keep an eye on - it helps to have a visual overall view.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&num=1000&ll=33.035723,-117.103271&spn=0.446693,0.537643&z=11

That's great...thank you so much, she's in her 70's so I worry.....

Are you back home Sherry, did anything survive?

Just popping my head in again, 11 hour day at work again. Did not have time to really do more than skim the posts. So is everybody safe and accounted for?? I would be glad to help you all in any way I can, just let me know what is needed. I don't have much but always enough to help friends.

I saw someone on Nightline last night standing in front of his house. He was astounded that it was still there. When he evacuated, he said he saw the front stairs on fire, so he "just knew" that he was going to return home to ruins. And he has a shake roof, while his neighbors had sprinkler systems and tile roofs, he said. But when he came home, his house was still there and theirs were gone. Amazing how the fire skips and catches.

They also interviewed a fire chief last night who said that the wildfire arsonists are looking for thrills and a feeling of power. No other motivation. Just a need to satisfy their craving without any thought to the damage to people and property. Sounds like one gets going and then a few "latent" arsonists get stimulated to try their hand. It's like the mob mentality of rioting and looting, I suspect. Wish there was a test they could do on people to see if they had this tendency hidden away.

It's true that each of our regions has its own environmental threats. The beauty and danger of Mother Nature is that she's continually trying to "take back" her terrain without regard to those of us on it. I agree, LouC - every day without a natural disaster is a gift and a blessing . . .

Katie, there are quite a few traits I wish we had a test for, but this is a biggie!

Did you see the story about the neighbor who noticed there was no activity at two households on his cul-de-sac? He ran to each of them to wake his neighbors - there was a wall of fire coming toward the houses. He saved both families and HIS house burned to the ground. :-( I have a feeling he will get lots of help without asking for it. The newsman asked, what do you say to someone who saved your life at risk of his own? The man replied "Compadres por siempre." Friends forever.

Wow. I can't imagine how scary that must have been. I don't think anyone who hasn't been through it can imagine the experience. It sounds like those people didn't have much warning, so the fire must have taken a surprising route. It's true that the best and the worst in people comes out at a time like this. Catastrophe is surely the measure of the person.

I also heard last night that the fire can go underground consuming roots and the like and then resurface far from where it looked like it had stopped. Now how do you combat that? Thank goodness for those people who are willing to put their lives on the line and get right in there to save the rest of us from harm - especially against an enemy like this. Compadres por siempre . . .

I truly hope that they get the last of these fires under control soon. I suspect by now that the volunteers from the Pacific Northwest have reached Southern California and can at least help to spell those people who have been going days without sleep. Hope so.

Why is it that the best part of us is only seen/appreciated during times of crisis? If we would only let the compassion out of the closet the rest of the time, this would be a much better world.

Thank goodness for the goodness in people. It is what keeps us human.

Amen! We are so involved with our own lives ( me the most) that we tend to forget that others are struggling with other difficulties. We are a great and wonderful creation. Let's make it known to each other every single day. DG has brought together some of the best of the best.

LouC

Amen to both of you, Shari and LouC!

So true, Shari!

There's an interesting thread here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/783689/

Thanks for the link Kaper....hope you are right, and some of the California contingent can help us get this thing started with real info on what would be helpful. I too would rather help specifically than through an agency...

I think that some of us don't even know what we're capable of until we're tested. Correction. I think that's true of all of us. Even the most considerate of people can always find a little more when called upon, I think. And sadly, the opposite is true of others. I prefer to think that the good outweighs the bad - there have been some tremendous stories of neighbor helping neighbor in this and in other tragedies. No doubt we'll hear more.

That's surely something to be grateful for. :-)

I just wonder if there isn't something that can be done about the potential for arson in this or similar situations. Perhaps a neighborhood watch. I know when I lived in San Diego I lived in a cul de sac up over the stadium. It could have been some kind of community, but it wasn't. We came and went and never knew our neighbors who lived just feet away from us. We do value our privacy.
But, we also need to be aware. In this thread alone, there is mention of the capture of 4 arsonists. Isn't there some tip-off to stop them before they do so much damage?

Hi all-

Regarding Gloria125's thoughts about arsonists:
Our firestorm in Laguna Beach, which destroyed hundreds of homes in 1993, was started by an arsonist who was never captured. Since then, there has been a proactive joint effort between citizen volunteers, reserve and off-duty police officers and our fire department. We are somewhat fortunate in the fact that the dangerous “perfect storm” California fire conditions can be predicted and we have only three roads in and out of our town. All week, reserve and off-duty offices were called in and our little old folks in the volunteer police group were driving around looking for suspicious activity. I believe this was a great deterrent to would-be arsonists. Unfortunately, this costs us taxpayers a significant amount of money to pay our police and fire employees to do this, but our community has concluded that it is preferable to the incredible loss that was suffered in 1993. It really all comes down to citizens being willing to pay taxes and people who are willing to volunteer. I have noticed that most folks are “too busy” to volunteer or “want tax cuts” instead of public safety, so I guess it takes a catastrophe to enlighten them.

Oh, we also have security cameras trained on some of our trails adjacent to wilderness areas. These cameras are privately-funded by homeowners adjacent to public wilderness space. It’s somewhat controversial, so not publicly acknowledged.

I suppose it will always be a trade-off between privacy and safety. We pay the police to protect us, but they have a thankless job. We call them "cops" -- not complimentary. And no one wants to be accused of being a "stool" pigeon.

It is probably a matter of education to get people involved in their own protection.

Thanks for the info. Its good to know what is being done on a community level.

gloria

I must say that Southern California always amazes me. I have never seen a community come together in such devestating times as San Diego County has. I am just blown away by all the help that has come from all over....from the mom and pop pizza shops delivering free pizzas to both firefighters and evacuees to all the folks out there dropping pillows and blankets off at their local evac centers. Qualcom got so much stuff they had to start turnng donations away... WOW!!
I live in the Imperial Beach area so all we had to deal with was the smoke and ash from the Harris fire. My heart and prayers go out to everyone effected by any of these wildfires and I just have to say I love Southern California. Stay strong out there!

Amy

Amy, I feel the same way. I am SO touched by these people. So many small stories coming out of kindnesses done. Just warms my heart no end.

Kathleen

P.S. Not sure about the wind, but the fire threatening Temecula where drdon & Pam live is fully contained. I know a lot of people were worried about them.

4 arsonists were just arrested in Montgomery, Alabama. It appears that these low-lifes think they are on a roll.

In NC (I think, not sure) there were a number of fires set and put out by the gentleman that set them..... seems this firefighter liked to fight fires .... so if none are available?

We all just need to watch our localities and be aware of their current conditions.

I have fought fires, In Japan, In Va, did not get pleasure from the act, it just needed to be "put out" at the time.

When my home or that or my neighbor is threatened I will again fight fire ... but not unless.

My commendations to those fighting in Ca. and to those who gave so much on 9/11.

They are the true hero's we may never know personally .... but owe so much.

Oh, Gloria, just what you need with your drought conditions!

Dyson, yes, they are a breed apart. It must break their hearts when one of their own goes "rogue."

I need to check this out. I just heard that on of the arsonists is being returned to San Diego. There will be more on the news I suppose.

I'm home again!! Spent a very interesting 10 hours at River Village in Bonsall yesterday waiting for them to open the road...everyone you talked to would give you a different story about whether or not it would open,or when. We were at the upper lot and had a couple of very nice Highway Patrolmen that we were with and talked to all day.They were very good at diffusing what could have become a very angry situation. Long story, but they let us through at 6 in the evening. I went back to Lake Elsinore this a.m....DH and DS still there in motel, picked up my 6 cats from the kennel in Murrieta. Country Kennel in Murrieta was so super, took in my 6 cats for 4 days and then wouldn't let me pay them at all. This has all been such an experience. I'm hoping that there's some kind of list published here in town regarding whose homes were lost. When you think of the cost of all the items in our daily lives that would need to be replaced, it's staggering...not to mention losing your home. I'm sure there will be local effort to help these people.
I get home and look around at all the things I should start working on immediately, but think I'm going to be for awhile instead.
I see that Tleaves has been back home and K is safe in Bonsall, sounds as though everyone at DG is safe...Have we heard of anyone losing their home?
Sherry

That'a great to hear from you, Sherry. I thought about you all day yesterday and today. Wondering if you could find a way to get in and water your plants. I was so afraid you were gonna lose them, or your house for that matter. So glad everything turned out o.k. : )
~Lucy

Oh Sherry, I have tears in my eyes (happiness this time) for you being home. What wonderful people the people at the kennel are.

How did the plants fare? Hoping they are OK and so glad you are OK!!

Love and Light,
Susan
=^..^=

Hello from australia.

We are keeping an eye on you and praying for the best outcome.
we have sent help over as we know only to well what its like to live in a country that burns!
we have this issue every year and have received help from the USA on many occasions.
wishing you all well and safe.

australia is watching and upholding you all

x

With every "check-in" we get a great sigh of relief. It is fantastic to know that everyone is helping one another, and staying strong. In the Dave's Garden Forum, we are trying to organize a way to help with getting plants and seeds to people who have lost their gardens, not just from the fires, but from smoke and ash as well. When things settle down, and you have a chance to look around, please let us know there if there is a nursery/ag school/garden center near any of you that we could use as a collection/distribution area. Warm and heartfelt hugs to all of you!

I know exactly how Sherry feels. The waiting is so hard. Physical, emotional, psychological stress takes its toll. Sending good thoughts for peaceful sleep.

Oh, well....sleep. I decided that it would be more important to help the local economy and was thrilled to find Pedro's open! I'd really been wanting a fish taco or two. It's just stunning, I drive into town and everything is business as usual. This morning it was still horribly smokey and all of a suden it's blue skies and lovely afternoon. Surreal. The thing I missed most on a couple of separate days when I didn't have my laptop with me was DG. I'm home,have fish tacos and DG! Couldn't possibly be better. Going out soon to see if my seedling flats have germinated or dried out. Be pretty cool if I have seeds germinated in my absence.

Good to know, Sherry, we'll come to town for breakfast at our favorite place tomorrow!

Garden Center? I didn't notice if they were open or no....

LOL

Sherry, we go to the cafe on Main Street across from Joe's (Hank's) Hardware. DH likes their sausage and eggs. I keep trying to get him to try the Garden Center, but he's stubborn. :-)

Hey Sherry - we can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing you are home. Hope you have happy seedlings!
- Karen

Glad you made it back home, Sherry.

YAY!!!! Been monitoring...SOO happy you SD DGers are back home & safe!!!

Just checking in.

Sherry, I am so glad that you are home safely.

Most of the people still at our evac center are being relocated this weekend. Rancho Bernardo still has no idea when services will be back in that area. School is due to open here on Tuesday. I have to say that I am proud of my little community here. The residents and businesses have been wonderful. A lot of teenagers and others spent what could have been a week off helping at the evac center doing whatever they were asked to do. The parade of donations never stopped. Business gave freely of time and goods.

Hats off to the people from Disneyland who walked around in those hot costumes to keep the children entertained. They went to about 18 centers that day.

Keep up the prayers that our fire fighters and all of those from other areas who came to our aid will be safe.

Everyone stay safe and close to one another. Cherish every moment that may seem "normal."

Janice

Sherry, so glad to hear you're home safe! that's great news!