So Cal Fires!!!

[Running Mommy]

Ok so cal girls, check in!!! It looks like north san diego is in big trouble!
I'm worried about ya'll. My cousin lives in Canyon Country, and the fire up there is about a mile from her condo. She was racing home to pack some things when I spoke with her this morning. She has been through a lot of fires, but none this bad- or this close.

Please say a prayer for everyone out there. It's going to get really bad I;m afriad before it gets better. The winds are just not settling down.

Also saying prayers for all the large animals- horses, cattle,etc. that are stuck in these awful blazes.

Be safe!

Denise

[Brandi]

There are red skies this morning when I woke up! And now that the sun is coming up the skies are looking misty! And I live about 500 miles from San Diego. There is a terrible fire in Malibu as well where a friend of mines sister has a horse. I am checking in with them today to see how that is going. Everyone start doing rain dances. When the Santa Ana's blow this time of year the fires come and it gets bad! It is so brown and dry up here in San luis right now. I hope nobody does something stupid like throw a cig butt out a window!
PS and my poor nose is going nutt's with the smoke and crappy air blowing in.
Say prayers, mantra's etc.... for us here in cali that this warm weather goes away.

[smilingcat]

Hi,

thank you for your concern. It really is awful. Air stinks, my eyes are watering and I've got a horrendous head ache starting. Thinking of going home from work. Just not worth it.

There are several major fires going right now. SD is pretty bad. I used to ride all over in SD area and a beautiful little town called Ramona is being evacuated. They used to have Shakesparian plays there on summer nights...

Meanwhile my office is in Orange county near Irvine, and two of the major routes from the inland empire is shutdown for the morning commute. And it leaves only one available route to the heart of orange county where many of the people work. typical commute time is normally hour thirty minutes (each way).. it's going to be ?? (likely over two hours each way maybe three)

And then, the Malibu fire, the Presbyterian church that burnt down was the one my partner attended when she was in grade school. She watched on the internet as it burnt down. and everything else too. She is really torn by it. She said that the church was really old when she was attending the sunday services... Her mother wore a hat and white gloves to the services and my partner wore a hat too. People still wear white gloves and hats for Sunday service??

It's frightening up in Malibu, many of the homes up there have only one road for access.

I hope the wind dies down so that the firemen can contain the fires.

smilingcat

[Bluetree]

There are currently about ten fires raging in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and surrounding counties. It started about 5am yesterday when 40-80 mile hurricane winds knocked down powerlines in Malibu. The Santa Ana winds are wreaking havoc, with gusts over 100+mph reported in the canyons.

Many of my favorite canyon routes are on fire or evacuated (Santa Monica mountains, Santiago Canyon, etc). Weather forecasts are up to 100°F heat with no ceasing of winds for at least two days. :(

Sadly, fire investigators found that the Irvine (North Orange County) fire was arson. :mad:

[Running Mommy]

Blue- often the fires out there are arson.
My cousin that I was speaking of is an LAPD officer, and she tells me that it's common for those sick souls known as "fire bugs" to get an itch when one starts. Very very sad..

Please be safe ladies! I'm praying for you!!

[Fredwina]

I've also got a nice headache.
Tired to get in ride yesterday I want to go east(to check out some construction), wound up walking my bike to avoid getting blown over, had a flat, which was good, beacause otherwise I would have ran into this:
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_7245363
The DB is reporting a fire in Lake Arrowhead now, too.

[barrb46]

Sounds bad in the Ramona area where my friend lives. Just talked to her and she is safe along with her 2 horses, dog and cats.

60 MPH going on -- how do you stop a fire with that kind of wind?


Ok so cal girls, check in!!! It looks like north san diego is in big trouble!
I'm worried about ya'll. My cousin lives in Canyon Country, and the fire up there is about a mile from her condo. She was racing home to pack some things when I spoke with her this morning. She has been through a lot of fires, but none this bad- or this close.

Please say a prayer for everyone out there. It's going to get really bad I;m afriad before it gets better. The winds are just not settling down.

Also saying prayers for all the large animals- horses, cattle,etc. that are stuck in these awful blazes.

Be safe!

Denise

[ClockworkOrange]

OMG!..................Just saw the news on TV over here in England.

I am feeling so sad, the devastation and as RunningMommy said, the worry of all the animals.........and the small ones.

The first thought was the friends and TE members who live near the area, I am not religious but even I am saying a little prayer in my head for all of you out there.

I so hope it subsides pretty quick.

Take care and be careful.

Clock

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Missbe/s_3f1cd76f7fbd25d4ba3b2c5f45d49e2c.gif

[snapdragen]

A friend of mine in the San Diego area may be evacuating soon. Fellow over on Road Bike Review posted some pictures of the skies. Beautiful and frightening.

Be safe So. Cal folks!

[missymaya]

I hope of the teamestrogen gals out in SOCal are doing ok and in a safe place. My thoughts are with you and your loved ones.

[Bluetree]

250,000 are being evacuated out of San Diego areas. Last I heard there were thousands seeking shelter at Qualcomm Stadium.

So far, only one of the fires is considered arson. The rest are thought to be caused by downed powerlines and embers from other fires. Fire experts are calling this their "Perfect Storm"

:(

[sundial]

I'm so sorry you guys are having to deal with this. :( I hope you make it to safety and that your friends and family make it too. I'm keeping you all in my prayers.

[MyLitespeed]

Over 100,000 acres have burned in San Diego County so far. The winds are expected to last through tomorrow (gusting up to 70 mph) in many areas of the county (Santa Ana winds) which blow out of the East. We have fires ranging from the Mexican border to the northern part of our county. Countless homes have been lost so far and it doesn't look like they will be able to contain the fires any time soon. In the 2003 fires they only had to evacuate 50,000 people so that tells you how big and powerful these fires are. Luckily we have had only one person die and approx 14 - 20 people hurt. When people are told by reverse 911 to evacuation they are taking it seriously this time. Over 250,000 people have been evacuated so far, many going to Del Mar Fair ground and Qualcom stadium and many other places around the county. Where I live in Lakeside, we have been extremely lucky, hardly any wind and no fires closer then 20 miles from us. San Diego will survive this horrible tragedy just as we have in past fires.

[kelownagirl]

Thinking about you all during this scary time. We lost 250 homes in our neighbourhood a few years ago and were evacuated for 10 days. I remember it well. Stay safe. People are more important than things...

[light_sabe_r]

Heart goes out to you SOCal girls. We were being shown vision of the "castle" mansion that was engulfed in a fireball. The Aussie media are focusing on the fact that Mel Gibson and Olivia Newton John may lose there homes. I can't help but say "Yeah well... What about the regular people living there? What about them? How many of them are homeless? How many of them are staying behind to protect their homes just like half of Victoria did when it burned last year???"

Hope all you girls are coping well. We're thinking of ya!

[LBTC]

Sending uncountable numbers of butterflies to protect people and animals from the fury of nature! I hope you girls stay safe! KG said it right - it's the people that matter. When it all comes right down to it: things are just things,

Hugs,
~T~

[Running Mommy]

Just talked to my cousin. Her side of the hill looks ok, but she said it wasn't so on the other side of the ridge.
BUT the winds did die down a bit, so there is hope.
I listened to streaming audio/video from KNBC all day, and they talked a lot about those who needed to evacuate large animals. There was a home depot that was offering up their parking lot for the horses and livestock. They were also putting up a call for animal feed. Dog and cat food as well as horse and livestock feed. It sure makes me sad to think about all of those scared animals out there. Yes, I do feel for the people of course, but watching the animals freak out with that frightened look on their face just breaks my heart.

[Fredwina]

The air smells like smoke everywhere
here some link courtesy of the local paper:(http://www.dailybulletin.com/)
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d0e9ca465cefeeed&ll=35.960223,-117.443848&spn=4.827737,8.876953&z=7
http://www.sbsun.com/fire
I live near the 15 & 210 freeways
we may a little more ,since we have 10,000 foot mountain to block the wind, Still scary.
Think i;ll be walking instead of riding for the next couple of days.
PS. Malibu has a reputation as an expensive place to live. That's why you see the celebrity focused stories

[teigyr]

I'm thinking of all the SoCal people. I remember when I lived in Lake Arrowhead, I was always so scared when I was at work and there were fires. I had cats in the house and if something were to get to the house, I wouldn't be there to evacuate them.

I can't look at the pictures with animals. I know the larger ones get so scared they can't be controlled sometimes.

I hadn't heard about the winds, I suppose it's reaching Santa Ana season? My parents live in the foothills, they've had to evacuate in the past.

[laughlaugh18]

Late this afternoon a new fire broke out near Magic Mountain. There are at least 14 burning across southern california. It is so extradordinarily dry and windy (the Santa Anas are blowing like crazy). I'm in the San Fernando Valley and the entire skyline to the north and west of me is eerily smoky and glowing. Here is a really good interactive map showing where all the fires are: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=104490150066531762262.00043d07fd69c22f79aee&ll=34.372912,-118.611145&spn=0.952124,1.702881&z=9&source=embed You can drag it around to see all the fires in all the different parts of So Cal.

The good news is that we have the best firefighters - ever. And lots of evacuation plans for big animals. Wish us all luck tomorrow - the winds continue and it's supposed to be hotter than today!

p.s., celebrity coverage is the normal course for us. It's mentioned in passing along with all the other stories about "normal people". Gotta love lala-land.

[Running Mommy]

My cousin just called - 11 pm- Fire is racing down the hill behind her house. It doesn't look good. In fact it will be a miracle if her house survives.

She was trying to race back in to get her bunny, I'm crazy worried right now.
Like I said in an earlier post, she's a single mom. She has worked hard for what she has. And the thought of her son losing everything he has... sigh... I'm just beside myself.

PLEASE- I BEG YOU... PRAY FOR HER- AND EVERYONE OUT THERE..

[LBTC]

RM - any word this morning?

All the butterflies are there in SoCal doing what they can to help. Please, everyone check in when you can!

Hugs,
~T~

[Fredwina]

Caltrans has closed several freeways (15, 215, and 210) near where I live due to trucks being blown over. Ontario Airport also closed.
The smoke didn't seem as bad this morning/ Decided to sleep in rather than risk another sinus infection w/ the smoke.
Noticed that they had the DC-10 that was made into a fire tanker up and running, which is good sign (wind has died down enough so that tanker planes can fly)

[Kano]

The smoke didn't seem as bad this morning/ Decided to sleep in rather than risk another sinus infection w/ the smoke.


Good thinking Fredwina! We had a lot of smoke here in Idaho much of this past summer, and I have a friend who's STILL being treated to clear up the breathing issues she developed because of it!

I'm not so sure our hobby/fitness program is worth the risk of our overall health!


Karen in Boise

[Running Mommy]

Still no word on her house. But she had someone up there doing recon lastnight and he reported back that they had a line and were dumping water on it. Hopefully they could hold the line.
But as of this morning she was not sure. I know all the roads around there are closed.
She had told me yesterday that the winds were dying down, so it looked good. But this morning on the today show the winds were swirling around Matt Lauer. Not sure if that was firestorm generated winds, or true santa ana's. But didn't look too good.

BTW- her fire is known as the "soledad canyon" fire.

Soledad canyon road/ the 14/ sand canyon road area... If you hear ANYTHING please check in..

[ladyicon]

Had to evacuate last night to the stadium. Our bikes are in the van with us, along with the dogs :p . That is all that really matters now. I am on a laptop pc with a broadband card. The problem is that we are very bored waiting here. I think we are going to go fiesta island where the dogs can run and play.
Looks like no riding this week :( .

[Crankin]

My Dad left his house in E. San Diego county last night, before he had to. He said he has 90% of his important stuff in his car and he doesn't care about anything else. He's 82, still working part time and is staying with a friend. My brother is in Imperial Beach, so he can also go there.
This is really scary.

[Trek420]

Got to work this morning (Northern CA, work for da' phone co) heard that we have two central offices and numerous remote terminals down/effected. I'm sure the techs are already heading down to get them back up. 2 of our employees so far lost their homes, others were unable to get to work due to road closures. Fortunately 911 was not effected.

ladyicon, if you or anybody at the stadium need your home calls routed elsewhere or voicemail for the duration etc and has AT&T

Residential customers displaced by the fires can call 1-877-722-6787 and small business customers can call 1-800-750-2355 to set up the services to keep in touch.

[Bluetree]

Here are some maps of the San Diego area fires:

http://www.cbs8.com/

[eofelis]

My Dad left his house in E. San Diego county last night, before he had to. He said he has 90% of his important stuff in his car and he doesn't care about anything else. He's 82, still working part time and is staying with a friend. My brother is in Imperial Beach, so he can also go there.
This is really scary.

My SO grew up in Chula Vista. His sister lives in Imperial Beach, he has been talking to her and she is ok. He's been watching it all online. He wonders why they don't show what is happening with the fire just south of the border as it could sweep around through Mexico and back up into the IB area.:confused:

[LBTC]

There's a fire in Mexico, too?:eek:

[Flybye]

If anyone needs a place to hang for a bit, we are a hop, skip and a leap from SCal, but here if need be.

[Running Mommy]

Same with my home. I'm in the west valley of the Phoenix area. If anyone needs to escape the smothering smoke, please PM me. I have a spare room with a super comfy bed, bikes I'd be glad to loan out (mountain, road, and tri) so that you can clear your head with a nice smoke free ride, and a kitchen just ready to cook you a home cooked meal.
Seriously- if you need to escape for a few days and can drive (or fly) out this way, my casa is open!

[emily_in_nc]

I got home yesterday from a carefree weekend at the NC coast to see this devastating story on the national news last night. I was completely horrified. I live in the woods and simply cannot imagine the fear of an approaching forest fire taking our neighorhood away.

My heart goes out to all of you living in the affected areas at this time. I pray the fires are put out very soon. :(

Emily

[maillotpois]

I can't believe they've evacuated where we used to live outside Del Mar. My mom's old house is surely gone (she lives in Maine now, thank heaven), and we were texting friends last night who are sure their house in Poway is gone.

Very sad.

And Northern CA is not out of the wood yet either as far as fire season is concerned.

[snapdragen]

So far it seems most friends I know down there have escaped harm. M and G will be opening their houses to evacuees that need a place to stay. S and his wife were within an hour of evacuating, then I guess the wind changed and they got to stay put for now. The only person I don't know about is a friend in Escondido. She's got a new baby, so I hope she is somewhere out of the smoke.

M says he is so proud of the city of San Diego - they are pulling together and helping each other.

[MyLitespeed]

Last I heard on the news was that approx 513,000 people have been evacuated around San Diego County, over 300,000 acres have burned and over 1000 homes have been destroyed. I live in the east county of San Diego and where I live we have been untouched so far. They say the fires won't even be contained until November 4. They are doing a great job of doing reverse 911 calls giving people a chance to grab some things and then leave. My girlfriend who lives in Ramona said she just got back home (but wasn't suppose to go back into the area) and the Estates area is fine, just the outskirts have burned. Now that the winds are dying down they are able to get aircraft up to do water and fire retardant drops which is a great help. There has been minor looting (what scum some people are), but the National Guard is helping with that situation. These fires won't be over for quite some time but everyone is pulling together. Everyone in a fire area -- please stay safe!!!

[LBTC]

We're sending the Mars. I'm really glad we can help somehow!

Our news started by saying 1300 homes destroyed :eek: OMG! 10 minutes later, they said over 1600 homes gone. Yikes!

This is horrific! I am so sorry to all of you affected.

I'm still sending butterflies, but I know they can't protect your houses and stuff. Take care of yourselves!

Hugs,
~T~

[slmdunc]

It is really scary, I tell ya. I live right in the heart of Los Angeles, near West Hollywood and Bev Hills, so I'm not personally in any danger... but I work with and know a lot of people who have houses in Malibu, and the mass evacuations just south of us is overwhelming. It's incredibly sad to see everyone in such fear. Today, my entire office sat and ate lunch together in silence, watching the footage on television.

One of my favorite rides is in Malibu, and up through Pepperdine - and I couldn't go Sunday b/c of all this. This morning on an early ride with my SO and a friend, the ash and smoke in the air wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but my eyes haven't stopped watering and my nose is clogged.

To all my socal sistas - hang in there! Everyone stay safe!!

[makbike]

Hey guys will you add my nephew, his wife and their 6 month old son to your prayer list? They have been evacuated from their home and are currently living in the shop he operates for his dad in San Diego. They have their RV packed with their processions and animals. Everyone is safe which is the most important thing.

My niece lives in El Cajon and is currently okay but I'm worried about her as well. It breaks my heart to watch the news - I simply can't imagine what they and all the others in S. Calf are going through at the moment. Those in S. Calf. please be careful - my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been touched by this awful situation.

[LBTC]

The numbers are staggering. As time goes by we'll hear some of the heart warming stories of people helping people - there's got to be more of it than we know yet.

Ladies, if any of you think it's the right thing to do, can travel to Canada, and are not allergic to dogs or cats, we have room here for you. Yes, our guest room has quite a comfortable bed, too.

Hugs and protective butterflies,
~T~

[Fredwina]

we're getting tons of smoke(Rancho Cucamonga). like fog.
it seem like when they get one out, another pops up.
Could be worse, several folks on the train said they couldn't get back home to the high desert since the Cajon Pass was closed.

[smilingcat]

Where do you start with things like this? Today, the wind in Orange County seems bit more quiet. I guess anything is quiet when the wind howls at hurricane force.

From my office, I could see a billowing tower of dark cloud from Santiago fire (orange county). It looked like its spread over to Majestica canyon and spread over to foothill Ranch. And smaller column of smoke in El Toro area??.

One of my co-worker has a sister and twin nephew who lives in Majestica canyon, sister, the twins and their pet cat is now living with my co-worker.

Another co-worker lives in SD, he called and said he and his family is safe. He wasn't coming in to work. His home is in the evacuation area

I have acquaintance down in Leucadia, San Marcos and Fallbrook, all in north San Diego county. My partner called her friend in Fallbrook. answering machine was on so we know the house is still there but no one answered. They've been evacuated (just a guess).

Though I don't live near the fire in Malibu, Magic Mtn, or even the San Diego fire, the air stinks of fire, my eyes are watering, and second day of horrid head ache, sore throat. I shouldn't complain but still... I can't imagine what it is like to be staying at one of those evacuation centers and near the fire.

This morning on my way to work around 5:30AM, I saw a convoy of national guard or Army trucks going down to SD. On my way home this afternoon, I saw two convoys of fire trucks heading down... Each time I saw, just felt like crying. So sad to see and to realize how bad it is down in SD. I just hope that all of them stay safe.

I've thought about the horrid Oakland fire and comparing to SD fire...

I hope the wind dies down...

DelDios hwy from Escondido, down by Lake Hodges down to the beach in Del Mar is like a jungle, thick forest of 100ft tall dry Euclyptus trees. If that catches on fire... OMG.. It was a beautiful ride on my bike.

Then I think of all the wild life, pets cats & dogs, farm animals...

this is enough for now... over million evacuated and whole of SD has just under 4 million people.

smilingcat

[Trek420]

I've thought about the horrid Oakland fire and comparing to SD fire...

The Oakland hills fire was horrible, I lived off Broadway at the time. Not in the hills but remember the flames and smoke. The courageous fire crews took a stand and stopped the fire before it reached the Claremont Hotel or its surrounding and explosively flamable eucalyptus groves.

www.claremontresort.com

If the huge wooden Claremont had gone ... it would have been a whole 'nother story.

I think much of Oakland/Berkeley would have gone. :(

[Running Mommy]

I just want to hug all of you in so cal. And you and your families are in our prayers.
By the grace of god my cousins condo was safe. But it was the closest of calls. She had an angel on her shoulder. I think it was our late Grandma. You see today would have been her birthday- and she HATED fire! She was petrified of it. So I think her hand was coming down from heaven lastnight. Judging how close of a call it was, it had to be some higher power.
I just wish more angels could do their work to save more homes.
It breaks my heart to see the children and pets looking so scared. As a kid your "stuff" is everything. Sigh... So sad!
And the furry ones not being able to communicate their fears.... Oy! :(

[teigyr]

I called my parents, they are at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains. They are ok, as of now. They usually get affected by fires. They said today was smokier than yesterday.

As much as I whine about WA rain and dampness, it makes me remember the days in SoCal. It makes me want to smack the people up here who do silly things like throw cigarettes out of cars...

For those who are affected, I hope you got your pets and anything important out of your house. If anybody needs anything, pls PM me. I don't know if I can anything but I sure can try.

[bouncybouncy]

I grew up in NoCal...remember this season vividly! Been wanting to get my hubby back to see my "home" before something like this devastates it.

I have lots of aquaintences in the SoCal area and thinking about them and all of you affected as well! I have a great Aunt & Uncle who JUST moved from the area...which is such a relief!!! He does not get around very well so having to evacuate would have been an ordeal...

Right now I look outside my window and thank the higher powers for every raindrop that falls here in the Western N Carolina mountains (we are in a 15 inch drought)

I think LBTC has all the butterflies directed at thoses suffering so I will just send all the good, still, calm, watery thoughts I can.

Stay safe and take peoples offers of open homes if you need to (I am way far away but I have a comfy spare room too!)

edit: our Red Cross and Nat'l Guard is on its way to you in SoCal...stay strong!

[ladyicon]

just let back into my home and everything is ok, not so good fro the people down the street though. I will be going down there to see if they are there. What a disaster!!!!!!

[Jo-n-NY]

My thoughts and prayers are with all you So Calif people.

~ JoAnn

[Brandi]

My god parents live in Fallbrook down in the SD area and it is one of the places being hit. I can't get a hold of them! It worries me. Say prayers of any sorts!

[Fredwina]

fallbrook got evac'ed w/the rice canyon fire. I have a guy who wants to ride one of brevet routes on sunday, despite the fact that he got evaced.
The air's a lot better today, but you see the smoke from the Arrowhead fires. And the winds have died down:)

[margo49]

Yeeeowwww - they just showed footage and a diagram of those winds on our tv news /weather about 10 min ago. You poor people. They said there is a wind coming off the ocean now and that will help. I surely do hope so.

Our house nearly burned down in a bushfire in New Zealand when I was 6 years old. It was terrrifying. My Dad sent us down-hill and stayed with the fire-fighters and then stayed up with the neighbour all night long.

Prayers for All Sentient Beings...

[Trek420]

My god parents live in Fallbrook down in the SD area and it is one of the places being hit. I can't get a hold of them! It worries me. Say prayers of any sorts!

I posted some info on contacting folks in emergency/disaster areas, I think it's post #13 here. Good idea for everyone to have emergency contact plan :o

Brandi, T&P and butterflies to your g*dparents and all in the area.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=10955

[bikerchick68]

Hi all... I am here in El Cajon, and so far this area is safe. My mom called me from Escondido at 2:20AM on Mon in a panic. She'd just received the reverse 911 call and didn't know what to take. Half asleep and scared to death. I told her what to grab and she did so, then knocked on all the neighbors doors to wake them and got out to an evac center. I told her to wait there until daylight and then figured out how to get her down to me using surface streets to get to where the freeway was open since much was shut down. I knew if we were evac'd from here, at least we'd be together.

Tues at 4:30 there was a fire 3 miles from my house. Mom and I packed everything up, but the firefighters were able to knock it down and put it out. G o d bless them. That was an incredibly stressful hour.

My ex (a cop) called Tues night to check on us. He asked if we had any idea if mom's house had burned and I said no. He took her address, as well as that of my best friend and HER parents as well, and checked on all 3 houses for us. He was working in Rancho Bernardo, but had friends in Escondido. He sent me a text around 11pm and all 3 homes were saved!!! Honestly, a miracle. We are definitely some of the fortunate ones. It was kind of him to do that for us.

The destruction is staggering. I am a Crisis Interventionist and spent 8 hours yesterday at police HQ answering the fire hotlines. We started getting lists of addresses that had burned down... and as people called in, had to break the news to them. I also spoke to a woman who had gone into contractions with twins, couldn't reach her doc, and her local hospital (Pomerado) was evac'd. She was in a panic. I told her to hang up and call 911. Another lady called who runs a care home. She had evac'd as many residents as she could, but still had 43 Alzheimers patients she couldn't get out. We made arrangements for them to be evacuated. She was near tears when we told her we had people on the way to get them. I came home physically and emotionally exhausted.

The fire in Jamul is still raging and is about 30 miles from where I'm at. I'm keeping an eye on it, but the winds have died down some, and as mentioned, we now have fire tankers and helicopters up fighting it. They couldn't get up Mon at all due to winds up to 70mph. The fire dept wasn't even trying to fight it that day... just getting people evac'd and safe from harm. Insane stuff. Like nothing I ever hope to see again. Of course, I said that after the Cedar Fires too.

I'm glad to hear that most everyone is safe. Here's hoping they crews get containment on this soon. All our agencies, fire, police, disaster services etc have done an amazing job... as has the local media in getting word out on evacuations etc.

I don't think it's gonna be safe to ride here for several months really. Too much ash and debris still on the ground. After the Cedar Fire I was out riding 2 months later and the wind kicked up... I returned home covered in soot. It was unnerving.

You all stay safe. Hugs...

[ClockworkOrange]

I came home physically and emotionally exhausted.


Hi bikerchick

Whenever a tragedy happens like this in another country, unfortunately it does not stay in the news for long over here.

Reading your very detailed post above, makes me feel so very sad for everybody in that area and also reminds me what is still happening.

The one line quoted above, I think probably sums it up for so many.

My heart really does go out to all in the SoCal area.

Thanks for your post, so much feeling and emotion.

Take care.

Clock

[Fredwina]

here's some pics:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071026/SUNP0009.jpg
boring, right? well.this taken earlier this from about a mile away(shooting in the same direction:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20070720/SUNP0004.jpg
some more from the Cajon pass fire:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071026/SUNP0014.jpg
comparison photo:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20070805/SUNP0002.jpg
more:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071026/SUNP0015.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071026/SUNP0016.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o254/Fredwina_photo/20071026/SUNP0017.jpg