So Cal Fires!!!

[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 paperhttp://www.dailybulletin.com/)
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...7,8.876953&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=UT...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.