San Diego County is on Fire

[Bill]

Image taken from space.

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/

[Lin W]

I came to HPP from Ramona three years ago, a year after the Cedar fire. I have photos looking north, south, east, west from my back yard with fire on all sides. We lost power for three days but couldn't evacuate because all roads out were closed. My best friend was burned out in that fire. This fire is so much worse and I haven't been able to locate her this time. She moved to the other end of town but from the maps it looks like it got her house again. Also looks like my old house might still be there (west end near the airport) but another friend who lived across the creek has probably lost her home as has a friend on the other end of town. This morning Ramona is still under mandatory evacuation orders and without water. I did talk to friends in Escondido who had to evacuate and went to relatives in Oceanside. All I can do is pray for their safety (and maybe try to reduce my carbon footprint even more) and wait. The Ramona Sentinel is posting frequent updates on line and for awhile channel 10 was live streaming coverage so I've been able to keep up pretty well. There have also been quite a few videos on YouTube. Sure makes a tsunami or two and a little lava look a lot less threatening! Glad to be living in Hawai'i.

too soon old, too late smart

[julieb]

We are poised to move to the house in Leilani we have owned since January, and I have been worrying about shipping containers, etc. It may no longer be an issue as our home is in Running Springs. I have evacuated to my daughter's house in Highland and my husband is on a work assignment in Albuquerque. My last work day was to be Jan. 11 but may be much sooner! We are very fortunate to have a home to go to, even without many belongings. I won't be sorry to see the rain! Thank you for all the good thoughts.

[mella l]

It is so difficult for everyone as the flames shifted and winds reversed and such, news was always iffy. Highway conditions were in constant flux, first closed then open, then only open for this or that section.

The weather has some moisture now and the winds have calmed enough to let the big boys fly. Visibility was improving Wednesday.

We left La Mesa, and SD around 2PM Wednesday. Picking a route was a real concern. We finally chose 5 north along the coast. The devastation was ominous and continuing as we passed Camp Pendleton it was still in flames, and north bound lanes could see the flames and the burnt highway shoulders.

Like Glen I cannot agree with the Katrina comparison. San Diego is a military town. People in a bad situation help strangers just like family, that said however, not everyone was affected like in Katrina. If everyone is affected there is no one left to come and provide aid. SD was and is full of generous and unaffected populations to help out the stranded, it was truly grand to see the spirit of those around us.

My hotel went from 1/4 full to a full house Monday morning at 6 am. We met many people from Ramona and Poway who arrived with their animals and families. The Poway people were allowed to return to selected areas on Wednesday morning so we made our break north.

It is so good to be home with Gene and my kitties. Glen thank you for the invite, you understand we had to get while the getting was good. So next time, or better yet a liliquoi refreshment in the Puna! Glad you are safe.

I have posted a picture on the PunaWeb friends photo forum, the last photo under the Pets of Puna album for those interested. It shows a map of the conditions on 10-23 at 8 PM, and how people were surrounded.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PunaWebFriends/

Sending best wishes for those still in the grips of this horrendous situation in the south.

mella l

Edited by - mella l on 10/26/2007 06:12:13

[Carolann R]

Mella, so glad you made it home safely. Very heartbreaking to see the devistation. Hard for me in my mind to compare tragedies as Katrina was a monster of another kind. I lived for ten years in So. Cal. and left after the Northridge Quake. History repeats itself with a different face again and again.

The one thing that remains in my memory about the aftermath of an event like this is the bonding that happens in communities and the kindness of seeming strangers.

Carrie

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5308783

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama