Another fire update October 23, 2007
Unless something out of the ordinary fire-wise happens, or a new fire starts over on this side of the hills, we appear to be out of the woods for this one. Thank goodness. Our bag is still packed, though, and if we have to evacuate and have time to grab stuff, we’ll also be taking CPUs, some few pictures off the walls, photographs, and a few needlework projects. And, most definitely, Ricki. If we have time. Always good to have a plan.
This fire, “our” fire, the Santiago fire, is moving away from us, but toward some homes a number of miles away from here. More than 15,000 acres of open space have been burned so far, but only a few outbuildings. Homes are now threatened, however, down near Lake Forest and a finger of Irvine, though the winds are thankfully not as severe right now as they had been. The Orange County Fire Authority has a stunning picture of fire marching across the hills, and a regularly-updated map of the fire area. If you look at the map, we’re west of the top left portion, a ridge away from where it says “Tustin.” The fire is growing toward the south and east where you can see all those neighborhoods mapped out.
The winds are currently expected to last through Thursday.
There are some friends down in the San Diego area who have been evacuated along with 250,000 other folks. Fire is in their neighborhood. Their kids have been texting their friends, so they have quite current information. The fire near them—I don’t know which one it is—has destroyed some homes and stores very close to their houses, just down the street.
Then there are the “canyon” fires you’ve been hearing about up by Malibu. I talked a bit by email this morning with a woman, Margot, who lives up there. She’s a knitter who reads my blog. Hopefully the fires has passed where she and her family live, and they are safe.
And of course there are the fires and evacuations up in San Bernardino County. People have been evacuated there, too, homes have burned.
If you want a more complete list of the fires, the Cal Fire page is updated regularly.
Please keep these friends, and the thousands of others who would be friends if we only knew them, in your thoughts and prayers.
I can’t keep talking about fire and loss without eventually getting back to knitting. It is rather a consuming subject right now, though. (No pun intended.) But, I did finish the sweatshirt sweater, Clapotis is close to done, and I’m working on a gauge swatch for the blue ribbon yarn I got this summer when Kristie and I went to Christmas in July at Newton’s. I hope to have a yarn-y post for you later in the day.
Angelika October 23
I hope everyone in California is ok. I used to live there twice, last time in San Diego, and I know it’s no fun there during “fire season”. Now I’m in Georgia where we have a Hurricane season. Don’t know what’s better.
Dawn October 23
Praying you are doing fine and will be thinking of you. I too live in CA…Lancaster. Its just horrible how many fires there are and how fast they are spreading…unbelievable. Take care…
Robin October 23
Goodness, Laura, stay safe. I’m glad you and Dave have a plan. I really don’t know what I would do if I had to pick and choose what to grab. My “babies” (Cody and Pogo, my cats) for sure. I would also try to grab photos. I hope everyone in California is safe, they are in my thoughts, as are you and Dave. I also have friends who live in San Bernardino, they’ve already lost two houses to the fires. Two houses in 5 years if I remember correctly. Please update later with yarn-y stuff, something happy.
Angela October 23
Take care !!!! I hope you all stay safe!!
I think it’s great to talk about your knitting- what better thing to do when you are worried and stressed!
KarenJoSeattle October 23
So glad to hear you are Okay. I was very worried when I turned on the news and heard how many places burned since I last watched. Now I have a location to keep track of.
Try to stay rested, too, as part of your prep. And grab some bottles of water if you have them.
Karen B. October 23
Karen Jo makes a good point: throw some bottled water in the suitcase. Thanks for the update. I hope for everyone’s sake that the firefighters can gain control of this horrible situation.
:::hugs:::
Debby October 23
I am so glad to know you are safe!I hope that your house remains safe too and things get under control fast.
Kim October 24
I’m glad that you’ve dodged the bullet on this one(I’ll keep praying that it stays that way). All of the people affected by this are in my thoughts that’s for sure.