Initially, I thought I'd add this update to this morning's Photo Hunt: Ruined, with 'fire' photos ... but I've decided to make it a separate post ... just because.
1:15pm
The 70-80 mph winds have decreased to 30-40 mph winds in the course of today. The Sylmar fire has burned westward toward the Sesnon burn of last October and that's a good thing since there's nothing there left to burn, so if it doesn't change direction ... it could burn itself out. More than 500 families have lost their homes in this fire. According to the fire chief who just made a statement on television, it's the worst fire seen in this area since the 1961 Bel Air wildfire in the Santa Monica Mountains.
I'm assuming that yesterday's Montecito fire must be fairly well contained since I've heard nothing about it today on the news and their weather has moved south creating the conditions resulting in these wildfires. Unfortunately a 3rd fire is burning in Orange & Riverside County. It broke out around 9am and after destroying a dozen homes in Corona, it moved into the cities of Yorba Linda and Brea where another 7-10 homes are burning as I type this update. Apparently this fire has now jumped the 91 freeway and is headed for Anaheim Hills.
Large planes are dropping fire retardant on the forested perimeter in hopes of creating a firebreak that will stop further expansion. Smaller planes & helicopters assist with strategic water drops. Traffic is being diverted from 5 freeways currently due to fire-related closures. I feel for those trying to drive anywhere in those 3 areas currently. They've just announced a mandatory evacuation of 3100 homes in Anaheim Hills. I'm not sure how they're going to move that many people with all the road closures.
Like Earthquakes, wild fires are a fact of life in California ... especially when the humidity is low and Santa Ana winds blow from October through December. Other parts of the country experience their own kinds of disasters including tornados, hurricanes, rain & snow storms, and floods. Everyone knows of the danger and takes appropriate precautions. Our fire-fighters are well trained and do an amazing job of structure protection while police assist with evacuations to save lives.
For those who have asked ... thanks for your concern & rest assured ... I'm quite safe currently. The closest fires to me (the Triangle Complex Fire affecting Corona, Yorba Linda, Chino & Anaheim Hills) and the Brea Fire are approximately 30-40 minutes away. We are getting soot & smoke with the off shore winds, but so far so good for my neighborhood. Of course all those beautiful palm trees you see in my neighborhood photos literally EXPLODE when embers land amongst the fronds because everything is so dry. My roof is fireproof slate, but my neighbor on the inland side has a 30 year old wooden roof I wish she'd replace.
Thought for right now
"Hope is independent of the apparatus of logic." Norman Cousins
7 comments:
How terrible about these fires. My thoughts and prays go out to the families that have lost their homes. I'm so glad to here that you are safe. Please be safe and take care.
You're the first person I thought of when I heard about the fires. I'm glad to hear you are safe. BJ
What a terrible thing to witness. I hope the fires out out very soon. Thanks for sharing the update.
Been thinking of you all day and everyone who is facing the fires. I hope you are well and that the fires will be under control soon.
Thanks for letting us know you're OK. What a serious trial for so many families. I am so sorry. Yes; please do take care!
I hope these are resolved soon and that life is upset as little as possible. This is all very frightening. Wishing you peace and safety!
I've been thinking about the fires, and more specifically, you. How close has it come to you in the past--have you ever had to been evacuated? Gosh, it's so scary!!
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