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Post by mlm828 on Oct 22, 2007 22:06:14 GMT -5
Thanks, everyone. Lacey (the cat) and I are safe at a friend's house. The fire has not advanced to the coastal area where I live. As best as I can tell from news reports, it's still about 10 miles from my house at its closest point. So I am watching the news and hoping for the best.
Thanks again for your good thoughts, and please keep thinking them!
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Post by rducasey on Oct 23, 2007 6:11:30 GMT -5
Thanks again for your good thoughts, and please keep thinking them! Don't worry Martha, we all have you and all the rest of the Californians in our thoughts and prayers. Every day it looks worse than the day before. Whenever you can get the chance to, let us know you are still safe. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and help put these out. Stay safe! |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2007 9:37:55 GMT -5
Martha, how far is your friend from all of this. I just looked at the photos on Yahoo and I don't think I've ever seen anything like this - my heart is racing just looking at the pictures of angry flames licking at the foot of someone's property or, worse yet, swallowing their beloved home leaving nothing but billowing smoke and charred remains. I saw that some residents are trying to protect their homes by watering them down and I certainly don't blame them, but I think I'd run, I'd be much too scared to stay as long as possible. Fire is my biggest phobia. Martha, please keep us posted as much as possible. Our San Diego office, located on Valley Centre Drive for those who know the area, is closed again today - I haven't been to the office yet, so I'm unsure if they are in its path.
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Post by inuvik on Oct 23, 2007 11:29:03 GMT -5
Now that you are safe and sound, on to the "lighter" side of evacuating...  Did you bring your BJ? ;D (In case any newer members think I am tactless, in the past people have said they would bring them/rescue them/whatever! I think it was in the "You might be obsessed with BJ" thread).So seriously--did they make the cut of your belongings? |
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Oct 23, 2007 12:14:10 GMT -5
Lest we forgot, too, the bravery of these firefighters. I wouldn't think it would matter how storied a professional you are or how long you have been doing the job, to be facing a situation like this where Mother Nature definitely has the upperhand and what you are there to do is at her mercy - they have to be overwhelmed and exhausted!
To stand in a storm of raining fire embers, in winds reaching 60 - 100+ mph in certain cases, surrounded by walls of flame, in full gear in record heat.....bless them and keep them safe!
I don't know where they find the will or the courage to do what they do! I do know that I am so grateful there are still those who have found the calling!
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Post by mlm828 on Oct 23, 2007 13:23:07 GMT -5
Just a quick note to say so far, so good. Lacey and I are in Oceanside, well to the north of the main fire. The fire near my house did not advance much to the west overnight, and the winds are not as strong today. Among other things, this means they can fight the fire from the air, which they couldn't do when the winds were so strong. The Del Mar Fairgrounds across the street from my house are being used as an evacuation center, so the authorities apparently believe people will be safe there.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, and please keep them coming -- for everyone here in San Diego.
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Post by carl1951 on Oct 23, 2007 13:53:18 GMT -5
You keep safe.
I heard the winds have died-down a bit and the firefighters do not expect the two largest fires to merge.
At lease that is some good news.
Stay out of harms way.
Later, Carl
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Post by bjobsessed on Oct 23, 2007 20:15:10 GMT -5
glad you're safe--and Lacey too. Here's hoping for some rain to show up soon and help everyone out.
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Post by matilda on Oct 23, 2007 21:52:50 GMT -5
It's just terrible and watching news everywhere.
Really, really thinking of you mlm.
Matilda
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Post by housemouse on Oct 24, 2007 8:27:02 GMT -5
It is so strange watching this from half way across the country! Every other year I have been in the thick of the fires with ashes covering my windshield and my entire yard. Most years I have to make sure my boys are no where near the television and if they see something I am spending all my time reassuring them that we are safe. It feels almost surreal!
My neighbor told me the hill across from my old neighborhood caught fire but it was put out pretty quick. My nephew is at boot camp at Camp Pendleton, my sister has been notified that she may need to pick him up on a moment's notice. Other then that, my family is safe and out of the line of fire.
I'm thinking of you Martha and praying that you'll be home soon.
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Post by mlm828 on Oct 24, 2007 13:43:16 GMT -5
Lacey and I are home again. The westernmost edge of the largest fire came within 5 to 7 miles of me, but fortunately it was stopped there. As you know, I did evacuate voluntarily at about noon on Monday. The air was just awful -- full of smoke, with a lot of ash falling -- and I didn't want to have to leave under emergency conditions. I did receive a "be ready to evacuate" advisory around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, but I had already left by that time. Friends in Oceanside took me in, along with Lacey the cat.
I just returned home this morning, and all is well here. The air is actually better than at my friends' house. There is only a little ash falling, and the sky is actually blue.
I am truly one of the lucky ones. I experienced a couple of anxious days, but most people who had to evacuate still are not able to return home. And many have no homes to return to.
The efforts by the firefighters have been heroic, and everyone in the community has really stepped up to help. Thanks to all of you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
P.S. To Barb: In case you haven't already been informed, your firm's San Diego office should be OK. The evacuation order for Carmel Valley, where the office is located, was lifted this morning, and I don't believe the fire ever got that far south and west.
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Post by Katryna on Oct 24, 2007 14:48:23 GMT -5
Martha - I am so glad you and Lacey are safe and back at home. Thank you for letting us know. My heart goes out to all who have been evacuated and to the heroic firefighters, etc!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2007 15:32:56 GMT -5
Martha I'm so glad you and Lacey are safe at home - what a relief!!!!!!!!! And thank you for advising me of our SD office - as I type this, I just got an alert that we will re-open tomorrow.
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Post by Chris on Oct 24, 2007 17:30:48 GMT -5
Martha, that's good news!!! 5 to 7 miles from you? That was pretty close, thank goodness it didn't get any closer. Mouse - glad to hear your family is safe too. Take care and keep smiling - Chris  |
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Post by hoosier on Oct 24, 2007 17:50:13 GMT -5
Mlm, I'm glad you and Lacey were able to return home so quickly and that everything was okay. What a scare! It was great you had friends you could turn to in a crisis.
Mouse, hopefully your nephew will not have to evac and thank goodness everyone is all right.
Hopefully the worst of it is now over.
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