Tuesday, October 23, 2007

California Fires

If you've seen any newscast in the past 2 days you know Southern California is on fire. You can't imagine the scope and enormity of these (currently) 17 seperate fires is you've never been there. It's a huge huge area. Much of what is burning is rugged chapparal covered hills, and the infamous Santa Ana winds roar straight thru them at hurricane force. The "Santanas" as we called them are really hot dry winds, strange to feel. Coupled with the dryness of that area - averaging 6 - 10 inches of rain a year - there's really nothing to stop fire until it reaches the Pacific Ocean, so nearly half a million people are being evacuated - imagine, half a million!
My brother and his family were evacuated yesterday, as were my uncle and aunt in northern San Diego county. My brother has been allowed back in, but the smoke is so thick inside their house that the windows are sooty and the smoke alarms had to be disconnected. He is packing and taking his family somewhere else, he's not even sure where that might be. My uncle and aunt live in a somewhat remote canyon in an avacado orchard. Avacado trees are very oily and go up like torches. They live near the San Diego Wild Animal Park, (not the main Zoo) and this morning are making their horse trailer available to evacuate animals that are in immediate danger. They can't get back up to their home, so they don't know what's happening there. Neither of these are unusual stories, there are thousands of families going thru the same hell right now. Please send up extra special prayers for the safety of everyone in Southern California. Prayer might be their only hope.

11 comments:

Quilting Pirate said...

sad situation and prayers and my thoughts are on CA right now.

Leslie said...

So close to (your) home... I had no idea. *hugs*

Anonymous said...

Praying...finally heard from my BFF. They were ok but the fires have reached their neighborhood. Such scary times

Pam@
www.pamgwillim.com

Fabricfaire said...

Hugs and Prayers for you and yours!
This is unbelieveable!!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

Prayers, I can do that. I am doing that!! I'm very sad for your family that's affected and their friends and neighbors too. I cannot even imagine.

julieQ said...

Prayers for you and yours at this time. Be safe as youcan.

JulieQ

Anonymous said...

I hope your family is going to be ok and that they will be back home real soon. It's just awful. Very sad.

Michele Bilyeu said...

Sending up lots of prayers for everyone. It's hard not to feel the huge emotional connection as we watch the news footage. Watched the most adorable...and wise...children on tv this morning. They were talking about how they had their family and that's all that mattered and that home is where their hearts are...and they were with those they loved right now. Awwww...moment. I'm grateful that our gov't stepped in so much more quickly this time than with Katrina. But you know what? I'm looking at all those people on the bleachers and all I could think of...was hmmm, how can we get them some quilts? Hopefully, help of ALL kinds are on the way, just as all of our prayers are winging their way there, now!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Wow..It's just unimaginable that amount of people being moved. I hope rain comes soon and that the wind dies down. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts.

Ms. Jan said...

Sending them your family's way, Su. There, but for a week of unseasonable rain goes the North Coast, right?
xoxoxo

Jules said...

Am a very long way from you but prayers are worldwide.......hoping and praying you and yours are all ok.......just cannot imagine