San Diego Fires

[Not Afraid]

KatieSue posted that she was packing up belongings in another thread. Apparently, they are evacuating many, many areas as several out of control fires are about to converge into one larger one.

I know Ponine and CJ are contacting Kati. Please keep us updated here about what's going on.

KatieSue and Madz...be safe. Anyone else in that area? DisneyDaniel? Mousewife, where are you?

[Ponine]

NA asked me to post news updates, so for those of you out of the area, here's what I feel are the higlights I know.

Many schools are closed, at least three school distrcits, there is No court activity today.

The SD Union Fire Blog (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/fireblog/index.html) <-- This is very hard to load, but is where I am pulling news from.

23,000 without power
6:55 a.m.
Power outages totaling more than 23,000 customers have occurred throughout communities in North and East County.
Affected areas include Fallbrook, Escondido, San Marcos, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Julian, Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Rainbow, Poway, Encinitas, Cardiff By the Sea, Olivenhain, Del Mar, Valley Center, Jamul, Dulzera, Potrero and Alpine, according to SDG&E.


Boundaries on western mandatory evacuation area
7:09 a.m.
According to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders: Everyone north of state Route 56, south of Del Dios Highway, west of Interstate 15 and east of Interstate 5 should evacuate. Qualcomm Stadium in Mission Valley is opening as an evacuation center.

Latest evacuation notices
8:32 a.m.
Here are the latest evacuation notices. Over 30,000 Reverse 911 calls have gone out.
Coronado Hills Fire (in San Marcos): Notifications made to 1,000 residents in the communities of Coronado Hills and Discovery Hills in San Marcos and to Attebury Rd. and Deadwood Rd. They were evacuated to Escondido High School.

Mission (Fallbrook) Fire: Notifications made to Rainbow Area residents (I-15 on west, Rainbow Valley on the north, Pala Temecula on the East and Pala Rd. on the south) instructing residents to evacuate to the west.

Witch Fire: Evactuation notices have gone out to Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve; Del Dios; Lake Hodges; in Poway at Espola Rd., Old Coach Rd., Heritage Rd. and Stage Coach Rd. Reverse 911 notification has been made for Poway in the area bordered by Pomerado on the west, Twin Peaks on the south and Espola on the north and east. Poway has established an evacuation center at Poway Civic Center.

Harris Fire: Notifications have been made to residents of Mother Grundy Truck Trail and Deer Horn Valley. They were evacuated to Steele Canyon High School. Future evacuatees will be directed to Santana High School in Santee. Mandatory evacuation in progress for Coyote Holler. They were evacuated East to Campo. Mandatory evactuation notices sent for areas north of Lake Wohlford.


Pomerado Hospital being evacuated; I-15 open in both directions
9:16 a.m.
Interstate 15:
Interstate 15 has been reopened by the California Highway Patrol in both directions. The exception is to the offramps between Lake Hodges and Mercy Road. The offramps only will remain closed.

Pomerado Hospital
Pomerado Hospital is being evacuated, along with nursing homes on Monte Vista Road. Ambulances and school buses are being used for the evacuations.




Call to all SDPD officers to return to duty
9:10 a.m.
All SDPD on and off duty detectives (investigators) will be working in uniform today until further notice. They are to report to the headquarters building.

All SDPD scheduled graveyard shift officers need to report to their commands at 6 p.m. tonight.

[Ponine]

Before someone corrects me, the list of school closures, and distrcits is way longer than I knew of....
The following colleges have announced they will be closed today for students and non-essential employees:

California State University San Marcos

Contining Education classes by the San Diego Community College District in the Miramar area

Miramar College

Palomar College

University of California San Diego

University of San Diego


I wont list the primary and high schools... suffice it to say, if the colleges are closed..... kids arent going either.

[katiesue]

We're fine so far. I've got all the photos and bags in the car just in case. And I just filled up on gas.

I'm in Rancho Bernardo just east of the 15 freeway. They've evacuated on the other side of the freeway but not this side - yet. We're keeping an eye on things.

Thanks so much for the offers of help!!

[MouseWife]

The Hubster is in the process of filling up all of the vehicles. He picked up some dust masks at one of those mini marts.

I'm listening to what is going on but it just isn't clear enough for me here. I guess that means we are alright. The comment just made about how someone who is safe right now may not be safe tonight. I forgot about that from the last time. I guess we need to get things together in case we need to leave in the middle of the night.

I hope I am only panicking and for no good reason.

My sons' school hasn't officially been closed, but, they have been calling children with asthma and telling them to stay home. Gawd, just opened the front door for a moment and now the house stinks.

Make sure to have working flashlights, first aid kit for the car, water, charged up phones, food for the pets ready to go, too. Oh, a cooler?

Katiesue, take care! Thank you Ponine for the information!

[Morrigoon]

We listen to a San Diego-based radio station here at work... they just announced that ALL of Rancho Santa Fe is under mandatory evacuation.

[Disneyphile]

If anyone needs evac help, please call/PM me. Since I work from home, and I'm right off the 22, I can be there fairly quickly with my CR-V (and I'm willing to even head down to SD too). And, anyone's welcome to use our garage for storage, and we can put anyone up as well.

[Strangler Lewis]

Yeah, my elderly aunts in Rancho Santa Fe were evacuated. They got out the RV and the Mercedes. They would have liked to be able to go back for the Cadillac. What, if anything, they filled them with I don't know.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Please be safe, all.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Prayers and best thoughts out to all of you who have homes or family in danger. Please let us know if we can help.

[Ponine]

Fire in sight of Pomerado Hospital

11:26 a.m. POWAY –Fire and smoke crested the hills immediately east of Villa Pomerado here at 11 a.m. today, and mechanic and service workers for the hospital complex were manning hoses the defend the facility.
All workers were being told at 11:15 to evacuate Pomerado Hospital and Villa Pomerado. Fire appeared to be coming over the hills from the east. Mechanics had gone to fire extinguisher boxes on the roof of the parking structure to pull hoses and fighting equipment. Smoke was thick.

No fire trucks could be seen in the area of the hospital complex.

Meanwhile, a long line of Villa Pomerado patients in wheelchairs were quickly being moved onto school buses lined up to evacuate patients from the nursing facility. More than 120 patients from Pomerado Hospital were evacuated earlier this morning and 75 patients from the adjoining Villa Pomerado were now being taken to other sites.

Each Villa Pomerado patient was holding a large ziplock bag carrying confidential patient information and transfer documents as they were being loaded onto the buses.


Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Rancho Santa Fe and portions of Lakeside /h3> 11:00 a.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for Rancho Santa Fe, as well as the Olivenhain Dam area. Mandatory evacuations have also been ordered for Lakeside at 13100 Willow Rd.

A report that portions of Leucadia are being evacuated has not been confirmed at this time.

The Del Mar Fairgrounds are open and ready to receive evacuees. Evacuation points have been established at San Marcos High School at 1615 W. San Marcos Blvd. and Poway Civic Center at 13325 Civic Center Drive. Mira Mesa High School is now closed as it has reached capacity.


Some in Escondido get incorrect notice to evacuate
10:20 a.m.
Erroneous evacuation notices were sent out to some residents in Escondido, according to a fire department official.
Residents around the heart of Escondido may have been contacted in error by a reverse 911 system and told to evacuate to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, said Carol Rea of the Escondid Fire Department.

As of 9 a.m., the latest area added to the evacuation orders is a triangle of land bordered by Bear Valley Parkway, San Pasqual Valley Road, and San Pasqual Road.


Rancho Santa Fe ordered emptied
10:26 a.m.
County spokesman Mike Workman says that all of Rancho Santa Fe in now under mandatory evacaution orders.

[Ponine]

I'm back...

Wild Animal Park evacuated
11:56 a.m.
The San Diego Wild Animal Park was evacuated at 5 a.m Monday, with a selected group of smaller and endangered animals taken to a veterinary hospital on site. By late morning, the park was enveloped in a blanket of ash and smoke, charred pieces of Lord-knows-what falling on the nearly deserted tourist attraction like snowflakes.

Crews were dousing small spot fires and removing trees downed by ferocious wind gusts.

Just 30 employees deemed essential were left behind, including keepers, veterinarians and operations staff, a spokeswoman said. On a typical day this time of year, up to 500 people are at work at the site, the spokeswoman said.

Officials did not venture a guess as to when the park might reopen.


Race track's 1,800 horse stalls are full
11:57 a.m.
The Del Mar Racetrack's 1,800 horse stalls are full and it's unclear where any more horses will be held.

Del Mar started taking horses in last night, but there had already been animals there due to a jumping competition that had run from Wednesday to Sunday.

As of 9:45 this morning, there were only 100 stalls left and by 11 a.m., people were told they were full.

Officials were bringing horses to the Scream Zone area temporarily and were also considering double-stalling the horses, housing two horses per stall.

Earlier today, horse owners were told they could bring their horses to The Oaks horse facility in Orange County, but that option was called off, reportedly due to winds and possible fire threat in that area.

In additions to horses at Del Mar, the track facility is also housing dogs, litters of puppies and goats.

Feed, hay and water was being provided.

People were being housed separately, being sent over to the fair facilities.


Navy wants only "essential personnel" to report to work
12:17 p.m.
The Navy is asking only essential personnel to report to duty Monday, while personnel at Camp Pendleton are serving a normal duty day, military spokesmen said.


All Solana Beach residents told be ready to evacuate
12:19 p.m.
All Solana Beach residents are advised to plan, pack and be prepared to evacuate because current wild fires may spread.

A city emergency operations director, John Traylor, said residents on 12 streets close to Holmwood Canyon , which extends from San Elijo Lagoon south into a neighborhood west of Interstate 5, are advised to voluntarily evacuate. The rest of the city may be asked to do so if the fire danger spreads.The lagoon extends east into Rancho Santa Fe, where a mandatory evacuation has been instituted.

Right now, Solana Beach fire officials are going door to door on those 12 streets to advice residents to leave. Those streets are: 700 Seabright Lane; 200 Patty Hill Drive; 600 Barbara Ave.; 700 Rios Ave.; 700 Granados Ave.; 600 Holmwood Lane; 700 Rawl Place; 600 Canyon Place; 400-600 Canyon Drive; 600 Ridgeline Place; 600 Glencrest Place; and 400-500 Glencrest Drive.

Traylor said the canyon rim is the city's highest fire danger zone because of an abundance of vegetation. "We are trying to be ahead of the curve," he said.

[Not Afraid]

Thanks for the Southern Update AM. I'm keeping Irvine and SD fire threads separate because it will be easier to mobilize geographically (if need be) with the info separate.

[Kevy Baby]

Thanks for the Southern Update AM. I'm keeping Irvine and SD fire threads separate because it will be easier to mobilize geographically (if need be) with the info separate.I agree.

[Nephythys]

I wish I could help- I send lots of good wishes!

[swanie]

I just got off the phone with katiesue and she finally decided to evacuate. Phew!!!! She and Madz are on their way to Coronado for the day and possibly tonight. She wanted me to let everyone know she is OK.

They weren't on evacuation orders but the smoke was getting worse. I've been trying to convince her all day that it is much easier to leave on your own terms rather than in the middle of the night on evacuation orders.

Please say a prayer for all of those families in the path of this monster!

swanie

[Ponine]

A very good line of reasoning.
Thank you for that.

[Capt Jack]

thanks for the update. convey our relief that all are safe and our continued hopes for a good outcome for all involved.

[Not Afraid]

As everyone probably knows, our house is open. Hell, we can do NYE early!

[MouseWife]

We are waiting for more word on this~

There is a fire at San Ysidro middle school, or near one of thier schools. They said at the 805/5 interchange. Well, that would be the 905.

So. I don't know if it is related, flying embers, or what.

But, while I felt a big comfy, that makes me feel a bit nervous.

So many things {aside from what I mentioned before} are coming to mind about that I need to take. Current bills, they said your electric bill {to show proof you are permitted at that house}, taking pictures of our house/contents, etc....

[~MS~]

So start a tote bag of must have misc bills/papers Joyce...better safe than sorry. I'm so glad katie and the madz are safe ...and will continue to pray all she has to do is come home to a musty smokey home.

[MouseWife]

So start a tote bag of must have misc bills/papers Joyce...better safe than sorry. I'm so glad katie and the madz are safe ...and will continue to pray all she has to do is come home to a musty smokey home.


I think that is a great idea, I was flustered wondering what the heck to do, how to organize it.

Hubster just called and he heard {not confirmed} that a kid started the fire at the middle school. :mad: Darn kid, if he'd have just waited a few more minutes, they let all of the kids go home. My sons friend called and asked if he can come over. I told him to go home first and let's see what is going on first.

How are you ~MS~? Any fires up in your area? I have heard of so many in so many places.

[Nephythys]

Just spoke with a man who is in a place with voluntary evacuation right now- he can see flames from his office. He drives through the canyon to get to work-

:(

[~MS~]

we're safe and sound up here...just keeping everyone in harms way in prayers for now, thanks for asking. But seriously, don't over think the 'how to' grab a tote or a duffle and just start tossing stuff in, it won't matter if it's non esential after the fact if you 'over pack' it

[BarTopDancer]

Joyce -

You can gather your necessary papers together to have. You can start *staging* items that you will want to take.

[MouseWife]

Glad to hear you are safe! I had heard of some fires up north but can't remember where. Just so glad you are safe. Your positive thoughts and prayers really help us all!!!

LOL That is true. And, probably, if I over think it I'll leave something behind!!

I think we'll be safe. They don't say too much about Eastlake being evacuted. I don't live in Eastlake but I am the next area in the line of fire from it {I believe}. The way they keep changing names of places, I don't know. I think I'm in Otay Mesa.

Thanks, BTD! I think I've just been more so trying to think it isn't going to come near us....to look around and think we may really have to leave...last time we did start piling things up by the door. It is a shock to do just that, I can't imagine actually having to load it up and drive away.

[Ponine]

Me again.. (because I cant post without original text)

Updates for harris, Witch and McCoy fires
12:58 p.m.
The Harris Fire is 20,000 acres and 5 percent contained. They are currently mapping the fire. Aircraft is periodically grounded due to high winds and visibility. The Southwest Powerline was shut off yesterday and to remain shut for unknown duration of time. San Diego County Sheriff and U. S. Border Patrol are handling immigrant issues including the rescuing, medical treatment, and identification of individuals. Otay Lakes Road is next fire decision making point for impact to San Diego City and Chula Vista. Multiple structures have been destroyed. There are 55 engines, 4 bulldozers, 9 fire crews, 6 helicopters, 5 airtankers (assigned), 6 water tenders (400 firefighters). The cause is still under investigation.

The Witch Fire is 10,000 acres, 0% contained. The fire is still spread westerly. Currently there is 28 engines, 1 dozer, 14 fire crews, 2 water tenders, 18 overhead (369 firefighters). Multiple structures have been destroyed. There have been no injuries to firefighters and one injury to a civilian. Communities threatened: Highland Valley, City of San Diego/Rancho Bernardo, City of Escondido, City of Lakeside, Barona Indian Reservation, City of Poway, Wild Animal Park, Mt. Woodson, Muth Valley. Wind driven fire with spotting up to 1/2 mile. Rapid fire spread burning down hill, down canyon. The fire is burning primarily in unburned fuel between the 2003 Paradise and Cedar Fires.

The McCoy Fire is a U.S. Forest Service fire it is at Boulder Creek and Eagle Peak. It is 400 acres and 5% contain. They are looking at full containment on October 23rd. One structure has been destroyed. Currently they have 5 engines, and 3 overhead which is about 30 firefighters. The cause is under investigation. The Rice Fire is 300 acres 0 percent contained. The location is in Rice Canyon in the northern part of San Diego County. The fire started on October 22 at 4:16 am. 250 structures are threatened and 1 has been destroyed. No mandatory evacuations at this time. The cause is under investigation. Firefighters are attempting to keep the fire in the area of Rice Canyon to east, I-15 to the west, Rainbow Heights to north and Hwy 76 to South. The fire is currently burning into agricultural areas.

[Ponine]

Mandatory evacuations in Poway announced

1:00 p.m.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Poway from Rattlesnake Creek to the south, Midland Road to the west, the San Diego Aqueduct to the east, and Lake Poway Road to the north.

Evacuation points are being established at Mount Carmel High School at 9550 Carmel Mountain Road and Poway Community Park at 13094 Civic Center Drive.


Mandatory Valley Center evacuation
1:05 p.m.
Evacuations are beginning in a large area of Valley Center, near the Bear Valley area. Valley Center High School is the evacuation center. Residents in Valley Center should play close attention to news reports because of the serious fire threats.


Mandatory Fallbrook evacuation
1:05 p.m.
Evacuations are beginning on the eastern half of Fallbrook; from Insterstate 15 east to Live Oak Park Road, to Gird Road, and East Mission Road to the north and San Luis Rey River to the south.


Scripps Ranch evacuations
1:59 p.m.
Monica Munoz of the San Diego Police Department has just announced more evacuations for the area encompassing everything south of Scripps Poway Parkway, north of MCAS Miramar, east of Interstate 15 and west of state Route 67.

[Moonliner]

They are evacuating the animals at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park

[BarTopDancer]

:(

[Ponine]

More evacuations ordered – The Emergency Alert System (EAS) has been activated.
Scripps Ranch update:
2:38 p.m.
No one will be allowed to travel east into Scripps Ranch and going north is not an option either.

Please evacuate to Qualcomm Stadium by going south on Interstate 15.


Slow exit along Pomerado Road2:37 p.m.
A solid line of cars stretched more than three miles along Pomerado Road within minutes of the evacuation order that San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders issuedshortly before 2 p.m. The line stretched from northeast of Fairbrook Road west to the Interstate 15 as residents packed prized possessions in their cars and drove slowly along Pomerado Road to escape the fire threat.


Rice Fire crosses 1-15 at Hwy 395
2:35 p.m.
The Rice Fire in Rice Canyon, North San Diego County has crossed I-15 and Hwy 395, Numerous structures have been destroyed in Fallbrook, evacuation in progress in Fallbrook, mandatory evacuation in South Fallbrook, it is currently 300 acres and 0% contained. 40 mph winds hampering suppression efforts

This fire started at 4:16 this morning and the cause is under investigation.



2:22 p.m.
Mandatory partial evacuation of FallbrookThe EAS message advises "all residents of Fallbrook, north of Highway 76 and west of Interstate 15 to evacuate the community. Evacuees should leave through Pendleton Gate at Ammunition Road and go through Marine Corps Base-Camp Pendleton to Interstate 5 North to San Clemente State Park."

Voluntary evacuation of Chula Vista
A second EAS message has been issued to City of Chula Vista residents. The City of Chula Vista "has requested residents who live in the following areas to voluntarily evacuate. This is precautionary and is suggested due to unpredictable fire predictions.

Rolling Hills
San Miguel
East Lake Woods
Bella Lago

[Ponine]

eta

Scripps Ranch update:
2:38 p.m.
No residents will be allowed into the Scripps Ranch area. Only emergency personnel will be allowed into the area.

No one will be allowed to travel east into Scripps Ranch and going north is not an option either.

Please evacuate to Qualcomm Stadium by going south on Interstate 15.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I feel completely useless without a driver's license, but my home is anyone's home if they need a place to stay. I live in Hollywood, which probably doesn't help anyone here, but if anyone needs a place to stay, you can crash with me.

[Kevy Baby]

Susan has family (maternal aunt and paternal uncle) who have both been evacuated. Aunt from Poway and uncle at 15/56 interchange.

Now I need to get in touch with my college roommate who also lives in San Diego (I keep getting an "all circuits are busy" recording when I call his cell phone).

[Ponine]

Good luck with that.
I just heard that there was a fire near my house, close enough that if its a REAL fire, it'll get to my family before I can....
I cant get through via cel or land line.

(I also cant confirm the fire is near my home via any news media, so I am not screaming in panic yet)

If there is anything I can do for your in-laws, let me know. I assume they went to Qualcomm?

[Kevy Baby]

If there is anything I can do for your in-laws, let me know. I assume they went to Qualcomm?The in-laws were reached (Susan's mother talked to the aunt and Susan's father talked to the uncle). It is the college roommate I cannot reach. I don't know his carrier.

[Ponine]

reached I understood, but if they evacuated to Qualcomm Stadium, they may need something as the days progress. That is what I am willing to help with if need be.

Good luck on the old roomie. I hope you find him.

[Moonliner]

Text messages often get through when calls will not.

[Ponine]

Mandatory evacuation for Harbison Canyon and Crest

3:58 p.m.
San Diego Sheriffs Department has called for a mandatory evacuation of Harbison Canyon and Crest -- two areas burned in the 2003 Cedar fire -- and the west side of Alpine. The order was issued at 3:30 p.m. Residents of those areas can go to Qualcomm Stadium for assistance.


ICE prepares to evacuate Otay detention center
3:37 p.m.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to evacuate its detention center in Otay Mesa, but has not done so as of 3 p.m. Monday, said spokeswoman Lauren Mack.

The center, part of a complex that includes a state prison, a county jail and a juvenile detention facility, is operated by contractor Corrections Corporation of America.

[BarTopDancer]

Kevin,

They are saying to text because the emergency personel are using the cellphone circuits.

[Ponine]

I'm out of the office now.
I'll try to keep you posted.

[BarTopDancer]

from Mickey D (not sure of the source)

UPDATE (4:27pm Lucas): Rancho Bernardo threat has likely passed. Rancho Santa Fe still burning, Kearny Mesa still manned by firefighters. At one point today downtown SD was protected by only one fire engine. No damage yet to Scripps Ranch. Out of Black Mountain area. Still moving west, Firefighters will be out all night. Text SDFIRE to 85183 for updates. Evacuations going well, vital that people leave immediately when directed.

[Isaac]

"Flubber" is safe.

:)

[Kevy Baby]

reached I understood, but if they evacuated to Qualcomm Stadium, they may need something as the days progress. That is what I am willing to help with if need be.Duh - Sorry.

I know the aunt is at a community center or something like that. I do not know where the uncle is. However, his a cop, so I am sure he is A) busy, and B) taken care of.

Text messages often get through when calls will not.I am trying that - hopefully it works. I also have calls out to a few mutual friends. I also just remembered that I have his parents number (they live in Del Mar) and will try that next.

And for a real-time update: one of the mutual friends called as I was typing this and I have since been able to reach roommate. He and family are fine. They were evacuated, but mainly because of smoke. He anticipates being able to go home tonight.

[Morrigoon]

That's good to hear!

[Mousey Girl]

Has anyone heard from Katiesue and Ponine? Watching KTLA this morning has been really rough, I can only imagine what it is like to live down there.

They had some quasi-celebrity on the phone who was saying that the entire community of Spring Valley was going up in flames and no emergency crews in sight.

[blueerica]

On a more upbeat note, I can't stop seeing the title of this as "San Diego Fries." I'm just hoping they come smothered with Cheese and Bacon. ;)

I hope everyone has been doing well. I've been thinking about everyone affected and I hope you're safe and well.

[BarTopDancer]

KatieSue and Madz are fine, they spent the night in Coronado. She thinks the house is safe.

[Ponine]

Has anyone heard from Katiesue and Ponine? Watching KTLA this morning has been really rough, I can only imagine what it is like to live down there.

They had some quasi-celebrity on the phone who was saying that the entire community of Spring Valley was going up in flames and no emergency crews in sight.

KatieSue Evacuated yesterday, by choice I think Swanie posted, and went to the lovely tranquil area of Coronado.
Fire reaching there is not even an issue.

I on the other hand am still here. They did evac Spring Valley last night, and I hear that Lemon Grove is next.
if thats the way it goes, I could be evacuated today.
I'm told that I am over reacting, but whatever.

We have a friend out of town, very much inland downtown, and family out in the beach.
Its that looming feeling of packing that just defeats me.

On the other hand, I have to work. I'm supposed to go in if I want, but I brought my work home.

[Not Afraid]

Remember that the evac is a safety measure. It doesn't mean your house will burn. Although, I haven't seen the news on current structures lost in SD yet this am.

[Ponine]

I think there were a few lost in the wee hours of the morning, but having a young person, I am trying not to watch the news.

I get what i get from the internet, or other folks.

[BarTopDancer]

I on the other hand am still here. They did evac Spring Valley last night, and I hear that Lemon Grove is next.
if thats the way it goes, I could be evacuated today.
I'm told that I am over reacting, but whatever.

Whatever. If they evacuate your area, you are doing what you are being told to do. Or you don't feel safe at home then leave - it's your sanity/safety.

We have a friend out of town, very much inland downtown, and family out in the beach.
Its that looming feeling of packing that just defeats me.

Just start putting important stuff in bags and put them by the door.

[katiesue]

Thanks everyone!! We're home for now. But the car's still packed. We seemed to have just lucked out - fires all around us but not here. We may go back down to Coronado again tonight.

Ponine - if it's nearing you pack up and go. Maddy was getting really scared. We could have come home last night but she felt really unsafe so we stayed. Better to give her a little piece of mind.

And what I learned from yesterday - keep a full tank of gas in your car. The gas lines were fairly long here.

[Gemini Cricket]

Glad y'all are okay, katiesue.
:)

[~MS~]

Glad to hear you and Maddie are safe and sound and back home Katie!

[Not Afraid]

Katie and Madz, I'm glad you're back at home!

[katiesue]

Just heard from Capt. Jack - he has no internet but is fine.

[katiesue]

Has anyone heard from MouseWife? I know there are fires headed to the general area she's lives but I'm not quite sure exactly which part of that area she lives in.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Relieved to hear you guys are doing okay.

[Kevy Baby]

Although, I haven't seen the news on current structures lost in SD yet this am.From the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fires24oct24,0,2250066.story?coll=la-home-local):

As temperatures and winds again rise, officials say containment of major blazes is days away at the earliest. An estimated 1,000 homes have been lost in San Diego County.

[katiesue]

The winds are really starting to pick up again here. That can't be good.

[Capt Jack]

which way?

[katiesue]

erm - hard to tell here which direction.

[Ponine]

Last I checked it changed directions about every ten minutes.

I'm off to the store... water, and essentials.
I've been deemed essential and required to report to the office tomorrow, so its today to get tentatively packed, and make sure we dont need to leave the house. (other than me)

[katiesue]

At least the airs a little clearer up here right now.

[Morrigoon]

Here's a screen cap off the Fox website. The more I look at it, the scarier it is:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b321/morrigoon/random/sandiego.jpg

[BarTopDancer]

Here (http://www.calfires.com/) is a new Map link that seems to be updated more frequently.

[wendybeth]

A quote from CNN: "It will not end ... until it reaches the ocean or the winds turn around," San Diego Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Cartelli said Tuesday.



Scary stuff- the winds aren't supposed to die down until mid-Thursday. In the old days, whole towns (including ours, on several occasions) used to burn down, but this sort of thing isn't supposed to happen in this day and age. Fingers and toes crossed that all our SoCal LoT family, and everyone else, remains safe. I'm very proud and impressed at how you all pull together to help each other and to keep us updated.

[lashbear]

How awful !! Wishing everyone down in beautiful SD safety and I hope it's all over soon. :( (And I hope Mousewife IS ok.)

[MouseWife]

Hey!! I'm alright!!

Yes, the winds keep changing.

Yesterday we just were on pins and needles, watching t.v. coverage all day. We were so tired, we were going to take turns watching the news but we were both so tired. Not only were we overwhelmed with the idea of what was going on, our Boy was very sick. I worried it might be asthma from the smoke but he seems a bit better. Oh, and he doesn't have asthma I just know they can come up with it at this age {his siblings did}.

This morning we awoke to find out that the area across the main street {ha, Main Street} at the end of our street started a voluntary evacuation location. The winds had changed and split the fire up, heading towards Brown Field {I think} and also towards Bonita/Sunnyside. Well, usually when an area is voluntary, then becomes mandatory, the area next to it becomes voluntary. We figured we were next. Also, they judged by the direction of the fire that it would come down the Otay Valley...where the Coors Ampetheater is. Right down the street from here.

So, we went in to pack mode. All freakin' day long. Such stress.

It was amazing. When the fire hit some housing area back that was mandatory evacuation, the winds changed. Also, some planes were sent to drop water. Those homes are pretty new and they have a wonderful layout, made perfect to help stop fires!!! So, with that, the wind change, and the water drops, it was stopped!!!

I don't know the all of it, I can only hope that it stays true and that more areas are helped by the wind change and the planes.

Although, I think the wind change might not be so good for some. It is now directing flames back towards areas that should be finished, am I right?

Well, peoples, I'm alive but now I have a whole SUV load of photos to put back!!! I took a lot out of frames so that they'd take up less room but now I have a real mess.

I am sending you guys some really big hugs and very positive vibes!! If I can do anything, let me know. I am hopefully now in a safe place. I will come back more, well, as often as I can without it seeming I am not helping....:rolleyes:

[BarTopDancer]

Hey! Glad you are ok!

Well, peoples, I'm alive but now I have a whole SUV load of photos to put back!!! I took a lot out of frames so that they'd take up less room but now I have a real mess.

Now you have a reason to re-do the frames! ;)

[alphabassettgrrl]

Glad you're safe!

[katiesue]

Mousewife I'm so glad you're all safe. I'm with you on the unpacking. I've left all the photos in the trunk for one more night though, just in case.

[Not Afraid]

Good to hear from you, MW. I've been trying to keep tabs on everyone as much as possible. We are all worried.

[Not Afraid]

I've gotten a very long and detailed email from one of my clients about the needs of displaced animals due to the fires. The information is from a email list that was put together to help animals after Katrina. If anyone is interested, send me your email addy and I'll forward it on to you.

[~MS~]

All I can do from up here is pray, be glad when old friends check in and send a donation to the red cross...all done today.

[MouseWife]

Thank you guys, all of you!

How is everyone now?

I see maybe Ponine might be in trouble? katiesue, you're home?

Oh, man, I did take the time to put most of the albums away, but, yes, BTD, I will reframe most of the rest and others put into albums.

I am so glad I didn't have to partake in any of the evacuation centers but I am pretty proud {so far} of how San Diegans have been behaving at Qualcomm.

~MS~ there is so much power in prayer.

NA~ Oh, we have been so happy to hear that down here that they are really thinking about the pets. Fiesta Island was said to open for I think 500 pets and their families. Some pet hospitals offered boarding {or a boarding facility} until Nov. 1 {or something like that} and some other things

Can anyone tell me if La Mesa is alright? I don't why it wouldn't be, but....and yesterday I heard about fire at Mt. Helix. Anyone else hear about this?

I still have my clothes to put away but I'll be back. I need to organize in case I have to go to work tomorrow. I might stay with the Boy but if someone is here with him I just might go to work. {I only work 4 hours.}

[barfownz]

Fires are near Temecula. Closest fire is in Rainbow. They have most of the I-15 shut down. Our school gym is being used as an evacuation point.

[wendybeth]

Has anyone heard from Mouseygirl? Is she near any of the fires? I haven't seen her on the boards, but I could have skipped a thread she's posted in.

[Kevy Baby]

Has anyone heard from Mouseygirl? Is she near any of the fires? I haven't seen her on the boards, but I could have skipped a thread she's posted in.She was posting this morning.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

For anyone considering traveling to or from SD tomorrow:

Fires swept across Camp Pendleton, with flames lapping on both sides of the I-5 freeway. The freeway was shut down in both directions shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday between Cristianitos Road and Harbor Drive, according to California Highway Patrol.

"It's not looking good right now," said Camp Pendleton Fire Inspector Bill Gick. "For the morning commute, you can forget about it. The freeway is closed."

[Mousey Girl]

Has anyone heard from Mouseygirl? Is she near any of the fires? I haven't seen her on the boards, but I could have skipped a thread she's posted in.

I am in Bakersfield. We have some smoke, but no where near the fire.

[Moonliner]

I am in Bakersfield. We have some smoke, but no where near the fire.

I'm glad to hear that! You all keep safe out there.

[katiesue]

It's still smoky here but the visibility is much better today. I didn't even try but I don't think I can get to work still (there's only two of us so we're just checking in remotely).

Schools are cancelled for the rest of the week. Maddy's bored already.

MW glad you guys are all ok.

[Ponine]

http://members.cox.net/ponine/Images/DSCF0464res.jpg


It’s an eerie feeling coming in to work today. I’ve been deemed “essential” and needed to report to work on time, at 8am.
It has the feel of a Sunday morning; no cars on the freeway, I slept in thirty minutes.
But then there are the odd parts of my Sunday drive.
The thick smell of smoke in the air.
The Starbucks by my home is not open for business.
And as I stood in the parking lot of the Starbucks halfway between home and work, taking photos of the sky for a displaced Californian, it was snowing.
At least, for five seconds I thought it was. The ashes were falling from the sky all around me. I hadn’t seen flakes like this since the flurries when I lived in Denver. For those of you non snow types, large ash, as if you had just thrown a stack of newspaper on the bonfire, or the size of chocolate shavings on a cake.
The sky is a beautiful, serene, yet frightening orange as the sun rises. I hate to leave my son and mother behind at home, but I have a bag packed in my car, and things in a pile should they need to leave in my absence, but as I said, I was deemed “essential”


(picture was not edited for color, as my monitor is darker than most. and if you need to resize, go ahead mods))

[Disneyphile]

Geesh. This is just frightening. :(

I'm glad you're all safe. Know that you have many friends up north who can put you up, should you need it.

[Ponine]

Geesh. This is just frightening. :(

I'm glad you're all safe. Know that you have many friends up north who can put you up, should you need it.

Assuming I can travel north. I heard the I-5 was closed.
We're supposed to be at the El Cap on Sunday, at this moment I have no idea if we can go.

[JWBear]

Keep safe, everyone.

[Disneyphile]

Ken said they're getting a lot of evacuees coming into Target.

We think that some folks might be keeping their kids calm with an impromptu trip to Disneyland or something, because it seems odd to come all the way up to a main resort area. Unless, it's the only area with rooms still available.

[Moonliner]

Ken said they're getting a lot of evacuees coming into Target.

We think that some folks might be keeping their kids calm with an impromptu trip to Disneyland or something, because it seems odd to come all the way up to a main resort area. Unless, it's the only area with rooms still available.

Hey, if you have to be an evacuee the Grand Californian sound a lot better than a football stadium. I hope they cut locals a big price break during this event.

[Kevy Baby]

(picture was not edited for color, as my monitor is darker than most. and if you need to resize, go ahead mods))Um, actually, the picture as is remarkably and frighteningly telling (at least on my monitor). No need for modification in my opinion.

...or the size of chocolate shavings on a cake.Now THAT analogy I can understand :)

[Disneyphile]

Hey, if you have to be an evacuee the Grand Californian sound a lot better than a football stadium. I hope they cut locals a big price break during this event.
Unfortunately, I've read that most hotels/motels are charging triple rates right now. :rolleyes:

[MouseWife]

Oh Ponine, you must still be in a very precarious place! I know here we are all breathing easier {well, figuratively speaking}. I hope that all stays well and that you can go home at the end of the day and unpack.

Lodging. Well, I think going up to Disneyland would be great! I would go but I do have to go to work today. Target isn't open here but they've had shipments for two days and they need employees to come in and unload. Ha, let's just see what I can do.

Oh, I digressed. Around the Garden Grove Target are tons of hotels, we usually stay right across the street from it. :D

And, down here they offered up the Hyatt {I think the one by Seaport Village} to evacuees for $139. But, that isn't such a great rate. Sure it is a grand hotel but it is just a hotel and it is off season. Parking sucks, too. And, also, I think that some conventions cancelled and so their availablity opened up a lot.

Not to knock them but I would hope that if people came in with some proof they were in real evacuation areas that they charged them less than that.

*sigh* Yeah, I'd love to take the Boy up to Disneyland.... But, I am just grateful to be here and not worried about evacuations anymore.

Take care those of you who are. {{{hugs}}}

[Morrigoon]

Well, El Toro High was offered up as an evac center to some of the folks in northern SD (you know, before Pendleton went up), so my guess is anyone who went there is pretty much stuck up here and making the most of it.

[Ponine]

Um, actually, the picture as is remarkably and frighteningly telling (at least on my monitor). No need for modification in my opinion.

Now THAT analogy I can understand :)

Glad it worked. On my camera it was very orange, and in IRL. But it didnt show on the work pc.

And yes, the cake shavings worked for me too, but choc shavings fall faster than this stuff.

[~MS~]

FYI...the 5 is open both directions now.

[Ponine]

was... they closed it again. Southbound open, Northbound closed at Harbor

[Ghoulish Delight]

If anyone's noticing new smoke in the San Onofre area, don't be alarmed. They've started setting back fires to protect the transmission lines from the nuclear tits.

[Kevy Baby]

If anyone's noticing new smoke in the San Onofre area, don't be alarmed.Is Chris stoking up a big fattie?

They've started setting back fires to protect the transmission lines from the nuclear tits.I never thought something posted in one of the fire threads would be worthy of adding to the quotes.

[Morrigoon]

Because avocados weren't expensive enough (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21457172/)