Previously posted on my What's new page::
27- October Firestorm
2003. I've
posted photos that I have taken and photos from news services
and maps. The Scripps Ranch/Cedar Fire came within a few miles
from me and the La Verne/Grand Prix fire was only a few streets
away from my Nephew's home. As of 8PM Monday, all is well for
family. My friend, Catherine who lives in Scripps Ranch was
evacuated on Sunday morning. I was up in La Verne and San Dimas
for the weekend. She had my key, so she was able to stay at
my house. I was able to return home Sunday evening. At 5PM
Monday, Catherine was able to go back to her apartment - which
was spared! Good News.
28-October-2003,
Tuesday: Weirdness.
Intenseness. Silence.
Suddenly at noon, the sunlight
disappeared and was replaced by an eerie dark amber light caused
by the ubiquitous smoke. It was so sudden, I was startled. This
light is so much more intense orange than what we (or at least
I) have experienced so far. At 1:30 PM it was still as dark as
it is during the moments before the sun sets. I went outside to
attempt to take pictures of the sun. It's still visible, but it
is a deep red. What also struck me is the quiet. My neighborhood
is never as silent as it is now. There are no cars driving down
the streets, no kids playing outside, no military jets from Miramar
buzzing the rooftops, no lawnmowers and weedwackers, no wind -
just silence and an uneasy calm. The colors and emotions are so
hard to describe in words or capture in a picture. It is impossible
to escape and forget for a few moments the chaos outside when bathed
in this eerie light. By 2 PM, the sun disappeared. Click here to
see photo of
the red sun - scroll to the bottom of the page.
But I did hear some good news.
My friend and co-worker Mary called to tell me she and her family
are safe so far. They live in Lakeside in Eastern San Diego County.
She didn't have to evacuate, but they had to evacuate her sister's
family, twice! Fortunately her sister's home was spared, but other
homes on her street were not so lucky. Mary said the fire is still
threatening if the wind shifts. But was optimistic (if that is
the right word) that they will be safe because of the extensive
burnt areas between them and the fire.
Mary
said they were given time to pack and evacuate (I can't remember
the exact time) but the
wind suddenly intensified and they were told to leave IMMEDIATELY.
They left with a few clothes, papers and her TR6. Just like Catherine
and Deborah (my nephew's wife) the attitudes were the same... it's
just things. Homes can be rebuilt - as Deborah remarked "...the
way I want it". What is important is that everyone is safe.
Work will be closed for the
third day on Wednesday, due to the unhealthful air quality.
Here is a San
Diego area map of
the fire boundries and statistics as of 9 PM Monday.
30-October-2003,
Thursday
Work
resumed and some semblance to normalcy returns. Luckily, nobody
at work lost their homes, but a number evacuated and a few had
neighbors who lost their homes.
The
next week,
I visited the comic shop where I regularly visit. I was sure it
would have burned
down. The maps indicated the fire had reached their location
near Claremont Mesa/15 Fwy. But surprise - they were still standing.
The fire came right up to the parking lot, taking out some of the
other businesses. The owner said that he and a few of the other
owners in the complex watered down the roofs and vegetation - saving
their livelihoods - although the police had told them to evacuate.
