Fires in Southern California!

revvinkevin · Nov 16, 2008

In case you have not heard.......

You may say "Oh there goes California, up in flames again..." and that may be true, but it's a big problem all who live here.

The first fire started 4 days ago (Thursday evening) in Montecito, a wealthy area just outside of Santa Barbara. Celebrities such as Rob Lowe, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas and Oprah Winfrey have homes there. So far the fire, fueled by high winds has destroyed more then 100 homes.

Then late Friday night another fire started in Sylmar, which is just north of Los Angeles (about 45 miles from me). So far it has destroyed more then 500 mobile homes and more, burning over 9500 acres.

The third fire started last night (Saturday) in Riverside county and has worked it's way into Orange county (only about 35 miles from me!), burning more then 10,000 acres and countless homes!

I've had to keep my windows closed on the house, otherwise everything would smell like smoke! Unfortunately that makes for brown skies and respiratory problems for some.

revvinkevin · Nov 16, 2008

Another problem is... with fire of course comes smoke, and with fire and smoke also comes the ashes from the fire... and you can see from my deck.

revvinkevin · Nov 16, 2008

And this is all from a fire that is about 35 miles away! Can you imagine what the cars, sidewalks and streets look like??
BTW, my deck was clean 4 days ago!

athanasius80 · Nov 16, 2008

I'm one city south of him. We've had brown skies all weekend and random bits of ash coming down. Scary times indeed!

maytagbear · Nov 17, 2008

I wish you all safety--

and for your families and friends in the area, also.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

JerseyMike · Nov 17, 2008

That's so scary!

Stay safe, everyone. Stay safe.

Mike

toggleswitch2 · Nov 17, 2008

Truly scary.

Methinks it is time to build of concrete, cinderblock and metal studs, instead of wood beamsand studs with a vinyl sheath over it.

*WOW*

Once one gets past the four season in Califoria, it is like paradise (i.e. fires, earthquakes, mudslides and riots).

revvinkevin · Nov 20, 2008

OK... update on the fires with some REALLY SCARY photos!!!

Fortunately I can say the men and women of the various fire services have been doing an excellent job of getting these fires under control!! The smoke has been dissipating and even though a lot of ash has fallen from the skies, there has been very little if any the last few days.

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I received an e-mail forwarded from a co-worker today with some really scary photos taken by a friends neighbor who lives in Yorba Linda area (36 miles from me).

Looking at these photos really put fear into me, even though my own home was not threatened.

So I felt compelled to share them with you.

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The following pictures were taken by the neighbor.

Taken from the neighbor’s backyard