Tuesday, October 23, 2007

San Diego Fires: Update

I am one of the lucky ones that managed to leave my home in San Diego yesterday afternoon and returned safely to Palm Springs. I continue to follow the news about what's going on. The fires are destroying so many homes and businesses that it's difficult to imagine. They have been saying this is "The Perfect Fire Storm": unusually dry conditions from a lack of rain, very heavy winds, and hotter temperatures than normal. The photo above is from http://www.signonsandiego.com/, as is this update below:

The Witch Creek fire still burning already has left a grim toll: 500 homes destroyed and 250 damaged; 100 commercial buildings destroyed and 75 damaged; 50 outbuildings destroyed and 50 more damaged. Thousands more homes and businesses continue to be threatened by the raging fires

Here is a map of the fires in Southern California:

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9 comments:

  1. limeOctober 23, 2007 at 7:28 AM

    glad you are safe!

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  2. Desert SongbirdOctober 23, 2007 at 7:57 AM

    My heart just aches in all of this. I just heard that North Jamul has been evacuated; have not been able to get in touch with the kinfolk in Jamul.

    I love SoCal (and everyone knows I yearn to live in Coronado). This is so painful to hear.

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  3. BiddieOctober 23, 2007 at 8:53 AM

    This is so sad. I can not imagine losing everything, and having no safe place to go.
    Thank goodness you are safe!

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  4. BrianinmplsOctober 23, 2007 at 10:16 AM

    I am glad you are ok.

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  5. AnonymousOctober 23, 2007 at 10:35 AM

    Glad you're ok; keep being careful.

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  6. snowelfOctober 23, 2007 at 11:00 AM

    Wow, the map makes it look so overwhelming--its such a large, large area...

    take care and again, glad you are safe!

    --snow

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  7. StevenOctober 23, 2007 at 2:11 PM

    Glad to hear that you are safe. It is quite a different perspective to hear personal stories about these fires in comparison to what is reported on the network news.

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  8. CherylOctober 23, 2007 at 4:49 PM

    I've been waiting to hear word from you. For some reason I didn't see your earlier posts till now. I'm so glad that you're safe, and my thoughts are with all the people affected by the fires. I can't begin to imagine what it's like there. I'm sure the pictures only tell part of the story. Keep us updated, OK?

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  9. AnonymousOctober 23, 2007 at 9:26 PM

    Rick, Isn't this wild. I'm glad you made it back to the desert safely. I evacuated my house in Lawson Valley /Jamul yesterday. We went to Spring Valley to Jon's brother's house, only to awaken to another evacuation at 4:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. We held out and did not leave, then the evacuation was lifted. The fire was headed west towards Chula Vista. Now it is turned around amd is headed back toward Jamul. One of our neighbors stayed on his property until the sheriff's forced him out at 5:00 p.m. today. Our house was still there. So now we will wait and hope for the best.Take Care and I will talk to you soon.
    Elisa

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Thank you kindly.