I Smell Smoke

[ricoba]

When I woke up this morning, I of course was amazed to hear about the terrible fire devastation that's occurring in Sylmar, (about 40 miles north of us) and now Corona (also about 40 miles east of us).

First thing this AM, we could not smell or see smoke, but now within the past hour our sky has turned cloudy dark and the air is very smokey.

We are not in harms way, but my heart does go out to those who have lost their homes so far at least 700 homes lost.

For those of you who do believe in prayer or good thoughts, say a prayer or two for LA and Orange County and our firefighters.

 

[Passepartout]

We get some fires around here too, so our thoughts and wishes go out for you folks to safely get through this.

It's a case of too many people living in too close a proximity to 'nature' and not enough preparation for the high winds and flammable brush.

Incidentally, I was burned out of an apartment in Anaheim in the early 80's. We lost it all. This led to the outlawing of shake shingle roofs in O.C. The fire started when a palm tree blew into a transformer then sparks blew from roof-to-roof.

Jim Ricks

 

[ricoba]

Jim, thank you for your regards. Best of luck to the firefighters in your area. As you know, for us it's an issue of dry air and the Santa Ana winds.

To update my initial post, it is almost "dusk" like now here. I am working on a research paper, and need to turn the light on, which is unheard of in the middle of the day (2 PM)!

I guess there are now more fires out in the Anaheim hills and Brea, which is much closer to us down here in the Southbay, (Long Beach/Carson/Compton area).

 

[Fern Modena]

In California you still see shake roofs, but they are now "treated shake," that is, fire resistant.

Here, in my part of Nevada, everybody has "Class A" roofs, either tile or fireproof shingle. Keeps the insurance cost down. That, and the fact that there is a firehouse about three blocks away.

Fern

Incidentally, I was burned out of an apartment in Anaheim in the early 80's. We lost it all. This led to the outlawing of shake shingle roofs in O.C. The fire started when a palm tree blew into a transformer then sparks blew from roof-to-roof.

Jim Ricks

 

[Lawlar]

You Gotta Love It

A relative lives in Montecito (which is next to Santa Barbara). My wife and her son went there to help that relative pack up and get out (she had a mandatory evacuation and huge flames were near her home).

My wife/son/relative had to go into the various rooms of this Montecito home and gather large bundles of money this woman had hidden in her house. :hysterical: I cannot make this stuff up.

This relative bought her home for about $50,000 in the 1960s. Its worth about 6 million today.

ONLY IN AMERICA!!!!!

 

[Passepartout]

In California you still see shake roofs, but they are now "treated shake," that is, fire resistant.

Fern

That's correct. I should have stated that 'raw' or untreated shake roofs were outlawed. I still get nervous sleeping in a building with one.

Jim Ricks

 

[davenlib]

as of now there are fires in Yorba Linda, Brea, Anaheim Hills and they are evacuating many. Huge homes in Yorba Linda are being leveled. the Fire just crossed the 57 freeway. The 57 is closed at Imperial Highway and the 91 is closed near Weir Canyon Road.. We are about in the middle of all of this and the skys are very dark and scary looking. please pray for our entire area.

 

[ricoba]

as of now there are fires in Yorba Linda, Brea, Anaheim Hills and they are evacuating many. Huge homes in Yorba Linda are being leveled. the Fire just crossed the 57 freeway. The 57 is closed at Imperial Highway and the 91 is closed near Weir Canyon Road.. We are about in the middle of all of this and the skys are very dark and scary looking. please pray for our entire area.

All the best to you. We are praying for all affected. This new firestorm in OC is terrible, especially since they are reporting there is no water pressure in Yorba Linda!

 

[BSQ]

indeed it's been quite a smokey day. by the time I took this picture it was actually the clearest it had been. Earlier this afternoon I could not see the life guard tower in the pic.

Hope everyone stays safe.

 

[ricoba]

indeed it's been quite a smokey day. by the time I took this picture it was actually the clearest it had been. Earlier this afternoon I could not see the life guard tower in the pic.

Hope everyone stays safe.

That's a good picture of what it has looked like today. It was much darker where we live, since we are not as close to the beach.

I wish I had had my camera when we went into San Pedro this evening, the setting sun across the Palos Verdes Peninsula, looked like a giant red ball, lost in the haze and smoke.

 

[MuranoJo]

We get some fires around here too, so our thoughts and wishes go out for you folks to safely get through this.

It's a case of too many people living in too close a proximity to 'nature' and not enough preparation for the high winds and flammable brush.

Incidentally, I was burned out of an apartment in Anaheim in the early 80's. We lost it all. This led to the outlawing of shake shingle roofs in O.C. The fire started when a palm tree blew into a transformer then sparks blew from roof-to-roof.

Jim Ricks

Jim, sounds similar to what happened in Boise not too long ago. Hello there, fellow statesman.

 

[M. Henley]

Down into the Valley of Smoke

Staying at San Clemente Inn.
Drove 110 miles north to see the Reagan Library and Museum.
Barely made it, but had an enjoyable day looking at all the exhibits.
Fire and carnage west and south of the site.
Really feel for the folks whose homes have been totallyt destroyed. A real tragedy.
The winds have abated some tonight.
Pics from today, including smoke clouds:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/r...c2ab77c58fccf4ab00f16ca9e1e&sid=8Qct27Vy4aNb6

 

[SDKath]

This is the first time (knock on wood) that San Diego is NOT burning. It was hot and dry here with the Santa Ana's. The kids had a blast swimming all day in the 90 degree weather. All day though I kept looking to the sky wondering if that dreaded smoke cloud would show up like it has every other Fall. Thankfully nothing yet. Another warm day tomorrow though....

My thoughts are with those who are affected today. I know some of the San Diego firefighters were sent up north to help out in LA.

Katherine