LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

FIRE!

11K views 89 replies 32 participants last post by  MyronW 
#1 ·
Oh, s@&t! Not again!

It's been almost exactly 4 years since the Paradise fire- 10/26 to be exact, and San Diego County is on fire again. We got a reverse 911 call to evacuate this morning. Packed up the kids and pets, and got my family to safety. I laid hose all around the property, and I've been on firewatch ever since.
The family came back about an hour ago, and everything is OK so far. We'll be keeping a close eye on the weather until this is over. The wind is a vicious Santa Ana. single digit humidity, gusts to 40 mph from the east. We'll be keeping the van packed for a quick bugout, just in case.
 
#14 ·
I live in the city for which they named those damned winds. It is now tuesday about 2:30 pm. Some of our friends live around there and they just were told to go home. I hope you were able to do the same. Let us know if you and everyone is alright.
 
#20 ·
Still OK

The wind has calmed a bit, but I am still very much on edge. The closest fire front is southeast of me, and the prevailing wind has been ENE. Had a bit of ash, and the occasional whiff of smoke. Man, I hate that smell. My truck is packed and pointed in the right direction if I have to make a run for it. Which will be as soon as I see flames coming my way.

Thanks for your prayers- they seem to be working!
Myron
 
#27 ·
Looking pretty good

The fire seems to have gone south of us. I just heard that this particular fire, the Witch Creek Fire, has burned over 110,000 acres, and is zero percent contained. Escondido and Rancho Bernardo are in serious trouble.

I just went to check on the family, and everyone is just fine, except my brother-in-law, who just doesn't do well with a lot of kids at the same time. Not to mention the 5 cats, 2 dogs, 4 cockatiels, and 1 parakeet. Oh yeah- 2 guinea pigs and a rat. The 2 pygmy goats were hauled off to a shelter this morning.

Did I mention we call this place Casa de Chaos?

My 16 year old son is with me now back at the house. No glow on the horizon, just that sick brushfire smell wafting around. We are 2 doors down from the sheriff's station and the firehouse (although that didn't help a bit last time).

We all should be back here tomorrow morning, Lord willing. I'm going to stand firewatch here; we'll be safe.

When I get a chance, I'll write about the fire prevention stuff I did with the new shop to ensure it won't burn again. Doesn't apply to this old house (built in 1958), though.

I truly appreciate your prayers and concern. Thanks for the support- it means a lot to me.

Myron
 
#34 ·
Update from Myron's son

Hi everybody. I'm Tommy, (Myron's son). My dad just called me and asked to post an update so you all know what's going on.

As of now, things are not looking too good. My dad left with the rest of my family to my uncle's house early in the morning on the other side of Valley Center. However, they were shortly after evacuated from there and sent to the High School gym where they currently still are. The last they've heard, the fire is up behind their house which is exactly where it was four years ago. It's getting close, but so far we can tell the house is still there by checking on my dad's weather system that broadcasts online.

The situation is somewhere between grim and really bad so prayers are still very welcome.
 
#40 ·
Tommy again

So far the fire hasn't burnt any structures by my parent's house, but it is still extremely close. The weather station address is:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=92082&MR=1

Just go down to the personal weather station section and my dad's is the second one down that says "near the middle school".

As long as that's broadcasting it means the house is still there.

Right now, the Witch Creek fire or "Witch Fire" as they're now calling it isn't the main concern. The fire my parent's are dealing with is the new "Poomacha Fire" which seems to be burning threw Pauma Valley, the North East end of Valley Center and headed toward Palomar mountain. So far, the burn area of this fire isn't showing up on any maps. The map that seems to be the most accurate is:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571

Prayers are still very much needed.
 
#49 ·
Maybe looking better

It's Tommy again. The latest update is looking better. The house and shop are still there and the yard seems untouched. My dad was able to go see the house briefly and he said things are looking fine. The latest news report shows the wind dying down and headed east which is good news for my parents. They're still stuck at the High School gym, but at least they know that they still have a home.

It's starting to look up.
 
#62 ·
Almost home (Tommy again)

Well, it's looking like my parents should be able to return home tomorrow. They were hoping for today, but it's sounding like that probably won't happen. There's still a few hot spots in the canyon behind their house and they're concerned about it coming back up again like it did last time.

My dad is going to drive up to the house later today and check things out. If the smoke is down enough and the area looks safe then they might be able to return today, but it's more likely that they'll have to spend one more night at the High School.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and concerns. They know for sure that the house and shop are okay and they'll be able to move back in soon.

Hopefully the next post will be from my dad.

-Tommy
 
#70 ·
Home Again! Yay!

Well, we were finally cleared to come home today. We are tired, dirty, and even a little apprehensive, but we will sleep in our own beds tonight.

There are tree limbs scattered about, and one live oak tree blew over. The smell of burnt wildlands is everywhere, and the National Guard is camped across the street for security.

A few notes from the experience:

The volunteers from the American Red Cross are the sweetest, most caring, generous, compassionate people I have ever met. They took wonderful care of us, and we owe them. Big time.

Always take a Sharpie (permanent marker) to a shelter. That bottle of water you just set down blends in remarkably well with the others; I don't know how many were wasted because of that.

I'll get some pictures posted soon- after we get the kids washed and in bed!

Myron
 
#80 ·
We came through just fine!

Well, we've been home two days now, and it has been strange. The smoke smell is strongest in the morning, with the cool air just sitting there. I wore a respirator outside yesterday, but today is much better. I put HEPA filters in our vacuum cleaners and cleaned the carpet and upholstery today, and started to put things back where they belong.

I got our 2 pygmy goats back yesterday. They seem happy to be home, as do the rest of the animals.

The National Guard packed up and left this morning. They were across the street at the Middle School, running security patrols and playing a lot of touch football.

Other than cutting up a downed tree and cleaning up piles of leaves, there really isn't much to fix. The fire came within a couple hundred feet of us, but all the damage is from the wind.

As far as emotions go, this has been pretty tough on all of us. The kids are very clingy, and my dear wife is pretty shook up, with periods of panic. I was able to spend a little bit of time in the shop today, making those breadboards for class. Hearing the whine of the sawblade and watching the dust whirl around in the cyclone was as therapeutic as anything could be. I screwed up the first glue-up by trying to do too many joints at once, so I slowed down on the second one, and it's much flatter!

So, my friends, I think I will close out this blog series. It's time to get back to work. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your care, concern, and especially your prayers. Please continue to lift up those less fortunate than us; they have a very tough time ahead of them.

God bless,
Myron
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top